Mission Statement:

This Activity Code is an attempt to state expectations and help influence positive behavior of those students representing IVC School District 321. The Board of Education believes the activity programs are a means for developing wholesome attitudes, positive human relations and offering participants enhanced learning opportunities. The Board of Education recognizes that participation in all extracurricular and co-curricular activities is a privilege and not a right. Students participating in extracurricular activities are ambassadors of the school and community; therefore when they choose to participate in an activity, the expectations of the students will be higher, both while in school and out of school on a year-round basis.

Covered Activities

The Board of Education recognizes that students participating in the following activities are representatives and ambassadors of the school and community, and as such are subject to the Activity Code:

All Interscholastic Athletic Activities
Football Track
Cross Country Baseball
Golf Softball
Volleyball Pom Pons
Basketball Cheer leading
Swimming Soccer
Wrestling

Performance-based Activities
Scholastic Bowl Pep Band
Speech Team Fall Play
Band competitions Choral competitions
Jazz Band Madrigal/Swing Choir
Marching Band/Flags Spring Musical

Elected or Selected Positions in Student Clubs and Organizations
Newspaper officers Student Council members
Yearbook officers National Honor Society members
Art Club officers National French Society members
Junior Optimist Club officers National Spanish Society members
S.O.A.P Club officers National German Society members
Tri-M Music Honor Society members

*Please note that any other officers of student clubs or organizations that may be added to the extracurricular activities will also be subject to the Activity Code.

Infractions
A student will be subject to discipline under the Activity Code if he/she commits any of the following infractions a) whether on or off school grounds and b) regardless of the time of year:

1. Use or possess tobacco in any form (including e-cigarettes and personal vaporizers); this includes a
violation of the IVC Random Drug Testing Policy, as applicable.
2. Use a beverage containing alcohol. This includes a violation of the IVC Random Drug Testing Policy, as
applicable.
3. Use, possess, buy, sell, barter, or distribute any illegal substance (including inhalants, mood-altering and
performance enhancing drugs or chemicals) or paraphernalia (this includes look alike items). This includes
a violation of the IVC Random Drug Testing Policy, as applicable.
4. Attend a party or other gathering and/or ride in a vehicle where alcoholic beverages and/or controlled
substances are being consumed by minors.
5. Criminal acts (excluding minor traffic tickets).
6. Behave in a manner that is detrimental to the good of the group or school.
7. Violate any of the school rules and district policies on student discipline.

Consequences

A student involved in the infractions listed above shall incur the following consequences:
Athletic or Performance-based Activity Club or Organization

First Infraction ¼ of the season ¼ of the school year

Second Infraction
(within 1 calendar year 1 calendar year 1 calendar year
of the 1st Infraction)

Second Infraction
(after 1 calendar year ¼ of the season ¼ of the school year
of the 1st Infraction)

Third Infraction Suspension from all activities, clubs and organizations for the remainder
of the student’s middle school or high school career. Note: This suspension
may be reduced to one calendar year, provided that within that calendar
year the student satisfactorily completes 100 hours of community service
approved by the school administration. This option may be used one time only.

**Self Reporting Reporting by a student, parent or guardian of an infraction within three school
days of occurrence and before initial questioning by school personnel. The
consequences for self-reported infractions are:

Athletic or Performance-based Activity Club or Organization

First Infraction 1/8 of the season 1/8 of the season

Second Infraction 1/2 of the season 1/2 of the season
(within one calendar
year of the first infraction)

Second Infraction 1/8 of the season 1/8 of the season
(after one calendar
year of first infraction)

The following definitions and conditions apply to these consequences:

1. A student who possesses or uses tobacco (including e-cigarettes and personal vaporizers) in any form will
meet with the school counselor.
2. A student who violates rules 1, 2 or 3 regarding the use, possession or distribution of alcohol, tobacco
(including e-cigarettes and personal vaporizers) or illegal substances is required to meet with his or her
counselor, and complete a drug education program provided by the school. (high school only)
3. Students who violate rule 4 must enroll in and satisfactorily participate in a school-sponsored substance
abuse education/awareness program.
4. A season for athletic and performance-based activities is defined as the start of the first event of the
activity to the end of the last event of the activity. A season for clubs and organizations is defined as the
school year.
5. For an athletic or performance-based activity, if a first infraction occurs in season and at least 1/4 of the
regular scheduled events remain, the student will be suspended from 1/4 of the regular season events. For a
club or organization, if a first infraction occurs during the school year and at least 1/4 of the school year
remains, the student will be suspended from participation for 1/4 of the school year.
6. For an athletic or performance-based activity, if a first infraction occurs in season with fewer than 1/4 of the
regular season events remaining, the suspension will carry over into post-season events. If the penalty is
still not satisfied, the suspension will then be carried over to the next activity in which he/she participates
until the penalty has been satisfied. For a club or organization, if a first infraction occurs during the school
year and less than 1/4 of the school year remains, the student will be suspended from participation for the
remainder of the school year. This suspension will then be carried over to the next school year until the
penalty has been satisfied.
7. If an infraction occurs out of season, the student will be suspended from 1/4 of the regular season events of
the next activity in which he/she participates. If a student quits after 1/4 of the events have been
completed, but before completion of the season, then he/she has not satisfied the suspension and it will be
carried over to the next activity.
8. A second infraction within a calendar year of the first infraction will cause the student to be suspended from
all activities for a period of one year from the date of the second infraction. A second infraction after a
calendar year of the first infraction will result in the same penalty as a first infraction, but will still be
recorded as a second infraction.
9. A third infraction during a student’s middle school career, regardless of the date of occurrence, will cause
the student to be suspended from all activities for the remainder of that student’s middle school career. A
third infraction during a student’s high school career, regardless of the date of occurrence, will cause the
student to be suspended from all activities for the remainder of that student’s high school career.

Coaches and Sponsors

Coaches or sponsors may have additional rules above and beyond the Activity Code (provided these rules are deemed appropriate by the principal). A copy of these rules along with consequences shall be given to each participant at the beginning of the activity. The coaches’ or sponsors’ rules will be enforced only during the season that the student participates in that activity.

Coaches or sponsors are expected to handle violations of the Activity Code and/or Random Drug Testing Policy with the highest level of confidentiality. The discussion of suspensions must be limited to a need to know basis.

Because students cannot be academically punished for violations of the Activity Code and/or Random Drug Testing Policy, coaches or sponsors of activities for which a student receives academic credit shall provide an alternative assessment opportunity or exempt a student from an assignment or event missed due to a suspension imposed under the Activity Code after a student has been found in violation of the Activity Code and/or Random Drug Testing Policy.

Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship must be displayed by students, athletes, parents, family members and all guests to any and all IVC school events due to the fact that we all represent the IVC community. The administration reserves the right to remove violators from an event and/or withhold entry into events if an infraction occurs. Examples of infractions include, but are not limited to, confronting a coach before or after a game without an appointment or profanity toward a coach or referee.

Procedures

The student and his/her parents or guardians must sign the Activity Code form verifying that they have read and understood the Activity Code. Once the signed form is returned to the coach/sponsor, the form will be kept on file and the Activity Code will apply to that student for the duration of his/her school career in I.V.C. District 321. A student may not participate until the signed form is on file.

1. Reports of infractions of the activities code are to be made to the coach/sponsor, the high school athletic
director, or the administration.
2. All reported infractions will be investigated as deemed necessary by the administration.
3. The student will be questioned by the Principal, Assistant Principal, or Athletic Director. If a satisfactory
conclusion is not reached at that time, the student’s counselor may be called in to discuss the matter with
the student and the administrator. Parents will be notified as soon as reasonably possible.
4. The school administration will decide whether an infraction has been committed and the consequences for
that infraction. The high school athletic director will be included in this process when the infraction involves
high school athletics.
5. A student will be advised of the charges against him/her and be given the opportunity to respond to the
charges before a decision is made or penalty imposed.
6. The student and his/her parents or guardians will be advised in writing by the administration of any
disciplinary action taken as a result of the charges and their right to appeal.
7. The student or parents or guardians may appeal the disciplinary action by responding in writing to the
Principal within one calendar week of the date on the notice of disciplinary action. The Principal’s ruling
during the appeal process is final.
8. Random student drug testing will be administered in accordance to Board Policy, as applicable.

Academic Eligibility

High school students who participate in activities that are regulated by this Activity Code must be passing at least two and one half graduate credits at all times during the school year. Those students who are found to be academically ineligible to participate will remain ineligible for at least one week, until they meet those eligibility requirements. At the end of each semester, every student must have accumulated at least three graduation credits. If a student fails to accumulate three graduation credits, he/she will be ineligible to participate in activities for the entire next semester. A student may qualify for academic probation, however, if he/she has earned at least 2.5 graduation credits during the previous semester but less than 3.0 graduation credits. Such academic probation may occur only once in a student’s high school career.

Middle school students who participate in activities that are regulated by this Activity Code must be passing all subjects at all times, as specified under IESA guidelines.

Adopted: June 23, 1998
Revised: August 10, 1999
Revised: November 23, 1999
Revised: July 25, 2000
Revised: May 25, 2004
Revised: July 24, 2012
Revised: May 5, 2016