I. Expectations of Conduct for Students Who Participate in Extracurricular Activities

Students who desire the privilege of participating in extracurricular activities at a Greenville County school must conduct themselves in accordance with the school’s discipline code. One should be aware that numerous court decisions have deemed participation in extracurricular activities a privilege as opposed to a right. As participants on a school team, club, or organization, one not only represents himself/herself, but also his/her teammates, coaches/sponsors, school, and The Greenville County Schools. A firm policy of equitable application is necessary to uphold the high standards of the extracurricular programs throughout the entire district. The community, school administrators, teachers and coaches feel strongly that high standards of conduct and citizenship are essential precepts of a sound extracurricular activities program. Other precepts include the instilling positive attitude, character, and integrity within the students who participate. Participants are expected to be role models and set a positive example for all. Additionally, extracurricular activities often draw high public interest, visibility, and are the focus of attention in many media. Students who take part in such activities, in effect, function as representatives of their school. Accordingly, the student’s behavior commands a public interest and attention that is unique in its capacity to denigrate or to elevate the district, school, and his/her team/organization. Since public support is an essential ingredient of public education, such behavior significantly impacts the district’s ability to effectively pursue its mission. Therefore, all participants shall abide by a code of conduct specifically for extracurricular activities.

II. Unacceptable Conduct

Any conduct that reflects negatively on events, participants, teams, organizations, or schools will not be tolerated. Acts of unacceptable conduct such as, but not limited to, theft, vandalism, disrespect, hazing, sexual harassment, major infractions of The Student Code of Conduct, or violations of law, tarnish the reputation of everyone associated with the extracurricular activity. This “Unacceptable Conduct” rule shall be in force twelve months of the year.

A. Definition of terms for unacceptable conduct

• Theft- stealing or taking of personal property that belongs to another person, school, team or organization.
• Vandalism- willful or malicious breaking, destruction, or defacement of public or

  private property.

• Disrespect- actions that show or express a lack of high regard or respect for others

  fellow students, opponents, teachers, coaches, administrators, parents, adults). This

  includes actions that result in OSS and the use of unacceptable language (cursing).

• Hazing- any action that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers another person,

  regardless of that person’s willingness to participate. These actions may include

  initiation rituals into a team, club or organization.

• Sexual Harassment- actions, comments, threats, verbalization, coercion, jokes,

  teasing, or intimidation that are of sexual nature and are unwelcome by those exposed

  to them, whether they are staff members, visitors, or other students
  

B. Penalty for Unacceptable Conduct: Due to the serious nature of this rule the teacher or coach, the athletic/activities director and the principal shall meet and determine the penalty according to the degree of the infraction. For competitive groups, the penalty shall range from a minimum of one game/contest suspension in the season or succeeding season to a maximum of dismissal from a team or program or permanent denial of participation.

Note: Students should realize that violations of the “Unacceptable Conduct Rule” may also be severe enough to include breaking not only the Student Code of Conduct for The School District of Greenville County, but also the criminal laws of our city, county, state or nation. Violations of the “Unacceptable Conduct Rule” that involve breaking criminal law will be handled as follows:

• Any student that is charged or cited with any violation of the law other than minor traffic violations will be placed on temporary suspension from extracurricular activities until the charges are resolved. Additional suspension or penalty may be assessed by the activities director and/or principal pending the resolution of the charges. Resolution of charges may include pre-trial intervention programs for misdemeanor charges. Students charged with a felony or possession of controlled substances will be suspended from practices and games. Pre-trial intervention programs for a felony or possession of controlled substances charge will not be recognized as resolution.
• Any student-participant that is not found innocent of a felony charge will be dismissed from the extracurricular program (pre-trial intervention programs and “no contest” pleas are not considered as being found innocent)

Suspension (from a team) means that the student is not allowed to dress out or participate in a contest. It may also include suspension from practice. However, the participant may be required to continue to practice with his/her team/program (see exception on charges of felony or possession of controlled substances above). Dismissal from a team or program means that the student is no longer a part of the team or program. If dismissed, the participant’s uniform and equipment will be taken up, and his/her name will be removed from the team/program roster. Re-instatement into the athletic program will only be considered after one calendar year and must be approved by the principal after consultation with the District Director of Athletics.

III. Out-of-School Suspension (OSS)

Any student that is suspended out-of-school will not be allowed to participate in practice or games/contests. Participants will not be allowed to return to any activities until he/she is readmitted to school and in attendance at school for one day. Students should be aware that offenses that lead to OSS might be severe enough to necessitate a school to initiate the “Unacceptable Conduct” rule.

Note: Students, teachers, sponsors, and coaches should be aware that students on OSS are not allowed to be on campus or to attend any school functions until they are readmitted and are in attendance at school for one day.

IV. Substance Abuse

A. Substance Abuse Rule: Any student illegally using or possessing alcohol or tobacco or using, possessing, buying, or selling illegal substances may be denied participation or face suspension of games or contests. This rule is to be enforced in-season and off-season (twelve months of the year).

B. Penalty for Substance Abuse:

1. First Violation Penalty: After confirmation of the first violation, the student will be suspended immediately from a minimum of 20% of the scheduled contests in the sport/activity which the student is a participant. If the sport/activity is out of season, then the penalty is administered at the very next season in which the student is a participant. The student may also be required to submit to on-demand drug testing.
2. Second Violation Penalty: After confirmation, the student will be suspended immediately for a minimum of 50% of the scheduled contests. If the sport/activity is out of season, the penalty, or remainder thereof, is administered at the very next sport/activity season in which the student participates. The student may also be required to submit to on-demand drug testing.
3. Third Violation Penalty: After confirmation, the student will be dismissed from participation in extracurricular activities for the remainder of his/her high school career.
   
   Note: A substance abuse violation may be severe enough to necessitate invoking the “Unacceptable Conduct Rule” because it is one of the most serious of Student Discipline Code violations. Students should also realize that a substance abuse violation might also be a criminal act and result in legal charges

V. Attendance Rule

A student shall not participate in a contest, game or practice on the day he/she has been absent from school without just reason. Just reason shall be anything beyond the control of the student (examples: school field trip, doctor/dental appointments, bereavement, etc.). However, confirmation notes will be required by the sponsor/coach of that activity.

VI. Individual School/Teacher/Sponsor/Coach Rules:

The “Extracurricular Code of Student Conduct” envelopes all middle and high schools in the District. It is a set of minimum standards. Individual schools/teachers/coaches/sponsors may establish additional rules and regulations with approval of the athletic/activities director and principal for their respective programs. Such additional rules must be given by the teacher/coach/sponsor in writing to all participants and explained fully at the start of an event or season. Penalties for violations of the rules shall also be in writing and shall be administered by the teacher/coach/sponsor.

VII. Appeal Procedure

A student may appeal the decision of the extracurricular program to the principal. A written appeal must be presented to the principal within five days of the initial ruling. The principal shall render a decision within five days.