Policies & Procedures

Athletic Policy

NEPN/NSBA CODE:  JJI-A

PHILOSOPHY

The primary purpose of interscholastic sports is to contribute to the overall development of the student in concert with the school’s philosophy and goals.  In this regard it is the responsibility of the athletic program to encourage the participation of all students who wish to be involved in any and all activities.  The Medway School Department believes strongly in the development of the total student-athlete and thus understands the athletic program to be an extension of our school program.  We work to meet the individual needs and to provide for successful experiences for the student in the classroom:  we extend these goals to all our extra and co-curricular programs.

GUIDELINES FOR ELIGIBILITY

Academic Eligibility

As a base requirement, a student must be passing all subjects and receiving no more than two (2) D’s to participate in any extra-curricular activity.  (For this purpose, a D is considered a passing grade).

1.      Incompletes will be interpreted as failures until such time as work is completed and a grade is recorded on the student’s rank card.  Incompletes are made up within two weeks of the end of a ranking period.

2.      The Pupil Evaluation Team will review eligibility of students governed by an individual education plan as appropriate.

3.      Students are also ineligible when they are not regularly enrolled, competed under an assumed name or has participated in an outside team to which an objection is made by local school authorities.

Procedures

Students must be academically eligible two weeks prior to the beginning of a sport in order to participate in that sport.   The athletic director shall alert students to their eligibility status two weeks prior to the beginning of the activity and ensure that only eligible students try out for an activity. 

Procedures for Continuing Eligibility

A.     Baseline grades should be collected for athletes at the beginning of the season.  Coaches should be concerned with two types of students; a failing student or a student in danger of failing.

B.     During the first two weeks of the activity, these students are to be considered probationary.  The coach should alert the student about his status and discuss the situation and possible remedies.

C.     At the end of the two weeks, students failing in a subject will receive a two-week suspension from the activity to improve his/her grades.

D.     It is the coach’s responsibility to monitor the academic progress of each athlete.

E.      Coaches should report monitoring results to the Athletic Director on a regular basis.

Further, coaches and advisers should keep a close check on grades throughout the duration of the activity.  They should stress the importance of good grades and attitudes, BEFORE students begin the activity.

Coaches and advisers should work with individual students and use probation, temporary suspension, or removal from any activity if either the student’s grades are below base requirements or behavior is unsatisfactory.

Coaches are responsible for ensuring that athletes are passing all subjects to remain eligible to play.  Coaches should stress the importance of good grades and attitudes.  Coaches should work with students and teachers to ensure their continued eligibility.

This EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY POLICY will be reviewed with all students at the beginning of school in September and will be included in the Student Handbook.

Attendance at School

Regular school attendance is required of all student-athletes.  Student-athletes absent from school any part of the day of a game or practice shall not participate without an excuse as defined by law.  Maine State Law (Title 20-A, Section 5001) lists five reasons for excusable absences.  These are:

1.      Personal Illness – To be verified by appropriate authority as deemed appropriate by the school administration.

2.      Appointments with health professionals that cannot be made outside of the regular school day.  Appropriate documentation may be requested by the school administration.

3.      Observance of recognized religious holidays when the observance is required during a regular school day.  Appropriate documentation may be requested by the school administration.  Required means that there is no other opportunity for the observance.

4.      Emergency family situations as deemed appropriate by the school administration.

5.      Planned absences for personal or educational purposes which have been pre-approved by the school administration.

If a student is absent the day of an activity because of personal illness (Excusable absence #1 above), the student may not participate in the activity.  If a student is absent for other excusable reasons the day of the activity (Excusable absences #2 – 5 above), the coach and the administration shall determine if the student is eligible to participate.  Students absent for any unexcused reasons (any reason not listed above) shall not participate.

If an activity is scheduled for Saturday and a student is absent on Friday for an excused reason (Excusable absences #1 – 5 above), the coach and the administration shall verify the reason and determine if the student is eligible to play. The primary consideration shall be the well-being of the student.

Conduct

Participation in extracurricular activities involve certain responsibilities to the school and community.

All students participating in athletics, or extracurricular activities, do so voluntarily, and are expected to adhere to certain standards commonly accepted as promoting healthy bodies and minds, and in keeping with the traditions of amateur athletic participation.  Students who choose to participate are expected and presumed to understand and accept this responsibility as a condition of their participation.

The following behavior constitutes a violation of Medway School Department standards:

A.     Behavior which results in being found guilty in a court of law or committing a juvenile offense.

B.     Being found guilty in a court of law of any offense connected with illegal drugs.

C.     Using any form of alcohol.

D.     Using smoking tobacco.

E.      Being involved in any way with illegal drugs.

F.      Being suspended or expelled from school.

G.     Being a consistent or serious disciplinary problem in school or while representing the school or community.

Frequent detentions and/or reports of inappropriate behavior may cause a suspension from a team.  School administration and the Athletic Director will determine when a one week suspension is necessary.  Students are expected to be on their best behavior when they are representing their school and community at practices and games.  Flagrant misbehavior may result in suspension and/or expulsion from the team to be determined after a meeting between the coach and the administration. 

Physicals

Sports physical examination (pre-season physical) will be required before entering middle school (June of sixth grade year) for all students wishing to participate in any sport during the middle school years.   

A Health History Questionnaire will be submitted each year, prior to sport participation, to the school nurse for review.  Questionnaires needing further evaluation will be sent to the student’s personal physician, or school physician and a physical exam given if indicated.

Practice

Practice policies will be determined by the coach, but it is the expectation that all athletes on the team will participate during practice sessions in a meaningful way.  Practices are to be used for the development of all participants.  If it is necessary to miss a practice it is the student’s responsibility to notify the coach before the practice, whenever possible.  A practice schedule will be established.  Coaches will schedule enough practices to adequately prepare students.  Practices and/or games will not exceed five per week at the middle school level.  Saturday practices may be scheduled for teams at the middle school level from time to time, but attendance will be optional.

MISCELLANEOUS

Awards

Every participating student will be recognized by a certificate and/or a small token.  Fall, winter, and spring ceremonies will be held.

Dress and Grooming

Student dress is a matter to be decided between the student and his/her parents.  However, no form of dress shall be permitted that presents a safety hazard or creates undue distraction, or suggests inappropriate or illegal behavior or language.

Emergency Card

Every coach will have an emergency card for each child.  The coach will have these cards with them at all practices and/or games.

Equipment and Clothing

The student-athlete will assume responsibility for all issued equipment and clothing and will be assessed for any lost or damaged items.  The student-athlete will complete a form when issued equipment and/or clothing so that proper records are maintained.

Playing Time

The above mentioned philosophy states that the primary purpose of inter-scholastic sports is to contribute to the overall development of the student.  Keeping in line with the fact that the Medway School Department believes strongly in the development of the total student-athlete, all coaches are strongly encouraged to allow each student athlete to participate in each contest in a meaningful way.

Travel

When bus transportation is provided, all student-athletes are required to travel to and from out-of-town contests with the team.  Permission may be granted by the coach to allow a student-athlete to be released to his parent or guardian provided the parent/guardian makes personal contact with the coach and signs a release form for the student.  Permission may be granted by the Administration to allow a student to be taken to games with prior approval from the school office.

“No Cut”

FIRE DRILL PROCEDURES

1. Students in any area of the school other than their classrooms should exit through the  nearest exit door and join their homeroom class.

2. If feasible, all windows and doors should be closed prior to leaving the building.

3. Provision should be made, in advance, by each teacher who has one or more handicapped students.

4. If feasible the first student to reach the exit door should hold it for all others.

5. All building occupants are to leave the building.

6. Teachers should be the last to leave the classrooms.  The last teacher out should see that doors are closed.

7. Pupils are to walk briskly in line, without running.  Emphasis should be placed upon orderliness and discipline.

8. Students should be advised to avoid unnecessary talking so that directions given to them can be heard.

9. Students should remain in line throughout the drill and wait well away from the building until an entrance signal is given.

10. Every fire drill should be regarded as a possible real emergency.

11. Classes should remain in line, in their designated areas, until they receive instructions or until they are instructed by their teachers to re-enter the buildings.

12. Please check this handbook for a diagram of the areas where students are to assemble outside the buildings.

Bleacher Rules and Regulations

	When the bleachers are CLOSED YOU DO NOT SIT ON THEM.
	No drinks other than water in them.
	No GUM in them.
	Be a Medway Middle School leader and show the general population how to use our new   bleachers.
	All school rules are in effect at these socials/dances.  (some examples; Substance Abuse, Weapons, Disruptive behavior, etc. etc.

Violation of any of these regulations by any student may result in suspension from further after school activities as well as other appropriate disciplinary action, i.e., detention or suspension from school.

DANCES/SOCIALS REGULATIONS & PROTOCOLS:

Several dances and socials are held throughout the year and the school staff and administration have set specific regulations (below) governing these Dances/Socials.  These regulations will be explained to all students prior to the first dance/social.  Even though these dances/socials may be sponsored by organizations other than Medway Middle School, Medway Middle School Reserves the right to enforce these regulations in conjunction with these organizations provided said activity is conducted on Medway Middle School Property.

	No student will be admitted after 30 minutes of start time.  (if dance starts at 7:00; 7:30 will be the time limit)  Students are to be picked up by an adult.
	Students may not leave the social/dance before the designated ending time without written parental permission.
	Students that are not enrolled at Medway Middle School must receive prior written permission from the Principal.  (note: Medway Middle School dances are for Medway Middle School Students and only in special occasions would such permission be granted.)
	Students who have been absent the day of the social/dance or the Friday before if the dance is held on Saturday, will not be eligible to attend that evening.
	Students are to be picked up by adults in a timely fashion so as to deter student loitering.
	Attire or dress at socials/dances is to be the same as that of regular school attendance.
	Discipline problems at dances/socials will result in parents being called and students leaving the activity.

Student Discipline

Philosophy:

Student discipline should emphasize positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior, as well as appropriate consequences for misbehavior.  The focus should be on providing a school environment where students are engaged in constructive learning and interactions with others.  The Medway School Board recognizes the importance of appropriate student management as it relates to learning.  Student discipline will be conducted in such a way as to balance both the needs of the individual and the needs of the school-community. 
The superintendent will be responsible for the development and dissemination of appropriate regulations and procedures to implement relevant law, board policy and good practice which will include these basic components.

A)  Administrators will take appropriate action against any individual violating this policy, including, but not limited to, student
discipline and/or action by law enforcement officials as appropriate.

Students who violate this policy may be expelled under the Title 20-A MRSA

Section 1001.9 (Amended in 1993) which provides that, if found necessary for the  peace and usefulness of the school, a school board will expel any student:

1.   who is deliberately disobedient or deliberately disorderly;

2.   for infractions of violence;

3.   who possesses on school property a firearm as defined in Title 17-A MRSA section 2.12A, without permission of a school official (see 20-A NMSA sections 6552);

4.   who, with use of any dangerous weapon as defined in Title 17-A MRSA section 2.9, A, intentionally or knowingly causes injury or accompanies use of a weapon with a threat to cause injury.

B)   Administrators will confiscate any article described in this policy and, if appropriate, submit it to a suitable law enforcement agency.

C)      The Principal may authorize inspections of student lockers, automobiles, clothing, purses, bags, backpacks and other personal belongings when there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the inspection will produce evidence that this policy has been violated (See Board Policy JIH).

D)                Expectations for student behavior should be clear and communicated to school staff, students and parents.

E)                 Consequences for misbehavior should be in proportion to the offense, fair and consistently enforced.

F)                 Parents should be actively in the process of preventing and resolving disciplinary problems at school.

Such regulations are also to include appropriate rules, sanctions and procedures regarding violence and/or use of weapons by employees, visitors, or other persons in addition to students.  School-wide rules shall be developed by the building principal with appropriate input from school staff, students and parents and subject to approval by the Superintendent.  Principals shall provide for the suspension or other serious disciplinary action against students in accordance with Board policies, administrative procedures and Maine law.

Role of School Staff

Physical force and corporal punishment shall not be used as disciplinary methods.  State law provides that a teacher or other person entrusted with the care or supervision of a person for special or limited purposes may not be held civilly liable for the use of a reasonable degree of force against the person who creates a disturbance if the teacher or other person reasonably believes it is necessary to a) control the disturbing behavior; or b) remove the person from the scene of the disturbance.

Teachers are authorized to make and enforce rules for effective classroom management and to foster appropriate student behavior, subject to the direction and approval by the Principal/designee.

School personnel will take appropriate action to secure the health and safety of students during any altercation involving violence and/or use of a weapon.  With the objective of defusing potentially violent situations and student anger, school staff will receive training in recognition, prevention and responding to violence.  Incidents are to be reported immediately to an appropriate administrator.

SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS

The School Board delegates to the Principal the authority to suspend disobedient and disorderly students for a period not to exceed ten (10) school days.  Suspensions longer than 10 days may be imposed by the Board.

Prior to the suspension, except as herein after provided:

A.    The student shall be given oral  or written notice of the charge(s) against him/her;

        B.    The student shall be given an explanation of the evidence forming the basis for the           
               charge(s); and

    C.    The student shall be given an opportunity to present his/her version of the incident.

However, students whose presence poses a continuing danger to persons or property or an ongoing threat of disrupting the instructional process may by immediately removed from school.  In such cases, the notice of charges, explanation of evidence, and the students opportunity to present his/her version of the incident shall be arranged as soon as practicable after removal of the student from school. 

The students parents/guardians shall be notified of the suspension as soon as practicable by telephone (if possible) and by written notice sent by mail.  A copy of the notice shall also be sent to the Office of the Superintendent.

The parents/guardians and the student shall be required to schedule a conference with the building administrator/designee within the suspension period and prior to re-admittance to school.

Students shall be responsible for any schoolwork missed during their suspension.  After readmittance, they shall be permitted to take tests, quizzes or any other form of evaluation affecting their grades.

For misconduct that is related to the students disability, the students PET may determine what programming or placement alterations are warranted beyond the 10 cumulative days of suspension permitted under this policy.

For misconduct unrelated to the students disability, the school unit may proceed with a suspension or expulsion consistent with law and with school policy.  During any such removal in excess of 10 cumulative days in the school year, the PET shall offer free and appropriate educational services to the special education student off school grounds.

The school unit shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws governing suspension and expulsion of students with disabilities.

EXPULSION OF STUDENTS:

No student shall be expelled from school except by action of the Board.  The Board shall expel students as provided in a 20-NMSA 1001 (9) and (9A).  The Board also has the authority to readmit an expelled student on satisfactory evidence that the behavior which was the cause of the student being expelled will not likely recur.

The parents/guardians (and the student if 18 years of age or older) shall be notified by certified letter and regular mail of the Board expulsion hearing.  The hearing shall be in a properly called executive session and may also be attended by persons designated by the Superintendent to present information in the case.

The notice of hearing shall include:

1. The date, time and location of the hearing;

2. A description of charge(s);

3. A statement that the student may be represented by legal counsel;

4. A statement that the student or his/her representative may cross-examine any witnesses presented by
   the administration at the hearing; and

5.  A statement that the parents/guardians and student may present evidence, including witnesses and documents, on the students behalf.

Except as provided by federal law, no identified special education student shall be expelled or suspended in excess of 10 cumulative days in the school year for misconduct related to the students disability.  If expulsion or suspension in excess of 10 cumulative days is to be considered, the students pupil evaluation team (PET) shall make the determination whether the misconduct in question, including any past incidents of misconduct which may be considered in making the disciplinary decision, is related to the student disability.

STUDENT INTERROGATIONS, SEARCHES AND ARRESTS

The board recognizes its responsibility to ensure that discipline is maintained in the schools and that a safe, orderly environment conductive to the educational process is preserved.  Therefore, school officials may conduct reasonable searches of students when, in their judgment, there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will reveal evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the policies and/or regulations of the school.  The search must be reasonably related in scope to the circumstances which precipitated the search and must not be excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the alleged infraction.

The board authorizes school administrators or their designee to inspect a students locker and/or desk when administrators have reason to believe that the locker or desk is improperly used for the storage of any substance or item which is in violation of the law or policies or regulations of the schools.  When deemed necessary for the general welfare of the school, searches of all lockers and desks, or random searches, may be conducted by school administrators.

A students person and/or personal effects may be searched whenever a school administrator or designee has reasonable suspicion to believe that the student is in possession of illegal or unauthorized materials.

If a personal search of a students person is conducted, it will be conducted in private by a school official of the same sex and with an adult witness present, when feasible.

WEAPONS IN THE SCHOOLS
IMPROVING AMERICA�S SCHOOLS ACT

In an effort to ensure a safe environment for students and employees, all persons are prohibited from the following conduct at all times on school premises, in any school vehicle, or at any school-sponsored activity:

a)              Knowing possessing or using articles commonly used or designed to inflict bodily harm and/or to intimidate other persons.  Examples of such articles include, but are not limited to: firearms, ammunition, explosives, brass knuckles, switchblades, butterfly knives, chains, clubs, and Kung Fu stars.

b)              Use of any object as a weapon, although not necessarily designed to be a weapon, to inflict or to threaten bodily harm and/or to intimidate, coerce or harass.  Examples of such objects include, but are not limited to: belts, other articles of clothing, combs, pencils, files, compasses, scissors, and replicas of weapons.

Alternative Conflict Resolution

To reduce potential violence in the schools, the superintendent will be responsible for developing procedures for implementing programs of information, prevention and intervention in violent circumstance.  This may be accomplished through peer mediation, counseling, parent involvement, services of community agencies or other activities suitable to the school unit.

BOMB THREATS

Should a viable threat be made against the school, the Police and Fire Departments will be notified and all children and personnel will be evacuated.  Once the building has been cleared a search will be conducted and a determination will be made to reopen the school or close for the day.  Should the decision be made to send the children home they will be returned according to the instructions provided by you, in the emergency instruction section on the childs information card.

Any person found to have made threats against the school will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  In addition, should that person be a student of School Union 113, they will be subject to disciplinary proceedings up to and including expulsion.