PHILOSOPHY The primary purpose of the Athletic Program in the Pettus Independent School District is to promote the physical, mental, social, emotional, and moral well being of the participants.It is hoped that Athletics will be a positive force in preparing student-athletes for an enriching, vital role as a citizen in the United States.
The Athletic Program is an important and integral part of the total school program and is open to participation by all students. Through voluntary participation, the athlete gives time, energy, and loyalty to the program.He/she also accepts the training rules, regulations, and responsibilities that are unique to the Athletic Program.In order to contribute to the welfare of the team, the athlete must be willing to accept these obligations.
PARTICIPATION In order for an athlete to participate in the athletic program, he/she must be continuously enrolled in the athletic class for one full semester prior to participating in a contest. Only a fourth-year senior who must take a course needed for graduation during the same class period as the athletic period, may participate in a sport while not enrolled in the athletic class.(This will only be considered if the athlete was in the athletic class for one full semester prior to his/her senior year.)This exception must be approved by both the athletic director and the head coach of the sport.This will only be done for required courses and only if there are no other options.Also, a move-in student-athlete (who was not in Pettus ISD during the previous semester) will be eligible to compete in athletics immediately, as long as he/she enrolls in the athletic class within his/her first ten class days of enrollment at Pettus ISD.
EXAMPLE: An athlete attending Pettus I.S.D. in the spring must participate in the offseason class in order to compete in football or volleyball, or the first half of basketball, the following year. ACADEMICS Pettus athletes are in school first to work toward an education. We feel athletics have a great deal to provide toward the total education, but academic subjects are the top priority.If we arrange our priorities in the proper order, the student will gain a maximum benefit from his/her school experience. The correct order of priorities is:
1.Academics 2.Athletics 3.In-school social activities
If we establish these priorities we will never have to concern ourselves with the next statement: To be eligible to participate in athletics, you must pass every class in a grading period (six-weeks).Ineligible athletes may regain their eligibility at the midpoint of the next grading period if they are passing every class at that time.These are all UIL requirements.An athlete will be expected to practice during a period of ineligibility.Traveling with the team is prohibited by UIL when a student is ineligible. TRAVEL All athletes participating in out-of-town contests will be transported in a bus or other school vehicle. Athletes will ride to the game with the team (there could be a circumstance in which the athletic director would approve an athlete meeting the team at the site of the game, but this situation would be extrememly rare.Ex: a doctor’s appointment which was not schedulable on any other day).After the contest, the athlete will ride home with the team unless signed out by a parent or legal guardian or by a family member who is listed as an emergency contact on the student’s emergency card on file with the school.No one else will sign an athlete out under any circumstances.A parent cannot write a letter giving permission for someone else to take his/her child.Theparent or emergency contact must be present to sign the release form at the game site.The coach will have sign-out forms at the site of the contest. The coach should be notified that the athlete will not ride home with the team by the end of the athletic class period on the day of the game because coaches often have to set a number of post-game meals in advance.If an athlete wants to sign out at the game but did not let the coach know that he/she was going to miss the team meal, the athlete may be asked to pay the athletic department back for the wasted meal.
ATTENDANCE For our program to be successful, we must have dependable people to work with, and attendance to practice is vital to improve skills that enable our teams to win.When you forsee an unavoidable situation and you must miss the athletic class period or a practice or even a game, call your coach as soon as possible.By calling in BEFORE you miss a workout with a reason deemed valid by the head coach (for example, haircuts and driver’s ed classes are NOT valid reasons for missing workouts because these can be scheduled at other times), your absence will be considered excused.If you do not call before you miss a workout, you will be considered unexcused for that workout, regardless of the reason you missed.(This is a life-skill…you don’t show up to work and tell your boss that you missed the day before to go to the doctor.You tell him/her in advance that you are going to miss.) An athlete who has an unexcused absence for an athletic class period will have one mile of “black halo” athletic punishment.An athlete who has an unexcused absence from a practice outside the school day will have two miles of “black halos”.All athletic punishments for absences must be completed before the athlete will be allowed to participate in a contest.Athletic punishments must be done on the athlete’s time, which is generally before or after a practice - not during the athletic class period or during a practice.Any athlete who has multiple unxcused absences during a single season may be removed from that team. You must be in attendance at least 90% during school and the athletic class period. Absences excessive to this can lead to removal at semester or at the end of the year.
Make-ups for EXCUSED absences will vary by sport and will be intended to make up for the conditioning missed during the excused absence, not as a punishment.
The Athletic Phone # for Boys is 375-2296 ext. 153 / and 375-2296 ext. 128 for Girls DRESS CODE / APPEARANCE Students should dress for trips following the Student Code of Conduct representing a first-class group.No T-shirts, caps, etc., that relate to or advertise sex, drugs, or alcoholic beverages will be worn.Remember, athletes, when you travel as a team, you are representing your school, your coaches, your parents, and your community.You are expected to act with first-class behavior.Male athletes will have short, neat hair and cannot have earrings or facial hair.
HONESTY Honest communication is a key to working together.Be honest with coaches, teammates, teachers, and anyone for that matter.
DRESSING OUT All athletes will be expected to dress out on a daily basis. Athletes who are injured will be required to attend practice and try to learn through seeing and listening.All athletes will be given lockers and a clean place to dress. Valuables should be locked up for safekeeping. Locks must be provided by the athlete.
COLLEGE RECRUITMENT POLICY Some student-athletes may be given the opportunity to participate in college athletics if they show outstanding talent, maintain a high academic standard, and perform with first-class behavior. These are ingredients that all college recruiters are looking for in today’s athlete.
Colleges and Universities decide whom they will recruit.Your high school coaches can only recommend. We will do all we can for those athletes who express a desire to play college athletics, but your performance in the three areas mentioned above will be the deciding factor. As an athlete you will be expected to inform your coach if a college recruiter personally contacts you. It is the recruiter’s obligation to work through your high school coach.This enables the coach to understand the situation and work to the athlete’s best interest.
Student-athletes must take ACT and SAT tests before their senior year begins.Every college recruiter must have these scores before any scholarship can be offered.
MULTIPLE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES A student-athlete who attempts to participate in many extra-curricular activities must communicate to coaches and sponsors this information. This will help prevent conflicts between activities.
We recognize that each student should have the opportunity for a broad range of experiences in the area of extra-curricular activities, and to this end, we will attempt to schedule events in a manner so as to minimize conflicts. When conflicts do arise, the sponsors will get together and work out a solution so the student will not be caught in the middle.
SUSPENSION FROM SCHOOL/ALTERNATE EDUCATION PLACEMENT If an athlete is suspended from school for any reason, he/she will be ineligible for athletics the day(s) of suspension.Suspension will also include AEP placement.Suspension will be treated as an unexcused absence. A third suspension during the same school year will result in total expulsion from athletics from the rest of the school year.
IN SCHOOL SUSPENSION When an athlete is assigned to ISS, his/her absence to the athletic period will be unexcused, and an athletic punishment will occur. The athlete will still be eligible for the day’s contest or practice, unless the team leaves for a game before the end of the school day.In this case, the athlete will not be released early from ISS and will miss the team bus.He or she will not play in the day’s game if this occurs.(In most cases, administration will allow a student to take corporal punishment in place of a day of ISS.If the student chooses this option, he/she will not miss the game, because he/she will not miss the team bus.)
DISRESPECT TO TEACHERS, COACHES, OR OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL Any act of disrespect by an athlete to his/her teacher, coach, or other school personnel or administration will be handled aggressively by the athletic staff. Depending on the severity of the situation, the punishment may result in expulsion.The Athletic Director must approve an expulsion from athletics.
THEFT Taking things from other athletes, the school, etc. will not be tolerated. Law enforcement officers will be contacted and charges filed. The athlete may be suspended or expelled from athletics.
DRUG / ALCOHOL USE If it is proven that an athlete was in the presence of illegally consumed alcohol or drugs, he/she will receive a 5 unit suspension and be required to attend a drug and alcohol counseling program approved by the Athletic Director before he/she will be allowed to return to practices and games.
If it is proven that an athlete consumed illegal alcohol or drugs, he/she will receive a 10 unit suspension and be required to attend a drug and alcohol counseling program approved by the Athletic Director before he/she will be allowed to return to practices and games.
Any second drug or alcohol related offense (any combination of “being in the presence of” or “consuming”) will result in complete removal from the athletic program.
INJURIES Student-athletes must notify a coach of any injuries before leaving a practice or game. This can prevent minor injuries from becoming major injuries.If the parent decides that the athlete needs to see a doctor, please contact the coach so he or she can pass along the proper medical forms. This may help delays in payment by the school’s insurance company. We must treat all injuries immediately.
INSURANCE The school district provides a supplemental insurance policy that will cover all UIL activities. If an athlete is covered under another policy in addition to the school’s policy, the other policy will be the primary provider, not the school’s policy.Claims should be filed on both policies. The primary provider should pay the initial benefits. The school’s policy will then act as a supplemental policy and pay a portion of the remaining charges.If the athlete is not covered under an additional policy, then the school’s insurance will act as the primary provider and pay accordingly.Rarely, if ever will the school’s insurance cover 100% of the charges. Contact a coach when an athletic injury requires medical attention and we will be able to send the appropriate information along with you.
TRIAL PERIOD At the beginning of each sport, a “trial period” of time will be established by the head coach of the sport and approved by the Athletic Director.The student-athletes shall be informed of this time period, which can be between three to ten days.During this time, an athlete may try a sport by attending practices and games (eligibility permitting) in order to decide if he/she desires to play the sport.During the trial period, an athlete may decide not to participate in the sport without any suspension or punishment required under the quitting rules.After the cut-off date for the trial period, all quitting rules will be followed.This “trial period” rule is designed to encourage athletes who are curious or interested in a sport to give it a try.
QUITTING There will be tough times in practice, in athletic contests, and life in general but we must never give up. If an athlete decides to quit, he/she will be give a 24 hour cooling off period. If after that time, he/she still wishes to quit, he/she will forfeit their opportunity to letter in that sport for the school year. If an athlete quits a certain sport and desires to participate in another sport he/she must meet the requirements listed for re-entry.
EXPULSION The athletic philosophy will be based on full participation by all athletes.It is our desire to see every athlete succeed in athletics and life. However, there is a time when an athlete becomes a detriment to the team. Every effort will be given to save the athlete, but there is a time to remove the athlete from the program. The TEAMwill always come before the individual.
DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES All discipline measures taken by coaches and administrators will be documented. This will provide documentation to show due process used by coaches and patterns of behavior displayed by the athlete. On the fourth minor offense or first major offense at least a one- week suspension may take place as well as a parent-athlete conference with the coach. The athlete will be placed on a “probationary” period for the rest of the current semester. If the athlete commits a major or minor offense during that period he/she will be dismissed from the athletic program for failing to comply.
RE-ENTRY TO ATHLETIC PROGRAM An athlete that wishes to rejoin the athlete program must complete the following steps in order to be considered for re-entry. 1.Inform the Athletic Director and appropriate coach of your intention. 2.A 3-week suspension must be served for quitting or being removed from a program. (3 weeks from the date of the first contest (scrimmage or game).) 3.After an expulsion from athletics, the Superintendent, the Principal, and the Athletic Director must approve readmission to the program.
Note* A suspension for alcohol and drugs will be upheld for at least the rest of the school year without reentry, and if the athlete is allowed back into athletics at some point, he will have to re-establish himself in the athletic class for a semester before being allowed to compete in any contests.
EXAMPLES OF MINOR OFFENSES These will be handled on an individual basis by the head coach of the sport and/or the Athletic Director.
A.Excessive absences from workout (must be in attendance 90%) B.Unexcused absence from workout (must be in attendance 90%) C.Tardiness D.Profanity E.Misconduct in class F.Inappropriate dress, hair, jewelry, body tattoos, or visible “hickies” G.Inappropriate conduct at a school sponsored activity H.Equipment damage, misuse, or the loss of equipment I.Unsportsmanlike conduct- may result in suspension J.Conduct unbecoming of a team player- may result in suspension
EXAMPLES OF MAJOR OFFENSES These will be handled jointly by the head coach of the sport and the Athletic Director, and punishments may include suspensions or removal from the Athletic Program.
A.Using or being in the presence of illegal drugs or illegally consumed alcohol is prohibited which includes but is not limited to MIP and DWI charges reported to the school by authorities. B.Using tobacco products is prohibited. C.Theft or malicious destruction of any school or individual’s equipment or property. D.Violent or severe disrespect shown to school officials or other teammates. E.Any athlete charged with a felony crime will be suspended indefinitely until after their trial is over or as soon as they are cleared from wrongdoing. The athlete will be allowed back in the program only if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the program/team. F.Any minor offense which becomes a repeating problem. ATHLETIC DISCIPLINARY POLICY STUDENT / PARENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT As an athlete at Pettus I.S.D., I am committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle to enable proper physical and mental conditioning.
I WILL NOT USE OR BE IN THE PRESENCE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS. I WILL NOT USE OR BE IN THE PRESENCE OF ILLEGALLY CONSUMED ALCOHOL.
I WILL NOT USE TOBACCO PRODUCTS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT I AM AN ATHLETE 24 HOURS A DAY, AND WILL ADHERE TO THE ATHLETIC POLICY AND THE RULES SET FORTH BY MY TEAMS AND COACHES AT ALL TIMES.
I WILL SHOW RESPECT FOR ALL SCHOOL STAFF MEMBERS AND WILL CONDUCT MYSELF LIKE A CHAMPION AT ALL TIMES.
STUDENTS SIGNATURE __________________________________________
As a parent or guardian, I have received a copy of the Athletic Policy.I will make every attempt to enable my child to adhere to this policy.