The Board of Education believes that interscholastic athletics are an important part of the District’s instructional program. Students who wish to participate in the District’s interscholastic athletic program shall be under the direct supervision of the coaches. The coaches shall be appointed by the Board, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools.
The rules of conduct for participants in the interscholastic athletic program shall be developed consistently with the Board’s belief that athletics are primarily educational in nature. The coaches are responsible for developing standards which shall ensure the safety and health of the students. The Building Principal and the Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics shall approve all aspects of the athletic program.
In order to be eligible for participation, a student may not have an average of less than 65% in more than one subject. Students are also required to have written parent or guardian consent, which will contain information on mild traumatic brain injury.
In addition, standards must be met in the selection/classification process for all secondary school interscholastic athletic programs. All participating students must be placed at levels of competition appropriate to their physiological maturity, physical fitness and skills in relation to other students on those teams in accordance with standards established by the Commissioner of Education.
The Board permits pupils in grades no lower than seventh grade to compete on interscholastic athletic teams organized for senior high school pupils, or senior high school pupils to compete on interscholastic athletic teams organized for pupils in the seventh and eighth grades, provided that the pupils successfully complete the Athletic Placement Process for the requested sport and level and receiving final approval from the Athletic Director.
Concussion Management
Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. Concussion occurs when normal brain functioning is disrupted by jolt or a force that can be transmitted to the head by an impact or blow occurring anywhere on the body. Recovery from concussion will vary. Avoiding re-injury and over-exertion until fully recovered are the cornerstones of proper concussion management.
While District staff will exercise reasonable care to protect students, head injuries may still occur. Physical education teachers, coaches, nurses and other appropriate staff will complete New York state Education Department approved training to recognize the signs, symptoms and behaviors consistent with a concussion. Any student exhibiting those signs, symptoms or behaviors while participating in a school-sponsored class, extracurricular activity, or interscholastic athletic activity shall be removed from the game or activity and be evaluated as soon as possible by an appropriate health care professional. The school nurse, teacher or other supervising adult will notify the student’s parents or guardians and recommend medical evaluation.
If a student sustains a concussion at a time other than when engaged in a school-sponsored activity, the District expects the parent/guardian to report the condition to the school nurse so that the District can support the appropriate management of the condition.
In the case of a suspected or actual head injury, a student must be removed from play immediately. The student shall not return to athletic activity until he/she is symptom free for at least 24 hours, has been evaluated by and provides written authorization from an appropriate health care professional. The School Physician will make the final decision on return to activity including physical education class and after-school sports. Any student who continues to have signs or symptoms upon return to activity must be removed from play and reevaluated by their health care provider. The Superintendent, in consultation with appropriate District staff, including the school medical officer, will develop regulations and procedures to guide the process of return to play. The District shall periodically review this policy to ensure its continued compliance with state regulations and guidance.
Cross-ref:
- 5200, Cocurricular and Extracurricular Programs
Ref:
- 8 NYCRR §135.4
- 8 NYCRR §136.5
- Education Law §305(42)
Adoption date: May 27, 1997
Revised: December 10, 2001
Revised: September 24, 2012
Revised: January 11, 2016
Reviewed: May 22, 2017