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All participants of co-curricular activities are expected to come to school ready to learn on all scheduled school days. Regular school attendance is required of all participants. For the purpose of this policy, any student who misses any portion of the school day with an unexcused absence may NOT participate in athletic and co-curricular activities. Any exceptions must be pre-approved by an administrator.

At PHS, participation in athletic and co-curricular activities is a privilege, thus it is important that students, parents/guardians and other interested persons are aware of the following expectations outlined by the School Board:

As representatives of the schools, students are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior at all times. These rules support the social, emotional and physical well-being of students and promote healthy, enriching and safe athletic and co-curricular opportunities for all students.

1. Students in good standing may participate in the athletic and co-curricular activities of their school. A student is considered in good standing if they are not the subject of any disciplinary action for violation of any policy or school rule and is currently academically eligible based on MPA guidelines and this policy.
2. For the purpose of this policy, any student who misses any portion of the school day with an unexcused absence may NOT participate in athletic and co-curricular activities. All exceptions to this requirement must be approved by a building administrator/CoCurricular Administrator.
3. Students suspended from school (including in-school and out-of-school suspension) will not practice, participate, attend or compete in athletic and co-curricular activities during the days of suspension.
4. Students are required to abide by all Board policies, school rules and any additional rules, and/or training guidelines imposed by coaches or advisors. Any additional rules and/or training guidelines must be consistent with Board policies and be approved by the Co- Curricular Administrator in advance of the season/activity.
5. Student use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs is illegal and negatively affects student health, safety and performance. Students participating in athletic and co-curricular activities carry a responsibility to themselves, their fellow students, coaches/advisors, parents and school to set the highest possible example of conduct, sportsmanship and training, which includes avoiding any involvement with tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Therefore, students participating in athletic and co-curricular activities will not engage in the prohibited behaviors and activities described in Policy JICH/R (Drug and Alcohol Use by Students) and Policy ADC/R (Tobacco Use and Possession) at any time or place from the beginning of the student’s first athletic or co-curricular activities of the school year through the end of the school year. Students found in violation of these infractions will report to their Co-Curricular Administrator who will proceed with disciplinary procedures as outlined in Policy JICI-E Co-Curricular Code of Conduct Administrative Procedures – Disciplinary/Contractual Matrix.
6. Students are expected to conduct themselves so as not to discredit themselves, their team or organization, their coach or advisor, or their school. If a student is charged with a crime, they may be suspended from participation in athletic and co-curricular activities until the case is adjudicated. A student who is convicted of a crime may be suspended from participation in activities for a period of time to be determined based upon the facts of the particular case.
7. Students will be responsible for all uniforms and equipment issued to them by the school. The cost of replacing damaged or lost uniforms/equipment will be the responsibility of the student and parent/guardian. A student may not be issued uniforms/equipment for a new activity until all uniforms/equipment from a previous activity have been returned or paid for. All exceptions to this requirement must be approved by the building administrator/co-curricular administrator.
8. Students and their parents/guardians are required to sign the Athletic/Co-Curricular Contract as a condition of participating in athletic and co-curricular activities. Students participating in fall sports and their parents/guardians must sign the contract at the beginning of pre-season. All other students who plan to participate in athletics and cocurricular activities at any time during the school year and their parents/guardians must sign the contract prior to beginning their first activity.

Academic Eligibility: All students who wish to participate in interscholastic athletics and activities must adhere to the eligibility policy. This includes:

• All athletic teams
• Theatrical groups, math, music and clubs when competing under MPA rules
• Class officers, Executive Board and Student Council

Students who participate in athletics and co-curricular activities must meet the following academic eligibility requirements:

1. Eligibility is determined by academic standing and progress, where “academic” is defined as “credit-bearing.” Eligibility and progress will be checked approximately once a month. A schedule of check-in dates will be determined annually. A student must be academically eligible on the first day of the activity in order to begin participating. For 10th through 12th graders, eligibility for activities which begin in the fall will be determined by grades checked the previous June.
2. Eligibility is based on the course load scheduling of each school. Students must be making adequate progress to learning standards, with adequate progress defined by the district and school, for the minimum load of classes in order to be academically eligible to participate in athletic or co-curricular activities.
   • Portland High School students must take and be making adequate progress to learning standards for five academic classes per semester, or the equivalent as determined by the Principal. A course at Portland Arts & Technology High School will be counted as two courses in determining minimum course load.
   • Requirements for homeschool students are addressed in Policy IHBGA (Homeschooling-Participation in School Programs).
   • For students attending other educational alternative programming, the student meets equivalent academic standards as those established for regularly enrolled students participating in the activity and provides evidence that the academic standards are being met.
3. The Principal or his/her designee is responsible for certifying the eligibility of all students participating in athletic and co-curricular activities.
4. Students with identified disabilities must meet the same eligibility requirements as other students. Adjustments may be made by the IEP Team or 504 Team as written in that student’s plan.
5. Any student promoted from 8th grade to 9th grade will be considered academically eligible for fall activities in the 9th grade.

Academic Ineligibility Process

• Level 1: If a student is ineligible, they will be removed/suspended from active play/participation for 7 calendar days. The student can participate in practices but cannot actively take part in games, scrimmages against other schools, competitions, tournaments, or exhibition games. The student will work with building administration to create/modify a contract detailing their plan to make acceptable progress toward proficiency.
• Level 2. If a student continues to be academically ineligible at the end of the Level 1 Period, they will be removed from all official participation/contact with the team/activity for 7 additional calendar days. During this period of time, a school staffing meeting will be held to examine the student’s contract, make any necessary modifications, and review relevant policy.
• Level 3: If a student continues to be academically ineligible at the end of the Level 2 Period, they will be deemed ineligible for the rest of the season or the duration of the activity. Building administration will continue to work with the student to help regain status for the future.

A written appeal may be made to the Principal if a student and their parent/guardian believes extenuating circumstances have impacted their ability to pass a course. The Principal will review the matter and inform the student and their parents/guardian of the decision within a reasonable time. The student remains ineligible during this review. The decision of the Principal is final.

Disciplinary Action: Improper conduct, as determined by school personnel, will result in disciplinary action up to and including removal/suspension from the team or activity in addition to any discipline imposed under applicable Board policies or school rules. The Co-Curricular Administrator, administration and coaches/advisors are expected to enforce all policies and school rules at all times and to use their best judgment in applying penalties for violations. The advisor or coach will consult with the Co-Curricular Administrator prior to suspending a student from an activity or team.

Repeat or extreme violations of any team/activity rules, school rules and/or Board policies may warrant administrative review and additional sanctions. Violations are cumulative during a student’s middle school career, but do not carry over to high school. Violations during a student’s high school career are cumulative.

For infractions involving drugs, alcohol and/or tobacco, disciplinary action will be taken as specified below in addition to any discipline imposed under policies JICH/R (Drug and Alcohol Use by Students) and ADC/R (Tobacco Use and Possession).

Activity/Team Leadership Positions: A student elected to a leadership position for a team/activity forfeits that position for the duration of the season/activity if they are suspended from the team or activity for any reason. A second suspension from a team or activity any time during the student’s high school career will result in the loss of any leadership designation held for twelve calendar months. A third suspension during a student’s high school career will result in the loss of any leadership position for the remainder of the student’s career.

Appeal of Disciplinary Suspension from Team/Activity: If a student and their parent/guardian wish to appeal the suspension, they must do so in writing to the Co-Curricular Administrator within two school days of notice of the suspension decision. The Co-Curricular Administrator will conduct an investigation as they deem advisable and render a decision, in writing, to the student and their parent/guardian within three school days, when possible.

If the student and their parent/guardian are dissatisfied with this decision, the decision may be appealed in writing to the Principal within two school days. The Principal will conduct whatever investigation they deem advisable and render a decision, in writing, to the student and their parents/guardian within a reasonable time. The Principal’s decision is final.

Clubs

PHS has a diverse offering of student clubs and student government opportunities. Students are highly encouraged to get involved in life at PHS through the various extra-curricular clubs. For a complete list of clubs, activities, and contact information, please the Co-Curricular Administrator or visit the school’s website.

Athletics

PHS encourages all students to select and try out for one or more of our athletic teams. Each student must complete an athletic packet covering information regarding physical examinations, insurance coverage, risks involved, transportation liability and other important domains regarding athletic participation. These packets may be filled out online at: https://portlandhs-ar.rschooltoday.com/. Paper copies may also be picked up in the Main Office.

PHS offers competitive athletics in the following sports: baseball, basketball (boys and girls), cheerleading (fall and winter), cross country (boys and girls), field hockey, football, golf, ice hockey (boys and girls), indoor track (boys and girls), lacrosse (boys and girls), outdoor track (boys and girls), soccer (boys and girls), softball, rugby (boys and girls), swimming (boys and girls), tennis (boys and girls), wrestling, and volleyball (girls).

The guidelines for participating in competitive athletics are contained in the Co-Curricular handbook, which is available in the Co-Curricular Administrator’s office or online. All students participating in competitive athletics must sign a consent stating they understand the expectations set forth in the handbook and must complete other requirements for participation.

Fund Raising: All fund raising projects for clubs, activities and athletic teams are to be reviewed and approved by the PHS administration.

NCAA Clearinghouse: Student athletes planning to compete in Division I or Division II college athletics must register for the NCAA Clearinghouse. To do so, complete the online form at: www.ncaaclearinghouse.net or call the NCAA publications hotline at (800) 638-3731 and ask for a free copy of the “Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete” which contains the registration forms and a Clearinghouse brochure. This guide can also be viewed online.

School Dances

All school dances are school-sponsored activities and therefore the school behavior policies must be observed. At PHS, dances are held periodically throughout the year, they are popular and well-attended social events, and some (homecoming, prom, etc.) sell out, as attendance is capped due to Fire Department code. Students should be sure to get tickets early and tickets are generally sold during lunches near the school cafeterias. Students and families should be aware of the following dance guidelines:

• Guests may attend dances only when accompanied by a student from PHS.
  • Prior approval from an administrator is required for all guests. Administration will call the guest’s school before approving their attendance. No guest may be older than 20, except for a student enrolled at PHS.
• Middle School students are not permitted to attend PHS dances.
• Tickets for PHS students and guests must be purchased in advance. Tickets are NOT sold at the door.
• Students at PHS who are not in good standing will NOT be allowed to attend a school dance, and this includes behavioral infractions and attendance issues.
• Once a student leaves a dance, they may NOT re-enter the building or venue for any reason. Students must also leave school grounds immediately once exiting the dance.
• Students may not enter dances after 8:30PM.
• If chaperones detect the odor of alcohol or other controlled substances, or if a student appears to be under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances, the student will be refused entrance or removed and the family will be notified. Parents/guardians may pick up students involved or, if the family cannot be reached, the police may transport the student to the police station until the family can be reached.
• Violation of school dress code will result in denial of entrance into or removal from the dance.
• Students are expected to be in attendance at school the day before/of the dance.
• Inappropriate dancing will not be tolerated; face-to-face dancing only. Students who fail to follow these rules will be required to leave the dance.