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Extracurricular Code of Conduct

Philosophy

Maine Township High School District 207 offers a variety of extracurricular programs to provide additional opportunities to students.  Participation in these activities is highly encouraged but remains a privilege.  Students choosing to participate in these activities accept the responsibility of representing their school both in the community and at school.  These extended responsibilities include holding students who choose to participate to a higher standard of conduct as a condition of participation.  The goals of an extracurricular program are to offer students direction in developing healthy living habits, discipline, leadership, teamwork, citizenship skills and respect for structure, rules and responsibilities.  Individual initiative, character and teamwork can only be developed when there is team cooperation with established procedures.  We believe this Code will help make participation in our extracurricular program a strong and enduring learning experience.  District 207 staff remains committed to developing the whole person.

Purpose

All students involved in extracurricular activities shall comply with these rules and regulations and conduct themselves in a manner that will be bring credit and honor to themselves, their schools and their communities.  The Code defines the specific rules for student participation in extracurricular activities and guidelines and procedures to be followed for violations, which may also be applied to student behaviors as defined in Section II of the District 207 Discipline Procedures. 

Prohibited Conduct

Prohibited conduct is any possession, delivery or use of a prohibited substance or look-alikes and any criminal activity, including involvement with gang-related activities and/or secret organizations.

Prohibited substances are:

  • All alcohol, regardless of vessel of travel.
  • Tobacco, vaping
  • All “controlled substances” such as Cannabis, Ecstasy any and all “controlled substances” as defined in Illinois law (see 20ILCS 570/102, Section 102(f)) except when prescribed for a student by a licensed physician.
  • Any drug paraphernalia, as defined in Illinois law (see for example 720 ILCS 600/2 Sec. 2(d)) such as but not limited to pipes, one-hitters, rolling papers or any device or item that contains residue of an illegal substance.
  • Any anabolic steroid.
  • Any substance used to achieve an altered mental state or “high” or artificially boost performance.

Use:  any student who has consumed or used any amount of tobacco, vaping, a controlled substance, marijuana, alcohol or intoxicants will be considered under the influence.

Possession:  any student having knowledge of, and any control over, an item.  Control includes, but is not limited to, having access to an item in a school locker, personal effects, a vehicle, or other place where the item is located.  It is not necessary that a student intended to control the item.  A student may acquire knowledge of an item visually, by being told about the item, or though other sensory perception.  A student’s knowledge will be determined based on the surrounding circumstances, not just the student’s statements. For example, “forgetting” that an item is in one’s locker, personal effects or vehicle does not constitute a lack of knowledge. A student also acquires knowledge when that student attends a party or event at which minors are in possession of or consuming a prohibited substance.  A student who is in attendance at a party where minors are in possession of or consuming a prohibited substance is considered to be in possession of that substance.

Delivery:  a transfer, or attempted transfer, of possession or control to another person whether or not the substance or item is in that person’s immediate presence.  Delivery includes, but it not limited to any gift, exchange, sale or other transfer with or without payment or other consideration. 

Look-alike:  any substance or item which is not, but reasonably appears to be, or is represented to be a Prohibited Substance.  Examples include, but are not limited to (a) a green leafy plant material, which is not, but is claimed, believed or intended to appear to be marijuana; and (b) a white powdered substance which is not, but is claimed, believed or intended to appear to be a toxic chemical or biological agent.

Extracurricular Activities:  include all activities sponsored or approved by District 207 or any of its schools other than academic classes, such as but not limited to athletics, band, plays, choral groups and clubs.

Criminal Activity:  any activity that would constitute a violation of any state or federal criminal law, other than minor traffic offenses.  However, proof beyond a reasonable doubt is not required.

Gang and/or Secret Organization Affiliation:  any ongoing organization, association or group of three (3) or more persons whether formal or informal, having as one of its primary activities the commission of one or more criminal acts or acts in violation of school rules, that may have an identifiable name or identifying sign or symbol, and whose members individually or collectively engage in or have engaged in a pattern of criminal activity or activity relating to the violation of school rules.  

Review Board:  the Associate Principal for Student Experience in addition to the Athletic Director or Fine Arts Chairperson as well as a guidance counselor, coach, club/activities sponsor, social worker, dean or other school personnel that are appropriate as determined solely by the Principal shall constitute the school Review Board.

Application of Code

This Code of Conduct is in effect 24 hours a day, every day of the calendar year.  It applies to incidents of Prohibited Conduct on or off school property, whether in season or not, and whether school is in session or not.  Violations of the code accumulate throughout a student’s high school career.

Violations of the Code are limited to incidents of Prohibited Conduct verified by District 207 staff or law enforcement agencies or by an admission of guilt.  Direct reports from law enforcement agencies of Prohibited Conduct will be investigated.  Arrest for criminal activity or reasonable evidence of criminal activity, may result in imposition of consequences under this Code.  Anonymous or secondhand reports of possible Prohibited Conduct will not be investigated absent substantive confirming information.  A Code violation is verified if, by the information available, it appears more likely than not a Code violation has occurred.

The consequences of Prohibited Conduct in violation of this Code are separate from and in addition to those assigned for violating school rules, school district policies and the law.  This Code in no way limits the authority of the administration, coaches, club sponsors or the Board of Education to impose other or additional consequences in accord with school rules and district policies.

Any student who represents himself/herself to District 207 staff, as having a substance abuse problem will have full practice and participation privileges as long as the following conditions are deemed satisfied by the District 207 administration:

  1. admission of the abuse is not initiated by the student as a means of escaping disciplinary action;
  2. the student and/or parents(s) receive counseling;
  3. the student and/or parent(s) provide proof of their successful completion of such counseling; and
  4. the student does not violate any of the Code rules after he/she admits to abuse.

Procedures

The following procedure will take place in enforcing the Extracurricular Code:

  1. Reasonably credible reports of violations of this Code will be investigated by the Principal or designee at the school at which the student is enrolled.  The investigation will include an interview of the student and parental notification.
  2. After completion of the investigation, the Principal will consult with the Executive Committee for a determination as to whether a violation of the Code has occurred.
  3. At the direction of the Principal after the Executive Committee’s determination, the Assistant Principal for Students will schedule a Review Board hearing within three (3) school days of the completion of the investigation of the misconduct.  Parents or guardians, student and other appropriate school staff will be invited to participate in the hearing. 
  4. The Review Board will consider all the relevant information, including the student’s cooperation, and apply consequences appropriate to the circumstances, including prohibiting the student’s participation in practices and rehearsals.
  5. If new information becomes available, parents may request a second Review Board hearing from the Assistant Principal for Students. 
  6. The student or his/her parent or guardian may request a review of the Review Board’s decision by the Principal.  This request must be made in writing to the Principal within five (5) business days of the receipt of the Review Board’s decision and must articulate the reason(s) that a review should be granted.
  7. The Principal will determine if the consequences should be upheld, reversed or modified.  An appeal of the Principal’s decision must be filed with the Superintendent within five (5) business days of the delivery or attempted delivery of the Principal’s decision.

Consequences

A principle purpose of this code is to deter Prohibited Conduct; accordingly, the Assistant Principal for Students, the Review Board, the Principal, the administrative staff and others involved in effecting this code shall do so in a manner which takes into consideration the rehabilitation of students who have engaged in Prohibited Conduct.  Among other steps, consequences may be deferred or abated for students who: 1.) Enroll in a school-approved intervention program; 2.) Commit to perform community service, such as speaking to student groups about their experience, or other services approved by the Review Board; and   3.) Otherwise redress their conduct and undertake steps to avoid future Prohibited Conduct.

Subject to the foregoing, students who are found to have violated this code of conduct will be suspended from participation in extracurricular activities in accordance with the guidelines set forth below.

The Assistant Principal for Students and the Principal upon review shall have the discretion to determine the severity of the consequences, based on the circumstances surrounding the misconduct.  A student not involved in extracurricular activities at the time of the violation will be assigned a consequence beginning upon his/her next involvement in an extracurricular activity.

Any assigned consequences for the Code violation are in effect during any request for a review.  A student suspended from school shall be ineligible to attend or participate in any extracurricular activities during the period of suspension unless the Assistant Principal for Students determines otherwise.

Penalties for Prohibited Conduct

1st Offense:  The student will be suspended from participation in the extracurricular activity.  The Review Board shall have discretion to determine the date(s), duration, and nature of all suspensions.  Generally, the student may be prohibited from participating in up to 40% of the extracurricular activity.  If the current extracurricular activity ends before the suspension is completed, the suspension will be completed or served in the first extracurricular activity in which the student next participates.  The student may choose to participate in a District 207 approved intervention program, for example substance abuse, to reduce the suspension to half the assigned consequence.  Failure to successfully complete the program will result in the student serving the full and original consequence.

2nd Offense:  A second violation of the code will result in suspension from all extracurricular activities for up to one calendar year from the date of the Review Board’s decision.  

3rd Offense:  The student may be excluded from all extracurricular activities for the remainder of his/her high school career in Maine Township District 207.

An account including investigation, details and findings for a student’s 2nd or 3rd offense under this Code, along with a description of the consequences imposed, shall be provided to the Board of Education by the Review Board.

ACTIVITIES COVERED BY THE EXTRACURRICULAR CODE OF CONDUCT

All participants in school-related sports, student productions, student activities and qualifying clubs and student organizations are covered by this Code.