Lewisburg Area School District Policies	Printable version
123 Interscholastic Athletics 123. INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS The Board recognizes the value of a program of interscholastic athletics as an integral part of the total school experience for all students of the district and to the community. For purposes of this policy, the program of interscholastic athletics shall include all activities relating to competitive or exhibition sport contests, games or events involving individual students or teams of students when such events occur between schools within this district or outside this district. It shall be the policy of the Board to offer opportunities for participation in interscholastic athletic programs to male and female students on as equal a basis as is practicable and without discrimination, in accordance with law and regulations. The Board shall approve a program of interscholastic athletics and shall require that all facilities utilized in that program, whether or not the property of this Board, properly safeguard both players and spectators and are kept free from hazardous conditions. The Board shall determine the standards of eligibility to be met by all students participating in the interscholastic program. Such standards shall require that each student be covered by Student Accident Insurance purchased by the school district; be in good physical condition; be free of injury and shall have fully recovered from illness, as determined by a licensed physician; and undergo a physical examination by a licensed physician, before participating in any interscholastic athletic event. The Board further adopts those eligibility standards set by the Constitution of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, and shall review such standards annually to ascertain that they continue to be in conformity with the objectives of this district. The Board directs that no student may participate in interscholastic athletics who has not: 1. Met the requirements for academic eligibility. 2. Complied with the requirements of the Athletic Handbook. 3. Complied with the requirements of the Code of Conduct for Interscholastic Athletics and Board policies and administrative regulations related to student discipline. 4. Attended school regularly. 5. Been in attendance on the day of the athletic event or practice for the hours required. 6. Returned all school athletic equipment previously used. 7. Adhered to applicable discipline standards. Off-Campus Activities This policy shall also apply to student conduct that occurs off school property and would otherwise violate the Code of Student Conduct if any of the following circumstances exist: 1. The conduct occurs during the time the student is traveling to and from school or traveling to and from school-sponsored activities, whether or not via school district furnished transportation. 2. The student is a member of an extracurricular activity and has been notified that particular off-campus conduct could result in exclusion from such activities. 3. Student expression or conduct materially and substantially disrupts the operations of the school, or the administration reasonably anticipates that the expression or conduct is likely to materially and substantially disrupt the operations of the school. 4. The conduct has a direct nexus to attendance at school or a school-sponsored activity, for example, a transaction conducted outside of school pursuant to an agreement made in school, that would violate the Code of Student Conduct if conducted in school. 5. The conduct involves the theft or vandalism of school property. 6. There is otherwise a nexus between the proximity or timing of the conduct in relation to the student's attendance at school or school-sponsored activities. Each school year, prior to participation in an interscholastic athletic activity, every student athlete and his/her parent/guardian shall sign and return the acknowledgement of receipt and review of the following: 1. Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Information Sheet. 2. Sudden Cardiac Arrest Symptoms and Warning Signs Information Sheet. The Superintendent or designee shall annually prepare, approve and present to the Board for its consideration a program of interscholastic athletics. The Superintendent or designee shall disseminate rules for the conduct of students participating in interscholastic athletics. Such rules shall be in conformity with regulations of the State Board of Education, the P.I.A.A. and the school district. The Superintendent shall ensure that similar athletic programs are offered to both sexes in proportion to the district's enrollment. The Superintendent shall ensure that interscholastic athletics are open to all eligible students and that all students are fully informed of the opportunities available to them. Male/Female Athletic Opportunities Report By October 15 of each year, on the designated disclosure form, the Superintendent or designee shall report to the PA Department of Education the interscholastic athletic opportunities and treatment for male and female secondary school students for the preceding school year. By November 1 of each year, the completed disclosure form shall be made available for public inspection during regular business hours and posted on the district’s website. The availability of the completed disclosure form shall be announced by posting a notice on school the school district and/or athletic website. References: School Code – 24 P.S. Sec. 511, 1601-C et seq. Safety In Youth Sports Act – 24 P.S. Sec. 5321 et seq. Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act – 24 P.S. Sec. 5331 et seq. State Board of Education Regulations – 22 PA Code Sec. 4.27, 12.1, 12.4 Discrimination in Athletics, Title 34, Code of Federal Regulations – 34 CFR Sec. 106.41 Board Policy – 103, 123.1, 123.2, 204, 218