Activities and Athletics Handbook

Ephrata High School

Fall eligibility is based on the previous spring semester grades. Students that do not pass a minimum of six classes the previous spring will be on academic suspension through the last Saturday of September and may not compete in interscholastic contests during this time. Mid-season winter eligibility is based on the previous fall semester grades. Students that do not pass a minimum of six classes the previous fall will be on academic probation during the first five weeks of the second semester.

Ephrata Middle School

Eligibility is based on the previous quarter grades (4th quarter the previous year in the fall). Students that do not pass a minimum of six classes the previous quarter will be on academic probation through the first three weeks of the next quarter.

Grade Checks

1. Grade checks will be done on all athletes. Athletes failing to pass a minimum of six classes on grade checks will be placed on academic probation and declared ineligible. These students will remain ineligible for one week, regardless if the grade improves during the ineligibility period. After three consecutive weeks of academic ineligibility, the coach may remove the athlete from the team for the remainder of the season.
    
2. Grades posted in the teacher’s grade book at the time of the grade check are final. Students must understand that reasonable time for grading late assignments and entering marks in the grade book must be afforded to teachers.
    
3. Weekly ineligibility periods are Monday through Saturday.

We recognize that the use and possession of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, drugs and other controlled substances has a potentially detrimental effect on individuals. Use of these substances hamper the development of both the physical skills and mental attitudes needed to succeed in interscholastic athletics as well as representing non-healthy choices in life. Students representing Ephrata Schools in athletics will agree to refrain from the use and possession of these substances at all times. Students are not to attend any function where these substances are being illegally used.

Criminal acts, such as theft or vandalism, are also a violation of the athletic code.

It is important that students and parents / guardians understand the expectations of the athletic code. We encourage parents / guardians to discuss this topic with their child.

Procedure 2151

The Ephrata School District desires to conduct an athletic program that will make a permanent contribution to the health and welfare of its participants. The following procedure applies to participants in all athletic programs, including team support personnel (managers, stats keepers, etc.)

GENERAL RULES AND PROCEDURES

1. The athlete will carry out the coach’s directions.
    
2. The athlete will be in attendance at school for the entire day to be eligible to participate in practice or contest that day.

• Exceptions include funeral attendance, legal appointments and reasonable time for medical or dental appointments.

3. Individual sports may also have additional rules concerning, but not limited to:

• Attendance
• Sportsmanship
• Physical Appearance
• Curfew
• Attitude
• Social Behavior

4. All athletes are encouraged to maintain a high academic level. They must meet minimum requirements established by the WIAA in order to be eligible to participate. Students declared ineligible during periodic grade checks will remain ineligible for one week, regardless if the grade improves during the ineligibility period. After three consecutive weeks of academic ineligibility, the coach may remove the athlete from the team for the remainder of the season. 
    
5. Penalties from other school codes for transferring students will be honored.
    
6. A warning, probationary period or dismissal will result from a violation of general rules.
    
7. Contact will be made home to the parent / guardian of the athlete / participant explaining why the individual has been placed on probation or dismissed and any subsequent action that may be taken.
    
8. The athlete will be required to make all practices during any probationary period and will conform to any provisions of the coach.
    
9.  If, after a warning or probation period, an athlete continues to violate the rules, they will be dropped for the remainder of the season.

SEVERE VIOLATIONS AND PROCEDURES

Attendance at Functions where alcohol, marijuana or other drugs are being unlawfully used are a violation of this code. Participants are prohibited from supporting, by their attendance, functions where alcohol or drugs are being unlawfully used, or placing themselves in circumstances where they should reasonably know that such conditions could exist. FIRST OFFENSE: Removal from the next performance in which the student is to participate.

Severe Violations are any possession or use of alcoholic beverages, drugs, controlled substances, tobacco, electronic smoking / vaping devices or other non-prescribed drug paraphernalia; or criminal acts which may include but are not limited to theft or vandalism; or second and subsequent “Attendance at Functions” will result in the athlete being judges as a Level One, Two or Three offender. (Possession is defined as having substance or drug paraphernalia on their person or in their personal belongings.) Disciplinary action regarding allegations of misconduct for severe violations will not be determined prior to an informal conference between the student, athletic director, principal and / or coach.

LEVEL ONE is defined as a first violation and will result in:

1. Suspension for 40% of the regular season contests, which will carry over into the next sport the student participates in if necessary to meet the time requirement (suspension will carry over into next school year if applicable). Suspension will be reduced to 30% if the athlete admits to the violation when first asked by administration or 20% if the athlete self-reports (defined as a first report of the violation made voluntarily to the administration by the athlete involved prior to the start time of the next school day following the incident).
2. The athlete must finish the season in good standing to fulfill the suspension requirement. Suspension from athletics will not eliminate suspension from clubs or activities the student may also be involved in. Also, suspension for an athlete may not be served in a support personnel role such as a manager or stats keeper. 
3. Complete mandatory counseling procedure through the school counselor. 
4. Continued turnout for all practices, but the athlete will not travel with the group or participate in any contest during the period of suspension. 
5. The athlete must be academically eligible for suspended contests to count.

LEVEL TWO is defined as a second violation and will result in:

1. Suspension for the remainder of the sports season and / or 60%, whichever is longer, (50% if student first admits, 40% if student self-reports) of the regular season contests, which will carry over into the next sport in which the student participates, along with 10 hours of community service. Community service will be served at school unless prior approval by the athletic director is granted for a community endeavor. 
2. The athlete must seek assistance for help for a problem with drugs / alcohol through a community agency if this is a second drug / alcohol violation. Documentation must be submitted to the athletic director to show compliance before the student is declared eligible. 
3. Unless suspended for the remainder of the season, the athlete will continue to participate in all practices, but will not travel with the group or participate in any contest during the period of suspension.

LEVEL THREE is defined as a third and subsequent violation and will result in:

1. Suspension for one calendar year from the date of the violation assessment along with 15 hours of community service. Community service will be served at school unless prior approval by the athletic director is granted.
2. The athlete must request reinstatement in the athletic program through a school eligibility board.

 LEGEND DRUGS AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

In addition to the above penalties for severe violations, the penalties for the possession, use or sale of legend drugs (drugs obtained through prescription, (RCW 69.41.020 - 69.41.050) and controlled substances (RCW 69.50, including marijuana as per federal law) shall be as follows: 

1ST VIOLATION - A participant shall be immediately ineligible for interscholastic competition in the current interscholastic sports program for the remainder of the season. Ineligibility shall continue until the next sports season in which the participant wishes to participate unless the student accesses the assistance program outlined in B (below), but in no instance shall the athlete's suspension period be less than the Level One Suspension period as stated under "Severe Violations'' and ineligibility may extend into the next sports season. 

• The athlete will be ineligible for participation in contests for the remainder of that interscholastic sports season and must meet the school's requirements in order to be eligible to compete in the next interscholastic sports season. The school principal will have the final authority regarding the student's participation in further interscholastic sports programs. 
• The athlete may choose to seek and receive help for a problem with use of legend drugs or controlled substances. Successful utilization of school and/or community assistance programs may allow him/her to have eligibility reinstated in that athletic season, pending recommendation by the school. 

2ND VIOLATION - A participant who again violates any provision of RCW 69.41.020 - 69.41.050 or of RCW 69.50 shall be ineligible for interscholastic competition for a period of one calendar year from the date of the second violation. 
3RD VIOLATION - A participant who violates for a third time RCW 69.41.020 - 69.41.050 or RCW 69.50 shall be permanently ineligible for interscholastic competition.

APPEAL PROCESS

Any and all violations and penalties can be appealed through the Athletic Board. This board will consist of a principal or athletic director, one out-of-season coach, one in-season coach (excluding the coach taking the action) and one faculty member chosen by the accused athlete. The appeal must be requested in writing to the athletic director within seven calendar days of the violation assessment. The student and  /or parent / guardian may further appeal the Athletic Board ruling to the Ephrata School Superintendent and Ephrata School Board within three calendar days of the Athletic Board ruling by written notice. The decision of the Ephrata School Board is deemed final.
 

The Coach’s Philosophy Expectations Practice & Contest Locations and Times Team Rules & Safety Procedures

Information on Team Dinners Lettering & Participant Criteria Team Selection Process

 

COMMUNICATION COACHES EXPECT FROM ATHLETES & PARENT / GUARDIANS

• Any concerns will be brought to coaching staff first
• Notification of any illness or injury (as soon as possible)
• Advance notification of when an athlete will be absent

A concussion is a brain injury and all brain injuries are serious. They are caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head, or by a blow to another part of the body with the force transmitted to the head. They can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolonged brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly. 

In other words, even a “ding” or a bump on the head can be serious. You can't see a concussion and most sports concussions occur without loss of consciousness. Signs and symptoms of concussion may show up right after the injury or can take hours or days to fully appear. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms or signs of concussion yourself, seek  medical attention right away. 

SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING

Headaches “Pressure in Head” Nausea or Vomiting Neck Pain Balance Problems or Dizziness Blurred, Double or Fuzzy Vision Sensitivity to Light or Noise Feeling Sluggish or Slowed Down Feeling Foggy or Groggy Drowsiness Change in Sleep Patterns

Amnesia “Don’t Feel Right” Fatigue or Low Energy Sadness Nervousness or Anxiety Irritability More Emotional Confusion Concentration or Memory Problems (Forgetting Game Plays) Repeating the Same Question  / Comment

SIGNS OBSERVED BY TEAMMATES, FAMILY AND COACHES CAN INCLUDE

Appears Dazed Vacant Facial Expression Confused about Assignment Forgets Plays In Unsure of Game, Score or Opponent Moves Clumsily or Displays Incoordination Answers Questions Slowly Slurred Speech Shows Behavior or Personality Changes Can’t Recall Events Prior to Hit Can't Recall Event After Hit Seizures or Convulsions Any Change in Typical Behavior or Personality Loses Consciousness

WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF MY CHILD KEEPS PLAYING WITH A CONCUSSION OR RETURNS TOO SOON

Athletes with signs and symptoms of concussion should be removed from play immediately. Continuing to play with the signs and symptoms of a concussion leaves young athletes especially vulnerable to greater injury. There is an increased risk of significant damage from a concussion for a period of time after the concussion occurs, particularly if the athlete suffers another concussion before completely recovering from the first one. This can lead to prolonged recovery, or even to severe brain swelling (second impact syndrome) with devastating and even fatal consequences. It is well known that adolescent or teenage athletes will often under-report symptoms of injuries. Concussions are no different. As a result, education of coaches, administrators, family and students is key for the athlete’s safety.

IF YOU THINK YOU CHILD HAS SUFFERED A CONCUSSION

Any athlete even suspected of suffering a concussion should be removed from the game or practice immediately. No athlete may return to activity after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without medical clearance. Close observation of the athlete should continue for several hours. The Zackery Lystedt Law in Washington state now requires the consistent and uniform implementation of long and well- established return to play concussion guidelines:

“A youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice of game shall be removed from competition at that time”

- AND -

“...may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a license health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and received written clearance to return to play from that health care provider.”

You should also inform your child’s coach if you think your child may have a concussion. Remember, it’s better to miss one game than miss the whole season. When in doubt, the athlete sits out.

Ephrata Schools will be required to follow the district’s return to play protocol after the license health care provider clears the athlete for participation following a concussion.

For current information on concussions, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/