Student Athlete Handbook

Athletic Department Of Rockland High School 52 MacKinlay Way Rockland, Massachusetts 02370 781-871-8407 Gary Graziano, Athletic Director Approved by the Rockland School Committee October 28, 2002

Table of Contents

Mission Statement

3

Sports Program

4

Letter to Parents

5

Team Commitment

6

Attendance, Vacations, Team Member, Playing Time

7

Athletic Cut Policy

8

General Rules: Parent Permission, Physical Exams, Eligibility, Equipment/Facilities, Transportation, Behavior

9

Attendance in School, Suspension, Injuries

10

Concussions

11

Hazing, Taunting, Insurance, Team Rules

12

Additional Athletic Rules

13

Athletic Eligibility Rules

14

Athletic Awards

15

Specific Sport Requirements

16

Chemical Health, Out of Season

17

Appeals Process

18

2

Mission Statement

Our Athletic program is an integral part of the Rockland High School educational program. As such, it complements the fundamental goals of Rockland High School as an educational institution. First, our athletic program will provide equal opportunities for students to develop their special interest and skills, representing a means to further develop the physical, mental and social health of our young adults. Second, the athletic program promotes a sense of unity, cooperation and social cohesion among the athletes and student body. Students who ordinarily are separated by social, ethnic, or financial factors will learn mutual respect, cooperation, and a sense of community and teamwork. Experiences in athletics will foster leadership, discipline, commitment, and a deep sense of responsibility to the school, peers, and larger community. Athletes will come to understand that on or off the field they represent Rockland High School, and to a larger extent, define our school’s standards of behavior. At the varsity level, highly skilled student athletes will compete on an advanced level and will dedicate their effort toward the attainment of success, whether they win or lose. Winning is a natural goal, but never at the expense of healthy attitudes, a positive set of values, or a level headed perspective. Athletes should win with dignity and lose with grace. The widest participation possible will be cherished and balanced against the desire to win. The number of participants on any team will permit effective learning and reasonable participation for all members of the team. There will be a balanced and comprehensive program of interscholastic sports that serves the needs of a wide range of students. All programs must operate in a safe and healthy atmosphere. The fields, facilities, equipment, and coaching will be structured to ensure a responsible duty of care. Athletic Program Goals:  Contribute to the development of physical, mental, and social health  Promote unity, social cohesion and spirit among athletes and student body  Develop self-discipline, commitment, and a sense of responsibility  Develop qualities of sportsmanship, honesty, and integrity  Teach students to win and lose in a gracious fashion  Teach value of teamwork and cooperation  Inspire athletes to function as a source of pride for the school community  Help athletes recognize both on and off the field of play, that they represent their team their school, their parents, and their community  Provide a wide range of opportunities for individuals to develop special athletic talent skills

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Sports Program Sports are an integral part of the curricular activities at Rockland High School. Student involvement in athletics is a privilege, which can be a valuable and rewarding experience. Students have the opportunity to participate in athletics during all three seasons. Some sports are conducted at three levels of competition: Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Freshmen and/or grade 8 may play on the Varsity or Junior Varsity level if the coach anticipates that these student/athletes will receive substantial playing time. Seniors may play only on the Varsity level. During the season a player may be moved to a higher or lower level. Sports offered at Rockland High School are:

Fall

Winter

Spring

Cross Country * Football Soccer * Cheerleading Golf Volleyball

Basketball * Hockey Wrestling Indoor Track Gymnastics Swimming

Baseball Softball Tennis * Track & Field *

* Separate teams for boys and girls

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To the Parents Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations. By establishing and understanding each role, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefit to the student/athlete. As parents, when your child becomes involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach of your child’s program. Communication you should expect from the Coach: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Philosophy of the coach Location and times of all practices and games Expectations the coach has for your child as well as all the players on the team Discipline that may result in the denial of your child’s participation in a practice or a game Procedures followed should your child be injured during participation

Communication Coaches Should Expect from Parents: 1. 2.

Concerns expressed directly to the coach Notifications of any scheduling conflict well in advance

As your child becomes involved in the program of Rockland High School, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the way you and your child may wish. At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged. Remember that the first step is the coach. Appropriate Concerns to Discuss with Your Coach: 1. 2. 3.

Treatment of your child, mentally and physically Ways to help your child improve Concerns about your child’s behavior

It is very difficult to accept your child not playing as much as you may hope. Coaches take their profession seriously. They make decisions based on what they believe to be the best for all students involved. As you can see from the list from above, certain things can and should be discussed with your child’s coach. Other things, such as those that follow, must be left to the discretion of the coach. Issues Not Appropriate to Discuss with Coaches: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Playing time Team strategy Play calling Other student athletes

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There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent. These are to be, encouraged. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the others position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedures should be followed to help provide a resolution to the issue of concern: 1. 2. 3.

Call the coach or athletic director at school to schedule an appointment. DO NOT CALL A COACH AT HOME – RESPECT THE COACHES PRIVACY AT HOME. PLEASE do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest. These can be emotional times for both the coach and parent; meetings under these circumstances do not promote resolutions.

If The Meeting with the Coach Does Not Provide a Satisfactory Resolution: 1.

Call and set up an appointment with the director of athletics.

Team Commitment Tryouts: Participation in athletics is a privilege; students try out voluntarily and, for some of our teams, risk being cut. During the tryout period the coach will provide an explanation of his/her expectations. It is the student’s responsibility to demonstrate to the coach that he/she can meet their expectations. Students cut from one team are encouraged to try out for another team. After tryouts begin, no athlete may voluntarily leave one team and try out for another without the consent of both coaches and the athletic director. Daily/Weekend Commitments: Members of a team at Rockland High School are expected to make at least five-day, two to three hour daily commitment to the team each week. At the sub-varsity level, most teams do not play or practice on weekends; however, some games may occur on weekends, and students must be willing to make a commitment to attend those games. Students may expect most practices and games to occur during the week. Normally, practices will consist of an average of two hours of team activity per day. The preparation times before and after practices or games will often bring the usual time to three hours. At the varsity level, weekend and /or evening and games are more commonplace, and participants should expect regular involvement during these times. Because many of our teams share facilities, practices and game hours may vary considerably. Contact the coach or the athletic office for more specific information concerning practice and game times.

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Daily Team Attendance: It is extremely important that a coach be notified if a student is not going to be present at a practice or game if the student is not absent from school. Our coaches expect their athletes to be present at all team-related activities; accordingly, a coach may suspend a team member from a contest for absences. Students are excused from team activities for illness, injury, academics, family, or religious reasons. However, prior notification is strongly recommended and will be expected. School/Family Vacations and/or Extended Absences: Every team member is expected to be present at all team practices and contests. Scheduling may require that many of our teams practice and/or play during scheduled vacations. Students who are planning to be absent for an extended period of time due to vacation or planned extended absence from school must make this known to the coach as soon as plans are made. Upon the student’s return, the student may be suspended from play for a number of contests not to exceed the number of contests missed due to the absence. If the absence involves solely practice time, the student may be required to “make-up” an equivalent number of practice sessions before being allowed to return to contest competition. In most cases family obligations and commitments will be taken into consideration. However, at the varsity level there are no guarantees about playing time and starting status. It is not fair to the team, if a team member has left for whatever reason, and the rest of the team practices. Rockland Athletics operates on the team principle. Change of Sport: A student may not change from one sport to another once the first game of either sport has been played. No student who has been suspended or dismissed from a team may transfer to another during that same season. Bona Fide Team Member: (MIAA, 95.1) This rule defines a bona fide team member of a high school team to be a student who is regularly present for and actively participates in, all team practices and competitions. Bona fide members of a school team are precluded from missing a high school practice or competition in order to practice or compete with a non-school team. At no time will an athlete be allowed to practice with a non-school team while high school practice is taking place. Participation in weekend track meets will be a minimum requirement of 3 meets. Playing Time: Perhaps the most emotional part of a student athlete being involved with high school athletics centers around playing time. The student/athlete becomes involved in interscholastic athletics for the first time and feels that practices and expectations are much more intense and demanding. It is the coaches’ responsibility to decide which athlete should start a contest, which should play what position, and how long an athlete should play. These decisions are often difficult to make, and are made only after the coaching staff has observed the athlete in practice sessions, scrimmages, and games. 7

Interscholastic Athletics Cut Policy It is the policy of the Rockland High School Athletic Department to encourage students to participate in athletics at all levels. Accordingly, the cutting of an interested athlete from interscholastic sports teams will not occur unless it is necessitated by one of the following constraints: 1. In case of uniformed teams, the number of athletes trying out for a team exceeds the number of uniforms allowed by league or state standards. 2. The prospective athlete’s ability to play is, in the opinion of the coach, at a level far below the level of any of the other members of the team and to the point that such play could endanger the player or other players. In the event that cutting needs to be used to maintain a workable number for the program, the following guidelines will be used: 1. A minimum of a 3-day workout will be given to all candidates in the overall program. Within that tryout period, the coach will have the latitude to reassign candidates to different levels of the program. 2. Each head coach will establish specific criteria for the evaluation of all players. These criteria will include the following elements:  Attendance during tryout period  Positive and cooperative attitude  Effort related to, and during practice  Relative skill within the particular sport 3. A member of the coaching staff shall notify any student designated to be cut from any team via a personal, individual meeting. 4. If student wishes to discuss his/her being cut, that student will make an appointment with the head coach by seeing the head coach directly. If the head coach is not available at the time, the student may contact the athletic director’s office to assist in setting up an appointment between the head coach and the student. 5. Under no condition are lists of cuts to be posted.

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General Rules and Information Any Rockland High School student athlete participating voluntarily in interscholastic athletics, and understanding that such participation is a privilege, must agree to abide by the following policies: 1. Parental Permission: Prior to the start of practice, a participating Rockland High School student athlete and his/her parent/guardian must read and understand the “Sports Participation Agreement,” and sign this form. This form allows participation in sports at Rockland High School and authorizes emergency medical treatment if necessary. 2. Physical Exams: All athletes must successfully pass an annual physical examination by a licensed physician (MIAA 56.1). A copy of the examination results must be on file in the office of the school nurse prior to an athlete’s participation in any school scheduled physical practice session or game. It is the responsibility of the athlete/parent to know the date of the expiration of the physical. All exams are good for one year from the date of issue. 3. Academic Eligibility: in order to compete, a student athlete must meet MIAA eligibility requirements. (See page on athletic eligibility) 4. Equipment/Facilities Care: All athletes must take good care of school equipment and facilities and must report any damage and/or abuse or such to their coach or to the athletic director. Athletes are responsible for all equipment; the athlete or his/her parent/guardian must pay for lost stolen, damaged, or misplaced equipment. It is recommended that an athlete lock all of their belongings daily. If an athlete leaves a team during the season for injury, academics, discipline or their own volition, it is their responsibility to return all school uniform and equipment. 5. Game Transportation: All team members must travel to and from away games by means of transportation provided by Rockland High School. Athletes may not travel to a contest in their own vehicles without special permission from the athletic director and principal. Athletes are strongly urged to return from all events with their team on a bus provided and not with their parents. 6. Code of Conduct/Behavior: Each Rockland High School student athlete must:  Abide by the Rockland High School Code of Conduct, the Student Handbook, and Team Rules set by the coach and the MIAA rules governing sports participation.  Conduct oneself in an exemplary manner at all times both on and off the field, court or rink.  Dress presentably at all times and adhere to any team athletic dress codes on game days.

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 Understand that the coach may establish additional rules and regulations for his/her sport.  Understand that one must avoid physical or verbal confrontations with fellow teammates, members of the opposing team, and/or spectators, as well as officials.  Understand that one is responsible controlling one’s emotions, and accordingly, shall refrain from making any display of unsportsmanlike conduct.  Understand that a violation of the Rockland High School Code of Conduct is grounds for a game or team suspension or permanent expulsion from the program. Determination of such shall be made by the coach involved, the athletic director, and the principal in accordance with the nature and/or degree of the infraction. 7.

Attendance in School: Any student who is absent or tardy from school is not eligible to take part in any practice session or game that is scheduled for the same day. A student is considered tardy if he/she reports to school after 8:00AM. Any student who leaves the school grounds during the day without permission may not participate in any athletic activity. A student who is absent on the last day of the school week is ineligible for any athletic activity on the following day. The athletic director or principal may waive this rule in individual cases if, in that person’s judgment, the absences or tardiness were for a good reason and not a willful disregard of responsibility.

8.

Suspension from School: Any student suspended from school for any reason, whether it be in-school or out-of-school, will not be allowed to participate in any athletic activity for the duration of the suspension.

9.

Late Reporting: No student may try out for a team after final cuts have been made unless there is prior approval or there are extenuating circumstances (e.g. injury, previous season, post season tournament ending late, or academic eligibility). In such cases no displacement from the team of any squad member may occur.

10.

Injuries and Accidents: Athletes should report all injuries to the coach or trainer immediately. In the case of a game or practice accident, the coach should be prepared to: A. B.

Apply immediate first aid in the absence of the athletic trainer, EMT, or school nurse. If the athletic trainer, EMT, or school nurse is present, that particular individual will immediately assume responsibility.

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11.

C.

If no medical or trainer personnel are available, immediately apply first aid (stem flow of blood, apply ice pack, etc.). Contact the parent/guardian to come to the area and assume responsibility. If it is evident that an emergency exists, contact the emergency number (911) and request ambulance transportation to the hospital. Notify the parent/guardian that the student has been taken to the hospital. If the parent is not available, arrange for a member of the school personnel to remain with the student until a parent can be reached.

D.

Do not transport the student by private car without expressed consent of a parent or a school administrator.

E.

If the accident required hospital treatment, contact your building principal and or athletic director at the first opportunity.

F.

Submit a properly completed accident form to the school nurse by noon of the first day following the accident. Forms may be obtained from the nurse of athletic director.

G.

Under no circumstances is an injured student be left alone or transported without a competent adult accompanying him/her. IF NESCESSARY, THE COACH AND THE TEAM WILL ACCOMPANY THE INJURED STUDENT FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT, AND THE CONTEST WILL BE FORFEITED.

H.

All injuries should be reported to the coach and athletic trainer immediately. Student/athletes sent to a doctor or hospital due to an injury will not be allowed to resume participation unless they have written approval by a doctor. During games and practices, the athletic trainer will determine if student/athletes can continue to participate.

Concussions: (105CMR 201.000) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts states: Concussions are a complex disturbance in brain function, due to direct or indirect trama to the head, related to neurometabolic dysfunction, rather than structural injury. Concussions are difficult to diagnose because the damage cannot be seen. Because concussions are difficult to detect, student athletes must obtain medical approval before returning to athletics following a concussion. Please see Rockland Public Schools Concussion policy for more information or visit the school website at rocklandschools.org

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12.

Hazing: (Chapter 269, Section 18 of the General Laws) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts states: The term “hazing” as used in this section and in sections eighteen and nineteen, shall mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug, or any other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other persons to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation. Anyone who is aware of hazing and/or is at the scene where hazing takes place is required to report the crime to an appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practical. Failure to report such crime is punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.

12.

Taunting: (MIAA, 48) includes any actions or comments by coaches, players, or spectators which are intended to bait, anger, embarrass, ridicule, or demean another, berates, needles, intimidates, or threatens based on race, gender, ethnic origin, or background, and conduct that attacks religious beliefs, size, economic status, speech, family, special needs or personal matters. Examples of taunting include, but are not limited to, the following: “trash talk,” defined as verbal communication of a personal nature directed by a competitor to an opponent by ridiculing his/her skills, efforts, sexual orientation, or lack of success, which is likely to provoke an altercation or physical response; and physical intimidation outside the spirit of the game, including “in the face” confrontation by one player to another and standing over/straddling a tackled or fallen player.

13.

Contact Sports Limitation: (MIAA, 60) A student athlete shall participate in only one (1) sport in any defined MIAA sport season (fall, winter, or spring). Penalties, any student who violates this rule will be declared ineligible for that season, and all games he/she participates in for both sports must be forfeited.

14.

Insurance: All athletes who have had a physical examination are covered by school insurance. This insurance is “non-duplicating.” It is intended to provide coverage.

15.

Security of Personal Belongings: All personal belongings should be locked up in a team room or locker while the student is out practicing. All students should have their own locks for their athletic lockers and should never leave their lockers unlocked. The Rockland High School cannot be responsible for the loss of personal belongings.

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16.

Student Discipline Obligation: A student/athlete with a school disciplinary obligation is required to fulfill that obligation before reporting to an athletic practice or game.

17.

Team Rules and Regulations: At the start of each season, a coach with the approval of the director of athletics may issue a set of team rules and regulations to his/her team. It is suggested that these rules be in written form and passed out to the athletes.

Additional Athletic Rules: 1.

An athlete cannot be excused from physical education class and participate in a practice or a game on the same day.

2.

A User fee of $180.00 for the school year will be placed on all athletes. It is a onetime fee. The family fee is $330.00.

3.

It is the responsibility of the athlete to report all injuries to the coach and or athletic trainer.

4.

Athletes may participate in only one interscholastic team during any one sports season.

5.

Any athlete who desires to drop off his/her team and tryout of another team may do so only under the following conditions: He/she must do so within the first two weeks of the practice season and receive permission from the athletic director and both coaches of their respective teams. Also no athlete can switch/change teams after the first game is played in the sport that he/she tried out for. (MIAA rule)

6.

The following behaviors are unacceptable and will be punishable according to the seriousness of the incident. a. b. c. d. e. f.

Fighting (teammates, opponents, coaches, officials, spectators) Use of vulgar, profane, or abusive language Cheating (athletic/academic) Vandalism, willful destruction to private/public property or equipment of school Insubordination – failure to comply with any reasonable request by coaches, officials, or staff members Intimidation or threats – behavior that harasses, embarrasses, or threatens bodily harm to another person.

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Athletic Eligibility Rules To maintain eligibility for participation in Rockland High School’s Athletic Program, a student must meet all MIAA requirements and conform to the following rules: 1. Academic Eligibility: An athlete must meet the following criteria during the last marking period preceding a contest: A.

A student must secure during the last marking period preceding the contest (e.g. second quarter marks and not semester grades determine third quarter eligibility) a passing grade in the equivalent of four major subjects. To satisfy this requirement, a student must have passed sufficient courses for that marking period which carry Carnegie Units totaling the equivalent of four 1-year English credits. (MIAA 58.1)

B.

A student cannot at any time represent a school unless that student is taking courses which would provide Carnegie Units equivalent to four 1-year English courses. (MIAA 58.2)

C.

To be eligible for the fall marking period, students are required to have passed for the previous academic year the equivalent of four 1-year English courses. (MIAA 58.3)

D.

Academic eligibility of all students shall be considered as official and determined only on the date when the report card has been issued to the parents of all students within a particular class. (MIAA 58.4)

E.

Incomplete grades may not be counted toward eligibility. (MIAA 58.5)

F.

A student who repeats work upon which he/she has once received credit cannot count that subject a second time for eligibility. (MIAA 58.6)

G.

A student cannot count for eligibility any subject taken during the summer vacation, unless that subject has previously been pursued and failed. (MIAA 58.7)

H.

A student receiving services under Chapter 766 who’s individualized Education Plan is a 502.4 or a more restrictive prototype, may be declared academically eligible by the principal provided all other eligibility requirements are met. (MIAA 58.8)

2. Age: A student shall be under 19 years of age, but may compete during the remainder of the school year, provided that his/her 19th birthday occurs after September 1st of that year. (MIAA 62) 14

3. Time: A student shall be eligible for interscholastic competition for no more than 12 consecutive athletic seasons beyond the 8th grade. (MIAA 59.1) A.

In special cases where a student has been absent because of an accident or illness, which prevented school attendance, eligibility can be extended by the MIAA Executive Director through the waiver process (MIAA 59.2)

Athletic Department Award Policy Types of Awards: 1. The letter “R” is given one time as soon as an athlete letters for the first time based on certain criteria. 2. Insert – Gold pin – designating a specific sport that can be attached to a letter. 3. Letter – Certificate – A certificate indicating a letter winner in a specific sport. Given each time an athlete letters. 4. Participation Certificate – A certificate given to a non-letter winner indicating participation in a specific sport. Award Requirements: Letter – Rockland High School awards letters and certificates in athletics based on the Following criteria: 1. Student/athlete must be eligible to participate for the entire season. (student who is not academically eligible will not receive a letter) 2. All equipment issued to the athlete must be returned in good condition. 3. Athlete must attend all games, scrimmages, practices, meets, and matches unless excused by the coach or athletic director. 4. The respective coaches, subject to the approval of the director of athletics and principal, make all letter recommendations. 5. A senior member of a varsity sport who does meet the criteria may receive a letter provided he/she is a team member in good standing at the conclusion of the season and is recommended by the head coach. 6. A student may receive a letter after serving for two (2) varsity sports teams as their manager. A manager is defined as a person who attends all practices and games to assist the team and coach. Insert - To be awarded to an athlete who has been awarded a varsity letter and who meets the following criteria: 1. Must have been awarded a varsity letter. 2. Must meet the requirements listed above for the varsity letter.

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Letter Certificate – To be awarded to an athlete who letters in a specific sport. Given each time an athlete letters in a specific sport. Participation Certificate – To be awarded to an athlete who successfully participated and completed the season as a bonafide member of their team and has not lettered in that sport.

Specific Sport Award Requirements Football: An athlete must participate in 50% of the games played. (Exception – special teams, kickers) Soccer: An athlete must participate in 50% of the total games played. Cross-Country: An athlete must: (a) Run entire season and all post-season races (b) Be a finisher in the top (7) in a minimum of 50% of the meets Basketball: An athlete must participate in 50% of the total games played Hockey: An athlete must participate in 50% of total games played. (Exception – goal tenders 25% of total games played) Wrestling: An athlete must participate in 50% of the scheduled meets as an active wrestler Track: An athlete must: (a) Earn an average of one (1) point per meet (b) Be an active participant in all meets until the conclusion of the season. This includes all meets for which the athlete has qualified. Golf: An athlete must participate in 50% of the scheduled matches. Tennis: An athlete must participate in 50% of the scheduled matches Baseball/Softball: An athlete must participate in 50% of scheduled games. (Exception: pitchers at the discretion of coach) Cheerleaders: A person must cheer at all games expected to in accordance with advisor unless excused Volleyball: An athlete must have participated in 50% of the scheduled matches Any athlete who meets the above requirements will be awarded an “R” (chenille type) letter in their sport for the first year. Thereafter, a Letter Certificate and insert (gold pin) will be awarded in lieu of another letter in each sport.

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Chemical Health Rule Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs During the season of play, a student shall not, regardless of the quantity used, consume, possess, buy, sell, or give away any beverage containing alcohol, any tobacco product, marijuana; steroids, or any controlled substance. Minimum Penalties are:  First Violation: When the principal confirms, (following an opportunity for the student to be heard) that a violation occurred, the student shall lose eligibility for the next two (2) consecutive interscholastic events, or two (2) weeks of a season in which the student is a participant whichever encompasses the greater number of contests. No exception is permitted for a student who becomes a participant in a treatment program. It is recommended that a student be allowed to remain at practice for the purpose of rehabilitation. (See student handbook)  Second Violation: The student shall lose eligibility for the next consecutive athletic events or 12 consecutive weeks, whichever encompasses the greater number of contests in which the student is a participant.  Any violation of the above rules will result in the loss of captainship immediately for the rest of the school year. Per School Committee.

Out of Season Sports Involvement Participation in out-of-season clinics, camps, leagues, or other related sports activities is strictly up to the discretion of the student athlete and his/her parents. While such participation will undoubtedly improve ones knowledge and skills, it is the individual decision as whether or not they wish to become involved in such activities. Participation or non-participation in such activities will have no bearing on student athlete’s participation on a Rockland High School athletic team. The Athletic Department encourages all students to take full advantage of the sports we offer and become involved in more than one sport. The Athletic Department also firmly believes that an athlete should be fully committed to his/her team during the season of play and not be involved with an out-of-school team.

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Athletic Department Appeals Process: Representing Rockland High School in Interscholastic Athletics is a privilege. Athletes (and all students associated with athletic teams) should understand that this privilege carries with it some very personal responsibilities to teammates, coaches, Rockland High School and the Town of Rockland. Dedication and the willingness to sacrifice, the desire to improve and the practice of self discipline are all elements of skill development. Equally important, however, is the ability to conduct oneself in a manner, which adheres to team and school regulations. Adherence to those regulations will promote the development of student athletes who will not only demonstrate athletic prowess, but more importantly display the characteristics of responsible school and community citizenship. It is essential that a prospective athlete clearly understand all standards of performance to which all Rockland High School athletes are to adhere. THE ATHELEES ATTENDANCE AT THE FIRST PRACTICE/TRYOUT IS AN EXPRESSION OF ACCEPTANCE OF THESE REGULATIONS. STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT THESE REGULATIONS SHOULD NOT PARTICIPATE. These standards have been approved by the Rockland School Committee, Superintendent, and Principal. They will be enforced by the Head Coaches and Director of Athletics. Each Head Coach will report immediately any disciplinary action of a substantial nature to the Athletic Director who along with the coach will notify the athlete and parent/guardian of the athlete. Any violations of any of these rules must be reported in writing as soon as possible after their occurrence to the Athletic Director. This applies to complaints made by those other than the immediate staff. The athlete may have the case reviewed according to the following procedure. 1.

The student and parents may ask to meet with the Athletic Director through the coach within one school day of the recommended disciplinary action.

2.

If not satisfied with decision of Athletic Director, the student and parent may ask to meet with the High School Principal within two days of the recommended disciplinary action.

3.

If a satisfactory disposition of the incident has not been reached after step 1 and 2, the parent may contact the Superintendent of Schools for further discussion within two days of the disciplinary action.

4.

If still not satisfied then the parent may go to the Rockland School Committee for further discussion.

In all cases based upon a season coming to a conclusion or a game immediately forthcoming, appeals will have to process within a 24-hour or 1 school day period of time.

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