Reeths-Puffer Athletic Policies

 

The rules and regulations listed, along with those found in the Reeths-Puffer Student Handbook and of the Michigan High School Athletics Association, apply to athletic participation for all Reeths-Puffer student-athletes and cheerleaders. The purpose of these policies is to define the expectations of all students participating in interscholastic athletics. Participation in interscholastic athletics is voluntary and is a privilege extended only to those who comply with the policies and regulations approved by the Board of Education.

 

Duration of Rules
An athlete shall abide by the Athletic Policies beginning the day she/he signs up for her/his first sport as a Reeths-Puffer student until she/he graduates or elects to no longer participate in Reeths-Puffer athletics. Conduct rules and penalties will be applied over twelve months of the year.

 

Forms and Fees
All student-athletes must have a participation form with the proper parent/guardian signatures completed and on file in the Athletic Office. One participation form may be utilized for an entire school year, however any change in status or information must be submitted to the athletic office and is the athletic office and is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

 

A participation fee of $60 (third sport $15) for High School/ $40 for Middle School (fourth sport is free) will be assessed for each sport in which a student-athlete participates. A yearly family maximum of $180 will be applied.  This fee must be paid prior to the first contest in that sport and will be applied to the cost of school athletic insurance, athletic training services, and medical supplies.
 

MHSAA ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY REGULATIONS

AGE: A student becomes ineligible for high school athletics if they are 19 years old before September 1st of the current school year. Middle School students must meet the following age limits to compete on Middle School teams: 7th grade team - not 14 years old prior to Sept. 1; 8th grade or 7-8 combined teams - not 15 years old prior to Sept 1.

 

PHYSICAL EXAM: Athletes must have on file in the athletic office a signed physician's statement (M.D., D.O., or Physician's Assistant) for the current school year (after April 15 of previous year) certifying that he/she is physically able to compete in athletic practices and contests prior to the first day of practice or tryouts.

 

ENROLLMENT: Athletes must have enrolled in school prior to the fourth Friday after Labor Day (1st semester) or the fourth Friday of February (2nd semester). A student must be legally enrolled in the school for which he/she competes.

 

SEMESTERS OF ENROLLMENT: Students cannot be eligible in high school athletics for more than eight semesters and the seventh and eighth semesters must be consecutive. Students are allowed four first semesters and four second semesters of competition and cannot compete if they have graduated from high school.

 

TRANSFER STUDENTS: Any student in grade 9-12 who transfers to another high school is not eligible to participate in an interscholastic contest for one full semester unless the student qualifies for immediate eligibility under one or more of the MHSAA exceptions. All transfer students should contact the Reeths-Puffer Athletic Office for further information.

 

LIMITED TEAM MEMBERSHIP: Reeths-Puffer student-athletes may only participate in one sport at a time during a season. After practicing with or participating with high school teams, students cannot participate in any athletic competition (including "3 on 3" tournaments, etc.) not sponsored by his or her school in the same sport during the same season. Exceptions include all individual sports which apply the rule from the point of a student's first participation in a contest or scrimmage rather than practice. Students in individual sports may participate in a maximum of two non-school individual meets or contests during the school season while not representing their school.

 

AWARDS AND AMATEURISM: Students cannot receive money or other valuable considerations for participating in MHSAA sponsored sports or interscholastic athletic contest, except as allowed by the MHSAA Handbook. Questions regarding all-star competitions, summer teams or camps should be addressed to the Athletic Director. Students may only accept a symbolic or merchandise award which does not have a value over $15.00 (including any Monies raised through fund raising). Awards in the form of cash, merchandise, certificates, or any other negotiable document are never allowed. Banquets, luncheons, dinners, trips and admissions are permitted if accepted "in kind", but should be confirmed to be legal through the athletic office or MHSAA.

 

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY
High School students must have passed a minimum of five academic credits during the previous semester of attendance and Middle School students must have passed all classes in order to participate in athletics. Failure to do so will result in a loss of eligibility for the next full semester.

Students must be doing passing work for the present semester in five academic classes (MS must be passing all classes) up to within seven days of the contest.. Failure to do so will result in loss of eligibility for the next full week. Academic progress will be monitored by the Athletic Director and coach on a weekly basis through teacher reports. Student-athletes will be notified of any "borderline" or "failure" in a class is reported and instructors will attempt to notify parents of a "failing" status.

 

ATTENDANCE
A student-athlete must attend a full day of scheduled classes in order to participate in an athletic practice or contest on that day, unless the absence is "school related" or due to a verified medical appointment. A signed slip from the doctor's or dentist's office must be submitted to the attendance office or coach prior to being allowed to participate on that day. All exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Athletic Director, Assistant Principal, or Principal. Violations of this policy that are identified after the day in question will have penalties applied once the violations is verified.

 

INJURIES
Athletic participation involves the potential for injury and requires that student-athletes observe the training rules and equipment requirements. It is the responsibility of the student-athlete to report any injury or unusual discomfort to the coach immediately. Parents will be notified when a significant injury occurs and should relay any pertinent medical information to the coaching staff. A school trainer is available at designated times for minor evaluations and referrals.

 

MEDICAL INSURANCE
Reeths-Puffer Schools Athletic Department provides an "accident" medical insurance policy that covers injuries sustained during interscholastic activities for all student-athletes (it does not include "chronic" injuries). This policy will pay only after the athlete's own insurance has paid their portion of the claim. Claim Forms and additional information are available in the Athletic Office.

 

TRANSPORTATION
All student-athletes must ride the school bus to and from contests. In emergency or special situations, approval must be obtained a day in advance of the contest from the Athletic Director or Assistant Principal.

 

EQUIPMENT
All student-athletes are responsible for all athletic equipment issued to them. All unreturned or damaged items must be paid for by the student-athlete before he is allowed to participate in another sport. Fines will be assessed and billed to the parents, and fines will be maintained in the student's permanent record.

 

GOOD CONDUCT CODE
Good conduct is expected of student-athletes, in-season and out-of-season, in their relations with teachers, peers, opponents, and the community. Therefore, conduct considered unbecoming of an athlete and deemed detrimental to the team, school, or community is a violation of this code and the penalty will be determined by the administration.

Unsportsmanlike conduct, repeated violations of team rules, or violations of MHSAA regulations or Reeths-Puffer Athletic Policies may result in suspension or dismissal from an athletic team.

 

SUSPENSION FROM SCHOOL THROUGH THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OR PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE

• A student-athlete suspended from school (OSS) shall not participate in any athletic contest during the suspension.
• A student-athlete shall not practice during a suspension from school.
• A student-athlete may not be released from Saturday School obligations for athletic practice or competition.

CONCERNS AND ATHLETIC APPEALS
When an individual has a question, concern, or complaint regarding an athletic situation, we have found the following line of communication very effective in resolving issues:

1. START AT THE SOURCE. Talk directly with the coach, in private, face to face, away from the practice or contest area. A phone call may be necessary to arrange an appointment.
2. If necessary, TALK NEXT WITH THE HEAD COACH OF THE SPORT.
3. If necessary, TALK NEXT WITH THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR. A meeting may be arranged with the concerned parties to discuss the issue. Getting everyone together in the same room to communicate resolves most issues.
4. If necessary, TALK WITH THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OR PRINCIPAL.
5. If necessary, TALK WITH THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT.

* All concerns MUST be heard at the lowest possible level BEFORE intervention by the higher authority can occur. However, the next level arbitrator will always be willing to meet with a complainant if needed.

 

* We always assume that all parties have the best interest of the student-athletes in mind when concerns are discussed. Be sure to listen to the other party and be sure that you understand the important points. A calm, friendly, and factual conversation is usually productive for everyone involved and resolves most issues.

 

One of our goals is to help the student-athletes resolve his or her own differences, and learn to deal successfully with a difficult situation should it arise. We encourage their involvement in the resolution of concerns. Of course, a parent/guardian always has the right to intervene on behalf of a child. We will make every effort to assure that the student-athlete is not penalized or placed in an awkward position as a result of voicing a concern.

 

APPEALS
A student-athlete who has been suspended or dismissed from a team for policy violations is entitled to an appeal. The procedures outlined in the Reeths-Puffer High School or Middle School Student Handbooks should be followed under these circumstances. Appeals must be filed within three (3) days of the suspension or dismissal and submitted to the Principal.