Policy No. 2151

Instruction

 

INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES

The board recognizes the value of a program of interscholastic activities as an integral part of the total school experience to all students of the district and to the community. The program of interscholastic activities shall include all activities relating to competitive sport contests, games or events, or exhibitions involving individual students or teams of students of this district when such events occur between separate schools within this district or with any schools outside this district. The board expects that:

A. All interscholastic activities and events including those not sanctioned by the WIAA shall be in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). The schools of the district shall not participate in any out-of-season athletics or activities that are not sanctioned by the WIAA. The district shall not be responsible or liable for nonschool-sponsored programs or for programs that are organized, promoted or participated in by staff members without school approval. The district shall not be responsible for or control and incur liability for summer and/or out-of-season activities unless specifically sponsored by the school district. The superintendent shall establish rules defining the circumstances under which school facilities may be used and under which announcements of summer sports leagues and/or clinics may be channeled to students.

B. An athletic coach must be properly trained and qualified for an assignment as described in the coach's job description.

C. A job description which outlines the skills, techniques and safety measures associated with a coaching assignment will be distributed to each coach. A coach must secure permission in advance if he/she wishes to deviate from the job description.

D. In-service training opportunities will be afforded each coach so that he/she is trained to attend to the first-aid needs of participants. Prior to a sports season, the coach will prepare a plan for handling medical emergencies at practice sessions and games (home and away).

E. Participants will be issued equipment that has been properly maintained and fitted.

F. All facilities and equipment utilized in the interscholastic activity program, whether or not the property of the district, shall be inspected on a regular basis.

G. Nonprescribed medications, including such items as analgesic balms, vitamins and salt tablets, must be approved by the superintendent or designee before they may be available for use by coaches and/or athletic trainers. After athletic training medications have been approved, the coach and/or trainer must secure authorization from the parent and the student's doctor before the medications may be used during the athletic season. If such release is not on file, the nonprescribed medications may not be used. This provision does not preclude the coach and/or trainer from using approved first aid items. Students will be advised that eligibility to participate may be denied if anabolic steroids and/or any performance enhancing substances are used for the purpose of enhancing athletic ability.

H. The board recognizes that certain risks are associated with participation in interscholastic sports. While the district will strive to prevent injuries and accidents to students, each participant and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) will be required to sign a statement which indicates that the parent(s) and the student acknowledge the risks of injuries resulting from such participation and give assurance that the student will follow the instructions of the coach.

I. Each participant shall be required to furnish evidence of physical fitness prior to becoming a member of an interscholastic team. A written report shall be completed when a student is injured while participating in a school-supervised activity. A participant shall be free of injury and shall have fully recovered from illness before participating in any activity.

J. Each student participating in interscholastic athletic activities is required to have or obtain medical insurance for expenses incurred as a result of injuries sustained while participating in the extracurricular activity. Students shall provide evidence of coverage with a minimum limit of $25,000 in medical expenses or shall obtain such coverage through the insurance plan offered to all students participating in activities in the district. No student will be denied the ability to participate solely because the student's family, by reason of low income, is unable to pay the entire amount of the premium for such insurance. The superintendent or his or her designee may approve partial or full waiver of premiums to permit all students to obtain the required medical insurance.

The superintendent or designee shall annually prepare, approve and present to the board for its consideration a program of interscholastic activities for the school year. The superintendent shall prepare rules for the conduct of student activities including, but not limited to, use or possession of the following: controlled substances, illegal substances or opiates, steroids, alcohol, or tobacco which are not prescribed by a physician is prohibited; physical appearance; curfew; unsportsmanlike conduct; absence from practice; gambling; or any infraction of civil law. Rules and disciplinary actions related to rule violations shall be distributed to each participant and his/her parents prior to the beginning of an interscholastic activity season.

Legal References:

RCW 28A.400.350	Liability, life, health, health care, accident, disability, and salary insurance authorized — Premiums
RCW 28A.600.200	Interschool athletic and other extra-curricular activities for students, regulation of — Delegation, conditions
RCW 69.41.330	Public Warnings — School districts
RCW 69.41.340	Student athletics — Violations — Penalty

Management Resources: Policy News, October 2007, Elimination of Outdated and Obsolete Policies

Cross References:

Policy 2121	Substance Abuse Program
Policy 3413	Student Immunization and Life Threatening Health Conditions
Policy 3414	Infectious Diseases
Policy 3416	Medication at School
Policy 3418	Anaphylaxis Prevention
Policy 4260	Community Use of School Facilities

WIAA Handbook

Adopted: December 14, 2009