Policy 2151

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 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 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 outof-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. In-service training opportunities will be afforded each coach so that he/she is trained to attend to the health care 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).

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

E. 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.

F. Nonprescribed medications, including such items as analgesic balms, vitamins and salt tablets, must be approved by the superintendent 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.

A sign will be posted that warns students that eligibility to participate may be denied if anabolic steroids are used for the purpose of enhancing athletic ability.

G. 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.

H. 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.

I. 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 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 of alcoholic beverages; use of tobacco; use or possession of illegal chemical substances or opiates not prescribed by a physician; physical appearance; 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.

Cross References:
Board Policy 2121 Substance Abuse Program
3413 Student Immunization
3414 Infectious Diseases 3416 Medication at School
3418 Emergency Treatment
4260 Use of School Facilities
6510 Safety
6512 Infection Control Program
WIAA Handbook

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

 

 

La Center School District Adopted: June 26th, 2007