Athletic Code of Conduct

Letter to Student-Athletes, Parents/Guardians

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

Welcome to the Mohonasen Athletic Program. I believe that participation in athletics is a privilege and provides an opportunity for developing life-long skills that complement the academic classroom. The main goal of my office is to provide first-class experiences that promote team and individual growth in a safe and healthy environment – both on and off fields, and in the community. When a student chooses to participate in MCS programs, they have committed themselves to certain responsibilities and obligations.

This MCS athletic code of conduct has been prepared to be used as a reference by our students and their parents/guardians in an effort to define responsibilities as they pertain to the athletic program’s rules, regulations, policies and procedures. These policies and rules are necessary for a well-organized and successful experience.

Specifically, the Mohonasen Athletic Program is governed by policies and regulations established by the New York State Education Department and the Mohonasen Board of Education. In addition, the Mohonasen CSD is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA), Section II in the “A” classification and competes in the Colonial Council Conference (CCC).

I look forward to working with you to ensure that you take advantage of the tremendous opportunities athletics can provide. Please feel free to contact me at 518-356-8271 or visit our website at Athletics Link if you have any questions or concerns regarding the Mohonasen Athletic Program.

GO WARRIORS!
Yours very truly,

Matthew Ronca
Director Physical Education, Health and Athletics

Mohonasen Central School District Mission Statement

Mission Statement

Mohonasen has PLANS for our students! Our mission is to ensure that students reach their Potential to Learn in an Academically rich, Nurturing and Safe environment.

Vision

Mohonasen Central School District will be widely recognized as an exemplary school district, enthusiastically educating mind, body and character. Families, visitors and community members will experience an environment of respect and care surrounding each personal interaction. They will discover a culture of excellence permeating every program. Mohonasen will be a model of safe, effective and well-rounded educational community in a diverse suburban setting.
We believe that in order to attain our mission and vision, we, as adults, have the responsibility to do “Whatever it Takes” in order to ensure the success of every child.

OBJECTIVES OF INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS AT MOHONASEN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

• To promote academic and athletic excellence.
• To encourage maximum participation by the student body.
• To promote a sense of good sportsmanship and fair play.
• To provide direction, guidance, and support for our student-scholar-athletes to reach their highest potential and level of proficiency.
• To treat all student-scholar-athletes fairly and consistently.
• To enjoy athletics.
• To set ambitious, but practical, real-life goals.

Student Eligibility for Interscholastic Athletics

According to NYSPHAA regulations, a student shall be eligible for interscholastic competition provided he/she is a bona fide student in good standing of the represented school, taking four subjects including physical education. A student shall be eligible for only four years in one sport, in consecutive years, upon entering the ninth grade, unless advanced by selective classification. Minimum requirements for attendance at practice are set forth in the NYSPHAA handbook. Additional policies for attendance which pertain to Mohonasen athletics are located in the section entitled “Attendance” found later in this booklet. A student who reaches the age of 19 before July 1 may not participate in interscholastic athletics. For modified programs, the student is eligible upon entering 7th grade.

Sports Physicals
Sports physicals are provided by the school district at no cost to our students-athletes. A student may choose to have a sports physical through a private physician; however, school district forms must be completed by the physician and all costs incurred are the responsibility of the student-athlete. A sports physical is valid for one school year. A current Health History Update form must be completed by the parent/guardian for any physical over 30 days old. A physical is required before participation in an interscholastic school sport is permitted.

Important: A sports physical is not necessarily the same as a routine physical examination. If a student is examined by a private physician for participation in sports, it is essential that a school sports physical form be completed by the physician.

Injuries and Insurance
A student athlete must report any injuries immediately, no matter how slight the injury may appear to be. Medical expenses resulting from any injury must first be submitted to the athlete’s parent/guardian’s own insurance carrier, and any remaining balance can be submitted to the school’s accident insurance carrier who will determine what, if any, further payment or reimbursement will be made. If a coach is not available, the injury should be reported to the school nurse, the athletic trainer, or an administrator, or supervisor as soon as possible after the injury has occurred. Coaches will complete an injury report and submit it to the school nurse.

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MOHONASEN CENTRAL SCHOOL INTERSCHOLASTIC CODE OF CONDUCT

CODE OF CONDUCT
The Mohonasen Board of Education believes that the involvement in interscholastic athletics is an integral part of a student’s total educational program, as it forms a connection between the student and the school community and nurtures each student’s special interests and abilities. Participation in athletics is a privilege and carries with it responsibilities to self, school and community. The Eligibility Standards and Rules will cover student behavior and chemical Use/Abuse.

STUDENT BEHAVIOR
It is the expectation that all students exemplify good citizenship and behavior at all times, both in and out of school. If, in or out of school, a student exhibits unacceptable behavior as outlined in the Mohonasen Code of Conduct, or is charged with a violation of local, state or federal laws, the student will be subject to the consequences below.

Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to: fighting, vandalism, stealing, insubordination, academic dishonesty and truancy. Additionally, engaging in harassing behaviors that include verbal threats, threatening, hazing activities, bullying, cyberbullying, vandalism, intimidation, retaliation or abuse, conduct or speech based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group religion/religious practices, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender or perceived gender, protected federal rights, or other personal misconduct, including, but not limited to, conduct that involves police or court action, will be subject to the consequences below:

Mohonasen Athletics Academic Policy

Participation in Interscholastic Athletics has a positive effect on academic performance. It is the belief of the Mohonasen Central School District that coaches, teachers, parents/guardians and student-athletes form a partnership in development of the whole child. Therefore, all parties will work together to ensure the athletic and academic success of the student-athlete. Please take some time to review our academic policy with your family members.

Athletes failing one subject = PASS Program effective at first quarter interim and each interim and report card there after. These athletes must get 1 Google/paper form submission from a teacher per week until their grade is at or above a 65. Forms must be submitted to the athletic office or electronically by a teacher each time a student-athlete attends period 10 or when they complete and hand in missing or corrected work. Paper forms can be picked up in the athletic office.

Athletes failing two or more subjects = PASS Program effective at first quarter interim and each interim and report card there after. These athletes must get a Google/paper form submission for each failing class from a teacher per week for a minimum of 5 weeks. Please note: Grades determining placement on the PASS Program will only be run at each interim and report card. Student-athletes that raise their grades to passing during these 5 week periods must continue on the program until grades are officially reviewed. Forms must be submitted to the athletic office or electronically by a teacher each time a student-athlete attends a period 10 or when they complete and hand in missing or corrected work. Paper forms can be picked up in the athletic office.

*Student-athletes are not required to obtain passes from their teachers during school vacations.

Causes for Ineligibility = Student-athletes who do not submit the correct number of passes each week by Friday at 1:00 PM will be ineligible for competition the following week. They WILL be permitted to practice; but may NOT compete in any contests. They must continue with the PASS program requirements during their week of ineligibility in order to become eligible the following week.

A lot of work goes into enforcing our academic policy. The coaches play an important role in this. It is our expectation that coaches:

Have conversations with their athletes that are subject to our academic policy and make sure they are clear with the expectations.

Communicate with the athletic office regarding PASS program form submissions, attendance and discipline. Check your email before every practice!

Hold athletes accountable if they do not properly participate in the PASS program.
NO FORM = NO PLAY

The following rules apply to all students participating in Athletics:

A. ATTENDANCE

Student is expected to attend every practice, game, meeting, and events.

1. Athletes are to provide coaches with prior notification of all anticipated excused absences (i.e., religious observances, college visits).

2. If an athlete arrives at school after 1st period (8:29AM) without a legal excuse he/she will be prohibited from participating on that day. Participation= practice, meeting, contest. Excused Eligibility (Arriving after 8:00 AM)Sickness in Family/Death in family, Religious observance, Quarantine, Doctor or Dentist appointment, Required to be in court, Attendance at health clinic, Approved cooperative work program, Approved college visit, Impassable roads or weather (if bus from that route is late for school), and Car accident. All excused absences must have a signed note or Athletic Director approval.

3. If an athlete does not participate in his or her regularly scheduled physical education class he/she cannot participate that day.

4. If a student-athlete is absent from school he/she will be unable to practice or compete in a contest on that day.

5. Participation in athletics does not excuse a student from serving an assigned detention.

6. If a student is ill during the day and must spend one academic class or more in the nurse’s office, he/she will be ineligible to participate or play that day.

7. Student-athletes will attend all practices and games, unless they are absent from school or have prior permission from the coach. Compliance with this policy will be enforced by the head coach of your program.

8. If a student-athlete “quits” the sport, he/she will become ineligible for the remainder of that sport season and twenty percent of the next sports season in which they participate.

9. The Athletic Director reserves the right to make final determinations as to participation based upon individual mitigating circumstances.

10) Each individual program may have their own policies and enforcement. These policies have been reviewed, approved and are supported by the Athletic Director.

Unexcused Ineligibility for activities:

Students on bus routes have the opportunity for school transportation therefore, unexcused ineligibility includes: Car failure, Parents or students arriving after 1st period (8:29AM), Detention, Oversleeping, Missing the bus, and Sickness.

B. SUSPENSIONS

1. Out of school suspensions will result in the student-athlete to not be permitted to participate in an event, contest or event for the duration of the suspension. A second offense during the same sport season resulting in an external suspension will result in the athlete being dropped from the team.

2. In-school suspensions at Mohonasen will result in the student-athlete not being permitted to participate or play in an event, contest or event for the duration of the suspension.

C. TRANSPORTATION

Transportation to contests is provided by the school district.

1. Student-athletes are expected to ride the bus to all athletic events. Exceptions can be made in extreme cases with a note from the player’s parent/guardian, signed by the Athletic Director in advance.

2. If a parent/guardian is providing transportation home from an away contest he/she must sign out with the coach.

D. UNIFORMS/EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS – school-owned supplies

1. Any student-athlete who fails to return a uniform or pay for the replacement of the uniform is ineligible to participate in the following sport’s season until they do so. Senior athletes who do not return uniforms/equipment may be subject to the withholding of necessary end-of-school material until return/payment has been made.

E. AWARDS

1. Awards are issued only to those student-athletes who complete the season in good standing. Athletes who are dropped from the team, or quit prior to the last contest, are not eligible for awards.

2. The Mohonasen Athletic Program uses a point system for the purpose of presenting awards to athletes at our senior banquet. All student-athletes’ point totals will be tracked for participation at the freshmen, junior varsity and varsity levels in grades 7-12.

The system works as follows:
• 1 point: Successful completion of a season on a freshman team.
• 2 points: Successful completion of a season on a junior varsity team.
• 3 points: Successful completion of a season on a varsity team.

Awards are presented as follows:
• All athletes receive a certificate at the completion of the season.
• Varsity Letters are awarded after completion of the first varsity season.
• Athletic pins are awarded after completion of additional varsity seasons.
1 -15 accumulated points: Senior Athletic Award (given at senior banquet).
16 plus accumulated points: Athletic Achievement Award (given at senior banquet)

1. Athletes who fail to return their practice and/or event/contest equipment and uniforms are ineligible for awards.
2. Athletes will not receive a letter or any Section II awards if they do not complete the season. This includes all sectional and/or state games.

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F. USE OF DRUGS, ALCOHOL and TOBACCO

FIRST OFFENSE

To participate on any athletic team a student must completely abstain from the use of tobacco, vaping, alcohol or other drugs as well as the intentional misuse of any over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Any student-athlete who violates this policy will be ineligible to participate in 20% of the contests for the activity (this ineligibility shall include all sectional, regional and state competition). During this time the athlete will be expected to attend ALL activities and games but will not be allowed to dress for contests. Before reinstatement the athlete must undergo an evaluation by a certified substance-abuse counselor/agency* and/or complete a smoking/vaping cessation program if available, and agree to follow the recommendations of the counselor. Failure to meet the above requirements will be considered a Second Offense.

SECOND OFFENSE

To participate on an athletic team a student must completely abstain from the use of tobacco, vaping, alcohol, and other drugs as well as the intentional misuse of any over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Any student-athlete who violates this policy a second time, within three (3) years of the first offense, will be ineligible to complete the season in which the second infraction occurs. In addition, the suspension will carry over into the following season. The club member/athlete will be allowed to practice but will be restricted from playing in 30% of the contests following the second infraction.
In addition, the student-athlete must undergo a substance abuse evaluation by a certified agency/counselor.* A parent/guardian and student-athlete must sign an informational release form between the agency/counselor and the school.
*If that agency/counselor determines the student/athlete is in need of treatment, then the student-athlete and the parent/guardian, if required by the counselor, must be in a certified counseling/treatment program.
*The student-athlete must complete an educational program on substance abuse. The program will be determined by the school and may include programs offered by outside agencies.
*If the violation involved tobacco or vaping, then the student-athlete must complete a smoking cessation program given by a certified agency as specified by the school.

THIRD OFFENSE

To participate on an athletic team a student-athlete must abstain from the use of tobacco, vaping, alcohol and other drugs. Any student that violates this policy a third time will be ineligible to participate on an athletic team or activity for 90 school days. In addition, all counseling requirements pertaining to the Second Offense will apply.*
*All expenses related to this policy will be the responsibility of the student and their family. School personnel can provide referral to local services for all income levels.

G. SELF-REFERRAL AND REPORTING

We expect student athletes to be honest and encourage them to report their own prohibited conduct to a coach, athletic director, principal, or school administrator. Student athletes who have violated the set forth expectations but have been exceptionally forthcoming, responsible, and truthful, or have voluntarily reported themselves to be in violation of the set forth expectations may, at the discretion of the Administration, have their penalties/consequences reduced.

H.RISKS OF PARTICIPATION

Student-athletes and their parents/guardians must realize that there is an inherent risk in participating in interscholastic athletic competition. Individual coaches will discuss the possible risks with student-athletes and their parents/guardians. The risk of serious injury or loss of life is unavoidable in an interscholastic athletic program.

I. HAZING/HARASSMENT

The Mohonasen Central School District is committed to providing educational athletic programs free from harassment, bullying, and/or hazing for all students and staff members. Subjecting someone to acts that are humiliating, indecent, painful or unsafe will not be tolerated. Student-athletes who engage in any of the above mentioned behaviors will be subject to disciplinary procedures as per the student code of conduct.

J. AWARENESS

Coaches will be required to read aloud the entire code of conduct to the athletes prior to the first meeting/practice. Each student will sign a paper stating that the coach has read the code of conduct to the athlete. A copy of the code will be sent home to the parents/guardians by the Athletic Department once the final roster is established. By participating in a sport, the player is demonstrating their willingness to comply with all the expectations of a student-athlete at Mohonasen Central School District

MOHONASEN CENTRAL SCHOOL
EC3/ATHLETIC COUNSELING PROGRAM (ACP)
REINSTATEMENT APPLICATION

It is requested that I,____________________________________________ be considered for
reinstatement into the Mohonasen Central School Athletic Program, and agree to the following:

1. To strictly adhere to and affirm my commitment to the MCS Athletic Code of Conduct.

2. To complete any counseling obligations required.

Athletic Director (Signature/Date)

_________________________

Student (Signature/Date) Parent/Guardian (Signature/Date)

_________________________ _________________________

MOHONASEN CENTRAL SCHOOL
ATHLETIC COUNSELING PROGRAM FORM

Following the completion of the assigned counseling program by the student-athlete, the counselor must complete this form and return it to the Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics. Successful completion of the program will reinstate the student-athlete to the team.

(Student)

(Date)

(Nature of Referral)

(Offense)

Program Used During the Counseling Sessions:

Other Obligations/Requirements to be completed:

The counselor and the student/athlete must sign and date below acknowledging that all phases of his/her program have been completed.

Student:________________________________

Counselor:______________________________

Parent/Guardian:_________________________

Date:______________________

Directions to Colonial Council Schools

Academy of the Holy Names, 1075 New Scotland Road Albany, NY 12208
Get on I-890 E in Guilderland from Warrior Way and Fort Hunter Road. Take the thruway E to exit 24 and continue on I-90 E. Take exit 4 for NY-85 toward Slingerlands/Voorheesville. Take the Krumkill Road exit. Turn left onto Krumkill Road. Turn right onto Bender Ave. Turn right onto New Scotland.

Catholic Central High School, 625 7th Ave Troy, NY 12182
Get on I-890 E in Guilderland from Warrior Way and Fort Hunter Road. Take the thruway E to exit 24 and continue on I-87 N (Northway). Take exit 7 for NY-7 E toward Troy/Cohoes. Take exit onto I-787 N toward Cohoes. Turn right onto Ontario Street. Continue onto 122th Street. Turn left onto 7th Ave.

Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, 1353 NY-7 Richmondville, NY 12149
Take Curry Road and NY-7 W/Duanesburg Road to I-88 W. Merge onto I-88 W. Take exit 21 toward NY-7 Warnerville/Cobleskill. Turn right onto Hite Road. Turn left at first cross street onto NY-10 S/NY-7 W.

Cohoes High School, 1 Tiger Circle Cohoes, NY 12047
Get on I-890 E in Guilderland from Warrior Way and Fort Hunter Road. Take the thruway E to exit 24 and continue on I-87 N (Northway). Take exit 7 for NY-7 E toward Troy/Cohoes. Use the right lane to merge onto US 9 N toward NY-9R. Take NY-9R and NY-470 E/Columbia Street to Tiger Circle in Cohoes.

Gardner-Dickinson School, 25 East Ave Troy, NY 12180
Get on I-890 E in Guilderland from Warrior Way and Fort Hunter Road. Take the thruway E to exit 24 and continue on I-90 E. Take exit 6A to merge onto I-787 N toward Troy. Take exit 7E to merge onto NY-378 E toward S Troy. Turn right onto Morrison Ave. Turn right onto US-4 S/Vanderburgh Ave. Turn left onto NY-136 E. Turn left onto 74/Winter St. Extension. Turn right onto East Ave.

Ichabod Crane High School, 2910 US 9 Valatie, NY 12184
Get on I-890 E in Guilderland from Warrior Way and Fort Hunter Road. Take the thruway E to exit 24 and continue on I-90 E. Take exit 12 for US-9 toward Hudson. Turn right onto US 9 S. At the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit and stay on US 9 S. Continue to follow US 9 S to your destination.

Lansingburgh High School, 320 7th Ave Troy, NY 12182
Get on I-890 E in Guilderland from Warrior Way and Fort Hunter Road. Take the thruway E to exit 24 and continue on I-87 N (Northway). Take exit 7 for NY-7 E toward Troy/Cohoes. Use the right 2 lanes to take the exit toward Downtown Troy. Keep right and follow signs to continue onto Hutton Street. Turn right onto River Streeter. Continue onto 2nd Ave. Turn right onto 102nd Streeter. Turn left at the 1st cross street onto 5th Ave. Turn right onto 107th Street. Turn left onto 7th Ave.

La Salle Institute, 174 Williams Road Troy, NY 12180
Get on I-890 E in Guilderland from Warrior Way and Fort Hunter Road. Take the thruway E to exit 24 and continue on I-90 E. Take exit 6A to merge onto I-787 N toward Troy. Take exit 7E to merge onto NY-378 E toward S Troy. Turn right onto Morrison Ave. Turn right onto US-4 S/Vanderburgh Ave. Turn left onto South Dr. Turn right onto NY-136 W.

Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk HS/MS Campus, 2025 US 9W Ravena, NY 12143
Get on I-890 E in Guilderland from Warrior Way and Fort Hunter Road. Take NYS Thruway/I-87 S to exit 22 for NY-144 toward NY 396/Selkirk. Turn right onto NY-144S. Turn right onto NY-396 W. Take a slight left onto Thatcher St. Turn left onto US 9W S, turn right.

Schalmont High School, 1 Sabre Drive Schenectady, NY 12306
Follow Curry Road to “Five Corners” Rotterdam. Turn left onto NY-7 W/Duanesburg Road. In approx. 2 miles the school is on your left.

The Albany Academies, 135 Academy Road Albany, NY 12208
Get on I-890 E in Guilderland from Warrior Way and Fort Hunter Road. Take NYS Thruway/I-87 S to exit 23. Use the middle lane to follow signs for US 9W. Turn left onto US 9W/Southern Blvd. Turn right onto Southern Blvd. Turn right after Stewart’s Shop on the right. Turn left onto Whitehall Rd. Turn right onto Ten Eyck Ave. Turn right onto Marwill St. Continue onto Academy Road.

Voorheesville, Clayton A. Bouton High School, 432 New Salem Rd. Voorheesville, NY 12186
Take left onto Helderberg Ave from the back exit of Warrior Way. Turn right onto County Line Road. Turn left onto NY-158 S. Turn left onto NY-146 E. Turn right onto Depot Road. Continue onto School Road. Continue straight onto Altamont Road. Turn right onto NY-85A W/Maple Ave.

Watervliet High School, 1245 Hillside Drive Watervliet, NY 12189
Get on I-890 E in Guilderland from Warrior Way and Fort Hunter Road. Take the thruway E to exit 24 and continue on I-87 N (Northway). Take exit 6 for NY-2 E toward Watervliet. Keep right and take the 2nd exit at the traffic circle to continue on NY-2 E. Turn right onto Wiswall Ave. Turn right onto Hillside Drive.

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