The Brewster Central School District ("District") believes that involvement in extracurricular activities, which includes interscholastic athletics, is an important part of the development of a well-rounded individual and student, and should be encouraged. However, participation in extracurricular activities such as interscholastic sports is a privilege and not a right. The purpose of this Code of Ethics for Athletes is to ensure that, as a condition of extending the privilege, any student who represents the District in interscholastic competition demonstrates at all times the characteristics of a good citizen of the School District.

In an effort to inform you of what is expected of your son or daughter in our athletic program, we have written, the herein, Code of Ethics for Athletes. Please read and discuss this Code with your child prior to granting your child permission to participate.

Code of Ethics for Athletes

Personal School Conduct

Athletes are expected to maintain proper behavior at all times in school and while representing the District. Brewster students/athletes should not engage in activities that could embarrass their family, team, or the District. (BCSD Policy# 5300: Student Conduct)

Dignity for All Students Act

The Dignity for All Students Act is intended to give students in public schools an educational environment free from discrimination and harassment. It protects against all forms of harassment, particularly those based on a student's actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex. The Dignity for All Students Act applies on school property and during school-sponsored extracurricular activities, including atl1letic events. (BCSD Policy 5311.4: Dignity for All Students Act)

School Attendance

All student athletes are expected to attend all of their classes. The school administration believes school attendance is paramount to student success. Unexcused absences and "cuts" of classes will be subject to disciplinary action and could result in game suspension. All students must attend at least five class periods in a day (in school by 10:40 am) in order to participate in interscholastic athletics on that day, unless a specific emergency situation arises. All emergency situations must have proper documentation and approval from school administration. (BCSD Policy 5100: Attendance)

Practice Expectations

Athletes in the Brewster Central School District are expected to attend all practices so that they may prepare for competition as well as develop interpersonal and lifetime skills, which are the ultimate goals of our interscholastic athletic program. An athlete must understand the commitment that is necessary for individual and team success.

Exceptions include:

1. Absences from school - an athlete will not practice on the day that the athlete is absent from school.
2. Illness - if an athlete is sent home and cannot practice/play that day, it is the athletes' responsibility to inform the coach that they have been sent home.
3. Doctor's note-if an athlete has been previously ill or injured, a doctor's note is required stating the nature of the injury, length of time excused and practice limitations
4. Nurses/Athletic Trainer excuse - if an athlete presents a nurse's or athletic trainer's excuse, they will not participate that day, BUT should attend and observe.
5. Lateness to practice - if an athlete is going to be late for practice, they must inform the coach in advance. When receiving academic help, the student should obtain a pass/note from the teacher that must be presented to the coach.

Practical Excusal Guidelines

Any coach may excuse an athlete for the following reasons:

• College visit (please make every effort to visit a college other than at game time if possible)
• Academic assistance
• Family business
• Religious observance
• Conflict with another school activity (to be worked out with the advisor and the coach)

A coach may not excuse an athlete from a game or practice for attendance at social events including but, not limited to:

• Concerts (non BCSD concerts)
• Sporting Events (non BCSD Sporting Events)
• Theatrical Performances (non BCSD Theatrical performances)
• Sports showcases of another sport that is played during another season
• Participation in another sports team outside of school
• Work

If an athlete misses practice for a reason that is unexcused, they must sit out half of the next game. If an athlete misses a game for a reason that is unexcused, they must sit out the entire next game.

If this game is a sectional contest, an athlete would sit out the first game of the next sports season.

This also applies to student athletes who have been suspended from school and, therefore, missed practices and/or games. To ensure safety, upon returning from such an absence, a coach can require the student athlete to spend a reasonable number of days conditioning before returning to practice or games. When the conditioning practices are completed, the athletes will be able to play in a contest. The player is able to maintain membership on the athletic roster.

Practice and Co-Curricular Activity Guidelines

We support a well-rounded education for every student. To this end, students who wish to participate in athletics are encouraged to become involved in other co-curricular activities. A co-curricular activity is one that is associated with either learning and or a student receives a grade for. (BCSD Policy# 5200: Cocurricular and Extracurricular Programs)

It is a privilege to be a member of a Brewster team and/or to participate in other extracurricular and co-curricular activities. To retain this privilege, students involved in extracurricular athletics and co-curricular activities must abide by rules established by coaches, activity faculty advisors, and the school ad.ministration.

No student should be denied participation in a sports activity if they choose to be involved in other school activities in accordance with the following protocol:

• Student athletes are expected to be present for athletic practices and games during vacations. If they must be absent and miss a game, they must sit out a game. For every two practices missed, they must miss a game. This also applies to student athletes who have been suspended from school and, therefore, missed practices and/or games. To ensure safety, upon returning from such an absence, a coach can require the student athlete to spend a reasonable number of days conditioning before returning to practice or games. The athlete would maintain their membership on the athletic roster.
• Any absences from practices or games that are associated with other school activities must be related to curriculum and/or learning (i.e., a trip to an amusement park for Physics instruction would be acceptable, whereas a trip to an amusement park with club recreation would not be an acceptable reason). Athletes who attend co-curricular activities which are associated with learning cannot be penalized for participating in their athletic sport when they return . In rare cases when conditioning is needed for the athletes to safely participate, that decision should be made at the discretion of the athletic trainer and/ or a qualified professional other than a coach approved by the athletic director. This professional must sign a statement that the athlete is ready to participate. After that, the athlete is in a satisfactory physical condition to appropriately participate. A medical physician's statement will be acceptable in lieu of the athletic trainer or other professional's statement to participate;
• If student athletes are required to attend all games and practices during vacation, for every game that a student athlete misses, the student will sit out one game.
• It should be understood that students must make choices about extracurricular and co-curricular involvements, particularly when they involve major commitments of time and attendance. Students who choose to participate in athletics may not be able to assume any major roles in other activities, such as drama productions, because their inconsistent attendance would be detrimental to the team.
• Unresolved questions related to athletic participation shall be taken to the athletic director, principal or his/her designee within a reasonable amount of time for final resolution.
• It should be noted that Section Seven of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association handbook regarding eligibility standards states that: "a student is no longer eligible to represent the school in that sport in that season if the student participates in practice or competition with or against any college athletic squad during that season." This infraction will also result in the interscholastic team forfeiting all victories in whickthe implicated student participated.

Training Rules

Students must be in top physical condition in order to perform to their fullest capabilities. Specifically, all athletes should follow proper nutrition requirements and get proper rest. Students should not use tobacco products, alcohol, or drugs. Anyone found to be using these products may be subject to athletic suspension and may also be subject to school suspension.

If it is reported that a student-athlete engaged in conduct that, if true, would result in the violation of this Code of Ethics, and/or any other school rule or policy, including but not limited to a coach's team rule, and/or any local, state and/or federal laws, while in school or representing the school, that student may be prohibited from participation in athletic activities, including practices and/or games, pending tile District's investigation.

Upon report and investigation of an alleged violation, a meeting will be held as soon as practicable with the student-athlete, parents/guardians,the coach, the Athletic Director, and possibly a school administrator to discuss the allegations, unless such meeting is waived by the student-athlete and/or his parents/guardians.

After such a meeting is held, or the student and parents/guardians are afforded the opportunity to hold such a meeting and or waive their right to same, a decision shall be rendered regarding what disciplinary activity action, if any, is deemed appropriate. Such disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to: suspension from participation in practices, and/or games, and/or any other team-related activities for any duration deemed appropriate, including suspension from the team and/or team-related activities for the entire season.