Extracurricular Code of Conduct 
NEPN/NSBA CODE:  JJ-R

 

The Extracurricular Code of Conduct is designed to reinforce Yarmouth's Core Values both in school and outside of school. It should be noted, however, that violations occurring at the school or at school-sponsored activities are subject to the added consequences as outlined by policies JICH and JICH-R, available in the Yarmouth School Committee Policy Handbook and in the school handbooks.

Yarmouth's Core Values are as follows:

•       Achievement - We encourage and honor the pursuit and accomplishment of individual growth.

•       Empathy - Yarmouth students and staff strive to understand the feelings and perspectives of others, and use that understanding to guide their own actions.

•       Equity - Yarmouth schools provide equitable opportunities for access and success for each member of the school community.

•       Integrity - Yarmouth students and staff are honest, sincere, trustworthy, ethical, and fair.

•       Lifelong learning - Our schools foster a curiosity and appreciation for learning that will create a thirst for knowledge well beyond a student’s educational career.

•       Perseverance - Yarmouth students and staff put forth their best effort and work toward their goals in every setting regardless of obstacles.

•       Respect - Yarmouth students and staff respect each other and value diversity in ideas and people.

•       Responsibility - We know, understand, consider and accept the impact and consequences of our actions and decisions on others and on the environment.

 

The Extracurricular Code of Conduct supports the social, emotional and physical well-being of students. Participation in extracurricular activities and holding leadership positions in school activities and student government are privileges, not rights.

The purposes of the Extracurricular Code of Conduct are as follows:                                                                

·       To build a sense of ownership, pride, and collaboration among those who participate in extracurricular activities;

·       To discourage students from using tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs;  

·       To encourage students who have made the choice to use illegal substances to take personal responsibility for their actions and get help in making better choices;           

·       To maintain a positive public view of the school district, its activities and teams.                   

Substance Abuse Violations

Students participating in extracurricular activities are expected to refrain from using or possessing tobacco, alcohol, other illegal substance/drugs, or illegal paraphernalia associated with these substances/drugs. Consequences for violating the Extracurricular Code of Conduct are outlined below.                                       

Self-Reporting Rationale: In order to encourage personal responsibility; promote communication among students, parents, and the school; and further educate students about the health consequences of the use of alcohol, tobacco and illegal substances; there are reduced consequences for violations that are self-reported.                                   

Definition of a Self-Report: If a student or his or her parent/guardian initiates the report of that student’s violation to a school official (administrator, teacher, coach, advisor) prior to school officials initiating an inquiry into the matter and does so in not more than seven days after the actual violation, this will be considered a self-report.                                

Meeting with Substance Abuse Counselor: For any violation of the Extracurricular Code of Conduct involving drugs, alcohol or tobacco, the student must complete a non-clinical substance abuse assessment and education process with the school's substance abuse counselor. Parents must participate in one session of this assessment and education process. The school’s substance abuse counselor must verify the student’s active participation in the process before participation in extracurricular activities may be resumed.                  

Meeting with School Social Worker: For all other violations of the Extracurricular Code of Conduct, the student must meet with the school's social worker to review the violation and determine if additional counseling/social work is recommended. The school’s social worker must verify the student’s active participation in the process before participation in extracurricular activities may be resumed.  

Violation

Consequences

Self-report Consequences

1st offense

  • 14 calendar days suspension from all extracurricular activities. After 7 days, the student may return to practices, rehearsals, and meetings but may not compete or perform official duties until the 14 days is completed.

  • Students will meet with substance abuse counselor or social worker as outlined above.

  • No restriction from participation provided the student meets with substance abuse counselor or social worker as outlined above.

2nd offense

  • 28 calendar days suspension from all extracurricular activities. After 14 days, the student may return to practices, rehearsals, and meetings but may not compete or perform official duties until the 28 days is completed.

  • Students will meet with substance abuse counselor or social worker as outlined above.           

  • 14 calendar days suspension from all extracurricular activities. After 7 days, the student may return to practices, rehearsals, and meetings but may not compete or perform official duties until the 14 days is completed.

  • Students will meet with substance abuse counselor or social worker as outlined above.     

3rd and subsequent offenses

  • Twelve-month suspension from all extracurricular activities.

  • Students will meet with substance abuse counselor or social worker as outlined above

  • Six-month suspension from all extracurricular activities.         

  • Students will meet with substance abuse counselor or social worker as outlined above.     

Code of Conduct Violations

Students participating in extracurricular activities are also expected to refrain from activities that demonstrate a serious disregard of the Yarmouth Core Values including but not limited to theft, burglary, assault, vandalism, and lewd/indecent acts.  Consequences for these violations of the Extracurricular Code of Conduct will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the coach or advisor and school administrators.         

Captain/Leadership Positions: For any violation of the Extracurricular Code of Conduct, elected or appointed leaders will lose the leadership position for the remainder of the sports season or term of the office. Prior code violations will be considered by coaches and advisors together with school administrators in selecting future leadership positions.                                                        

The policy will be in effect from the first official day of preseason in the fall (determined by the Maine Principals’ Association and usually 2 weeks prior to the opening of school) until either the last day of school or last day of spring sports or activities, whichever is later.                                                           

If a student violates the Extracurricular Code of Conduct close to the end of the school year and does not serve all of the days of suspension from extracurricular activities before the last day of school, the remaining days will be served in the next school year, beginning on the first day of preseason in the fall.                          

Violations are cumulative during a student’s middle school years but do not carry over to high school. Violations during high school are cumulative.

Cross Reference:
JICH: Drug Free Schools: Chemical Use Student Policy Grades K-12
JICH-R: Drug Free Schools: Chemical Use Student Procedure Grades K-12
Adopted: June 8, 1992
Revised: July 11, 1996, March 28, 2002, May 13, 2004, May 22, 2008, September 9, 2010,  November 9, 2017, November 10, 2022