Activity Code

Co-curricular activities are a vital part of the educational system and students are encouraged to take advantage of them, in addition to their academics at South Milwaukee High School. When students commit themselves to an activity, they owe it their best effort, not only to benefit the club, but themselves. Any student that falls behind in their schoolwork should seek extra help from the teacher(s) prior to participating in any co-curricular activity. Students should consider all other obligations before committing themselves to an activity. 
The co-curricular program is an integral part of the educational system. While creating an opportunity for students to grow and mature, participation in co-curricular activities is considered a privilege. Therefore, standards may apply to co-curricular participants which may not apply to the general student population. 
Activities will be scheduled during the day or after school at times convenient to the group and its advisor. Only officially recognized school groups may use the school building or its facilities, unless use is approved through the Athletic Office with a facility request form. A non-student adult must supervise students in the building after hours, and will be responsible for any damage that may occur that is caused by the supervisor or group of students.

Co-curricular activities are intended to help students learn to work in a productive relationship with a variety of people. Activities place students in unique situations to learn lessons in self-discipline, teamwork, respect, dealing with failure, dealing with success, and prepare students for their future in a dynamic society. 

Students participating in co-curricular activities shall be subject to this code 12 months a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, on or off-campus from the first day the student becomes involved in co-curricular activities at South Milwaukee High School until they have graduated and completed all school-sponsored activities.  
A student who graduates early will terminate their involvement in all co-curricular activities. Students who graduate early may make a request to the Athletics and Activities Office to attend Prom.

Co-curricular activities include the following classification of activities.

CATEGORY 1 ACTIVITIES are those activities in which the school has a schedule of interscholastic contests or school-sponsored performances or competition. If a student has been suspended from an activity/athletic team, the student is required to attend all practices, games and activities upon completion of any suspension from school.

CATEGORY 2 ACTIVITIES are those in which there are no contests, performances, or competition. A student may be suspended from any participation for two weeks.

*Suspension for a current or previous Activity Code violation may result in a forfeiture of the student’s right to be on Homecoming Court or Prom Court, as well as potentially their right to attend any dance. This will be determined by high school administration.

 student must meet school and Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requirements defining a full-time student. Students are ineligible if they received more than one failing grade and/or an incomplete in the most recent grade reporting period (quarter). Special consideration may be made for students with exceptional educational needs enrolled in a school-approved program that meets the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) requirements for academic eligibility as indicated by their IEP. 

• A student who fails to meet the minimum requirements listed above becomes ineligible on the final day of the quarter in question. The student is then ineligible for all appearances and competitions until regaining eligibility.
  • The student will be suspended for a minimum 15 school days and school nights. This suspension can be longer if the student fails to regain eligibility. 
  • For the fall sports season there is an adjusted WIAA standard at the start of the school year. This standard is the lesser of the following two options: 1) 21 consecutive days after the earliest date allowed for competition in a sport, or 2) one-third of the maximum number of allowed meets/games in a sport (rounded up if a third results in a fraction) per WIAA rules.
  • Students are allowed to regain academic eligibility by successfully completing summer school courses or by taking correspondence courses that are pre-approved by the counseling department to meet graduation requirements as accepted by South Milwaukee High School. 
• Incompletes shall be treated as failing grades until written proof that these incompletes have been made up and a passing grade achieved for the grading period just completed is received by the Activities, Athletics & Recreation Coordinator. 
• A student who is ineligible may continue to meet and practice during the period of ineligibility with consent of coach/advisor and the Coordinator. 
• The date for determining academic eligibility will be the date the grade report is provided to the Coordinator. 
• The student must report to the Athletic Office to request a review of their grades in order to become academically eligible once the incompletes have been taken care of or after the required waiting period concludes. This review can be done through Infinite Campus after a request is made by the student.

• An unexcused absence the day of a contest, performance, or activity makes the unexcused student ineligible to participate that day.
• A student can miss half of a day, with an excused absence, and retain eligibility for the remainder of that day. A half day excused absence must be granted through the Attendance Office in order to participate in a contest, performance, or activity.
• For contests, performances, or activities that take place on Saturday, a student must attend at least half of the previous school day, with the portion of the school day missed being an excused absence.
• Suspensions or unexcused absences for any part of a school day make a student ineligible to participate in ANY co-curricular activities that day. A suspension or unexcused absence may also result in a suspension from the next day’s co-curricular activities.
• Suspensions and unexcused absences will be tracked by the Coordinator. A pattern of suspensions or unexcused absences may result in extensive disciplinary measures being taken against the student.
• Should extenuating circumstances arise, such as for a college visit, funeral or a family illness, students may request prior approval for such an absence from the Coordinator.

• It is expected that students will conduct themselves professionally and responsibly at all times. As representatives of South Milwaukee, co-curricular activity participants are expected to follow school standards and good citizenship. It is the responsibility of each co-curricular participant to know what activities (for example the use of controlled substances or alcohol by others) are taking place at social gatherings that they attend. Lack of knowledge of such activities may not prevent said participant from being in violation of the Activities Code.
• In-season athletes are expected to maintain an acceptable level of good grooming and hygiene. Due to safety and health concerns in some sports, athletes may be required to satisfy this issue prior to participating in practice or scheduled competition.

Students and parents will be required to sign a Concussion Information sheet before starting any athletic program, including Cheer and Poms. Although not WIAA sports, Powerlifting and Ultimate Frisbee also require this form to be signed. The WIAA has a concussion policy providing participants and parents with general information about concussions and how to address them. This policy can be found on the WIAA website.

• In the occurrence that a student has conflicting co-curricular activities, the student has the duty to inform their coach or advisor of the conflict prior to the date of the conflict. Once the conflict is brought to the attention of the coach or advisor, an attempt will be made at a resolution.
• When a student has a conflict because two or more events or performances are scheduled at the same time, the following policy will apply: 
  • A performance (i.e. game, meet, contest, play, etc.) has priority over any practice or rehearsal, and the student is excused from the other activity without penalty. 
  • Participation or performance in a theatre, conference, district, or state tournament series event takes priority. If a student should choose not to participate in the theatre, conference, district or state tournament series, they will not be permitted to participate in any activity during the same date(s). 
  • The first activity (based on starting date) the student joins or commits to will take precedent in the event of practice or performance conflict. The first activity will be considered the student’s “primary” activity. Students who wish to be involved in additional activities MUST make prior arrangements with their primary advisor/coach to attend a practice or any portion of a practice for another activity in place of their regular practice. 
  • If a performance in one activity conflicts with a performance in another activity, the student will perform in the activity taking priority under provisions 1, 2, or 3. If this causes a problem, and the coaches/advisors cannot agree, the Coordinator will act as arbitrator.

Any activity that violates Wisconsin State law will be deemed a violation of this code. 

The possession, use or display of tobacco, alcohol, PES, tobacco, or vaping products is a violation of the co-curricular activity policy for the South Milwaukee School District. A co-curricular participant doing any of these activities will be found in violation of this code and subject to the penalties of the following section.  The use of e-cigarettes or hookah pens is also a violation of this code.

Duties and expectations apply to the conduct of all parties involved in the co-curricular activities program. This includes coaches and supervisors (collectively “coaches”), parents of participating students, and the students themselves. Outlining what is expected of parents, coaches, and students allows each party to understand what is to be expected when they interact with one another.

Coaches:

• Should voice the expectations that they have established for all of their team members, as well as the team’s rules to both parents and students. This includes:
  • Location and times of all practices.
  • Team requirements, fees, special equipment, game dress, and off-season opportunities.
  • Lettering requirements.
  • Sport-specific rules.
• Shall act as a role model for good sportsmanship, use of appropriate language, promoting a healthy and safe environment, and safe teaching techniques.
• Can expect parents and students to inform them of any schedule conflicts that may occur well before the conflict occurs.
• Can expect parents and students to support all team members as well as the coaching staff. 
• Shall not physically or mentally endanger any co-curricular participants.

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) code of conduct for coaches can be found here: WIAA Coach Sportsmanship Code of Conduct.

Parents:

• Should expect that the coach puts the team first.
• Should inform the coach of any scheduling conflicts that arise with their child and the co-curricular activity.
• Support their children in a respectful manner at contests or games. This includes appropriate language and sportsmanship.
• Inquire about the physical or mental health of their child with the coach if they fear that it is at risk.
• Should not confront the coach about the makeup of a team, the strategy for a contest, or the playing time or opportunity to compete that their child receives. These are coaching decision made with the best interests of the team at heart and should be respected as such. 
• Should show support for the South Milwaukee High School Athletic Code of Conduct, the rules of the WIAA, and any additional rules the coach may have.
• Shall look to schedule meetings with the coach as opposed to expecting to meet with them prior to or following each contest.

The WIAA’s Parental Guide to Sportsmanship can be found here: WIAA Parental Guide to Sportsmanship

Students:

• Owe a responsibility to themselves
  • Are expected to be participating in co-curricular activities to broaden the strength of their academic achievement and character.
  • Are expected to be good sports and to be a respectable member of the community.
• Owe a responsibility to their academic studies
  • Academic studies coupled with participation in co-curricular activities are used to prepare students for their adult life. 
• Owe a responsibility to South Milwaukee High School
  • Students participating in co-curricular activities make themselves highly visible to other students and faculty. It is important that students act responsibly in front of other students and faculty.
  • Be a respectful role model for their teammates and fellow classmates of South Milwaukee High School.
• Owe a responsibility to the community
  • The community assists in funding co-curricular activities through taxes and donations. It is important that members of the community are treated with respect by co-curricular participants. 
  • Co-curricular participants must act reasonably when the spotlight is on them. It is often the case that their actions reflect not only others’ perception of themselves and the school, but the community as a whole. 
  • It is the school’s desire that co-curricular participants are respectful at all times.
• Owe a specific responsibility to younger students
  • Students participating in co-curricular activities will have younger students that look up to them as role models.
  • Students participating in co-curricular activities should behave responsibly and foster a respectful environment that encourages younger students to carry on such a legacy at South Milwaukee High School.
• Owe a responsibility to their coaches
  • Inform the coach of any scheduling conflicts and properly address them (see the conflicting activities section above).
  • Treat coaches with respect and follow their own independent rules and policies. 

Fans:

• Must be respectful of the other teams they compete against.
• Must show good sportsmanship.
• Need to realize that your actions reflect South Milwaukee High School and this should be considered prior to taking those actions.
• Should be a role model for other fans and fans of other schools or teams.
• Should show school spirit and pride. 
• Should enjoy themselves.

Students and parents will be required to read and understand the WIAA Athletic Eligibility information provided when signing up for any athletic program, including Cheer and Poms.

• Fighting both during and outside of activities or events will not be tolerated. Any fighting will be deemed a violation of this code.
• The School District of South Milwaukee will not permit any student to engage in any form of hazing as explained in School Board Policy 411.3. Hazing consists of any activity that is intimidating, threatening, or demeaning and is perpetrated for any reason such as the victim’s age, grade level, team affiliation, or school affiliation. 
• The definition of bullying, as explained in School Board Policy 411.3, will be applied to the Activities Code. Bullying including cyber bullying will not be tolerated in any forum associated with a co-curricular activity.
• Students gathering to encourage fighting, hazing, or bullying, by means of cheering, taunting video streaming, video recording, and/or posting about the incident on social media will be subject to discipline.

Co-curricular activity participants that are required to check out equipment for their activity are liable for the equipment if it is lost, stolen, or damaged. The replacement cost will be equivalent to a new piece of equipment no matter the condition of the previous equipment. Unpaid equipment fees will be added as obligations in Infinite Campus. 

All fundraisers must adhere to school board policy and school rules. If fundraising for an activity that needs board approval, the approval for the activity must be obtained before any fundraising efforts begin. All requests must be turned in to the Activities, Athletics and Recreation Coordinator for approval prior to commencing. Each activity advisor will inform their group of these rules. Please note that selling is restricted to the Heritage Hallway, either before school, after school, or during lunch periods only. There will be NO selling during school hours in classrooms or corridors except during ASPIRE time that is pre-approved by high school administration. All revenue from sales and any discrepancies must be reported to the advisor. Restrictions may be placed on possible fundraisers based upon the District Wellness Policy (including 25% of bake sales being made up of healthy items). All fundraiser proceeds must be applied directly to the organization doing the fundraiser, and only for the purpose of the fundraiser.

Following any injury, the coach must file an Athletic Injury Report with the Athletic Director and Athletic Trainer. In the case of minor injuries not requiring the services of a physician, the Athletic Trainer and the coach will determine when the student-athlete is ready to return to practice and competition.
If a student-athlete is injured during the sport’s season and is under a physician’s care, the student-athlete must obtain a written release from the treating physician prior to resuming active participation in practices and competition.
If a student-athlete develops a medical condition or is injured outside of the sport season, the Athletic Trainer and/or the Athletic Director reserve the right to request a written clearance from the treating physician prior to declaring the student-athlete eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics. 

• If the student is involved in more than one activity, the student will serve the penalty concurrently.
• If the student is between activities, the penalty will carry over to the next activity that they participate in.
• If the student does not complete their penalty, they will not be able to begin another activity until the penalty is completed in the new activity.
• Self- Referral
  • A student may submit a written self-referral within two days of their violating behavior or during the school day on Monday, if the violation took place on the weekend. These self-referrals must detail the violation, time, date, and place of the violating behavior and may reduce the duration or extent of the punishment. If the violating behavior took place on school grounds, it is unlikely that the student will be able to utilize their self-referral privilege. Self-referrals must be turned into to the Coordinator. A copy of the self-referral must be turned into the coach or advisor as well.
• Violations other than Self-Referrals
  • A violation must be reported to the Coordinator within the school year of the alleged violation. Reports during the summer months must be reported within the first five school days. The report must include the alleged violation, time, date, and place of the violating behavior. A copy of the report must be turned into the coach or advisor as well.
• Honesty Clause and Initial Questioning 
  • If a South Milwaukee Administrator or the Coordinator has a reasonable suspicion that a co-curricular participant violated the code of conduct, they may question that student. It is the student’s duty to respond truthfully during the questioning period. Truthful answers may result in lighter penalties and dishonesty or attempts to mislead the investigation may result in harsher penalties against the co-curricular activity participant. 
  • The co-curricular activity participant must be forthcoming with information and cooperative during the investigation.
• Informing the Co-Curricular Participant of the Penalty
  • Once the Coordinator has determined that a violation has occurred, they will inform both the student and the student’s parents of the violation and the penalty resulting from the violation. The student must also be notified of their right to appeal the decision. 

PENALTY GRID*

*This list does not include all possible penalties and is not absolute; it is to be used as a guide for the assignment of penalties in violation of the co-curricular activity code. The Coordinator in consultation with high school administration will look into the severity of each violation, whether it was a self-referral and how honest the student is when ultimately determining the punishment.

Due to the rapidly changing nature of social media, student use of social media will be subject to review by the athletic department and penalties for violations of social media policy including but not limited to inappropriate posting of photos, harassment, and inappropriate language will be subject to penalties on a case by case basis.

Appeals

• Once it has been determined that a violation has occurred, the parents will be contacted and informed of the penalty and the appeal process. Students have five days to appeal the decision.
• A log entry will kept to track the progress of the violation.
• If an appeal is requested, the Coordinator, who will act as a facilitator for the meeting, will convene an Appeal Board. Once the Appeal Board has been determined, the parents and the student will be informed and a time, date, and location for the appeal will be set. Parents are encouraged to attend the appeal meeting.
• The Appeal Board will consist of five members and the Appeal Board will:
• Select a chairperson to conduct the meeting.
• Hear the alleged violation and penalties assessed, as presented by the coach/advisor or the Coordinator.
• Provide opportunity for the student to state their side of the story.
• Weigh all evidence and make a final decision by an oral vote.
• Either uphold the decision, overrule the decision, uphold the decision and opt for a different penalty (falling within the approved school guidelines), or make another appropriate recommendation.
• Inform the student of the final decision.
• Inform administration of the final decision.
• If either party is dissatisfied with the decision, they must request in writing a review of the appeal by the Superintendent of the School District of South Milwaukee who will determine if a review of the appeal decision is necessary. This request must be made within three (3) days of the Appeal Board decision.

Students must provide a WIAA Physical Examination form, signed by a physician and a parent/legal guardian, as proof of having a physical, clearing the student to participate in sports, before starting any athletic program, including Cheer and Poms. 
Physical forms must also be signed by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practictioner every two years. The WIAA also requires an Alternate Year Physical form be completed by a parent/legal guardian in years opposite to the physical examination requirement before starting any athletic program, including Cheer and Poms.

Any conduct that violates a provision of this code that is displayed on social media is a direct violation of this code. Co-curricular participants should be responsible with their social media content as it is available to the public. 
The posting of any photos on social media of a student-athlete in a South Milwaukee uniform that is deemed inappropriate is a violation of this code.

Students who voluntarily join an athletic team or activity at South Milwaukee High School are expected to abide by the following membership rules.

• Rules – In addition to all school rules, students must abide by their specific team or activity rules as provided by their coach or advisor.
• Coach’s Authority – With cause, team coaches and activity advisors have the authority to unilaterally suspend a student from a team or activity. These suspensions take effect immediately. Coaches are required to notify the Coordinator when such suspensions are put into effect. Any suspensions lasting more than three (3) days are subject to the Due Process procedures in the Activities.
• Athletic Team Loyalty – A student beginning in one sport cannot transfer to another sport, during the same season, until the original sport’s season is completed, except with the mutual consent of the head coaches of the two sports involved. 

Students are required to travel both to and from all team competitions and events with their team-provided transportation. If a parent, due to an emergency or unavoidable family circumstance needs other arrangements to be made, a Transportation Release form must be filled out by the parent and turned in to the coach prior to the event.