The opportunity to participate in the interscholastic athletic program is a privilege granted to all students of the district. Participants are expected to conform to specific conduct standards established by the principals and athletic coaches. A student found by a staff member of the student’s school to be in violation of any rules is subject to removal from the team. Provision is made for a student who has allegedly violated one or more of the conduct rules to appeal a disciplinary action.

These rules apply to any sports season:

• No use or possession of alcoholic beverages or tobacco is permitted.
  An athlete found to be in possession of alcohol or tobacco products may be removed from the athletic team for three weeks for a first offense; he or she will be dropped from the team for the season for a repeat offense.
• No use or possession of illegal chemical substances or opiates is permitted.
  An athlete who is found to be in possession of one or more of these will be removed from the team for the balance of the sports season.
• Present appropriate physical appearance.
  Athletes will maintain dress and grooming standards of the team. A verbal warning will be given for a first offense. Repeated offenses will result in removal from the activity for five school days.
• Observe any imposed curfew.
  Athletes will be at their homes by the stated curfew time each night of the sports season unless detained by a school activity. A verbal warning will be given for a first offense. Repeated offenses will result in removal from the activity for five school days.
• No unsportsmanlike conduct.
  Athletes shall exhibit appropriate conduct in practices and/or contests. A verbal warning will be given for a first offense. Repeated offenses will result in removal from the activity for five school days.
• Meet requirement for attendance at school.
  An athlete shall attend school for at least one-half day on the day of an athletic contest. Any athlete receiving an unexcused absence for any portion of the day will be ineligible to participate in the game or contest on that day. If excused, the athlete may participate if he/she was in attendance for one-half day or more.
• Attend all practices.
  An athlete is expected to be in attendance at all team practices unless excused for illness or by prior approval. Any unexcused athlete will be ineligible to participate in the next game or contest.
• No violation of any law on school grounds.
  When a student is found guilty of an offense committed while on school grounds or at a school activity,corrective action will depend upon the nature of the violation.

Repeated Offenses

If a student repeatedly violates one of the above rules, he or she may be removed from the team for the remainder of the sports season. Rules and disciplinary actions related to rule violations are distributed to each participant and his or her parents prior to the beginning of each interscholastic activity season.

The school district 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 or her parent(s) or guardian(s) are required to sign a statement indicating that the parent(s) and the student acknowledge the risks of injuries resulting from participation and assuring that the student will follow the instructions of the coach.

• Each participant is required to furnish evidence of physical fitness prior to becoming a member of an interscholastic team. A written report will be completed when a student is injured while participating in a school-supervised activity. A participant must be free of injury and fully recovered from illness before participating in any activity.
• Each student participating in interscholastic athletic activities is required to have or obtain medical insurance for expenses resulting from injuries sustained while participating in the extracurricular activity. Students shall provide evidence of a minimum $25,000 medical expense coverage, 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 is unable to pay the entire amount of the insurance premium. The superintendent or designee may approve partial or full waiver of premiums to permit all students to obtain required medical insurance.

Nonprescribed medications, including such items as analgesic balms, vitamins and salt tablets, must be approved by the superintendent before coaches and/or athletic trainers may use them to treat student athletes. 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.

Eligibility for a student to participate may be denied if anabolic steroids are used to enhance athletic ability.

All co-curricular and interscholastic activities of Castle Rock School District comply with Title IX requirements. The district evaluates its intramural and interscholastic programs at least once each year to ensure that equal opportunities are available to members of both sexes with respect to participation in all programs offered.