Batavia High School Athletic Department 1 Bulldog Place. Batavia, Ohio

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1 Mr. Ben Stewart, Athletic Director Mrs. Felicia Grooms, Principal Mr. Keith Millard, Superintendent 1 Batavia Schools Student-Athlete Handbook Welcome - Hello parents, student-athletes, and coaches. Thank you for taking the time to read through our athletic handbook. Interscholastic Athletics are an integral part of the educational process and we strive to provide the best opportunities for all of our students. Batavia Schools and its athletics have a long and storied history dating back more than 100 years ago. We have had State Champions, All- Americans, and over 125 league titles. Help us keep our strong tradition alive; participate, cheer, be a good sport, and GO BULLDOGS! Student-Athlete Responsibility - Interscholastic Athletics are a privilege and students make a choice to participate. In so doing, the student also chooses to adhere to the athletic participation rules. A Bulldog student athlete will not do anything that will jeopardize their chances for playing, or their team s chances of success. These rules and procedures apply during the entire sport season, on and off school grounds, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Failure to represent the school and community in a positive light and failure to comply with these rules and procedures may result in a suspension or expulsion from participation in Batavia athletics. Eligibility - All first time 7th grade students are academically eligible for the 1st quarter of their 7th grade year. - Grades 7-8: To be eligible, a student must have received passing grades in 75% of subjects in which enrolled the immediately preceding grading period. This means incoming freshmen must have passed 75% of their 8th grade 4th quarter classes. - High School Students must have passed 5 one (or 1/2) credit classes in the previous academic quarter to remain eligible. - Students must have clearly established their legal residency in the district or have been enrolled as an open enrollment student prior to their freshmen year of high school, or be ruled eligible by the OHSAA. - Students must have a doctor signed physical valid for one year, a signed athletic handbook form, a completed emergency medical form, a signed concussion information sheet, and a paid sports fee to participate in a sport. ($175 individual/$400 Family Pass) Athletic Awards - Following the conclusion of each sport season. Batavia High School and Middle School will sponsor Athletic Award events to honor our student-athletes and coaches. Special awards will be given by each head coach to honor individual student-athletes. In addition, each student who

2 Mr. Ben Stewart, Athletic Director Mrs. Felicia Grooms, Principal Mr. Keith Millard, Superintendent 2 successfully completes a sports season will be awarded both an athletic certificate and a sport-specific pin to signify their accomplishment. - Student-Athletes have the opportunity to earn one B letter in middle school, after which, students will earn pins. - In high school student athletes have the opportunity to earn a total of two letters. One Junior Varsity Letter after completing their first freshmen or JV sport. Students earn their Varsity Letter after playing the majority of one season at the varsity level;. As an athletic program we believe fully in the student-athlete we always remain focused first on academic success before athletic success. To support this belief we recognize two levels of scholar athletes. - Booster Scholar Athlete Student Athletes who maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout a sport season will earn a Booster Scholar Athlete Pin. - SBAAC Scholar Athlete This Certificate is given to our high school athletes who maintain a 3.5 GPA throughout an entire sport season. - Fall sports athletes will be recognized at the end of the first semester, winter and spring sports athletes will be recognized at the end of the second semester. Attendance Policy - Students must be in attendance at school to participate in extracurricular activities. A student must be at school for the majority of the school day to participate that night; or the day before for a non-school day event. Exceptions may be made for special circumstances. Also, students and parents must attend a mandatory pre-season parent meeting within the first two weeks of each sport season. Conflict Resolution/Chain of Command - When conflicts or issues arise it is important that they be addressed immediately, and as directly as possible, so that they can be promptly resolved. It is also important for parents and students to recognize that coaching strategy and playing time are not appropriate subjects for complaint. In addition, parents should follow any instructions from the coach about the best way/time to approach the coach with questions or concerns. - Step One: Student Athlete contacts coach The student athlete should present the conflict/issue to the coach as soon as possible. It is always best for students to become their own advocates. It is expected that the majority of concerns will be resolved at this first meeting. - Step Two: Parent contacts coach If needed a parent may contact a coach directly, but - just not directly before, during, or after a practice or game. A parent should or call a coach to set up an meeting time to discuss the issue, no such meeting shall take place directly before or after a practice or game. - Step Three: Contacting the Athletic Director -- If a satisfactory solution is not reached through direct contact with the coach, the student and/or parent should contact the Athletic Director. The coach should be informed that this contact is going to be made. The AD will respond to student athletes and parents in a timely manner as to how their concerns will be handled.

3 Mr. Ben Stewart, Athletic Director Mrs. Felicia Grooms, Principal Mr. Keith Millard, Superintendent 3 - Step Four: Contacting the Principal -- If there is still not a satisfactory resolution, the student or parent may contact the building principal. The A.D. should be informed that this contact is going to be made. While there can be no guarantee that all parties will agree with all resolutions or findings, a thorough, respectful airing of different perceptions and experiences can lead to more productive relationships and clearer understandings in the future. Health and Safety - In order for our students to grow into successful young adults they must remain healthy and safe at all times. To facilitate this, Batavia Local Schools employs a certified athletic trainer who is available by appointment to any Batavia athlete. It is the responsibility of both the studentathlete and the coach to report any injuries to the trainer. It is the decision of the athletic trainer and or the team-doctor, not the parent, to release an injured athlete to participate. Concussions - If a student experiences concussion-like symptoms they must immediately inform their coach, failure to do so could result in serious injury. Coaches may not allow students with concussion symptoms to participate until they have been cleared by a medical doctor. The Ohio Department of Health has developed a Concussion Information Sheet which contains valuable information regarding signs and symptoms of concussions as well as important tips on how to return to play after experiencing a concussion. Every student athlete and their parent/guardian must sign the concussion information sheet stating they have read and understand the information before the athlete can participate in any organized team activity. This includes open gyms, weight room sessions, or practices. Concussion information sheets are valid for one (1) school year. Equipment - Athletes are issued uniforms and equipment for each team. All equipment and uniforms must be returned to the head coach within seven (7) days of the last game. A student will be charged for the replacement cost of new uniforms and or equipment beginning on the eighth (8) day. Also, grades and schedules will not be released until all obligations are met. Sportsmanship - As members of the Batavia Local Schools Athletic Program, students, coaches and parents are expected to demonstrate proper respect for each other, opponents, opposing coaches, teachers, officials, spectators, and the community. Student athletes and coaches are expected to exhibit the highest level of conduct, both on and off the playing fields, as they are at all times a representative of their team, school and community. Student-athletes who are unable to refrain from cursing or other inappropriate behavior may earn less playing time or other more serious consequences. Excellent sportsmanlike behavior is required at all Batavia Local School s functions. Players, coaches, parents and/or fans may be ejected from a contest for inappropriate behavior. For persistent violations to the code of conduct, parents and/or fans may be asked by the coach or AD not to attend future contests.

4 Mr. Ben Stewart, Athletic Director Mrs. Felicia Grooms, Principal Mr. Keith Millard, Superintendent 4 Commitment - In order to be successful, a student-athlete must place the highest priority on academics, health, and training. All team members are valuable, and each team needs to know that it can count on its members to be there. Often this means sacrificing social life, family trips, and other events; which come in conflict with the rigors of training and competition. Learning how to make choices is one of the most valuable life lessons an athlete takes from a good athletic program. This commitment extends beyond the field or court and into the classroom and community. Any studentathlete who quits a team during the season, after the first contest, will be ineligible for the first 50% of scheduled contest for the next active sport. (AQT does not qualify as a sport in this context) Finally, exceptions may be made in extreme cases and will only be granted with approval from the head coach, athletic director, and building principal. Alcohol, Drugs, & Tobacco - Any athlete found to be in possession of or involved in the use of alcohol, tobacco, smokeless tobacco, narcotics, or performance enhancing drugs will be suspended from athletics for a pre-determined period of time by the Batavia Administration. Batavia Schools and Grounds are tobacco free. The use of cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, e-cigs, vapor pens, and all other forms of tobacco is prohibited. Any student athlete found to be using or in the possession of the previously listed items will be subject to the following suspensions. Further, students should remove themselves from situations where drugs and alcohol are present; failure to do so may result in a suspension. Suspensions for using or possessing alcohol, tobacco, steroids, and/or illegal drugs are as follows. - First Offense 10 calendar day suspension from all contact with the team. Including a 10% contest suspension. - Second Offense 20 calendar day suspension from all contact with the team. Including a 20% contest suspension. - Third Offense One calendar year suspension from BHS athletics including attendance at all games. - Fourth Offense Expulsion from all Batavia athletics. Appeals for each offense may be made to the athletic director who may or may not take the issue to the building principal or superintendent. Also, athletic department student discipline will reset upon the completion of the 8 th grade. Finally, student-athletes will be afforded a one (1) time self-reporting clause to report the use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and/or steroids to the building principal, suspensions may be reduced by up to 50% in this instance. Consequences Violations of the rules are cumulative. A subsequent violation of the handbook will progress a student to the next disciplinary level (offense). For the purpose of cumulating violations of the handbook, there shall be two separate periods of academic life: o 1. Grades 7 through 8, and o 2. Grades 9 through 12 The first period will begin on August 1 of the students 7 th grade year, and will end the last official school day for grade 8; the second period will begin at the end of the first period and will end the last

5 Mr. Ben Stewart, Athletic Director Mrs. Felicia Grooms, Principal Mr. Keith Millard, Superintendent 5 official school date for grade 12, or upon conclusion of the season (whichever happens last). Within each of these two separate periods of academic life, violations of the code shall be cumulative. Student Hazing - Hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with and disruptive to the educational process, and prohibited at any time in school facilities, on school property, and/or off school property if the misconduct is connected to activities or incidents that have occurred on school property. No administrator, faculty member, or other Board of Education employee shall encourage, permit, authorize, condone, or tolerate any hazing activities. No student shall plan, encourage, or engage in any hazing. Hazing is defined as performing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to perform any act of initiation into any class, team, or organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm. Permission, consent, or assumption of risk by an individual subjected to hazing shall not lessen the prohibitions contained in this policy. Administrators, faculty members, and other employees of the Board shall be alerted to possible situations, circumstances, or events that might include hazing. If hazing or planned hazing is discovered, the students involved shall be informed by the discoverer of the prohibitions contained in this policy and shall be ordered to end all hazing activities or planned activities immediately. All hazing incidents shall be reported immediately to the Superintendent. Students, administrators, faculty members, and other employees who fail to abide by this policy may be subject to disciplinary action and may be held personally liable for civil and criminal penalties in accordance with law. The Superintendent shall distribute this policy to all students and Board employees, and shall incorporate it into building, staff, and student handbooks. It shall also be the subject of discussion at employee staff meetings or in-service programs. Administrators, staff members and volunteers shall not intentionally remain ignorant of hazing or potential hazing activities. R.C , , NEOLA 2005 Notice and Investigation The principal or designee shall notify the student and the student s parent(s) or guardians(s) of any alleged violation. The principal or designee will investigate the alleged violation by contacting the student, the student s parent(s) or guardian(s) and any other individuals the principal or designee deems necessary in his/her discretion. The principal or designee shall determine the appropriate penalty as soon as reasonably possible after investigating the alleged violation. The standard used to determine whether a student has violated the Athletic Handbook or the Student Code of Conduct will be the preponderance of evidence standard. The administrator making a determination about whether a student has committed a violation will consider the evidence presented to him/her, including assessing the credibility of witnesses. Anonymous sources and complaints will be investigated; however, the anonymity of the sources or complaint will be considered when assessing the quality of the evidence. The administrator will determine whether it is more likely than not that the student athlete has violated the Athletic Handbook or the Student Code of Conduct.

6 Mr. Ben Stewart, Athletic Director Mrs. Felicia Grooms, Principal Mr. Keith Millard, Superintendent 6 In addition to the Batavia Athletic Handbook, the administration and coach have the right to revoke participation at any time as a result of any violations, including behavior and conduct at games and practices. All coaches have the right to implement their own team policies and procedures, in addition to the Batavia Student Code of Conduct. Pursuant to of the Ohio Revised Code, students may be suspended by the Superintendent or his designee from participating in extracurricular activities for a period of time not to exceed the end of the school year for any violation of the Student Code of Conduct or violations of posted rules and regulations established by individual coaches and sponsors. IMPORTANT DATES Fall Sports: All paperwork is due 7/31/17 Sports fees are due 7/31/17 Winter & Spring Sports: All paperwork and fees are due by the first official day of the season. Required Parent Meetings All grade levels 7-12: Fall Sports: 8/10/17 6:00 p.m. Winter Sports: 11/16/17 6:00 p.m. Spring Sports: 3/15/18 6:00 p.m. Required Batavia Middle School Team Meetings BMS Fall Sports: 8/7/17 Football - 5:00 p.m. 8/7/17 Cross County, Volleyball, and Cheerleading - 5:30 p.m. BMS Winter Sports: 11/16/17 Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, & Wrestling - 3:00 p.m. BMS Spring Sports: 3/8/18 Track - 3:30 p.m. Required Batavia High School Team Meetings BHS Fall Sports: 8/7/17 Football 8:00 a.m. Boys Soccer 8:30 a.m. Volleyball 9:00 a.m. Cheerleading 9:30 a.m. Cross country, golf, and tennis 10:00 a.m. Girls Soccer 4:15 p.m. BHS Winter Sports: 11/8/17 Girls Basketball - 12:00 p.m. (advisory time) 11/15/17 Boys Basketball - 12:00 p.m. (advisory time) 11/16/17 Wrestling - 2:30 p.m. 12/7/17 AQT - 2:30 p.m. BHS Spring Sports: 3/7/18 Track & Tennis 2:30 p.m. 3/8/18 Baseball 2:30 p.m. 3/9/18 Softball 2:30 p.m.

7 Mr. Ben Stewart, Athletic Director Mrs. Felicia Grooms, Principal Mr. Keith Millard, Superintendent 7 PLEASE REMOVE THIS PAGE AND RETURN IT TO ALTHLETIC DIRECTOR Athlete Name We have read and agree to all of the terms listed in the Batavia Local School District Athletic Handbook. We understand that we are responsible for abiding by the rules set forth in this handbook. Student Name Signature Parent Name Signature Date Date Received by the Athletic Department ** PLEASE NOTE: This handbook is designed to serve as a supplement to the student handbook. All athletes also agree to abide by all regulations and bylaws set forth in the BHS/BMS student handbooks and any OHSAA rule or regulation.