The function of an activity advisor is to educate students through participation in specific activity programs.  An activity program should be designed to enhance academic achievement and should never interfere with opportunities for academic success.  Each student participating in an activity should be treated as though he/she were the advisor’s own, emphasizing the values of honesty, integrity, and self-discipline along with assuring that the welfare of the participating student is kept uppermost at all times.  Accordingly, the following guidelines for advisors and other personnel associated with the district’s activity program have been adopted by Klamath County School District Board of Directors. 

The advisor will sign the Klamath County School District (KCSD) Activity Handbook Advisor’s Acknowledgement Form to indicate that he/she has read the contents of this handbook with a building administrator. 

The advisor shall be aware that he/she has a tremendous influence, for either good or ill, on the education of the participating student and, thus, shall never place compromising integrity above the value of instilling the highest ideals of character.  

The advisor shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession.  In all personal contact with participating students, parents, officials, school administrators, the state/national high school association, the media, and the public, the advisor shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct. 

The advisor will not use derogatory language or gestures. 

The advisor shall take an active role in the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco/nicotine products abuse. 

The advisor will not use alcohol and tobacco/nicotine products when in contact with students or when acting in a supervisory capacity. 

The advisor shall promote the entire activity program of the school and direct his/her program in harmony with the total school program. 

The advisor shall exert his/her influence to enhance positive relationships by working closely with booster clubs, administrators, members from other schools, and those who support activity programs. 

The advisor shall respect and support contest officials.  The advisor shall not indulge in conduct which would incite participating students or others against the officials.  Public criticism of officials or participants is unethical. 

When using social media to communicate with students, the advisor will use it in a professional and positive manner and abide by the policies of Klamath County School District. 

Before and after contests, advisors should meet and exchange cordial greetings to set the correct tone for the event. 

An advisor shall not exert pressure on faculty members to give participating students special consideration. 

It is the intent that extra-curricular activities and clubs are impacted and will operate under the guidelines outlined by this policy. 

Both extra and co-curricular activities are intended to be educational and occur outside of the context of formal and credit-bearing courses.  

The following definitions shall be used when identifying extra-curricular and co-curricular activities with Klamath County School District and when determining appropriate consequences when the KCSD Activity Policy is violated: 

• Extra-Curricular: Activities under this category are those being outside of the regular curriculum of a school and when academic grades are not associated when participating in the activity. 
• Co-Curricular: Activities under this category are considered an extension of a class or the school and participation can be required for meeting a requirement of the class/program or a grade can be assigned for participation. Examples include, but are not limited to: FFA, FBLA, DECA, and Robotics. 

Students who choose to participate in an activity program will have the opportunity to perform at a higher skill level. The participating student will have an opportunity to work with skilled advisors in a combined effort to master higher levels of skill and performance.  Further, the participating student will have the opportunity to perform before their peer group and those in neighboring communities. 

Participating in an activity can lead to positive attitude development (fair conduct) in the areas of discipline, loyalty, sacrifice, and fair competition.  It is the responsibility of the community, school, boosters, advisor and participating student to work to develop these qualities of fair conduct.   

While not all participating students are interested in activities as a lifelong goal, all can benefit from preparation in positive attitude development in getting along with advisors, officials, activity members, student body, and community. 

The benefits can be great and the opportunities provide a degree of responsibility that lies with the participating student that is not necessarily found in the non-participant. The participating student, by the very nature of participating in activities, is put on display during contests for public feedback and evaluation.  The participating student is not part of the crowd; participants do stand out. Judgments are made about the participating student, advisor, school, and community as they travel to and from contests or simply functioning in everyday routines.  The advisor must see that the participating student adheres to acceptable activity rules. 

The Participating Student: A student is considered to be a member of an activity once all membership requirements are complete.  

• Must be clean in mind, body and dress. 
• Must be considerate of other’s feelings, attitudes and wishes. 
• Must demonstrate positive attitudes towards self and the community. 
• Must be concerned with the safety and welfare of self and of others around. 
• Must be considerate of other’s property and rights. 
• Must be observant of the laws that govern the school, community and country. 
• Must be positive towards teammates, opponents, and advisors when using social media. 
• Must be progressing satisfactorily towards graduation. Any student participating in an OSAA sponsored activity must be making satisfactory progress towards the school's graduation requirements as per OSAA rule.  
• While not all participating students are going to be at precisely the same point in the development of these areas, they must be in the general area and making positive progress toward the fulfillment of each. 

Klamath County School District has identified the following expectations and consequences regarding the use of illegal drugs, including alcoholic beverages and tobacco/nicotine/vape/inhalant products, during the KCSD Activity Calendar year or when a student is participating in an approved school and KCSD sponsored activity or event.  

Klamath County students participating in Klamath County School District activities shall not possess, use, transmit, or be under the influence of illegal drugs, or alcohol, of any kind, nor shall the participant have in his/her possession any paraphernalia associated with the above during the KCSD activity calendar year.  Participants will be found in violation of this policy if they are not personally using, but remain in the presence of individuals who are violating this policy.  Any infraction occurring during the KCSD activity calendar year or when a student is participating in an approved school and KCSD sponsored activity or event, will result in consequences being enforced upon the conclusion of a due process meeting between the school administration, the student, and parents/guardians.  The student may become ineligible to receive awards or letters for the activity. Participants who find themselves in jeopardy because of a substance abuse problem should receive professional assistance. Participation in the Education Awareness Option Program is strongly recommended for students who are found in violation of this policy. KCSD schools will be expected to participate in a front-end education component that will be required for all perspective students participating in activities under this policy.

1. USE AND/OR POSSESSION OF ILLEGAL DRUGS OR ALCOHOL (Major Infraction) 
   Possessing, buying, using, being under the influence, selling, distributing or possessing with the intent to sell, an alcoholic beverage; inhalants, including solvents and other dangerous substances; or any other drug as defined by but not necessarily limited to the Uniform Controlled Substance Act, ORS 475.005; possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of look-alikes being represented as being a controlled substance and/or misuse of prescription or non-prescription drugs. Tobacco related products (cigarettes, chewing tobacco) are not included in this violation category.

   1. First Offense

      1. The student will be suspended for 6-months from program activities at the conclusion of due process.
         AND/OR EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS OPTION (EAO) 

An Educational Awareness Option is available for first offense Use and/or Possession of Illegal Drugs or Alcohol violations only.  A student and parent, or adult advocate, may opt to successfully complete a KCSD approved EAO.  Upon successful completion of the program and after review by the advisor and principal, the student’s eligibility may be reinstated. 

Educational Awareness Option will consist of the following: 

The student and their parent(s) will identify a EAO. Any associated costs will be the responsibility of the student/parent(s). The program selected must be approved by the school before the student begins in order for it to count towards lowering the 45-days to 30-days.  The student needs to choose this option within five (5) calendar days upon the conclusion of a due process meeting between the school administration, the student, and parents/guardians. 

• • • • The student, with a parent or an adult advocate, will be required to complete all Educational Awareness Option sessions. 
      • Upon successful completion of the Educational Awareness Option, the student and the parent or adult advocate will be required to meet with the advisor and school administration.  The purpose of the meeting is to plan for continued assistance for the student. The meeting must take place prior to reinstatement. 
      • Students who choose this option will be suspended from competition for a minimum of 30 calendar days. If the Educational Awareness Option Program exceeds 30 calendar days the student will be expected to successfully complete the Educational Awareness Option Program. A student not making satisfactory progress in the EAO after being reinstated to the activity can be removed from the activity at the discretion of the school administration until the EAO is fully completed. 
      • Students not choosing the Educational Awareness Option will be suspended for one calendar year. 
      • Suspension may carry from one activity season into the next in which the student participates. 
      • The student will be able to attend meetings during the suspension. 
      • The student may be required to comply with additional recommendations before being permitted to rejoin the activity program. 
      • Any costs outside the KCSD approved programs will be the responsibility of the parent. 

ii. The student may be required to comply with additional recommendations from administration before being permitted to rejoin the Activity program.

b.    Second Offense

i.        The student will be fully suspended from the activity program for a period of one calendar year.
ii.      The student may be required to comply with additional recommendations from administration before being permitted to rejoin the activity program. 

c.       Third Offense

i.        The student will be fully suspended from the activity program for the duration of their high school career.
ii.      The student may become ineligible to receive awards or letters for the activity. 

II.           ATTENDING PLACES WHERE ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES ARE OCCURRING (Major Infraction) 
 Students shall not remain at any site where unlawful activities such as consumption of illegal drugs or alcohol by minors are occurring 

a. First Offense 

i. The student will be suspended for 6-months from program activities at the conclusion of due process.

AND/OR EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS OPTION (EAO) 
 

An Educational Awareness Option is available for first offense violations only.  A student and parent, or adult advocate, may opt to successfully complete a KCSD approved alcohol or drug educational program.  Upon successful completion of the program and after review by the advisor and principal, the student’s eligibility may be reinstated. 

Educational Awareness Option will consist of the following: 

The student and their parent(s) will identify an EAO. Any associated costs will be the responsibility of the student/parent(s). The program selected must be approved by the school before the student begins in order for it to count towards lowering the 45-days to 30-days. The student needs to choose this option within five (5) calendar days upon the conclusion of a due process meeting between the school administration, the student, and parents/guardians. 

• • • • The student, with a parent or an adult advocate, will be required to complete all Educational Awareness Option sessions. 
      • Upon successful completion of the Educational Awareness Option, the student and the parent or adult advocate will be required to meet with the advisor and school administration.  The purpose of the meeting is to plan for continued assistance for the student. The meeting must take place prior to reinstatement. 
      • Students who choose this option will be suspended from competition for a minimum of 15 calendar days. If the Educational Awareness Option Program exceeds 15 calendar days the student will be expected to successfully complete the Educational Awareness Option Program. . A student not making satisfactory progress in the EAO after being reinstated to the activity can be removed from the activity at the discretion of the school administration until the EAO is fully completed. 
      • Students not choosing the Educational Awareness Option will be suspended until the end of the school year. 
      • Suspension may carry from one activity season into the next in which the student participates. 
      •  The student will be able to attend meetings during the suspension. 
      • The student may be required to comply with additional recommendations before being permitted to rejoin the activity program. 
      • Any costs outside the KCSD approved programs will be the responsibility of the parent. 

ii.        The student will be able to participate in meetings but not attend competitions until successful completion of the EAO.
iii.      The student may be required to comply with additional recommendations from administration before being permitted to rejoin the activity program. 

b.      Second Offense 

i.        The student will be suspended for one calendar year from activity programs 

c.       Third Offense 

i.        The student will be suspended from the activity program for the duration of their high school career.
ii.       The student may become ineligible to receive awards or letters for the activity. 

Klamath County School District has made the following decision and consequences regarding the use of tobacco/nicotine products during the Klamath County School District activity calendar year. 

III            USE AND/OR POSSESSION OF TOBACCO/NICOTINE/VAPING/INHALANT PRODUCTS (Minor Infraction) 
Smoking, possessing, selling, buying, transmitting, distributing, or otherwise using tobacco, tobacco products, delivery systems or products containing nicotine is prohibited. This rule applies to lookalike tobacco and tobacco products and to those substances represented as being tobacco and tobacco products. ORS 167.785 and KCSD Policy KGC/GBK  and Policy JFCG-AR

a.      First Offense 

i.        Immediate suspension from the Activity pending decision/consequence determined by school administration.  Decision will be determined after reviewing the facts and consultation with the Activity advisor and could include, but not be limited to, removal from the program, temporary suspension from participation, and/or temporary removal from competitions.
ii.      The student may be required to comply with additional recommendations from administration before being permitted to rejoin the Activity program. 

b.      Second Offense

i.        The student will be suspended until the end of the activity year or 6-months from the conclusion of due process, whichever is longer.
ii.      The student may be required to comply with additional recommendations from administration before being permitted to rejoin the Activity program. 

c.       Third Offense 

i.        The student will be suspended from the activity program for a period of one calendar year.
ii.      The student may become ineligible to receive awards or letters for the activity. 

Violations in the different areas listed above will be handled separately and not as an accumulative total when violations occur in separate areas. Violations from different areas cannot be combined to equal a cumulative violation total to assign the consequence. Only violations in the same area can be counted as cumulative for that specific violation. 

For all infractions above, additional consequences can be applied to Extra and Co-Curricular activities, Clubs and participants as behavior infractions and school violations dictate. All actions taken will ensure due process is being applied when applicable and outcomes will not violate current Klamath County School District policies and protocols. Any change and/or additional modifications will be made clear to participant(s) and their guardian at the earliest opportunity. 

When an infraction and consequence from above occur, resulting in the immediate loss of the students’ credit earning ability toward an academic requirement, the student will be provided an alternative opportunity to earn an equivalent academic credit within a reasonable amount of time upon approval of the administration. 

TIMELINE FOR INFRACTIONS 
The following will be used to determine the timeframe for any violation/infraction for any of the above: 

When a student violates this participation requirement, the following guidelines will be used in counting their suspension period from the program. 

• When a student is suspended for a violation, the suspension from the program will begin after due process is completed by the administration. 
• If due process is completed before the end of the regular school business day, that day will be counted as Day #1. 
• If due process is completed after the end of the regular school business day, Day #1 will begin on the following day. 
• For this protocol, all calendar days, Sunday through Saturday, will be counted.  

When a student is under expulsion from a Klamath County School and are a participant in extracurricular activities, the following guidelines will be used in counting their suspension from the program. 

• Once due process is completed by the administration, the days of suspension will begin.  
• If due process is completed before the end of the regular school business day, that day will be counted as Day #1. 
• If due process is completed after the end of the regular school business day, Day #1 will begin on the following day. 
• If a student is recommended for expulsion, the days of suspension will continue to count until the hearing is held. Once the expulsion process is completed, if the student is NOT expelled, the count will continue uninterrupted. 
• If the student is expelled, the counting of days will cease on the date noted on the expulsion order. On the date the expulsion ends, the days will resume being counted towards the suspension of extra-curricular activities. All days counted before the expulsion date will be credited towards the total number of days. 
• If the expulsions end at the end of a school year, counted days will not begin until the next school calendar year begins in August. 
• For this protocol, all calendar days, Sunday through Saturday, will be counted.  

The consequence for all major infractions will be combined and will be cumulative and progressive in the consequence. The consequence for a minor infraction will not be combined with any major infraction, but will be cumulative and progressive for assigning a consequence. Example: The first violation of rule #1 or #2 is considered a first offense. A second infraction by the same student of rule #1 or #2 - will be considered a second major behavior violation. Any violation by the same student of rule #3 would be considered a separate violation of a minor rule and will not be cumulative with any major infraction. The participation in the Activity can be year-round and the rules for participation will align to the calendar for the activity. Some activities conduct group events over the summer (Klamath County Fair, attending conferences, events, etc) and participants would remain under the school/district rules, KCSD policies and expectations during this time. 

Interscholastic activities are considered extra-curricular and participants must meet and maintain an established set of KCSD and OSAA academic criteria to participate. The basic set of academic criteria is as follows:

• Participants must be enrolled as a full-time student in their school of attendance as per the OSAA ‘Full-Time Enrollment’ criteria.
• Must be making ‘Satisfactory Progress’ towards graduation as defined by the OSAA
• Must have earned the required number of credits the previous semester/trimester they wish to participate in an activity
• Any Home School Student must meet the OSAA Eligibility requirements in order to participate in athletic programs in KCSD or at a KCSD school.

Once OSAA eligibility has been met, KCSD has eligibility requirements for continued participation in extracurricular programs. These academic eligibility requirements are:

Student/athletes participating in KCSD athletics must be passing all courses with a 60% or better during any grading period or at the end of each semester. KCSD grading periods are listed below; grades will be checked on the first Wednesday following the KCSD ‘End of Grading Period’ listed below:

• End of the first six week grading period –October 8th
• End of the second six week grading period –November 19th  
• End of the First Semester (determines eligibility for next semester) –January 22nd 
• End of the fourth six week grading period –March 11th   
• End of the fifth six week grading period –April 29th 
• End of the Second Semester (determines OSAA eligibility for next athletic year -June 11th

**Gilchrist will align grade checks as closely as possible with the above dates, consistent with its trimester schedule.

A grade violation will begin on the first Wednesday following the end of a grade period. If grades are checked before the proceeding Wednesday and the athlete has all courses 60% better, they are removed from academic probation period.

Grades may be reviewed more frequently than the periods listed above for monitoring. However, the specific periods listed will be the required dates that determine academic eligibility for extra-curricular participation. 

If a student/athlete fails to meet the academic standards at any of the above KCSD grading periods, the student/athlete will be placed on a three-week probationary period according to the following guidelines:

• Student-athletes will remain eligible for practices and contests during the three-week probationary period.
• Building administration will establish an intervention plan using the Student Academic Probation Plan (SAPP) form (Appendix A) during the first week of probation.
• The SAPP will be reviewed weekly while the student is on probation. Appropriate interventions may be modified or added as needed.
•  If, at the end of the three-week probationary period, a student-athlete has one or more courses with a grade below 60%, the student-athlete will be ineligible to participate in practices and contests until academic eligibility is restored. School administration may move the student-athlete to the academic eligibility committee.

The principal or designee of each school will notify the student-athlete, parent/guardian and coach when a student falls below the minimum standard of passing after the three (3) week probation. Individual cases of district academic standard waivers will be decided by the district athletic director.

Prior to an academic intervention plan being formed the principal or designee will seek input on the students’ progress from the following: current teacher from the class(es) that they are below standard, Special Education Teacher (if applicable), current head coach and parent.

When school administration determines that extenuating circumstances exist and that additional interventions, beyond those addressed in the three-week probation SAPP plan, may improve a student-athlete’s academic performance, the administration may develop, implement, and monitor an individualized improvement plan. This plan may allow the student-athlete to continue participating in a KCSD extracurricular program while demonstrating academic progress. The plan must contain correspondence from all of the above parties and the plan must include weekly improvement benchmarks, including attendance as well as behavior if applicable which must be met in order for participation to continue. The plan must include steps to be taken when benchmarks are not met and how at that time the plan will be concluded and the student/athlete will become ineligible for participation. The completed plan will be in the building within the students working file.  

When a student-athlete is enrolled in any summer school class and the class will be used for athletic eligibility participation, any applicable class must be officially entered on a transcript before it can be used by an athlete to meet eligibility criteria.

A student will not be permitted to participate in any meetings or out of school activities if he/she has been absent from school during any part of the school day unless a pre-arranged absence (PA) has been granted by the administration of the building. A student will not be permitted to participate in any meetings or out of school activities scheduled for a non-school day if absent for any part of the previously scheduled school day without a pre-arranged absence granted by the school administration. Students participating in any KCSD activity must maintain at least a 95% school attendance rate during both the preceding and current grading period of any scheduled meeting or activity participation.  In unusual circumstances a student will be able to participate with building administration approval. 

Programs may conduct fund raising activities to support the activities of the program.  These functions are to have the prior approval of the school administration. The purpose of the fundraising activity (uniforms, tournaments fees, equipment, etc) should be advertised and the funds spent for that purpose only. All funds collected in fundraising activities are required to be deposited and expended in KCSD approved accounts. For student’s safety, it is recommended that any fundraiser does not have students going door-to-door selling items. 

The school Principal must be notified and approve any out of state contests/events or contests/events exceeding 400 miles round trip including district, regional, state and national competition. Before contests/events are scheduled, the trip must be approved by the KCSD School Board or their designee, school Principal and Director of Secondary/Elementary Curriculum. 

Travel itineraries for contests/events will be submitted for approval to building Principal and will include departure dates/times, return dates/times, hotel arrangements (if applicable), chaperones, permission slips, signed emergency medical treatment forms and other details of the contest/events as requested by the Principal. Trips must meet the time requirements for bus drivers. A bus driver is not allowed to operate a bus for longer than 10-hours in a 15-hour time period. 

Social media provides a method for communication between all participants and interested parties that are associated or have an interest in a KCSD sponsored program. It can be used to update times and locations for practices and contests/events in the event changes occur. It allows Q&A to be viewed by large groups. There are many uses and it is part of the communication tool used by many programs. It is NOT REQUIRED for participants to have access to social media formats as a tool of communication and other forms will be used to ensure participants and parents/guardians are informed of program updates. 

It is also recognized that social media allows users to make anonymous comments associated with a program. KCSD discourages anyone from using any form of social media (Facebook, Tweeter, Instagram, etc.) to make comments which would violate the concept of positive citizenship and respect towards participants, advisors, teams, schools, spectators, and/or officials. 

KCSD also encourages any communication between a participant and the advisor be shared with the parents/guardians of participants and school officials to ensure professionalism is in place.