The Monroe-Woodbury Central School District is a member of the New York State Public High School  Athletic Association, Section IX Athletic Council and the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic  Association and, therefore, adheres to the Rules and Regulations of these governing bodies. 

If a student accepts the privilege of being a member of a Monroe-Woodbury athletic team, he or she  must adhere to certain rules and regulations as outlined below.

1. To develop sportsmanship by learning to play fairly and to abide by the rules of the game.

2. To train athletes to accept winning and losing graciously.

3. To develop self-discipline and confidence.

4. To develop a sense of responsibility and to make decisions.

5. To develop leadership and followership.

6. To develop the athlete's ability to express his or her emotions in a socially acceptable manner.

7. To build character and learn that personal sacrifice may be required for the good of the team.

8. To develop the respect for teammates, opponents and others.

9. To develop a high state of physical fitness to meet the demands of today and tomorrow.

A student trying out for an athletic team must have a medical examination by the Monroe-Woodbury  Central School District appointed physician or school nurse. If a Family Physician is used, the  student must get a School District Medical Examination form from the Nurse’s Office, to be  completed by the Family Physician. Once the examination is completed, return the District Medical  Form to the Nurse’s Office for clearance. 

1. The school physician has the absolute authority to determine the physical capability of a pupil to  participate in a sport. 
2. No student will be allowed to begin practice until approved by the school physician or school  nurse. 
3. The medical examination and approval of the school physician or school nurse is valid for one  calendar year. Medical updates are required for each sport season. 
4. If a student is medically excused from Gym, the student cannot play or practice in any sport  during this “Medically Excused Gym Time.” 

Members of a Monroe-Woodbury athletic team are required to conduct themselves as good citizens  both in school and out in the community. Athletes are expected to act like ladies and gentlemen at  all times when visiting other schools for an athletic contest.

“Hazing” is not permitted under any circumstances. “Hazing” is defined as any behavior exhibited  by a student(s) toward a student, teacher, coach or individual, which degrades, demeans, humiliates  and places at risk physical and/or emotional harm toward that individual(s). Hazing is against the  law in New York State. Hazing resulting in an injury to a person is a Class “A” misdemeanor and  hazing which creates a substantial risk of injury to a person is a law violation.

Players are expected to attend all practices, games, and team affairs unless legally excused by the  coach and/or school official. 

1. It is the responsibility of the player to notify the coach in advance if he or she cannot attend  practice, game, etc. 
2. If a player is detained for academic reasons or school related activities, he or she must bring a  signed note from the teacher stating the time of release for the coach’s verification.
3. If the athlete misses (Attendance Office) more than two periods in a day, he or she will not be  allowed to participate in that day's practice session or athletic contest unless for medical reasons,  which must be accompanied by a physician's note, or because of extenuating circumstances  which must be verified by a note from a parent or guardian. 
4. If an athlete is illegally absent from school on Friday, he or she cannot compete in a Saturday or  Sunday contest, unless a legal written excuse is received by the coach.

1. Team members are required to travel to and from an away athletic contest on the school bus or  in transportation provided and/or approved by the school district. 
2. Requests by parents for exceptions to this rule must be made to the coach in writing. These  exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the coach.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) states: 

1. “A contestant must be a bonafide student of the high school represented who is taking at least  four (4) academic subjects including Physical Education”. 
2. “A student may compete for no more than eight (8) consecutive semesters beginning with the  semester in which he or she has entered the 9th grade and is between the 14th and 19th  birthdays. If the age of 19 years is reached on or after July 1st, the student may continue to  participate during that school year in all sports”.

These guidelines are established to assist students to maintain and put forth appropriate academic effort. Students will be considered ineligible to participate in a co-curricular activity:

• If they fail more than one subject during any five-week progress or ten-week report card cycle.

• If they do not complete a satisfactory two-week Performance Report indicating satisfactory

  academic achievement or effort.

• If their academic deficiencies continue after reinstatement to the co-curricular activity.

Any student athlete on in/out of school suspension may not participate in any practice or athletic  contest during the day (s) of suspension. If the period of suspension includes a weekend or holiday,  the student athlete may not participate during the weekend or holiday period of time.

Any player who joins an athletic team is expected to remain a member of that team until the season is completed.

1. A student who is cut from one squad may go out for any other sport with the approval of the coach of that sport.

2. It is the player’s responsibility and obligation to inform the coach if he or she desires to leave or quit a team. Failure to accept the responsibility of notifying the coach, unless under justifiable or extenuating circumstances, will result in automatic suspension from further athletic participation for the remainder of the season and the next sport season.

Players are to respect the Monroe-Woodbury School equipment, facilities, and property as well as at the away school.

Players are responsible for all equipment and uniforms issued to them and they should return these items in the same state that they were issued.

1. Equipment, uniforms, etc. issued to player is to be used only for the purpose of team practices or games. These issued items are not to be used in Physical Education classes or in any other way unless permission is granted by the teacher or coach.

2. Lost or misused equipment will be charged to the player responsible for it and restitution will be required. No awards or further participation will be granted until restitution is made.

3. Any player found to be in the possession of unauthorized Monroe-Woodbury or other property or willfully damages Monroe-Woodbury and/or fellow student athlete's property, or other schools’ property, will be subject to suspension from the team, possible arrest and/or legal action and restitution.

Players are expected to abide by the training rules outlined by the coach. The Monroe-Woodbury  Central School District recognizes that the use of alcohol, tobacco, steroids, synthetic cannabinoids,  or other illegal drugs decreases long-term athletic activity performance, decreases the overall  academic performance, increases the probability for physical injury and lessens the chance for a  student to reach his or her full measure of excellence. Self-disclosure to the Coach, Athletic  Director and/or Student Assistance Counselor concerning his or her substance abuse problem will  result in no disciplinary action as long as the player follows the recommended care plan as outlined  by the Student Assistance Counselor. 

A player caught breaking Training Rules is subject to the following disciplinary action as outlined  below:

1. Conduct unbecoming an athlete.

2. Illegally absent from school on the day of a contest. (If illegally absent on Friday student cannot participate in a Saturday or Sunday contest.)

3. Violation of any curfew established by a coach.

4. Receiving a disciplinary referral.

1. Suspension from the team for one week; however the player must attend but not participate in all practices.

2. Repeat of a second Level I violation.

3. Use or possession of alcohol, tobacco (to include smokeless tobacco), steroids, synthetic cannabinoids, or other illegal drugs:

4. Offender, with parent (s), has conference with Coach, Athletic Director and Student Assistance Counselor.

5. To Be Reinstated as Eligible:  The player must meet the requirements as outlined by the school’s Student Assistance Counselor.

1. Suspension from the team for two weeks; however the player must attend but not participate in all practices

2. “Hazing” of a student and/or athlete.

1. (cannot participate on any athletic team during the season of suspension, i.e., an athlete suspended from X-Country would also be ineligible for soccer).

2. Hazing – Resulting in an injury to a student.

3. Willfully damages facilities or property whether at Monroe-Woodbury or at another school.

4. “Harassment” of a coach/teacher.

5. Stealing

6. Quitting a team without prior discussion with the coach. (See IX-B).

   1. Repeat of a Level II violation.

   2. Repeat of a Level II violation (s) as outlined in Training Rules B-2.

7. Offender, with parent (s), has conference with Athletic Director, Student Assistance Counselor and School Administrator.

8. To Be Reinstated as Eligible for subsequent season(s), an assessment and adherence to the Recommended Care Plan as outlined by the Student Assistance Counselor.

If a Level III violation by an athletic team member occurs during post-season play, the athlete will be subject to disciplinary action affecting the next athletic season in which the athlete will participate, for a period not to exceed 2 sport seasons.

The athlete can practice with the athletic team, but he/she will not be able to participate in scrimmages or athletic contests during the suspension period as outlined below:

1. Fall-Winter  -- 8-week suspension

2. Winter-Spring – 6 week suspension

3. Spring-Fall – 6-week suspension

(The disciplinary suspension period begins the first day of practice).

1. The distribution of illicit drugs.

2. Physical abuse to a coach or teacher.

3. Repeat of a Level IV violation.

Any school violation or policy supersedes any level or area outlined above. The school administration has the prerogative of exceeding any of the aforementioned steps depending upon the seriousness of the situation

Any student who is suspended under Level I-V can exercise his “due process” rights by making an appeal as follows:

1. The student has two (2) school days to appeal in writing to the Athletic Director.

2. The Athletic Director should rule on the written appeal within (5) school days.

3. A subsequent appeal can be made to the Building Principal.

THE POLICY IS EXCESS OVER YOUR OTHER INSURANCE COVERAGE. THIS MEANS  THAT BENEFITS WILL BE PAID ONLY FOR THAT PART OF THE EXPENSE, WHICH IS  NOT COVERED BY YOUR OWN INSURANCE PLAN. PAYMENTS ARE MADE ACCORDING  TO A SCHEDULE OF BENEFITS.

• To have necessary supplies

• To follow classroom rules

• To be respectful

• To store possessions safely

• To respect property of others and school

• To report concerns to adults

• To follow safety procedures

• To avoid the use of profane/rude language

• To avoid fighting

• To know what is expected

• To be successful

• To be free of pestering, harassment or interference

• To get assistance with problems or concerns

• To be respected

• Verbal warning

• Verbal reprimand

• Written report filed

• Parent notification

• Parent conference

• Detention

• In-school suspension

• Suspension from school

• Suspension from transportation

It is understood that the District has the authority to modify any of the aforementioned steps based upon  the individual circumstances presented and the age of the child. 

Home-school communication is essential during the elementary years as children grow and develop  positive behaviors that enhance and support academic achievement.

Please be aware that:

• Students are guaranteed due process as established by education law and Monroe-Woodbury policy.

• Copies of each discipline referral, indicating its disposition, will be mailed to the parent/guardian, issued to the student, returned to the referring teacher, shared with the Guidance Counselor, and made part of the student's disciplinary record.

• Students who are suspended out of school are not permitted to be on school grounds or participate in any after school activity on that particular day(s)

• Parents may be required to meet during the school day.

• School/Community Service, Peer Mediation, and attendance at Anger Management Seminars may be recommended at the discretion of the administration as a component of a disciplinary disposition.

• The Administration may recommend that one of the following courses of action be taken:

  • An extended suspension dependent upon a hearing with the Superintendent or designee;

  • Placement in an Alternative Education Program; and/or

  • Removal from school.

• Infractions will be addressed at the discretion of the Administration.

• It is understood that the district has the authority to modify any of the aforementioned steps based upon the individual circumstances presented.

Consequences and disciplinary action are most effective when they deal directly with the problem at the  time and place it occurs and in a way that is viewed as fair and impartial by the student. Therefore,  before seeking outside assistance, teachers will first use all their resources to create a change of behavior  in the classroom. When the teacher has made every effort to bring about positive behavioral change, and  has been unsuccessful, the student will be referred to the administration. At that point, the  administration will decide what further action will be taken. Students who break the law, use or possess  illegal drugs or synthetic cannabinoids, use vulgar language or exhibit inappropriate behavior will be  held accountable not only to the District Disciplinary Code, but may also be referred to the appropriate  law enforcement agencies.

The Board of Education recognizes that regular school attendance is a major component of  academic success. Students are expected to be regular and punctual in their attendance. Through  implementation of a comprehensive attendance policy, the Board expects to encourage full  attendance by all students, maintain an adequate attendance record keeping system, identify  patterns of student unexcused absences, tardiness and early departures (referred to in this policy  as ATEDs), as well as to develop effective intervention strategies to improve school attendance.  

It is the objective of this policy to encourage that each student attends school on time, for the  maximum number of days and instructional periods possible. In furtherance of this objective, the  District shall utilize strategies such as positive attendance incentives and appropriate disciplinary  and other consequences, as well as integration of attendance standards for the purpose of conferral  of course credit. 

To be successful in this endeavor, it is imperative that all members of the school community are  aware of this policy, its purpose, procedures and the consequences of non-compliance. To ensure  that students, parents/guardians, teachers and administrators are notified and understand this  policy, the following procedures shall be implemented:  

a. The attendance policy will be included in student handbooks in a plain language summary  and will be reviewed with students at the start of the school year. Parent Handbooks will be  provided to parents/guardians of K-1 students.  
b. Parents/guardians will receive a plain language summary of this policy at the start of the  school year. Parents/guardians will be asked to sign and return a statement indicating that  they have read and understand the policy.  
c. A back-to-school event will be held at the beginning of each school year to explain this  policy and stress the parent's/guardian's responsibility for ensuring their child's  attendance.  
d. School newsletters and publications will include periodic reminders of the components of  this policy.  
e. The District will provide a copy of the attendance policy and any amendments thereto to  faculty and staff. New staff will receive a copy upon their employment.  
f. A faculty meeting will be conducted at the beginning of each school year to review the  attendance policy to clarify individual roles in its implementation.  
g. Copies of this policy will also be made available to any community member, upon request. 

Excused ATEDs are defined as absences, tardiness, and early departures from class or school due  to personal illness of student (three days or less), extended illness requires a doctor’s note,  serious illness of immediate family member, or death in the student’s family, impassable roads or  weather, religious observance, quarantine, required court appearances, attendance at health  clinics, approved college visits, approved cooperative work programs, military obligations, or such  other reasons as may be approved.  

All other ATEDs are considered unexcused absences. All ATEDs must be accounted for. It is the  parent's/guardian's responsibility to notify the school office within at least 24 hours of the ATED  and to provide a written excuse upon the student's return to school. Corroborating medical  verification is expected in the case of excessive absences due to a suspected health condition. All written excuses must be submitted no later than five (5) school days after the student’s return to  school. It is essential that a parent/guardian provide a written excuse for each ATED. Such excuse  should contain the reason and date of ATED. ATEDs not expressly accounted for will be considered  unexcused for state reporting purposes.  

After the third consecutive day of absence for medical reasons a doctor’s note will be required.  

When a student is absent or leaves early from class or school without excuse, designated staff  member(s) will notify the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) by phone and/or mail of the specified  ATED, remind them of the Attendance Policy, and review ATED intervention procedures with  them.

Students are expected to arrive to school and to all classes on time.  

At the high school, students who are less than 15 minutes late to school should report directly  to their first scheduled period. Students who are more than 15 minutes late to school must first  report to the attendance office, sign in and obtain a late slip. Students may be assigned  detention for unexcused lateness to school.  

Any student entering a class after the beginning of the period is tardy for that class. The teacher  shall record the lateness as either an “excused” tardiness or an “unexcused” tardiness. Students  bringing a valid note will be recorded as an “excused” tardiness. If the student does not have a note  the designation shall be at the discretion of the teacher based on the reason the student is late to  class. Three unexcused tardies of less than ten (10) minutes will be considered an unexcused  absence, three excused tardies would result in an excused absence, and the consequences as outlined  for absences will be applied.  

A student is considered absent when he or she misses more than ten (10) minutes of class.  Early Dismissal  

If a student will be leaving school prior to the end of the day, a parent/guardian must come to the  main office or attendance office to sign his/her child out of school. In grades K-8, a parent/guardian  must sign the student out in the building/attendance office prior to the time indicated on the  request. High school students may sign themselves out if prior approval has been granted based on  a verified letter from a parent/guardian. Leaving without being signed out by a parent/guardian or  without prior approved written permission will be considered an unexcused absence from class and  appropriate action will be taken

a. Attendance must be recorded within the first hour of the school day, at least once daily, for  students in grades K-5. If students are dismissed from school grounds during a lunch period,  then attendance will be recorded a second time upon the students’ scheduled return to school.  
b. Attendance must be recorded electronically during each period of instruction for students in  grades 6-12. In the event that the data cannot be electronically recorded (eg. computer files)  the information must be submitted to the Principal or the Principal’s designee.  
c. At the conclusion of each class period or school day, all attendance information shall be  compiled and provided to the designated staff member(s) responsible for attendance.  d. The nature of an ATED shall be coded on a student's record.  
e. Student ATED data shall be available to and should be reviewed by the designated  school personnel in an expeditious manner. 
f. Where additional information is received that requires corrections to be made to a student's attendance records, such correction will be made immediately. Notice of such a  change will be sent to appropriate school personnel subject to applicable confidentiality  rules.  
g. Attendance data will be analyzed periodically to identify patterns or trends in student  absences.  
h. Where consistent with other school practices, teachers and staff shall refer students who  are absent from a class period without excuse to the building administrator.  i. Continuous monitoring will be conducted to identify students who are absent, tardy, or  leave class or school early.  
j. The principal of each building, or his/her designee, will be responsible for reviewing pupil  attendance records and initiating appropriate action to address unexcused pupil absence,  tardiness and early departure consistent with the comprehensive Attendance Policy. 

Attendance Interventions the District will continue to design and implement systems to  support a student's efforts to maintain or improve school attendance. These may include, but  are not limited to:  

a. Written notification by the School District to the parent/guardian of the student advising the  parent/guardian of the student of the student’s attendance history  
b. Personal contact with student and parent/guardian by student's teacher and social worker,  counselor, or psychologist to advise them of the student’s attendance history and the  attendance policy, explain the notification of unexcused ATEDs and stress the importance of  class attendance. Social workers, counselors, or psychologists can also assist  parents/guardians in seeking appropriate support services to address underlying attendance  difficulties.  
c. Designated administrator, guidance counselors, and/or classroom teacher may assist  student directly through counseling intervention and by encouraging student's involvement  in co-curricular and extracurricular activities or other appropriate student support group  initiatives within the school building.  
d. Students may be referred by designated administrator for counseling intervention by  school psychologist, school social worker or student assistant counselor for those cases in  which personal and family issues require more intensive intervention.  
e. For chronic situations of unexcused absences, a designated administrator may, in consultation  with counseling staff and with parental/guardian notification, initiate a referral to the Person  In Need of Supervision (PINS) Diversionary Team associated with the Family Court. 

The District encourages and supports each building’s effort to design and to implement  systems to acknowledge a student’s effort regarding attendance, accountability and  responsibility.  

The following incentives are examples of those that may be utilized to encourage student  attendance:  

a. Participation in extracurricular activities.  
b. Perfect attendance awards at each grade level.  
c. Breakfast with the principal recognition.  
d. Maintaining an attendance honor roll published on a monthly basis.  
e. Special events and activities at the building-wide, house and classroom levels for  students with chronic absenteeism. 

Absences from class dramatically reduce a student’s ability to perform effectively. An unexcused  absence from class can be considered a form of insubordination that may endanger a student’s  health, safety or welfare. Unexcused ATEDs will result in disciplinary action consistent with the  District's Code of Conduct. Those penalties may include, but not be limited to, the following: 

· Parental contact  
· Parent-teacher conferences  
· Detention(s)  
· Suspension(s)  
· Closed campus  
· Suspension from co-curricular activities or athletic teams  
· Suspension of parking privileges  
· Denial to participate in field trips  

In addition, designated staff member(s) will contact the student’s parents/guardians and additional  staff members as necessary. Such staff member(s) shall remind parents/guardians of the attendance  policy, explain the ramifications of unexcused ATEDs, stress the importance of class attendance and  discuss appropriate intervention strategies to correct the situation.  

The Board of Education recognizes an important relationship between class attendance and  student performance. Consequently, each marking period a student's final grade may be based  on classroom participation as well as student performance on homework, tests, quizzes, papers,  projects, etc.  

Students are expected to attend scheduled classes. Consistent with the importance of classroom  participation, unexcused ATEDs will affect a student's class participation grade for the marking  period. If a student is legally absent from school, the student will be afforded the opportunity to  make up class work, homework assignments and assessments in a timely manner. It is the  responsibility of the student and/or parent/guardian to obtain missed work. In anticipation of at  least two (2) days of absence, or after two (2) days of absence parents/guardians may obtain class  work from the school.  

A student enrolled in the high school must be in attendance in order to be eligible to receive credit  for that course. At the high school level, any student with more than ten (10) unexcused absences  from class during a semester, five (5) unexcused absences in a Physical Education course, twenty  (20) unexcused absences for a full year course, or thirty (30) unexcused absences for a full year lab  class will not receive credit for that course.  

In implementing the policy set forth above, students who are unable to attend school or a class on a  given day due to their participation in a school-sponsored activity (i.e., music lesson, field trip) may  arrange with their teachers to make up any work missed. Participation in a school-sponsored  activity will not count as an absence.  

All students with an excused ATED are expected upon their return to consult with their teachers  regarding missed work. Only those students with excused ATED's will be given the opportunity to  make up a test or other missed work and/or turn in a late assignment for inclusion in their final  grade. Make up opportunities must be completed by a date specified by the student's teacher (in  consultation with the student's guidance counselor and/or designated school administrator) for  the class in question.  

If a student is marked illegally absent from a class, it is the responsibility of the student to speak  with his/her teacher to make necessary corrections should there be an error. The teacher will then  notify the Attendance Office. Parents/guardians will be notified of confirmed unexcused absences  and dates when consequences have been assigned.  

After a student has fifteen (15) recorded unexcused absences for a full year lab class, ten (10)  recorded unexcused absences in a full year course, five (5) recorded unexcused absences in a half  year course, or three (3) recorded unexcused absences in a Physical Education course, the school  will advise the parent/guardian and the student(s) of the number of unexcused absences recorded  and reiterate the requirements for attendance and denial of course credit if the student’s  attendance exceeds the maximum number of unexcused absences for the course in question. The  classroom teacher will notify the parents/guardians of students, who have excused ATEDs and  who do not make up work missed.  

After a student has thirty (30) unexcused absences for a full year lab class, twenty (20) recorded  unexcused absences in a full year course, ten (10) recorded unexcused absences in a half year course,  or five (5) recorded unexcused absences in a Physical Education course, the school will send a final  letter of notification to the parent/guardian and the student(s) stating that the student will not  receive credit for the course. A student who is denied credit for failure to meet the minimum  attendance requirement will receive an NCA (No Credit Attendance) on his or her report card.  Students are required to continue attending the class. Students who are denied credit must audit  the course to its conclusion in order to qualify for summer school attendance.  

Any student and/or parent/guardian may appeal the decision to not grant the student credit for a  course based upon the student’s failure to meet the minimum attendance requirements as set forth  in this policy and shall have the right to a hearing. Said appeal shall be made in writing to the  House Administrator within two (2) weeks of the date of the no credit notification and shall include  a written statement describing the basis for the appeal. A committee will be formed to review the  appeal composed of three to five staff members (selected from a rotating pool of faculty), and may  include any of the following: teachers, the chairperson of the department whose course is involved,  an administrator, and a pupil personnel support person (psychologist, counselor, social workers,  etc.). The teacher of the student has the option of attending the appeal as a non-voting member. The  student must be present at the appeal hearing or the meeting will be postponed. The committee will  consider special cases and make a decision. The student has the right to appeal the committee’s  decision to the building principal. The building principal shall review said appeal after the hearing  and provide his/her written determination concerning the appeal within a reasonable time. The  building principal’s determination shall be final.  

The policy provisions as set forth above apply to academic summer school except that students  with more than the allowable absences delineated annually in the Summer School Guidelines and  Regulations, regardless of reason, may not receive course credit.

The Board shall annually review building-level student attendance records and, if such records  show a decline in student attendance, the Board shall revise this Attendance Policy and make any  revisions to the plan it deems necessary to improve student attendance.