PERSONAL CONDUCT

Participation on an athletic team in the Shaker Heights City Schools is a privilege and the participants must earn the right to represent Shaker Heights City Schools by conducting themselves in such a way that the image of the Shaker Heights City School District would not be tarnished in any manner. 

AN ATHLETE:

• must be scholastically eligible. A student must pass at least five one-credit classes each grading period to be considered for eligibility. Beyond this minimum, a student may obtain or maintain eligibility either by: earning a 2.0 grade point average or higher each grading period OR receiving approval from the principal or his/her designee. Students seeking such permission must develop a personal academic improvement plan that may include, but is not limited to, tutoring, teacher conferences, study groups, counseling sessions, and any other available resources within the school. Credits cannot be made up in summer school to overcome deficiencies at the end of the last nine-week grading period.

• must not accumulate five (5) unexcused absences in a class. To do so will result in ineligibility for the remainder of the semester.

• must, at all times, exhibit the highest standards of personal behavior while in or outside the school.

• must not possess or use alcoholic beverages, smoking materials, or illegal drugs.

• must not be found guilty of violating city, state, and federal codes/laws.

• must be in attendance and on time for all practices and contests unless there is a valid reason and excuse.

• is responsible for all equipment issued to him/her. Equipment or uniform is not to be worn at any social event, for general school use, or throughout the community other than athletic sessions. Any equipment not returned must be paid for by the athlete.

• must travel to and from all contests by means of designated school transportation, unless otherwise authorized by the coach and/or the athletic director.

• may not drop a sport of a particular session and try out for an overlapping sport of the next season without the mutual consent of the coaches involved. 

 VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES:

A violation of any part of the Athletic Code may result in denying a student the right to participate for part of, or the entire sport season. Each coach is responsible for administration of this code for his/her sport. Additional rules may be established for each sport. Any participant whose conduct is judged to reflect a discredit upon himself/herself, the team, or the Shaker Heights City Schools, whether or not such activity takes place during or outside school hours and sessions of the sport season, will be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the coach, athletic director, and/or principal.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Penalties

• First Offense: The athlete cannot participate (in a practice or a contest) for the duration of a two-week period, as designated by the principal. The athlete shall be ineligible for a minimum of one interscholastic contest. The parent must confer with the principal and certify that his or her son/ daughter is receiving professional counseling and then an athlete may be reinstated.

• Second Offense: The athlete will be denied the right to participate in all sports for the remainder of the school year.

Hazing Policy

It is the policy of Shaker Heights High School that no member of the school community may participate or be involved in hazing activities. Violation of the hazing policy is considered a serious offense. Any student who participates in hazing (whether voluntarily or involuntarily) will be subject to disciplinary action including any of the following consequences:

• Suspension or removal from athletic participation

• Suspension and/or expulsion from school

• Contact with the Shaker Heights Police Department

RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE OHIO HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

Constitution and Rules: An athlete must abide by all the rules and regulations of the Ohio High School Athletic Association. Copies of the OHSAA brochure are available in the athletic office. Each athlete is advised to familiarize himself/herself with these rules and regulations.

Semesters of Eligibility: When a student first enrolls in the ninth grade, the student will have eight (8) semesters of athletic eligibility taken in order of attendance whether the student participates or not. 

Non-Interscholastic Competition: A student’s interscholastic athletic eligibility may be affected by his/her participation in AAU, Sunday school, church, intramurals, YMCA, YWCA, recreation teams, all-star games, etc. A student is advised to consult with the athletic director.

Awards: Awards as specified by the athletic department will be given at the appropriate recognition programs. To receive an award, a participant must complete the season as a member of the team in good standing, meeting all eligibility and personal conduct requirements. An award received from any source for participation in interscholastic athletics may not exceed the value of $100.

RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SHAKER HEIGHTS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Cutting Class: If a student accumulates excessive unexcused absences in a subject, the student will be declared ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletic activities for the remainder of the season.

Shaker Heights High School Participation Agreement Form: Before a student may participate in any interscholastic athletic practice or event, a Shaker Heights High School Participation Agreement Form must be on file in the athletic office, in addition to the OHSAA Student Participation and Physical Examination Card. The student must obtain and complete the Participation Agreement Form with valid signatures from the student and parent/guardian.