DCMS Activities/Athletics Handbook

DCMS students may participate in a variety of instructional/interscholastic programs. With their physical and emotional development, it is appropriate to maintain participation. Times and expectations of each sport will be given to the participants at the first practice or organizational meeting. Physicals will be required prior to the first interscholastic practice date for the child to practice and compete. One physical will cover all sports for the entire year.

7th & 8th Grade Programs
Boys’/Girls’ Interscholastic Cross Country
Boys’ Interscholastic Football
Girls’ Interscholastic Volleyball
Boys’/Girls’ Interscholastic Basketball
Boys’/Girls’ Interscholastic Wrestling
Boys’/Girls’ Interscholastic Soccer
Boys’/Girls’ Interscholastic Track
Cheerleading
Drill Team
Scholars’ Bowl

MS-WAC League will provide medals in sports where applicable by the by-laws.
General award standards for 7^th and 8^th grade athletes:

• Maintain eligibility standards (good grades) to be able to participate
• Participating practice regularly during the season
• Good moral and ethical conduct at all time
• Be in “Good Standing” with the School.

Coaches may create own team awards to distribute, but not mandatory.

1. Good behavior is a must on the school busses as misbehavior could endanger the lives of those being transported. Do not talk to or distract the driver’s attention. Remember, your safety is in the driver’s hands.
2. Outside of ordinary conversation, normal classroom procedure and conduct will be observed. The noise level needs to be moderate. Personal listening devices, cell phones and food are acceptable with the coach’s permission only.
3. Each student must be provided a seat. Students are to remain in their seats while the bus is in motion. Seats may be assigned if necessary.
4. Students must not throw waste paper or trash on the floor of the bus. The bus must be clean and sanitary at all times.
5. Students must not extend any part of their body out of the bus at any time. There will be no exceptions.
6. Students must not get on or off the bus while it is in motion. When leaving the bus, stay seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.
7. Any damage to a bus is to be reported to the driver and coach.
8. Penalty for violating these rules: The driver’s report is to be sent to the proper school official who can deny the student the privilege of riding the bus.

In the event the disciplinary action proposed involves ineligibility for the remainder of the school year, or years, the parents/guardians will be requested to attend the conference with the Athletic Director, coach/sponsor and student. If the parent/guardian refuse or cannot be located within a reasonable time, the conference will proceed with the student only. If the student refused to attend the conference, such refusal shall be deemed a waiver of the students and parents/guardian’s right to the conference or any possible appeal of disciplinary action taken.

At the conference, the student will be informed of the nature of the violation and the basis for the allegations. The student will be given an opportunity to make a statement in defense or mitigation to the allegations or violation.

A written notice of the disciplinary action imposed and the reasons, therefore, shall be given to the student involved and to the student’s parent/guardian after the disciplinary conference.

The student and parent/guardian may appeal such action by filing a written notice of appeal with the Clerk of the Board of Education not later than five (5) calendar days after receiving the written notice of ineligibility. Any such appeal will be heard by a hearing officer appointed by the Superintendent of Schools, not later than twenty (20) calendar days after such notice of appeal is filled. The student and the student’s parent/guardian shall be notified in writing of the time and place of the appeal hearing at least five (5) calendar days prior thereto. The decision on any such appeal shall be rendered not later than five (5) calendar days after the conclusion of the appeal hearing. Such appeal hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the following regulations and shall afford the following rights:

1. The right of the student to have counsel of the student’s own choice present and to receive the advice of such counsel or other person whom the student may select.
2. The right of the parents or guardian of the student to be present at the hearing.
3. The right of the student and the student’s counsel or advisor to hear or read a full report of the facts and reasons given in support of the disciplinary action taken.
4. The right of the student and the student’s counsel to cross examine witnesses who appear in person at the hearing.
5. The right of the student to present the student’s own witnesses in person at the hearing.
6. The right of the student to testify in the student’s own behalf and give reasons for the student’s conduct
7. The right of the student to have an orderly hearing.
8. The right of the student to a fair and impartial decision based on the evidence.

Failure of the student and parent/guardian to appear at the time and place designated in the appeal hearing notice shall constitute a waiver of the right to such appeal hearing.

The decision of the hearing officer shall be final and binding and a copy shall be provided to the student and parent/guardian.

Middle School – Western Athletic Conference (MSWAC):
To view schedule and maps: https://www.gobound.com/ks/schools/dodgecityms

• Garden City – Take US-50 West 52 miles following signs to Garden City. You will enter Garden City on Fulton Street.
  • Horace Good Middle School – 1412 N. Main Street, Garden City
    • (620 805-8102) Follow Fulton Street to Main Street and turn right.
  • Kenneth Henderson Middle School - 2406 N. Fleming, Garden City
    • (620- 276-5210) Follow Fulton Street to Fleming Street and turn right.
  • Garden City High School – 2720 Buffalo Way Blvd., Garden City
    • (620 805-5400) Follow US 400 west 69 miles to Garden City. Merge onto US-400 W/US-50 W/US-83 N via the ramp to Scott City. Take the Kansas Avenue exit toward Mary Street. Turn left onto Kansas Avenue. Turn right onto Fleming Street. Destination will be on left.
• Great Bend – Take US-50/56 East 80 miles following signs to Great Bend.
  • Great Bend Middle School – 1919 Harrison Street, Great Bend
    • (620 793-1510) US-50 East 86 miles to Great Bend. From Hwy 50/10th Street turn left (north) on Harrison.
  • Great Bend High School – 2027 Morton Street, Great Bend
    • (620 783-1521) US-50 East 86 miles to Great Bend. From Hwy50/10th Street. Turn left (north) on Washington. Turn right onto 19th Street. Take the second left onto Morton Street. Destination on your left.
• Hays – Take US-50 East 34 miles to US -183 north for 60 miles.
  • Hays Middle School - 201 W. 29th Street, Hays
    • (785 623-2450) Entering Hays on 183/Vine – continue north – left (west) on 27th, 3 Blocks – Right (north) on Fort St.
• Liberal - Take US 56 for 52 miles south to US- 83/160 South. Go south 31 miles to Liberal.
  • Seymour Rogers Middle School – 721 Griffith, Liberal
    • (620 604-1311)
  • Eisenhower Middle School – 2000 North Western Avenue, Liberal
    • (620 604-1426)
  • Liberal High School – 1611 W. 2nd Street, Liberal
    • (620 626-3802) Take Kansas Avenue to 2nd Street and turn right.

Non- League Schools:

• Guymon Central Middle School –7th and James, Guymon, OK.
  • (580-338-4360) From Liberal on Hwy 54- In Guymon, turn right (west) on 12th, 16 Blocks – turn left (south) on James, 6 Blocks.
• Hugoton Middle School – 115 West 11th Street, Hugoton
  • (620 544-4341) Turn right onto W 11th Street. Take the first left. Destination will be on the left.
• Hugoton High School – 215 West 11th Street, Hugoton
  • (620-544-4311) Turn right onto W. 11th Street. Take the first left. Destination will be on the left.
• Lakin Middle School – 1201 W. Kingman Avenue, Lakin
  • (620 355-6411) From Garden City on Hwy 400/50 – in Lakin, proceed left (south) on Leoppke St., 3 Blks – turn right on Kingman Avenue
• Larned Middle School – 904 Corse Ave., Larned
  • (620 285-8430) From Hwy 50/56 - In Larned, proceed left (north) on Broadway, 4 Blks. – left (west) on 7th Street – take the second right turning on Corso Avenue
• Scott City Middle School – 809 9th, Scott City
  • (620 872-7640) When entering Scott City from Hwy 83 heading north – turn left (west) on 9th, 7 Blks
• Ulysses Kepley Middle School – 113 N. Colorado Street, Ulysses
  • (620 356-3125) Take US-56 south 52 miles to US-83/160 and go north to US-160 and then west to Ulysses. Take US-160 West Hampton Street to Colorado Street and then turn north.
• Ulysses High School – 501 N. McCall Street, Ulysses
  • (620 356-1380) Take US-56 south 52 miles to US 83/160 and go north to US-160 and then west to Ulysses. Take US-160 (Hampton Street) to McCall Street (approximately four blocks past Colorado Street) and turn right.

The Rules of Conduct shall be in effect continuously from the period beginning with the first KSHSAA approved practice for Fall sports until the end of all post-school year activities in the Spring, including weekends, holidays and vacations which occur during such period. This period is referred to herein as the “school year”.

All students who intend to participate in any athletic or activities program will be expected to abide by the above rules throughout the entire school year.

If a violation occurs:

• During the school year, but prior to the time the student is participating in a program, disciplinary action will be imposed when the student next participates in any program.
• During the time the student is actively participating in a program, disciplinary action will be imposed during that activity. If the current program ends before the disciplinary action is completed, the balance of the disciplinary action will carry over to the next program in which the student participates, including programs occurring during the next school year if necessary.
• During the time after the program in which the student participates has ended, the disciplinary action will be enforced when the student
• Next participates in any program, including programs occurring during the next school year if necessary.

The following consequences will occur if a violation of this policy is reported to the Athletic Director or coach/sponsor by a school staff member, the parent/guardian of the student involved, the involved student or law enforcement personnel. Although the consequences are categorized as first, second and third violations during the school year, any disciplinary action listed in any category may be imposed for any violation depending on the existing circumstances and the nature and extent of the violation.

First Offense:

• Notification of parent/guardian and student of disciplinary action by Athletic Director or coach/sponsor
• Loss of participation in at least 10% of next competitive events; (If the activity in which the student participates does not involve competitive events, the student may be barred from participating in the activity for such period of time deemed appropriate by the Athletic Director and sponsor)
• Drug and/or alcohol counseling if deemed appropriate by the Athletic Director
• Subject to special conditioning or other similar disciplinary action at coach’s or sponsor’s discretion

Second Offense:

• Notification of parent/guardian and student of disciplinary action by Athletic Director or coach/sponsor
• Loss of participation in at least 20% of next competitive events; (If the activity in which the student participates does not involve competitive events, the student may be barred from participating in the activity for such period of time deemed appropriate by the Athletic Director and sponsor)
• Drug and/or alcohol counseling if deemed appropriate by the Athletic Director
• Subject to special conditioning program or other similar disciplinary action at coach’s or sponsor’s discretion

Third Offense:

• Notification of parent/guardian and student of disciplinary action by Athletic Director or coach/sponsor
• Loss of participation in all athletics/activities for the remainder of the school year and up to loss of participation in all athletics/activities during the next school years or years
• Drug and/or alcohol counseling if deemed appropriate by the Athletic Director

Dodge City Middle School is a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association and will observe the Association’s rules. Listed below are a few of the rules that parents and athletes should keep in mind.

1. Any student, who reaches age fourteen on or before September 1, shall be ineligible for the seventh grade interscholastic sports program. Any student that reaches the age of fifteen on or before September 1, shall be ineligible for eighth grade interscholastic competition. If a problem with this rule applies to your child, there is a possibility of obtaining a hardship provision. Be sure to discuss this with the Athletic Director as soon as possible.
2. A student who is a member of a school athletic squad may not compete in the same sport outside of school. Be very careful of this rule, as it is probably the most easily violated. Church teams, fun runs, town teams, etc. are just a few examples. If you have questions about this, please check with the Athletic Director prior to competing on any team or in any event.
3. In general, busses will transport only those students who will actually participate in a contest out of town. Exceptions will only be approved by the Athletic Director and the coaches.
4. Students are not eligible to represent their school in any interscholastic activity until there is a signed Physical Form on file in the office.
5. Rule 52 of the Kansas State High School Activities Association is in effect at all activities at the Middle School. This rule, simply stated, says that all actions by those in attendance must be “for”, not “against”, “positive”, not “negative or disrespectful”. Any verbal or physical actions directed towards coaches, players, sponsors, officials, other fans, etc. which contribute to a “non- sportsmanlike” situation, will not be tolerated at DCMS and the person(s) responsible will be expected to leave the building when told to do so by an official of USD 443. There will be no exceptions.
6. Academic Eligibility – a student in grades 7 - 8 shall have passed a minimum of at least five classes the previous semester to meet academic eligibility requirements. In addition, a weekly grade check will be used to determine eligibility. A student whose name appears on the list with two “F’s” will be suspended from competition until at least one of the grades is raised. Teachers can send an email to the Coach and Athletic/Activities Director removing the student from the ineligibility list at any point during the suspension/probationary period. The student will be allowed to participate in contests if the email is received by 3 p.m. on the day before the contest. Eligibility will run for the entire week; Thursday through Thursday. If grade eligibility becomes a constant/recurring issue, the student may be suspended from the sport by the A.D.
7. The student must be in “Good Standing” with the school.

If a student is suspended from school, the student must complete the suspension period (school days) before being allowed to participate in school activities. Students are not to represent DCMS in any activity or sporting event on the day or days they are serving their suspension. A student becomes eligible again for participation on the next school day after they complete their suspension assignment. There can be no exceptions to this rule. Students may not attend practice while suspended from school. Further discipline action may be taken by the Athletic Department/Coaching Staff if deemed necessary.

Any student who does not attend all of his/her practice the day before a competition will not be permitted to play the following day/the day of the contest. Any student who does not attend school the day before, day of, or day after competition will not be allowed to attend/compete in the next competition. Any student who does not attend all of his/her classes the day of competition is not eligible to compete on that day. The Athletic Director must approve any special cases before the athlete may compete. Examples: funerals, dental appointment, etc.

Coaches may have other rules and guidelines that may apply to their individual sport or program. These will be available to athletes and parents at their first practice.

Parental support of the student’s participation in athletic and activity programs is essential. Parents of student participants are expected to know and enforce the rules of conduct governing the program or activity in which their student is involved.

A copy of these rules will be provided to the parent/guardian and the student. Parent/guardians, as well as other relatives and friends of a student participant, are encouraged to attend and support the programs and activities in which their student is involved. If, however, the conduct of such parent/guardian or relative is or becomes disruptive may be asked to leave the event and may be barred from further attendance.

Parents/guardians are expected to immediately report to the athletic director any condition
or circumstance which may affect their student’s participation in a program or activity.

Dodge City Middle School
2000 Sixth Avenue
Dodge City, KS 67801
Telephone (620) 471-2100
FAX: (620) 227-1731

REQUEST TO TRANSPORT STUDENT FROM GAME SITE OR ACTIVITY

7th or 8th Grade (Please Circle)

I, ______________________________________________________, request permission to transport my child,

_____________________________________, from the game site of on this date ____________________ .
 

Students will be released only if this form is completed and approved 24 hours in advance. Students will be released only to their parents at the site of the contest.

Please give a brief reason why student will not return on the bus.

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________              ____________________
Parent’s Signature                                                                      Date

__________________________________________              ____________________
Coach’s Signature                                                  Date

 ___________________________________________          _____________________
Athletic Director’s Signature                                                    Date

The athlete is responsible for all equipment that is checked out to him/her. If it is not returned, the participant will be charged for its replacement. Schoolwork comes before athletic practices and events. If a participant missed a class because of a competition, it is his/her responsibility to find out and complete all assignments before returning to class. An athletic contest is not an excuse for an unfinished homework assignment.

All students participating, or intending to participate, in any school-sponsored and/or KSHSAA supervised athletic or activities program including Basketball, Football, Track, Cross Country, Wrestling, Cheerleading, Volleyball, Soccer, Scholars’ Bowl, Orchestra, Band, Drill Team, Student Council, Vocal Music, and Athletic Training Program, shall:

1. Not consume or be in possession of any alcoholic beverage or rice cereal malt beverage
2. Not use, possesses, manufacture, distribute, or dispense any controlled substance, as defined by state or federal law, in any illegal manner
3. Not use or possess any form of tobacco products
4. Not violate any state or federal law, the commission of which would constitute a misdemeanor or felony if committed by an adult
5. Not be involved in any personal actions that could discredit the team, school or community
6. Not commit playing rule violations that endanger the life and safety of others

Any student who is under suspension or expulsion from class shall not participate in any athletic or activity program during the period of suspension from class. If a student misses all or part of a school day, he/she may not practice or participate in any athletic or activity program during the period of suspension from class. Each coach/sponsor may also establish other rules of conduct that are specific to his/her respective activity and which apply during their respective season, including but not limited to absences from practices, tardiness, disrespect for coaches or sponsors, lack of effort or attention, violation of team training rules and similar conduct. Disciplinary action for such individual program violations may be more severe than the general rules provided herein. If such disciplinary action involves removal of the student from the program, the procedural rules set out herein will apply.

These rules of conduct supplement and are in addition to rules of conduct and eligibility as imposed by KSHSAA.

Student participation in the school district’s athletic and activity programs is a privilege available to all students who are willing to make the type of commitment required and exercise the self-discipline necessary to comply with the rules of conduct established for the program. Such participation is not, however, a legal right. As such, participation is regulated by rules and regulations which are more stringent than those established for regular school attendance.

The following rules will apply to the student’s conduct at all times and places during the school year, and not just to conduct while on school property or at a school-sponsored event. If a violation of the following rules occurs on school property or at a school-sponsored activity, enforcement of these rules will be in addition to other disciplinary action which may be imposed under the general student conduct rules.

The purpose of these rules is to assist the student in obtaining the full extent of benefits to be gained from participation in the schools athletic and activity programs, while at the same time establishing conduct which will create a positive image for the program and the school in the eyes of the community.

Proper physical conditioning, development of concepts of team work and cooperation, self- restraint and self-discipline for one’s own betterment and for that of the team or group and the development of a positive image and self-esteem are but a few of the benefits to be derived from participation in such programs.

Students participating in school-sponsored athletics and activities are representatives of USD 443, and as such, are expected to conduct themselves at all times and at all places in such a manner so as to bring credit to themselves, their sport or activity, the school, and the community in general. Therefore, student conduct meeting the standards as set forth herein is expected and is a requirement for participation by the student.

The rules of conduct set forth below have been adopted by the Board of Education and may be changed or amended at any time by action of the Board of Education.

All school-sponsored trips will be made on school provided transportation to and from the contest, except where injury may require a release to a parent/guardian or school official. Any special requests for a student release to a parent/guardian will require the proper form filled out and approved by the Athletic Director and head coach prior to the trip. Only the Athletic Director will accept the approved release form. A coach/sponsor may not release a student at the site of the contest without prior authorization from the Athletic Director. A student cannot be released to anyone other than his or her parent or guardian.

ALL STUDENTS MUST BE IN PROPER UNIFORM when traveling with the team. Managers must remain in proper uniform during the games. Athletes will remain in proper uniform until they change into their sport uniform. Team specific shirts are permitted.