[SchoolMatters] Revisions to the athletic training rule

Mon May 7 08:13:42 EDT 2007

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This message is not an official communication of the Albemarle County School
Board. SchoolMatters is a private, e-mail newsletter written by Brian
Wheeler, At-Large Member of the Albemarle County School Board.  This
communication authorized by Brian Wheeler for School Board.
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[Want to share some public comments on this message?  See the weblog version
here: http://schoolmatters.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/05/trainingrule.html ]

The Albemarle County School Board will be discussing revisions to the
Athletic Training Rule at this Thursday's meeting.  A year after the tragic
death of Albemarle HS student Nolan Jenkins and the arrest of dozens of our
students for underage drinking at two parties, our staff have come forward
with a revised policy, not just for athletics but for all extracurricular
activities, that I think is a tremendous improvement.  I want to thank the
Superintendent's committee that worked so hard on these recommendations and
who carefully weighed all the legal, health, and instructional issues.

Download the recommendations:
http://www.wheeleronboard.com/docs/20070510TrainingRuleProposal.pdf

One aspect of the policy that has improved is that we now have a set of
graduated consequences that I think will lead to better behaviors, more
involvement by parents, and create the opportunity to connect students with
intervention resources.  A first offense is now a two week suspension from
the activity/sport AND  participation in a drug/alcohol counseling program
can get the student reinstated.  There is also an incentive to self-report
violations, "students who voluntarily request assistance from school
officials in connection with an alcohol, drug or tobacco incident may
receive reduced disciplinary consequences under this regulation at the
discretion of the principal." 

Again, I think this represents significant improvements over current policy.
I'd appreciate any feedback from the community in advance of the meeting as
that will help inform our discussions.

You may e-mail me at bwheeler at k12albemarle.org, or the entire School Board
at schoolboard at k12albemarle.org

Brian Wheeler

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Here are some highlights from the staff's recommendations which I have
copied from the staff report.

Background
The identified beliefs of our Division- in young people, excellence, respect
and community- define the important core values that must be inherent in any
changes to policy, procedure, and practice, within the parameters of law.
....
Students learn to meet expectations when they are held to high standards by
parents, teachers, coaches and mentors who teach the importance of
integrity, apply consequences when necessary, and intervene to provide
support if students' behavior is outside acceptable boundaries. The growth
and development over time of young people depends upon committed adults who
invest time in teaching and modeling the behaviors and dispositions of good
citizens.
....
Students who participate in athletic and other extracurricular activities
also are held through policy, procedure and practice to a high standard of
conduct on and off school grounds because they serve as role models for
others and they represent their school community in competitions and other
public activities.

Training Rule Executive Summary
The proposed revisions include these changes:
* Extension of the procedure to all students who participate in high school
extracurricular activities and athletic programs. The procedure does not
extend to co-curricular activities for which students receive grades and
credits towards graduation.
* The provision of an intervention option for students whose behaviors
violate the regulation supports and reinforces their participation in this
intervention program. The intervention program addresses risk behaviors
involving the use of illegal substances/underage drinking. This option
provides a tiered approach for first, second, and third offenses.
* Recognition that students who self-report the need for assistance in
addressing issues of underage drinking and/or use of illegal substances
should be encouraged through the regulation so that parents and school staff
can partner to provide that support.
* Alignment of the regulation with Virginia Code governing parental
authority regarding underage consumption of alcohol while under parental
supervision has been addressed.
* Maintenance of behavioral consequences for violating the regulation
recognizing that logical and natural consequences send appropriate message
about expectations and values for student conduct.

Students and parents will continue to sign a contract in which they agree to
abide by the regulation, student self-reporting of violations, and that they
understand the consequences of violating the regulation. Parents will not be
compelled through their signature to report violations of the regulation by
their children. However, it is noted that parents who work with school staff
to ensure that their children demonstrate integrity of behavior form
partnerships that model good character and citizenship.

Code of Conduct for Athletics and other Extracurricular Activities
VI. Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco [only excerpts shown]

1. First offense in student's high school-level participation:
a. A minimum of two (2) weeks suspension from participation in athletics or
other extracurricular program, including practice and competition...;

b. A student who agrees (with parental consent) to participate in a
drug/alcohol counseling and/or assessment program offered at school or at a
school-approved community agency may be reinstated to the athletic team or
other extracurricular program at the end of the two (2) week period. Any
student who does not agree to participate in such counseling and/or
assessment program shall be suspended from all athletic teams or other
extracurricular programs for thirty (30) days of participation or for the
remainder of the season or program, whichever is longer.

2. Second offense in student's high school-level participation:
a. A minimum of four (4) weeks suspension from participation in athletics or
other extracurricular program, including practice and competition...; 
b. A student who agrees (with parental consent) to participate in a
drug/alcohol counseling and/or assessment program offered at school or at a
school-approved community agency may be reinstated to the athletic team or
other extracurricular program at the end of the four (4) week period. Any
student who does not agree to participate in such counseling and/or
assessment program shall be suspended from all athletic teams or other
extracurricular programs for thirty (30) days of participation or for the
remainder of the season or program, whichever is longer. 

3. Third or subsequent offense in student's high school level participation:
a. Full suspension from all athletic activities and competitions and other
extracurricular program for a 365-day period;

4. In cases involving a first or second offense only, students who
voluntarily request assistance from school officials in connection with an
alcohol, drug or tobacco incident may receive reduced disciplinary
consequences under this regulation at the discretion of the principal,
provided that the request must come from the student or his/her
parents/guardian no later than the first school day after the incident
involving the unauthorized use of alcohol, performance enhancing drugs,
inhalants or controlled substances of any kind or tobacco. 

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Brian Wheeler
 <mailto:bwheeler at albemarlematters.com> bwheeler at albemarlematters.com
 <http://www.wheeleronboard.com/> http://www.wheeleronboard.com
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