Activities Information

Our handbook is created for all students and parents, to provide a clear understanding of our process and procedures in an effort to inform of expectations for students, staff and parents. This handbook is reviewed annually to accurately reflect changes as we grow and change.

View the 2023-2024 Activities Handbook

Download the 2023-2034 Activities Handbook

Student responsibility is vital to the success of the activities program.  Participants must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Follow the rules and procedures of Storm Activities, Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools, the Minnesota State High School League, and the Central Lakes Conference.

• Complete registration online prior to participating in an activity

  • exception: fine art program auditions (those participants will register the week after the cast list has been announced). 

  • try-outs require all registration materials to be completed. 

    • If a student does not make the team at the conclusion of the designated try-out period, their fee will be refunded.

• Display good sportsmanship and respect the judgment of supervising officials. The use of profanity and/or abusive language is unacceptable, making the student potentially subject to disciplinary action.

• Communicate questions and concerns by following the Storm Activities Communication Chain

• Communicate scheduling conflicts regarding both practices and games / performances to the coach/advisor as soon as possible.  

• Secure lockers in the locker room. Students may keep personal items in lockers, but are responsible for locking their lockers.

• Return all items (uniform and equipment) issued to participants to their coach/advisor no later than one week after the participant’s final day in the program. 

  • If items are not returned, an invoice and bill will be issued to the family for replacement of the item.

Graduation Credits

Academic Monitoring

Failures from a Previous Grading Period

Academic Dishonesty 

Students who knowingly commit any cheating in relation to their academic courses, are considered to have committed academic dishonesty or academic misconduct. This includes all forms of plagiarism. Academic dishonesty will be assessed as a Code of Responsibilities Violation (MSHSL or CLC), where penalties will be distributed to the student and violations will be served. Penalties assessed will be determined by the principal and activities director.

MSHSL Bylaw 205 – Chemical Eligibility

• At any time during the calendar year, a student shall not, regardless of the quantity: use or consume, have in possession a beverage containing alcohol; 

  • use or consume, have in possession tobacco; or, 

  • use or consume, have in possession, buy, sell or give away any other controlled substance or drug paraphernalia. 

  • use or consume, have in possession, buy, sell or give away products containing or products used to deliver nicotine, tobacco products and other chemicals.

    • “Tobacco products” means: any product containing, made, or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption, whether chewed, smoked, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means, or any component, part or accessory of a tobacco product. 

  • use or consume, have in possession, buy sell or give away any substance or product where the intent of such use of the substance or product is to induce intoxication, excitement, or stupefaction of the central nervous system, except under the direction and supervision of a medical doctor. Such substances or products shall include, but are not limited to, synthetic drugs, gasoline, glue, aerosol devices, bath salts, and any substances addressed by Minnesota or Federal Law.

MSHSL Bylaw 206 – Good Standing: Code of Responsibility

• Good Standing:  In order to be eligible for regular season and MSHSL tournament competition, a student must be in good standing.  Definition:  The term “Good Standing” shall mean that the student is eligible under all of the conditions and eligibility requirements of that school as well as the eligibility requirements of the Minnesota State High School League. 

• Student Code of Responsibilities:  Participation in interscholastic activities is a privilege, which is accompanied by responsibility.  As a student participating in MSHSL sponsored activities, I understand and accept the following responsibilities:

  • I will respect the rights and beliefs of others and will treat others with courtesy and consideration.

  • I will be fully responsible for my own actions and the consequences of my actions.

  • I will respect the rights and property of others.

  • I will respect and obey the rules of my school and the laws of my community, state and country.

  • I will show respect to those who are responsible for enforcing the rules of my school and the laws of my community, state and country.

The Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools Code of Conduct is a guide to student behavior. The Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools Board of Education creates and adopts policies to guide the actions of everyone in the district. The district team develops procedures to show how these policies will be implemented in the Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools and the superintendent, principals and program administrators can then add specific school guidelines and expectations. Teachers and other staff work with students to set and follow the expectations for how they work together in each classroom. Adult staff members are held to high standards of behavior and are subject to all applicable laws, board of education policies and human resources’ rules and practices. 

The rules and regulations regarding student behavior and discipline in this document fulfill the board of education’s policies as stated in Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools Board Policies. 

DOWNLOAD THE CODE OF CONDUCT

MSHSL Bylaw 209 - Sexual/Racial/Religious Harassment/Violence and Hazing 

The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe learning and working environment for students and staff that is free from hazing and religious, racial or sexual harassment and violence.  Hazing and harassment activities of any type are inconsistent with the educational goals of the school district and are prohibited at all times.

General Statement of Policy:

• No student, coach, or advisor of the school district shall plan, direct, encourage, aid, or engage in hazing.                 

• No student, coach, or advisor of the school district shall permit, condone, or tolerate hazing.

• Apparent permission or consent by a person being hazed does not lessen the prohibitions contained in this policy.

• This policy applies to behavior that occurs on or off school property and during and after school hours.

• A person who engages in an act that violates school policy or law in order to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization shall be subject to discipline for that act.

• The school district will act to investigate all complaints of hazing and will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, coach, or advisor of the school district who is found to have violated this policy.

A safe and civil environment is needed for students to learn and attain high academic standards and to promote healthy human relationships.

PRINTABLE PDF

1. PURPOSE
   
   A safe and civil environment is needed for students to learn and attain high academic standards and to promote healthy human relationships. Bullying, like other violent or disruptive behavior, is conduct that interferes with a student’s ability to learn and/or a teacher’s ability to educate students in a safe environment. The school district cannot monitor the activities of students at all times and eliminate all incidents of bullying between students, particularly when students are not under the direct supervision of school personnel. However, to the extent such conduct affects the educational environment of the school district and the rights and welfare of its students and is within the control of the school district in its normal operations, the school district intends to prevent bullying and to take action to investigate, respond to and remediate, and discipline for those acts of bullying which have not been successfully prevented. The purpose of this policy is to assist the school district in its goal of preventing and responding to acts of bullying, intimidation, violence, reprisal, retaliation, and other similar disruptive and detrimental behavior.
    
2. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
    
   1. An act of bullying, by either an individual student or a group of students, is expressly prohibited:
      1. on school premises, at school functions or activities, or on the school transportation.
          
      2. by the use of electronic technology and communications on the school premises, during the school functions or activities, on the school transportation, or on the school computers, networks, forums, and mailing lists; or
          
      3. by use of electronic technology and communications off the school premises to the extent such use substantially and materially disrupts student learning or the school environment.
          
   2. A school-aged child who voluntarily participates in a public school activity, such as a cocurricular or extracurricular activity, is subject tot he policy provisions applicable to the public school students participating in the activity.
       
   3. This policy applies not only to students who directly engage in an act of bullying but also to students who, by their indirect behavior, condone or support another student’s act of bullying.  This policy also applies to any student whose conduct at any time or in any place constitutes bullying or other prohibited conduct that interferes with or obstructs the mission or operations of the school district or the safety or welfare of any student, or materially and substantially interferes with a student’s educational opportunities or performance or ability to participate in school functions or activities or receive school benefits, services, or privileges. This policy also applies to an act of cyberbullying regardless of whether such act is committed on or off school district property and/or with or without the use of school district resources. This policy also applies to sexual exploitation.
       
   4. Malicious and sadistic conduct involving race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, religion, sexual harassment, and sexual orientation and gender identity as defined in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 363A is prohibited.  This prohibition applies to students, independent contractors, teachers, administrators, and other school personnel.
       
   5. No teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor, or other employee of the school district shall, permit, condone, or tolerate bullying.
       
   6. Apparent permission or consent by a student being bullied does not lessen or negate the prohibitions contained in this policy.
       
   7. Retaliation against a victim, good faith reporter, or a witness of bullying is prohibited.
       
   8. False accusations or reports of bullying against another student are prohibited.
       
   9. A person who engages in an act of bullying, reprisal, retaliation, or false reporting of bullying or permits, condones, or tolerates bullying shall be subject to discipline or other remedial responses for that act in accordance with the school district’s policies and procedures, including the school district’s discipline policy (See Policy 506). The school district may take into account the following factors:
       
      1. The developmental ages and maturity levels of the parties involved;
          
      2. The levels of harm, surrounding circumstances, and nature of the behavior;
          
      3. Past incidences or past or continuing patterns of behavior;
          
      4. The relationship between the parties involved; and
          
      5. The context in which the alleged incidents occurred.
         
         Consequences for students who commit prohibited acts of bullying may range from remedial responses or positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension and/or expulsion. The school district shall employ research-based developmentally appropriate best practices that include preventative and remedial measures and effective discipline for deterring violations of this policy, apply throughout the school district, and foster student, parent, and community participation.
         
         Consequences for employees who permit, condone, or tolerate bullying or engage in an act of reprisal or intentional false reporting of bullying may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or discharge.
         
         Consequences for other individuals engaging in prohibited acts of bullying may include, but not be limited to, exclusion from school district property and events.
          
   10. The school district will act to investigate all complaints of bullying reported to the school district and will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor, or other employee of the school district who is found to have violated this policy.
        
3. DEFINITIONS
   
   For purposes of this policy, the definitions included in this section apply.
    
   1. “Bullying,” means intimidating, threatening, abusive, or harming conduct that is objectively offensive and:
      1. an actual or perceived imbalance of power exists between the student engaging in the prohibited conduct and the target of the prohibited conduct, and the conduct is repeated or forms a pattern; or
          
      2. materially and substantially interferes with a student’s educational opportunities or performance or ability to participate in school functions or activities or receive school benefits, services, or privileges.
         
         The term, “bullying,” specifically includes cyberbullying, malicious and sadistic conduct and sexual exploitation.
          
   2. “Cyberbullying” means bullying using technology or other electronic communication, including, but not limited to, a transfer of a sign, signal, writing, image, sound, or data, including a post on a social network Internet website or forum, transmitted through a computer, cell phone, or other electronic device. The term applies to prohibited conduct which occurs on school premises, on school district property, at school functions or activities, on school transportation, or on school computers, networks, forums, and mailing lists, or off school premises to the extent that it substantially and materially disrupts student learning or the school environment.
       
   3. “Immediately” means as soon as possible but in no event longer than 24 hours.
       
   4. “Intimidating, threatening, abusive, or harming conduct” means, but is not limited to, conduct that does the following:
       
      1. Causes physical harm to a student or a student’s property or causes a student to be in reasonable fear of harm to person or property;
          
      2. Under Minnesota common law, violates a student’s reasonable expectation of privacy, defames a student, or constitutes intentional infliction of emotional distress against a student; or
          
      3. Is directed at any student or students, including those based on a person’s actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, sex, marital status, familial status, socioeconomic status, physical appearance, sexual orientation including gender identity and expression, academic status related to student performance, disability, or status with regard to public assistance, age, or any additional characteristic defined in the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA).  However, prohibited conduct need not be based on any particular characteristic defined in this paragraph or the MHRA.
          
   5. "Malicious and sadistic conduct" means creating a hostile learning environment by acting with the intent to cause harm by intentionally injuring another without just cause or reason or engaging in extreme or excessive cruelty or delighting in cruelty.
       
   6. “On school premises, on school district property, at school functions or activities, or on school transportation” means all school district buildings, school grounds, and school property or property immediately adjacent to school grounds, school bus stops, school buses, school vehicles, school contracted vehicles, or any other vehicles approved for school district purposes, the area of entrance or departure from school grounds, premises, or events, and all school-related functions, school-sponsored activities, events, or trips. School district property also may mean a student’s walking route to or from school for purposes of attending school or school-related functions, activities, or events.  While prohibiting bullying at these locations and events, the school district does not represent that it will provide supervision or assume liability at these locations and events.
       
   7. “Prohibited conduct” means bullying or cyberbullying, malicious and sadistic conduct, and sexual exploitation, or retaliation or reprisal for asserting, alleging, reporting, or providing information about such conduct or knowingly making a false report about prohibited conduct.
       
   8. “Remedial response” means a measure to stop and correct prohibited conduct, prevent prohibited conduct from recurring, and protect, support, and intervene on behalf of a student who is the target or victim of prohibited conduct.
       
   9. H. “Student” means a student enrolled in a public school or a charter school.
       
4. REPORTING PROCEDURE
    
   1. Any person who believes they have been the target or victim of bullying or any person with knowledge or belief of conduct that may constitute bullying or prohibited conduct under this policy shall report the alleged acts immediately to an appropriate school district official designated by this policy.  A person may report bullying anonymously. However, the school district may not rely solely on an anonymous report to determine discipline or other remedial responses.
       
   2. The school district encourages the reporting party or complainant to use the report form available from the principal or building supervisor of each building or available in the school district office, but oral reports shall be considered complaints as well.
       
   3. The building principal, the principal’s designee, or the building supervisor (hereinafter the “building report taker”) is the person responsible for receiving reports of bullying or other prohibited conduct at the building level.  Any person may report bullying or other prohibited conduct directly to a school district human rights officer or the superintendent.  If the complaint involves the building report taker, the complaint shall be made or filed directly with the superintendent or the school district human rights officer by the reporting party or complainant.
      
      The building report taker shall ensure that this policy and its procedures, practices, consequences, and sanctions are fairly and fully implemented and shall serve as the primary contact on policy and procedural matters. The building report taker or a third party designated by the school district shall be responsible for the investigation. The building report taker shall provide information about available community resources to the target or victim of the bullying or other prohibited conduct, the perpetrator, and other affected individuals as appropriate.
       
   4. A teacher, school administrator, volunteer, contractor, or other school employee shall be particularly alert to possible situations, circumstances, or events that might include bullying.  Any such person who witnesses, observes, receives a report of, or has other knowledge or belief of conduct that may constitute bullying or other prohibited conduct shall make reasonable efforts to address and resolve the bullying or prohibited conduct and shall inform the building report taker immediately.  School district personnel who fail to inform the building report taker of conduct that may constitute bullying or other prohibited conduct or who fail to make reasonable efforts to address and resolve the bullying or prohibited conduct in a timely manner may be subject to disciplinary action.
       
   5. Reports of bullying or other prohibited conduct are classified as private educational and/or personnel data and/or confidential investigative data and will not be disclosed except as permitted by law.  The building report taker, in conjunction with the responsible authority, shall be responsible for keeping and regulating access to any report of bullying and the record of any resulting investigation.
       
   6. Submission of a good faith complaint or report of bullying or other prohibited conduct will not affect the complainant’s or reporter’s future employment, grades, work assignments, or educational or work environment.
       
   7. The school district will respect the privacy of the complainant(s), the individual(s) against whom the complaint is filed, and the witnesses as much as possible, consistent with the school district’s obligation to investigate, take appropriate action, and comply with any legal disclosure obligations.
       
5. SCHOOL DISTRICT ACTION
    
   1. Within three days of the receipt of a complaint or report of bullying or other prohibited conduct, the school district shall undertake or authorize an investigation investigation by the building report taker or a third party designated by the school district.
       
   2. The building report taker or other appropriate school district officials may take immediate steps, at their discretion, to protect the target or victim of the bullying or other prohibited conduct, the complainant, the reporter, students and/or others, pending completion of an investigation of the bullying or other prohibited conduct, consistent with applicable law.
       
   3. The alleged perpetrator of the bullying or other prohibited conduct shall be allowed the opportunity to present a defense during the investigation or prior to the imposition of discipline or other remedial responses.
       
   4. Upon completion of an investigation that determines that bullying or other prohibited conduct has occurred, the school district will take appropriate action. Such action may include, but is not limited to, warning, suspension, exclusion, expulsion, transfer, remediation, termination, or discharge. Disciplinary consequences will be sufficiently severe to try to deter violations and to appropriately discipline prohibited conduct. Remedial responses to the bullying or other prohibited conduct shall be tailored to the particular incident and nature of the conduct and shall take into account the factors specified in Section II.F. of this policy. School district action taken for violation of this policy will be consistent with the requirements of applicable collective bargaining agreements; applicable statutory authority, including the Minnesota Pupil Fair Dismissal Act; the student discipline policy (See MSBA/MASA Model Policy 506) and other applicable school district policies and applicable regulations.
       
   5. The school district is not authorized to disclose to a victim private educational or personnel data regarding an alleged perpetrator who is a student or employee of the school district. School officials are encouraged to notify the parent(s) or guardian(s) of students who are targets of bullying or other prohibited conduct and the parent(s) or guardian(s) of alleged perpetrators of bullying or other prohibited conduct who have been involved in a reported and confirmed bullying incident of the remedial or disciplinary action taken, to the extent permitted by law.
       
   6. In order to prevent or respond to bullying or other prohibited conduct committed by or directed against a child with a disability, the school district shall, when determined appropriate by the child’s individualized education program (IEP) team or Section 504 team, allow the child’s IEP or Section 504 plan to be drafted to address the skills and proficiencies the child needs as a result of the child’s disability to allow the child to respond to or not to engage in bullying or other prohibited conduct.
       
6. RETALIATION OR REPRISAL
   
   The school district will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor, or other employee of the school district who commits an act of reprisal or who retaliates against any person who asserts, alleges, or makes a good faith report of alleged bullying or prohibited conduct, who provides information about bullying or prohibited conduct, who testifies, assists, or participates in an investigation of alleged bullying or prohibited conduct, or who testifies, assists, or participates in a proceeding or hearing relating to such bullying or prohibited conduct. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, any form of intimidation, reprisal, harassment, or intentional disparate treatment. Disciplinary consequences will be sufficiently severe to deter violations and to appropriately discipline the individual(s) who engaged in the prohibited conduct. Remedial responses to the prohibited conduct shall be tailored to the particular incident and nature of the conduct and shall take into account the factors specified in Section II.F. of this policy.
    
7. TRAINING AND EDUCATION
    
   1. The school district shall discuss this policy with school personnel and volunteers and provide appropriate training to school district personnel regarding this policy. The school district shall establish a training cycle for school personnel to occur during a period not to exceed every three school years.  Newly employed school personnel must receive the training within the first year of their employment with the school district. The school district or a school administrator may accelerate the training cycle or provide additional training based on a particular need or circumstance. This policy should be included in employee handbooks, training materials, and publications on school rules, procedures, and standards of conduct, which materials shall also be used to publicize this policy.
       
   2. The school district shall require ongoing professional development, consistent with Minnesota Statutes section122A.60, to build the skills of all school personnel who regularly interact with students to identify, prevent, and appropriately address bullying and other prohibited conduct. Such professional development includes, but is not limited to, the following:
       
      1. Developmentally appropriate strategies both to prevent and to immediately and effectively intervene to stop prohibited conduct;
          
      2. The complex dynamics affecting a perpetrator, target, and witnesses to prohibited conduct;
          
      3. Research on prohibited conduct, including specific categories of students at risk for perpetrating or being the target or victim of bullying or other prohibited conduct in school;
          
      4. The incidence and nature of cyberbullying; and
          
      5. Internet safety and cyberbullying.
          
   3. The school district will provide education and information to students regarding bullying, including information regarding this school district policy prohibiting bullying, the harmful effects of bullying, and other applicable initiatives to prevent bullying and other prohibited conduct.
       
   4. The administration of the school district is encouraged to implement programs and other initiatives to prevent bullying, to respond to bullying in a manner that does not stigmatize the target or victim, and to make resources or referrals to resources available to targets or victims of bullying.
       
   5. The administration is encouraged to provide developmentally appropriate instruction and is directed to review programmatic instruction to determine if adjustments are necessary to help students identify and prevent or reduce bullying and other prohibited conduct, to value diversity in school and society, to develop and improve students’ knowledge and skills for solving problems, managing conflict, engaging in civil discourse, and recognizing, responding to, and reporting bullying or other prohibited conduct, and to make effective prevention and intervention programs available to students.
      
      The administration is encouraged to establish strategies for creating a positive school climate and use evidence-based social-emotional learning to prevent and reduce discrimination and other improper conduct.
      
      The administration is encouraged, to the extent practicable, to take such actions as it may deem appropriate to accomplish the following:
       
      1. Engage all students in creating a safe and supportive school environment;
          
      2. Partner with parents and other community members to develop and implement prevention and intervention programs;
          
      3. Engage all students and adults in integrating education, intervention, and other remedial responses into the school environment;
          
      4. Train student bystanders to intervene in and report incidents of bullying and other prohibited conduct to the schools’ primary contact person;
          
      5. Teach students to advocate for themselves and others;
          
      6. Prevent inappropriate referrals to special education of students who may engage in bullying or other prohibited conduct; and
          
      7. Foster student collaborations that, in turn, foster a safe and supportive school climate.
          
   6. The school district may implement violence prevention and character development education programs to prevent or reduce policy violations.  Such programs may offer instruction on character education including, but not limited to, character qualities such as attentiveness, truthfulness, respect for authority, diligence, gratefulness, self-discipline, patience, forgiveness, respect for others, peacemaking, and resourcefulness.
       
   7. The school district shall inform affected students and their parents of rights they may have under state and federal data practices laws to obtain access to data related to an incident and their right to contest the accuracy or completeness of the data.  The school district may accomplish this requirement by inclusion of all or applicable parts of its protection and privacy of pupil records policy (See Policy 515) in the student handbook.
       
8. NOTICE
    
   1. The school district will give annual notice of this policy to students, parents or guardians, and staff, and this policy shall appear in the student handbook.
       
   2. This policy must be posted throughout each school building, on the district website, in the administrative offices of the district and in the office of each school on the school district website.
       
   3. This policy must be distributed to each school or district employee and independent contractor at the time of hiring or contracting. 
       
   4. Notice of the rights and responsibilities of students and their parents under this policy should be included in the student discipline policy (See Policy 506) distributed and/or made available to parents at the beginning of each school year.
       
   5. This policy shall be available to all parents and other school community members in an electronic format in the language appearing on the school district’s website.
       
   6. Each school must develop a process for discussing this policy with students, parents/guardians of students, independent contractors, and school employees.
       
   7. The school district shall provide an electronic copy of its most recently amended policy to the Commissioner of Education.
       
9. POLICY REVIEW
   
   To the extent practicable, the school board shall, on a cycle consistent with other school district policies, review and revise this policy. The policy shall be made consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.031 and 121A.0312 other applicable law.
    

Legal References:

Minn. Stat. Ch. 13 (Minnesota Government Data Practices Act)
Minn. Stat. § 120A.05, Subds. 9, 11, 13, and 17 (Definitions)
Minn. Stat. § 120B.232 (Character Development Education)
Minn. Stat. § 121A.03 (Model Policy)
Minn. Stat. § 121A.031 (School Student Bullying Policy)
Minn. Stat. § 121A.0312 (Malicious and Sadistic Content)
Minn. Stat. § 121A.0311 (Notice of the Rights and Responsibilities of Students and Parents under the Safe and Supportive Minnesota Schools Act)
Minn. Stat. §§ 121A.40-121A.56 (Pupil Fair Dismissal Act)
Minn. Stat. § 121A.69 (Hazing Policy)
Minn. Stat. Ch. 124E (Charter Schools)
Minn. Stat. Ch. 363A (Minnesota Human Rights Act)
20 U.S.C. § 1232g et seq. (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
34 C.F.R. §§ 99.1 - 99.67 (Family Educational Rights and Privacy)

Cross References:

MSBA/MASA Model Policy 403 (Discipline, Suspension, and Dismissal of School District Employees)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 413 (Harassment and Violence)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 414 (Mandated Reporting of Child Neglect or Physical or Sexual Abuse)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 415 (Mandated Reporting of Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 423 (Employee-Student Relationships)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 501 (School Weapons Policy)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 506 (Student Discipline)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 507 (Corporal Punishment)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 515 (Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 521 (Student Disability Nondiscrimination)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 522 (Title IX Sex Nondiscrimination Policy)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 524 (Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 525 (Violence Prevention)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 526 (Hazing Prohibition)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 529 (Staff Notification of Violent Behavior by Students)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 709 (Student Transportation Safety Policy)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 711 (Video Recording on School Buses)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 712 (Video Surveillance Other Than on Buses)
 

Adopted/Revised/Reviewed:

ISD 47 Revised 03.11.13
ISD 47 Revised 03.10.14
ISD 47 Revised 07.21.14
ISD 47 Revised 07.20.15
ISD 47 Revised 06.20.16
ISD 47 Revised 07.17.17
ISD 47 Revised 05.14.18
ISD 47 Reviewed 05.13.19
ISD 47 Reviewed 08.10.20
ISD 47 Revised 06.21.21
ISD 47 Revised 04.25.22
ISD 47 Revised 06.27.22
ISD 47 Revised 08.07.23

Any unexcused absence during the school day may impact participation in activities. School-sponsored activities are considered class periods. No early release will be given for students leaving for an activity to get clothes, food, et cetera. 

Activities participants are expected to be at all practices, competitions, and performances.  Absences and tardies, whether excused or unexcused, may impact participation. Consistent attendance is critical to the overall success of Storm Activities, because:

• Important information is shared at each practice, competition, and performance

• Practices prepare individuals to be both safe and help their programs be competitive/successful

• Consistent attendance demonstrates accountability, a desire for growth, and pride

Individuals who anticipate consistent scheduling conflicts due to their participation in multiple, same season activities, must communicate these conflicts with their program’s head coach/advisor to determine if participation in both of those activities is viable.

Coaches/Advisors have the right and responsibility to remove participants from their team who are not meeting team rules and guidelines. The coach/advisor will contact the activities director and parents/guardians about the suspension or dismissal.

Removing a participant from the activity for more than one day requires that the coach/advisor meet with the activities director to discuss the situation.  At this meeting, the coach/advisor may request that the participant be removed for a longer period of time, a plan to discuss the situation with parents/guardians will be made and the future participation of the student will be discussed.

When a student is in violation of the MSHSL eligibility rules, due process, as defined in the MSHSL handbook, will be followed.

Medical Notes

(*Medical doctor, clinical psychologist, physician assistant or nurse practitioner who has seen or treated the student) 

Concussions

If a student is suspected of having a concussion or has been diagnosed with a concussion, it is mandatory that the student is seen by a medical professional (doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner) to be cleared to return to action. This clearance must come from a medical practice office to the activities office or main school office, via hard copy, email, or fax upon the student’s return to school. Return to Play plans will be enacted on any student that has been diagnosed with a concussion and should be given by the participant’s doctor. Coaches, parents/guardians and athletic trainers may not clear a student to return to action after they have been diagnosed with a concussion.

Earning a varsity letter entails demonstrating Character, Commitment and Contribution to a varsity program. 

Lettering Criteria

At any point participant:

• Competed or performed at the highest level SRR offered in a given activity,

• Had zero unexcused absences from practices/competitions/performances/etc, and

• Was eligible for all contests.

Coaches/Advisors have the ability to elevate an individual to earn a letter, but do not have the ability to remove a letter from an individual who met this criterion.

Definition: In Sauk Rapids-Rice Activities, being a captain means a participant:

• Is committed to their program and their growth as a leader

• Leads by example in their academic performance

• Display the school’s core values of student engagement, respect, and responsibility

Captainship is earned by meeting the following criteria.

Junior Criteria 

• Must have participated in the activity during the previous school year

• Must have achieved a 3.00 or higher GPA during their sophomore year

• Must have less than two (2) major discipline referrals (during student’s sophomore and junior years combined)

• No school suspensions during sophomore or junior year (in school or out of school) 

• No MSHSL chemical violations and no MSHSL Code of Responsibility Violations during sophomore or junior year 

• Consistently meets the school’s core values of student engagement, respect, and responsibility

Lack of attendance at Captain’s Council Meetings may impact captainship

Senior Criteria 

• Must have participated in the activity during the previous school year

• Must have achieved a 3.00 or higher GPA during their sophomore year

• Must have less than two (2) major discipline referrals (during student’s sophomore and junior years combined)

• No school suspensions during sophomore or junior year (in school or out of school) 

• No MSHSL chemical violations and No MSHSL Code of Responsibility Violations during sophomore or junior year 

• Consistently meets the school’s core values of student engagement, respect, and responsibility

Lack of attendance at Captain’s Council Meetings may impact captainship

All participants are expected to ride district transportation (bus, van or suburban) with the team to and from events on trips where transportation is provided by the district.  Under no circumstances should a coach/advisor permit a student to arrive or leave from a contest with other students or to drive themselves when district transportation is provided. Any transportation outside of the team-provided transportation to and from events needs to be arranged ahead of time with the activities office.

7-12 Combined Programs: Dance, Cross Country, Swimming, Gymnastics

These programs have combined middle and high school levels to ensure opportunity for all students. In 7–12 combined programs, students are eligible to compete without the use of the acceleration protocol.

9-12 Programs without Middle School Programs: One-Act Play, Hockey (10-12), Lacrosse

Students in 7th and 8th grade are strongly encouraged to participate in programs available at their level. While MSHSL rules state that all 7-12 students are eligible to participate in the 9-12 program, these activities will follow the acceleration protocol listed below.

9-12 Programs with Separate Middle School Programs: Tennis, Soccer, Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Baseball, Golf, Speech, Track & Field, Wrestling

Guideline:  It is the general protocol of Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools not to accelerate students from middle school programs to high school MSHSL programs.

The decision to accelerate students from the middle school program to the high school program should be taken seriously by examining the following considerations:

• Physical abilities and emotional needs of the student(s)

• Effect on both middle school and high school programs

• Safety of the student and participants in that program

• Academic performance of the student(s)

Procedure for Acceleration:  In the rare instances where acceleration will be considered from a middle school program to a high school program, these procedures must be followed:

The head coach will initiate in writing the proposed acceleration to both the middle school and high school activities directors. 

• The two activities directors will conduct a review to determine the feasibility of the proposed acceleration according to the guidelines established.  The decision to accelerate must be reached through consensus.

• If the recommendation is to further consider acceleration, the parents/guardians and the student will then be notified by the high school activities director.  If the parents/guardians and student do not concur with the recommendation, the process ends.  If the student and their parents/guardians concur with a recommendation to accelerate, the student will be moved to the appropriate level.

• Once the student has been accelerated, the student will have a two-week evaluation period.  At the end of that time, a final decision on placement for the season shall be made.

The district resolution process has been developed for the purposes of establishing and maintaining positive lines of communication between the school, students, and their parents/guardians.

If participants have questions or concerns, they are encouraged to connect with their coach/advisor as soon as possible.  If parents/guardians have questions, they are encouraged to reach out to their coach/advisor to first seek clarification. If a meeting becomes appropriate as determined by the coach/advisor, that coach/advisor will work to share with parents/guardians specific times when they are available during the work day because the district does not believe it is acceptable to interrupt classes in order to process an extra-curricular conflict.

Questions that arise must not be addressed during or immediately following a contest.  Event sites, practice areas, lobbies or locker rooms are not appropriate places to have these conversations. Coaches/Advisors, parents/guardians and students are not to meet at these times or places, but rather to set up a later meeting date.

Playing/Performance time is not a topic that is open for discussion.

*If questions arise over something your child has told you, please make sure you have the complete story from your child and that your child is with you if a potential resolution meeting becomes appropriate.

Steps for Resolution

• Step One (Participant and Coach/Advisor)

  • The participant will connect with their coach/advisor to share their question or concern.

• Step Two (Participant and Coach/Advisor)

  • A meeting between the participant and coach/advisor will be scheduled or held to answer questions that are initiated by either the student or the coach/advisor. 

• Step Three (Participant, Parent/Guardian and Coach/Advisor) 

  • A meeting between the coach/advisor, the parent/guardian and the participant will be held or scheduled.  The parent/guardian, participant, or coach/advisor can initiate this meeting.

• Step Four (Participant, Parent/Guardian, Coach/Advisor and Activities Director)

  • A meeting with the activities director may be held/scheduled if any one of the three parties (parent/guardian, participant, or coach/advisor) still feels that the concerns or questions have not been resolved.

• Step Five (Participant, Parent/Guardian, Coach/Advisor, Activities Director and Principal)

  • A meeting with the building principal will be held/scheduled if the issues or questions persist.  The building principal, along with the activities director, will be asked to mediate the issue.

• Step Six (Superintendent)

  • If the issues or questions still have not been resolved, they will then be referred to the Superintendent and if they choose, to the Board of Education.

* At any step in the process, when an issue or question has been resolved, the resolution should be communicated to the affected parties.

Guidelines for a Resolution Meeting

In any meeting between parent/guardian, student, and coach/advisor:

• Conversations must be respectful and appropriate in nature or the meeting will need to be rescheduled.

• Participants are encouraged to be open-minded and keep the goals of the entire program in mind.

For purposes of data privacy, discussions will focus on the parent’s/guardian’s student or child and not on other players or participants.

All equipment and supplies that are purchased by the school district or booster clubs for district programs, are property of the district. Any equipment or supplies handed out to participants is to be returned at the end of the participant’s season. 

Storm Activity programs may issue equipment and/or uniforms during this season. All items issued to participants are to be returned no later than one week after the participant’s final day in the program. If items are not returned, an invoice and bill will be issued to the family for replacement of the item. Middle school uniforms average $75 for replacement, and high school uniforms average approximately $150 - $200 to replace per uniform color. Also, any equipment not returned will be subject to family replacement at a single item cost. This invoice, if not paid within 30 days of the season completion, will be assessed to the family’s district Skyward account.