Activities Information

Mission

Storm Activities is dedicated to providing high-quality, competitive, and growth-focused experiences for students in education-based activities.  

Vision

By utilizing coaches, advisors, support staff, and administrative personnel, Storm Activities will create supportive and growth-focused environments.  As a result, Sauk Rapids-Rice (SRR) Activities will:

• Provide a rallying point for the student body, faculty and staff, alumni, and community.
• Field programs that prepare to perform and compete at the highest level.
• Support the development of participants in their academic, athletic, and personal achievements.
• Be a department that aligns its core values with the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), Central Lakes Conference (CLC), Region 8AA, and ISD47.

Core Values

• School Engagement
• Actively and appropriately participate in all aspects of our school community.
• Respect
• Show consideration and acceptance for all members of our school community.
• Responsibility
• Demonstrate integrity in relationships, actions, and academics. 

Membership

Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools are participating members of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), the Central Lakes Conference (CLC), and other activity-specific governing bodies. The rules and guidelines of these organizations apply to all sanctioned activities within the district.

Definitions

Activities are programs of involvement that can be in correlation or outside of the school day, and are associated with the school district. 

There are various types of activities for students to participate in, which are both extracurricular and co-curricular in nature.  

• Extracurricular activities are those that happen entirely outside of the academic day and are not associated with a class or earning a credit. 
• Co-curricular activities are those that are associated with a course of study in the academic school day, and may also include credits earned. 

Within extracurricular and co-curricular activities, there are 

• MSHSL Sports
• Non-MSHSL Activities
• Clubs
• MSHSL Fine Arts
• Non-Competitive Activities
• Competitive Co-Curriculars

There are no MSHSL sports or fine arts that are considered co-curricular, but the other categories will have crossovers between extra and co-curriculars, depending on the program and courses offered within our school.

MSHSL Sports

• Are competitive in nature, include practices and contests and are scheduled at home and away
• Have postseason experience outlined through an MSHSL region
• Are governed by the MSHSL and follow National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules and regulations
• Are overseen by the activities office

MSHSL Fine Arts

• Are competition-based activities that may be associated with classes and clubs 
• May include practices and multiple contests, however there are some that only have one competition recognized by the MSHSL
• Have state and postseason experience outlined through an MSHSL region
• Are governed by the MSHSL
• Are overseen by the activities office

Competitive Activities

• Have practices and contests both home and away
• Competes against other schools and organizations
• Have a postseason experience
• Does not have a curricular element or partner with a course
• Governed by a certified organization
• Overseen by the activities office

Non-Competitive Activities 

• Have regular practices and an event or multiple events that are a culmination of the practices throughout a season
• Does not have a curricular element or partner with a course
• Not governed by a certified organization, but may be affiliated through a license membership
• Overseen by the activities office

Clubs
Non-competitive group that gathers for a common purpose
Not related to any curricular opportunities and do not travel for competition
Overseen by the principal’s office

Co-Curriculars 

• An in-school opportunity that gathers for a common purpose 
• Might not have curriculum base, however, the group operates during the school day and benefits the school in non-academic ways
• Have a designated advisor
• Overseen by the principal’s or activities office

Competitive Co-Curriculars

• Travels and practices, but also has a tie to curriculum and classroom activity
• Students often have to participate in the class prior to being involved in this activity
• Governed by a nationwide organization, have a postseason experience
• Overseen by the principal’s office.
   

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

• Follow the policies and procedures of Storm Activities, Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools, the Minnesota State High School League, and the Central Lakes Conference.
• Display good sportsmanship.
• Respect the judgment of supervising officials. 
• Positively represent Sauk Rapids-Rice with our language and actions.
• Communicate questions and concerns by following the Storm Activities communication process
• Attend all team functions (i.e. practices, competitions, lifting/training sessions, etc.)
• In unique circumstances, if a scheduling conflict arises, participants are responsible for communicating this with their coaches/advisors as soon as possible.
• Speak positively about peers, coaches/advisors, and programs.
• Come prepared for practices and competitions/performances.
• Work to grow individually and support the growth of the program.
• 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.

Storm Activities is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for participants while preparing individuals and teams to perform at their highest potential. As participants progress through our programs, the emphasis gradually shifts from participation and skill development to increased competition and performance.

Varsity Level

The varsity level represents the highest level of competition within Storm Activities.

At the varsity level:

• Participation is a privilege.
• Team success and competitive performance are prioritized.
• The coaching staff make participation, performance, and playing time decisions based on what they believe best supports the team and program.
• Participants are expected to demonstrate a high level of commitment, preparation, accountability, and leadership.
• Opportunities are earned through the ability to contribute to team success.
• Programs strive to compete for conference, section, state, and other performance-based goals.
• Participants serve as representatives of their school, team, and community.
• All participants must meet program, school, and eligibility expectations.
• Playing time is not guaranteed and may vary significantly.
• Tryouts and team evaluations may be necessary.

Junior Varsity Level

The junior varsity level serves as a bridge between developmental participation and varsity competition.

At the junior varsity level:

• Participation is a privilege.
• Development and competition are both priorities.
• Participants are expected to develop the skills, habits, and understanding necessary for future varsity participation.
• The coaching staff makes participation and playing time decisions based on what they believe best supports the development and competitiveness of the team.
• Playing time is not guaranteed and may vary significantly.
• Team success and competitiveness remain important components of the junior varsity experience.
• Tryouts and team evaluations may be necessary.
• All participants must meet program, school, and eligibility expectations.

B-Squad / C-Squad Level

The B-Squad or C-Squad level provides participants with opportunities to develop skills and gain experience within a competitive team environment.

At the B-Squad/C-Squad level:

• Participation is a privilege.
• Skill development, team development, and competitive growth are prioritized.
• Participants are encouraged to develop the habits and skills necessary for advancement within the program.
• Playing time is not guaranteed and remains at the discretion of the coaching staff.
• Competition is viewed as an important part of participant growth and development.
• Tryouts and team evaluations may be necessary.
• All participants must meet program, school, and eligibility expectations.

Middle School Level (Grades 7-8)

The middle school level serves as a precursor to high school Storm Activities and provides opportunities for students to learn, grow, and develop through participation.

At the middle school level:

• Participation is a privilege.
• Emphasis is placed on skill development, team development, and building positive relationships and experiences.
• Competition is used as a tool for learning and growth.
• Every effort will be made to provide differentiated participation opportunities for all participants.
• All participants must meet program, school, and eligibility expectations.

To participate in or try out for Sauk Rapids-Rice activities programs, individuals must first fully complete the registration process.  Registration and further eligibility information can be found by going to https://gobound.com/mn/schools/saukrapidsrice# .

• As part of the online registration process, you will complete the MSHSL Eligibility Brochure and the MSHSL Annual Sports Health Questionnaire, an updated health report, and pay the participation fee.
• If a participant does not make their team after the designated try-out period, their fee will be refunded. 

Participation fees help offset the costs associated with providing high-quality activities programs, including staffing, equipment, uniforms, transportation, facility usage, officials, and other operational expenses. Because many of these costs are incurred at the beginning of a season or activity, refunds will be issued according to the following guidelines:

1. Participants Not Selected Following Tryouts
   1. Participants who are not selected for a team following a designated tryout period will receive a full refund of their participation fee.
2. Withdrawal Prior to the First Official Practice, Rehearsal, or Meeting
   1. Participants who choose to withdraw from an activity prior to the first official practice, rehearsal, meeting, or competition/performance will receive a full refund, less any non-refundable processing fees charged by the registration provider.
3. Withdrawal During the First Two Weeks of Participation
   1. Participants who withdraw within the first two calendar weeks of the season or activity may be eligible for a full refund of the participation fee, less the cost of any school-issued equipment, uniforms, materials, or supplies requiring replacement that have been issued or used. All refund requests must be submitted via email to the activities office prior to these deadlines, along with the return of all equipment, uniforms, etc., in order for a refund to be considered.
4. Withdrawal After the First Two Weeks of Participation
   1. No refund will be issued after a participant has been involved in an activity for more than two calendar weeks.
5. School-Initiated Removal or Academic/Athletic Ineligibility
   1. Participants who become ineligible, are suspended, or are removed from a program for disciplinary reasons, are not eligible for a refund.

To complete registration for a sport, participants must have a valid Sports Qualifying Physical on file with Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools.

A Sports Qualifying Physical is valid for three (3) years from the date it was completed by a licensed medical provider. However, in order to be eligible for participation, a participant's physical must remain valid through the final potential date of competition for that sport season, including postseason competition.

Physicals that expire at any point during a sport season will not be accepted for registration purposes. Participants whose physicals are scheduled to expire before the conclusion of their season must obtain an updated Sports Qualifying Physical before being permitted to participate.

It is the responsibility of the participant and their parent/guardian to ensure that a valid Sports Qualifying Physical is on file and will remain valid throughout the entire season. 

Activities Academic Protocols

The primary focus of Sauk Rapids-Rice High School is academic achievement. Students must maintain satisfactory academic performance to participate in extracurricular activities. 

Academic Eligibility and Graduation Credits

Per MSHSL Bylaws 103 and 108, in order for an individual to participate in extracurricular activities, they must be making satisfactory progress toward graduation.  The school where the student is fully enrolled and regularly attends shall determine satisfactory progress.  At Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools, satisfactory progress is determined by the following criteria.

Credit Recovery

Those concerned about meeting the graduation credit thresholds are encouraged to connect with their school counselor to discuss their options.

Failures from a Previous Grading Period - Category 1 Activities

Definition - Category 1 Activities: Those school-sponsored activities in which there is a schedule of interscholastic contests, exclusive of tournaments or qualifiers.
Examples of Category 1 Activities: Baseball, Swimming & Diving, Volleyball, Speech; this is not an exhaustive list.

Any student registered for a Category 1 activity who has failed a class in either of the two previous grading periods will serve a period of ineligibility. That period of ineligibility will be determined by the number of total classes failed. The participant will be ineligible for 5% of their regular season games, per each failed course, rounded to the nearest whole number.  The minimum ineligibility period is one contest.  The penalty will be served once and will be applied beginning with their next regular season competition. Similar to other activity penalties, the penalty for a failed grade will be considered served upon the participant’s successful completion of the entire season. 

Failures from a Previous Grading Period - Category 2 Activities

Definition - Category 2 Activities: Those school-sponsored activities that do not have a schedule of interscholastic events, and are exclusively comprised of qualifiers, tournaments, local performances, etc.
Examples of Category 2 Activities: Fall Musical, DECA, One-Act Play, Visual Arts; this is not an exhaustive list.

Any student registered for a Category 2 activity who has failed a class in either of the two previous grading periods will have a penalty that is determined by the principals and activities director.

In-Season Academic Checks – Category 1 Activities

Academic Eligibility and Grade Monitoring Policy

Students participating in school-sponsored activities will be subject to grade checks on an every other week basis throughout the academic year.

• Academic Monitoring: Any student who is failing one or more classes at the time of a grade check will be placed on academic monitoring. While on academic monitoring, the student will have two school weeks to raise all failing grades to passing levels in every enrolled class.
• Ineligibility: If, after the two-week monitoring period, the student continues to have any failing grades, they will become academically ineligible to participate in activities. Ineligibility will continue until the student achieves passing grades in all courses.
• Restoring Eligibility: Students who become academically ineligible may regain eligibility at any time by providing documentation that they are passing all classes.

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. Category 1 activities participants who receive an academic dishonesty major violation will be assessed as a Code of Responsibilities Violation (MSHSL), whereas the penalty will be one contest.  Category 2 activities participants who receive an Academic Dishonesty major violation will have a penalty that is determined by building administration. 

Academic Policy Appeal Process
In highly unique or extraordinary circumstances, participants who have been deemed academically ineligible under the Activities Academic Policies may appeal their ineligibility.

• Filing an Appeal: Appeal forms are available in the activities office. Students must complete the appeal form thoroughly and submit it to the activities office by the stated deadline.
• Appeals Committee: Once submitted, the appeal will be reviewed by an appeals committee consisting of: one building teacher, one coach or advisor, one building administrator, and one building counselor.
• Approval Requirement: For the appeal to be granted, at least three out of the four committee members must vote to approve the appeal.

This process is designed to ensure fairness while maintaining the integrity of academic standards for student participants.
 

1. At any time during the calendar year, a student shall not, regardless of the quantity: 
   1. use or consume, have in possession a beverage containing alcohol; 
   2. use or consume, have in possession tobacco; or, 
   3. use or consume, have in possession, buy, sell or give away any other controlled substance or drug paraphernalia. 
   4. 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. 
   5. 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.
2. Penalty: Athletic Activities
   1. First Violation Penalty 
      1. The student shall lose eligibility for the next two consecutive interscholastic contests or two weeks, 14 calendar days, whichever is greater, of a season in which the student is a participant.
   2. Second Violation Penalty 
      1. The student shall lose eligibility for the next six consecutive interscholastic contests or three weeks, 21 calendar days, whichever is greater, in which the student is a participant.
   3. Third or Subsequent Violation Penalty 
      1. The student shall lose eligibility for the next 12 consecutive interscholastic contests or four weeks, 28 calendar days, whichever is greater, in which the student is a participant. 
      2. A student who chooses to become a participant in a treatment program may become eligible for participation after a minimum period of six weeks after entering treatment if all of the following conditions are met:
      3. The student is assessed as chemically dependent, 
      4. enters treatment voluntarily, and 
      5. the director of the treatment center certifies that the student has successfully completed the treatment program. 
      6. The treatment option cannot be used for the first or second violation. Successful completion of a chemical dependency treatment program will satisfy only the most recent violation. Any other violations for which the penalty has not been satisfied must still be served in full.
          

1. 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. 
2. 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:
   1. I will respect the rights and beliefs of others and will treat others with courtesy and consideration.
   2. I will be fully responsible for my own actions and the consequences of my actions.
   3. I will respect the rights and property of others.
   4. I will respect and obey the rules of my school and the laws of my community, state and country.
   5. 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.
3. A student who is dismissed from school or who violates the Student Code of Responsibilities is not in good standing and is ineligible for a period of time as determined by the school Principal acting on the authority of the local board of education. The MSHSL specifically recognizes that certain conduct requires penalties that may exceed those penalties typically imposed for first violations. For example, when a student is suspended from school the student is not in good standing and cannot begin to serve the participation penalty until the student has completed the suspension from school and is returned to good standing.

1. During the Regular Season: A student-athlete/participant who is ejected from a game/meet, shall not participate in a game/meet for the remainder of that day. The student is also suspended from the next scheduled, rescheduled, or contracted game/meet at that level of competition and all games/meets in the interim at other levels of competition. 
2. The second and subsequent violations carry a four, regularly scheduled game/meet ineligibility penalty.
3. During the League Tournament Series (Subsection, Section and State Tournament): A student-athlete/participant who is ejected from a game, meet or individual competition shall not participate in a game, meet or individual round of competition for the remainder of that day. The student is also suspended from the next scheduled round of team or individual competition in that tournament series.

Participants are expected to represent themselves, their team, their activity, and Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools in a positive and respectful manner at all times, including when using social media and electronic communication platforms.

Participants shall not post, share, create, or distribute content that is inappropriate, harassing, bullying, threatening, discriminatory, or otherwise inconsistent with school, district, team, activity, or MSHSL expectations. Participants are also prohibited from using social media or electronic communication to negatively target teammates, opponents, officials, coaches, advisors, staff members, or community members.

Concerns related to social media use or electronic communication may be investigated by school administration and the activities department. Violations may result in school and/or activity consequences. Depending on the nature and severity of the conduct, inappropriate social media activity may be considered a violation of MSHSL Bylaw 206 – Student Code of Responsibilities.

1. A student shall not engage in sexual, racial or religious harassment or sexual, racial, religious violence or hazing during the school year or any portion of an activity season that occurs prior to the start of the school year or after the close of the school year. 
2. Sexual, Racial, Religious Harassment and Hazing Violations 
   1. Penalty for Category I Activities:  Sexual, Racial, Religious Harassment and or Hazing Violations.  
      1. First Violation: The student shall lose eligibility for the next two consecutive interscholastic contests or two weeks, 14 calendar days, of a season in which the student is a participant, whichever is greater. 
      2. Second Violation: The student shall lose eligibility for the next six consecutive interscholastic contests or three weeks, 21 calendar days, whichever is greater, in which the student is a participant.  
      3. Third or Subsequent Violations: The student shall lose eligibility for the next 12 consecutive interscholastic contests or four weeks, 28 calendar days, whichever is greater, in which the student is a participant.  
      4. Progressive Penalties: Penalties for sexual harassment violations shall be progressive beginning with the first violation and continuing throughout the student’s high school career. Penalties shall be served consecutively. 
   2. Penalty for Category II Activities: Sexual, Racial, Religious Harassment and or Hazing Violations.  Each member school shall develop penalties which it will apply to the participants in these activities. A current copy of the member school’s policy shall be kept on file in the member school. 
3. Sexual, Racial, Religious Violence and or Hazing Violations: 
   1. Penalty for Category I and II Activities: 
      1. The student shall lose eligibility for the next 12 calendar months.

Hazing Definition:

Any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate.

Locker Room

The purpose of locker rooms is to provide participants with a space to store equipment and uniforms and to efficiently prepare for and transition from practices, competitions, and performances. In-season athletics participants will be assigned a locker and provided a lock. Participants are responsible for securing all personal belongings and school-issued equipment.

Locker rooms are not intended to serve as social gathering areas or unsupervised hangout spaces. Participants should only be in locker room areas for activity-related purposes and may not use locker rooms outside of designated times without permission from a coach, advisor, or school staff member.

Participants are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and responsible manner while in locker room facilities. Horseplay, inappropriate behavior, vandalism, bullying, hazing, or any actions that compromise the safety, privacy, or well-being of others are prohibited.

Coaches, advisors, and school staff are responsible for providing reasonable supervision of locker room areas and may periodically monitor or enter these spaces to ensure that facilities are being used safely, appropriately, and in accordance with school expectations.

The use of cell phones, tablets, computers, smart watches with recording capabilities, cameras, or any other audio, video, or image-recording devices is prohibited in locker rooms at all times. Violations will be addressed in accordance with school district policies and may result in disciplinary consequences, including confiscation of devices.

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

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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

Participation in Sauk Rapids-Rice High School activities is a privilege that comes with responsibility, especially in regard to school attendance. Students involved in school-sponsored activities are expected to be present and on time for all classes in order to participate in practices, games, competitions, or performances.

• Daily Attendance: Any unexcused absence during the school day may impact participation in activities, as determined by the activities office or the participant’s coach or advisor.  Students will not be granted early release to leave and retrieve items such as clothing, food, or other personal belongings.
• Next-Day Attendance: Students involved in evening events are expected to be on time and in attendance the following day. Failure to do so may result in ineligibility for the next contest.
• Chronic Absenteeism: Participants who are chronically absent, or who demonstrate a pattern of chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of school days while enrolled, may have their participation in activities impacted at the discretion of school administration. When making such determinations, school administration may consider both current-year attendance and attendance patterns from previous school years, as well as any extenuating circumstances.
• School-Sponsored Events: Activities during the school day are considered class periods.
   

Disciplinary Consequences: Any student serving an all-day in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, or dismissal will not be allowed to participate in any school-sponsored activities that day.

Practice/Competition Attendance

Activities participants are obligated to regularly attend all practices, competitions, and performances.  Absences and tardies, whether excused or unexcused, will impact participation. Unexcused absences will almost certainly result in a participant missing a competition.  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.

It is possible that emergencies may arise, e.g. illness, death in the family, etc, that render it impossible for a participant to attend.  Absences should be arranged with the coach/advisor as soon as possible.

If and when your family considers scheduling vacations, non-emergency appointments, driver’s tests, etc., know that these are considered unexcused absences.

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. 

Illness

Any individual who is absent due to illness must be in attendance by the start of period 4, and complete the school day in order to compete, practice, or perform that day.

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

Any student who has been issued a medical note to be held out of an activity due to health or injury must have a return visit to a medical authority* and obtain a document signed by a medical authority* which grants clearance to return to action. Students cannot be held out of physical education class and still be eligible for activities or vice versa. 

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

Concussions

Each coach is required to take concussion training through the MSHSL, and will aid in determining if a participant should sit out due to symptoms of a concussion. If a coach or athletic trainer suspects a student may have a concussion, they are mandated to remove that student from the contest/practice/performance.  

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 for any student who has been diagnosed with a concussion and should be given by the participant’s doctor. Coaches/Advisors, 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 is a recognition of a student’s commitment, performance, and contributions to a school-sponsored activity. Lettering criteria are determined by each individual coach or advisor and are based on standards such as participation, attendance, attitude, leadership, and performance.

Each coach or advisor will communicate the specific lettering requirements at the beginning of the season or activity. Students are encouraged to ask questions and seek clarification on the criteria if needed.
Final lettering decisions rest with the coach or advisor.

Captains serve as representatives of their team or group. The selection of captains is an important process that reflects leadership, responsibility, and the values of the activity.

Each coach or advisor will develop and communicate a system for the selection of captains. This process may include criteria such as leadership qualities, work ethic, experience, peer input, and overall contribution to the program.

The final decision regarding captainship rests with the coach or advisor, with oversight from the activities office when necessary.

Students holding leadership positions (captain of a team, officer of an organization or club, class candidates for Homecoming, Snow Days, et cetera) for any activity under the umbrella of the activities department who are found in violation of Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) and/or ISD 47 rules which result in a loss of participation opportunities will be removed from their position of leadership and will be ineligible to hold another such position for the period of one (1) calendar year. If extenuating circumstances warrant, the student may appeal this restriction by initiating a discussion with the coach/advisor involved, the principal, or activities director.

All participants are expected to ride district transportation (bus or van) 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 must be arranged ahead of time and approved with the activities office via email communication.  

7-12 Combined Programs: Dance, Cross Country, Swimming, Nordic Ski -
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), Boys Lacrosse, Gymnastics -
Students in seventh and eighth 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/advisor will initiate in writing the proposed acceleration to both the middle school and high school activities directors. 

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. If a student-athlete is accelerated to the high school level, and spends a majority of their season at the high school level, they will be required to pay the high school activity fee.

Questions and Clarifications

At any time throughout the year, individuals are encouraged to reach out to their program's coach/advisor when they have questions or are seeking clarification.  Asking these questions supports alignment and a shared understanding. 

Parent/Guardian-Coach/Advisor Communication

Both parenting and coaching/advising are extremely difficult vocations. By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefit to children.

As parents, when your children become involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach/advisor of your child’s program.

Communication You Should Expect from the Coach/Advisor

1. Locations and times of all practices and contests
2. Team requirements, i.e., special equipment, etc
3. Criteria for awards that will be presented at the end of the season
4. Discipline that results in the denial of your child’s participation

Participants will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives while in activities. It is important to understand that there may also be times when things do not go the way you or your child wish. At these times, discussion with the coach/advisor is encouraged.

Appropriate Concerns to Discuss with Coaches/Advisors

1. The treatment of your child, mentally and physically
2. Ways to help your child improve
3. Concerns about your child’s behavior

Issues NOT Appropriate to Discuss with Coaches/Advisors

1. Playing time
2. Team strategy
3. Play calling
4. Other student athletes or participants

It may be difficult to accept your child not playing/participating as much as you had hoped they would play. Coaches/Advisors are professionals. They make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be the best for the team and for all of the individuals involved. As you have seen from the list above, certain things can and should be discussed with your child’s coach/advisor. Other things must be left to the discretion of the coach/advisor.

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach/advisor, the participant, and the parent/guardian. These interactions are encouraged. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the other’s position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.

If You Have a Concern to Discuss with a Coach/Advisor, Please Follow This Procedure:

1. Email to set up an appointment with the coach/advisor.
2. If the coach/advisor cannot be reached, please email the activities director.
3. DO NOT attempt to confront a coach/advisor before or after a contest or practice. These can be emotional times for both parents/guardians and coaches/advisors. These types of confrontations do not promote a positive resolution to any concern.

If you have a concern about a coach’s/advisor’s conduct, Please email the activities director.  This conduct will be investigated, and, if a meeting is deemed necessary, one will be scheduled.
Equipment and Supplies 

Storm Activity programs may issue equipment and/or uniforms during the season. All items issued to participants are to be returned to the head coach, advisory or designee, no later than one week after the participant’s final day in the program.  Equipment and/or uniforms will not be accepted by the activities office staff.  If items are not returned, a charge will be issued to the family for replacement of the item. Middle school uniforms average $75.00 for replacement, and high school uniforms average approximately $150.00–$200.00 to replace per uniform color. Also, any equipment not returned will be subject to family replacement at a single-item cost.

Parents/Guardians, you play an integral role in supporting the growth of Storm Activities, the development of your child as a participant, and your child’s ability to respond to challenges and adversity.  Just as it is the coach's/advisor’s job to coach, the official's job to officiate, and the player's job to play, it is your role to parent.  This is your privileged role to support your student, just as a coach/advisor, player, and official have their privileged roles.

• Be positive with your participant.
  • Being on a team is not easy; let your participant know that their dedication to a program is an accomplishment in and of itself.
• Refrain from yelling for any reason other than for encouragement.
• Negative comments toward officials/judges will not be tolerated.
• Do not try to coach your child in or out of competition. 
  • It is hard for young athletes to make sense of conflicting messages.
  • Advisors/Coaches sincerely care about the students! 
  • Coaching styles differ when interacting with people and situations. 
  • The experience of different types of leadership enriches students’ lives.
• Do not offer excuses to them if they are not participating. 
  • Encourage them to work hard and do their best. 
  • Support the efforts of your child’s coaches/advisors. 
  • Do not criticize other players or coaches/advisors at home - this puts your child in a no-win situation.
• Support the MSHSL rules.
• Do not reach out to the coach/advisor to talk about your child’s playing time. 
  • Coaches/Advisors see players/participants every day in practice and it is their desire to place them in situations where they can succeed.
• If you need to discuss questions or concerns, follow the activities communication process chain.
• Avoid communicating concerns with a coach/advisor directly following a performance or contest. 
  • The coach’s/advisor’s duty, immediately following a contest/performance, is to the participant/team, not the spectator. 
  • Allow at least 24 hours to pass to get your thoughts together.
• Video Recording
  • Spectators are not to record, livestream, or broadcast, full contests/performances without prior approval from the activities office.

Discussions with Your Child

Talk to your child about their expectations for the season. Do so at the beginning as well as in the middle of the season. Often, parents/guardians project their hopes and dreams for their children onto their children without stopping to ask what they want for themselves. Do not assume you know. Ask your child about where they think they fit in on the team, what their perceived strengths and weaknesses are, and what they hope they will accomplish over the course of the season. Ask your child what they want to accomplish throughout the course of their career.  Most often, players know what their skill level is and where they belong.

Once you have the discussion, support your child. When your child is finished with a game, tell them that you love and support them. Tell them that you enjoyed watching them play. Do not rehash the game with your child unless they initiate it. Always speak positively, even if they are angry.

Spectators are expected to demonstrate positive sportsmanship and respect toward participants, coaches/advisors, officials, event workers, and other spectators. Profanity, harassment, discriminatory language, threatening behavior, or actions that interfere with the educational environment will not be tolerated. School administration and event staff reserve the right to remove individuals from events or restrict attendance at future activities when conduct is inconsistent with these expectations.

Our programs, coaches and advisors need your support in order to be successful. Ask how you can help them, consider volunteering when opportunities present themselves, and speak highly of them when talking to your kids and community members. If you have questions, please ask!  

The number of willing and available coaches and advisors is shrinking. If we want high-quality coaches and advisors, we need to support them.  

A close working relationship must exist between the coaching/advising staff and the booster organizations in determining the needs for a program. The finances of the booster club will not involve school personnel. Current coaches/advisors cannot serve on the booster club board. Find the booster club informational sheet at:

https://storm.isd47.org/booster-clubs

*Note:  School personnel are not able to write checks on the booster club accounts.

What may a coach do and not do before and after the high school season with their high school athletes?

May Do

1. Provide camp and non-school team information to athletes if approved for a summer waiver and authorized by the activities director. 
2. Coaches approved for summer coaching may provide coaching during the prescribed time period. 
   1. Summer Coaching Waiver:  Member schools shall have the authority to approve a coaching waiver following the fourth Friday in May through July 31 of the same calendar year.  Coaches who have been granted a summer coaching waiver by their high school to coach a summer league team may continue to coach that team through Labor Day if that team participates in an end-of-the-season tournament as a natural extension of the summer team season.  The high school activities director of that school must approve said exception, in writing.
   2. Summer Camp/Clinic Waiver:  Member schools shall have authority to approve a coaching waiver for camps and/or clinics following the fourth Friday in May and ending July 31.
   3. Procedure for Granting Summer Coaching or Summer Camp/Clinic Waivers:  The designated school representative of the member high school shall document, in writing and keep on file in the school:
      1. A letter of verification from the coach indicating an agreement to coach the students;
      2. The letter required for summer coaching shall be documented on an official League Summer Coaching Form, which is available on the League website.

May Not Do

During the school year, prior to and following the sport season:

1. May not provide coaching, instruction, training, etc. to any member of their high school team, B-squad, JV or Varsity, other than during the season or under the summer waiver.
2. May not influence or direct a player’s non-school play.  This includes:
   1. Directing athletes to play in a league or attend a camp or clinic.
   2. Placing athletes on a roster, developing or organizing a team roster; drafting players for a team; selecting, securing, evaluating or otherwise influencing the placement of athletes on a team for leagues, tournaments, camps or clinics other than those athletes approved for the summer coaching waiver.
3. May not direct or unduly influence an athlete to participate in open gym, captains’ practice or non-school teams, leagues or camps.
4. May not organize, supervise, direct or otherwise be involved in the organization of captains’ practice.

Weight Room

Students cannot use the weight room unless there is approved adult supervision and must register to use the weight room at all times outside of the school day.  The district requires that the approved adult be a school employee who has knowledge and is trained in this area.

Storm Training Program

The Storm Training Program is designed to mirror some of the best programs locally and nationally.  Consistent participation has proven to help athletes develop their physical strength, endurance, speed, agility, explosiveness, and flexibility. The combination of these traits reduces the risk of injury and helps our athletes perform at a higher level. 

• In-Season Sport Training: Participation in training sessions is a part of the program experience and not optional.
• Off-Season and Summer Training: Participants are highly encouraged to participate in our training programs, with their peers, in our facilities.  
  • Consistency is more important than intensity in training.  Gaps in training lead to significant speed and strength loss.

Severe Weather 

Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools will follow and be guided by the MSHSL Weather Conditions and Competition Board Policy which includes: Lightning/Threatening Weather, Competition Index for Cold, and Competition and Practice Index for Heat. Keeping in mind that the district’s prime concern is student safety, the following procedures will be followed in severe weather situations. 

1. Before an activity/contest has started, it will be the activities director’s decision as to whether or not the activity should begin. Parents/guardians may contact the activities director for information.
2. During an activity/contest, the responsibility for determining “playability” is left with officials and activities director or principal.  Whenever there is danger to the participants (e.g., lightning, etc.) students will not continue to play. SRR will follow the MSHSL guidelines for lightning conditions.
3. No practices/events will be allowed to take place on any day when school has been canceled due to severe weather.  Exceptions to this can only be made in consultation between the superintendent, activities director, and principal.

Protocol for Adding a New Activity/Club 

Guidelines/requirements for an application of a new activity/club:

1. Must have an activity name and detailed description of the sport/activity
   1. Must provide with the description the governing body for the organization and where rules/regulations can be found. 
2. Must provide a formal application that lists a detailed financial plan and a participant sustainability and involvement plan.
3. Must have sufficient officials and coaches/advisors to provide a safe and efficient environment.
   1. The applicant must find the general cost of officials for the sport/activity and the going pay rate for coaches/advisors.
4. A competitive schedule must be possible with schools in reasonable distance to Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools (SRR).
5. All new activities must provide a safe environment for students. 
6. Must not interfere with Title IX legislation.
7. Must have adequate facilities on site or in close proximity to SRR (as approved by the activities director).
8. Must show future interest in the activity by projected numbers in youth organizations so it can be sustainable at the middle school and/or high school levels. 
9. SRR understands that not all activities will fall under MSHSL rules, but all activities that are on school grounds or in partnership with the school, will have to follow SRR requirements. 

What does the financial plan consist of:

1. Must show adequate forethought in sustainability as a program.
   1. Five year budget and expense report must include financial plans for things such as equipment, staffing, practice and competition space and transportation. 
   2. Must include a five year budget plan and expense report.
   3. Five year report must show what the financial impact would be to the school district. 
2. Must provide a sufficient start up and sustainability budget through those five years. 
3. Must provide a plan for equipment care and maintenance to prolong the life of equipment.
4. Must provide verification the activity will not interfere with any of the already standing program budgets to maintain exemplary standards. 
5. Must provide information regarding the activity’s income sustainability. 
   1. Also provide information regarding how the activity impacted other schools that have brought it in.
6. Confirm if a booster club would be a part of the program and define the direct responsibilities of the booster club.

How does this new activity affect current activities:

1. The application must show that there is interest in the activity. 
   1. Provide information regarding growth in the sport/activity and/or provide information regarding interest from SRR’s student body. 
   2. Provide proof from surveys or predetermined facts that the activity is on the rise or already a highly desirable activity.
2. The activity should have operated as a club for a minimum of two years, inside or outside of the district, with district students, prior to application consideration. (Not required)
3. The new activity cannot take away space from activities that already have allotted space for practices or competitions during set seasons.
4. The school’s space must be able to sustain all activities, old and new proposed ones. 
   1. If school space is not available, the applicant must research the cost to rent proper space for the activity that is in close proximity to SRR.
5. Determine what grades will be affected/included in the activity.
6. The season dates of the new activity must not infringe on a current activity of similar style to keep competitiveness and participation numbers high across all activities. 
7. The activity must not infringe on Title IX rules.

Approval process and implementation: 

1. The order of approval for a new activity is as follows:  
   1. Activities director and principal 
   2. District administration 
   3. School board
   4. MSHSL/CLC (if needed) 
      At any time during this approval process, one of these approval levels can edit or recommend suggestions prior to moving on to the next level of the approval process.
2. Must have the approval of the school board, superintendent, principal(s) and activities director.
3. There will be a minimum of 12 months from when the application is reviewed before the new activity can be added.
4. The official application form can be requested from the high school activities office.
5. If no financial plan is presented, the activity will automatically be rejected.
6. All activities are subject to two-year club status before being considered for sponsorship unless special circumstances are warranted. 
7. The school board, superintendent, and activities director hold all rights to reject an application or adjust it for any and all activities. 
8. Applications must not interfere with any MSHSL rules and regulations or SRR policies.
9. The MSHSL requires each school district to perform an interest survey every two years. This is how SRRHS monitors the needs and requests for programs outside of the applications.