STM Extracurricular Code

Extracurriculars make a strong contribution to a good school. Athletic activities stimulate fair play, friendly rivalry, and good sportsmanship. Student government and other organizations help to develop interpersonal skills and interests beyond the classroom. Interscholastic events of all kinds afford opportunities to \\interact with the public and with students from schools and communities throughout the state. Students who participate in these activities assume the obligation of being representatives of the school. People will judge our school and our commitment to Christian ideals by the manner in which our students behave both on and off our campus.

The following rules apply to all students who participate in extracurricular activities.

Citizenship

Students representing The High School of Saint Thomas More must exemplify the highest standards of moral integrity and good citizenship within school and within the community. Behavior that violates this principle is unacceptable and may result in a temporary suspension from an organization or team, complete loss of eligibility, or suspension or expulsion from the school.

Clothing and Grooming

Students not attired in a team uniform shall dress according to the school Dress and Appearance Code while at or en-route to or from a scheduled event. The sponsor or coach may select specific clothing, such as shirt and tie or blazer and skirt, as the attire for the day, or may relax this requirement for specific circumstances.

Prohibited Substances

The consumption or possession of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs by any student representing The High School of Saint Thomas More is prohibited. Because smoking reduces the oxygen capacity of the lungs and is considered generally injurious to a person\'s health, and because the use of alcohol and drugs is illegal, the rule prohibiting the possession or consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs is in effect twelve months a year, on and off campus. Penalties for violation of this rule are:

First Offense:

The student will be suspended from participating in any public activity for a period of four (4) school weeks, but may attend practices and meetings.

Second Offense:

The student will be suspended from all extracurricular activities for three (3) school months. The student may not attend practices or meetings associated with any extracurricular activity.

Third Offense:

The student is ineligible for further participation in extracurricular activities at The High School of Saint Thomas More.

Additional penalties may apply according to the school Discipline Code.

Academic Eligibility

Students may not represent The High School of Saint Thomas More in any public activity while they are in danger of failing two or more courses, or while they are on suspension or disciplinary probation.

Each teacher is given an Activity Eligibility List each Friday, and returns it to the Athletic Director the following Wednesday, indicating those students whose semester grades are below passing as of that day. Students who are marked as failing on two teachers Eligibility Lists will be ineligible for the entire following week (Sunday through Saturday).

Ineligible students may not participate in athletic events or other performances, nor may they or their individual work represent the school or any school organization in a public place. They may, however, continue to practice or rehearse, and they may take part in club meetings or work sessions.

Attendance

Students must be in attendance at least four full class periods on the day of an athletic contest or other public activity unless they have the prior approval of the principal. A student who is absent on Friday may participate on Saturday or Sunday only at the discretion of the principal or athletic director.

Independent Teams

A student athlete may not participate on an independent team while participating in the same sport at The High School of Saint Thomas More.

Health Physicals

Student athletes must have an annual physical examination on file prior to participation (including practice sessions) in any sport. An athlete who incurs an injury must have a written medical release from a qualified physician in order to return to participation.

Insurance

Students who are participating in athletics must be covered by accident insurance, and their parents sign an affidavit to that effect at the time they give their written permission for the students to participate in a given sport. The coverage may be provided by family insurance or by a Student Plans, Inc. policy.