Thank you for submitting the Athlete Code of Conduct. For you information, we have emailed a copy of the PVAthlete Code Of Conduct to you. It can also be read below:

Athlete Code of Conduct

Passaic Valley High School Athletic Code of Conduct
2016-2017

The Athletic Code of Conduct is a commitment by the student to exercise good judgment in all endeavors, and to represent self, school, family and community in a positive manner at all times. Students engaged in interscholastic athletics are leaders in the school community and are expected to represent themselves in a positive light.  Athletic participation is an avenue for acquiring and modeling good citizenship, promoting character development, and developing other important life skills including commitment, discipline, teamwork and physical fitness.

Student involvement in the Passaic Valley Athletic program is an honor and privilege, not a right. This privilege comes with inherent responsibilities, and is dependent upon compliance with applicable rules and regulations. As a member of a school team, an athlete’s behavior in school, the community, in the use of social media, as well as  at other schools reflects not only on the individual, but on his/her family, the athletic program, and Passaic Valley High School. Students engaged in Passaic Valley Athletics must carefully consider their actions and comply with all rules established by the Passaic Valley Board of Education, Big North Conference and New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Students deviating from the standards set in this document will be subject to appropriate discipline, suspension, and/or expulsion from the athletic program.

All student athletes must review/submit a Code of Conduct form that has been signed by the student and his/her parent/guardian.  This should be done once a year.  The Code of Conduct is in effect from the opening day of practice of the chosen sport until the last day of each sport the student participates in.

Academic Eligibility

To be eligible for athletic competition during the 1st semester of 10th grade or higher, a student athlete must have passed 25% of the credits (30) required by the State of New Jersey for graduation (120), during the immediately preceding academic year.  Students ineligible in the Fall may petition for restoration of eligibility after the start of the second semester in January;

your counselor can guide you through this process.

For 9th graders, all of whom are eligible when they enter school in the fall, remain eligible  for athletic competition during the second semester of 9th grade, if they  have passed the equivalent of 12.5% of the credits (15.00) required by the State of New Jersey for graduation at the close of the 1st semester.

A 2.0 GPA is required for the participation in co-curricular activities. If not attained, the student must write a letter of appeal and submit it to their guidance counselor to be considered for a renewed eligible status.

Students assigned to Social Probation through the office of the Assistant Principal for Discipline may not participate in practices or games.

Age Eligibility

Student-athletes are ineligible if they have reached the age of 19 prior to the date of September 1st. No student athlete may compete in more than 8 semesters of high school sports. 

Procedures

In order for a student-athlete to participate in interscholastic athletics, he/she must complete and return to the Assistant Principal for Student activities the following:

  • Athletic Code of Conduct (Online)
  • Permission form –one for each season (on-line)
  • Proof of a medical examination. See below.
  • Health History Update
  • Steroid Waiver form (Online)
  • Athletic Emergency Cards ( 2 copies to coaches)
  • Concussion IMPACT test / Paperwork (Online)
  • Cardiac  Awareness Brochure  (on-line) 

All student athletes must have a valid physical exam no more than 365 days prior to the first practice. If the examination expires, it must be renewed immediately. The medical report must state that the student-athlete can participate in interscholastic athletics.  In season, all medical documents should be given to the trainer or nurse. If an injury occurs during participation, it should be reported to the trainer.  A written prescription describing sport specific limitations as well as a medical return note must be provided by the student-athlete’s physician. For documented concussions, the mandated return to play protocols need to be completed. 

Equipment and Facilities

Student-athletes are required to immediately return all uniforms and equipment at the completion of his/her season or when removing themselves from a team. A member of the coaching staff will collect all uniforms after the last team event. Failure to return uniforms or equipment will require the student-athlete to pay the replacement cost of the item(s). Failure to do so will result in withholding of report card, or may jeopardize participation in the graduation ceremony and receipt of diploma for seniors.

All athletes will take pride in our grounds, fields and facilities.  Showcase that pride by cleaning up after games and practices.  It is your responsibility to maintain OUR HOUSE!

Attendance

In order for an athlete to participate in athletic practices and games, a student must receive 4 hours of instructional time. Therefore, a student must be in school no later than 10:32 a.m. and must stay until 2:32 or arrive by 8:04 and leave no earlier than 12:04 (after period five) on the day of the event. Exceptions for religious services, legal matters, college visits or medical appointments must have prior approval by the coach and administration.

Attendance to practices and games is vital while on a team, and allows for proper evaluation by the coaching staff. Only approved absences detailed in the school handbook will be accepted. Student-athletes should notify their coaches of any upcoming excused absences as soon as possible. Consequences for unexcused absences are handled by coaches.  Those consequences will be clearly outlined to athletes during the first week of practice each season. If a student athlete is absent from school due to illness, he/she may not attend the practice or game scheduled for that day.

Injuries

Student-Athletes who sustain injury need to report their injury immediately to their coach and the athletic trainer.   Concealing injuries for the sake of preserving participation is dangerous and may lead to further injury and an even longer recovery period.  Be safe and smart and report all injuries immediately.  Accident reports need to be filed to be forwarded to medical professionals for your benefit.

Sportsmanship

All student-athletes will adhere to the guidelines of sportsmanship and must show proper respect for teammates, opposing players, coaches, parents, and officials at all times. Disqualification from an event as a result of poor sportsmanship or intentional or flagrant behavior via official’s ruling is unacceptable. Passaic Valley High School sanctions may be added to those levied by the NJSIAA.

Parents and fans are reminded that good sportsmanship, respect for rules, respect for others and fair play are the heart of all interscholastic athletic programs. Unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of parents or fans will result in removal from the contest area. Repeated displays of unsportsmanlike conduct could result in the offender being banned from athletic events.

Transportation

Appropriate behavior is expected when student athletes are being transported on by bus.  All student-athletes are expected to travel to and from events as part of his/her team. This promotes unity and team spirit as well as allowing for proper supervision. The coach may allow a student to return home from an away event if an alternate transportation request form is filled out 24 hours prior to the event. This form allows a parent/guardian to take the student from the game and must have the Assistant Principal for Student Activities prior approval. This form can be found on the Passaic Valley website under athletics.  At no time will students be allowed to transport themselves to events.

Tobacco, Alcohol, Illicit Drugs, and Performance Enhancing Drugs

In Executive Order 27, Governor Richard Codey directed the New Jersey Department of Education to work in conjunction with the NJSIAA to develop and implement a program of random testing for steroids, of teams and individuals qualifying for State Play-offs. Since the fall 2006 athletic season, no student-athletes are allowed to participate in NJSIAA competition unless the student and student’s parent/guardian consent to random testing. These forms must be signed (on-line) before athletic participation can begin.

Documented student involvement with drugs or alcohol may result in forfeiture of team leadership positions such as a captaincy.  Other sanctions for such situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis by school administrators and coaches.   Athletes should be aware that penalties could be as severe as suspension or dismissal from their athletic team.

Use of tobacco in any form is detrimental to an athlete’s health and performance.  Coaches will handle reported use of these substances with their athletes in accordance with team rules and expectations.

Social Media

Using any form of social media to taunt, bully, harass, intimidate, etc. will not be tolerated. Reported incidences will be explored according to BOE Policy and New Jersey State Law.

The Assistant Principal for Discipline, along with input from the coach and Assistant Principal for Student Activities will determine whether there will be a period of probation, suspension or team expulsion for offenses of this nature. 

Hazing 

Hazing is an attempt to spotlight and humiliate certain team members using physical or emotional tactics. Hazing by athletic team members is expressly forbidden and should be reported to your coach immediately.  The Assistant Principal for Discipline, along with input from the coach and Assistant Principal for Student Activities will determine whether there will be a period of probation, suspension or team expulsion for offenses of this nature. BOE and State guidelines will be explicitly followed.