Mountain Grove R-III Schools

Interscholastic Activities Student Handbook

2023-2024 

Interscholastic Activities Student Handbook

Mountain Grove High School is a member of the South Central Association of high schools known simply as SCA.  Conference activities in which MGHS participates include football, basketball, track, volleyball, softball, golf, baseball, cross country, instrumental music, vocal music, speech, academics, and industrial arts.  Mountain Grove High School is also a member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association.  Being a member of this organization entitles our school to participate in district and state competitions.  All participants must meet the MSHSAA eligibility requirements.  These requirements will be explained before each season by your coach or teacher.

Participation in any interscholastic activity is a privilege offered students and not a right.  Therefore, those who do not follow the rules of the school and laws of the community will not be allowed to participate.  All students representing the school in any capacity must conduct themselves in a polite and courteous manner.  Students who fail to do so, at school or during an activity, will be subject to suspension from participating in activities representing Mountain Grove Schools.

All students representing the school in athletics must conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner.  Unsportsmanlike behavior of players and fans will not be tolerated and will be considered poor citizenship.  All athletes must conduct themselves according to rules established by the administration and coaches.

Students must be in attendance at least 3 periods of a 7 period day in order to practice or participate in any extra-curricular activity.  Exceptions may be granted for extenuating circumstances by an Administrator only.  If a student skips classes on a Friday, he may not practice or participate until he/she has attended a full day of classes or is excused by an administrator. 

Transportation to all school-sponsored activities is provided.  Teams and groups will use this transportation to and from the designated activity.  The Coach/Sponsor must be contacted personally by the student’s parents and signed out if not returning with the group.  No student will be allowed to ride with anyone else except their parent/guardian unless prior approval by the administration.  Coaches may require players to ride to and from activities. 

Basic Guidelines for Participation

Student athletes are free to make their own selections as to what activities they wish to participate in.  It is the MGHS policy that students facing conflict between two MGHS- sponsored activities will be given a choice of which to attend/participate in.

A student who has gone out for a sport/activity and quits of his/her own accord, will not be eligible to start practicing for another sport/activity before the end of the competition in the sport/activity that was dropped.

How to Maintain & Protect Your High School Eligibility  

Missouri State High School Activities Association

Every year over 300,000 students in the state of Missouri participate in interscholastic activities at the middle/junior and senior-high levels. The Missouri State High School Activities Association is comprised of member schools that establish eligibility criteria for students to be able to participate. Look at these rules carefully. We want you to enjoy these years, maximize your interscholastic experiences and rekindle the spirit of citizenship in your own community.

Your years in high school and middle school will be highlighted by your participation on one or more of your school’s activities teams. These will be some of the most enjoyable years of your life. During this time, your school will have local school requirements that you must comply with in order to be eligible to compete. Also, your state association, MSHSAA, has essential eligibility requirements that you must meet in order to maintain your eligibility.

Information contained in this handout will acquaint you with the major rules and regulations you must follow in order to maintain and protect your high school eligibility. Any questions you have concerning these essential requirements or with your athletic eligibility should be checked with your school principal or athletic administrator. Administrators in your school have copies of all MSHSAA eligibility requirements.

The MSHSAA’s eligibility requirements have been voted on by member schools and were adopted by your school when it became an association member. If there are rules in the handout which you don’t understand, ask your principal or athletic administrator to explain them.

Knowing and following all these requirements will enable you to maintain your eligibility. It is important for you to know that you must meet all these requirements in order to be eligible, as no one requirement is more important than another.

Student Drug Testing Policy

The Board recognizes the importance of protecting the health and safety of students from the use of illegal drugs, performance-enhancing drugs, and alcohol. The purpose of this policy is to help prevent substance abuse among students, to encourage treatment for students with substance abuse problems, and to ensure that students have the opportunity to attend school and participate in activities in a fair, safe and healthy environment.  The sanctions of this policy relate solely to limiting the opportunity of any student in violation of this policy to participate in extracurricular and/or co-curricular activities due to safety concerns.  This policy is intended to supplement and complement all other policies, rules, and regulations of the Mountain Grove R-III School District regarding possession or use of illegal drugs.

The superintendent or designee is directed to adopt procedures to carry out the intent of this policy and may contact the district’s attorney for assistance in applying this policy. The district will use a laboratory certified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Random Drug Testing

Participation in extracurricular and/or co-curricular activities is a privilege and carries with it the responsibility to adhere to high standards of conduct, including refraining from the use of illegal drugs, performance-enhancing drugs, and alcohol. To assist students in making healthy and safe choices, the district will conduct random drug testing of students in grades 9-12 as a condition of participation in covered activities. Covered activities are activities regulated by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA), all co-curricular activities, extra-curricular activities, including, but not limited to all school sponsored clubs.  The policy will also cover any new clubs or organizations that may arise.  Student dances are not considered an extracurricular and/or co-curricular activity.  District employees shall not have the authority to waive the testing of any student selected using the random selection process.

Concussion Protocol

All athletes are required to adhere to the concussion protocol program. The district uses the IMPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) which is the most-widely used and most scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system.  IMPACT provides trained clinicians with neurocognitive assessment tools and services that have been medically accepted as state-of-the-art best practices -- as part of determining safe return to play decisions.

The district is contracted with Physical Therapy Specialty Clinic (PTSC) to administer and monitor the concussion program. The Athletic Trainer (AT) for PTSC will coordinate with the athlete’s medical doctor on all suspected concussions. Athletes may only return to play once the doctor has released them and the AT has completed the return to play process.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Eligibility Defined

A student is not eligible to practice or participate if:

1. They were in a “Suspension” status on that day
2. Until the “Suspension” is served
3. They are deemed academically ineligible
4. They failed or refused a random student drug test
5. Were in violation of any MSHSAA By-Law
6. First year transfer student paying tuition during or after their 9th grade year

A student who is not academically eligible may appeal to the Athletic Director to practice and participate at the junior varsity level. The Athletic Director, Building Principal, and coach will review the appeal to see if it is in the best interest of the student.

First year transfer students paying tuition during or after their 9th grade year may appeal to the Athletic Director to practice and participate at the junior varsity level. The Athletic Director, Building Principal, and coach will review the appeal to see if it is in the best interest of the student.

2. Bona Fide Student

In order to represent your school, you must be a bona fide student and meet all eligibility requirements. You must be enrolled in and regularly attending classes at the member school and meet the academic requirements in MSHSAA By-Law 213 and those of your local school.

3. Citizenship

You must be a creditable citizen. Creditable citizens are those students whose conduct, both in school and out of school, will not reflect discredit upon themselves or their school

NOTE: Conduct by the student involving law enforcement should be reported to your principal immediately as your conduct may affect eligibility or contest outcomes.

MSHSAA By-Law 2.2.2 Law Enforcement: “A student who commits an act for which charges may be or have been filed by law enforcement authorities under any municipal ordinance, misdemeanor or felony statute shall not be eligible until all proceedings with the legal system have been concluded and any penalty (i.e. jail time, fine, court costs, etc.) or special condition of probation (i.e. restitution, community service, counseling, etc.) has been satisfied. If law enforcement authorities determine that charges will not be filed, eligibility will be contingent upon local school policies. Moving traffic offenses shall not affect eligibility, unless they involve drugs, alcohol, or injuries to others. After a student has completed all court appearances and penalties, and has satisfied all special conditions of probation and remains under general probation only, local school authorities shall determine eligibility.

Local district consequences for a student who commits an act for which charges may be or have been filed by law enforcement authorities under any municipal ordinance, misdemeanor or felony statute and self-reports, shall be held accountable as follows:  

First Offense:  The student shall be suspended from participation in all covered activities for 15 school days. Day 1 of the suspension will be the day the student self-reported assuming the self-report was done before the end of the academic school day.  The student will be eligible after the 15th day. However, if the student has not yet been to court or completed all special conditions of the court, the student will remain ineligible.

Second Offense:  The student shall be suspended from participation in all covered activities for 30 school days. Day 1 of the suspension will be the day the student self-reported assuming the self-report was done before the end of the academic school day. The student will be eligible after the 30th day. However, if the student has not yet been to court or completed all special conditions of the court, the student will remain ineligible.

Third Offense:  The student shall be suspended from participation in all covered activities for 365 calendar days. Day 1 of the suspension will be the day the student self-reported assuming the self-report was done before the end of the academic school day. Any additional offenses will use the third offense punishment.

A student who does not self-report and the district staff learns of the violation will be suspended as if it were a second offense.

4. Academics

   MSHSAA ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY

Grades 9-12 Requirements (2.3.2): A student in Grades 9-12 must meet the following requirements in order to be academically eligible to participate in interscholastic activities:

1. Semester Prior to Participation: The student shall have earned, the preceding semester of attendance, a minimum of 3.0 units of credit or have earned credit in 80% of the maximum allowable classes in which a student can be enrolled in the semester, whichever is greater; or a student must have made standard progress for his or her level the preceding semester in a special education program for the handicapped approved by the Missouri Department of Education which, through un-graded, enrolls pupils of equivalent age.
2. Semester of Participation: The student shall currently be enrolled in a regularly attending courses that offer 3.0 units of credit or 80% of the maximum allowable credits which may be earned, whichever is greater; or a student must be enrolled in a full course at his or her level in a special education program for the handicapped approved by the Missouri Department of Education which, though un-graded, enrolls pupils of equivalent age.
3. 80% Credit Requirement: The calculation of the credit requirement described in a -1 and a -2 above for all enrolled students at the school shall be based on the maximum allowable classes in which a student can be enrolled at the member school during the normal school day due to the academic system that the member school has selected (7-hour day, block schedule, traditional schedule, etc.). Credits earned in school sponsored “extra” classes taken beyond the normal school day may be used toward academic eligibility. Internet classes offered by and at the member school and which are completed no later than the close of the semester with credit placed on the student’s transcript can be counted toward academic eligibility. (See also By-Law 2.3.4 regarding other courses that may be utilized.)
4. Entry into 9th Grade: A beginning 9th grade student shall have been promoted from the 8th grade to the 9th grade for first semester eligibility.
5. A student must be making satisfactory progress towards graduation as determined by local school policies.

Grades 9-12 Enrollment Options for Academic Eligibility (2.3.4): The following options are available to students in order to meet the requirements of By-Law 2.3.2.a and b above.

1. Traditional Option: A student may meet the requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.2 through being enrolled and attending classes full-time at the high school.
2. Non-Traditional Option 1 - Transcripted Credits: A student may meet the requirements outlined  in By-Law 2.3.3 through meeting ALL of the following:

1.  The student is an enrolled student of the high school, but all or some of the courses/credits are not taken at the local high school (virtual, post-secondary, work study, etc.),
2. All credits attempted/earned are placed on high school transcript,
3. All classes must be completed by the high school’s close of the semester, as per By-Law 2.3.11, in order for those classes/credits to be considered toward activity eligibility.

c.         Non-Tradition Option 2 (Public Schools Only) - Seat Time + Non-Transcripted Credits: A student may meet the requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.2 through meeting ALL of the following:

1. The student is an enrolled student of the public high school of residence, as defined in By-Law 3.10, and is taking a minimum of two credit-bearing, seat-time classes for a minimum of 1.0 units of credit at the high school, and
2. The high school administration confirms after a full academic review that the student is further enrolled in courses taken outside of the school which bring the student up to the academic credit requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.2 (80%). Each local school will determine its own oversight, standards, and criteria for approval of such outside courses/credits, as well as the procedures to determine success/cr4edit confirmation for academic eligibility for the current and following semester. It is not necessary that such confirmed credits be placed on the high school transcript, but may be listed, at the school’s discretion.
3. All classes/assignments must be completed by the high school’s close of the semester, as per By-Law 2.3.11, in order for those classes/credits to be considered toward activity eligibility.

d.         Transfer of Enrollment based on Changes in Bona-fied Student and Academic Status: Any student whose enrollment status changes from being a non-bona fide student (not meeting By-Law 2.1 and one of the 9-12 Enrollment Options) to being a bona fide student (meeting By-Law 2.1 and one of the 9-12 Enrollment Options) would be considered a transfer student (see By-Law 3.10.4), and ineligible to represent a member school until a transfer of eligibility from is filed and an eligibility ruling is rendered.

Grades 9-12 Summer School (2.3.5): Secondary school sponsored summer courses may count toward maintaining senior high academic eligibility for the FALL semester provided the following requirements are met:

1. The counting of secondary school sponsored summer school credits must first be approved by the local school administration.
2. Credit earned for the summer school course is placed on the student's school transcript and counts towards graduation.
3. The course(s) must be classes identified by the local school board/governing body as required for graduation/promotion requirements.
4. Only electives that are taken in one of the four core content areas (language arts, mathematics, science and social studies) may be counted towards this requirement of academic eligibility.
5. Online courses may not count as a summer school credit, unless they meet the requirements of By-Law 2.3.4a (taken at the high school) or 2.34b (placed on the transcript), and all online courses must be completed on or before July 31.
6. No more than one credit earned in summer school shall count toward maintaining academic eligibility.

Student Responsibility: Each student is responsible to notify the school of any and all situations that would affect his/her eligibility under the above standards. If the student does not notify the school of the situation prior to the school’s discovery, then the student shall be ineligible for up to 365 days from discovery, pending review by the Board of Directors.

Grades 7-8 Requirements: You must be enrolled in a normal course load for your grade at the member school. You must have been promoted to a higher grade prior to the first day of classes for the new school year. However, even though you may have been promoted, you will be ineligible if you failed more than one course the previous quarter.

5. Residence Requirements

A junior or senior high school student may be eligible at the public or nonpublic school located in the district in which the student's parents (as defined in By-Law 238.1-c) reside. In case of a public multiple-school district, a student may be eligible at the school designated for the student to attend by the board of education (open enrollment does not count toward meeting the "designated school to attend.")

6. Transferring Schools

If you transfer schools and your parents do not have a complete move out of the current district and into the district of your new school, you will be ineligible for 365 days – unless you meet one of the exceptions listed in the MSHSAA.

Residence and Transfer Rules: Make an appointment with the school's athletic director to review these exceptions.  If you move with your parents to your new school district, you will be eligible at your new school provided you were eligible in all other respects at your former school. A student shall not be eligible to represent two different schools in the MSHSAA state tournament series in the same sport during the same season.

You and your parents must move to the new residence at the same time. Always check with your school principal before you transfer to determine whether it will affect your eligibility.

Discipline follows the student to the new school. Transferring while under suspension will cause you to be ineligible for 365 days.

A student may be eligible immediately at the school of his or her choice upon first entering when the student is promoted from the eighth grade (or the highest grade of a

junior high school administered as a separate unit within a school system), provided the student is eligible in all other respects.

7. Participation Limits

Grades 9-12: You are eligible to participate in any sport for a maximum of four seasons. Any part of a contest played during a season counts as a season of participation.

Your eligibility to participate in high school activities begins when you first enter the ninth grade and lasts for the next eight consecutive semesters (four consecutive years).

Grades 7-8: You are eligible for only your first two semesters of attendance in the seventh grade and for only your first two semesters in the eighth grade. You are not eligible to compete with or against students enrolled in the tenth grade or above when you are enrolled in either the seventh or eighth grade. Note: Check with your school principal for exceptions to this rule if you are ineligible because of age.

8. Entering School

You must enter school within the first 11 days of the semester in order to be eligible.

9. Amateur and Awards Standards

After entering a member school, you will become ineligible in the sport concerned if you receive cash or services for participating in an athletic contest or being an athlete. This restriction applies to all sports in which MSHSAA member schools conduct interscholastic programs. Merchandise received shall not exceed $100.00 manufacturer's suggested retail price. See MSHSAA By-Law 3.6 for greater detail.

1. You may accept awards which are symbolic in nature, such as medals, ribbons, trophies, plaques, etc. for participating in a school athletic program.
   
2. You may accept awards which are merchandise and the value of such award shall not exceed a $100.00 manufacturer's suggested retail price.
   
3. Awards as described above presented by a person or group other than your school, must be approved in advance by your school principal and the suggested manufacturer's retail price of a merchandise award shall not exceed $100.00.
   
4. You may accept awards for participating in non-school sponsored athletic competition only if the awards are symbolic in nature or the merchandise item does not exceed $100.00 in suggested retail value. (See above)
   
5. Commemorative jewelry may be presented by the school (i.e. championship ring or necklace).

10. Age Limits

Grades 9-12: If you reach 19 years of age prior to July 1, you will be ineligible the next school year. Over-aged eighth graders should be moved up to the senior high team to have eight semesters of eligibility. In order to participate on or against teams made up of only ninth-graders, you must not have reached 16 years of age prior to July 1 preceding the opening of school.

Grades 7-8: In order to participate on or against teams made up of only seventh-graders, you must not have reached 14 years of age prior to July 1 preceding the opening of school. In order to participate on or against teams made up of only eighth-graders, you must not have reached 15 years of age prior to July 1 preceding the opening of school.

However, you may participate with the next higher grade when you no longer meet the age limit for your grade. Note: Check with your school principal for options available to you if you are ineligible for your grade level because of age.

11. Playing Under a False Name

If you compete under an assumed or false name, you immediately become ineligible for up to 365 days.

12. Graduated Students

You will be ineligible to participate after graduation from a senior high school. Students who are granted an early release after their junior year are ineligible for further participation. Note: You are eligible to participate in state-level events which extend beyond the date of your school’s graduation at the end of the spring semester of your senior year.

13. Non-school Competition

You may not practice for or participate with a non-school team or in any organized non-school athletic competition and for your school team in the same sport during the same season of the school team. Swimming and diving has a special exception.  Contact your school's athletic director for specific details.

You may participate on a school team and a non-school team in different sports during the same season; however, you may not practice for the non-school team or participate in organized non-school athletic competition on the same day that you practice with or participate for the school team without prior approval of your school administrator.

You must receive approval in advance from your school principal in order to miss school time to practice for, travel to or compete in organized non-school athletic competition.

You will become ineligible in any sport in which you play as a member of a junior college, college or university team.

You may participate in international competition during the school year, however, the competition must meet the established criteria published in the MSHSAA Official Handbook and must be approved in advance by the MSHSAA Board of Directors.

Before you join a non-school team or enter any non-school competitive athletic event, your school principal or athletic administrator should be consulted to make certain these standards are met.

14. College Auditions and Tryouts

You may participate in a college tryout, audition or evaluation event for a specific sport outside the school season of the sport concerned (MSHSAA By-Law 242). You may not miss school time to travel or participate in the event unless your absence is approved in advance by the school administrator. You may not miss a MSHSAA-sponsored postseason athletic event to participate in or travel to and from the event. You may only attend one evaluation event by invitation per sport per year. You may attend any number of "open" evaluations (anyone may register) with no limit on college-sponsored tryouts.

15. All-Star Games

An all-star event is one in which an individual is invited to participate due to his or her high school achievements. You may not compete in an all-star game or contest before you complete your eligibility in each high school sport. Participation in an all-star game or contest before ending your high school eligibility will result in you becoming ineligible to participate in any high school sport. A senior with no high school eligibility remaining for a specific sport may participate in one All-Star game for that sport during the school year. See your administrator before agreeing to play.

16. Recruiting of Athletes

You will be ineligible for your career at a school if you are influenced by a person or persons to attend upon promotion or transfer schools for athletic or activities purposes. You may; however, return to your original school and be ineligible for no more than 365 days.

17. Transfer for Athletic Reasons

You shall become ineligible for 365 days if you transfer to another school for athletic reasons, as defined in MSHSAA By-Law 238.

18. Sports Camps and Clinics

You may attend a specialized summer athletic camp(s)/ clinic(s) where you receive instruction or coaching from a member of your school’s coaching staff for a maximum of two calendar weeks in any one sport. A calendar week for any sports camp is defined as any seven consecutive days and any consecutive grouping of days shall be counted as one calendar week.

You may attend a non-school sponsored summer specialized sports camp(s) or group instruction for as long as you wish where you do not receive instruction or coaching from a member of your school’s coaching staff. No summer specialized sports camp involving a fall season sport shall be attended after July 31.

During the school year outside of the school sport season, you may attend a non-school-sponsored specialized sports camp(s) or group instruction, provided: it does not result in any loss of school time, attendance does not occur within 14 days of the start of the school sport season for the sport concerned, it is not a team camp, no competition occurs other than limited scrimmaging, and no member of the coaching staff of the school you attend (or will attend) is involved in any way.

During the school sport season, you may attend a non-school-sponsored specialized sports camp(s) or group instruction provided a school coach attends with you, camp attendance does not result in any loss of school time, it is not a team camp, there is no competition other than limited scrimmaging, and a school administrator approves your participation.

If an individual sport skills camp is sponsored by a school, a) you may attend any camp of your choice up to and including the summer preceding your entry into the 8th grade or b) after you enter the 8th grade, you may only attend a school sponsored sports camp at the school you are enrolled to attend (for graduation) in grades 9-12 (unless a transfer in grades 9- 12 occurs).

You or your parents must pay all camp/clinic fees, tuition and other related expenses. A scholarship, waiver of fees or a payment of travel expenses shall result in the loss of your eligibility.

You may attend one sport camp per sport per year by special invitation. You may attend any number of "open" sport camps where anyone may register.  No school-owned uniforms or player equipment shall be used in any camp, clinic or group sport lesson other than team camps where the school coach is present as one of the two weeks of school camp. Member schools may not rent, sell, lease or loan their uniforms or player equipment for use in non-school sponsored camps, clinics or contests. Note: Before attending any specialized athletic camp(s)/ clinic(s) or group sport instruction, you should consult with your school principal or athletic administrator to make sure it meets the criteria published in the MSHSAA Official Handbook.

19. Sportsmanship

If you should commit an unsportsmanlike act while participating in an event, you could become ineligible. If your conduct as a spectator is found to be unsportsmanlike, you could be barred from attending any further high school athletic contests. The unsportsmanlike conduct of any spectator — regardless of age — could cause that spectator to be barred from attending school athletic contests.

20. Foreign Student Eligibility

1. You are eligible for varsity competition for one year only, provided you are participating in an exchange program listed by CSIET.
2. No person associated with the school may be involved in your selection.
3. No member of the school's coaching staff shall serve as a host family.
4. You must meet the age requirement of not reaching age 19 prior to July 1.
5. You must possess a current and valid visa.
6. You must have enrolled within the first 11 days of the semester.
7. You must meet all other general student-eligibility requirements.
8. If you meet all standards of eligibility except a CSIET program, you are eligible only for sub-varsity competition. 

MOUNTAIN GROVE HIGH SCHOOL

ACTIVITY POLICY CONSENT FORM

This application to represent my school in interscholastic athletics/activities is entirely voluntary on my part and is made with understanding that I have studied the eligibility standards that I must meet to represent my school and that I have not and will not violate any of them.

Further, I understand that I must self-report to school officials when I commit an act for which charges may be or have been filed by law enforcement under any municipal ordinance, misdemeanor or felony statute so as not to jeopardize my eligibility or the team’s eligibility.

I,                                                                                       , have read and understand all the rules and policies set forth in the pages of this handbook, and agree to abide by said rules, coach’s rules, and policies.

Signature of student/athlete                                                                      Date

I, as parent/guardian of                                                                                     , have read the rules and policies set forth for athletic/activities participation at Mountain Grove Schools, and give my son/daughter permission to participate under these conditions.  I will do my part in seeing that he/she follows and abides by these rules, coach’s rules, and school policies.

Signature of parent/guardian                                                                      Date

This page is to be signed each year and returned to the coach/sponsor of the activity participating in.  As the season/sport changes, the sheet will be passed on to the proper coach/sponsor for that year.