This document provides information for the Northeast Ohio Conference Middle School League West spring sports season. It outlines the participating schools, schedules and directions, admission fees, physical requirements, codes of conduct, eligibility requirements, academic probation programs, attendance policies, and payment details. Violations of the code of conduct, which prohibits drugs, alcohol, tobacco, disruptive behavior, and more, will result in disciplinary action including possible removal from athletic participation. Self-referrals for substance issues and medical referrals are addressed. Parents must contact coaches directly with concerns before the principal.

1. Northeast Ohio ConferenceMiddle School League- West BRUNSWICK SOUTH Spring Sports Information Night 2011

2. NOCMSL-WEST BRUNSWICK MEDINA South Claggett Willetts Root ELYRIA NORTH ROYALTON Eastern Heights PARMA Northwood Greenbriar Westwood Hillside LAKEWOOD Shiloh Garfield STRONGSVILLE Harding Albion Center

3. Schedules and Directions Some schools will play at different sites for different sports. Schedules and driving directions are posted on the EMS and VMS websites under the “athletics” tab.

4. Schedules and Directions

5. Admission to Meets Free for dual and tri-meets There is a fee for invitationals, relays, and the conference championship

6. Physicals Physical forms are available at each building and on VMS and EMS websites. A valid physical must be turned into your coach prior to the first day of practice. If you do not have a current valid physical on file than you will not be allowed to participate in practice or games until one is turned in. Physicals are good for one calendar year.

7. Medical Clearance A coach may require that you have medical clearance from a physician prior to returning to your sport. This means you cannot participate in practice or games until medical clearance is given by a physician. We have an obligation to make sure your son or daughter is medically sound for any athletic activity.

8. CODE OF CONDUCT This policy will be subject to enforcement and/or disciplinary action by school administration for the entire year This is a 365 day a year policy Offenses are cumulative throughout the student’s enrollment at either MS or HS Punishment will carry year to year and sport to sport

9. CODE OF CONDUCT Covers possession, use, and/or sale of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products. Hosting parties where drugs, alcohol, or tobacco are present for students is viewed the same as distribution of those substances.

10. Reasonable Conduct Student-athletes shall not engage in: Disruptive Conduct Vandalism Hazing Theft Assault and Battery Dangerous Weapons and Instruments

11. Reasonable Conduct Student-athletes are expected to behave appropriately during school and extra-curricular activities. Detrimental actions include: Insubordination Repeated absenteeism Fighting Sexual misconduct Negative/apathetic attitude Unsportsmanlike conduct Lying Inappropriate language/gestures

12. Reasonable Conduct Violations Recognizing the varying degrees of severity, the type of misconduct, and a participant’s previous record of conduct, each situation will be considered individually. The coach and administration will determine appropriate consequences, which may include denial of participation or dismissal from the team.

13. SELF-REFERRAL Voluntary referrals DO NOT carry any punitive consequences Students are permitted one voluntary referral during middle school and one during high school participation Self-referrals can be made by the student or by his/her immediate family. (Confidential) Self-referral cannot be used by students as a method to avoid consequences after they have been found to be in violation of Code of Conduct rules

14. SELF-REFERRAL, Cont. Students must make self-referrals to a coach, the athletic director, teacher, administrator, guidance counselor or to the district chemical dependency coordinator Self-referrals can lead to referral to an approved assessing agency Those referrals made to an assessing agency will remain confidential

15. EMERGENCY REMOVAL An administrator, coach or activity supervisor may, without notice or hearing, remove a student from an athletic activity or from the school premises if, in his or her judgment, the student’s presence poses a danger to persons or property, disrupts, or threatens to disrupt the activity.

16. PARENTAL PROCEDURE FOR REGISTERING CONCERNS REGARDING AN ATHLETIC PROGRAM We encourage open and honest communication at all levels. Many concerns can be resolved between parents and coaches or advisors. Coaches and advisors should have the opportunity to resolve problems on their teams or activities. As a parent, if you have a concern about the activity in which your child is participating, please contact the coach or advisor directly. The principals are available at any time to assist you.

17. CODE OF CONDUCT For more information please refer to the code of conduct pamphlet you received from your coach or advisor. Any other questions please contact your building principal. This is intended to be an overview of the code of conduct for athletics, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

18. ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY All participants in athletic activities at Brunswick Middle Schools must meet academic eligibility requirements. The program is twofold, with a credit check and minimum grade point requirement each 9 weeks. A probationary program is available to those not meeting the minimum grade point requirements.

19. STUDENTS GRADE 9-12 Must have received passing grades in a minimum of five one-credit courses, or the equivalent, in the grading period immediately preceding, to be eligible. Grades 10-12 must have a 2.0 minimum grade point average for the grading period immediately preceding. Grade 9 is 1.8 GPA

20. STUDENTS GRADE 7-8 Must have received passing grades in a minimum of FIVE classes attempted in the grading period immediately preceding to be eligible. Must have a 1.8 minimum grade point average for the grading period immediately preceding.

21. PROBATIONARY PROGRAM If a student does not receive the minimum required grade point average, the student and parents or guardian will be notified. They will be given the opportunity to participate probationary program involving the principal and the student’s teachers in order to qualify for eligibility.

22. PROBATIONARY PROGRAM If the student does not raise his or her grade point average to the required level during the probationary period, he or she will become ineligible for participation in all athletic and/or extra-curricular activities for the remainder of the grading period. If the student and/or parents or guardian do not participate in the probationary program, the student will be declared ineligible for the entire grading period.

23. ABSENCES In order to participate, an athlete must be in school for at least one half day on the day of the practice or contest. You must sign in BEFORE 5TH period. You must sign out AFTER 5TH period.

24. Pay to Participate $80 per sport $360 maximum cost per family(Please see the school office if this applies) First payment of $40 due by 3/24/11 Second payment of $40 due by 4/20/11 Students on Federal Lunch Program pay 50% if on reduced, $0 if on free(limited to one sport per student) Payments are taken at EMS & VMS main offices, or pay online via PayPal.

25. MORE INFORMATION Visit our web page at www.bcsoh.org/edwardswww.bcsoh.org/visintainer Veronica Balogh, Athletic Director330-273-0402, vbalogh@bcsoh.org Carol Yost, VisintainerPrincipal330-273-0402, cyost@bcsoh.org Kent Morgan, Edwards Principal 330-273-0488, kmorgan@bcsoh.org