24-25 Middle School Activities Participation Booklet
Belgrade School District #44
Belgrade Middle School
Grade 5-8
Please go to www.bsd44.org and Belgrade Middle School Activities Policy that governs all Belgrade Middle School Activities. After reading through the Participation Booklet fill all forms out in Dragonfly. .
Physicals must be dated on or after May 1st, 2024 per MHSA rules. Physical exams must be completed prior to the first practice and are only good for one school year.
TO: Parents of Student/Athletes
FROM: Koby Ruff, Director of Activities
RE: Sports Participation Forms
Thank you for allowing your son or daughter to participate in our Activities Program. The Activities Program is designed to enhance the educational process by helping them to experience the many challenges that present themselves in interscholastic competition or by being involved in extracurricular activities. Our programs are for the student’s enjoyment and growth. The coaches, sponsors and I look forward to the opportunity to serve them.
If you have any questions, please call the Middle School Office 924-2510
Student-athletes are required to get a physical, complete a participation booklet with signatures from both the student and parent/guardian each school year. The Middle School Office is open from 8:00 am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday.
COMPLETION OF DRAGONFLY PROFILE ALONG WITH THE PHYSICAL AND FEES ARE REQUIRED BEFORE THE FIRST PRACTICE!
Both Students and Parents Must Sign and Date the following pages found online in the back portion of the Middle School Activities Participation Handbook:
- Acknowledgement of Activity Policies/Informed Consent and Insurance Status Verification Form
- Medical Treatment/Release form
- *Physical Form - Student signature on front and parent signature on back
- *Student-Athlete & Parent/Legal Guardian Concussion Statement
*= Needed for athletic participation only
PHYSICALS MUST BE COMPLETED BY A PHYSICIAN, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT, OR NURSE PRACTITIONER DATED MAY 1, 2023 OR AFTER.
The participation fees may be refunded to students who do not make the team or choose to drop the sport prior to the 1st competition date. Refunds are not automatically mailed out. Students or parents must contact the Middle School Office to request a refund.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES/ATHLETIC HANDBOOK INDEX
- Academic Eligibility For Participation
- Chemical Use Policy/Violations
- Concussion Information
- Code Of Conduct
- Due Process
- Health Insurance
- Hotel Behavior
- Involvement Procedure
- Philosophy
- Policy Coverage
- Purpose
- Signature Booklet
The Belgrade School District provides a wide range of extra-curricular activities for both boys and girls. Participation in these activities is voluntary. We feel participation in these activities can bring students many rewards. Participation requires the student to make a commitment to the activity, submit to the discipline of the coach, activities director, or advisor, and develop self-discipline to be successful. Participation requires considerable mental discipline and/or physical exertion and conditioning, as well as adherence to training rules and team or group regimens.
We feel involvement in school activities provides students with an opportunity to be involved in a constructive endeavor. Students who are involved in activities tend to be good citizens and perform better in the academic arena. They go away from their high school careers with a more positive feeling about their experiences. We believe parents should encourage their children to get involved in these activities as well as support them as they experience the challenges of their chosen endeavors.
Belgrade School District believes that participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege extended to students who are willing to make a commitment to adhere to the rules that govern the program. It is the district’s belief that participation in organized activities can contribute to the all-around development of young men and women and implementation of the rules will serve the following purposes:
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To emphasize concern for the health and wellbeing of students.
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To provide a chemical-free environment that will encourage development of a healthy life-style.
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To promote self-discipline and a commitment to excellence among students.
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To confirm and support existing state laws which prohibits use of mood-altering chemicals and performance enhancing drugs.
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To emphasize standards of conduct in our students who, through their participation, are leaders and role models for their peers and younger students.
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To assist students who desire to resist peer pressure, which often directs them toward the use of chemicals.
The provisions of this policy include all students who are participating in any activity that is in addition to classroom instruction and have no bearing on course credit. This includes all athletics or any co-curricular clubs sponsored by Belgrade Schools. The adherence to this policy begins on the first day of their participation in any activity.
Academic Eligibility For Participation
Belgrade Schools further stipulate:
Academics are the first responsibility of the student. Students are not in school for extra curricular activities, but are in extracurricular activities because of school.
Local eligibility standards— All cases of eligibility arising that are not specifically provided for in this handbook shall be subject to the judgment of the school administrator. The administration’s decision will be final. Students must be in school the day of the activity in order to participate in that activity.
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Missing/Incomplete assignments report and Office Referral Reports pulled every Wednesday at 3:30 PM during season.
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Missing/Incomplete Assignments:
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Any three or more missing/incomplete assignments would place students on probation.
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If a student on probation has three or more missing/incomplete assignments the following Wednesday, they would then become ineligible until the next Wednesday.
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Each student athlete is only allowed one Probationary period per activity season.
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- Behavior Report:
- One Office Referral verified by administration would place students on probation.
- Another Office Referral during the probation period, would make the student ineligible from the following Wednesday to Wednesday.
For any unforeseen circumstances, a student athlete can appeal to the Activities Director for a possible second Probationary period.
A. Physical Exam: Physical examination forms must be completed and turned in for all athletic activities before the student can begin practices. The current physical exam form is found in the participation booklet available on-line on the district's home page or at the Belgrade Middle School Office.
B. Parent Meeting: Parents/guardians and students participating in an activity are invited to attend an informational meeting to discuss and sign the activities policy. Parents are asked to attend these meetings for each activity. Family members and fans of Belgrade Middle School student/athletes agree to serve as positive role models, treat all involved with respect, be supportive and encouraging. There will be no toleration of unsportsmanlike behavior and if such behavior occurs this person will be asked to leave immediately and may also lose permission to attend future events.
C. School Absences: Absences from school and participation in practices, games, meets or performances.
1. If you are absent from school for a school sponsored event you can practice, play in a game, or take part in a performance that day.
2. If you are absent from school for a limited number of periods for a medical, dental, optometrist, etc. appointment you can participate with approval from the administration (principal, vice principal, or the activities director). A written excuse from the doctor is required.
3. You may attend practice, play in games, or participate in performances with administrative approval if absent for a court appearance, bereavement, a family emergency, or some other reason deemed acceptable by the administration.
4. If you are home sick and do not come to school for all or part of the day or are absent from any class (excused or unexcused) you cannot practice, play, or participate in performances. It is not in the best interest of our participants to be practicing when sick.
5. If you are in school but are absent from class for reasons deemed unexcused, you may not participate in games, practices, or performances that day.
D. School Suspension: School suspension includes suspension from school sponsored extracurricular activities. This will be treated as an unexcused absence from the activity.
E. Participation Fee Required: All students participating in middle school athletics will be required to pay $55 per sport/activity in 7th & 8th grades and $25 in 5th & 6th grades. The money raised from this fee helps with the financial support of the activity that the student benefits from, though it pays for only a small portion of the actual expenses of the activity. (Scholarships are available. Please fill in the form on Dragonfly.)
All participants shall abide by a code of conduct, which will earn them the honor and respect that participation and competition in the interscholastic program affords. Any conduct that results in dishonor to the student, team, group, or the school will not be tolerated.
Behavioral Expectations: All activities participants will be expected to conform to all rules of conduct formulated by the coaches/advisors/directors, activities director, administration, and school board, including all expectations outlined in the Belgrade Middle School Student Handbook. Participants may be suspended from the squad or group for any action unbecoming of a participant representing Belgrade Schools. Activities participants should conduct themselves in an exemplary manner at all times. Belgrade Schools adheres to MHSA guidelines relating to the behavior of participants and spectators.
A. Travel Requirements: All participants must travel to and return from all out of town activities with the team unless prior written permission is asked by their parents and granted by the administration. Participants will be released to travel with their parents/guardians only, after signing out with their coach/sponsor.
B. Practice Expectations: All participants must attend all practices unless excused ahead of time by the coach/advisor/director. Unexcused absences will result in disciplinary actions as determined by the coach/advisor/activity director.
C. Injuries: All injuries are to be reported immediately to the coach/advisor/activity director regardless of the nature of the injury. The coach/advisor/director will fill out an accident report form and file it in the principal’s office within one (1) school day of the accident.
D. Confidentiality: Student report of a training rule violation will be held confidential.
E. Hazing: Participating students will not be involved in hazing other students. Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of being initiated into, affiliated with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in a club or organization, or an athletic team whose members include other students. Participants will not force other members of a team or organization to do something that could be distasteful or dangerous. Students who are involved in hazing could be suspended from participation and possibly referred to law enforcement.
F. Liability: The coach/advisor/director, any other member of the school staff, or any member of the Board of Trustees will not be held liable or responsible in case of an accident incurred during practice, games, meets, matches, tournaments, concerts, or trips supervised by Belgrade Public Schools.
G. Serious Infractions: Participants charged with serious misdemeanors or felonies may be suspended from the activity pending disposition of the case. Following a conference with administration, head coach/advisor/director, activities director, and parents/guardian, the individual case shall be acted upon.
Chemical Use Policy/Violations
Participants must abide by the terms of the District’s Chemical Dependency Prevention Policy and the following terms of this Activities Policy:
1. No drinking or possession of alcoholic beverages,
2. No use or possession of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia,
3. No use or possession of tobacco, nicotine products, or vaping materials in any form,
4. No attendance at a party where alcohol/drugs are consumed.
Violations will be cumulative from the student’s first day of participation in any activity in the middle school and again at the high school. A record of all violations will be kept by the activities director or the middle school principal.
Middle School: The accumulation of offenses starts in fifth grade and continues through the eighth grade. Participants will no longer be eligible to participate after a second violation during their middle school experience.
High School: The violation count starts anew upon entering the freshman year and continues through the participant’s senior year. Students will be dropped from participation if they receive three violations during this time period. Students who are found in violation of the chemical use policy at a school-sponsored event or on school sponsored trips will be disciplined under the provisions of the school discipline policy as well as the activities policy.
Honesty Clause: Participants who violate the chemical use policy and admit to infractions will be penalized as stated per violation. Participants who deny that they have broken the chemical use policy and are later found guilty of violations will automatically be penalized by advancing to the next numerical step violation consequence.
In addition, all participants are subject to the following consequences for violation of this policy:
FIRST VIOLATION: (DRUGS/ALCOHOL/TOBACCO): Participants will be ineligible to compete in any games, contests, or performances for ten (10) school days from the date of disciplinary action. They will not be allowed to travel or sit with the team or group during performances or contests during this time. In addition, participants must attend and successfully complete the first available Minor in Possession/Alcohol Education Class (MIP/AEC) for drug and alcohol violations; or equivalent online course approved by administration if a local option is not available. Participation in these classes will be at their expense. Participants will continue to practice. The 10 school days will be carried over to the next activity and or school year.
SECOND VIOLATION HIGH SCHOOL ONLY: (DRUGS/ ALCOHOL/TOBACCO): Participants will be suspended for 20 school days from the date of disciplinary action. They will not be allowed to travel or sit with the team or group during performances or contests. In addition, participants must attend and successfully complete the first available Minor in Possession /Alcohol Education Class (MIP/AEC) for drug/alcohol violations; or equivalent online course approved by administration. Another approved program may be substituted for these classes. Participation in these classes will be at their expense. Participants will regain eligibility provided they have successfully completed the class and follow any and all recommendations made by the MIP/AEC class leader to become eligible to participate in another activity. If the first available MIP/AEC is not successfully completed, the participant will lose his/her eligibility until an MIP/AEC is successfully completed. The 20 school days will be carried over to the next activity and or school year.
THIRD VIOLATION HIGH SCHOOL OR SECOND VIOLATION MIDDLE SCHOOL: (DRUGS/ALCOHOL/TOBACCO): Students will be suspended from all extra-curricular activities for the remainder of their middle school or high school career. Students may be reinstated by agreeing to a chemical dependency assessment and following the recommendations made by the chemical dependency counselor. The student must provide the results of his/her assessment to the activities director and principal. The activities director and principal will meet with the student and his/her parents/guardians to determine appropriate action. Students eligible for reinstatement will be suspended for a minimum of 60 school days. The 60 school days will be carried over to the next school year.
A. The coach/advisor/director has the authority and the responsibility to suspend any participant from practice or competition for violation of activities policy until a meeting is arranged with parents or guardians. The coach/advisor/director or activities director will contact the parents/guardians within 24 hours if a participant is suspended.
B. The coach/advisor/director or activities director has the authority to investigate if he/she suspects violation of the activities policy.
C. Due process will be followed in each disciplinary case. The student and the coach/advisor/director will meet in conference with the parents or guardians prior to a student being dismissed from the team for a violation of training rules. The meeting will take place with the principal and/or activities director at the earliest convenient time.
The purpose of this procedure is to encourage positive development of lifetime problem-solving skills. If a participant and/or parent/guardian have a concern with the activity in which the student is involved, they should communicate in the following order: Team Coach>Head Coach/Advisor/Director>Activities Director>Building Principal>Superintendent>School Board.
Students must obey curfew set by coaches and chaperones and be in their assigned hotel rooms on all school sponsored trips. Students may not be found in a room of the opposite gender and/or with someone they are romantically involved with at any time.
WHAT IS A CONCUSSION?
Symptoms Reported by Athlete
A concussion is a brain injury. Concussions are caused by a bump or blow to the head. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.
You can’t see a concussion. Signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days or weeks after the injury. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms yourself, seek medical attention right away.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION?
Signs Observed by Parents or Guardians
If your child has experienced a bump or blow to the head during a game or practice, look for any of the following signs and symptoms of a concussion:
- Appears dazed or stunned
- Is confused about assignment or position
- Forgets an instruction
- Is unsure of game, score, or opponent
- Moves clumsily
- Answers questions slowly
- Loses consciousness (even briefly)
- Shows behavior or personality changes
- Can’t recall events prior to hit or fall
- Can’t recall events after hit or fall
- Headache or “pressure” in head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Double or blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to noise
- Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
- Concentration or memory problems
- Confusion
- Does not “feel right”
HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD PREVENT A CONCUSSION?
Every sport is different, but there are steps your children can take to protect themselves from concussion.
- Ensure that they follow their coach’s rules for safety and the rules of the sport.
- Encourage them to practice good sportsmanship at all times.
- Make sure they wear the right protective equipment for their activity (such as helmets, padding, shin guards, and eye and mouth guards). Protective equipment should fit properly, be well maintained, and be worn consistently and correctly.
- Learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU THINK YOUR CHILD HAS A CONCUSSION?
- Seek medical attention right away. A health care professional will be able to decide how serious the concussion is and when it is safe for your child to return to sports.
- Keep your child out of play. Concussions take time to heal. Don’t let your child return to play until a health care professional says it’s OK. Children who return to play too soon—while the brain is still healing—risk a greater chance of having a second concussion. Second or later concussions can be very serious. They can cause permanent brain damage, affecting your child for a lifetime.
- Tell your child’s coach about any recent concussion. Coaches should know if your child had a recent concussion in ANY sport. Your child’s coach may not know about a concussion your child received in another sport or activity unless you tell the coach.
Remember, when in doubt, sit them out!
It’s better to miss one game than the whole season.
Be Prepared
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. Concussions can occur in any sport or recreation activity. So, all coaches, parents, and athletes need to learn concussion signs and symptoms and what to do if a concussion occurs.
| Signs Observed By Parents or Guardians | Symptoms Reported By Your Child or Teen | |
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Thinking/Remembering:
Physical:
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Emotional:
Sleep*:
*Only ask about sleep symptoms if the injury occurred on a prior day. |
Links to Other Resources:
- CDC- Concussion in Sports
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http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/sports/index.html
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- The National Federation of State High School Association/ Concussion in Sports - What You Need To Know
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www.nfhslearn.com
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- Montana High School Association – Sports Medicine Page
- http://www.mhsa.org/SportsMedicine/SportsMed.htm
The School District DOES NOT provide medical insurance benefits for students who choose to participate in activities programs. If parents or guardians have their own insurance coverage during the student’s participation, that coverage information should be provided on the required “Informed consent and Insurance verification” form. If the student/athlete does not have current health insurance and wishes to purchase coverage or additional coverage, the district has cooperated with K & K Insurance to provide families with an option to purchase health coverage for the duration of the sport season or school year. If the family chooses to sign up with K & K Insurance the enrollment information is below
K-12 Student Accident Insurance - Enroll Online www.studentinsurance-kk.com
Student Name
Male_ Female_
Grade
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Office Use Only-Do Not Write In The Area Football_ Volleyball_ Cross Country_ Wrestling_ Boys Basketball_ Girls Basketball_ Track_ Speech and Debate_ Science Olympiad_ Builder's Club_ Drama Club(s)_ |
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By signing below, you agree to the policies stated in the Activities Participation Book and adhere to its Chemical Use Policy during your season of participation.
I have read and understand the activities policy included in this booklet.
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
Participant Signature Date
List all Activities wishing to participate in:
Belgrade Public Schools (School District #44) will not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, marital status, national origin, or disability in our educational programs or in our activities. All students will be treated equally.
BELGRADE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS INFORMED CONSENT AND
INSURANCE VERIFICATION FORM
I understand that the Belgrade High School Coaching Staff will take all reasonable precautions to insure that the risk of injury to their athletes is minimized. However, even though these precautions are taken there is still a chance of injury, and in rare instances even severe injury and death. I have been informed of these risks, understand them, and feel that the benefits of participation outweigh the risks involved. My signature below gives my child permission to participate in a Belgrade High School Activity.
The School District DOES NOT provide medical insurance coverage benefits for students who choose to participate in activities programs.
Student/athletes with personal medical insurance coverage, the insurance company name and policy number is requested to ensure your student/athlete has proper coverage when traveling and participating in activities.
_ I have personal medical insurance to cover the student’s participation:
INSURANCE (Company Name)
Policy #
A student/athlete will not be kept from participating in activities due to lack of insurance. If the student/athlete DOES NOT have personal medical insurance to cover the student’s participation and understands that the School District does not provide medical insurance to cover the students, they will need to sign this document indicating they have no insurance and understand the School District is not liable.
_ I DO NOT have personal medical insurance to cover my student/athlete’s participation and understand that the School District DOES NOT provide medical insurance to cover my student/athlete. I understand I will be responsible for any medical costs associated with my student’s participation.
Signature Required Regardless of Insurance Coverage: By signing below Belgrade School District is released of any liability that may occur.
Student Athlete Date
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
Participant Signature Date
Student-Athlete & Parent/Legal Guardian Concussion Statement
Because of the passage of the Dylan Steiger’s Protection of Youth Athletes Act, schools are required to distribute information sheets for the purpose of informing and educating student-athletes and their parents of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury to student athletes, including the risks of continuing to play after concussion or head injury. Montana law requires that each year, before beginning practice for an organized activity, a student-athlete and the student-athlete’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) must be given an information sheet, and both parties must sign and return a form acknowledging receipt of the information to an official designated by the school or school district prior to the student-athletes participation during the designated school year. The law further states that a student-athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from play at the time of injury and may not return to play until the student-athlete has received a written clearance from a licensed healthcare provider.
Student-Athlete Name:
This form must be completed for each student-athlete, even if there are multiple student-athletes in each household.
Parent/Legal Guardian Name(s):
We have read the Student-Athlete & Parent/Legal Guardian Concussion Information Sheet.
If true, please check box
After reading the information sheet, I am aware of the following information:
| Student/Athlete Initials | Parent/Legal Guardian Initials | |
|---|---|---|
| A concussion is a brain injury, which should be reported to my parents, my coach(es), or a medical professional if one is available. | ||
| A concussion can affect the ability to perform everyday activities such as the ability to think, balance, and classroom performance. | ||
| A concussion cannot be “seen.” Some symptoms might be present right away. Other symptoms can show up hours or days after an injury. | ||
| I will tell my parents, my coach, and/or a medical professional about my injuries and illnesses. | N/A | |
| If I think a teammate has a concussion, I should tell my coach(es), parents, or licensed health-care professional about the concussion. | N/A | |
| I will not return to play in a game or practice if a hit to my head or body causes any concussion-related symptoms. | N/A | |
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I/my child will need written permission from a licensed healthcare professional to return to play or practice after a concussion. |
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After a concussion, the brain needs time to heal. I understand that I am/my child is much more likely to have another concussion or more serious brain injury if return to play or practice occurs before concussion symptoms go away. |
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Sometimes, repeat concussions can cause serious and long-lasting problems. |
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I have read the concussion symptoms on the Concussion fact sheet. |
Signature of Student-Athlete Date
Signature of Parent/Legal Guardian Date
Medical Treatment/ Release Form
MEDICAL TREATMENT/RELEASE FORM
To: Parents and/or Guardians of Students Representing
School District No. 44 in Activity Programs.
It has become exceedingly difficult to obtain medical services for students injured when competing, without first obtaining parental/guardian consent in writing. So that proper emergency assistance may be provided, we ask that you review the following statement, sign and return to the faculty member in charge.
I hereby authorize School District No. 44 and its faculty members in charge of my child named below to obtain all necessary medical care for my child and I hereby authorize any licensed physician and/or medical personnel to render necessary medical treatment to my child.
Student's Name
Parent's Name/Address/Telephone No./Email
Emergency Contact if parent cannot be reached: Name/Address/Telephone No./Relationship to student
Allergies: Yes/No
Medication Needed: Yes/No
Special Medical Problems? Yes/No
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
