Santa Fe South Pathways Middle College

STUDENT-ATHLETE & PARENT/PLAYER HANDBOOK

Section 1: Athletic Department Mission & Values

1.1 Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Santa Fe South Pathways Middle College Athletic Department to empower student-athletes to excel academically, athletically, and socially for the betterment of our school and broader community. The athletic faculty is committed to instilling dedication, strong work ethic, accountability, and teamwork. We strive to cultivate an inclusive, family-oriented environment that celebrates diversity and maintains high standards of safety and sportsmanship. Our goal is for every student-athlete to develop into a person of character and integrity while competing at the highest interscholastic level.

1.2 Program Goals & Objectives

Department Goals

1. Provide the educational and developmental benefits of interscholastic athletic competition to as many students as possible.
2. Maintain safe, quality facilities and employ qualified, dedicated coaching staff.
3. Offer a diverse selection of sports aligned with student interests.
4. Ensure athletic programs supplement—rather than replace—core physical education and academic coursework.
5. Prioritize the physical welfare, health, and safety of all student-athletes, staff, and spectators.

Educational Objectives

Through structured coaching and team participation, the department aims to foster:

1. Physical health, motor skill development, and lifelong fitness.
2. Self-discipline, emotional maturity, and personal accountability.
3. Social competence, collaboration, and respect for teammates, opponents, and officials.
4. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability under pressure.
5. Respect for rules, authority, fair play, and democratic team dynamics.
6. A commitment to personal excellence and team goals that translates into adult life.

Section 2: Attendance Requirements

2.1 Day-of-Contest Attendance

While the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) does not mandate a uniform statewide game-day attendance policy, Santa Fe South Pathways Middle College enforces the following requirement:

Half-Day Attendance Rule To participate in any athletic contest or practice, a student-athlete MUST BE IN ATTENDANCE FOR AT LEAST ONE-HALF (1/2) OF THE SCHOOL DAY on the day of the event. Exceptions may only be granted in advance by the Principal or Athletic Director.

2.2 Course Credit & Attendance Thresholds (90% Rule)

1. Minimum Attendance: To earn course credit in grades 9 through 12, a student-athlete must attend school a minimum of 90% of the days each semester.
2. Absence Limits: Students are permitted a maximum of five (5) absences per 9-week grading period or ten (10) absences per semester.
3. Calculation: All absences (excused or unexcused) count toward the 90% threshold. Official participation in school-sponsored activities during the school day does NOT count as an absence.
4. Consecutive Absences: Any student absent for ten (10) consecutive school days without valid explanation will be dropped from the active roster (‘off roll’). Upon returning, administrative clearance is required for reinstatement (‘on roll’).

Section 3: Scholastic & Interscholastic Eligibility

3.1 Standards & Governance

1. OSSAA Rules: Basic academic and residency eligibility standards are governed by the rules and regulations of the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA).
2. Local Policy: The Principal and Athletic Director retain authority to establish additional, stricter academic or behavioral eligibility requirements for Santa Fe South Pathways Middle College.
3. Responsibility: Head coaches are directly responsible for verifying that all incoming and transfer students are fully cleared and eligible prior to participating in any athletic contest.

3.2 Academic Eligibility Checks

Eligibility monitoring is conducted continuously throughout each term:

1. Grade checks begin following the second week of each term/block and occur weekly thereafter.
2. Head coaches and program sponsors are responsible for notifying student-athletes of academic deficiencies or failing grades (F status).

3.3 Status of Ineligible Players

1. Practice Privileges: An academically ineligible student-athlete may continue to practice with the team, provided all pre-participation paperwork and insurance forms are on file.
2. Administrative Restrictions: Administration reserves the right to revoke practice, travel, or bench privileges if an athlete exhibits poor behavior, attendance issues, or negative academic effort.
3. Out-of-School Suspension (OSS): Students under OSS may not practice, travel, or compete until fully reinstated to regular classes and cleared by the head coach and Athletic Director.
4. In-School Suspension (ISS): Students assigned to ISS or internal intervention programs are barred from all practices and games for the duration of their placement.

Section 4: Participation Guidelines & Regulations

4.1 Required Electronic Documentation (RankOne)

Before attending tryouts, practices, or contests, all student-athletes and their parents/guardians must complete all required electronic participation, emergency, and consent forms via RankOne. Signatures from both the student and parent/guardian are mandatory.

4.2 Middle College / Underclassmen Varsity Participation Policy

Santa Fe South Pathways Middle College seeks to balance individual student growth with competitive team success:

1. Prerequisites: Participation of underclassmen on varsity rosters is evaluated based on academic standing, maturity, skill level, and roster availability.
2. Contest Limits: Underclassmen playing on varsity rosters must not exceed maximum contest limits set by the OSSAA for that sport.

4.3 Tryouts

Santa Fe South Pathways Middle College maintains an open-tryout policy. Coaches will not prevent a student from trying out for a sport based on past seasons’ friction. Exceptions allowing denial of tryouts include:

1. Active or extended out-of-school suspension.
2. Past or present infractions involving alcohol, tobacco/vaping, or illegal substances.
3. Incidents involving theft or destruction of school property.

(Coaches must submit written justification to the Athletic Director prior to denying a tryout).

4.4 Quitting a Team & Mid-Season Sport Changes

Participation in Santa Fe South athletic programs requires commitment. Once an athlete’s name appears on an official roster:

1. Quitting Policy: If a student-athlete quits a sport after the official roster is established, they are ineligible to participate in any other sport for the remainder of that school year. May bar a student from participating in athletics in subsequent years.
2. Administrative Clearance: Mid-season transfers between sports are only permitted if both head coaches and the Athletic Director mutually agree that the change is in the student’s best interest without harming either team.

Section 5: Student-Athlete Health, Safety & Medical Policies

5.1 General Medical Care & Standard of Care

Coaches and athletic staff are not licensed physicians and will not attempt to diagnose serious or non-responsive medical conditions. Any athlete exhibiting signs of acute injury or illness will be referred immediately to medical professionals.

Medical Clearance Requirement If a student-athlete seeks care from a physician for an injury or illness, they CANNOT return to practice or competition without written medical clearance signed by the treating physician.

5.2 Concussion & Head Injury Protocol

1. Annual Education: Prior to the season, student-athletes and parents must review and sign the Concussion and Head Injury Information Sheet & Acknowledgement Form.
2. Immediate Removal: Any athlete exhibiting signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion during practice or competition must be removed immediately from play by the coaching staff.
3. Evaluation & Clearance: The athlete may not return to play until evaluated by a licensed healthcare professional trained in concussion management and issued a formal Medical Clearance to Return to Athletic Participation form.

Step / Stage	Action Required & Protocol Details
1. Suspected Head Injury	Immediate removal from practice or contest. No return to play on the same day under any circumstances.
2. Professional Evaluation	Assessment conducted by a licensed healthcare provider trained in concussion diagnosis and management.
3. Written Medical Clearance	Submission of signed Medical Clearance to Return to Athletic Participation form to the Athletic Office.
4. Graduated Return-to-Play	Stepwise physical and cognitive re-entry protocol monitored by athletic/medical staff.

5.3 Mandatory & Optional Student Insurance

All student-athletes must have documented proof of primary health insurance or enroll in the district-approved supplemental accident coverage plan prior to participation.

Section 6: Student-Athlete Code of Conduct

6.1 Athletic Participation as a Privilege

Participation in interscholastic athletics at Santa Fe South Pathways Middle College is a privilege, not a property right. Athletic participation is governed by department policies and is not subject to the formal due process standards applied to general public education enrollment.

6.2 Expected Conduct & Dismissal Offenses

Student-athletes represent Santa Fe South Pathways Middle College at all times. Violations of the following core standards may result in immediate disciplinary action, suspension, or permanent removal from the athletic program:

1. Immorality, profanity, obscenity, or theft.
2. Persistent or severe violations of school handbook rules and policies.
3. Possession, display, or use of dangerous weapons.
4. Assault, battery, fighting, harassment, or deliberate property damage.
5. Possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes/vapes, or controlled substances.
6. Conduct that threatens the safety of others, including verbal abuse or extreme disrespect toward game officials, opponents, or spectators.
7. Habitual or unexcused absences from classes, practices, or scheduled athletic events.

6.3 Legal Violations & Independent Investigation

1. Legal Compliance: Student-athletes must refrain from violating local, state, or federal laws.
2. Independent Review: A criminal conviction is not required for athletic disciplinary action. The school may conduct an independent administrative review upon receiving reliable evidence or reports of unlawful conduct.
3. Disciplinary Conference: Following an infraction, a meeting will be convened with the student, parent/guardian, head coach, and administration to review findings and determine consequences.
4. Appeal Rights: Parents/guardians may submit a written appeal of athletic suspension or dismissal to the Athletic Director within two (2) school days of the conference. The initial disciplinary action remains in effect during the appeal process.

6.4 Substance & Drug Testing Policy

Santa Fe South Pathways Middle College may initiate a mandatory, random student drug-testing program for all extracurricular participants in accordance with district board policy.

Section 7: Lettering, Awards & Name, Image, Likeness (NIL)

7.1 Lettering Requirements

To earn an official Santa Fe South athletic letter, a student-athlete must meet both general and sport-specific criteria:

1. General Standards: Maintain exemplary sportsmanship, conduct, and training attendance.
2. Remain on the team in good standing for the entire season unless excused by administration.
3. Fulfill all school and OSSAA academic and attendance requirements.
4. Sport-Specific Standards: Defined in writing by each sport’s head coach and filed with the Athletic Department at the start of the season.

7.2 OSSAA Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Guidelines

In accordance with OSSAA rules, student-athletes may earn compensation from commercial activities involving their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), provided the following restrictions are strictly followed:

Permitted NIL Activities	Strictly Prohibited NIL Activities
Personal endorsements unattached to school identity	Compensation contingent upon specific athletic performance or game outcomes
Individual commercial engagements operating outside school hours	Compensation used as an inducement to enroll or remain at Santa Fe South
Independent social media monetization using personal attire	Direct compensation provided by the school, staff, or school agents
Commercial engagements compliant with district policies	Use of Santa Fe South logos, trademarks, uniforms, or OSSAA branding

Section 8: Nondiscrimination & Title IX Statements

8.1 Nondiscrimination Statement

Santa Fe South Pathways Middle College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender expression or identity, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or age in its educational programs, athletic activities, admissions, or employment practices.

8.2 Discrimination & Harassment Inquiries

Any student, parent, or staff member who believes they have experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation is encouraged to contact the designated District Compliance & Title IX Coordinator.

Federal Civil Rights Assistance U.S. Department of Education — Office for Civil Rights One Petticoat Lane, 1010 Walnut Street, Suite 320 Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 268-0550 | Email: OCR.KansasCity@ed.gov