- 1 Philosophy
Boys lacrosse is part of Upper Merion Area School District’s (UMASD) extra-curricular activities, and as such is part of the value that young people develop when they have the opportunity to participate in an organized activity outside of the traditional classroom. Participants and responsible adults involved in UMASD boys lacrosse activities are expected to demonstrate the same level of responsibility and behavior at practice and games as is expected in the classroom.

- 2 Purpose
The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to give all students participating in boys lacrosse, and interested persons, a guide to expectations set forth in the 2023 season. The coaches will explain specific rules, regulations, policies and procedures set forth to ensure each student athlete’s success in meeting these expectations. Students participating in boys lacrosse will be expected to adhere to the specific rules, regulations, policies and procedures established in this policy.

- 3 Rules and Regulations
Participation in extracurricular activities with Upper Merion Area School District is not a right but a privilege. It is required that students participating in athletic activities become familiar with and understand the rules and regulations required of students participating in athletic activities. Students participating in boys lacrosse must become familiar with, and are required to abide by the rules and policies as set forth in this policy at all times regardless of whether or not the student is on school grounds, attending a school function or activity, on private property, or at a private party.
Violation of these rules and regulations and/or the Upper Merion Area School District policy is prohibited and will result in disciplinary action. Such disciplinary action could lead to suspension, expulsion from the team, or removal from school and/or the athletic activity in accordance with the rules in this Code of Conduct and/or UMASD policies.

- 4 Commitment to the Team
For the 2023 season we will be practicing primarily in the stadium (unless otherwise noted and announced) from 5:15 to 7:30pm as well as lifting from 3:45 to 4:30pm Mondays and Wednesdays. Though this may not be convenient, it is the direct result of the UMASD working to improve the overall quality of education for its students. Practice times and locations will be well communicated by the coaching staff ahead of time to ensure players and parents are aware. It is the responsibility of the player to ensure they are aware of the practice time and location and communicate any transportation issues/concerns to the coaches so that they are able to coordinate effectively.

For practices, players are expected to be at practice with sufficient time to be ready to practice at the delegated time (enough time to get pads and practice uniform on before designated start time. Players are expected to be on time and attend every practice and contest, unless excused by the coaches. If a player is in school that day, he is expected to be at that day’s practice/game. If a student is to be absent for any reason, they are required to coordinate with the coaches prior to the practice or contest. If the coach is not notified it will be considered an unexcused absence. Timely communication between the coach, parent and/or athlete in this situation is essential. Telling a teammate to tell the coaches you will not be at practice is NOT considered coordination and will result in an unexcused absence. Missing practice due to work is not considered an excused absence, it is expected that players will be at all practices and games. It is unfair/disruptive to the rest of the team if players miss practices and/or games. Prior to the start of the season, players must work with their employer to determine work schedules that do not overlap practice/games.
Excused absences are permitted for extra academic help, death in the family, family illness, family emergencies, medical reasons, and religious observances.

- 4.1 Practice Tardiness/Attendance Discipline
Practice time is absolutely vital to team success. It is expected that all players attend every practice. To ensure that all players have a full dedication to the team, the coaching staff have adopted specific guidelines for practice attendance. The following describe the penalty for unexcused absences from practice:

1. 1st Violation - The 1st violation will result in a warning.
2. 2nd Violation - The 2nd violation will result in a player sitting out of the 1st half of the next game.
3. 3rd Violation - The 3rd violation will result in a player sitting out the entire next game.
4. 4th Violation - The 4th violation will result in removal from the team.

The coaching staff and Athletic Director reserve the right to use their best judgment regarding these situations.

- 5 Off Campus Conduct
Students should remember that they are responsible for the good name of Upper Merion Area High School and specifically the boys lacrosse team at all times. Behavior on or off campus that is not reflective of the philosophy and ideals of the community may lead to disciplinary action including dismissal from the team.

- 6 Substance Abuse, Tobacco
As an athlete you cannot compromise athletic participation with substance abuse. Students have to decide if they want to be athletes. If you do wish to be an athlete, you must make the commitment to be substance free in order to be a competitor. This commitment will not be easy because of the many social pressures you will face. Use, sale, or possession of tobacco, alcohol, controlled substances, inhalants, lookalikes, and/or other illegal substances is strictly prohibited throughout the calendar year.
Upper Merion Area School District is committed to the maintenance of an academic environment free from all forms of drug and alcohol abuse. No student shall distribute, dispense, possess, use, or be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage. Additionally, the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession, or use (except for a valid medical purpose) of any narcotic drug/hallucinogenic substance as defined by law, before, during or after school hours at school or in any other school district location is strictly forbidden. “School district location” refers to any school building/ school premises/school-owned vehicle used to transport students to and from school or school activities, off school property at any school-sponsored or school-approved activity/event/function (such as field trip or athletic event) where students are under the jurisdiction of the school district. A student who violates the terms of this policy may be disciplined, suspended or expelled from school at the discretion of the administration in accordance with prescribed school policies, guidelines and regulations applicable to student offenses.

- 7 Monitoring of Grades
In accordance with PIAA regulations, school administrators will monitor grades during the marking periods
and grades will be checked weekly for eligibility issues. The Athletic Director will develop a list of all students who have a D or F average in any subject and distribute a list to their respective coaches. The Athletic Director, in conjunction with the head coach, will ensure that intervention is conducted with each student on the list by the appropriate coach and guidance counselor. Any athlete declared ineligible may practice during the period of ineligibility but may not participate in, or travel to any scrimmages/contests with other schools.

- 8 Tardiness and Late Entry to School
Punctuality is a life skill for success in the world of work. It is our belief that punctuality is an important trait to be fostered and practiced in school. The late student loses the benefit of instruction and disrupts the classroom environment. UMAHS dictates that the penalties for tardiness are increasingly more severe for students who are repeatedly tardy. Repeated times tardy results in detention which will interfere with either practice or game schedules as described in Section 4 above.

- 9 School Attendance
Student athletes are expected to attend school regularly. Students participating in athletics programs must attend a full school day to participate in the athletic events that day or evening. For weekend or holidays, a student must be in attendance the last school day before the weekend or holiday. This participation includes all practices, games, events, etc. The principal or designee has the authority to grant exceptions to this rule.
Unexcused absences from school are not acceptable. If it has been determined that an athlete has an unexcused absence from a class they will not be able to practice or participate in games during that day. If there is not a practice/contest on the day of the infraction, the student-athlete will need to miss the practice/contest on the next available day. Subsequent unexcused absences may result in further action by the administration and coaches and may result in an athlete missing more than one practice or game. Note that leaving campus without authorization anytime during the school day is also considered an unexcused absence (class cut). As per PIAA rules, a pupil who has been absent from school during a semester for a total of twenty (20) days shall not be eligible to participate in any athletic contest until he or she has been in attendance for a total of forty-five (45) days following his twentieth day of absence. Attendance at summer school does not count toward these days.
Students suspended out-of-school may not attend or participate in activities (practices or games) until the day after the suspension has ended.

- 10 Communications from Coaches
Coaches will utilize the Remind App to try to keep everyone as up-to-date as we can throughout the season. Every player should join the group using the Remind link above. Please make every effort to ensure we have at least one parent/guardian name/email/phone number so that you are in the loop as well.