Student Activities and Athletics

Variety of interscholastic sports and activities offers opportunity to improve athletic abilities and develop desirable, intrinsic qualities derived from competition. Every participating student in athletics or activities MUST complete an online Student Activities Registration Form and MUST complete a Student Activities Code of Conduct agreement form.

An athletic study hall is available to junior and senior athletes only (as per Illinois School Code) during the season of their IHSA sport. An Athletic Study Hall substitutes a Study Hall period during the student’s schedule Physical Education class to allow school study time for time spent practicing.

Only study hall may be substituted (i.e., not another course). Any abuse of this privilege can result in a) appropriate discipline and b) an immediate return to Physical Education class.

 These include:

1. Cheerleading--spirit-supporting team for interscholastic sports
2. Eurythmics--modern dance performing team
3. Pom-Pon--dance rhythm performing team

Intramural Activities offered by Athletic Department include:

 

Working with other students in school activities encourages a student to become a part of LT either as a member of a club or committee, dramatic production, music ensemble, or interest team. Collaboration with fellow students builds school spirit, friendships, personal achievement, and a feeling of belonging. LTHS has a place for everyone in its wide-ranging activities. Sufficient student interest in other activities may result in other activities being added to the intramural program.

A cappella Club   Arabic Culture Club   Archery Club   Art Club   ASL Club   Astronomy Club   Athlete Leadership Program   Auto Club   Aviation Club   Baccalaureate   Battle of the Books   Best Buddies   BIZ Concessions   Black Student Union   Board Games Club   Bowling Club   BPA (Business Professionals of America)   Breakfast with Barbells   Catering Club   Chamber Orchestra   Cheerleading (Spirit)   Chess Team   Class Boards   Color Guard/Winter Guard   Congressional Debate   The Corral   Creative Writing Group   Cyber Defense Club   D&D Club   East Asian Culture Club   eSports Club   Eurythmic Dance Company   Fashion Club

FFCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America)   FFA (Future Farmers of America)   Fishing Club   French Club   Future Healthcare Professionals   GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math and Science)   German Club   Greek Club   Improvisation Society of Geniuses   Interact Club   Investment Club   Italian Club   Jazz Band   Jazz Lab Band   Jazz Strings   Latin Club/Junior Classical League   Latinos Juntos   Lifeguard Club   The Lion Newspaper   Lions Den Student Section   LTTV (TV Production Club)   Madrigals   Marching Band   Math Team   Menagerie (Literary & Art Magazine)   Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS Club)   Model UN Music Improv   National Honor Society   Older Adult Connection   Peer Leadership

Pep Band   Photography Club   Pinball Club   Ping Pong Club   Poms   PRISM   Programming Club   PSI (Peaceable Schools Initiative)   Recycling Club   Robotics Team   Rock Climbing Club   Roundnet Club Sailing Club   SAVE Promise Club   Scholastic Bowl   Science Olympiad   Snowball   Social Action Project   Spanish Club   Speech Team   STEM Club   Steppers   Student Athletic Training (Sports Medicine)   Student Council   Sustainability Club   Tabulae Yearbook   Theatre Board Ultimate Frisbee   WLTL (Radio Production Club)   Yarn & Thread Club   Yoga & Wellness Club   Zoology Club

Every participating student in activities or athletics must complete an online Student Activities Registration Form for each activity, review the Code of Conduct, and complete a Student Activities Code of Conduct agreement form.

Students are also required to comply with Board Policies 6:190—Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Activities; 7:240—Conduct Code for Participants in Extracurricular Activities; and 7:300—Extracurricular Athletics. 

Purpose 

The extracurricular activities offered by Lyons Township High School District 204 are an extension of, but separate from, the regular high school program. While the regular curricular program is a right afforded to each student, participation in the extracurricular program is a privilege and, as such, carries certain expectations beyond those found in the normal classroom setting. The goal of District 204’s extracurricular activities program is to give students direction in developing healthful living habits, discipline, leadership, teamwork, and respect for rules and regulations. For these reasons, this Code of Conduct is applied to students participating in District 204’s extracurricular activities program.   

Defining Extracurricular Activities (Board Policy 6:190) 

Extracurricular activities are activities that are not part of the curriculum, are not graded, do not offer credit, and do not take place during instructional time. Extracurricular activities include competitive interscholastic activities and clubs.

Selection and Participation Requirements (Board Policies 6:190, 7:300)

Selection of members or participants is at the discretion of teachers, sponsors, or coaches, based on selection criteria that conforms with District 204’s policies.

To be eligible for participation in any Illinois High School Association (IHSA) athletic or extracurricular activity, a student must satisfy the IHSA scholastic standing requirement. A student must be doing passing work in at least twenty-five (25) credit hours of high school per week. A student must, unless entering high school for the first time, have credit on their school records for twenty-five (25) credit hours of high school work (i.e., five graded classes) for the previous semester. Such work must have been completed in the semester for which credit is granted or in a recognized summer school program which has been approved by the Board of Education and for which graduation credit is received. Passing work must be defined as schoolwork for which a grade would have been given and certified on a student’s transcript if a student were to transfer to another school. 

A student failing to meet this minimum standard during weekly eligibility checks during the semester (i.e., five graded classes) shall be suspended from activities for a period of seven (7) consecutive calendar days. Students failing to meet the minimum standard at the conclusion of the semester shall be suspended from their activities for the entire next semester.

Students also must abide by all by-laws and rules of any association in which District 204 is a member. This includes all IHSA eligibility rules, including those related to age and attendance. Students and parents/guardians are encouraged to consider these academic eligibility requirements prior to requesting schedule changes or dropping classes. 

Expectations 

The following expectations apply to all District 204 students participating in extracurricular activities. Each activity may set additional expectations for students. 

1. The student must agree to follow the Code of Conduct and the sponsor’s or coach’s rules and instructions.

2. Regularly attend school, practice, and events. Participants are expected to attend school for four class periods of the student’s class schedule on the day of the activity. “Activity” includes practices, competitions, and events related to the extracurricular activity. 

3. Attend an in-person meeting or view a District-sponsored video training at the beginning of every school year during which a student intends to participate in extracurricular activities to review this Code of Conduct, student behavior expectations, and any applicable student handbook and Board Policy provisions. The student and parent/guardian must confirm attendance at a meeting or viewing of the video training, either in writing or electronically, prior to the start of the activity or season. The coach or sponsor also may require students to attend an activity-specific meeting at the beginning of the season or start of the activity to review expectation.

4. Travel on school-arranged transportation for all events off Lyons Township High School campus. 

5. Be responsible for the maintenance and return of all equipment and/or clothing issued for an activity.

6. Encourage participants to attend Awards Nights/End-of-Year Banquets for the extracurricular activities in which the student participates.

7. Carry their school-issued ID card with them at all times. 

Students who participate in extracurricular athletic activities also must comply with the following requirements prior to participating:

• The student must present a current certificate of physical fitness issued by a licensed physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant. Please use the Preparticipation Physical Examination Form available from the Illinois High School Association: https://www.ihsa.org/documents/sportsMedicine/2022-23/PreParticipationPhysicalForm.pdf 

• The student’s parent/guardian must provide written permission for the student’s participation, giving District 204 full waiver of responsibility of the risks involved.

• The student or the student’s parent/guardian must show proof of accident insurance coverage either by a policy purchased through the District-approved insurance plan or a parent/guardian written statement that the student is covered under a family insurance plan.

• The student and their parent(s)/guardian(s) must: (a) comply with the eligibility rules of, and complete any forms required by, any sponsoring association (e.g., Illinois High School Association); and (b) complete all forms required by District 204 including, without limitation, signing an acknowledgment of receiving information about the District’s concussion policy, Board Policy 7:305, Student Athlete Concussions and Head Injuries.

• Students must attend instruction on steroid abuse prevention.

Students who participate in non-athletic extracurricular activities also must comply with the following requirements prior to participating:

• For applicable non-athletic extracurricular activities, the student must present a current certificate of physical fitness issued by a licensed physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant. Please use the Preparticipation Physical Examination Form available from the Illinois High School Association https://www.ihsa.org/documents/sportsMedicine/2022-23/PreParticipationPhysicalForm.pdf. See Appendix A for a list of non-athletic extracurricular activities. 

Application of Code of Conduct 

LT students who participate in District 204 extracurricular activities are subject to the Code of Conduct and will receive disciplinary consequences for violations of the Code of Conduct as outlined below. Students may be subject to additional consequences for the activity, in addition to consequences under the Code of Conduct. For example, leadership positions in an activity are solely at the discretion of the coach or sponsor and a violation of the Code of Conduct may also result in loss of a leadership position.

Students who violate student behavior rules set forth in the Student Handbook or Board Policy also may result in disciplinary consequences under the Code of Conduct. Students who engage in conduct that results in criminal charges are also subject to disciplinary consequences under the Code of Conduct. Additionally, students who violate the Code of Conduct may be subject to discipline pursuant to Board Policy 7:190, Student Behavior, and other applicable District 204 policies and rules regarding student behavior.

Violations of the Code of Conduct will be treated cumulatively over the course of one school year, across all extracurricular activities. If a student receives one or more Code of Conduct violations in a school year, the student’s subsequent school year shall be treated as a “probationary year.” If the student has no Code of Conduct violations during the probationary year, the student’s total violations and level of consequence per the Code will reset for a subsequent violation following the probationary year. That is, following a successful probationary year, any Code of Conduct violations and disciplinary consequences will result in a First Offense (unless an exception applies, as set forth in the paragraph below). However, if the student violates the Code of Conduct during this probationary year, the student’s violations and consequences will not reset, and disciplinary consequences will continue to be assessed cumulatively for that school year.  

Depending on the nature of Code of Conduct violation, as determined at the administration’s sole discretion and in accordance with applicable administrative procedures, a more significant consequence may be imposed in response to student misconduct instead of in a progressive manner. Discipline may include up to removal from a particular extracurricular activity or all extracurricular activities for a set period of time or the remainder of the student’s high school career.

Prohibited Conduct 

Students participating in District 204 extracurricular activities shall not engage in the prohibited conduct listed below at all times, including after school, on days when school is not in session, and whether on or off school property. Students found to have engaged in prohibited conduct are subject to disciplinary consequences of this Code of Conduct, notwithstanding any additional disciplinary consequences that may be issued pursuant to Board Policy 7:190, the Student Handbook, or other Board Policy or District rules. 

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illegal/Controlled Substances

Students shall not use, possess, buy, sell, trade/barter, or distribute any beverage containing alcohol (except for religious purposes), tobacco or nicotine materials in any form (including electronic cigarettes and vapes), cannabis in any form unless except under Ashley’s Law, or any illegal/controlled substance (including mood-altering and performance enhancing drugs or chemicals) or paraphernalia. 

Students shall not attend a party or other gathering and/or ride in a vehicle where alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and/or illegal/controlled substance is present with or being consumed by minors. 

Additionally, for student-athletes, IHSA prohibits participants in an athletic activity sponsored or sanctioned by IHSA from ingesting or otherwise using any performance enhancing substance on its banned substance list, without a written prescription and medical documentation provided by a licensed physician who evaluated the student-athlete for a legitimate medical condition. IHSA administers a performance-enhancing substance testing program. Under this program, student-athletes are subject to random drug testing for the presence in their bodies of performance-enhancing substances on the IHSA’s banned substance list. In addition to being penalized by IHSA, a student may be disciplined according to this Code of Conduct and Board Policy 7:190, Student Behavior.

Bullying and Hazing 

Bullying and hazing activities are strictly prohibited at any time and in any location. Hazing is any humiliating or dangerous activity expected of a student to belong to a team or group, regardless of their willingness to participate (adapted from the definition of hazing adopted by the National Federation of State High School Associations). Bullying includes cyberbullying and means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student or students that has or can be reasonably predicted to place a student in reasonable fear of harm; cause a substantially detrimental effect on a student’s physical or mental health; substantially interfere with a student’s academic performance; or substantially interfere with a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from school services, activities, or privileges, and is strictly prohibited in accordance with Board Policy 7:180, Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment. 

Conduct Unbecoming of a District 204 Representative 

Students must abide by all school rules and display conduct becoming of a District 204 representative including, but not limited to, those identified in Board Policy 7:240, Conduct Code for Participants in Extracurricular Activities, and Board Policy 7:190, Student Behavior. This includes after school, on days when school is not in session, whether on or off school property, and in communications posted on social media sites. Failure to abide by relevant board policies and student conduct expectations may subject a student to discipline.

Examples include but are not limited to: violating the District’s policies or procedures on student behavior; unsportsmanlike conduct; violating the rules for the extracurricular activity; behaving in a manner that disrupts or adversely affects the group or school; being insubordinate or disrespectful toward the sponsor(s) or coach(s); falsifying any information contained on any form required for the activity or sport; engaging in conduct that violates local ordinances and/or State or federal law.

Also, hate speech or harassment behavior aimed at a person’s sex, gender identification, race, religion, creed, age, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, martial or parental status, sexual orientation, or disability that substantially interferes with a student’s school performance or creates and intimidating, hostile, or offensive school environment is strictly prohibited and may subject a student to discipline. Hate speech or harassment may be verbal, non-verbal, or physical acts. See IHSA Hate Speech and Harassment Policy & Procedure. 

Disciplinary Consequences

Students found to have engaged in prohibited conduct as described in this Code of Conduct are subject to the following disciplinary consequences, notwithstanding any additional disciplinary consequences that may be issued pursuant to Board Policy 7:190, the Student Handbook, or other Board Policy or District rules. 

First Offense – Suspension from all extracurricular activities for 10% of the competitive season or two events, whichever is less, with the student expected to participate in all practices and attend all contests during that time unless the student also is suspended or expelled from school. For alcohol, tobacco, and illegal/controlled substance offenses, the student must attend and complete a school-approved chemical education program. The chemical education program’s initial assessment is paid for by the District; however, the student’s parents/guardians are financially responsible for any required follow-up components of the program or recommendations for further treatment or counseling. For all other Code of Conduct violations, the student must meet with a District counselor or social worker, or other District staff member or administrator as determined by the Principal or designee, to identify the student’s options for a restorative activity for the student to attend and complete. Final determination of a restorative measure is at the discretion of the District. 

Second Offense – Loss of all extracurricular opportunities for one calendar year from the date of the infraction. The student must participate in all practices and attend all contests during the time they are serving the consequence unless the student is also suspended or expelled from school. If the student agrees to a chemical assessment at a school-approved program for an alcohol, tobacco, and illegal/controlled substances violation, at the District’s expense, the student’s disciplinary consequence will be reduced to a six (6) week suspension as provided below. 

For all other Code of Conduct violations, if the student agrees to meet with a District counselor or social worker, or other District staff member or administrator as determined by the Principal or designee, to identify the student’s options for a restorative activity and the student attends and completes the restorative activity, the student’s disciplinary consequence will be reduced to a six (6) week suspension as provided below. Final determination of a restorative measure is at the discretion of the District. 

Athletic and Non-Athletic Activities with Competitive/Performance Events: Six (6) week suspension of the competitive or performance season from the date of the infraction. This could result in the consequence being served over two seasons, semesters, or school years.

Non-Athletic Activities without Competitive/Performance Events: Six (6) week suspension, including practices and meetings at the sole discretion of the administration from the date of the infraction. This could result in the consequence being served over two seasons, semesters, or school years. 

Third Offense – Loss of all extracurricular opportunities for one calendar year from the date of the infraction, including attendance at all practices and contests. 

Fourth Offense – Loss of all extracurricular opportunities for the remainder of the student’s high school career. 

Reporting Offenses

Reports of offenses committed outside of school will be accepted from the following individuals: 

• Lyons Township High School District 204 staff; 

• Law enforcement officials; 

• Individual students committing infraction;

• Parent of student committing offense; 

• Speak Up Line;

• Current students; and

• Identified private citizens.

Investigation

Upon receipt of a possible Code of Conduct violation from an identified reporter, the assigned Assistant Principal or designee will investigate the report. The Assistant Principal will speak with all relevant parties and evaluate all evidence presented as part of the alleged Code violation. During a pending investigation into a Code of Conduct violation, the Assistant Principal may suspend the student or students from participation in extracurricular activities. After completing the initial investigation, the Assistant Principal, in conjunction with the Associate Principal, will determine if a Code of Conduct violation occurred, and, if so, the severity of the offense and the disciplinary consequence. The Associate Principal, Athletic Director or Activities Director shall notify the student, the student’s parent/guardian, and student’s coach/sponsor in writing of the outcome of investigation and of any disciplinary consequence. Coaches/sponsors are responsible for enforcing the consequence administered by the Associate Principal, Athletic Director, and/or Activities Director. 

Appeal Process

Within two school days upon receiving the decision by an Associate Principal, Athletic Director, or Activities Director regarding a violation of the Code of Conduct, a student and/or parent/guardian of a student participating in extracurricular activities may appeal the decision to the Principal or their designee. The Principal or designee shall review all relevant materials and evidence related to the Code of Conduct violation, and within two school days of receiving a notice of appeal, shall uphold, reject, or amend the Associate Principal’s, Athletic Director’s, or Activities Director’s determination regarding the Code of Conduct violation and disciplinary consequence. The Principal or designee shall notify the student, the student’s parent/guardian, and the student/s coach/sponsor in writing of the outcome of the appeal. During a pending appeal of a Code of Conduct violation, a student may choose to serve their consequence before the final decision of the Principal or designee, or wait until after the Principal or designee issues a final decision. The Principal’s or designee’s decision is final.

I have read the above information and will abide by the Student Activities Code:

 

Student Name (Print):
Student Signature:	Date:
Coach/Sponsor Signature	Date:
Parent/Guardian Signature	Date:

 

Last Revised: May 20, 2024