At the beginning of each school year, the Athletic Handbook and all necessary forms and Information for participating athletes can be found on your respective schools’ Athletic website via online registration. 

OHSAA physical examination forms for all participants shall be signed by a physician, the participant, and by a parent/guardian(s), and must be on file in the Athletic Administrator’s office before any candidate for a team may participate in any way. These forms necessitate the physician’s certification of the individual’s physical fitness. In accordance with Bylaw 3-5-1, the pre-participation evaluation is required to be completed once every 13 months. However, there is one exception and it reads: if the pre-participation evaluation is conducted between May 1 and June 1, the pre-participation evaluation, signed by the medical examiner, is valid for one calendar year plus the remainder of that current school year’s spring sports season (i.e. through mid-June). Students are encouraged to get their physicals during the summer months (the physical form can be found on your respective schools’ Athletic website via online registration). 

To be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics, grades 7-12, all students will be required to meet certain standards established by the Ohio High School Athletic Association and the Pickerington Local School District Board of Education. These standards are as follows: 

A. Maintain a 1.75 GPA per Grading Period: 

1. Eligibility for each grading period is determined by the grades received the preceding grading period.  
   1. A student regaining their eligibility becomes eligible no sooner than five (5) calendar days after the conclusion of the preceding grading period, as long as the grades can be verified. If the verification is not possible, the students’ ineligibility status continues until such time as grades can be verified.  
   2. The ineligibility of a student begins on the fifth school day of the next grading period.  A school day includes faculty in service days, professional development day, calamity days and regular attendance days, but not holiday or school break.
2. A student who fails to earn a 1.75 grade point average per grading period, shall be granted one period of probation during their junior high career, provided they are passing five (5) credits, and one period of probation during their high school career, provided they are passing the five (5) credits set by OHSAA at the high school level. A period of probation is defined as one grading period. Example: A student who fails to meet the 1.75 GPA, will receive one grading period of probation, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.  
3. Students for whom an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan is on file, at the time they would be declared ineligible under the above standards (minimum GPA) shall automatically be afforded a review of their case. The review shall be conducted by the Building Administrator or designee, Athletic Administrator, the student’s guidance counselor, and the student’s special education/regular education teacher. This review committee shall have the right to waive the eligibility requirement if, in their professional judgment, the student has made a reasonable effort to meet the standard. 

B. Pickerington Local School District Eligibility - Interims 

All student athletes, 7-12, shall have their grades checked at interim and at the end of the grading period. 

1. Student athletes must be passing 5 credits (grades 9-12) and 5 classes or equivalent credits (grades 7-8). Athletes in grades 9-12 need to schedule 1 additional class if they choose a Physical Education class, which is 0.25 credits.
2. For the purpose of determining a student athlete’s grades, teachers shall use grades from the current grading period only (i.e., grades are not accumulative from one grading period to the next). 
3. A student athlete who is ineligible under the interim standard cannot be in uniform but may practice, travel and sit on the bench with the team by mutual consent of the parent/guardian(s) and coach.
4. Eligibility can be restored once the student athlete is passing five (5) credits at high school or five (5) classes or equivalent credits at junior high. 
5. The due date of interims and the conclusion of each nine weeks will be established on a yearly basis as determined by the school calendar.
6. The teacher’s grades not posted on time will not be used to calculate eligibility or ineligibility for interim grades.
7. There is no probationary period permitted for this standard. 
8. Those students taking post-secondary courses, College Credit Plus Courses, attending a career center or who are home educated, attending private schools or those attending a community school are responsible for submitting their grades to the Guidance Office and the Athletic Administrator in a timely manner, to determine eligibility at the time interim grades are checked. 
9. Students enrolled in courses through College Credit Plus must enroll for a minimum of five (5) high school credits as determined by Rule 3333-1-65.2 of the Ohio Administrative Code per school year. A College Credit Plus course transcripting three (3) or more semester credit hours shall count as one (1) full high school unit. A College Credit Plus course transcripting less than three (3) semester hours shall count as the proportional fraction of a high school unit.  For more information, the OHSAA CCP/Non-Enrolled Student Grade Report sheet can be found at this link. 

C. Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Bylaws 

1. High School  
   1. During the preceding grading period, the student must have received passing grades in a minimum of five (5) one-credit courses, or the equivalent, which count toward graduation.
      1. Students enrolled in courses through College Credit Plus must enroll in a minimum of five (5) high school credits as determined by Rule 3333-1-65.2 of the Ohio Administrative Code per school year. A College Credit Plus course transcripting three (3) or more semester credit hours shall count as one (1) full high school unit. A College Credit Plus course transcripting less than three (3) semester hours shall count as the proportional fraction of a high school unit. For more information, the OHSAA CCP/Non-Enrolled Student Grade Report sheet can be found at this link.  
   2. A student enrolled in the first grading period after advancement from eighth grade must have passed a minimum of five (5) credits in all subjects carried in the preceding grading period (the last grading period of the 8th grade) in which the student was enrolled.  
2. Junior High  
   1. A student enrolling in the seventh grade for the first time will be eligible for the first grading period regardless of previous academic achievement. Thereafter, in order to be eligible, a student in grade 7 or 8 must currently be enrolled in school the immediately preceding grading period and receive passing grades during that grading period in a minimum of five (5) classes or equivalent credits of all subjects carried.  
3. High School and Junior High
   1. A student regaining their eligibility becomes eligible no sooner than five (5) calendar days after the conclusion of the preceding grading period, as long as the grades can be verified. If the verification is not possible, the student's ineligibility status continues until such time as grades can be verified. 
   2. The ineligibility of a student begins on the fifth school day of the next grading period. A school day includes faculty in-service days, professional development days, calamity days and regular attendance days, but not holiday or school breaks. 
   3. Summer school grades and other educational options may not be used to substitute for failure to meet the academic standards during the last grading period of the school year.  

D. NCAA Eligibility Center 

If a student takes a high school class such as Algebra 1 or Spanish 1 before they start ninth grade, the class may count for their 16 core courses if it is on the Pickerington high school’s list of approved core courses and is shown on the student’s high school transcript with a grade and a credit. www.eligibilitycenter.org

All athletes 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 athlete, the team, or the school will not be tolerated. Acts of unacceptable conduct, such as, but not limited to, theft, vandalism, hazing, disrespect, immorality, inappropriate touching, bullying, or violations of the law tarnish the reputation of  the school, athletic team, district, or everyone associated with the athletic programs will not be tolerated. This code shall be in effect for 12 months a year, 24 hours a day, for those who made the team. The code 14 of conduct applies for one calendar year after the conclusion of the last sports season in which the athlete participated.  

Penalty: The penalty shall range from a minimum of 10% prohibition of participation for the season or succeeding season to a maximum of permanent prohibition of participation. 

All student athletes are expected to interact and communicate with teachers and peers in positive and productive ways during the school day. Student athletes are expected to make good decisions, both in the classroom and in the athletic setting. Student athletes must remember that they are students first. As a student athlete, you must represent yourself, your parent/guardian(s), your school and the Pickerington Community in a positive manner at all times and in all settings, most importantly while in the school setting.  

Participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege, not a right.  Student athletes must recognize the daily commitment to the following in all settings, including the classroom and in school:

• Striving to improve skills and improving oneself and the team as a whole;
• Working to represent oneself and the school in a positive manner at all times;
• Promoting honor, integrity and good sportsmanship as keys to success both on and off the field.

All Pickerington Student Athletes are expected to follow the 12-month Student Conduct policy outlined in this Pickerington LSD Athletic Handbook. Additionally, student athletes are expected to uphold the highest levels of behavior in the classroom and in the daily school setting by complying with the Pickerington Schools Student Code of Conduct.  

If student athletes do not meet the standards of the PLSD Athletic Handbook or of the Student Code of Conduct, consequences include, but are not limited to:  

• Conference with parent/guardian(s)
• Loss of practice or playing time 
• Community service agreement 
• Suspension from athletic events 
• Removal or expulsion from the team 

The assigned consequence/discipline will be determined by the Athletic Administrator and/or Building Administrator.  

All penalties will begin with the first athletic event (scrimmage, game or practice) following the violation. If an offense takes place and no athletic events remain, the Athletic Administrator may impose penalties in a subsequent season or determine an alternate appropriate penalty. 

These consequences may continue to be enforced until the student athlete is in compliance with the expected behavioral standards in all settings.

Teachers and other school officials have been asked to immediately notify the Athletic Administrator and/or Building Administrator if there are any problems or incidents that arise during the school day with a student athlete.    

If a teacher or other school official notifies a Building Administrator that a student athlete is not complying with behavioral expectations, the Building Administrator, at their discretion, may notify the Athletic Administrator and/or the coach. The Athletic Administrator may also, at their discretion, intervene in any situation in which they become aware of a student athlete who is not complying with expectations in the school setting. The Athletic Administrator, Building Administrator and/or the coach may, as soon as possible, have a conference with the student athlete to allow the student athlete the opportunity to provide an explanation for their behavior and/or to address the noted issue(s).    

After providing the student athlete with the opportunity to explain their behavior, the Athletic Administrator and/or the coach may issue consequences for any conduct that fails to meet the expected standards of behavior, including conduct that fails to meet the expected standards of behavior in the classroom or school setting as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.  

Note: There may be circumstances in which a student athlete may need to be removed from the extracurricular activity under an emergency removal basis. In such an instance, the student athlete will have an opportunity to explain their behavior following the removal. 

Appeal Procedure

A student may appeal the prohibition of participating in extracurricular activities to the Activities Appeal Board. This Board shall be made up of the administrator or designee in charge of appeals and up to four (4) teachers. The appeal shall require the following:

1. The written appeal must be presented to the administrator/designee within three (3) school days following the date of the notice of prohibition from extracurricular activities.
2. The administrator/designee in charge shall mail or otherwise provide a decision, in writing, to the student regarding the appeal.
3. The decision of the appeal board shall be final and not subject to any further appeal.
4. During the time any appeal is pending, all penalties in this policy shall be enforced.  

The above consequences are in addition to any consequences that may be imposed by a school official according to the Student Code of Conduct. Students who are suspended out of school or expelled from school or have been subject to emergency removal from school pursuant to a violation of the Student Code of Conduct are also automatically denied participation in extracurricular activities during removal. No additional due process is available to the student regarding their extracurricular participation. 

(Bullying and Other Forms of Aggressive Behavior) Policy 5517.01 PO & AG  

Bullying is an intentional written, verbal, graphic, electronic or physical act that a student or group of students  exhibited toward another particular student more than once. The behavior causes mental or physical harm to the other student and is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for others. This also means cyberbullying through electronically transmitted acts.  

(Student Hazing) Policy 5516 AG  

Hazing is defined as doing any act of coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation or continuation into any class, team, or organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person, including coercing another to consume alcohol or a drug of abuse. No person shall recklessly participate in the hazing of another. Permission, consent or assumption of risk by an individual subjected to hazing shall not lessen the prohibitions contained in this policy.

All students must follow the Student Code of Conduct and Board Policies 5517.01 AG (see Appendix A) & 5516 AG (see Appendix B) regarding Bullying and Hazing.  

Any student using or possessing alcohol or tobacco, or using, possessing, buying or selling counterfeit drugs, look-alike drugs, including e-cigarettes, vaping/juuling, illegal drugs or any substance represented to be an illegal drug, shall be prohibited from participating in interscholastic athletics. 

A. “Illegal Drugs” or “Drugs” 

Any substance as defined by United States Code § 12210 – Illegal use of drugs.

The term “illegal use of drugs” means the use, the possession or the distribution of drugs which is unlawful under the Controlled Substances Act  [21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.]. Such term does not include the use of a drug taken under the supervision of a licensed health care professional, or other uses authorized by the Controlled Substances Act or other provisions of Federal law.

The term “drug” means a controlled substance, as defined in schedules I through V of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act [21 U.S.C. 812].

Drug testing is a year-round requirement for all student athletes in the Pickerington Schools (see Drug Testing of Student Athletes in Interscholastic Athletics 2431.02 AG). High school athletes will be in the pool of candidates to be randomly tested for one year from the start of their athletic season. Consequences for a failed test or failure to take a test can be found in Policy 2432.03 AG, Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Activities (Discipline) and in Policy 2431.02 AG Drug Testing of Students in Interscholastic Athletics.  

All Junior High athletes will need to complete a pre-season test prior to trying out for a team. This will be the only requirement for junior high athletes, as there will be no random drug testing at this time.  

For multiple-sport athletes, the year will start for each sport that the athlete participates in. 

B. Penalties: 

1. Self-Referral 
   1. Self-Referral applies to drug and alcohol use violations only and carries no penalty. A self-referral may be used only once in a student’s career. 
   2. Further violations will carry a penalty as a student’s first offense. If the violation has already occurred, the student athlete cannot use the self-referral option.
   3. The student/athlete must complete an approved intervention program and provide the Athletic Administrator with verification that the program has been completed. The student /athlete will be required to take a drug test at the request of the district or parent/guardian, in season or out of season, for one year from the time of the referral 

C. First Violation – Use or Possession of Alcohol, Illegal Drugs, or Nicotine in Any Form 

1. The penalty for a first violation will be prohibition from athletic participation (contests) for a minimum of 50% of the scheduled contests of that sport. Any remaining percentage of the prohibition of participation not served shall be applied to the next sport or season in which the athlete participates. Any athlete disciplined for the first violation may practice with their team. The athlete may travel with their team and sit on the bench. They cannot be in uniform. All training rules and requirements of the sports team must be followed by the athlete during the period of prohibited participation. 
2. The Athletic Administrator, upon request of the athlete, may reduce the prohibition to a minimum of 20% for drug, alcohol, and vaping/juuling violations or the use of other similar devices that are used to inhale or ingest foreign substances and 10% for nicotine violations of the athlete’s current and/or next occurring season’s athletic contests, provided:
   1. For nicotine violations, the athlete participates in an intervention program, as approved by Prevention and Intervention Services. This intervention program will be at the expense of the athlete. The program must be initiated prior to resuming athletic competition, with proof of completion sent to the Athletic Administrator. An unexcused absence from a session will immediately reactivate the original prohibition of participation. 
   2. For violations involving alcohol, drugs, or other foreign substances, the athlete agrees to complete an intervention program as established by Prevention and Intervention Services. This intervention program will be at the expense of the athlete and must be initiated prior to reinstatement, with proof of completion sent to the Athletic Administrator. An unexcused absence from a session will immediately reactivate the original prohibition of participation. 
   3. For violations involving e-cigarettes, vaping/juuling, or the use of other similar devices that are used to inhale or ingest foreign substances, the athlete must complete a drug screen within twenty-four (24) hours of the violation with a PLSD approved testing facility. Test results must be sent directly to the Athletic Administrator from the testing facility. Upon receipt/review of the results, if the Administrator is able to clearly establish that no illegal substance has been discovered, the violation is considered a nicotine offense. If a drug screen is not completed, the violation is considered a drug offense.   
   4. The athlete agrees to revoke any leadership position, such as, but not limited to, team captain, and will not hold any leadership positions on athletic teams for one year from the offense. 
   5. The Building Administrator and Prevention and Intervention Services will be notified that a referral for evaluation has been made and will be sent to them for possible follow-up, as needed. 

D. Second Violation – Use or Possession of Alcohol, Illegal Drugs, or Nicotine in Any Form 

1. Upon confirmation of the second violation, athletic participation (contests) will be prohibited for one year from the offense. Any athlete disciplined for the second violation may practice with their team. They may travel with the team and sit on the bench. They cannot be in uniform. All training rules and requirements of the sports team must be followed by the athlete during the period of prohibited participation. 
2. The Athletic Administrator, upon request of the athlete, may reduce the prohibition to a minimum of 50% for drugs, alcohol, and other foreign substances and 25% for nicotine violations, of the athlete’s current and/or next occurring season’s athletic contests provided: 
   1. For nicotine violations, the athlete agrees to participate in an intervention program as approved by Prevention and Intervention Services. This intervention program will be at the expense of the athlete and must be initiated prior to resuming athletic competition, with proof of program completion sent to the Athletic Administrator. An unexcused absence from a session will immediately reactivate the original prohibition of participation. 
   2. For violations involving alcohol, drugs, and other foreign substances, the athlete will be referred to a district-approved professional agency and must follow the assessment recommendations at their expense. Assessment must include evaluation reports sent to the Building Administrator or Athletic Administrator. The student must initiate services prior to resuming athletic competition. An unexcused absence from the assessment will immediately reactivate the original prohibition of participation. 
   3. For violations involving e-cigarettes, vaping/juuling, or the use of other similar devices that are used to inhale or ingest foreign substances, the student must complete a drug screen within twenty-four (24) hours of the violation with a PLSD approved testing facility. Test results must be sent directly to the Athletic Administrator from the testing facility. Upon receipt/review of the results, if the Administrator is able to clearly establish that no illegal substance has been discovered, the violation is considered a nicotine offense. If a drug screen is not completed, the violation is considered a drug offense.   
   4. The athlete agrees to revoke any leadership position, such as, but not limited to, team captain, and will not hold any leadership positions on athletic teams for one year from the offense. 
   5. The Athletic Administrator will notify Prevention and Intervention Services that a referral has been made and will be sent to them for intervention services.

E. Third Violation – Use or Possession of Alcohol, Illegal Drugs, or Nicotine in Any Form 

The student athlete found in violation of the training rules a third time shall be prohibited from athletic participation for the remainder of their athletic career. After one year from determination of the violation, an appeal can be made to the appeals board for reinstatement contingent upon substantiated rehabilitation, as approved by Prevention and Intervention Services.

F. First Violation – Sale, Distribution, or Hosting of Alcohol, Illegal Drugs, or Nicotine in Any Form 

The student athlete found in their first violation of sale, distribution or hosting of alcohol, illegal drugs, vaping/juuling products, nicotine or e-cigarettes, in any form, will be treated the same as a second violation for use or possession. In addition, if the athlete has not completed the intervention program, it must be completed at this time. An unexcused absence from a session will immediately reactivate the original prohibition of participation. The Athletic Administrator will report the offense to the Building Administrator. 

 G. Second Violation – Sale, Distribution, or Hosting of Alcohol, Illegal Drugs, or Nicotine in Any Form  

The student athlete found in their second violation of sale, distribution or hosting of alcohol, illegal drugs, vaping/juuling products, nicotine or e-cigarettes, in any form, will be treated the same as a third violation for use or possession. The Athletic Administrator will report the offense to the Building Administrator.  

H. Penalty Definitions for Code of Conduct and Training Rules  

1. To calculate the percentage of penalty for prohibition, the number of regular season contests scheduled will be used for each respective sport. When a penalty results in a prohibition of a partial contest, the fraction will be rounded to the nearest whole contest. Example: 3.49 contests will be 3 contests. 3.50 contests will be 4 contests. 
2. A prohibited athlete who has a carry-over penalty into a succeeding sport must complete the season in good standing in order for the prohibition to be credited to that sport. 
3. Any sophomore, junior or senior athlete who is serving a prohibition from participation will not be permitted to serve their prohibition by joining a sport for the first time. 
4. Eighth grade violations with penalty time remaining will carry over into the 9th grade year. 

I. Prohibitions

The superintendent, or other school district administrative personnel, is authorized to prohibit a student from any or all athletics and extracurricular activities for a violation of the athletic code of conduct, the student code of conduct, athletic training rules, OHSAA requirements or any other rules or regulations of the school district, school, coach or advisor that are applied to students, student athletes or students participating in athletics or extracurricular activities.  

Prior to any prohibition in athletics, the athlete will be given the opportunity to informally  meet with the coach, Athletic Administrator or other school district personnel to challenge the reasons for the prohibition or to otherwise explain their actions. Any prohibition will be determined by the Superintendent or other school district administrative personnel. The provision of the informal meeting, or any other due process, is not applicable in the case of 22 normal disciplinary procedures in which a student is removed from the athletic activity for less than one day of athletic activity. 

Policy 2431.01 AG  

Students must be present at least fifty (50) percent of their scheduled school day, in order to participate in that evening’s practice or after-school event.  

Students who are absent from school and determined to be excused by the attendance office may participate in practices and contests. Students who are absent from school and determined to be unexcused by the attendance office may not participate in practice or contests. Blanks (no designation of excused or unexcused on the attendance report) will be dealt with as unexcused until, and if, determined otherwise. Exemptions will be made for students who were approved by the building administrators for a prearranged absence.  

1. Building Administrators have the discretion to make exceptions to this rule and the final authority for infractions. 
2. Students absent from school on Friday with a contest the following day (Saturday) will be eligible to participate provided the absence is an excused absence. 

Coaches will establish additional rules and regulations for their respective sports. Penalties will be designated/handled by the respective coaches (with the exception of prohibitions previously addressed). 

Once an athlete attends the first five (5) days of practice of a sport (i.e., football), they may not quit and try out for another sport (i.e., cross country) that is being conducted simultaneously, unless the two coaches (i.e., head football and head cross country) mutually agree to the change. If an athlete is cut from the squad (i.e., football), they may try out for a second sport (i.e., cross country) at the discretion of the coach of the second sport (i.e., cross country). 

A student may participate in two sports at the high school level (i.e., cross country and golf) during the same season if both coaches (i.e., cross country and golf) agree, and the administration approves, based on whether or not dual participation will result in conflict in the requirements of the two sports. The fee for the second sport is $140.00. Junior high students are not permitted to participate in two sports during the same season. 

1. Uniforms – In several sports, the athlete will be required to purchase their game uniform, or a portion of their game uniform, which will become their property. Those uniforms that belong to the school should not be worn at any time other than the athletic contest unless directed by the coach. 
2. Equipment – All athletes are responsible for the proper care and security of equipment issued to them.  School furnished equipment/uniforms are to be worn for contests and practice only.  All equipment/uniforms not returned in good condition at the end of the season will be subject to a financial penalty. 
3. Only uniforms issued and/or approved by the athletic department will be permitted to be worn for contests. 
4. Participation fees must be paid in order to participate. 

Vacations during an athlete’s season are discouraged. However, if a vacation is unavoidable: 

1. Contact the head coach prior to the vacation. 
2. An athlete must practice one day for each practice or contest day missed prior to resuming competition (contest day will count as a practice day). 
3. Be willing to assume the consequences related to your status as a starter, 2nd string, 3rd string, etc. 

1. Transportation will be provided in accordance to Board regulation:  Co-curricular and Extra-curricular Activities – Transportation Policy 2432.02 AG. 
2. Athletes will remain with their squad and under the supervision of the coach when attending away contests. 
3. Athletes who miss the bus will not be allowed to participate in the contest. If there are extenuating circumstances involved that caused the athlete to miss the bus, the coach may allow the athlete to play only if the athlete’s parent/guardian transports them to the contest. The final decision is up to the coach. 
4. All regular school bus rules will be in effect, including rules pertaining to food, noise, remaining in seats, care and respect for equipment. 

Athletes who participate in sports receiving round trip transportation: Under certain circumstances where it creates an inconvenience to the families, athletes may be excused from riding either to or from an athletic event on school-authorized transportation as determined by board policy for various activities. This privilege is to be kept to a minimum since our philosophy continues to be that an athlete is part of a team in all phases of team activity.  

To ride on private transportation: 

1. A travel release form must be requested by the athlete / parent/guardian and can be found on your respective school’s athletic website. 
2. Parent/guardian(s) must make arrangements with the Athletic Administrator in advance of the trip by having the approved travel release form on file in the Athletic Administrator’s office on the day of the trip. 
3. The athlete will be released to the parent/guardian(s) or designated adult by the coach upon presentation of a copy of the approved travel release form at the contest. 
4. Athletes will not be allowed to ride home with a student. 
5. In an emergency situation, the head coach may release a student athlete from school transportation requirements, provided the student athlete is released to the parent/guardian(s) or designated adult for travel purposes. 

An individual who attempts to participate in too many extracurricular activities will, undoubtedly, be in a position to have a conflict of obligations. Students need to be cautious about participating in too many activities where conflicts might occur.  

When conflicts do arise, the coach and sponsor of the activity will get together and try to work out a solution so that the student does not feel caught in the middle. If a conflict cannot be resolved, the Building Administrator will make the decision based on the following:  

1. The relative importance of each event; 
2. The relative contribution the student can make; 
3. How long each event has been scheduled; 
4. A talk with the parent/guardian(s).  

Once the decision has been made and the student follows that decision, they will not be penalized in any way by the coach or faculty sponsor. If it becomes obvious that a student cannot fulfill the obligations of both school activities, they should withdraw from one. 

All athletes and parent/guardian(s) must realize the risk of serious injury which may be the result of athletic participation. Pickerington Local School District will use the following safeguards to make every effort to eliminate injury:  

1. Use only state certified coaches 
2. Instruct all athletes about the possible dangers of participation in a particular sport 

Pickerington Local School District does not provide accident or health insurance coverage for athletes participating in interscholastic athletics. It is the responsibility and a requirement of the parent/guardian(s) to maintain an active accident and health policy while their child is participating in sports. The school district does offer a supplemental accident insurance policy at the beginning of each school year to all students. Information on this policy can be obtained from the school office, Athletic Administrator, or on the district’s website www.pickerington.k12.oh.us

1. Once students are enrolled in school, students can try out for the team. However, they will not be permitted to participate in any contest until all enrollment paperwork has been completed, fees have been paid, and all grades and other pertinent records have been received from their previous school. 
2. New students that enroll in the district after tryouts shall be granted a tryout, prior to the first contest, after meeting all OHSAA and district transfer requirements. 
3. Should a student be sick or injured prior to or during a try-out period, that student may have a delayed try-out at the discretion of the coach and the Athletic Administrator. 
4. Cheerleading Eligibility for Tryouts – Tryouts for each school will be determined by the Superintendent/designee. For those teams that will have to make cuts, students will be given 3 days to be evaluated in a tryout. 

1. All open gyms/fields/courts, etc. must follow the guidelines of the OHSAA. 
2. Multi-sport athletes must complete their current season before any participation is permitted in another school sport unless agreed upon by both coaches involved and initiated by the student athlete. 
3. All open gyms/fields/courts, etc. must be scheduled with the building Athletic Administrator. 

1. All OHSAA and National Federation rules and policies must be followed regarding equipment and uniforms for practices and contests. 
2. All student athletes must adhere to the school dress code. 
3. Students must wear an appropriate shirt at all times during any school contest, practice, open gym/field/run (no sports bras, spaghetti strapped tops, half or cut- off  shirts, etc. unless worn under a proper shirt). Students may not go shirtless in or out of the building, weight room, playing fields, etc. Tank tops are permitted.
4. Students must wear appropriate athletic shorts/pants while practicing. 
5. Shoes must be worn at all times, especially in the weight room. Sandals and flip- flops are permitted in transit before and after practices/contests. 
6. For sanitary reasons, shirts must be worn in the weight room at all times. 

Participation by an athlete in a non-interscholastic program (tryouts, practice, contest) while they are a member of the school squad in the same sport during the same season is prohibited. The penalty for violations is ineligibility for the remainder of that season. For cheerleading purposes, this is defined as competition cheerleading on a school team vs. an outside team.  

1. The number of players from the same school squad (roster) is limited, as follows: soccer-6; baseball/softball-6; volleyball-3; basketball-3; boys lacrosse-5; girls lacrosse-6. Football squad members are prohibited from non-interscholastic participation. This rule is not in effect from June 1-July 31. An athlete may have contact with the school coaching staff in an interscholastic program for 10 days from June 1-July 31. In addition, interscholastic coaches in the team sports of baseball, basketball, cross-country, field hockey, football, ice hockey, soccer, softball, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling may provide individual instruction as defined as no more than four individuals present at one time in all combined facilities where the instruction is taking place. (OHSAA 7.3)   
2. Out of season instruction (baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball):  
   1. Team Sports (13-Day Rule) May 15 through July 30 – Members of a school team’s coaching staff in the team sports may coach any number of students from their teams in excess of the team limit set forth in the General Sports Regulation 7.3 (OHSAA) for a maximum of 13 days except that participation cannot be mandatory. This does not translate into hours and is defined as 13 days per team, not per coaching staff member. 
   2. From August 1 through May 31 from school coaches – Individual skill/coaching instruction may be received by a member of a school team at any time prior to and after the school season and outside the defined no-contact periods by school coaches provided the number of individuals per group per school coach providing instruction does not exceed the team limit set forth in General Sports Regulations 7.3 28 (OHSAA). 
   3. From June 1 through July 31 from School Coaches – Individual skill/coaching instructions may be received by a member of a school team or individuals at any time from school coaches provided the number of individuals present per group per school coach providing instruction does not exceed the team limit set forth in General Sports Regulation 7.3 (OHSAA). 
   4. Penalty for violation of out-of-season can be found in OHSAA sports regulations: 7.8 and 8.5. 

1. Once a student attains the age of 20, the student will no longer be eligible for interscholastic athletic competition, notwithstanding where that 20th birthday falls in the relation to the sport season. 
2. If a student in grades 7th-8th attains the age of 15 before August 1st, the student will be ineligible to participate in 7th-8th grade interscholastic athletics for the school year commencing in that calendar year.

1. A student establishes residency when the parent/guardian(s) of the student resides within the school district attendance boundaries and the student lives in the household.
2. Refer to OHSAA Bylaws 4-6-1 to 4-6-2 for the complete residency rule. 
3. Violation of this rule will result in forfeiture of all contests in which the non- resident participated. 
4. A change in custody must be approved by OHSAA to remain eligible. 
5. Those students who attend a private school, are home schooled or attend online/charter schools and are residents of Pickerington, will be permitted to participate in extracurricular activities.  
   1. Their address will determine at what school they can participate. 
   2. They will need to register with the Welcome Center and all required paperwork will be forwarded to the Superintendent/Designee. The Athletic Administrator of the building will be notified once permission has been granted. 
   3. The following documentation will be required before they can participate:
      1. Proof of residence – lease or mortgage, current utility bills
      2. Updated government issued identification
      3. Immunization records
      4. Custodial paperwork
      5. Academic records
      6. Birth certificate 
6. Non-resident students who attend a private school, are home educated or attend online/charter schools will not be permitted to participate in extracurricular activities. Policy 5111  

1. All inter-district transfer students are governed by OHSAA Bylaws 4-7-2 to 4-7-7. Please refer to these Bylaws for complete transfer rules. 
2. A transferring student must be ruled eligible by OHSAA rules. 
3. PLSD Intra-District Transfer Rule – If an athlete moves to the “other” school’s attendance area, they must transfer eligibility or apply for open enrollment to the school from which they have moved. Policy 5113.01 AG