CRLS Rules, Regulations & Policies
Sports Hotline: 617-349-6019

Introduction

The following information defines the interscholastic athletic regulations and procedures for all students participating in our High School Programs. The Athletic Department hopes this provides you with a better understanding of our philosophy, goals and guidelines.

Participating in high school athletics may seem to some an overwhelming undertaking, however, it is one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences that students and their families can have in a lifetime. It is important that students realize the time demands, responsibility, dedication and sacrifices required when making this commitment.
 
Athletic Department Philosophy

Athletics are an important component of an educational institution and bases its philosophy upon the following ideas:

Program Goals

The common goals of the athletic program at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School are for athletes to:

Game/Practice Sessions

Team Tryouts/Selection

NOTE:
Participation at the varsity level is generally limited to the most highly skilled players and those with the ability to interact with other players for team success. Assessments will be made by the coaching staff relative to the level of play, (Varsity, Junior Varsity and Freshman), most beneficial to the development and progress of each player. It should be understood that playing time could be limited by the strategy of the game and certain other conditions.

Coaching Expectations

Click here to read the Coaching Expectations.

School Insurance/Injuries

The school provides secondary health insurance coverage for all student/athletes injured during the season. The insurance plan takes up where family insurance, if any, leaves off. All claims must be picked up and filled with the Athletic Trainer within 30 days of injury. This is a policy provision- Do not forfeit by incomplete information or delay. Be aware, as with most insurance policies, there are limits to the coverage.

Athletic Participation Warning

Although most athletic injuries are usually minor, serious injury, including permanent paralysis or death, may occur.

CAMBRIDGE RINDGE & LATIN SCHOOL POLICIES & REGULATIONS

Participation in CRLS Athletics is a privilege and may be taken away from and student-athlete for violation of any of the following policies and rules.

Class Attendance Policy

Any student-athlete absent from school the day of scheduled game or practice session will not be allowed to participate in that game or practice. A Friday absence counts towards Saturday or Sunday participation. A student must be in attendance at school prior to 9:30 am and be present for at least 4 hours of the school day or they will be considered absent for athletic eligibility purposes. The only exception to this rule will be if a student-athlete receives written permission from the Principal or small learning community Dean of Students to attend a school sponsored field trip or visit a perspective college.

Students who display a pattern of excessive or inappropriate dismissals, regardless of length, will similarly be withheld from practice and / or games. Students who skip classes, do not appropriately participate in class or do not fulfill their detention responsibilities will also be ruled ineligible for participation.

School Equipment Responsibilities

Students are responsible for, and are expected to maintain proper care of all equipment issued to them. Students are responsible for payment of any items lost, stolen or damaged.

Each item not returned will be assessed at a rate comparable to the current replacement cost. All equipment is to be returned at the completion of the season. Report Cards and/ or diplomas may be held for those who do not either return or pay for lost/damaged equipment.

Student-athletes are not to wear uniforms- practice or game- at any time other than those allowed by specified team regulations.

Student- Athlete Code of Conduct

Hazing

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS
CHAPTER 269
CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE
CH. 269, S. 17. CRIME OF HAZING; DEFINITION; PENALTY

Whoever is a principal organizer or participant in the crime hazing, as defined herein, shall be punished by a fine of note more than three thousand dollars or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment.
                 
The term “hazing” as used in this section and in sections eighteen and nineteen, shall mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such students or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation.
                 
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to any prosecution under this action. Added by St. 1985, c.536; amended by St. 1987m c.665.
 
CH.269, S.18. DUTY TO REPORT HAZING
                  
Whoever knows that another person is the victim of hazing as defined in section seventeen and is at the scene of such crime shall, to the extent that such person can do so without danger or peril to himself or others, report such crime to an appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Whoever fails to report such a crime shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.  Added by St. 1985, c.536; amended by St. 1987, c.655.
 
CH. 269 S. 19.  HAZING STATUES TO BE PROVIDED; STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE AND DESCIPLINE POLICY REQUIRED
                  
Each institution of secondary education and public and private institution of post secondary education shall issue to every student group, student team or student organization which is part of such institution or is recognized by the institution or permitted by the institution to use its name or facilities or is know by the institution to exist as an unaffiliated student group, student team or student organization, a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen: provided, however, that an institution’s compliance with this section’s requirements that an institution issue copies of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to unaffiliated student groups, teams or organizations shall not constitute evidence of the institution’s recognition or endorsement of said unaffiliated student groups, teams or organizations.
                 
Each such group, team or organization shall distribute a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to each of its members, plebes, pledges or applicants for membership. It shall be the duty of each such group, team or organization, acting through its designated officer, to deliver annually, to the institution an attested acknowledgment stating that such group, team or organization has received a copy of this section and said sections seventeen and eighteen, that each of its members, plebes, or applicants has received a copy of sections seventeen and eighteen, and that such group, team or organization understands and agrees to comply with the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen.
                 
Each institution of secondary education and public or private institution of post secondary education shall, at least annually, before or at the start of enrollment, deliver to each person who enrolls as a full time student in such institution a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen.
                 
Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of post secondary education shall file, at least annually, a report with the regents of higher education and in the case of secondary schools, the board of education, certifying that such institutions has complied with its responsibility to inform student groups, teams or organizations and to notify each full time student enrolled by it of the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen and also certifying that said institutions has adopted a disciplinary policy with regard to the organizer and participants of hazing, and that such policy has been set forth with appropriate emphasis in the student handbook or similar means of communicating the institution’s policies to is students. The board of regents and, in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education shall promulgate regulations governing to content and frequency of such reports, and shall forthwith report to the attorney general any such institution, which fails to make such report. Added by St. 1985, c.536; amended by St. 1987, c.665.

ACTION PLAN FOR INCREASING ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ATHLETICS AT CRLS

PROGRESS REPORTS

ALL student athletes are required to complete progress reports on a bi-monthly basis and submit to coaches in a timely manner. (Some student athletes may be asked to submit on a weekly basis.)

If student athlete does NOT turn in progress report he/she will NOT be permitted to play in next game. Coach will CAREFULLY check progress reports and communicate with Principal Saheed and Deans of Students (via email) any unsatisfactory progress or behavioral concerns of team members. Coaches will also email Staff members as needed to assist in student achievement.

HOMEWORK CENTERS

Returning student athletes that have less than a 73 GPA will be required to attend homework center in the evening. Contracts clearly defining responsibilities will be signed by student athlete, parent/guardian, coach and Dean of Students. (Details to follow)

All student athletes in danger of failing and/or not making satisfactory progress are required to attend homework centers.

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

The MIAA academic eligibility standards are designed to ensure that a student is fully enrolled in school and actively engaged in his/her academic life on a consistent basis throughout the school year. While the MIAA standards are used as a baseline for eligibility, individual school districts are permitted to develop their own standards for participation. CRLS has adopted the following requirements for student athletic participation*:

• Students must have at least a 70 GPA
• Students must pass 3 of their 4 classes and earn the appropriate credits (or be on track to earn credits)
• Student athletes enrolled in physical education classes must receive a passing grade.

To be eligible for the fall athletic season, students are required to have passed four major subjects the previous year and have a fourth quarter GPA of 70 or above from the previous year. To remain eligible for the fall season, the student is required to maintain a 70 GPA in the first marking period.

To be eligible for the winter athletic season, students are required to have a 70 GPA in the first marking period and continue to remain eligible through second marking period by maintaining a 70 GPA.

To be eligible for the spring athletic season, students are required to have a 70 GPA in the second marking period and continue to remain eligible through third marking period by maintaining a 70 GPA.

The academic eligibility of all students shall be considered as official only on the date when report cards for that marking period have been issued to parents.

Any student athlete who falls below the academic eligibility standards may be eligible for an appeal following a probationary period.

Academic Probation - PROBATIONARY CRITERIA

For a student to have the opportunity to appeal the following must be met:

• A GPA between the range of 67.5-69.49

• 95% school and class attendance (absence/tardies)

• no class cutting

• documented attendance at Tutoring/homework center

• 2 weeks of completed progress reports that show appropriate progress*

*ALL homework assignments, tests, quizzes and projects must be completed and submitted on time.

A student that falls below the established CRLS academic eligibility standards for athletic participation will be allowed a probationary period commencing the day that report cards are issued. This will consist of a two week period of time in which the student will not participate in interscholastic contests or practices and will be required to attend tutoring/homework center. All homework assignments, projects, tests and quizzes must be completed on time and submitted to appropriate staff and faculty. Additionally during this probationary period, the student must complete a weekly progress report and submit it to the Program Leader for Athletics. Following this probationary period a review of the student will take place that may lead to an appeal hearing in regard to restoring athletic eligibility. Following the successful completion of the probationary period, the appeal process will be heard by Chris Saheed (Principal) and Maryann Cappello (Program Leader for Athletics).

Eligibility Rules

Additional Important Rules

Chemical Health Rule

During the school year, a student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use or consume, possess, buy/sell or give away any beverage containing alcohol: any tobacco product, marijuana; steroids; or any controlled substance.  It is not a violation for a student to be in possession of a legally defined drug specifically prescribed for the student’s own use by his/her doctor.

First Violation: When the administration confirms, following an opportunity for the student to be heard, that a violation occurred, the student shall lose eligibility for the next two consecutive interscholastic events, or two weeks of a season in which the student is a participant, whichever encompasses the greater number ofcontests.  No exception is permitted for a student who becomes a participant in a treatment program.

Second Violation: Once confirmed and the student had an opportunity to be heard, the student shall lose eligibility for the next twelve consecutive interscholastic events or twelve weeks, whichever encompasses the greater number of contests in which the student is a participant.

Penalties shall be cumulative each academic year.  If the penalty period is not completed during the season of violation, the penalty shall be carry over to the student’s next season of actual participation, which may affect the student’s eligibility status of the student during the next academic year.

ADDITIONAL SCHOOL POLICIES MAY BE FOUND IN THE CRLS HANDBOOK.

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Last updated 09-Mar-2010