2022–23 Parent and Student Handbook
Interscholastic
Athletic Program
HIGH SCHOOL
ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES
MANAGERS
PHONE eMAIL
FALL SEASON
2023 – Begins August 9
WINTER SEASON
Begins November 15
SPRING SEASON
Begins March 1
Cheerleading
Boys Cross Country
Girls Cross Country
Girls Field Hockey
Football
Boys Golf
Girls Golf
Allied Soccer*
Boys Soccer
Girls Soccer
Girls Volleyball
Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
Allied Bowling*
Cheerleading
Boys Indoor Track
Girls Indoor Track
Wrestling
Baseball
Allied Golf*
Boys Lacrosse
Girls Lacrosse
Allied Softball*
Girls Softball
Boys Tennis
Girls Tennis
Boys Outdoor Track
Girls Outdoor Track
Outdoor Wheelchair Track
*Allied sports is approved athletic competition between two or more high schools for students with disabilities and general
education students who have never been a member of a junior varsity or varsity interscholastic athletic team.
Contact Information
Howard County Public School System Office of Athletics
John Davis, CAA, Coordinator of Athletics – [email protected]g
Kim Masters, Athletics Assistant
410-313-6631
10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, Maryland 21042
The Howard County Public School System offers a wide variety of athletic opportunities for high school students.
Approximately 6,000 athletic events are held annually involving over 10,000 students. Links to the athletic
schedule and forms for all schools are available on the school system’s website at www.hcpss.org/athletics.
T
he Howard County Public School System recognizes
the positive role, importance, and value of
education-based interscholastic athletics as part of
the total educational program. The goals for students who
participate in the interscholastic athletic program include:
• Developing feelings of self-worth.
• Learning appropriate behavior when working with
others.
• Learning to cooperate in a competitive context.
• Learning to understand and control emotions.
• Developing good health habits.
• Improving physical fitness.
• Learning sports skills.
Additionally, interscholastic athletics provide an
opportunity for the entire student body to demonstrate
school spirit and positive citizenship.
The philosophy of the Howard County Public School
System’s interscholastic athletic program is to foster
excellence through educational and competitive
experiences in an atmosphere of sportsmanship. The
health and well being of our student athletes is our
primary consideration and is always more important than
the outcome of an athletic contest. We believe winning
and losing are important only when considered in the
context of how games are played and how students
represent themselves and our schools under the pressure
of competition. We expect each of our student athletes to
conduct themselves with dignity and decorum at all times.
Interscholastic athletic participation is secondary to the
student’s academic responsibilities. Practices and games
are scheduled to avoid conflict with the academic class
schedule, and a balance must be maintained between
the demands of a competitive athletic program and
the challenging academic schedule that all high school
students carry.
In addition to athletic skill development and knowledge of
the games and strategies, interscholastic athletics provides
enriching and rewarding experiences, which:
• Instill self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Build self-discipline.
• Promote the importance of teamwork and team unity.
• Help students establish goals and work toward their
achievement.
• Teach educationally sound sportsmanship practices
and fair play.
Interscholastic athletics is a privilege that carries
with it responsibilities to the school, the team, the
community, and the students. Student athletes
will conduct themselves in accordance with all the
policies, rules and regulations of the Maryland Public
Secondary Schools Athletics Association and the
Howard County Public School System as a requisite for
participation in any interscholastic athletic program.
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Handbook Contents
Athletic and Academic Eligibility ..........................2–3
Rules of Conduct for Student Athletes ......................4
Parent-Coach Communication ..................................5
Care and Prevention of Sports Injuries ..................6–7
Weather Related Cancellations .................................8
Media Coverage of Athletic Events ..........................8
Forms .................................................back of booklet
Athletic Participation Form
Concussion Information Sheet
Sports Concussion Testing Program and Release
of Information Form
Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Forms
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Information Sheet and
Release Form
Philosophy of the HCPSS
Interscholastic Athletic Program
Enrollment and Residency
Students must be officially registered and attending a
Howard County public school in order to participate in
interscholastic athletics. Students may represent only the
school in which they are enrolled and attending, and at
which it is anticipated they will complete their graduation
requirements.
Any student who attends a Howard County public high
school must reside within the school’s attendance area
to be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics.
Exceptions are granted only in accordance with Board
of Education’s policy on enrollment, residency, student
assignment and admission to pre-K and kindergarten
(Policy 9000).
Students who transfer from one Howard County high
school to another under the “Open Enrollment”
provision are ineligible for participation in interscholastic
athletics for a period of one year from the effective
date of transfer. Students who transfer due to special
circumstances or student reassignment will have
their interscholastic athletic eligibility determined
by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
Age
Students who are 19 years old or older as of August 31
are ineligible to participate in the interscholastic program.
Any student who has been awarded a high school diploma
is not eligible to compete.
Academic Requirements
Per Policy 9070 Academic Eligibility for High School
Extracurricular Activities, for high school, a full time
student earns academic eligibility to participate in
extracurricular activities by maintaining a 2.0 grade-
point average (GPA), calculated using credit or non-
credit courses, with no more than one failing grade for
the marking period, which governs eligibility for that
activity. This provision does not apply to incoming 9th
grade students for fall eligibility. Incomplete grades must
be converted to a letter grade to determine eligibility
(Policy 8020 Grading and Reporting: High School). If a
student withdraws from a course, the grades at the time of
withdrawal will be used in determining academic eligibility.
Weighted grades will be used for academic eligibility for
extracurricular activities, including high school athletics.
• Fall academic eligibility for students entering Grades
10, 11, and 12 is determined by the fourth marking
period grades from the preceding school year. All
incoming ninth graders are academically eligible for
the fall quarter.
• Winter eligibility is determined by first quarter grades.
• Spring eligibility is determined by second quarter grades.
Years of Participation
Students in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 may participate in
interscholastic athletic contests for a maximum of four
seasons in any one sport.
Athletic and Academic ELIGIBILITY
•
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Students who plan to participate must provide the
following prior to the first practice for any sport:
*
1. A completed Athletic Participation Form
- Parental permission
- A medical insurance policy number covering the sport in which the student wishes to participate
2. A Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Form
All student athletes are required to have an annual physical examination by a physician, dated April 1
or later of the preceding school year, and have the form signed and dated by the physician.
- The History Form and Athlete with Special Needs: Supplemental History Form are kept by the
physician in the student's chart.
- The parent should return the original and one photocopy to the school.
3. Verification of age - usually a copy of birth certificate
4. Seasonal verification that the student is a bona fide resident of the attendance area of the school
(Documents of proof are a current utility bill, excluding a cell phone bill, or a copy of a lease or rental
agreement or a copy of a deed of trust). A post office box as the address on the document of proof will
not be accepted. For students registered under the Multiple Family Disclosure (MFD) guidelines, proof
of residence in accordance with MFD procedures must be on file.
5. Signed Concussion Information Sheet and Sports Concussion Testing Program and Release of
Information Forms (provided in back of handbook).
6. Sudden Cardiac Arrest Information Sheet and Release Form.
* Online registration is encouraged through the Parent Portal of HCPSS Connect. Downloadable forms may be found at:
https://hcpssne.ws/ath_forms
•
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OTHER ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
A student may not try out or be added to the eligibility
form after the first play date if he/she was ineligible to try
out for the team because of disciplinary reasons.
All-Star Events
By State rule 13A.06.03, individual student athletes may
participate in TWO All-Star games per sport, upon the
completion of their eligibility in the sport in which this
participation occurs.
The Howard County Public School System and its
individual high schools will not participate in or endorse
the selection of all-star teams. All-star teams are selected
by the news media and individual coaches who elect to
participate.
Amateur Status
Student athletes lose amateur status by using athletic skill
as players for financial gain or by competing under an
assumed name. Students shall also lose amateur status
in a particular sport if they sign a professional contract
in the sport. Students who have ceased to be amateurs
in a particular sport may not represent a school in
interscholastic athletics in that sport.
Awards
In order to qualify for post-season awards, the student
athlete must complete the season in good standing and
fulfill all team-related obligations. Each school develops
their own policy for achievement and distribution of
athletic awards.
Non-School Participation
Students may participate in sports outside of school during
the same season as long as the participation does not
conflict with their school team’s practice, games or post-
season tournament.
Transportation
All team members must travel in bonded carriers to and
from all athletic events. If approved by the local school
principal in advance, a team member may be transported
to a contest by the parent or legal guardian or released to
the custody of a parent or legal guardian at the conclusion
of an away contest. Approval must be in writing and
coaches will keep the signed release on file.
RULES OF CONDUCT for Student Athletes
Sportsmanship
Good sportsmanship is best described as commitment to
fair play, ethical behavior and integrity. Sportsmanship is
characterized by generosity, genuine concern for others
and a view of the opponent as a competitor, not an
adversary.
All athletes are to abide by a code of ethics, which will
earn them the honor and respect that participation and
competition in interscholastic athletics affords.
General Behavior
Student athletes must comply with all policies adopted
by the Board of Education of Howard County and the
HCPSS Code of Conduct. Two policies in particular have
consequences for violations that affect extracurricular
participation:
Policy 9230 – Alcohol, Other Drugs, Prescription
Medication and Over-the-Counter Products
Depending on the specific violation of the policy,
a student may be excluded from extracurricular
participation for as little as 10 school days to as much
as 11–45 school days to expulsion.
Policy 9270 – Student Assault and/or Battery on Staff
In addition to a substantial suspension from school,
a student violating this policy will be ineligible to
participate in extracurricular activities for the duration of
the suspension.
Hazing
In athletic settings, some may view hazing as a harmless
rite of initiation or an activity that promotes team
bonding. However, it is actually a form of harassment
and is a violation of state law and Howard County Board
of Education Policy. Hazing will not be tolerated on the
field or court, in the locker room, on the bus, or at any
other activity where student athletes represent the Howard
County Public School System.
Maryland anti-hazing law defines hazing as: “…any
situation which recklessly or intentionally subjects a
student to the risk of serious bodily injury for the purpose
of initiation into a student organization of a school…”
Penalty for violation can result in a $500 fine and six
months in jail.
Board of Education Policy 1060, Bullying, Cyberbullying,
Harassment, or Intimidation, defines hazing as:
“Participation in any intentional or reckless act directed
against another for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation
with, or maintenance of membership in any organization."
Any behaviors that interfere with or threaten the physical,
emotional, mental, or academic well-being of students
or employees will be addressed through the application
of the appropriate Board policy and the HCPSS Student
Code of Conduct.
Examples of hazing include but are not limited to:
• Being yelled, cursed, or sworn at.
• Being publicly embarrassed.
• Having to act as a personal servant to an older group
member.
• Being told to eat or forced to eat disgusting things
such as cat food, Tabasco sauce, raw eggs.
• Being thrown into or forced into a toilet or a body of
water.
• Pressured to be tattooed, body-pierced or shaven.
• Participating in drinking contests.
• Drinking, exercising or taking drugs until you pass out.
• Making prank phone calls or harassing others.
• Destroying or vandalizing property.
• Inflicting pain on oneself or others.
Penalty for violation ranges from suspension to expulsion.
•
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Congratulations, your child has made the
team! Now what?
Accepting a position on a team includes accepting the
decisions of the coaching staff. Decisions regarding team
membership, which students play, and at times who is
removed from the team, are made by the coaching staff in
accordance with rubrics, team rules and guidelines. These
decisions are approved by the school administration and
coaching staff.
As the parent of a student athlete, you have a right to
know what expectations are being placed on your child.
The coach should clearly communicate to parents:
• His/her philosophy of coaching.
• Expectations he/she has for your child as well as all the
team members.
• Locations and times of all practices and contests.
• Team requirements, such as special equipment, off-
season conditioning, etc.
• Procedures that will be followed should your child be
injured during practice or a contest.
• Discipline that results in your child losing the privilege
of participation.
In return, the coach expects the following
communication from parents:
• Concerns be shared directly.
• Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance.
• Specific concerns related to the coach’s philosophy
and /or expectations.
It is important to understand that there may be times
when things do not go the way you or your child wish.
At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged.
Appropriate concerns to discuss with the coach include
the mental and/or physical treatment of your child, ways to
help your child improve, and concerns about your child’s
behavior or safety.
Topics that are not appropriate to discuss with the coach
are playing time, team strategy, play calling and other
student athletes.
It is not appropriate to confront a coach before or after
a practice or contest. When situations arise that require
a conference between the coach and the parent, the
following procedure should be followed:
• Call the high school to set up an appointment.
• If the coach cannot be reached, call the Athletics and
Activities Manager. He/she will coordinate the meeting
for you.
If after the conference, you do not feel a satisfactory
resolution was reached, contact the Athletics and
Activities Manager at your child’s school. At this
meeting, the appropriate next step can be determined.
Be a fan, not a fanatic!
In order to provide a pleasant, safe environment for
all spectators and participants, all those attending
interscholastic athletic events are asked to abide by the
Board of Education’s Civility Policy, to refrain from:
• Intimidating or harassing the players, coaches, officials
or fans.
• Using profanity.
• Throwing objects.
• Entering the playing area.
• Loitering in the hallways or on school grounds.
If a spectator of any age is ejected from a contest, he/she
must leave the school property and shall have no contact
with the officials, players, school personnel, or other
spectators. Furthermore, such actions could result in the
issue of a trespass letter, Denial of Access, or a ban from
future athletic events at all schools. Admission is a privilege,
not a license to display rude or offensive behavior.
Parent-Coach COMMUNICATION
•
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Although there are risks involved in athletic participation,
there is no reason for parents or students to be
apprehensive. HCPSS coaches and athletic trainers place a
great deal of emphasis on training and conditioning, injury
prevention and management, proper use of equipment,
and maintenance of safe playing areas.
Student athletes can take steps to ensure they are
physically prepared for practices and games:
• Eat three well-balanced, nutritious meals each day. In
between meals, eat healthy snacks that are low in fat
and sugar.
• Drink plenty of fluids (preferably water) each day –
especially before practices and games.
• Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night.
• Warm-up thoroughly before exercising.
• Report all injuries to your coach and the athletic
trainer. Never let injuries go untreated.
• Always wear the prescribed uniform, including
protective gear, for practices and games.
• Wash your uniform, protective gear and practice
clothing after each use to avoid growth of bacteria and
staph infections.
• Do not share equipment, uniforms or other clothing,
towels or personal items such as razors.
Sports Related Concussions
A concussion is an injury to the brain as a result of a force or
jolt applied directly or indirectly to the head. Concussions
can occur in any sport. Parents will be notified on the day of
the injury about the known or possible concussion.
If a student athlete exhibits any sign of concussion or
reports any symptom, he/she will be removed from
practice or play. Athletes who experience any of the signs
or symptoms of a concussion after a bump, blow, or jolt
to the head should be kept from practice or game play
until cleared by an authorized health care provider. After
an authorized health care provider has determined initial
medical clearance, the athletic trainer will supervise the
gradual return to play protocol. The certified athletic
trainer will make final determination for full return to play.
Sports Concussion Program Testing
The Howard County Public School System provides
a Sports Concussion Program to detect and treat
concussions in high school athletes.
As part of the program, student athletes may participate
in voluntary pre-concussion baseline testing to assess key
functions affected by a concussion. The information is used
for comparison after an injury to assess whether the athlete
has a concussion and to assist in recovery if the athlete has
suffered a concussion.
Before the first practice, the Concussion Information Sheet
form and the Sports Concussion Testing Program and
Release of Information form must be on file at the school.
Baseline testing may be administered on a voluntary basis.
It is recommended for students with cognitive limitations.
Care and Prevention of Sports Injuries
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Universal Immediate Care of Athletic Injuries
The following procedure (R.I.C.E.) will be used in response to injuries incurred during an athletic
practice or game.
REST
Do not use the injured body part until pain free
activity can be resumed.
ICE
Apply ice directly to the injured area 20
minutes on, 20 minutes off, for the first three
hours. After 72 hours, 20 minutes on, 40
minutes off, one time.
Do not use chemical packs directly on
facial injuries. Do not apply heat if swelling,
inflammation or pain persists.
COMPRESSION
Wrap from below the injured area and toward
the body and use a pad under the wrap to
add compression forces to retard swelling and
activate absorption. When sleeping, loosen the
wrap, but do not remove it.
ELEVATION
Elevate to a level above the heart to reduce
bleeding and swelling. Every injury that
requires the use of this procedure should be
evaluated by the athletic trainer, the athlete’s
family physician or by an orthopedic surgeon
as soon as possible. Athletes referred to a
doctor by the athletic trainer or coach must
present a doctor’s note giving permission to
return to play or practice.
•
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WEATHER
Cancellations
If Howard County public schools are closed for the day
or dismissed early due to inclement weather, all games,
events and practices are cancelled.
Thunder and Lightning
If thunder and /or lightning can be heard and/or seen,
stop activity and seek protective shelter immediately.
Thirty minutes should pass after the last sound of thunder
and /or lightning prior to resuming play. Spectators are
also expected to seek protective shelter.
Heat Acclimatization Period
Heat acclimatization guidelines should take into account
an acclimatization period that defines the duration,
intensity and number of required practices to acclimatize
each individual student-athlete. The duration and intensity
for practices are suggested to gradually increase the
student-athlete’s heat tolerance, enhance their ability to
participate safely in warm and hot conditions and minimize
their risk for heat related illnesses.
School personnel will monitor heat index readings and apply
necessary modifications to practices or games as needed.
Extreme Cold
If there is extreme cold, modifications to outdoor practice
will be made through consultation with the Coordinator of
Athletics, local AAM, and school staff.
Inclement Weather Conditions
If snow or ice arrives before 2 p.m., a decision to play
or cancel will be made by the staff at the Department of
Education.
If snow or ice arrives in the late afternoon or evening, the
school administrator on duty will make the final decision.
If a snow emergency plan goes into effect prior to the
game or practice, the activity is cancelled. If the plan goes
into effect after the start of a game or practice, the event
may be completed.
For information regarding the status of athletic events,
check the school system’s website at www.hcpss.org or call
410-313-6666 during the school week. On weekends and
holidays, call 410-313-6827 (School Fields/Facilities Hotline).
MEDIA COVERAGE
of Athletic Events
Local media are notified of all Howard County high
school athletic events and frequently attend games and
competitions. Student athletes may be videotaped
or photographed by the media while participating in
practices and/or games.
In addition, the media often feature individual teams
and student athletes. Athletic and Activities Managers
and coaches may arrange for individual athletes to be
interviewed by the media. Athletes should notify their
coaches any time they are contacted by a member of
the media.
Parents who do not want their student athlete to be
interviewed by the media should contact the Athletic and
Activities Manager and the coach. Parents may stipulate
on the Athletic Participation Form if they do not want their
student athlete’s photograph used on the school’s website,
the booster club’s website, or in other school system
publications.
•
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10910 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, Maryland 21042
The Howard County Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, immigration status, religion, physical, mental, or educational disability,
pregnancy, age, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or socioeconomic status in its educational programs;
including co-curricular and extracurricular activities, in the workplace or in hiring practices. The Howard County Public School System provides equal access to the Boy/Girl Scouts and other
designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator/Equity Assurance Manager, Howard
County Public School System, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042, 410-313-6654. For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr
for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1–800–421–3481.
