Vacation Policy Q & A

Yes, if the missed practice/game is unexcused. The penalty for missing a practice/game will be consistent with the regular season. Junior varsity players do not follow the board of education varsity vacation regulations. Specifics of the JV policy can be found by clicking here. 

Varsity Athlete Vacation Regulation (effective July 1, 2016)

The district will annually designate mandatory practice dates during each school vacation period (“designated practice days”). “School vacation period” is the time when school is not in session, i.e. December, February, and spring break periods. The district will endeavor to schedule early practice on the day immediately prior to the start of a school vacation period and late practice on the first designated practice day during the school vacation period (also referred to in Board Policy No. 5285 as “family vacation period”.) In the event that a student athlete fails to attend practice on a designated practice day, it will be considered an unauthorized absence.

• Student athletes that do not attend a practice or contest on the designated practice days due to unauthorized absences will not be removed from a team; however, the following minimum* consequences will apply:

1. If a student athlete does not attend a practice or contest on the first designated practice day, he/she will be “benched” for at least two (2) regularly scheduled contests.

2. If a student athlete does not attend a practice or contest on the first and second designated practice days, he/she will be “benched” for at least four (4) regularly scheduled contests.

3. If a student athlete attends a practice or contest on the first designated practice day and does not attend a practice or contest on any subsequent designated practice days during the school vacation period, he/she will be “benched” for at least a minimum of one contest (next regularly scheduled contest) for each day missed

*any discipline of an athlete exceeding the minimum consequence shall be determined by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the coach, administration and/or counselors

No. Every effort by the athletic office is made to not schedule games during the vacation policy "no play days". However, in the case of inclement weather, Section VIII may force a team to play on the next available date, which may be a vacation day. If this happens, student-athletes will not be penalized for missing games played on these days. 

All members of a varsity team are subject to the board of education policy and regulations. This applies to any middle school student promoted to a varsity team and any student in grades 9-12.

Once a student-athlete is promoted to a varsity team, they are subject to all guidelines, polices, and regulations. This topic should be discussed by parents and athletes before making the decision to be promoted to a varsity team.