Athletics Resources

STUDENT ACTIVITIES POLICY

2025-2026

Weld County School District RE-9

Highland High School

Administrators:

Andy Lavier - Superintendent

Clay Naughton - Principal

Kolin Harbecke - Athletic Director

PHILOSOPHY

Weld County School District RE-9 believes that a dynamic program of student activities is vital to the educational development of the student. Athletics and activities play an important part in the life of RE-9 students. Young people learn a great deal from participation. Lessons in sportsmanship, teamwork, competition, and how to win and lose gracefully are an integral part of each team in our athletic program. Activities play an important part in helping the individual student develop a healthy self-concept as well as a healthy body. Athletic competition and activities add to our school spirit and help all students, spectators, and participants develop pride in their school.

The activity program should always be in conformity with the general policies of the school district. At no time should the program place the total educational curriculum secondary in emphasis: the program should constantly strive for the development of well-rounded individuals, capable of taking their places in society.

Weld County School District RE-9 offers a wholesome activity program available to all of its students. Participation means being part of the team; it does not guarantee playing time in games or contests. That decision is made solely by the coaching staff involved. It will be up to the discretion of each coach to develop and enforce policies regarding their expectations for attendance, discipline, lettering, and cutting.

GOALS

• To realize the value of participation without overemphasizing the importance of winning or excelling. Stressing the importance of contributing to a team or a groups' success rather than to individual glory.
• To develop and improve positive citizenship traits among the program’s participants.
• To provide a positive image of high school athletics and activities.
• To strive for playing excellence that will produce winning teams within the bounds of good sportsmanship and mental health of the student athlete.
• To provide opportunities for students to cope with problems and handle situations similar to those encountered under conditions prevailing in the contemporary world. Athletics and activities should provide adequate and natural opportunities for:
• Physical, mental, and emotional growth and development.
• Acquisition and development of special skills in activities of each student’s choice.
• Team play with the development of such commitments as loyalty, cooperation, fair play, and other desirable social traits.
• Worthy use of leisure time in later life, either as a participant or spectator.
• Participation by the most skilled that will enable these individuals to expand possibilities for future vocational pursuits.
• To provide a superior program of student activities that includes appropriate activities for every student.
• To create a desire to succeed and excel.
• To develop high ideals of fairness in all human relationships.
• To practice self-discipline and emotional maturity in learning to make decisions under pressure.
• To be socially competent and operate within a set of rules, thus gaining a respect for the rights of others.
• To develop an understanding of the values of activities in a balanced educational process.
• To develop an understanding that participation in athletics and activities is a privilege, not a right; that the value of the team (the whole) supersedes that of the individual.

PARTICIPANTS RESPONSIBILITIES:

In order to participate in any activity the following items must be on file in the athletic office: A current physical, a signed parent permission form, proof of health insurance, a signed copy of the code of conduct, and the applicable sports fee.

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

Highland students must meet the general requirements of the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) as well as Highland RE9 School District.

Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Requirements:

A student shall be eligible to represent Highland High School in an interscholastic activity sanctioned by the Colorado High School Activities Association if such student meets the following specific requirements:

• The student is a bona fide undergraduate member of Highland High School.
• In the judgment of the principal of Highland High School, the student is representative of the school’s ideals in matters of conduct and sportsmanship.
• During the period of participation, the student must be enrolled in and passing courses which offer a minimum of 2.5 Carnegie units of credit per semester.
• The student must have been eligible in accordance with paragraph (3) above at the close of the student's last prior semester of attendance.
• During the semester preceding the semester in which the student wishes to participate in any interscholastic activity, the student must have passed a minimum of 2.5 Carnegie units.
• Regaining Eligibility—Students who have not met the academic requirements at the close of a semester may regain academic eligibility based on the academic regain dates CHSAA has listed.
• Make-up work shall not be permitted after the close of the semester for the purpose of becoming eligible. (Cases involving special circumstances should be referred to your principal.)
• Summer school credits may be used to regain eligibility in accordance with CHSAA policy.

Academic Eligibility:

All student athletes are expected to maintain a certain level of academic achievement throughout their season. If their grades fall below this expectation, there are interventions that will be enforced until these expectations are once again achieved.  Weekly academic eligibility reports will be generated throughout each athletic season, and students who have not met the academic requirements will be noted on these reports.

The Process:

1. Academic eligibility reports will be run the last day school is in session each week throughout the school year, with exceptions of Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break.

1. Coaches will be notified of any student athlete that is ineligible or is threatening to become ineligible.

1. Coaches will let any student athlete on their team know if they are ineligible for the following week.

Definition of ineligible:  One of the following…

• Any student failing more than the equivalent of one-half Academic unit of credit. (CHSAA Bylaw 1710.A.c).  At Highland High School, this means a student with more than one “F”.

• Any athlete that receives an “F” for three consecutive weeks in the same class

When “ineligible,” the athlete will not be allowed to participate in any contests for the ENTIRE week they are deemed ineligible (Monday – Sunday).

Academic eligibility is put into play for one simple reason, to help our student athletes at Highland succeed in the classroom as well as in their athletics. If you have any questions or concerns about academic eligibility, please contact the Highland Athletic Department.

***This eligibility procedure will apply to ALL activities at Highland High School. The only exceptions are band, jazz band, and choir students who must perform as a part of the musical experience for a grade. Highland administration will use his or her own discretion in determining application of this procedure.

AGE

Your 19th birthday must fall on or after July 1st of the current school year.

SEMESTERS

Upon entering high school, your eligibility will continue only until your original class graduates. On entering the ninth grade, you have eight consecutive semesters of eligibility.

SPORTS FEES

Sports fees for the 2025 - 2026 school year are as follows:

1. All High School Sports - $80
2. All Middle School Sports - $50
3. Any student that is documented as a free/reduced lunch recipient does not have to pay a sports fee.
4. Any student that participates in 2 different sports at Highland throughout the school year, can participate in any remaining sports for FREE until the end of the year.

Sports fees must be paid prior to any athlete participating in any contest.

PHYSICAL EXAM

1. Signed by a medical doctor licensed to practice medicine by the State of Colorado
2. Current within the last calendar year
3. Uploaded during registration process

PARENT PERMISSION

Your parent or legal guardian must sign a form acknowledging the risk involved with participation in interscholastic athletics and granting permission for you to participate.

PRACTICE

Please see the CHSAA Constitution regarding practice and participating in an athletic event.

TRANSFER RULE

Please see the CHSAA Constitution regarding student transfer policies.

AWARDS

1. In any approved CHSAA interscholastic competition, no awards of any kind other than awards by the school or the Association and limited to $20 shall be made to participants.
2. If you participate in a CHSAA approved sport, in other than CHSAA competition, your amateur status is determined by the rules of the amateur governing body of that sport.

AMATEUR

1. Applies only to sports sanctioned by the CHSAA.
2. Do not compete with or against professionals.
3. Do not accept money or sign a professional contract.
4. Do not compete under an assumed name.
5. Do not accept an award in a non-school activity and convert it to cash.

INSURANCE

Highland High School requires each interscholastic sport participant to have proof of insurance coverage on file in the athletic office. School District RE-9 does not cover students for injury expenses. Insurance coverage is available from an independent carrier. You may obtain forms for such insurance from the school secretary. The cost of such coverage is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

COMPETING IN TWO SPORTS DURING THE SAME SEASON

Highland High School athletes competing in two sports during the 2023-24 school year.

1. Athlete must have parent or guardian approval.
2. Must have a completed two sport form on file with the athletic secretary.
3. Athlete must designate a primary and secondary sport.
4. Primary sport holds precedent over secondary sport.
5. If athlete quits one sport, they will no longer be allowed to participate in the other sport.
6. The head coach of both sports involved must agree and establish which contests and practices the athlete will participate in during the season prior to the start of the season.

LETTERING

Letters may be given as prescribed by CHSAA. The head coach for each sport establishes a minimum level of participation for which an athletic award may be given. This minimum level of participation is just one of the criteria used in deciding to award an athletic letter. Conduct, general deportment, sportsmanship, dedication, attitude, effort and the adherence to the athletic code are other, possibly more important considerations. It is interpreted that Highland High School award an athletic letter in recognition for meeting these requirements. Athletic award letters are considered the property of Highland High School and may be reclaimed or not issued in the event the spirit and/or interpretation of this handbook is violated. Minimum letter requirements are to be established by the individual coaches and related to parents and athletes during a preseason meeting.

NOTE: The coaching staff reserves the right to replace an individual on the varsity squad. Reasons for replacement would include discipline, grades, or lack of effort in practice or games.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. All coaches reserve the right to grant a letter in certain special situations.
2. An athlete who is removed from a program for disciplinary reasons or leaves a particular program before the end of the season shall forfeit all rights to a letter.
3. These requirements will be consistent.

EQUIPMENT

The athlete is responsible for the equipment, uniform, lock, and other items issued to him/her. The athlete will be given a secure place to store this equipment. All issued items must be returned clean and in good condition at the end of the season and prior to the first day of the following season. If not, the athlete is responsible and must pay for their replacement. Normal wear due to activity is excluded. An athlete must be cleared from one sport before they will be allowed to join a team of another sport.

PRACTICE SESSIONS

• The athlete is required to attend all practice sessions, meetings, and games unless excused by a member of the coaching staff. It is the athlete’s responsibility to contact the coach about the excuse before the missed practice, meeting, or game except in the case of an emergency. The coaching staff reserves the right to decide what is excused and what is not. If the athlete does not contact the staff prior to the missed activity, it is up to the discretion of the individual coach to initiate the appropriate penalty. The coach’s policy on attendance will be made clear to all participants at the preseason meeting with parents and players.
• Apparel worn during practice or when representing Highland High School shall not advertise controlled substances (alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, etc.) and shall be indicative of the standards set by the individual coach.

SQUAD/TEAM SELECTION

It is the intent of our co-curricular athletic programs to encourage student participation. However, it should also be understood that participation on an athletic team at Highland High School is a privilege, not a right. With this idea in mind, Highland High School strives to build competitive teams that place an emphasis on earned success, character development, teamwork, and healthy lifestyle choices. In our attempt to build the most competitive teams possible, coaches will not be able to place every individual who wishes to participate on a team. It is important for both the student athlete and family to know and understand there is a real possibility the student athlete will be cut from the team. Each student will be given at least three (3) days of practice prior to being cut. While we believe players can gain valuable experience outside of the Highland Athletic Program, previous participation on a “select team”, club program, another high school program, or at Highland does not guarantee any player a spot on a school team. Prior to being allowed to tryout, all necessary athletic paperwork and fees must be turned in to the office. Families will be reimbursed for athletic fees paid if the student athlete is cut from the program.

It is suggested that tryouts be closed to parents and spectators. Each candidate that is not selected shall be personally informed of the cut by the coach along with the reasons for the action. Cut lists will not be posted or be done in public.

In order to make a varsity team, a player must be both outstanding and play a position of team need. Underclass student-athletes possessing these qualities will have the same opportunity to make a team as the senior does. Starting positions and playing time are not guaranteed to any individual making a team, seniors included.

By being a member of a team, regardless of time spent actually competing, an individual has the opportunity to learn many of the lessons previously mentioned. Being a member of a team can occur in many ways and it is important to understand some members may play a great deal while others may not. Each member of a team is valuable to the team’s overall success.

WITHDRAWING FROM A SPORT ACTIVITY

• Voluntary (athletes choice)
• The athlete must meet with and make reasons known to the head coach.
• All athletic equipment must be returned and financial obligations cleared.
• Once the official start of practice begins, student athletes will not be allowed to quit one sport to participate in another school sponsored sport (including open gyms) until the original sport season is finished.  
• Sports fees are not reimbursable.

• Involuntary (coaches decision) If a student is a detriment to the team, he or she may be removed at the coach’s discretion. This may be the result of, but not limited to the following:
• Poor attitude
• Tardy or missing practices
• Poor work habits during practice and/or contests
• Violation of team training rules
• Violation of this activity policy or of CHSAA rules

Prior to an athlete being dropped from the team, the coach will have a meeting with the individual to discuss the problems that are occurring. If the problems persist, the coach will have a meeting including the appropriate coaching staff, the parent/guardian, and the student athlete. If the problems are still occurring, that student may be kicked off the team. The parent/guardian shall be notified of the student athlete being kicked off of the team.

If an athlete is dropped:

• The student athlete will not be allowed to play in another sport during that sport season.
• If dropped as a result of violating a team training rule, a letter of explanation will be sent to the parent/guardian and placed in the athlete’s participation file in the athletic office. (Such action may affect future participation)
• The sports fee will not be reimbursed.

CODE OF CONDUCT:  Coaches, Fans, Parents, Athletes

Extra-Curricular activities are an extension of the classroom and a valuable part of the educational experience. As a result of this, it is the expectation of everyone associated with the activity to display behavior and attitudes that will represent Highland High School in a positive manner.

Individuals participating in the interscholastic athletic program at Highland High School are highly visible to the student body, the community and to the communities in which we compete. The opportunity of participation carries the responsibility of adherence to a code of conduct which reflects the role model status of athletes and which will bring credit to the athlete and to Highland High School.

The following paragraphs relate to specific actions or behaviors designating the disciplinary action to be invoked. Actions not specifically covered but clearly contrary to expected behavior are subject to review by the head coach, athletic director, and principal; their decisions are binding.

• School Suspension—Students who are suspended from school are prohibited from participation in sports or activities during the length of suspension.
• Theft, Vandalism, and Destruction of Property—Participants involved either directly or as an accomplice shall receive a one-game suspension. (Subsequent involvement is subject to review by the Athletic Council made up of the Head Coach, the Athletic Director, and the Principal)
• Substance Abuse—Throughout the school year, regardless of the quantity, a student will not:
• Use or consume, have in possession, sell or give away a beverage containing alcohol.
• Use or consume, have in possession, sell or give away a product containing tobacco.
• Use or consume, have in possession, sell or give away marijuana, 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

After confirmation of the first violation, the student will be suspended from all activities for 20% of the regularly scheduled contests. If the full suspension is not completed, the remaining days will be applied to the next sport in which the student is involved. Suspensions will be applied to postseason contests as well as regular season contests.

• Example 1: A football player would be suspended for 2 games (9 regular season contests X 20% = 1.8 contests. This number will be rounded to the nearest whole number.
• Example 2: A volleyball, basketball, or baseball player would be suspended for 4 games (19 regular season contests X 20% = 3.8 contests. The number will be rounded to the nearest whole number.
• If the violation occurs at a school sponsored event, the suspension could be different.  The length of the suspension will be at the discretion of the coach, athletic director, and the principal.  

Second Violation

After confirmation of the second violation (during one school year), the student will be suspended from all activities for 50% of the regularly scheduled contests. If the full suspension is not completed, the remaining days will be applied to the next sport in which the student is involved. Suspensions will be applied to postseason contests as well as regular season contests.

Third Violation

After the third confirmation of a violation, the student will be suspended from all activities for one calendar year.

Student-athletes will be granted a one time self-reporting reduction in the length of their suspension from athletic contests. First time offenders would receive a suspension of 10% of the regularly scheduled contests if they self-report their violation. Self-reporting is defined as reporting the violation to school administration prior to being questioned about a potential violation of the code of conduct. Student-athletes will only be able to receive the self-reporting reduction one time during their high school career.

CONDUCT AND TRAINING CODES

• Athletes and participants, as well as parents and coaches, are expected to conduct themselves in a commendable manner at all times in the school, the classroom, during athletic contests, and toward opponents, officials, and spectators. The use of profane language is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
• Student athletes are expected to attend ALL classes in order to be able to attend practices or athletic contests. If you are too sick to go to school, you are too sick to attend a game or practice. If a parent chooses to opt their student out of state testing, they are still required to attend all of their classes during testing days.
• Athletes whose absences that are determined unverified, verified excessive, cut, or truant may not participate in the next practice or game.  
• Athletes with excessive tardies will have to report to a mandatory lunch detention as directed by administration.  
• Excessive tardiness is defined as more than 5 tardies / semester.
• If the athlete does not attend the full mandatory detention, they will not be eligible for the next practice or game.
• Highland High School has a weekly eligibility list of all students filed in the main office, counseling office, principal’s office, and distributed to classroom teachers and coaches. Students must meet both CHSAA and HHS eligibility requirements in order to compete during the following week’s eligibility period.
• Once official practice starts, as defined by CHSAA, no student will be allowed to quit a sport and participate in another sport during the same season.
• Athletes must travel to and from contests in transportation provided by the school. The only exceptions are as follows:
• Injury to a participant which would require alternate transportation.
• Prior written arrangement between the participant’s parent/guardian and the coach for the student to ride with the parent/guardian. The coach may require the team to remain together both to and from games or contest.
• Coaches may only release student-athletes to their parent/guardian following any contest. Any exception must be cleared through the athletic office prior to the contest date.
• Dress code for game days—each head coach is responsible for each athlete adhering to the appropriate dress code as listed in the student handbook. Acceptable appearance, reflecting good taste and judgment, includes not only proper selection and wearing of clothing but also personal grooming. (Some coaches may require a dress shirt and tie or dress clothes on game day.)

COACHES RESPONSIBILITIES

It is the responsibility of the Athletic Director to make coaches aware of the expectations of the school district and to ensure that those expectations are met for the betterment of Highland High School’s Activity Program.