FALMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT ATHLETICS HANDBOOK
YACHTSMEN
FALMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
Falmouth High School shall foster the development of ethical, responsible involved citizens of the
Falmouth and global communities, and prepare students academically, emotionally, and socially
to meet their post-secondary aspirations.
Cooper Higgins, Athletic Director
Phone: 781-7429 ext 460
chiggins@falmouthschools.org
Bob Gilman, Assistant Athletic Director
Phone: 781-3740
bgilman@falmouthschools.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Participation Requirements
High School Athletic Activity Offerings
Athletic Eligibility
Extra-Curricular and co-Curricular Activities Code of Conduct
Athletic Rules Common to All Programs
MPA Bona Fide Team Member Rule
Personal Transportation Guidelines
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FHS ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
Athletic participation at Falmouth High School encourages sportsmanship, fair play,
teamwork, a sense of personal worth and a feeling of well being through physical fitness.
Athletics also develops a sense of responsibility, commitment and school spirit, while
encouraging the desire to develop to one’s full potential.
 Proof of Physical Examination on file with the nurse’s office.
o Updated proof of physical completed entering 6th and 9th grade.
o Database provided to coaches each season.
 Code of Conduct on file with Athletic Director.
o Signed by parent and athlete.
o Completed once each school year.
o Kept on file with A.D., database provided to coaches each season.
 Emergency card submitted to coach.
o Must be completed for each sport and returned to coach.
 Team Rules slip returned.
o Optional for each sport.
> Bonafide Team Member Rule
 Physical examination and code of conduct forms can be found on the high school
athletics web site*
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FALMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ACTIVITY OFFERINGS
Falmouth High School has a long tradition of excellence in athletic competition and
supports the following activities:
 Fall Season
o Cross Country: Boys and Girls
o Field Hockey: Varsity, Junior Varsity, 1st Team (if numbers warrant)
o Football: Varsity and Junior Varsity
o Golf: Varsity
o Soccer, Boys: Varsity, Junior Varsity, 1st Team (if numbers warrant)
o Soccer, Girls: Varsity, Junior Varsity, 1st Team (if numbers warrant)
o Volleyball: Varsity and Junior Varsity
o Sailing (club)
 Winter Season
o Alpine Skiing, Boys and Girls
o Basketball, Boys: Varsity, Junior Varsity, 1st Team (if numbers warrant)
o Basketball, Girls: Varsity, Junior Varsity, 1st Team (if numbers warrant)
o Hockey, Boys: Varsity and Junior Varsity
o Hockey, Girls: Varsity and Junior Varsity
o Indoor Track, Boys and Girls
o Nordic Skiing, Boys and Girls
o Swimming, Boys and Girls
 Spring Season
o Baseball: Varsity and Junior Varsity
o Lacrosse, Boys: Varsity and Junior Varsity
o Lacrosse, Girls: Varsity and Junior Varsity
o Softball: Varsity and Junior Varsity
o Track and Field, Boys and Girls
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o Tennis, Boys and Girls
o Sailing (club)
ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY
Under Falmouth High School and Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) eligibility rules,
students MUST be passing a minimum of 4 academic subjects for the preceding quarter
to be eligible to participate in any activity sanctioned by the school. The grades at the
end of a ranking period are final and scholastic deficiencies may not be removed for the
purpose of meeting minimum eligibility requirements, except as follows:
 A student who makes up an incomplete grade with a passing grade will be eligible
as soon as the corrected grade has been submitted to the guidance office.
 Grades/ credits earned in an approved summer program.
 If a student-athlete is failing, he/she is ineligible for ten school days. At the end of
that time period, he/ she MUST be passing a minimum of four academic subjects.
o If the student-athlete is passing four academic subjects, the student must
have the re-instatement form signed by the principal, the athletic director
and the parent.
o If the student-athlete is NOT passing four academic subjects, the studentathlete remains ineligible until he/ she is passing four subjects.
 Any student-athlete may not return to the activity until the completed reinstatement form is submitted to the coach.
Athletes must also meet the philosophical, physical, personal and team guidelines as
outlined by individual coach and team policies.
According to MPA policy, a student becomes ineligible for competition upon reaching
his/ her 20th birthday.
Daily Attendance: to participate in athletic practices and contests, the student must be in
attendance for all classes during the school day. There will be five acceptable reasons for
not attending classes: 1) An appointment with a health professional, 2) Observance of a
religious holiday, 3) A family emergency, 4) A planned absence for a personal or
educational purpose which has been approved in advance, 5) A field trip or other related
activity.
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Extra-Curricular and Co-Curricular Activities
Code of Conduct for Middle and High School Students
Since participation in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities is a privilege, it is important that
students, parents/ guardians, and other interested persons are aware of the following rules and
regulations. As representatives of the Falmouth Public Schools, students are expected to exhibit
appropriate behavior at all times. These rules are adopted by the Falmouth School Board in order to
support the social, emotional and physical well-being of students and promote healthy, enriching and
safe co- and extra-curricular opportunities for all students.
Students in good standing may participate in the co- and extra-curricular activities of their school. A
student is considered in good standing if he/ she is not the subject of any disciplinary action for
violation of any policy or school rule and is currently academically eligible based on MPA and
Falmouth School guidelines.
All participants are expected to come to school ready to learn on all scheduled school days. For the
purpose of this policy, any student who misses any portion of the school day unexcused (including a
third occurrence of unexcused tardiness in a semester) may NOT participate in co- and extracurricular activities. Also, all students (even with excused absences) are required to attend at least 3
hours of a school day to participate in co- and extra-curricular activities. Any exceptions to this
requirement must be pre-approved by a building administrator.
Students suspended from school (including in-house and out of school suspension) shall not practice,
participate, attend, or compete in co- and extra-curricular activities during days of suspension.
Students are required to abide by all Board policies, school rules and any additional rules, and/ or
training guidelines imposed by coaches or advisors. Any additional rule and/or training guidelines
must be consistent with Board policies and be approved by the Athletic Director or Activities
Director.
Student use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs is illegal and negatively affects student health, safety and
performance. Students participating in co- and extra-curricular activities carry a responsibility to
themselves, their fellow students, coaches/advisors, parents and school to set the highest possible
example of conduct, sportsmanship and training, which includes avoiding any involvement with
tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Therefore, students participating in co- and extra-curricular activities
may not engage in the prohibited behaviors and activities described in Policy JICH (Student Drug,
Alcohol and Tobacco Use) at any time or place from the beginning of the student’s first co- and
extra-curricular activity of the school year through the end of the school year.
Students and their parents/guardians are required to sign the Co-Curricular/ Extracurricular Contract
as a condition of participating in the co- and extra-curricular activities. Students participating in fall
sports (and their parents/ guardians) must sign the contract at the beginning of pre-season. All other
students who plan to participate in other co- and extra-curricular activities at any time during the
school year (and their parents/guardians) must sign the contract at the beginning of the school year
(or upon enrollment in school if transferring to the school).
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Students are expected to conduct themselves so as not to discredit themselves, their team or
organization, their coach or advisor, and their school. If a student is charged with a crime, he or she
may be suspended from participation in co- and extra-curricular activities until the case is
adjudicated. A student who is convicted of a crime may be suspended from participation in
activities for a period of time to be determined based upon the facts of the particular case.
Students shall be responsible for all equipment and uniforms issued to them by the school. It is also
expected that this equipment and uniform will be returned at the completion of the season. Cost of
replacing damaged or lost equipment/ uniforms will be the responsibility of the student.
Disciplinary Action
Improper conduct, as determined by the Athletic Director/coach, Activity Director/advisor and/or
administration shall result in disciplinary action up to and including removal/ suspension from the
team or activity (in addition to any discipline imposed under applicable Board policies or school
rules). The Athletic/ Activity director and coaches/advisors are expected to ensure compliance with
all policies and school ruels at all times and to use their best judgment in applying penalties for
violations. The advisor or coach shall consult the Athletic/ Activity Director prior to suspending a
student from an activity or team.
The infractions involving drugs, alcohol and/or tobacco, disciplinary action will be taken as
specified below (in addition to discipline imposed under JICH and JICH-R). Coaches/activity
advisor may not impose additional disciplinary consequences. Repeat or extreme violations will
warrant administrative review and additional sanctions.
Violations are cumulative during a student’s middle school career, but do not carry over to the high
school. Violations during a student’s high school career are cumulative.

Tobacco violations.
o First violation: No participation in co- and/or extra-curricular activities for one week (7
calendar days). The student and his/her parent must participate in a meeting with and
administrator and the Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator prior to returning to the
activity.
o Repeat violations: No participation in co- and/or extra-curricular activities for two
weeks (14 calendar days). The student and his/her parent must participate in a meting
with an administrator and the Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator prior to returning
to the activity.

Drug and alcohol violations.
o First violation. No participation in co- and/or extra-curricular activities for two weeks
(14 calendar days) or duration of any extended out-of-school suspension. The student and
his/her parent must participate in a meting with an administrator and the Substance Abuse
Prevention Coordinator prior to returning to the activity.
o Second violation. No participation in co- and/or extra-curricular activities for 30
calendar days. The student and his/her parent must participate in a meting with an
administrator and the Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator prior to returning to the
activity.
o Repeat violations. No participation in co- and/or extra-curricular activities for 60
calendar days. The student and his/her parent must participate in a meting with an
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administrator and the Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator prior to returning to the
activity.
If a violation occurs near the end of the school year, the suspension shall carry over to the next school
year. Any violations occurring during a student’s Falmouth Middle School tenure will not carry forward
to Falmouth High School. Violations which occur during a student’s tenure at Falmouth High School
will be cumulative.
Self-Reporting of Violation
A student who violates Policy JICI has the opportunity to report his/her violation to the Athletic and
Activities Director by noon of the following school day. In such a case, the disciplinary action specified
in the preceding section will be cut in half. This provision cannot be used to avoid discipline under this
policy for a violation that has already been reported to the school or to avoid discipline for violations of
Policy JICH, Student Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use.
Activity/ Team Leadership Positions – (First Offense Only)
A student elected to a leadership position for an activity/ team forfeits that position for the duration of
any suspension from the activity or team. Once the student returns to the activity/ team, the other
members of the activity/ team shall hold a meeting to make a recommendation whether or not the
student may return to his/her leadership position. This meeting shall be facilitated by the Substance
Abuse Prevention Coordinator and attended by the Athletic and Activity Director and the coach/advisor.
A final decision will be made by the coach/Athletic Director or advisor/Activities Director, taking into
consideration the recommendation of the students. A second violation of Policy JICI any time during
the student’s middle school or high school career will result in the loss of any leadership designation
held.
Appeal of Suspension from Activity/ Team

A student who wishes to appeal a suspension from a team/activity must first discuss the matter
with his/her advisor or coach.
 Following that discussion, if the student and his/her parent/guardian wishes to appeal the
suspension, it must be done in writing to the Athletic and Activities Director within three school
days of notice of the suspension decision. The Athletic and Activities Director will conduct an
investigation, as he/she deems advisable and render a decision, in writing, to the student and
his/her parent/guardian within three school days.
 If the student and his/her parent/guardian are dissatisfied with this decision, the decision may be
appealed in writing to the Principal within three school days. The Principal will condct whatever
investigation he/she deems advisable and render a decision, in writing, to his/her parents within a
reasonable time. The Principal’s decision is final.
 The student shall remain under suspension during the appeal process.
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FALMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
Athletic Rules Common to All Programs
1. Refer to the student handbook about all school rules regarding athletic policies,
guidelines, eligibility, rules, etc. You must abide by these rules - no drugs, tobacco, or
alcohol.
2. There are risks inherent to each of the athletic activities. Injuries can occur as a result
of direct participation in any one of the activities or events, or as a bystander simply
being in the vicinity of an activity/event. Participants can, in some instances, become
permanently handicapped. All players need to be aware of and acknowledge these risks.
3. As noted in the Board of Directors policy manual:
Team members shall attend all regularly scheduled practices and games/meets including
MPA tournaments/championships. Athletes with conflicts in scheduling due to religious
reasons will be accommodated.
4. Athletes are expected to be in attendance at all weekday practices. If an absence is
expected, a note is to be supplied from a parent/guardian to the coach in advance of the
planned absence. When a student is involved in other programs outside the school, it will
be necessary to adjust the schedule to accommodate the high school practice and game
schedule. Coaches of individual programs/ sports will discuss the consequences of such
actions with team members.
5. As noted in the Student Handbook:
To participate in athletic practices and contests, the student must be in attendance for all
classes during the school day. There will be five acceptable reasons for not attending
classes: 1) An appointment with a health professional 2) Observance of a religious
holiday 3) A family emergency 4) A planned absence for a personal or educational
purpose which has been approved in advance. 5) A field trip or other school related
activity.
6. Bus Behavior:
1. No excessive loud singing or noise making.
2. Only radios with headphones are acceptable.
3. Remain seated.
4. The bus is to be left clean and litter free.
5. No changing of clothes on the bus.
6. No cleats to be worn on the bus.
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Failure to adhere to these rules or to follow directions given by the coach or the bus
driver may result in a suspension of travel privileges for the next away contest. Further
infractions may result in suspension from such privileges for the remaining away
contests. In such situations it would be necessary for the parent/guardian to personally
supply transportation. Individual bus drivers have discretion to modify the listed rules.
7. Hazing or harassment of fellow team members/students will not be tolerated.
Involvement in such behavior will be cause for immediate suspension from competition
and/or practices.
8. Students and their parents are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to
their teams’ designated “home field”, even if the site is located off of school grounds. All
team members shall travel to and from school-sponsored out-of-District competitions or
practices on the bus or in vehicles authorized by the District. Drivers must be adults
authorized by the Superintendent or Principal. Students may return with parents, a
relative or an adult neighbor provided the student’s parents personally ask permission of
the coach.
9. Profanity or sudden outbursts of negative emotion will not be tolerated in any
situation.
10.Uniforms are to be worn for competitions only. No part of the uniform may be worn
at any other time. (i.e.: practices, phys. ed., class, around home, etc). Occasionally
athletes will be asked to wear a uniform to school on the day of a contest. At the
completion of each season, uniforms will be returned to the coach. If uniforms are not
returned, student-athletes will not be permitted to participate on future Falmouth athletic
teams until the uniform is returned or paid for.
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BONA FIDE TEAM RULE
A member of a school team is a student athlete who is regularly present for and actively
participates in team practices and competitions. Bona fide members of a school team are
prevented from missing hi9gh school practice or competition to compete or practice
elsewhere.
 A single waiver per student athlete per sport season may be granted by the
principal on a case-by-case basis for extraordinary circumstances. (e.g. if a
student/athlete were invited to participate in a prestigious weekend event then a
waiver may be granted. If a student athlete were invited to participate in a
nationally recognized tournament over a school vacation then that waiver may
be granted for that activity. If a student requests to miss practice every Friday
because he/she is receiving specialized coaching from an outside team/coach, then
a waiver should not be granted because it violates the spirit and intent of the rule.)
** This policy is not intended to restrict dual sport participation in schools that
allow dual participation.
*** Penalty for violation of this policy:
1st Violation:
2nd Violation
Report violation to MPA office, suspension from play for one
game/contest
Report violation to MPA office, removal from team for remainder of
season
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BONA FIDE TEAM RULE WAIVER FORM
I, __________________, am asking for permission for a single waiver of the Bona Fide
Team Rule.
Date(s): ________________________________________________________________
Place and description of activity: ____________________________________________
I understand that upon return, it is the coach’s discretion as to how I am worked back into
the team’s practice.
Student Name (Print Clearly): _________________________________Date: _________
Student’s Signature: _________________________________________Date: _________
Parent’s Signature: __________________________________________Date: ________
Principal’s Signature: ________________________________________Date: ________
Athletic Administrator’s Signature: _____________________________Date: ________
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FALMOUTH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Parental permission and student acknowledgement for transportation via private
vehicle to games, meets, practices and events association with activities officially
recognized by the Falmouth School Board.
(PARENT) I give my permission for my son/daughter to travel to and from games,
meets, practices and events by means of private vehicle when Falmouth School
Department is not providing transportation to said game, meet, practice or event: This
permission includes:
1. my son/daughter as a driver of a legally registered and inspected car owned by
my son/daughter or me
2. my son/daughter as a passenger in a legally registered and inspected vehicle
driven by a supervisor, another parent or by me
3. my son/daughter as a passenger in a legally registered and inspected vehicle
driven by a properly licensed student driver, supervisor, another parent or
me
(Please indicate permission by circling 1, 2 and/or 3.)
As a driver, I agree that there shall be no more individuals traveling in the vehicle at any
given time than the vehicle is designed to carry and to supervise and ensure that these
limitations are met.
(STUDENT) I acknowledge as conditions of this waiver that I agree to abide by the
school and team’s rules of behavior and conduct during and while en route to and from
these games, meets, practices and events. I acknowledge I have been apprised of the
travel rules by my coach/advisor. I acknowledge that I understand all of the rules of
behavior and conduct and agree to abide by them.
(PARENT) I confirm that I have discussed the previous paragraph with my son/daughter
and I acknowledge that/s/he understands its contents and its significance. I further
acknowledge that I will report to a school administrator any violations of school rules,
infractions of motor vehicle laws, or careless driving which are known by me to of
occurred.
(STUDENT DRIVER) I acknowledge the great importance that the Falmouth School
Department places on driver safety, particularly while I am en route as a driver or
passenger to or from games, meets, practices and events. I confirm that I am a properly
licensed driver and am thoroughly familiar with the motor vehicle regulations of the State
of Maine.
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(PARENT & STUDENT) I fully understand that the Falmouth School Department or its
employees will not be liable for any injury, harm or damage to my son/daughter’s person
and/or property occurring during or arising from such transportation. I waive and agree
to hold the Falmouth School Department and its employees harmless from any claims
arising out of such transportation.
I understand that my signature below indicates waiver for the activity of
_________________________ for the ________________year/season or date ONLY
and that I may revoke such waiver at any time in writing to the high school athletic
director (athletic event) or high school principal.
Date: _____________
___________________________________________
Signature of Student
___________________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian
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