Eligibility and Rules

Grade reporting is completed by teachers on a weekly basis. All grades are updated on Friday at noon. The eligibility report is created and distributed to coaches on Friday. Coaches inform student athletes of any academic deficiencies at that time. The report will identify students who have earned an “F” in any scheduled class.

A student athlete becomes ineligible when failing more than one subject. The period of eligibility begins on the Sunday following the grade report and continues until that Saturday (7 calendar days). If a student is determined to be ineligible during a period of season break, they will remain ineligible until after the next report.

A student athlete will use this time to concentrate on academics in order to achieve eligible status. Students may practice during this time frame at a coach’s discretion. The student may not suit up or participate in any interscholastic games during the period of ineligibility.

On the day of marking period grade reports, any student athlete failing more than one subject will become ineligible for a period of fifteen (15) school days. Coaches and administration will monitor the student athlete’s grades during this time to determine whether the athlete may participate in practice. Students may not suit up or participate in any interscholastic games during this period of ineligibility.

Players are subject to the SVHS Student Handbook and Penn-Delco Board policies regarding alcohol and illegal drugs. Use of drugs, tobacco and alcohol impairs the student athlete’s physical ability and reaction time, placing teammates, opponents and themselves at risk. Any violation of these policies will result in dismissal from the team and possible loss of athletic privilege for the year.

Athletes must ride on team buses to and from all athletic events away from the Sun Valley campus. A student may ride home with a parent/guardian only after having completed the transportation waiver form provided at the beginning of the athletic season. The waiver form must be signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the coach and athletic office. This waiver form only covers the immediate season. A new waiver form must be completed for each subsequent season. After the waiver form is on file, the parent/guardian must inform the coach in person when they will be transporting them after an athletic contest. Student athletes may only be transported by parents/guardians. Failure to follow the athletic bus policy may result in loss of participation privilege in the next athletic contest.

Sun Valley High School will adopt the PIAA attendance policy for ALL sports and extracurricular events:

If a student has been absent from school, according to the attendance calculation policy (see section IV Attendance in this handbook), during a semester for the equivalent of 20 or more school days, they are ineligible to participate in any practice, scrimmage, contest/game, and/or any other extracurricular activity or event until the student has been in attendance for a total of 45 school days following the 20th absence.

Class contracts will be provided to each student group from the class advisors at the beginning of the student year that describe class events, financial obligations for participation, as well as eligibility requirements.

Class dues will be collected in the junior and senior years only, and will be paid in a lump sum. Class dues cover various items and activities that are summarized in each year’s class dues summary. Students must pay class dues by the deadlines established by each class in order to participate in class-sponsored activities. Arrangements may be made with class sponsors if there are situations, which necessitate the delay in payment of class dues. If class dues are turned in after the due date, a late fee will be charged. All payments for class dues and activities are to be by school pay, check or money order or cash. Class dues are non-refundable.

Participation in all class-sponsored activities is a privilege not a right. All class activities are coordinated and directed by the class officers and their sponsor with administrative approval. Dances, floats, dues collection, fundraising, trips, class meetings, and senior activities are all the responsibility of class officers.

Officers consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian. During any campaign, all class office candidates must receive administrative approval of all posters/signs, etc. prior to any public posting. Any class officer receiving more than one suspension or being academically ineligible at the end of any marking period may be removed from his/her elected office. Any class officer whose integrity is questioned due to inappropriate behavior unbecoming of a Sun Valley student may be removed from their office and will not be allowed to hold an office during the current year or the next year.

We encourage all payments for class activities to be paid by school pay but can be paid by check or money order. Cash will be accepted for any payment under $150.00. Any cash payment over $150.00 will be paid in the office.

All activities must receive prior administrative approval.
 

Teachers or class advisors sponsor Field Trips. Students are subject to the rules and regulations imposed by the teacher or administrator for the field trip. All school rules apply. All student bags will be searched before any overnight trip. Students are not refunded for loss of trip privilege due to school eligibility.

All athletes will be held to all conditions of the Sun Valley Student Handbook. The athlete may face additional consequences related to the privilege to participate in interscholastic athletics.
 

Dances are not required but are special additions to Sun Valley High School social life. With privileges come responsibilities. In order to continue having dances, there are rules that must be followed: All school rules apply to students during the dances.

• Each student is permitted to bring one (1) guest with him/her and they must arrive together.
• All guests must also have a picture ID or their high school schedule.
• Students are responsible for the actions of any guests that they bring to school dances. NO DATES CAN BE 21 OR OLDER TO ATTEND SCHOOL DANCES.
• All dates must arrive with the SVHS student.
• No one will be admitted after one (1) hour after the dance begins without prior permission.
• No one is allowed to leave the dance early without prior permission.
• It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that a ride home is available at the end of the dance.
• Breathalyzers may be used at all dances, proms or any other time a student is suspected of being under the influence of an illegal substance.
• For Proms, only members of that class are permitted to buy tickets.
• If a student is suspended from school on the date on which the dance is to be held, that student may not attend.
• All bags / purses are subject to search.
• All purchased tickets are assigned to the specific student and are non-transferable.
• Any appeal to eligibility for participation must be made to the SVHS principal no later than 48 hours in advance of the event.

All school-sponsored events, including but not limited to class dances/proms, participation in athletic events and activities, are subject to eligibility standards which include academics, behavior, and attendance. Students who fail to meet school wide expectations regarding attendance, academic eligibility, and discipline, may be restricted from participating in extracurricular activities and monies will not be refunded. Students who are frequently late to school, or frequently absent from class, may be excluded from extracurricular activities and events.

Throughout the school year, students might owe money to Sun Valley High School for a variety of reasons including: class dues, fundraisers, extra-curricular activities, cafeteria balances, lost or damaged property, replacement ID cards, and returned / stop payment on checks. It is important that payment occurs promptly. Administration may restrict participation in any extracurricular activities if students have a financial obligation; this includes dances, proms, non-instructional class trips, parking privileges, and clubs. If the amount is not paid by senior year graduation, students will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremonies.

In order to participate in a practice, scrimmage, or game, the student must attend every class according to Sun Valley’s attendance policy. Students who are suspended in or out of school are ineligible to participate or attend sporting or extracurricular events the day of their suspension. 

Students who exhibit inappropriate behavior at an extracurricular activity or event may be asked to leave the event. Those students may also be given detentions and/or be suspended at the discretion of administration. Offenders may be prohibited from attending or participating in future extracurricular events.

Any student receiving Homebound Instruction or Instruction in the Home, or is placed elsewhere for administrative/discipline reasons may not participate in any extra-curricular activities associated with Penn-Delco School District unless otherwise approved by the Penn-Delco School District administration. This includes, but is not limited to, sporting events, dances, evening programs, class trips and proms. Any student suspended for any reason may be restricted from any and all extra-curricular activities as well as participation in class trips at the discretion of the administration.