Rules & Standards

GENERAL BEHAVIOR POLICY -

Misconduct and horseplay not only disrupt the success of the team, it also takes away from the enjoyment of the other team members and – it compromises the SAFETY of others. (Safety is our #1 concern)

• Pool and team rules must be followed at all times.
• Foul Language will not be tolerated.
• If a swimmer is being disruptive, he/she will be given 1 (one) warning, if need for a 2nd warning, the swimmer will be asked to leave the water and will sit silently on the pool deck bleachers in swimming attire for the remaining time of practice or meet.
• If the swimmer is persistent with misbehavior, parents will be contacted immediately to pick him/her up from practice. A meeting between the coaches and parents may be scheduled.
• Anti-Bullying Policy (See below)
• THE USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN IN ALL LOCKER/REST ROOMS DURING TEAM PRACTICES AND PVSL EVENTS (See Electronic Device Use Policy below).

CONSISTENT MISCONDUCT WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF PRIVILAGES, AND POSSIBLY DISMISSAL FROM THE BLUEFISH SWIM TEAM, WITH NO REFUND.

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HARRASSMENT/ANTI-BULLYING POLICY -

The Mission of Montague Parks & Recreation, is that we are "…dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and the sense of community to the residents of the Town of Montague through the delivery of safe, healthy, diverse, accessible, quality, year-round leisure-time experiences, in addition to, maintaining and preserving its parks and resources."

MPRD's Youth Sports philosophy centers on "…the development of children of all skill levels within a recreational environment that teaches the fundamentals of athletics and the development of positive physical, psychological and social skills through participation."

Our Summer Camp mission is "...to help each child develop mentally and physically in a safe and enjoyable environment built on mutual respect, understanding, and positive relationships."

As one may observe from the goals noted above, MPRD strives to create safe and healthy environments for all of our participants. We will support these efforts by investigating any bullying claim to the best of our ability. Investigations may include MPRD administration, executive board, staff, coaches, parents, volunteers, or other officials. If such behavior is verified, the department will implement procedures outlined in the rubric outlined below. Bullying will not be tolerated by participants, employees, parents, coaches or other officials.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is defined as any unwanted verbal, physical, psychological or social act committed by an individual or group, as well as any real or perceived threat or imbalance of power. There are three types of bullying;

• Verbal - teasing, name calling, inappropriate sexual comments, taunting (racial or otherwise), or threatening to cause harm.
• Social - leaving someone out of purpose, telling someone not to be friends with someone, spreading rumors, embarrassing someone in public including electronic or other technical expression
• Physical - hitting/kicking/punching/pinching, spitting, tripping, loss of property (including taking or damaging someones belongings), making rude hand gestures
  
  Effects -
  Bullying can often have painful physical and emotional affects such as;

• Emotional distress, including being anxious or withdrawn
• Changes in eating habits
• Becoming aggressive, and possibly bullying others
• Missing school/work
• Substance Abuse
• Suicide

Behavior	1st Offense	2nd Offense	3rd Offense
Verbal	Verbal warning	Incident report Parents informed	Incident report Develop plan w/ parents	After the 3rd incident, participant is not allowed back to program
Social	Verbal warning Parents informed	Incident report Parents informed	Incident report Develop plan w/ parent	After the 3rd incident, participant is not allowed back to program
Physical	Verbal warning Parents informed	Incident report Parents informed Parental meeting	Incident report Parents informed Child sent home	After the 3rd incident, participant is not allowed back to program *More severe hitting, threats of violence or harassment will accelerate disciplinary procedure.

Please note that procedures may be modified depending on the severity of the offense, and/or other rules and regulations that may supersede this policy (ex. Employees of the Town of Montague).

Resources: Tyler Clementi Foundation, Town of Wilbraham, Parks & Recreation, City of Pittsfield, Parks & Recreation, U.S Dept. of Health & Human Services

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Electronic Device Use Policy -

The use of *electronic devices (*phones, tablets, personal game units, etc.) in locker rooms and restrooms is prohibited during team/PVSL practices & events.

Conditions:

1. Signs regarding this policy will be clearly posted on all entrances to the Turners Falls High School Pool locker rooms.
2. Swimmers who come to a practice or meet with an electronic device (without a parent present) will be asked to place that device in a specifically assigned bin in the pool office where swimmers can then retrieve it when they are leaving the facility.
3. If it is found that a swimmer is using his/her device in the locker room, they will immediately be directed by a coach to place it in said bin until the practice/meet has ended. However, if a parent is present, it will be given to them.
4. Repeated or severe violations may result in temporary or permanent expulsion from the team.
5. Use of electronic devices at other Pioneer Valley Swim League locker rooms may result in broader penalties handed down by the league.

The goal of this policy is to help protect all swimmers during team events with regards to the use of phone and electronic devices. The Bluefish coaches and Parks & Recreation administration recognize that the use of these devices in the locker rooms does not necessarily mean that they are being used for malicious intent. However, such devices have camera and recording capabilities that carry potentially disastrous circumstances relative to violating ones privacy in a locker room setting.

We ask that all parties play a vital role in keeping ALL electronic devices out of locker rooms and restrooms during meets and practices.

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POOL FACILITY RULES -

Please observe all the rules established at the pool, and make sure your swimmer does as well. This facility is the property of the school district and we are very fortunate to be using it. Please help us enforce these standards even to visiting teams and spectators.

One of the most critical rules is that there is NO FOOD ALLOWED in the Pool Area. If there is considerable litter or neglect in the pool from our program, WE WILL lose the privileges of using the facility. Please also note that the Pool phone is for emergencies only.

Other Practices to help keep the pool facility clean….

• Please use the proper receptacles when throwing items away
• Any clothes like underwear, combs, hair bands etc. is considered trash, and will be thrown out by the school’s custodial staff if left behind
• NO METAL OR METAL COATED BOBBY PINS FOR HAIR, AS THEY END UP IN THE BOTTOM OF THE POOL AND RUST. The vacuum has difficulty picking them up.
• Absolutely NO GLASS in the pool facility