DBS CODE:  6145

INSTRUCTION:

Extra-Class Activities:

Extracurricular activities are an integral part of school life and often require as much careful planning and supervision as the academic subjects.  Extracurricular activities do not take precedence over subject matter areas, but supplement courses of study.

Eligibility to Represent the School:

Conduct:

All students elected to student offices, or who represent their schools in extracurricular activities, shall have and maintain good academic standards and code of conduct.  Any student who does not maintain a good citizenship record shall not be allowed to represent fellow students nor the schools for a period of time recommended by the student’s principal.

Academic Standing:

All students elected to student offices, or who represent their schools in extracurricular activities, shall have achieved in the immediately preceding marking period:

1)  a grade point average no lower than C- (70) with

2)  no more than one failing grade.

The purpose of the academic eligibility standards policy is twofold.  First, the standards will encourage a minimum level of academic achievement before students can participate in most extracurricular activities.  Second, the standards are meant to focus the attention of the students who are participating in extracurricular activities upon their academic studies when the student’s achievement falls below the set standards.

Equal Access:

All student-initiated groups at the secondary level shall be given equal access to meet on school premises during non-instructional times without regard to their religious, political, philosophical or other speech content.

All student groups shall have equal access to the school media.

Supervision:

Whenever or wherever held, when conducted under the name of the school or school district or any class or organization thereof, extracurricular activities shall be under the direct supervision of advisors/supervisors appointed for the specific activity.

Non-Secret Groups:

Extracurricular groups shall not be secret in nature nor shall any meetings be secret.

Cross Reference:  Personnel DBS CODE 4143

Equal Access Act

Westside Community BOE vs. Mengens

Adopted:  October 13, 1981

Revised:  October 15, 1991

June 27, 2005

April 12, 2006

   ADMIN. REG:  6145

INSTRUCTION:

Elementary and Secondary:

Curriculum:

Extra-Class Activities:

Statement of Purpose:

Academic eligibility standards have been developed to encourage students to reach a minimum level of academic achievement in order to participate in extra-curricula activities.  Although the Board of Education advocates participation in athletics, clubs and committees, it also believes that students need to focus attention toward classroom studies.

Policy:

All students elected to student offices, or who represent their schools in extracurricular activities, shall have achieved in the immediately preceding marking period:

1)  a grade point average no lower than C- (70) (4 quality point average) with

2)  no more than one failing grade.

Administrative Procedure:

I.  Academic Warnings - At risk students

A) A student will be considered at risk when he/she receives two or more warnings at midterm review.  The warning would indicate that a student was performing below a C- average in a particular course.  The guidance department has the option to consider a student at risk if they believe the student total grade performance may result in academic ineligibility although the student may not receive two warnings.

B) When an at risk situation occurs, the teacher will notify the school guidance counselor and student.

C) A formal letter of concern will be forwarded by the guidance department to the student’s parent(s).  In addition, copies of the notification will be sent to the school administration, appropriate club advisor or coach and eligibility committee.

D) When an at risk situation has been identified, the guidance counselor shall meet with the teacher to determine a course of action to assist the student.  The counselor shall then meet with the student and/or parent to discuss the course of action.  A plan shall be designed that details the course of action and will be forwarded to the parent(s), school administration, appropriate club advisor or coach, teacher and eligibility committee.

E) Course of action shall be defined as:

1)  seeking additional help during learning center periods or after school;

2)  taking appropriate action to complete missing assignments;

3)  monitoring student study habits at home.

4)  the course of action will be monitored by the guidance department

II.  Ineligible Status

A) When a student is considered to be academically ineligible, a course of action shall be developed by the guidance department to assist the student.  The course of action will be similar to the at risk procedures but may include a more intensive program.

B) The review committee may consider a student’s eligibility for the spring activities at midterm for quarter three.  When, in the opinion of the committee, a student has raised his/her average above eligibility, a probationary period will be placed in effect until the third quarter grades are completed.  At that time the committee will recommend full eligibility or ineligibility.

C)  Participation in fall activities will be based on the final grade averages for the entire academic year.  Students whose fourth quarter grades fall below eligibility requirements will be placed on probation and reviewed at the first quarter midterm reports.  At that time the review committee will determine continuance of probation or ineligibility until the end of the first quarter.

D)  Under extraordinary circumstances a student’s academic ineligibility may be reviewed by a committee.  A review will be initiated by the guidance department, pupil services or administration.  The committee will consider delaying implementation of this policy for a period not to exceed one marking period.  The Committee will review their decision at the mid-term report period as well as at the end of each marking period.  The committee shall review a request not more than seven (7) days after ineligibility notification. 

E)  Extraordinary circumstances may include, but are not limited to, prolonged illness, legitimate academic concerns, family and personal crisis situations.  In no way should the committee exceed the intent of the policy which was developed to raise academic standards and prioritize academic achievement over participation in extra-curricular activities.

F)  The eligibility committee will be comprised of one (1) guidance counselor, one (1) building administrator, one (1) teacher and one (1) advisor or coach.  The advisor or coach member must not be affiliated with any student under review.

G)  The school administration will report to the Board of Education the number of students who are academically ineligible and the number of students whose eligibility has been delayed.  The report will be submitted at the end of each marking quarter.

III.  Additional Guidelines

A)  All advisors and coaches will present to the Systemwide Guidance Coordinator a completed roster of membership by the end of the first week of activity without exception.  The Guidance Coordinator will determine the eligibility of each student by use of the preceding term’s final grades and present his findings to the advisor/coach and building administrator.  The building administrator will present all findings to the eligibility committee and process appropriate letters to parents where necessary.  Counselors will meet with students as required.

B)  All clubs, organizations, and athletic teams will abide by rules of minimum academic standards as outlined in this BOE policy.

C)  Students receiving an incomplete grade in any course will have the customary ten school day period to complete course requirements.  During this ten-day period, incompletes will be considered unsatisfactory grades.

D)  All interscholastic athletic teams, clubs, student government groups, and any other activity that is extracurricular in nature, shall be affected by this policy.  Co-curricula or activities that are a direct extension of the classroom shall be exempt.  Direct extension is defined as an activity that is needed to fulfill a course requirement.  The following is a current list of activities that are a component of the policy.

Nonexempt Activities                                               Exempt Activities

Interscholastic athletic teams                                      Band concerts/Trips/Parades

Yearbook                                                                 Student restaurant -Horizons

Student Advisory Council                                          Instrumental/Choral Performances

Class Officers                                                           Academic Field Trips

Newspaper-The Spartan Advocate                           Diversity Coalition

Radio Station-WDJW                                              Gay/Straight Alliance

Drama Club                                                              Big Brothers/Big Sisters

FBLA                                                                       Students Supporting Students

Math Team

JETS

N.H.S.

Beta Club

FCLLA

Scriptura

Tech Club

Adopted:  July 28, 1992

Reviewed:  June 13, 2005

Revised:  April 12, 2006

SOMERS HIGH SCHOOL

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY POLICY AND REGULATIONS

READY REFERENCE GUIDE

Academic eligibility standards have been developed to encourage students to reach a minimum level of academic achievement in order to participate in extra-curricula activities.  Although the Board of Education advocates participation in athletics, clubs and committees, it also believes that students need to focus attention toward classroom studies.

IF STUDENTS ARE . . .                                           THEY WILL . . .

. . . taking part in co-curricular school activity              . . . have their names sent on roster to guidance by

      not specifically exempted by BOE                               the end of week one of the new season,

have their preceding quarter final grades reviewed;

achieve a GPA no lower than C- (70); and

not receive more than one failing grade.

. . . incomplete in any course grade                             . . .  have ten school days to complete requirements;

until completion Inc. will be considered an F.

. . . participating in a fall sport                                     . . . have their eligibility based on the preceding

years final grades; BUT                                              ⃛BE ON PROBATION

with mid-term review, IF                                            . . . their final grades

are OK, but 4th quarter are NOT; OR                       . . . final

grades are NOT, but 4th quarter are OK.

. . . failing to maintain minimum gpa (C-)                      . . . be considered at risk

or have more than one F or 2 mid terms

. . . at risk                                                                  . . . be notified by their counselor

. . . have their counselor send letter of concern to

parent, admin, coach, eligibility committee

. . . have their counselor meet with teacher to

determine course of action, discuss with student

and report results to parent, admin, coach.

. . . classified ineligible                                                 . . . not obtain membership during that particular

season or until eligibility is established during

the next eligibility period; But . . .  be able to

appeal and have their case reviewed by

committee as “under extraordinary

circumstances”

. . classified eligible under extraordinary circumstances     . . . remain eligible for one marking term to be

reviewed at the next mid-term and end of term.

An appeal process is available to any ineligible student.  A written request must be made through the student’s guidance counselor within five days of the notification of loss of eligibility requesting restoration with an appropriate explanation.