Extracurricular activities provide students with unique opportunities to express themselves in ways that are both different from, and complementary to, their regular academic classes. These activities allow students to develop qualities of leadership, discipline, and commitment through their participation.

An extracurricular activity is defined as: a school sponsored club or activity that students voluntarily participate in under the direction of a district-appointed advisor. Please note that specific clubs/activities have requirements beyond these rules.

The following rules are to govern extra curricular activities and will serve as a guide for parents as well as participants. No students will participate in extracurricular activities unless he/she can and will follow the established rules. All rules must be followed in order to maintain eligibility. We expect that parents, as well as participants, will be familiar with and support these requirements.

Conditions for participation

Students are expected to commit themselves to an activity membership, attendance at meetings, functions and rehearsals for the year. When this commitment is not fulfilled, the advisor shall review the student’s participation.

1. Students are expected to attend all meetings, functions and rehearsals unless excused by the advisor. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the advisor in advance, if possible of any circumstances, which would prohibit attendance at meetings, functions and rehearsals other than absence from school. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action ranging from a verbal warning to dismissal from the club dependent upon the nature and/or frequency of the offense.

2. A student must be present in homeroom when attendance is taken in order to participate in an extracurricular meeting or event that day. An exception will be made if the student has an approved medical or legal appointment, field trip, or educational trip, in which case, the student must present a signed note from the parent/guardian. If a student is absent the last school day before an extracurricular event on a non-school day, the student must have administrative permission to participate. It is recommended that the event organizer call the parent/guardian.

3. A student missing a meeting, rehearsal or other commitment due to a trip he/she must go on with the immediate family will not be dismissed from the activity. Possibly, the student will not be able to return to the same position he/she held in the activity prior to leaving. The student may have to work to earn that position.

4. Participation in other school related or non-school related activities, while participating in another activity, is encouraged from an educational standpoint. Students, however, need to prioritize their activities especially when conflicts occur. If a student’s participation in these or similar activities or programs significantly impacts the student’s ability to attend meetings, functions or rehearsals on a regular basis, the advisor will meet with the student and a decision will be made as to membership status based upon the commitments of the student and the fairness to the other members of the activity.

5. Any student who uses, sells or is in possession of, any controlled substance(s), alcohol, tobacco products, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia other than those prescribed by a physician, may be immediately suspended from his/her activity for a period of ten (10) weeks on the first offense.

   1. In order to be eligible for participation in subsequent activities during the same school year, the student may be required to enter into a substance abuse counseling program and be working to the satisfaction of the advisor before being allowed to resume participation in the activity.

   2. For a second and subsequent violation, the student may be suspended from participation in all extracurricular activities for twenty (20) weeks up to one calendar year from the date of notification of the violations. Violation(s) of this policy will be cumulative beginning with a student’s entrance into the ninth grade.

   3. Note: The first violation will not appear in the student’s permanent disciplinary file, but should a second violation occur, the violation will be recorded as a disciplinary infraction generating a “yes” response to the disciplinary action question in the College Common Application and other similarly worded applications.

6. As a member of an activity, students should be mindful that they represent their school, family, and community. Activity members are expected to, and have an obligation to, conduct themselves as good citizens both in and out of school and the community. Students are expected to refrain from exhibiting any behavior(s) that violates the principles of good citizenship. Any violation of the code of conduct will be subject to review for disciplinary actions by the advisor and building principal. Disciplinary action may not include, but is not limited to, temporary or extended suspension from the club, dependent upon the severity of the offense.

7. A student who is arrested or convicted of a crime, either misdemeanor or felony, may be suspended from participation until the legal matter is resolved. Upon resolution, the district shall take additional disciplinary and/or corrective action, if warranted.

Distribution

Prior to the start of an extracurricular activity, the advisor will hold a meeting for participating students and distribute a copy of this policy to the students. The advisor will review the policy with the students. All students and parents will be required to sign and return the acknowledgement portion of the policy to their respective advisor. No student will be allowed to participate in any activities until the signed acknowledgement is returned to the advisor.