LAUREL SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT
Extracurricular Activities Policy #6145
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The board believes that the educational goals and objectives of the district are best achieved by a diversity of learning experiences, some of which are more appropriately conducted outside the regular classroom program.
The purpose of extracurricular activities shall be:
A. To develop useful new capabilities in pupils that can lead to extension of career opportunities;
B. To develop pupil initiative and provide for the exercise of responsibility;
C. To develop leadership capabilities and good organizational skills;
D. To aid pupils in the social skills;
E. To enable pupils to explore a wider range of individual interests that might be available in the regular program.
For purposes of this policy, extracurricular activities shall be those activities which are sponsored or approved by the board. Such activities shall generally be conducted outside the regular school day, available to pupils who voluntarily elect to participate, marked by pupil participation in the processes of initiation, planning, organizing and execution and shall ordinarily include band, clubs, dramatic or musical presentations, and intramural and interscholastic sports.
Equal access to school facilities shall be granted to all activities that meet this definition.
The chief school administrator shall prepare procedures to implement an extracurricular program which shall:
A. Assess the needs and interests of the pupils of this district;
B. Ensure the provision of competent guidance and supervision by staff;
C. Guard against the exploitation of pupils;
D. Provide for a variety of experiences and a diversity of organizational models;
E. Provide for the continuing evaluation of the extracurricular program and staff;
F. Ensure that all extracurricular activities are open to all eligible pupils and that all pupils are fully informed of the opportunities open to them.
The guidance goal for each pupil shall be a balanced program of appropriate academic studies and activities to be determined by the school, the parents/guardians and the pupil. Guidance is necessary to encourage non-participants, and to prevent the overenthusiastic from emphasizing activities at the cost of their academic performance.
Only persons in the employ of the board of education shall be permitted to organize district pupils during school time or during any recess in the school day for purposes of instruction or coaching or for conducting games, events, or contests in physical education or athletics.
No activity shall be considered to be under the sponsorship of this board unless it has been approved by the board on recommendation of the chief school administrator.
All pupils in good disciplinary and academic standing shall have equal access to all extracurricular activities regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, social or economic status, or non-applicable handicap.
Eligibility
The Laurel Springs Board of Education offers opportunities for students to participate in extra-curricular activities. Any participant who is failing any major subject area before the program or season begins will be placed on probation for three weeks and allowed to practice. Students failing two major subjects will not be allowed to practice or participate. At the end of the three week probationary period the advisor or coach will check with the teacher(s) to determine if the failing grade(s) have been removed.
A student who fails one major subject at the end of a marking period will be placed on probation for three weeks. He/she will be allowed to practice but not participate in games or performances. A student who fails two major subject areas will be placed on probation and not allowed to practice or participate in games or performances. At the end of the three week probationary period the advisor or coach will check with the teacher(s) to determine if the failing grade(s) have been removed.
Failure to remove one or two failing grades will result in the pupil being ineligible for the rest of the marking period. A student who has failed more than two subjects will be ineligible for the next marking period.
Attendance
The district’s attendance policy shall also apply.
Implementation
The chief school administrator shall direct development of detailed regulations to ensure equitable implementation of this policy. Particular care shall be taken to ensure that all extra-curricular programs and their operation comply with district affirmative action/equity requirements. Participation in academically related coaching or tutoring groups may be exempt from the eligibility requirement at the chief school administrator’s discretion.
First Reading: February 2008
Adopted:
Legal References: N.J.S.A. 10:5 Law Against Discrimination
N.J.S.A. 18A:11-3 Voluntary associations regulating conduct of student activities; membership; rules and regulations; appeals
N.J.S.A. 18A:19-14 Funds derived from pupil activities
N.J.S.A. 18A:35-20 Participation in courses in which verbalization unessential to understanding of subject matter; location of and children in bilingual programs
N.J.S.A. 18A:42-5, 6 Certain student organizations declared harmful...
N.J.S.A. 34:13A-1
et seq New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act
N.J.A.C. 6:4-1.1 Equality in educational programs
N.J.A.C. 6:8-4.10 State and Federally mandated programs and services
N.J.A.C. 6:29-3.1 Physical education and athletics personnel and procedures
NJSIAA Constitution, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations
Manual for the Evaluation of Local School Districts (June 1993)