JJJ ©
EXTRACURRICULAR  ACTIVITY
ELIGIBILITY

All interscholastic activities in grades sixth (6th) through eighth (8th) that are 1) of a competitive nature and involve more than one (1) school where a championship, winner, or rating is determined and 2) endeavors for which no credit is earned in meeting graduation or promotion requirements that are of a continuous and ongoing nature, organized, planned, or sponsored by the District, consistent with District policy, shall be conducted under the provisions of this policy.  Such activities will be established and designed to offer students worthwhile athletic and leisure-time interests, wholesome recreational and social activity, and an opportunity to develop skills in democratic and cooperative management for these activities.  These programs will be appropriate to the maturity of students and as varied as staff and facilities permit.

All such activities conducted under the auspices of the District shall be under the direct supervision of the certificated individual responsible for the activity.

It is necessary to have the extracurricular activities function within a realistic framework of control.  In order that overenthusiastic students do not place a social or athletic function on a higher plane than the academic program, the following policy will be adhered to:

A.  Students who, upon having their work checked on a cumulative basis at the end of each week, show that they are not working to capacity and have one (1) or more failing grades will be removed from any athletic teams or extracurricular activities.  After improving their respective grades such that they are passing on a cumulative basis, they shall be reinstated to the teams or extracurricular activities until a subsequent check is performed unless ineligible for some reason other than academic performance.

B.  The eligibility criterion for extracurricular participation shall be a passing grade in all classes in which the student is enrolled, and the student shall maintain progress toward promotion or graduation.

C.  The responsibility for notification of students and parents of these requirements and for enforcement of the above rule rests with the Superintendent.

D.  The student and the parents or guardian shall be notified of ineligibility in a manner such that confidentiality is maintained when:

1.  Ineligibility is pending.

2.  Ineligibility is determined to be necessary.

E.  Support services shall be made available to students who become ineligible for extracurricular programs as well as to students notified of pending ineligibility.

Students whose behavior presents a problem or jeopardizes school discipline may be ineligible for participation in extracurricular activities until such time as their behavior warrants reinstatement.

The same general standards shall apply for special education students except that such eligibility shall be determined on a case-by-case basis in relationship to the respective students' individual education programs.

A school district governing board, a charter school or an interscholastic athletic association of which a school district governing board or charter school is a member may not prohibit a pupil from wearing a religious or cultural accessory or hair piece while participating in an extracurricular or athletic activity if the accessory or hair piece does not jeopardize the health or safety of the pupil or any other person participating in the activity, as determined by the supervisor of the extracurricular activity or the officiant of the athletic activity.

The Superintendent shall establish regulations to ensure that:

A.  Necessary documents in support of this policy are maintained.

B.  Necessary data related to ineligible students are collected and reported as required by law.

C.  The cultural traditions of students are considered when establishing or enforcing rules related to participation in extracurricular activities.

D.  The requirements of this policy are met.

The Superintendent may develop additional rules or procedures for the proper conduct of extracurricular programs and the implementation of the provisions of this policy.

Adopted:  September 10, 2018

LEGAL REF.:
A.R.S.
15-347
15-705
15-802.01
A.A.C.
R7-2-808

CROSS REF.:
JB - Equal Educational Opportunities
JI - Student Rights and Responsibilities
JICEC - Freedom of Expression
JII - Student Concerns, Complaints, and Grievances
JJIB - Interscholastic Sports