Strafford R-VI School District Early Childhood Center
Elementary School Middle School High
School
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FILE: IGD
Critical
DISTRICT- SPONSORED EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
AND ORGANIZATIONS
(Districts Allowing Noncurricular Groups)
The Board of Education believes that student activities sponsored by the school district are a vital part of the total educational program and should be used as a means of developing social interactions, as well as knowledge and skills. The Board further recognizes that not all of the district's goals and objectives can be met in formal classroom study. Therefore, the Board authorizes the use of the district's facilities, employees and funds to provide student extracurricular activities or groups.
The Board directs the district’s superintendent or designee to administer the district’s extracurricular activities and groups in keeping with this policy, and to create administrative procedures to further the district’s goals.
Definitions
All district-sponsored activities, groups and organizations meeting or occurring during noninstructional time will be referred to as extracurricular. However, extracurricular activities and groups will be further categorized as follows for legal purposes:
Cocurricular Activity or Group: A school-sponsored activity or group primarily involving students and occurring outside of academic class time, where
Ø The subject matter of the activity or group is or will be taught in a regularly offered class;
Ø The subject matter of the activity or group concerns the body of courses as a whole;
Ø Participation in the group is a requirement for a course; or
Ø Academic credit is granted for participation.
Noncurricular Activity or Group: School-sponsored activities or groups primarily involving students and meeting outside of academic class time, which are not cocurricular.
General
All extracurricular activities must have a duly-appointed sponsor, advisor or coach who is a district employee. Before assuming the duties of a sponsor, advisor or coach, the district must have on file a recent background check of the employee. It shall be the duty of such individuals to attend all meetings, functions or practices of the various groups, to advise and supervise students, and to keep the building principal informed regarding activities. All district-sponsored extracurricular activities should be included on the school calendar.
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For Office Use Only: IGD-C.1C
(8/01)
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FILE: IGD
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All students participating in extracurricular activities or groups are subject to district supervision and discipline. Students must comply with all policies, eligibility requirements, rules and procedures established by the district or established by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA), when applicable.
Unless participation is required for an academic course in which the student is enrolled, participation in all extracurricular activities or groups is voluntary.
Pursuant to state law and upon the adoption of a resolution by a majority of the entire Board, the district may designate extracurricular activities that the Board believes presents unusual physical hazards to students. The Board may then authorize the expenditure of school funds to purchase medical insurance covering students while engaged in the activity, if the purchase of insurance would constitute a financial hardship to the parent/guardian or student.
Exclusion from Activities or Groups
Students may belong to and take part in all extracurricular activities or groups for which they are qualified, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry or disability.
Unless participation in a group or activity is required for a course in which the student is enrolled, participation is a privilege, not a right. Students may be excluded from these groups as a disciplinary action, as a consequence for poor performance in school, or otherwise as determined by district administration. A student and/or his or her parents/guardians are not entitled to a hearing solely because the student has been excluded from an extracurricular activity which is not required for a course in which the student is enrolled.
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Note: The reader is encouraged to review administrative procedures and/or forms for related information in support of this policy area.
Adopted: October 18, 2001
Cross Refs: AC, Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment
IGDA, Student-Initiated Group Use of School Facilities
IND, School Ceremonies and Observances
KG, Community Use of School Facilities
______________________________________________________________________
For Office Use Only: IGD-C.1C
(8/01)
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FILE: IGD
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Legal Refs: § 162.063, RSMo.
Westside Community Bd. of Ed. v. Mergens, 496 U.S. 226 (1990)
The Equal Access Act, 20 U.S.C. §4701, 4702
Strafford R-VI School District, Strafford, Missouri
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For Office Use Only: IGD-C.1C
(8/01)
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FILE: IGDA
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STUDENT-INITIATED GROUP USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES
(K-12 Districts - Allowing Noncurricular Groups)
Pursuant to the Equal Access Act, secondary schools of the district will provide an opportunity for student-initiated, noncurricular groups to conduct meetings or activities on district property to the same extent that the district allows other noncurriculum-related student groups to meet on school premises during noninstructional time. Student-initiated groups will not be denied access on the basis of religious, political, philosophical or other content of speech at such meetings. The superintendent or designee may create administrative procedures to govern the use of school facilities by student-initiated noncurricular groups, for the purpose of this policy. Community use of school facilities is governed by policy KG.
To make use of the school facilities, a student-initiated noncurricular meeting must meet the following criteria:
Ø The student-initiated groups must be limited to secondary school students and can only meet at secondary schools.
Ø The meetings must be held during noninstructional times.
Ø A meeting must be voluntary and student initiated. No student shall be in any way coerced to participate in religious activity.
Ø Employees of the district or other adults may not sponsor, promote, or lead student-initiated groups or meetings. However, a teacher, administrator or other school employee may be assigned to the meeting to monitor facility use and student conduct.
Ø Employees and agents of the school are to be present solely in a nonparticipatory capacity at any student-initiated religious activity held at school and will strictly observe a policy of official neutrality regarding religious activity.
Ø The meeting may not materially and substantially interfere with the orderly conduct of educational activities within the school.
Ø Except for incidental building costs, no public funds will be expended for student-initiated noncurriculum-related groups.
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For Office Use Only: IGDA-C.1A (8/01)
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FILE: IGDA
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Student Conduct at Meetings
Students attending student-initiated groups or activities must follow all school rules and procedures governing student conduct. The school reserves the right to maintain order and discipline, as well as to protect the safety and well-being of students and employees.
Access to Communication Channels
Noncurriculum-related, student-initiated groups at the secondary school level shall have the same access allowed to all other noncurriculum-related student groups to channels of communication for publicizing their meetings, including the public address system, designated bulletin boards, school newspapers and the calendar of events. However, the school may uniformly state in these media that such organizations or their meetings are not sponsored by the school.
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Note: The reader is encouraged to review administrative procedures and/or forms for related information in support of this policy area.
Adopted: October 18, 2001
Cross Refs: IGD, District-Sponsored Extracurricular Activities and Organizations
KG, Community Use of School Facilities
Legal Refs: The Equal Access Act (1984), 20 U.S.C. §§ 4701, 4702
"Religious Expression in Public Schools," U.S. Dept. of Education, May, 1998
Westside Community Bd. of Ed. v. Mergens, 496 U.S. 226 (1990)
Strafford R-VI School District, Strafford, Missouri
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For Office Use Only: IGDA-C.1A (8/01)
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FILE: IGDA-R
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STUDENT
ORGANIZATIONS
Academic Standards for Participation in Extra Curricular
Activities
For students who are presently enrolled and were here last
quarter and fail to comply with our present policy of a minimum C- grade average
with no F's they will be placed on a two week suspension period. During this time
they will not be allowed to represent the school in any extra curricular
activities. At
the end of the two week suspension period a grade check will be ran to determine
the student's cumulative grade standing in his classes. If a student display's satisfactory progress at the
end of the two week suspension period they will then be placed on probation for
the remainder of the current quarter. During this probationary period a student
will be allowed to represent the school in extra curricular activities. Also during the
probationary period the student's cumulative quarter grades will be checked
weekly. If at
any check point the student fails to meet the minimum requirements of a C- grade
average with no F's they then will be placed on suspension from representing the
school in any extra curricular activities for the remainder of the current
quarter.
For students who transfer in to our school, and fail to
meet the minimum academic requirements listed above, they will be placed on a
two week suspension from activities. During this time they will not be allowed to
represent the school in any extra curricular activities. At the end of the
two week suspension period they will be placed on probation for the remainder of
the current quarter.
During this probationary period a student will be allowed to represent
the school in extra curricular activities. At the conclusion of a four week period a
grade check will be made in all classes to assure that they are making
satisfactory progress. Further grade checks will occur weekly until
the end of the current quarter. If satisfactory progress is not being made at
any of the check points they then will be placed on suspension from representing
the school in any extra curricular activities for the remainder of the current
quarter, at which time their grades will determine future representation in
extra curricular activities.
After having been enrolled for one quarter should a student
fail to meet the minimum academic requirements listed above for two successive
quarters, they then are suspended from representing the school, as stated above,
for the entire next quarter.
Note: Any organization
has the right to impose stricter standards than those in this policy for
consideration for participation in that organization with the principal’s permission.
Revised:
August 15, 1996
Strafford R-VI School District, Strafford, Missouri
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For Office Use Only
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FILE: IGDAA
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STUDENT GROUP USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES
Secondary
schools of the district will provide an opportunity for student-initiated, noncurricular groups to meet on school
premises during noninstructional
time, providing a limited open forum environment, as described in this policy.
An activity is to be considered curricular if the subject matter is or will be taught in a regularly offered class; if the subject matter concerns the body of courses as a whole; if participation in the group is a requirement for a course; or if academic credit is granted for participation. Extracurricular activities will be those organized and supervised activities conducted under the auspices of the school district which primarily involve students in activities occurring outside academic class time, for which no units of credit are awarded. Any activity which does not fit these guidelines will be considered noncurricular.
Pursuant to the Equal Access Act, secondary schools of the district will not deny equal access and a fair opportunity to student-initiated, noncurricular groups who wish to conduct a meeting on school premises during noninstructional time, on the basis of religious, political, philosophical or other content of the speech at such meetings. To make use of the school facilities, a noncurricular meeting must meet the following criteria:
Ø A meeting must be voluntary and student-initiated. No student shall be in any way coerced to participate in religious activity. Teachers and school administrators, when acting within the course and scope of their employment, will strictly observe a policy of official neutrality regarding religious activity.
Ø No sponsorship, promotion, leadership or participation in the meeting by the school or any employee of the school is permitted, and no group violating this prohibition shall have access to the school facilities. However, a teacher, administrator or other school employee may be assigned to the meeting to monitor facility use and student conduct.
Ø Employees and agents of the school, if present at any religious meetings, are to be solely in a non-participatory capacity.
Ø The meeting does not materially and substantially interfere with the orderly conduct of educational activities within the school.
Ø Nonschool persons may not direct, conduct, control or regularly attend the meetings of a noncurricular group making use of this limited open forum.
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For Office Use Only: IGDAA-C.1D (8/98)
Page 1
FILE: IGDAA
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Adopted: October 22, 1998
Cross Refs: KG, Community Use of School Facilities
Legal Refs: The Equal Access Act (1984), 20 U.S.C. 4701, 4702
"Religious Expression in Public Schools," U.S. Dept. of Education, May, 1998
Strafford R-VI School District, Strafford, Missouri
______________________________________________________________________
For Office Use Only: IGDAA-C.1D (8/98)
Page 2
FILE: IGDB
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STUDENT PUBLICATIONS
The Board recognizes creative student expression as an educational benefit of the school experience. One medium of expression is student journalism. Some student publications, such as annual yearbooks, school newspapers and student-created or student-edited web pages, may be educational devices developed as part of the curriculum to benefit primarily those who compile, edit and publish them. Faculty advisers will be assigned to guide students engaged in these activities. Any commercial advertisements in these publications will conform to administrative procedures.
The following school-sponsored student publications at the secondary level are authorized by the Board of Education:
Ø School Newspaper and/or Magazine -- A school newspaper and/or magazine will be published under the direction of a faculty sponsor. Its purposes are to promote communication between classes and allow students the opportunity to illustrate their creativity and writing skills. The paper may be distributed for a nominal charge to students.
Ø Yearbook -- A yearbook will be published under the direction of a faculty sponsor. Its purpose will be to provide a history of pertinent information and school events for the current school year. The yearbook will be available to students at a cost to be annually determined by the school administration.
Ø Web Pages -- Students may be allowed to create or edit web pages under the direction of a designated faculty member. Its purposes are to inform the district staff, students and community of school news and to stimulate creativity and knowledge of new media.
School-sponsored publications and productions are part of the curriculum and are not a public forum for general student use. School authorities may edit or delete material which is inconsistent with