The OESJ School District extends the privilege of extracurricular activities to students who recognize their obligation to themselves, their co-participants and their school community while striving for academic excellence. Extracurricular activities are defined as any school activity that is non-credit bearing, regardless of location. Extracurricular programs help provide valuable experiences and are, therefore, considered an integral part of the total educational program. Involvement in extracurricular activities can have a positive influence on the academic achievement of students. It is the goal of this policy to help students successfully balance academics and extracurricular activities. Extenuating circumstances of students with special needs will be considered by the building Principal or his/her designee.
Academic Ineligibility
All students are viewed as ineligible to participate in any after school activities if they are failing two or more subjects. Students will be evaluated at the five-week progress report and the ten-week grading period on the Friday that they are issued. The guidance office will publish the failing list. Upon publication of the list, any student who is failing two or more subjects will be on academic probation for any after school activities starting the following Monday. While on probation, students will have the ability to make up any missed worked or tests that teachers allow. This probation period will be from the Monday following the release of grades until the following Thursday in which time students will follow the protocol below in the “to regain eligibility status” section.
Students who are on probation will be allowed to practice and participate in all after school activities during the probationary period.
While ineligible, athletes are required to attend all practices and games (including away games) and be dressed in street clothes for games. Students who do not participate in athletics will not be eligible for any extracurricular activities defined above. They may participate in practices such as drama or play practice but are not eligible for any performance.
To keep eligibility status if failing one subject
If a student is failing or has an incomplete in one subject at the end of each five week progress report or 10 week marking period, the student may continue to participate but will be required to pick up a weekly form in the main office on Thursday morning and will have to have the form completed by Thursday afternoon. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that the form is completed in a timely manner. This form must be turned in by Thursday at close of school; there will be no exceptions.
Students will be allowed to participate with one failing grade, while continuing the efforts to bring his/her grade up to passing. If, in the opinion of the teacher, the student is not making a valid effort to correct his/her deficiencies, the student may be ineligible to participate after two consecutive weeks of not passing for the week.
To regain eligibility status
Ineligible or probationary students can regain eligibility on a weekly basis if they are not failing two or more subjects for the week. Students will be required to pick up a weekly form in the main office on Thursday morning and will have to have the form completed by Thursday afternoon. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that the form is completed in a timely manner. This form must be turned in by Thursday at close of school; there will be no exceptions. If this form is not turned in by Thursday at close of school, the student will be ineligible until the following Thursday.
At the end of day, the main office will check on eligibility status of each student and send a correspondence on Friday to the staff letting them students who are eligible for the coming week. An email will also go out to the athletic director letting the athletic director know the athletes who are eligible and ineligible for the week. All other students should check with guidance to see if they are eligible for after school activities on Friday. Students who are eligible will be allowed to participate in all after school activities immediately on that Friday.
This process will continue on a week-to-week basis leading up to the next progress report or the 10-week grading period whichever comes first for those students who are failing any subjects. The weekly form that needs to be signed will include all subjects being taken by the student. All subjects will count towards eligibility, not just the subjects that were being failed by the student.
Attendance and Extracurricular Eligibility
If a student is absent from school the day or part of the day of a scheduled musical, athletic or club event, he/she may not be eligible to participate in that event. The student must report to the office in question to be cleared to participate on that day.
Students who are tardy to school later than 8:10 AM without a legal excuse will not be able to participate in any after school extracurricular activity for that day. Students are allowed one warning without a consequence.
Students who have permission for late arrival or early dismissal will lose his/her privilege of arriving late or leaving early if he/she becomes academically ineligible.