FF – Student Activities

FF

Student Activities

Extracurricular Activities—

There is no constitutional right to participate in extracurricular activities and

student government, and this policy does not create such a right.

Students who participate in student government and extracurricular activities

become role models for others in the school and community. These individuals often

play major roles in establishing standards of acceptable behavior in the school and

community and establishing and maintaining the reputation of the school and the

level of community confidence and support afforded the school. It is of the utmost

importance that those involved in student government, whether as officers or

advisors, and those involved in competitive athletics and related activities, whether

students or staff, comply with all applicable laws and standards of behavior and

conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting their positions and

responsibilities.

Utah Code § 53G-8-209 (2019)

Participation Eligibility—

A student in grades 7-12 may participate in extracurricular activities on or off

campus at the beginning of the school year.

In order to be eligible to participate in an extracurricular activity event for a

grade report period following the initial grade report period of a school year, a

student shall not have a recorded grade average lower than __________ on a scale

of 0-100 in __________ course(s) for the preceding grade report period or have

more than __________ failed or incomplete courses for the preceding grade report

period.

Prohibited Conduct—

The following prohibited conduct may render a student ineligible for and/or

unable to continue participation in student government and/or extracurricular

activities, if occurring while the student is in the classroom, on school property, or

during school-sponsored activities, regardless of location or circumstances:

1. Use of foul, abusive, or profane language while engaged in school-related

activities;

2. Illicit use, possession, or distribution of controlled substances or drug

paraphernalia, and the use, possession, or distribution of an electronic

cigarette as defined in Utah Code § 76-10-101, tobacco or alcoholic

beverages contrary to law; or

3. Hazing, demeaning, or assaultive behavior, whether consensual or not,

including behavior involving physical violence, restraint, improper touching, or

inappropriate exposure of body parts not normally exposed in public settings,

forced ingestion of any substance, or any act which would constitute a crime

against a person or public order under Utah law.

Utah Code § 53G-8-209 (2019)

Suspension from Extracurricular Activities—

A student whose recorded report period grade average in any course is lower

than__________ at the end of a grade report period shall be suspended from

participation in any extracurricular activity event during succeeding grade report

periods until the end of a grade report period during which the student achieves a

course grade average for that grade report period of at least __________ in each

course. This suspension shall become effective seven days after the last day of the

grade report period during which the grade lower than__________ was earned.

Students with Disabilities—

Suspension of a student with disabilities whose disability significantly

interferes with the student’s ability to meet regular academic standards shall be

based on the student’s failure to meet the requirements of the student’s Individual

Education Plan, as determined by the Special Education Committee.

Out-of-School Practice—

A student who has been suspended from extracurricular activity events shall

also be suspended from out-of-school practice in extracurricular activities until

suspension from participation has been lifted.

Limit on Suspension—

A student may not be suspended under this provision during the period in

which school is recessed for the summer or during the initial grade reporting period

of a regular school term on the basis of grades received in the final grade report

period of the preceding regular school term.

Reinstatement to Extracurricular Activities—

At the end of any grade report period in which a student attains a course

grade average for that period of __________ or more in each course taken, any

suspension from participation in extracurricular activities and/or suspension from

out-of-school practice for extracurricular activities shall be removed.

Practice and Performance—

Schools shall comply with the rules and regulations of the Utah High School

Activities Association in scheduling and conducting practices and performances of

competitive play.

Classes—

Schools shall not schedule full-year physical education or athletic fitness and

movement classes for specific school teams. In schools where in-season fitness and

movement classes are scheduled, the classes shall not be used to violate the

starting and stopping dates for practice and competitive play as prescribed by the

UHSAA. High school competitive sports programs shall be supplementary to the

high school curriculum.

Utah Admin. Rules R277-605-2 (December 8, 2016)

Athletic classes conducted for specific school teams shall not be scheduled

throughout the regular school day. First and last period athletic assignments may not

preclude a coach from teaching a full load of classes during the school day.

Off-Season Clinics—

Required or voluntary participation in summer or other off-season sports

clinics, workshops, and leagues may not be used as criteria for team membership or

for the opportunity to try out for team membership. School personnel, activity

leaders, coaches, advisory and other personnel shall not require students to attend

out-of-school camps, clinics or workshops for which the personnel, activity leaders,

coaches or advisory personnel receive remuneration from a source other than the

school or district in which they are employed.

A summer workshop or clinic conducted by a school for any sport or activity

shall be scheduled and held consistent with UHSAA bylaws and policies.

Utah Admin. Rules R277-605-4 (December 8, 2016)

Supervision—

Coaches and other designated school leaders shall diligently supervise

players at all times while on school-sponsored activities, including during the activity

itself, in locker rooms, seating areas, eating establishments, lodging facilities and

during travel. Coaches and school leaders accompanying school players and teams

shall at no time leave them unsupervised. Coaches, assistants, and advisers shall

not permit hazing, demeaning, or assaultive behavior (whether consensual or not),

including behavior involving physical violence, restraint, improper touching,

inappropriate exposure of body parts not normally exposed in public settings, forced

ingestion of any substance, or any act which would constitute a crime against a

person or public order under Utah law.

Utah Admin. Rules R277-605-3(1), (3) (December 8, 2016)

Example—

A coach or other designated school leader shall not participate in the use of

alcoholic beverages, tobacco (including electronic cigarettes), controlled substances,

or promiscuous sexual relationships while on school-sponsored activities.

Utah Admin. Rules R277-605-3(2) (December 8, 2016)

Utah Code § 53G-8-209(2) (2019)

“20-day Rule”—

The District shall not schedule, nor permit students to participate in, any

school-related or school-sanctioned activities on or off campus that would require,

permit, or allow a student to be absent from class in any course more than twenty

(20) times during the 180-day school year.

Exceptions—

The Board may allow specific exceptions to the twenty (20) absences per

class limitation stated above. Such exceptions shall be made only on behalf of

individual students who are competing in post-district competitions sponsored by

organizations approved by the Board. The exception shall be based on

circumstances that are unforeseen and that result from the student’s earning the

right to compete at post-district levels. Exceptions shall not exceed a total of five

additional absences per year. Exceptions shall not be granted to allow students who

have not earned the right to compete at the post-district level to participate in more

district-level activities than permitted under the twenty (20) absences per class

limitation.

Definitions—

Definitions of curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities shall be as

follows:

1. Curricular activities occur within the regular school day and constitute the

delivery of instruction to students in the District.

2. Co-curricular activities are an extension of classroom instruction in which

participation is by the entire class or a significant portion thereof. They relate

directly to, and enhance student learning of, essential elements through

participation, demonstration, illustration, and observation. Co-curricular

activities are included in the teacher’s instructional plan and are conducted by

or supervised by a classroom teacher or other educational professional such

as a librarian, school nurse, counselor, or administrator. Students suspended

from extracurricular activities because of a grade(s) below __________ or

more than __________ failed courses shall not be prevented from

participating in after-school co-curricular activities. Absences for participation

in co-curricular activities that require a student to miss a class other than the

sponsoring class or course shall be counted under the 20-day rule.

3. Extracurricular activities are school-sponsored activities that are not directly

related to instruction of the essential elements, but that may have an indirect

relation to some areas of the curriculum. They offer worthwhile and significant

contributions to a student’s personal, physical, and social development.

Participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege and not a right, and

students must meet specific requirements in order to participate. Activities

may include, but are not limited to, performances, contests, demonstrations,

displays, and club activities.