KEARNY BOARD OF EDUCATION        File Code:      6145                Kearny , New Jersey    07032

Policy  

                                              EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The Kearny Board of Education 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 than 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 but are not offered for credit toward graduation.  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 nonparticipants, 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.  

Board Policy - Extracurricular Activities                            File Code: 6145                           Page 2  

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.  Fundraising activities of extracurricular groups must be approved by the board.  

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 nonapplicable handicap.  

Good Disciplinary Standing  

Good disciplinary standing shall mean that a pupil is not eligible to participate while serving a detention or suspension.  Pupils who serve more than detentions, suspensions or a combination of the two during one term may be found not eligible to participate the following term.  

    A.     When a pupil already participating in an extracurricular activity is reported for an infraction

of the rules for pupil conduct, the principal shall appoint a staff committee to consider

whether the pupil shall be removed from any or all extracurricular activities.

    B.     If a pupil was in bad disciplinary standing the previous term, the principal shall refer the

matter to a staff committee to determine whether the pupil shall be permitted to participate

during the current term.  

Good Academic Standing  

Good academic standing at the beginning of the school year for all grades, 7 through 12, means successful completion of the previous year’s requirements, with no failures.  In addition, the previous year’s requirements are:  

    A.     For grade 10 - completion in grade 9 of at least 1/4 of the credits required to receive a

School District state-endorsed high school diploma, with a minimum grade point

average of ___;

    B.     For grade 11 - completion in grade 10 of the same requirements as in “A” above;

    C.     For grade 12 - completion in grade 11 of the same requirements as in “A” above.  

Continuing good academic standing requires maintenance of passing grades in all subjects during the current year, and in grade 12 taking enough course credits to complete the high school graduation requirement by the end of the academic year.  

A pupil who begins the year not in good academic standing, who maintains a passing grade in every subject and a minimum grade point average of ___, may request consideration to participate in extracurricular activities at the beginning of the second semester.  

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 extracurricular 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.  

Amended:    June 19, 2000

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