Regulation Code JJJ R

Section J - Students

Regulation Title: Extracurricular Activity Guidelines
Regulation Code: JJJ-R

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Guidelines for Participation in High School Extracurricular Activities

All participants must meet and maintain the eligibility requirements set forth in Governing Board Policy JJJ. At each of the 4 ½ week checkpoints if a participant has a grade of "F" in any class, the ineligible participant will be suspended from further competitions/performances until eligibility requirements are met but not before the next checkpoint.

At the time of enrollment, in determining eligibility, the district will apply the eligibility rules to the last grades posted for the student.

1. All students participating in interscholastic activities must also have on file in the activities office, the following:
   • Physical Exam Card (athletics and spirit lines)
   • Parent Permission Card-Warning/Insurance Disclaimer
   • Birth Certificate
   • Emergency Card
   • "Paid" Receipts for Participation Fees

   All participants must have an "Eligibility Clearance Slip" prior to participation in any tryouts, practice or games, or before receiving any equipment or awards. It is the responsibility of the coach or sponsor to assure that participants have obtained an "Eligibility Clearance Slip" from the Activities office. The Assistant Principal for Activities will be responsible for declaring a student eligible. The Athletic Directors at each High School will be responsible for monitoring the grades at each 4 ½ week checkpoint.

   NOTE: Any credits received in correspondence courses or summer school courses which count toward meeting the graduation requirements and are approved by the school may be used to maintain eligibility. These credits must be posted prior to the first day of classes each four and one half (4 ½) weeks

2. Activities governed by high school academic eligibility guidelines:

   All interscholastic activities which are of a competitive nature, and involve more than one school where a championship, winner, or rating is determined; and all those endeavors of a continuous and ongoing nature for which no credit is earned in meeting graduation or promotional requirements, and are organized, planned, or sponsored by the District consistent with District policy. This includes activities listed below:

   1. All athletic teams
   2. Non-athletic sanctioned interscholastic activities which compete:
      Academic Decathlon
      AIASA - - American Industrial Arts Student Association
      Chess
      DECA - Distributive Education Club of America
      FBLA - Future Business Leaders of America
      FFA - Future Farmers of America
      FHA - Future Homemakers of America
      HERO - Home Economics Related Occupations
      JAG - Jobs For Arizona Graduates
      Music - (Band, Orchestra, Choir)
      ROTC - Reserve Officers Training Corp
      Speech/Debate
      Theater - Drama
      VICA - Vocational Industrial Club of America
      Mock Trial
      Odyssey of the Mind
      Destination Imagination
      Skills USA
      Future Educators of America
   3. All non-credit bearing performance groups:
      Spirit Line Wrestling Pep Squad Pom Line

   Sanctioned interscholastic activities which compete, non-athletic sanctioned activities, and performing groups may vary from school to school. Please check with the administrator for activities at your school.

3. The use of an ineligible participant will result in the following:
   1. Violator suspended from the squad, team, group, etc.
   2. Forfeiture of contest and/or award; medals, certificates, etc., relinquished.

Guidelines for participation in Middle School Extracurricular Activities

1. All participants must meet and maintain the eligibility requirements set forth in Governing Board Policy JJJ. At the two week checkpoint if a participant has a grade of "F" in any class, he/she shall not be eligible for participation in organized extracurricular activities until the next checkpoint and only if all eligibility requirements are met.
2. Notification of a student's ineligibility will follow these procedures:
   1. Teachers will report a student's "F" grade on a weekly basis during the season. The warning will be submitted in writing to the assistant principal and coach/sponsor.
   2. The student and parents/guardian of each student who is in danger of failing will be given notice of ineligibility and have one week to esolve the difficulty. The student may participate in the extracurricular activity.
   3. If, at the two-week interval, the problem is not resolved, the student becomes ineligible and may not participate in the extracurricular activity until the next two week check. He or she will be expec
   4. A student who has been declared ineligible will be offered assistance and support in making up any academic deficiencies. Each middle school will be responsible for developing a support service program specifically geared towards addressing identified academic deficiencies.
3. The penalty for violation of this policy will result in forfeiting the competition in which the ineligible player participated, and/or relinquishing any medals, awards, certificates, etc.
4. Activities governed by Middle School Academic Eligibility Guidelines:

   All interscholastic activities which are of a competitive nature, and involve more than one school where a championship, winner, or rating is determined; and all those endeavors of a continuous and ongoing nature for which no credit is earned in meeting graduation or promotional requirements, and are organized, planned, or sponsored by the District consistent with District policy. This includes activities listed below:

   1. All athletic teams
   2. Non-athletic sanctioned interscholastic activities which compete
   3. All performance groups for which no credit is earned
   4. Sanctioned interscholastic activities which compete, performing groups and non-athletic sanctioned activities may vary from school to school. Please check with your school administrator for activities within your school.

General Guidelines

No course in Physical Education in this school district may require participation in athletics as part of a grade for the course.

Classroom attendance on the day of an extracurricular activity is required except in the case of a valid excuse, and at the discretion of the school administrator. The validity of the excuse must be determined by a school administrator before the absence occurs. Illness, staying at home to rest, or leaving school early for the purpose of resting before participation in an extracurricular activity will not be considered valid excuses and will prohibit participation on that day.

The Tucson Unified School District, while providing extracurricular/interscholastic activities, will ensure the health and safety of all participants. To ensure this:

Each student will:

1. Pass a yearly physical exam prior to participation in any activity.
2. Bring a written release from a doctor to the school's athletic trainer when that participant has been treated by a doctor.
3. Fill out the appropriate emergency card and parent permit card, both with parent signature.
4. Comply with the requirements of Governing Board Policy JJIB – Interscholastic Sports with regard to concussions.

Each coach will:

1. Provide for the safety and welfare of all participants.
2. Make participants aware of the inherent danger of participating in activities including the training required for Concussion Policy.
3. Be qualified in first aid treatment and have current CPR certification.
4. Teach the importance of maintaining body fluids as a matter of life and death. This information will also be stressed with parents during meetings. The responsibility for instruction and reinforcement of hydration shall fall to the head coach with aid from assistant coaches and trainers.
5. Provide water breaks sufficient to maintain regular replacement of body fluids during all practice sessions and sports activities.
6. Be responsible for monitoring all athletes to make certain each one is replenishing body fluids.
7. Keep all participants' emergency cards with emergency telephone numbers in training kit during practice and games.
8. Inspect playing area and equipment and ensure safety of both.
9. Plan and monitor organized practices that will include proper conditioning, warm-ups, and instruction of fundamentals.
10. Supervise all activities related to his/her team or group.
11. Be responsible for providing Type II trainer coverage. (Outlined in TUSD Interscholastic Activities Handbook Emergency Procedures.)
12. Work with their trainer to maintain appropriate training supplies in their first aid kit. (Outlined in TUSD Interscholastic Activities Handbook Emergency Procedures.)
13. Comply with the requirements of Governing Board Policy JJIB - Interscholastic Sports with regards to concussions.

The District will:

1. Provide Type I coverage (with trainer). (Outlined in TUSD Interscholastic Activities Handbook Emergency Procedures.)
2. Maintain the school facilities/grounds in/on which the activities take place.

Reviewed: August 31, 2012 [Friday Report]