BOARD POLICY 5130
Student Activities Policy
Believing
that an outstanding student activities program is a valuable and important
aspect of and asset to the overall school program; the Ironton City Board of
Education hereby adopts a student activities policy. This policy is meant to encourage students’ participation in
worthwhile extracurricular activities, which are so designed that they become a
meaningful part of the education of Ironton’s youth. The administration of the Ironton City Schools shall develop
general guidelines (administrative rules and regulations) for the activities
program, thus assuring the proper conduct and direction of same.
Administrative Rules and
Regulations
The
following guidelines are directed primarily for use by the two Ironton City
Schools, which have grades 7-12, the junior and the senior high schools. However, these guidelines can also be used
and applied to the elementary level students, as appropriate to age, grade and
other consideration. The guidelines are
as follows:
(1)
When
student participation in approved activities that require loss of instructional
time, approval of such
activities shall assure that:
(a)
the
benefits of the activities cannot be obtained within the scheduled
instructional program;
(b)
the
activity contributes to the development of important skills or interests of the
students involved;
(c)
the
total length of times does not impair the curricular achievement of the
students involved;
(d)
the students be given the opportunity and
take responsibility of making up work; and that
(e) the experience cannot
be obtained outside of regular school hours.
(2)
Each Ironton School shall set limits on the
annual maximum number of absences for participation in student
activities.
(3)
Loss
of institutional time for student activities programs shall be kept to a
minimum.
(4)
Principals
shall avoid scheduling activities at times which would interfere with classroom
instruction. Time used for
non-instructional activities shall be monitored and reported regularly
by those in charge.
(5)
The
administration shall review and approve non-instructional activities held
during the
School day by outside
organizations and agencies and limit those activities, which do not relate well
to the learning experience of students.
(6)
It
is of major importance to keep the proper balance between instruction and other
student activities.
(7)
Requests
for field trips on school time should be reviewed and examined closely by the
administration. Out of school time
should be used for these when possible and practicable. Upper limits will be placed on the frequency
and length of field trips.
(8)
Educational
organizations should review their policies and practices to assure that they do
not conflict with the primary purposes of the school.
(9)
Opportunities
for participation in school activities should be available to all-not just a
few-and all should be encouraged to participate.
(10)
A
list of school-sponsored activities shall be developed, including a statement
of purpose, and distributed to both students and their parents.
(11)
Activities must be so structured that they do not infringe upon the teacher’s
assigned classroom time. The
use of parental assistance is encouraged, but only as appropriate.
(12) An annual review or
evaluation of all student activities is required. The principal is responsible for a
representative committee for this purpose. The evaluation must include the following:
(a)
the
number of students involved;
(b)
the
relationship of the activity to the curricular program;
(c)
the
number of lost hours by both students and staff in the activities;
(d)
the
social and educational skills gained;
(e)
the
carry-over value to the students; and
(f)
the
relationship of the school philosophy and goals to the activity.
(13) The evaluation report
shall go to the superintendent and then to the Board of Education
and the information disseminated by the Board to the citizenry.
(14) Each
activity shall be given administrative attention and appropriate emphasis.
Summary
The
primary purpose of this Board Policy and these Administrative Regulations is to
ensure the proper balance and relationship between instructional and non-instructional
school activities. Both are necessary
to a well-rounded, successful, overall school program. However, the extracurricular activities must
never infringe unduly on the curricular.
The curricular activities must be the primary reason for the school’s
very existence. Too many
non-instructional school activities tend to cut into the academic time. This must be neither condoned nor tolerated.
Guidelines For The Following
Student Activity Programs:
1.
Student
activities in academic areas such as,
a.
Foreign
language clubs
b.
Natural
and physical science clubs
c.
Social
studies clubs
2.
Student
activities in literary, forensic and performing arts such as,
a.
Book
clubs
b.
Dramatic
and speech clubs
c.
Journalism
clubs
3.
Student
activities in preoccupations and pre-vocational areas such as,
a.
Business
clubs
b.
Vocational
clubs
c.
Trades
and industrial education clubs
4. Student
activities in interscholastic athletic and sports such as,
a.
Football
b.
Basketball
c.
Athletic
associations
5.
Student activities in interscholastic and
intramural athletic and sports such as,
a.
Tennis
b.
Basketball
c.
Athletic
Associations
6.
Student
activities in music such as,
a.
Marching
Band
b.
Choir
c.
Musical
productions
7.
Student
activities in interscholastic publications such as,
a.
School
newspaper
b.
Yearbook
c.
Literary
magazines
8.
Student
activities in school and public service such as,
a.
Audiovisual
assistant
b.
School
safety patrol
c.
Student
council
9.
Student
activities in honors and honor societies such as,
a.
National
Honor Society
b.
National
Junior Honor Society
c.
Local
honor societies
10.
Fiscal
responsibilities related to students such as,
a.
Staff
b.
Bonding
c.
Auditing