CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The School Board of Directors of Maine School Administrative District # 15 values student involvement in our schools and know the benefits to students’ academic, social, emotional, and behavioral development due to their participation in co-curricular activities. The intent of our co-curricular activity policy is to promote student involvement in our co-curricular program as a beneficial and critical component of our comprehensive educational programming. Since participation in co-curricular activities is a privilege and not a right, it is important that students, parents/guardians and other interested persons are aware of the following rules and regulations. As representatives of the schools, students are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior at all times. Administration of athletics and intramurals shall be the responsibility of the Athletic Director. Administration of student activities shall be the responsibility of the Principal or designee.

1. Students in good standing may participate in the co-curricular activities of their school. A student is considered in good standing if he/she is not the subject of any disciplinary action for violation of any policy or school rule and is currently academically eligible based on Maine Principals Association, school guidelines and Athletic and Co-curricular Handbooks.

2. All participants are expected to come to school ready to learn on all scheduled school days. For the purpose of this policy, Students must be in school at the beginning of the day of any competition or practice in order to participate, and must be in school until the end of the day. Exceptions may be granted with prior approval by the Athletic Director for sports and by the Principal or designee for all other activities.

3. Students suspended from school (including in-school and out of school suspension) shall not practice, participate, attend or compete in co-curricular activities during the days of suspension.

4. Students are required to abide by all School Board policies, school rules, Co-curricular and Athletic Handbooks, MPA guidelines and any additional rules, and/or training guidelines imposed by coaches or advisors. Any additional rules and/or training guidelines must be consistent with School Board policies and be approved by the Athletic Director or Principal.

5. Student use of tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs and performance enhancing drugs is illegal and negatively affects student health, safety and performance. Students participating in co-curricular activities carry a responsibility to themselves, their fellow students, coaches, advisors, parents, and school to set the highest possible example of conduct, sportsmanship and training, which includes avoiding any involvement with tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Therefore, students participating in co-curricular activities may not engage in the prohibited behaviors activities described in Policy JICH (student Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use) and JJIE (Co-curricular and Athletic Abuse Policy) at any time or place from the first day of an activity through the final event of the activity, including any award nights or banquets.

6. Students are expected to conduct themselves so as not to discredit themselves, their team or organization, their coach or advisor, and their school.

7. Students shall be responsible for all equipment and/or uniforms issued to them by the school. The cost of replacing damaged or lost equipment/uniforms will be the responsibility of the student.

8. Students and their parents/guardians are required to sign the Co-Curricular and Athletic Contract as a condition of participating in co-curricular activities prior to beginning any activity. In the case of athletic participation students are further required to have a current physical (within the last 2 years).

9. Students participating in any interscholastic, competitive activity will be charged a

$25 fee per activity as outlined in the Co-Curricular and Athletic Handbooks.

10. Students participating in co-curricular events must ride the bus (or other

transportation arranged by the administrator) to and from all away events. Exceptions to this are as outlined in the Athletics/Co-curricular/Student Handbooks.

11. Students enrolled in an approved home schooling program may participate in co-curricular activities as specified in policy IHBG Home Instruction Program. Students enrolled in a private school may not participate in co-curricular activities.

Cross References:

JICH Student Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use

JJIE Gray-New Gloucester Co-curricular and Athletic Abuse

IHBG Home Instruction Program

JIC Student Code of Conduct