The Board of Education believes that the goals and objectives of this District are best achieved by a diversity of learning experiences, including those that are not conducted in a regular classroom but are directly related to the curriculum.

The purpose of curricular-related activities shall be to enable students to explore a wider range of individual interests than may be available in the District's courses of study but are still directly related to accomplishing the educational outcomes for students as adopted by the Board in Policy 2131.

For purposes of this policy, curricular-related activities are defined as those activities in which:

No curricular-related activity shall be considered to be under the sponsorship of this Board unless it meets one or more of the criteria stated above and has been approved by the Superintendent.

Such activities, along with extra-curricular activities (not directly related to courses of study), may be conducted on or off school premises by clubs, associations, and organizations of students sponsored by the Board and directed by a staff advisor.

The Board shall allow nondistrict-sponsored, student clubs and activities during noninstructional time, in accordance with the provisions in Policy 5730 -- Equal Access For Nondistrict-Sponsored, Student Clubs and Activities.

Noncurricular student activities that are initiated by parents or other members of the community may be allowed under the provisions of Policy 7510 - Use of District Facilities. The Board, however:

No nondistrict-sponsored organization may use the name of the School District or any other name which would associate an activity with the District.

In order to be academically eligible for a sport in grades 9-12, a student must have passed five (5) full credit subjects (1/2 credit per semester) for the previous nine (9) week grading period (physical education does not count. S/He must have also received at least a 1.5 G.P.A. for the same grading period. If the student meets both criteria, s/he is eligible.

If the student does not pass the five (5) core subjects, they are ruled immediately ineligible. If the athlete does not meet the 1.5 G.P.A. requirements, s/he may still be ruled eligible if s/he:

In order to be academically eligible for a sport in grades 7-8, a student must have a G.P.A. of 1.5 in the fourth quarter of their previous school year. Grades for eligibility during the school year are based upon each nine (9) week's grades. Twelve (12) week courses only figure into eligibility once they have been completed (i.e., computer, ind. tech., art, phys. ed., pop music, health, guidance). Students must have a G.P.A. of 1.5 to remain eligible. Summer school courses do not change the student's G.P.A. in accordance with O.H.S.A.A. guidelines.

Students identified as disabled under R.C. Chapter 3323 and the IDEA are subject to the eligibility standards established by this policy unless specifically exempted by the express terms of their individualized education program (IEP). An IEP can specify the criteria by which a grade will be determined for [a] course[s], given the individual student’s disability.

Whenever a student becomes a member of a District-established student group or national organization such as the National Honor Society, in order to remain a member, s/he must continue to meet all of the eligibility criteria and abide by the principles and practices established by the group or the organization.

Students shall be fully informed of the curricular-related and extra-curricular activities available to them and of the eligibility standards established for participation in these activities. Students will be further informed that participation in these activities is a privilege and not a right, ad that they may be prohibited from all or part of their participation in such activities by authorized school personnel without further notice, hearing and/or appeal rights (See Policy 5610.05 - Prohibition from Extra-Curricular Activities). District-sponsored activities shall be available to all students who elect to participate and who meet eligibility standards.

The Superintendent shall prepare administrative guidelines to implement a program of curricular-related clubs and activities and of extra-curricular activities. Such guidelines should ensure that the needs and interests of the students are properly assessed and procedures are established for continuing evaluation of each club and activity.

The Board requires that no student activity sponsored by the Defiance City Schools is to occur on Wednesday evening after 6:00 P.M. and discourages the scheduling of non-community wide student activities or events on Sunday. The Superintendent shall establish administrative guidelines for the interpretation of this policy.

R.C. 3313.53, 3313.664, 3315.062
A.C. 3301-35-03

Revised 6/9/03