2431.01 - ELIGIBILITY FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Monroe Local School District

Bylaws & Policies

2431.01 - ELIGIBILITY FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The Board of Education directs and requires that all district students who wish to participate in interscholastic extracurricular activities to:

	A.	Attain a minimum GPA of 1.75 during the preceding grading period. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 1.75.

	B.	Maintain all minimum standards as set forth by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

These standards become effective based on a student’s grades from the last grading period of the affected school year. Beginning with the school year 2001/2002.

These standards apply to students in grades 7-12. The first grading period of the first year in seventh grade will be used to determine eligibility for seventh graders.

Students in grades 7-8 must pass seventy-five percent (75%) of their courses during any grading period, which meet five (5) days per week or equivalent thereof.

Students in grades 9-12 must pass four (4) subjects that carry the weight of five (5) credits per year toward graduation during the preceding grading period.

The eligibility of a transfer student is to be based on the rules of the Monroe Local School District. This would be based on the preceding grading period GPA for a minimum of one (1) full grading period and a cumulative GPA for a minimum of one (1) full semester. The establishment of eligibility of a student who attended another school rests with the receiving school. This can be confirmed by records received from the sending school.

Scholastic deficiencies at the end of a grading period for the seventh and subsequent grades cannot be removed by summer school, night school, tutoring or by examination other than that accorded every other student, because of illness, certified by a physician and concluded within seven (7) days after the official close of the grading period. However, summer school or night school may be used to improve the cumulative GPA.

Attendance Requirements

The Board of Education asserts that attendance is an integral component of academic success; therefore, absence from school or class will affect a student’s opportunity to participate in any interscholastic extracurricular activity. Students missing more than fifteen (15) days of school (ninety-two percent (92%) attendance) will be denied participation. The attendance period will consist of the preceding four (4) quarters prior to a tryout for a particular sport or activity.

	A.	The fall participation will include quarters one (1), two (2), three (3), and four (4) for the preceding school year.

	B.	The winter participation will include quarter one (1) of the current school year and quarters two (2), three (3) and four (4) of the preceding school year.

	C.	The spring participation will include quarters one (1) and two (2) of the current school year as well as quarters three (3) and four (4) from the previous school year.

Attendance is to be monitored on an ongoing basis by the appropriate staff members.

Exemption consideration for attendance will be given to those individuals who have been under the documented care of a physician. Students will be denied participation and declared ineligible if this provision of the attendance policy is not substantiated.

Tardiness to school shall be based on the following:

	A.	Junior High students (7-8) - up to four (4) periods late.

	B.	High School students (9-12) - up to two (2) blocks late.

A student must be in attendance at least half of the school day to participate in extracurricular activities. For weekends or holidays, a student must be in attendance the last school day before the weekend or holiday or have special administrative approval.

Criteria for Participation

A student who has been absent from school may not participate in an extracurricular activity after school. In order to participate in an activity, a student must attend school at least half of the school day, the day of the activity. Extenuating circumstances will be given special consideration.

All students will abide by all the school rules and regulations stated in the student handbook and the Monroe Local School District’s Code of Student Conduct policy (which would include the appeals process available to students and their parents or legal guardian).

Pay to Participate

A.	1.	Fees for all interscholastic athletes and cheerleaders.

	2.	There is a family cap of three hundred dollars ($300) per school year. Fees for interscholastic athletics and cheerleading are paid yearly.

		First Sport		Additional Sport

		High School	$100.00	$75.00

		Junior High	$ 75.00	$50.00

		Individual Cap	$175.00

	3.	The participation fee for Band and Choir is fifty dollars ($50) each. Fees for other extracurricular activities are twenty-five dollars ($25) each with a fifty dollar ($50) cap.

B.	Student athlete fees are non-refundable.

C.	Participation fees will be earmarked for extracurricular activities only.

D.	Payment is due on the first day of OHSAA practice in all sports which do not cut participants. The fee is due within five (5) days of the establishment of the team roster in sports in which cuts are made. For activities that do not have an established beginning date, the activity sponsor will implement a due date for fees. Consideration will be given for activities that have tryouts.


		E.	In cases of financial hardship, a payment plan may be arranged through the activities department.

		F.	Students not paying athletic fees or not making prior arrangements to pay fees will be denied participation in all Interscholastic Extracurricular programs.

		G.	Confidentiality is very important in working through the financial hardship process.

Philosophy of Athletics

The development of the mind and body was of prime importance in the Ancient Greek culture. This development is of no less importance today. Athletic competition at Monroe High School is dedicated toward this goal. It is our feeling that young athletes must develop mentally and physically to accomplish their own goals in life. Through competition they can experience the joy of victory and the frustration of defeat and learn to gain from both, which will be invaluable in their adjustment to an adult society. They must learn self-discipline to achieve in the classroom and on the field of competition. Through the leadership opportunities offered in athletics, they can develop their own initiative. Through self-subjugation to the team effort rather than self-exploration, they can develop "Es Spirit de Corps". It is hoped that through our efforts in organized athletics, the Monroe High athlete may become an outstanding member of his/her community.

Sportsmanship

One (1) of our goals is to develop student/athletes and support groups who demonstrate good sportsmanship. We believe that the basic rules of good sportsmanship consist of, but are not limited to:

	-	Showing respect for opponents at all times.

	-	Showing respect for officials and their decisions.

	-	Knowing, understanding, and following the rules of the contest.

	-	Maintaining self-control at all times.

	-	Recognizing and appreciating skill performances regardless of affiliation.

We believe that being a spectator is a "privilege" and not a "right". It is a privilege to watch an educational process where teams demonstrate what they have learned in the athletic classroom. Spectators will be held accountable for good sportsmanship.
Conduct of Student Athletes

	A.	The Monroe Local District expects student/athletes to conduct themselves properly and display acceptable sportsmanlike behavior at all times. Fighting, verbal abuse and other unsportsmanlike conduct are unacceptable behaviors and have no place in athletic competition.

	B.	Coaches, individual athletes, and game officials are responsible for preventing fighting, verbal abuse and any other unsportsmanlike conduct during practices or at any athletic event. Proper control must be maintained by athletes, officials, and coaches to insure a safe athletic environment.

	C.	If it becomes evident to the school administration that a safe athletic environment has not been maintained, then it is the responsibility of school administration to take necessary action to establish a proper athletic environment. Such action can be directed to individual athletes and/or coaches, particular squads or teams, or to the entire athletic program.

	D.	A student may be suspended or expelled from an athletic program or team by his/her coach for violating the Extracurricular Policies Guide or for breaking any rule established for the activity or team by the coach. The rules established by the coach of an activity or team shall be in writing and posted in the student handbook and each student participant and his/her parent or guardian shall sign a copy of the rules. This signed copy shall be on file with the coach prior to any participation in the sport by the student.

	E.	If a coach determines that a suspension from participation in any athletic activity is warranted, s/he may do so by informing the participant of the length of the suspension and the reason(s) in writing. A coach may expel a participant from an activity or team for the balance of the season by informing the participant of the reason(s) in writing and by advising the participant that s/he may have his/her expulsion reviewed by the building principal if s/he requests a review within twenty-four (24) hours.


	F.	At the review, a participant may have his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) present.

Revised 6/28/10
Revised 9/27/10