Participation in school-sponsored activities is an excellent way for a student to develop talents, receive individual recognition, and build strong friendships with other students; participation, however, is a privilege, not a right.
All students are encouraged to participate and take an active part in student clubs and organizations.
Eligibility
Eligibility for participation in many of these activities is governed by state law and the rules of the University Interscholastic League (UIL)—a statewide association overseeing inter-district competition or other organizations offering competitive opportunities for extracurricular activities. If a student is involved in an academic, athletic, or music activity governed by UIL, the student and parent are expected to know and follow all rules of the UIL organization.
The following requirements apply to all extracurricular activities:
- A student who receives at the end of a grading period a grade below 70 in any academic class—other than an Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate course; or an honors or dual-credit course in English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, economics, or a language other than English—may not participate in extracurricular activities for at least three school weeks. Students enrolled in honors must have a grade of 70 or higher at the end of a grading period for eligibility purposes only. Weighted grades may be used for determination of meeting the passing grade requirement. For example, AP classes may be weighted differently. As such, a passing grade in an AP course may actually be slightly below 70 before the weighting is applied. This circumstance will be examined and approved by the Campus Director for purposes of eligibility for school activities.
- An ineligible student may practice or rehearse.
- A student regains eligibility after at least three weeks of ineligibility when the Campus Director and teachers determine that the student has earned a passing grade (70 or above) in all classes, other than those that are exempted.
- Only students enrolled full time at the school may participate in school-recognized clubs and organizations unless the student is enrolled at another ResponsiveEd® campus within the same charter and is approved for participation by the host Campus Director. This provision is governed by the rules of participation of the various leagues or competitions and by the discretion of Campus Directors. Students at the host campus should not be displaced by students from other campuses.
- Written parental permission and all other medical, insurance, release, and other forms deemed appropriate by ResponsiveEd, the local campus, and governing organizations are required in order for a student to participate in any club or organization that is not required for a particular course or does not result in academic credit.
Code of Conduct
Sponsors of student clubs and organizations may establish standards of behavior—including consequences for misbehavior—that are stricter than those for students in general. If a violation is also a violation of school rules, the consequences specified by the “Student Code of Conduct” or by local policy will apply in addition to any consequences specified by the organization’s standards of behavior.
For a student to be eligible to serve as a club or organization officer, he or she must be passing in all subjects. Unsatisfactory conduct while in office and/or failure to render satisfactory service shall be considered grounds for removal from said office. Removal from office shall be at the discretion of the staff sponsor of the club or organization with the approval of the Campus Director.
New Clubs or Organizations
Students desiring to form a new club or organization shall submit a written request to the Campus Director at the school office, containing the following mandatory elements:
- a statement of the club’s or organization’s purposes, goals, and activities;
- signatures of a minimum of ten students who wish to participate in the club or organization;
- if participation in the club or organization is not required for a particular course or does not result in academic credit, written parental permission of each student signatory to participate in the club or organization;
- written agreement of a teacher who has agreed to serve as the staff sponsor for the club or organization;
- a description of any funding or other assistance received from, or affiliation with, any nonstudent groups; and
- a schedule of its proposed meeting times.
Fundraising
The Campus Director must approve any plan or activity used by a club or organization for making money. Only activities that raise money through payment of admissions or where value is received for money paid may be conducted. No advertising will be sold without the approval of the Campus Director.
Meetings
Only school-recognized student clubs and organizations are permitted to meet on school property during non- instructional time.
Yearbook
Only school-recognized clubs and organizations will be featured in the yearbook.