Fairport Central School District

Philosophy

The Fairport Board of Education believes that extracurricular involvement is an integral part of a student’s total educational program, as it forms a connection between the student and the school community and nurtures each student’s special interests and abilities. Participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege and carries with it responsibilities to self, school and community. Extracurricular participation is defined as involvement in any non-credit bearing, school-sponsored organization or activity, including class organizations, clubs and athletic teams. The Eligibility Standards and Rules will cover three areas: School Attendance, Academic Performance and Student Behavior.

Standards

In order to be eligible for extracurricular participation at the middle and/or high school level, a student must:

be enrolled in five academic classes plus physical education (any exceptions will be based on specific recommendations from the student’s counselor, Assistant Principal or Building Principal);
not have two or more failures during any five-week grading period;
remain chemically free of alcohol, illegal or illicit drugs, or medications not otherwise prescribed by a physician
exhibit acceptable social behaviors and citizenship; and
meet all attendance requirements.

**Although “being in the presence of” is not a violation of the extracurricular eligibility standards policy, it is an expectation of school administration, staff, advisors and coaches that a student will not attend or remain at activities where illegal alcohol and/or other chemical use is occurring.

School Attendance

The Board of Education believes that regular attendance is a critical factor in student academic success. It is the District’s responsibility to work collaboratively with families to assist with identifying and removing barriers to regular attendance and to communicate to families the importance of regular attendance. Intervention plans will be developed for students struggling to attend school.

All students involved in extracurricular activities are expected to maintain good attendance in school and in class. In order to participate in any extracurricular event, a student must be in school by 9:00 a.m. unless they have a legal excuse. Student athletes must also participate in their regularly scheduled Physical Education class in order to be eligible to practice or compete in a contest that same day.

Academic Performance

Though warnings may be given at any time by an adviser, coach, or administrator who feels it is necessary, PROBATION will result if the student has two or more failures during any five-week grading period. A student placed on PROBATION may continue to participate in all activities and will be monitored over a two-week period by means of an eligibility update form. A student will maintain eligibility if the weekly update indicates achievement of a passing grade for the classes in which a failing grade was received and/or teacher comments indicating consistent satisfactory effort in all classes.

At the end of the two week PROBATION period, if the student continues to receive a failing grade in more than one course or does not display consistent satisfactory effort in all classes, the student will be INELIGIBLE to participate. An INELIGIBLE student may still practice and attend meetings, but is not permitted to participate in games, performances or culminating events. Students will remain INELIGIBLE until a passing grade is achieved for the next marking period or interim progress report period.

Student Behavior

It is the expectation that all students exemplify good citizenship and behavior at all times both in and out of school. If, in or out of school, a student exhibits unacceptable behavior as outlined in the FCSD Code of Conduct, Character and Support or is charged with a violation of local, state, or federal laws, the consequence can range from missing one activity up to a one-year suspension from extracurricular participation. The Building Principal and/or District Administrator will base the consequence on the nature and level of severity. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to:

Harassment, Intimidation, Hazing & Discrimination:

Bullying and cyberbullying, harassment and intimidation,hazing, discrimination and behaviors rooted in bias/hate are unsafe and do not reflect respect for others as defined by the Code of Conduct, Character and Support. If you or someone you know is a target of one of these behaviors, you can report it using the DASA Reporting Form available on the school website with the See Something, Say Something icon or in the main office or the counseling office of your school or by calling, texting or emailing the Safe Schools Helpline. You can also tell a staff member, who will respond quickly and provide a practical, private and safe place to report. If an administrator determines that one of these behaviors has occurred, the student(s) involved will receive support from a school counselor, school psychologist, school social worker or school health staff person to be sure everyone involved feels safe and supported and understands how to avoid these situations in the future.

The District's Dignity Act Coordinator (DAC) is the Deputy Superintendent for School Improvement and Community Engagement. Each school principal will work as a Dignity Act Coordinator with the District's DAC to promote a safe and supportive school, including a positive school climate.

Alcohol/Chemical Use/Abuse:

During their participation in extracurricular activities, students are subject to disciplinary action if they are reported or are found to be in possession of, using, selling, buying or distributing alcohol or drugs (inhalants, illicit, illegal, unauthorized prescriptions).

Suspension from Athletic Participation, Extracurricular Activities & Other Privileges

A student subjected to a suspension from athletic participation, extracurricular activities or other privileges is not entitled to a full hearing pursuant to Education Law §3214. However, the student and the student’s parent/guardian will be provided with a reasonable opportunity for an informal conference with the District official imposing the suspension to discuss the conduct and the assigned consequences involved.

Investigation Phase

The student may be suspended from all extracurricular activity while school personnel determine if a violation has occurred.
The Athletic Director/Building Administrator will set up a meeting with the student, parents, and coach/adviser to review the situation and explain the course of action.
If it is determined that no violation has occurred, the student will return to full participation; if a violation has occurred the course of action listed below is followed.

First Violation

After confirmation of the first violation, the student may not participate in extracurricular activities such as games, performances, or culminating events for a minimum of two weeks. Upon completion of the approved Fairport Central School District evaluation process, verification of their agreement to follow through on all the evaluator’s recommendations and having served a minimum suspension of one week, the student may resume participation in practices and meetings. If no recommendation comes from the evaluation, the student will be required to attend 3 counseling sessions with the Fairport Central School District Substance Abuse Coordinator or his/her designee and may return to practices/meetings after 1 week.

Second Violation

After confirmation of a second violation, the student may not participate in extracurricular activities, such as games, performances, or culminating events for a minimum of four weeks. Upon completion of the approved Fairport Central School District evaluation process, verification of agreement to follow through on all the evaluator’s recommendations and having served a minimum suspension of three weeks, the student may resume participation in practices and meetings. If no recommendation comes from the evaluation, the student will be required to attend 3 counseling sessions with the Fairport Central School District Substance Abuse coordinator or his/her designee.

Any Subsequent Violation

In the event of any subsequent violations, the student may not participate in any extracurricular activities for a minimum of one calendar year and must complete the evaluation process as outlined by the Fairport Central School District.

NOTES:

In the event a middle school student is found in violation of these rules, disciplinary suspension will not carry over to a student’s high school experience (except selectively classified student-athletes).
Violations are cumulative during the middle school years (grades 6-8) and during the high school years (grades 9-12).
If a student elects not to be evaluated he/she will be suspended from all extracurricular participation until an evaluation is completed.