JJIAB Extra-Curricular Activity Participation Regulation

Extra-Curricular Activity Participation Regulation

The following rules shall govern student participation in extra-curricular activities. The time parameters are as follows: the beginning of the first day of the student's first season of participation and the end is the last day of the spring season or the end of school, whichever occurs later. 

A. Parental Consent/Permission Forms 

A student may not participate in any game, practice, rehearsal or performance until a signed parental consent/permission form has been completed and returned to the appropriate school office each school year. This form must indicate permission to participate, verification of adequate and appropriate health/accident insurance (where applicable), and agreement to abide by all RSU #1 District Rules and Regulations. 

B. Academic Eligibility Rules 

A high school level student must be enrolled in six (6) classes or the credit equivalent in order to participate in extra-curricular activities. Students involved in extra-curricular activities MAY NOT drop courses that they are passing after the season ends unless there are extenuating circumstances and have the principal's permission. 

Grade checks will be conducted every two weeks throughout the school year, with dates set prior to the start of the school year. If a student receives a failing or incomplete grade during any grade check, then he/she shall be on academic probation. Academic probation works as follows: The student with a failing or incomplete grade has two weeks to bring all grades to passing. During that two week period, the student is still on the team or group, he or she must practice and attend all contests or performances, but MAY NOT participate in the contest or performance. If the student is required to miss a practice or event for the purposes of getting extra help or making up work, then he or she must get approval from the administration or coach. If at any time he or she does get all grades to passing during the two week period, that student will return to full participation. If not, the student may remain on the team or group without participating in games, contests or performances in order to remain eligible for the next season. If adequate academic improvement is not shown, the athletic director or administrator has discretion to remove the student from all activity during that season. 

The student with an incomplete may return to participation as soon as the grade becomes complete and passing. If a student withdraws from a class with a failing grade, he or she will be immediately ineligible for 2-weeks before they return to play/perform. New students moving to RSU 1 who have maintained passing grades in all subjects taken at their previous school will be eligible for extracurricular participation as soon as they are officially registered for classes in RSU 1 schools, provided they meet the Maine Principals' Association guidelines for transfer eligibility. 

Should an exceptional situation exist, a student may appeal the eligibility decision in a written document to the athletic director/administrator within twenty four hours. The final decision will be made by the athletic director, principal, assistant principal, and appropriate academic department chairperson. 

Students failing courses during the fourth quarter may be able to establish eligibility for the opening of the following school year with the approval of the Principal. This may be accomplished by earning passing grades in an approved extended year program or other options available through the Guidance Office. Ninth grade students entering Morse High School will automatically be eligible at the beginning of the school year. Students entering the district must meet the eligibility requirements of the Maine Principals' Association. 

This policy is in effect for middle level students at Woolwich Central School and Bath Middle School participants with the following caveat:

Middle level participants must maintain passing grades in all subjects. The athletic director/administrator at each school will perform grade checks weekly with the cooperation of the faculty. If a student has a failing grade, he or she will be ineligible for the following week (seven days beginning on Monday) until the next grade check. If a student is declared ineligible three times during any season, then he or she will be dismissed from the activity for the duration of that season. 

C. Attendance 

In order to participate in a contest, event, or practice students must be in attendance by 10:00am on day of said contest, event, or practice. Exceptions can be made for professional appointments with notification to administration. If the contest, event, or practice is on a non-school day, he or she must be in attendance the school day previous. 

D. Travel 

Members of teams, groups, or clubs are expected to travel as a group to and from all away events using transportation provided by the school district. Exceptions may be made for students who submit a permission slip signed by their parent/guardian to the building principal/designee prior to the school event. This exception will normally only be made to approve transportation from the away event with the parent/guardian. 

E. Violations of Student Conduct Code 

Any student participating in an extracurricular activity who receives disciplinary consequences for violations of school rules must complete the consequences before returning to the activity. A student who is suspended from school is also suspended from extracurricular activities during the entire period of the suspension. During suspension, the student may attend games or performances, but not participate.

F. Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs 

In addition to compliance with RSU1 School Board policy Drug and Alcohol Use by Students (JICH, JICH-R) student-athletes will not possess, use, be under the influence of, buy or furnish to others any substance which affects the mood or performance of oneself or others. These substances include, but are not limited to, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, prescription drugs (except as prescribed by their physician), look-a-like drugs, vapes or e-cigarettes, or any substance purported to be any of the aforementioned. Taking medication at school or at a school-sponsored event is prohibited except under the supervision of appropriate school personnel. In addition, students participating in extracurricular activities are not to "knowingly remain present" where these substances are being illegally used. Students may not buy, possess, furnish to others, or use tobacco in any form. 

Students who are experiencing concerns with substance use are encouraged to reach out to the administration to seek guidance on how to address these concerns. When appropriate, the administration may work to connect the student with a supportive pathway to treatment, in lieu of punitive consequences.

If a student commits a violation after his or her last sport season of the school year, the consequence will apply to his or her next sport season.  

Meeting with the School Counselor: For any violation of this substance use/abuse policy, the student must complete a non-clinical substance abuse assessment (JASAE or equivalent assessment) with the School Counselor. Parents must participate in one session of this assessment and education process. The School Counselor must verify the student’s active participation in the process before participation in extracurricular activities may be resumed. 

G. General Behavior Guidelines 

In order to maintain the integrity of extracurricular activities in RSU #1, the building administration has the right to make disciplinary decisions regarding the actions of a student participant which may or may not rise to the level of a violation of Maine’s juvenile crimes or criminal statutes. The student’s citizenship and overall school behavior are within the bounds of the school administration to determine eligibility. 

H. School Uniforms and Equipment 

Extracurricular activity participants are financially responsible for all school uniforms and equipment issued to them. Students will not be allowed to try out for other teams, groups, clubs or activities, nor will they receive any earned awards if they have not returned all school-issued equipment or uniforms (or reimbursed the school for those items). School-issued uniforms are to be worn only for club, group or school-related activities as authorized by the coach or advisor of that activity. 

I. Practices 

All participants in performance and competitive activities are expected to attend scheduled practice sessions, performances and contests as specified or required by the advisor or coach involved. Any planned extended absence, including but not limited to vacations, must be discussed with the coach/advisor or Athletic Administrator beforehand. If a parent does not want his/her student traveling in adverse travel conditions, the parent should notify the coach or advisor prior to the scheduled practice, contest or performance. As stated in the Maine Principals' Association Bona Fide Team Rule, a student athlete may not miss a scheduled school contest or practice to participate in an outside school event or competition. 

J. Injuries/Illnesses Requiring Medical Attention 

Participants in extracurricular activities must report all injuries and illnesses requiring medical attention to the school nurse or athletic trainer. Written clearance from the student's physician to return to extracurricular participation must be submitted to the school nurse or athletic trainer before the student will be allowed to practice or compete again. 

K. Parent-Coach/Advisor Communication 

Issues appropriate to discuss with coaches/advisors are treatment of the students, ways to help the student with improvement, and concerns about the students’ behavior. Issues not appropriate to discuss with coaches/advisors are playing time, play calling, team strategy, or other students. 

Parents or guardians may communicate with the coaches/advisors with regard to philosophies, expectations, practice and event times, team requirements, procedures, and any discipline that may result in denial of your students’ participation. 

Coaches/advisors may anticipate communications from parents regarding concerns that were first expressed with the student, advanced notice of schedule conflicts such as vacations, and support for the program. 

L. Additional Rules Governing Extra-Curricular Participation 

In addition to all other eligibility requirements, a student participating in athletics must meet the following MPA and RSU 1 requirements: 

1. Is regularly enrolled in RSU #1 schools 

2. Is less than twenty (20) years of age and is only eligible for eight (8) consecutive semesters from the student's initial enrollment as a ninth grader. In the case of extreme illness or extenuating circumstances, the building administration may apply to the MPA for an extension. 

3. At the high school level, is actively enrolled in 6 classes, or the credit equivalency; 

4. Refrains from participating on outside teams unless authorized by school officials; 

5. Has not graduated from a four-year course in a secondary school;

6. Has not competed under a name not verified by a birth certificate; 

7. Has not transferred to RSU 1 primarily to participate in athletic activities; 

8. Has provided to the administration a record of a physical examination by a licensed physician given within the previous year. 

9. Has completed and turned in “RSU 1 Extra-Curricular Permission Form” 

10. Has been cleared by the administration to participate based on an evaluation of the permission form, physical exam record, and clearance records of any injuries/illnesses. 

11. Has adequate health/accident insurance, if appropriate. 

ATHLETIC TEAM MEMBERSHIP 

Students who wish to participate on more than one team during a season must make application to the Athletic Administrator and abide by the protocols set forth thereafter. 

Students wishing to participate on school teams must try out during the period designated for that  purpose, and may not join a team after the tryout period without the approval of the Head Coach and  Athletic Administrator following consideration of extenuating circumstances.

Adopted: June 24, 2013
Revised: March 25, 2019; November 22, 2021