Article 5
STUDENTS
Policy No. 5103
Students
Extracurricular Activity
Section 1
Extracurricular Activity Philosophy
Extracurricular activity programs enrich the curriculum of the school by making available a wide
variety of activities in which a student can participate. Extracurricular activity programs are
considered an integral part of the school’s program of education that provide experiences that
will help students physically, mentally and emotionally.
The element of competition and winning, though it exists, is controlled to the point it does not
determine the nature or success of the program. This is considered to be educationally and
psychologically sound because of the training it offers for living in a competitive society.
Students are stimulated to want to win and excel, but the principles of good sportsmanship
prevail at all times to enhance the educational values of contests. Participation in activities, both
as a competitor and as a student spectator, is an integral part of the students’ educational
experiences. Such participation is a privilege that carries with it responsibilities to the school,
team, student body, community and the students themselves. In their play and their conduct,
students are representing all of these groups. Such experiences contribute to the knowledge, skill
and emotional patterns that they possess, thereby making them better individuals and citizens.
Safety
The District’s philosophy is to maintain an activities program which recognizes the importance
of the safety of the participants. To ensure safety, participants are required to become fully
familiar with the dangers and safety measures established for the activity in which they
participate, to adhere to all safety instructions for the activity in which they participate, to inform
their coach or sponsor when they are injured or have health problems that require their activities
be restricted, and to exercise common-sense.
Warning for Participants and Parents
The purpose of this warning is to bring your attention to the existence of potential dangers
associated with athletic injuries. Participation in any intramural or athletic activity may involve
injury of some type. The severity of such injury can range from minor cuts, bruises, sprains and
muscle strains to more serious injuries to the body’s bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, or
muscles, to catastrophic injuries to the head, neck and spinal cord. On rare occasions, injuries
can be so severe as to result in total disability, paralysis or death. Even with appropriate
coaching, appropriate safety instruction, appropriate protective equipment and strict observance
of the rules, injuries are still a possibility.
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Section 2
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Policy No. 5103
Extracurricular Activity Code of Conduct
Purpose of the Code of Conduct. Participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege. The
privilege carries with it responsibilities to the school, team, student body, and the community.
Participants are not only representing themselves, but also their school and community in all of
their actions. Others judge our school on the student participants’ conduct and attitudes, and
how they contribute to our school spirit and community image.
The student participants’ performance and devotion to high ideals and values make their school
and community proud. Consequently, participation is dependent upon adherence to this Code of
Conduct and the school district’s policies, procedures and rules.
Scope of the Code of Conduct.
Activities Subject to the Code of Conduct: The Code of Conduct applies to all
extracurricular activities. Extracurricular activities means student activities or
organizations which are supervised or administered by the school district which do not
count toward graduation or grade advancement and in which participation is not
otherwise required by the school.
Extracurricular activities include but are not limited to: all sports, cheerleading, dance
team, Pep Band, vocal, band, speech and drama, One-Act, FBLA, FCCLA, Foreign
Language Club, Art Club, Student Council, Student Advisory Board, National Honor
Society, PADA, and other school sponsored organizations and activities.
A participant means a student who participates in, has participated in, or will participate
in an extracurricular activity.
When: The Code of Conduct rules apply to conduct which occurs at any time during the
school year, and also includes the time frame which begins with the official starting day
of the fall sport season established by the NSAA and extends to the last day of the spring
sport season established by the NSAA, whether or not the student is a participant in an
activity at the time of such conduct.
The rules also apply when a student is participating or scheduled to participate in an
extracurricular activity that is held outside the school year or the NSAA season. For
example, if an FBLA or FCCLA student plans to participate in a conference in July and
commits a Code of Conduct infraction in June, the student may be suspended from
participating in the conference.
Where: The Code of Conduct rules apply regardless of whether the conduct occurs on
and off school grounds. If the conduct occurs on school grounds, at a school function or
event, or in a school vehicle, the student may also be subject to further discipline under
the general student code of conduct. A student who is suspended or expelled from school
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shall not be permitted to participate in activities during the period of the suspension or
expulsion, and may also receive an extended activity suspension.
Grounds for Extracurricular Activity Discipline. Students who participate in extracurricular
activities are expected to demonstrate cooperation, patience, pride, character, self respect, selfdiscipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, and respect for authority. The following conduct rules
have been determined by the Board of Education to be reasonably necessary to aid students,
further school purposes, and prevent interference with the educational process. Such conduct
constitutes grounds for suspension from participation in extracurricular activities and grounds for
other restrictions or disciplinary measures related to extracurricular activity participation:
1. Insubordination toward Emerson-Hubbard staff members or staff members of a school
where an activity is being held.
2. Use of violence, force, coercion, threat, intimidation, or similar conduct in a manner
that constitutes a substantial interference with school purposes.
3. Sexual assault or attempting to sexually assault any person.
4. Willfully causing or attempting to cause substantial damage to property, stealing or
attempting to steal property of substantial value, or repeated damage or theft involving
property.
5. Causing or attempting to cause personal injury to a school employee, to a school
volunteer, to any student, or to any other person.
6. Threatening or intimidating any student for the purpose of, or with the intent of,
obtaining money or anything of value from such student.
7. Knowingly possessing, handling, or transmitting any object or material that is
ordinarily or generally considered a weapon.
8. Engaging in the selling, using, possessing or dispensing of alcoholic beverages,
tobacco, narcotics, drugs, controlled substance, inhalant or being under the influence
of any of the above; or possession of drug paraphernalia. (Note: The term “under the
influence” for school purposes has a broader interpretation than it does under criminal
law. For school purposes, the term means any level of impairment and includes even
the odor of alcohol on the breath or person of a student. Also, it includes being
impaired by reason of the abuse of any material used as a stimulant. In addition,
“possession” of alcohol or drugs will be considered to have occurred for purposes of
school rules if the student is in such close proximity to alcohol or drug (for example, a
student being in a car where alcohol is in the back seat and no adults are present in the
car) or to others who are consuming alcohol or drugs (for example, being at a student
party at which other students are drinking) that school officials may reasonably
determine that the student was in "possession" of the items as well).
9. Engaging in the selling, using, possessing, or dispensing of an imitation controlled
substance as defined in section 28-401, of the Nebraska statutes, or material
represented to be alcoholic beverages, narcotics, drugs, controlled substance or
inhalant.
10. Unsportsmanlike conduct involving visiting school teams, officials, or fans.
11. Public indecency.
12. Repeated violation of any of the rules adopted by the school district or the school.
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13. Engaging in any unlawful activity as determined by the United States or the State of
Nebraska.
14. Willfully violating the behavioral expectations for those students riding EmersonHubbard Community Schools’ buses.
15. The knowing and intentional possession, use, or transmission of a firearm or other
dangerous weapon in a place where such items are prohibited.
16. The knowing and intentional use of force in causing, or attempting to cause, personal
injury to a school employee, school volunteer, or student, except if caused by
accident, self-defense, or on the reasonable belief that the force used was necessary to
protect some other person and the extent of force used was reasonably believed to be
necessary.
17. All other reasonable rules or regulations adopted by the coach or supervisor of a
extra-curricular activity shall be followed, provided that participants shall be advised
by the coach or supervisor of such rules and regulations by written handouts or
posting on bulletin boards prior to the violation of the rule or regulation.
18. Failure to comply with any rule established by the Nebraska School Activities
Association, including, but not limited to, the rules relating to eligibility.
All terms used in the Code of Conduct have a less strict meaning than under criminal law and are
subject to reasonable interpretation by school officials.
Students who are found to be in violation of sub-paragraphs 8 or 9 of the above conduct rules
shall be subject to the following disciplinary action. Violation of any other sub-paragraphs 1-18
may also result in ineligibility and typically will be enforced for serious or repeated infractions
of school policies.
First Violation - The student will forfeit participation in school activities for a period of
one week beginning with the first activity the student is to participate in. Activities that
will be used to work off ineligibility include Emerson-Hubbard interscholastic athletic
contests, fine art contests, concerts, competitions, and other public performances, Dance
Squad competitions and performances, school organization competitions. Students may
be required by the sponsor/coach to attend practices, but will not be allowed to
participate. If the offense is alcohol or drug related, the student shall be encouraged to
undergo a diagnostic evaluation for substance abuse by a certified substance abuse
evaluator.
Second Violation - The student will forfeit participation in school activities (see above
activities) for a minimum of two weeks beginning with the first activity the student is to
participate in.
Third Violation - The student will not participate in any school activities for ninety (90)
days. If the offense is alcohol or drug related, the student shall be required to undergo a
diagnostic evaluation for substance abuse and follow those recommendations by a
certified substance abuse evaluator in order to retain their eligibility to participate in
Emerson-Hubbard School activities.
Consequences.Students may be suspended from practices or participation in interscholastic
competition or participation in co-curricular activities for violations of the Code of Conduct.
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The period of suspension or other discipline for such offenses shall be determined by the school
administration.
When Suspensions Begin. All suspensions begin with the next scheduled activity in which the
student is a participant, after the determination by school officials of the sanction to be imposed;
provided that the school officials shall have the discretion to establish a time period for the
suspension that makes the suspension have a real consequence for the student. During a
suspension, participants may be required or permitted to practice at the sole discretion of the
coach or activity sponsor.
Determining a Violation Has Occurred. A violation of the Code of Conduct will be
determined to have occurred based on any of the following criteria:
1.
When a student is cited by law enforcement and school officials have a reasonable
basis for determining that grounds for the issuance of the citation exist.
2.
When a student is convicted of a criminal offense. Conviction includes, without
limitation, a plea of no contest and an adjudication of delinquency by the juvenile
court.
3.
When a student admits to violating one of the standards of the Code of Conduct.
4.
When a student is accused by another person of violating one of the standards of
the Code of Conduct and school officials determine that such information is
reliable.
5.
When school officials otherwise find sufficient evidence to support a
determination that a violation has occurred.
Procedures for Extracurricular Discipline. Students may be suspended by the principal or the
principal’s designee from practices or participation in interscholastic competition or participation
in extra-curricular activities for violation of rules and standards of behavior adopted by the
Emerson-Hubbard Community Schools Board of Education or the administrative staff of the
school.
The following procedures will be followed with regard to suspension:
1.
The school official(s) considering the suspension will make a reasonable
investigation of the facts and circumstances and determine whether the suspension
will help the student or other students, further school purposes, or prevent an
interference with school purpose.
2.
Prior to commencement of the suspension, the student is to be given oral or
written notice of the charges against the student. The student will be advised of
what the student is accused of having done; an explanation of the evidence the
school has, and be given the opportunity to explain the student's version of the
facts.
3.
If the student is not readily available to meet with the school official for this
purpose before the suspension is to begin, then the suspension may be imposed at
that time so long as the opportunity for the student to hear the charges and
evidence and for the student to tell his or her side of the story occurs as soon as
reasonably practical. An effort to schedule a meeting for this purpose should be
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4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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Policy No. 5103
made by the student and the student’s parent or guardian as well. Given the fact
that extracurricular activity suspension actions at times need to be taken outside
the regular school day, a telephone conference may be used to give the student the
opportunity to provide the student’s position.
Within two school days or such additional time as is reasonably necessary
following the suspension, the principal or principal’s designee will send a written
statement to the student and the student's parents or guardian describing the
student's conduct, misconduct or violation of the rule or standard and the reason
for the action taken and the right to a hearing upon request on the specified
charges.
An opportunity will be afforded the student, parents, or guardian of the student, at
their request, to confer on an informal basis with regard with the school official
who has imposed the suspension and to give that school official any further
information in the student’s defense.
If the student or student's parents or guardian are not satisfied with the
determination of the school official, an informal hearing may be requested before
the superintendent. A form to request such a hearing must be signed by the parent
or guardian will either be provided with the initial notice letter or be made
available in the principal’s office. This request must be received by the building
principal within five days of receiving the initial written notice of suspension.
If a hearing is requested, it shall be held within ten calendar days of the request.
The superintendent will notify the participants of the time and place of the hearing
within five days of receiving the request. There will be no stay of the penalty
imposed pending an appeal.
Upon conclusion of the hearing, a written decision will be rendered within five
school days. The written decision will be mailed or otherwise delivered to the
participant, parents or guardian. A record of the hearing (copies of documents
provided at the hearing and a tape recording or other recordation of the hearing
itself) shall be kept by the school.
Nothing contained in this regulation shall prevent the participant, parents,
guardian or representative from discussing and settling the matter with the
appropriate school personnel at any stage.
Section 3
Attendance and Academics
Student participants are expected to apply themselves academically by following these
expectations:
1.
Attend school regularly and show evidence of sincere effort towards scholastic
achievement
2.
Be on time for all scheduled practices, contests and departure for contests. In the
event a participant is unable to attend a practice or contests he/she should contact
the coach or sponsor in advance.
3.
Attendance at school.
4.
Appearance: Participants will dress appropriately for the activity in which they
are involved and will at all times maintain a neat, clean, and well-groomed
appearance.
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Section 4
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Policy No. 5103
Academic Grade Standard for Activities Participation
Participation in extra-curricular school activities is encouraged and desirable for all students. At
the same time, the primary mission and responsibility for each student is to establish a firm
academic foundation.
A complete eligibility list of athletes will be sent to the Nebraska School Activities Association.
Students must meet the NSAA guidelines to remain eligible for competition.
Scholastic requirements as established by the NSAA are:
1. All participants shall have credit on the school records for 20 semester hours for the
immediate preceding semester.
2. All participants must be registered for and taking the equivalent of five classes and doing
passing work in at least four classes for the current semester.
In addition to these rules, the Emerson-Hubbard policy requires students to be passing 30
semester hours (six classes) in order to maintain eligibility in extra-curricular activities. Grades
will be checked at the end of each two-week period. Any student who is not passing 30 semester
hours (six classes) will be placed on academic probation for the upcoming two weeks. If, after
those two weeks, the student still is not passing 30 semester hours, the student will then be
declared ineligible for participation in activities until the student and/or teacher(s) verifies that
the student is passing 30 semester hours. Once passing 30 hours, the student regains eligibility
immediately.
In order to ensure fairness and objectivity in the administration of the activity eligibility, the
principal and/or superintendent shall have the authority to make exceptions to the policy in the
event of extenuating circumstances.
Based on NSAA Policy, eligibility status is made every semester during the year. A participant
failing to complete requirement #1 must be declared ineligible for competition for the following
semester. In the Emerson-Hubbard Schools, this policy applies to all extra-curricular activity
participation.
Legal Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. Sections 79-254 to 79-296
Date of Adoption: March 8, 2010
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