Home of the Roughriders, Scholars & Champions
2014-15
Dear Roosevelt Students and Parents:
Roosevelt High School is establishing a new, enhanced eligibility policy for all students involved in competitive and performance activities and athletics beginning in 2014-2015 school year. This new policy is rooted in our belief in the potential of our students. As part of our larger commitment to educational excellence, we seek to nurture and develop excellence in four interrelated areas: Academics, Athletics, Activities and the Arts.
Students who represent Roosevelt through their involvement in our programs must be students first. They must pay careful attention to their academic motivation and, consequently, records. This eligibility policy defines that expected commitment in great detail. Roosevelt High School has always had high expectations in the classroom and on the field and stage. In the name of excellence, Roosevelt High students, athletes, thespians, musicians, leaders, teachers and coaches have aimed for a level of performance that frequently produced winning seasons and the realistic opportunities to compete for team and individual championships. Our new policy builds on this foundation by clarifying our expectations across all programs and formalizing the support we offer all students to excel.
Students should participate in more than just our academic opportunities. Athletic, Activity and Arts programs promote important character traits in students. Our programs value the drive to take one’s talents to the highest level of performance; self-discipline to reach high standards; teamwork in pursuit of a common goal; and adherence to codes of fairness and respect. We are invested in the physical and emotional well-being of our students and their social development as a whole person.
Roughriders are expected to adhere to a level of conduct that brings credit to themselves and Roosevelt High School.
Thus, our students must uphold the values of citizenship and service at all times, regardless of their location. We recognize that great demands are placed on students who participate in additional high school programs. We are committed to providing support to help them manage these demands and get the most out of their high school experience. Our eligibility policy is designed to teach students academic self-advocacy by monitoring their progress, intervening early when necessary, and recognizing their strengths and growth both as students and as people.
Ultimately, the goal of the Roosevelt High School activities program is to engage the student’s mind and body while making a conscious effort to enhance the culture of Roosevelt High School and the Des Moines community which surrounds it.

According to the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic
Union (IGHSAU), contestants must pass all coursework in which enrolled in order to participate in a sanctioned activity. If a student is not passing all courses at the end of a final grading period, the student is ineligible for a period of 30 consecutive calendar days in the interscholastic athletic event in which the student is a contestant. There is no requirement that the student competed in the sport previously. Students in baseball or softball have the same penalty as all other students. A student with a disability and an Individualized
Education Program (IEP) is judged based on progress made toward IEP goals.
*Roosevelt High School will follow this State Policy in regards to end-of-semester grade reports (student is ineligible for 30 consecutive calendar days in the interscholastic athletic event in which the student is a contestant). However, should a student earn a D at the end of the semester or school year, the student will earn a mandatory ineligibility period of 15 consecutive calendar days in the interscholastic athletic event in which the student is a contestant.
Roosevelt High School believes in holding its students to the highest academic standard when competing or participating in curricular or extra-curricular activities. Because of this, we will adhere to an eligibility policy that requires all TRHS students, grades 9 - 12, to maintain a letter grade of C or higher in all classes, to maintain their eligibility. Every three (3) weeks throughout the semester, beginning after the first 6-week grading period, participant academic progress will be checked to determine immediate eligibility. An
Eligibility Commissioner, located in the counseling office, will track and notify students, coaches, directors and advisors when a student dips below minimum academic standards and becomes ineligible. Students may have their eligibility reinstated immediately once they confirm that all grades are a C or above. Specific criteria, listed below, must be followed and confirmed by the Commissioner before activity re-engagement can occur.
Athletic contests (all levels)
Ungraded Musical or Drama performances (includes Band, Choir, Theatre, and Orchestra)
Speech and/or Debate competitions
Cheerleading & Dance events
Student Government and Best Buddy Mentors
Academic Decathlon Competitions
Competitive or Performance-style TRHS clubs (e.g., SHARKS)
Performances and events that require students to miss classes
A waiver or appeals process will be available to all who fall below the minimum marking...
continued on next page.

As in the past, TRHS teachers will post grades every six (6) weeks into Infinite Campus (IC), including appropriate comments to parents. However, all students who participate in school-sponsored activities will
have progress grades pulled every three (3) weeks, beginning week 6 of each semester. This expectation applies to students enrolled in classes using Standards Referenced Grading (SRG), too.
If a student earns a D or F on any progress report (SRG = 1.99 or lower)—including Central Campus grades— that student will be ruled immediately ineligible, meaning they will not be permitted to compete or perform until that grade is raised to a C (SRG = 2.00), as confirmed by a teacher-signed Progress Check Form. Students earning “D” in weighted classes, denoted by an asterisk (*) in the course name, will NOT be ruled ineligible because the D is weighted as a C in these classes.
The Eligibility Commissioner, in coordination with the TRHS Activities Administrator, will be responsible for pulling the grades on the day of submission/posting and informing the student/ parents of that child’s ineligibility. One phone call will be made home by the Eligibility Commissioner and one voice message will be left if no one answers. Documentation of the call will be logged into Infinite Campus.
Students, who have made a good-faith effort to improve academically before being ruled ineligible, will have the opportunity to file an Academic Waiver Application within 48- hours of the scheduled 3-week progress check. If the waiver is approved, the student will be eligible even if the grade remains below the minimum threshold. Students who attend classes regularly, work diligently in class, and seek help when they get stuck are more likely to be granted a waiver. If the waiver is not approved, the student must complete a Progress
Check Form to reinstate eligibility and be able to perform or compete.
For a student not currently involved in an activity: If a student has received a D or F grade on any progress report prior to their participation in a school-sanctioned activity or sport, that student will need to confirm via a completed Progress Check Form (Appendix B), that all grades have risen to a C level or higher before the first contest, game or performance of that student’s chosen activity, whenever that activity might appear during the school year.
In order for a student to be granted a waiver or have their appeal approved, the student must meet the following three criteria:
1) The student has three (3) or less unexcused absences from the class(es) in question.
2) The student has exhibited quality work ethic and academic responsibility in class, as verified by the teacher. If a teacher indicates that the student did not exhibit the necessary work ethic to earn a waiver, the teacher must also verify that they have conducted the necessary interventions to improve this deficiency, or this specific criteria is dismissed (e.g., Minimum of one parent phone call home)
3) Positive Contact Visits – The student has made positive attempts to improve his/her grade by attending lunch or after school sessions with the teacher in question, extra tutorial help, consistent appearances in 2/6+ (must sign –in), and/or sought out other assistance.
*Students with IEPs must be making adequate progress on the goals specified in their IEP that directly relate to the courses they are receiving a D or F. This progress will be determined by the Special Education Consultant.

If a student is found to have any grade below a C at any progress point, the student may choose to complete an
Academic Waiver Application (AWA). The AWA must be completed and returned to the Eligibility
Commissioner within 48-hours following the progress grade reporting deadline (dates below). The student is responsible for completing this appeals process by the dates listed below. If the AWA is not returned to the
Eligibility Commissioner by 3pm and 48-hours after the reporting notifications were posted in IC, the student’s appeal documentation will not be accepted. The following chart outlines the approximate grade check dates for 2014-15 and timeline of waiver deadlines. Final deadlines are determined by the Registrar.
PROGRESS
CHECK
6-week check
9-week check
12-week check
15-week check
End of 1 st Semester
PROGRESS GRADE WAIVERS DUE
REPORTING DATES BY THIS DATE
Friday, October 3rd*
Friday, October 24th
Tuesday, October 7th, by 3:00pm
Tuesday, October 28th, by 3:00pm
Friday, November 14th* Tuesday, November 18th, by 3:00pm
Friday, December 5th Tuesday, December 9th, by 3:00pm
Wednesday, January 14* Friday, January 16 th , by 3:00 pm
2 nd SEMESTER
6-week check
9-week check
12-week check
15-week check
End of 2 nd Semester
Friday, February 27th*
Friday, March 20th
Friday, April 17th*
Friday, May 8th
End of 2 nd Semester
(*Report card reporting dates)
Friday, May 22nd (seniors only)
Monday, June 1 st * (9 th -11 th )
Tuesday, March 3 rd , by 3:00pm
Tuesday, March 24th, by 3:00pm
Tuesday, April 21st, by 3:00pm
Tuesday, May 12th, by 3:00pm
Tuesday, May 26th, by 3:00pm (seniors only)
Wednesday, June 3rd, by 3:00 pm
If after any 6, 9, 12, 15 or End-of-Semester progress grade reporting date, a student earns a D or F in any one class, and subsequent waiver application DENIED, the following ineligibility rule is in place:
The student is immediately ineligible to compete or perform with their team/group. The student must still attend all practices, rehearsals, and workouts as part of that team/group; however, they may not compete or participate in a game or performance until approved by the appropriate administrator.
Ultimately, that student must work diligently and quickly to elevate that D or F grade to a C minimum.
Once that occurs, the student may immediately complete a Progress Check Form and have that returned to an Eligibility Clerk (found in the Commons or Front Entry) or the Eligibility Commissioner
(found in Counseling Office). The Eligibility Clerk or Commissioner will confirm the authenticity of the Progress Check Form and notify the Activities Administrator. The Activities Administrator will then communicate that information to the Varsity Head Coach, Directors, and/or Advisors on the same school day, insuring that the student may compete or perform that afternoon/evening.
* Any fraudulent attempts to mislead the Eligibility Commissioner by falsifying signatures or information found on the Progress Check
Form, will result in a 14-day extension of ineligibility – no exceptions.

ATHLETICS - If a student earns an F on a final grade at the semester (1 st or 2 nd ), they are not eligible for a waiver. As a result, the student-athlete will be ineligible and required to sit-out 30 consecutive days effective on the first date of competition (per State Policy). However, if a student earns a D at the end of the semester, they are required to sit-out 15 consecutive days, effective the first date of competition (per TRHS Eligibility
Policy). Once the 15 or 30-days of ineligibility have been completed, the student is eligible to participate in contests.
ACTIVITIES & ARTS - If a student earns an F on a final grade at the semester (1 st or 2 nd ), they are not eligible for a waiver. As a result, the student will be ineligible to perform or compete in the next two (2) events or competitions. If a student earns a D on a final grade at the semester (1 st or 2 nd ), they are ineligible to perform or compete in the next event or competition, one (1) event.
*If the Activity in question earns a curricular grade or is a class in which the student is enrolled
(e.g., Show Choir or Marching Band), and specific performances contribute to the student’s overall grade in that course, the student will not be removed from performing. However, other performance opportunities may be removed from consideration (e.g., All-State auditions or
Non-Graded Performances).
SPEECH & DEBATE - Roosevelt High School belongs to the Iowa High School Speech Association, which is the official sanctioning body of Iowa high school speech and debate. The Association requires a 30-day ineligible period for students earning an F at the end of the semester which begins at the start of the next semester. Technically the Association rule only covers IHSSA events. Roosevelt High School will enforce a 30day ineligibility to compete in any speech or debate activity regardless of it being sanctioned by the IHSSA.
Thus all speech and debate students serve an ineligible period exactly as a student athlete would as detailed in the Athletics section above with the exception that the 30-day ineligibility period begins at the start of each semester.
DRAMA & DRAMA ACTIVITIES - Drama students competing in IHSSA activities are held to the same standards as the speech and debate students as detailed above. Drama students NOT competing in IHSSA events who earn a semester grade of F are not eligible for a waiver. As a result, the student will be ineligible to perform or compete in the next two (2) events or competitions. Students who earn a semester grade of D are ineligible to perform or compete in the next (1) event or competition.
Students who are deemed ineligible due to semester grades may not participate in planned trips such as the
National Forensic League’s National Tournament or other competitions of merit. This may mean the student loses the trip deposit. In these instances, each situation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis, with the final decision being made by the school principal.
Participant scholars who meet eligibility guidelines will be recognized as exemplars by their coaches, directors and/or advisors. The recognition may take the form of a wristband to be worn during practice, notation in the program, earn points towards letters or other suitable recognition.