JJJ-R1
2011-2012 RULES FOR PARTICIPATION IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
The following rules shall govern student participation in extracurricular activities.
Participation is defined as beginning with the first day of participation in any meeting,
practice, contest or performance and ending at the conclusion of the activity or school
year (whichever comes later).
RULES GOVERNING ALL EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
A. Parental Consent/Permission Forms
A student may not participate in any game, practice, rehearsal or performance until a
signed parental consent/permission form (JJJ-E2) has been completed and returned to
the appropriate school office each school year. That form must indicate: permission to
participate, verification of adequate and appropriate health/accident insurance (where
applicable), and agreement to abide by all Oxford Hills School District Rules and
Regulations.
B. Academic Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities, a high school student must be
actively enrolled for credit in courses equaling a minimum of six credits (unless an
alternative schedule has been documented through the Principal’s Office for educational
or medical reasons) and all students are expected to maintain a passing grade in all
courses. Students who are participating in extracurricular activities will have their
academic progress monitored approximately every three weeks (including quarterly
progress reports and quarterly grades) beginning either with the third week of the school
year or with their participation in extracurricular activities (whichever is later). A student
failing a course will be ineligible for a minimum of one week (Sunday through Saturday),
or until the student has verified to the Athletic Office that they are passing. Academic
Eligibility Reports, including Progress Reports and Quarterly Grade Reports, will be due
at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, with any resulting ineligibilities to take effect the following
Sunday. The Principal or his/her designee shall establish and circulate a list of all
students participating in extracurricular activities for each checkpoint. Teachers shall
monitor any student identified on that list who is in a class of that teacher and shall
notify the Athletic Office of any student who is failing the course at that checkpoint. The
Athletic Office shall provide an updated list of ineligible students to the Principal or
his/her designee. When the student is able to bring his/her grade to a passing level, as
verified in writing by the teacher, through the Athletic Office to the Principal or his/her
designee, he/she may be restored to eligibility immediately. Periods of ineligibility will
be for calendar weeks (Sunday through Saturday) and restoration of eligibility (when
earned) will be immediate. Students who receive a failing grade on a quarterly report
card will remain ineligible until being reported as passing in any subject failed for the
quarter. Students whose failing grades include the last report for a semester course
which does not continue into the following semester will be ineligible for a minimum of
one week and will remain ineligible until teachers verify that the student has a passing
grade in all current subjects.
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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 summer school program or
other options available through the Guidance Office. Ninth grade students entering from
Oxford Hills Middle 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.
Students who become academically ineligible may practice and attend meetings, but
may not compete, perform, travel with the team or group, or be with the team or group
during an event or contest.
C. Attendance
In order to participate in a contest, event or practice, students must be in attendance on
the day of the activity (or the last school day preceding the activity if it is scheduled on a
non-school day). It is also expected that students will be in attendance on the day
following the activity, if that day is a school day. Being in attendance is defined as being
present and appropriately participating in all assigned classes and study halls.
Exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the Principal or his/her
designee prior to participation; no exception will be made for illness.
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 in the parent/guardian private
vehicle.
E. Violations of Student Conduct Code
Except for the more severe conduct distinguished in Sections F. and G. below, any
student participating in an extracurricular activity who violates the code of conduct
established by any school or department of the Oxford Hills School District will be
subject to general school disciplinary measures which may include suspension from
participation in the next three (3) regularly scheduled events, performances or contests.
Students who do not have scheduled events, performances or contests may be
prohibited from participating in any extracurricular activity for the next three (3)
consecutive weeks. If the circumstances warrant, the student may be excluded from
participation in all extracurricular activities for an additional period of time as determined
by the Principal or his/her designee. If a second violation of this section occurs within
one year of the first violation, that student may be declared to be ineligible to participate
in any extracurricular activity for one year from the date of the subsequent occurrence.
Before a student may resume participation in activities, satisfactory evidence must be
demonstrated to the appropriate school administrator that the individual's behavior has
changed and is not likely to recur.
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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 period of the suspension. A student assigned in
school suspension is also suspended from extracurricular activities during the day(s) of
the suspension and until after returning to classes.
F. Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs
Students may 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, over-thecounter drugs, 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 be "knowingly present" where these substances are
being illegally used. Students may not buy, possess, furnish to others, or use tobacco
in any form.
Referral (Self or Concerned-Person) Procedures exist in order for students to safely
seek help for themselves or others whom they suspect or know are involved with
tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs. On the first report of either type (self or concernedperson) of referral, the student receives assistance and is not suspended from
extracurricular participation, provided there is not a current incident investigation in
progress. The student is referred to the Student Assistance Team (SAT). On the
second report of either type (self or concerned-person) of referral, the student is
referred to the Student Assistance Team (SAT) and discipline procedures are followed
for a first offense as listed below.
Except for the more severe conduct distinguished in Section G. below, any student
participating in an extracurricular activity who violates this section will be suspended
from participation in any extracurricular activity for up to thirty (30) days. If a second
violation of this section occurs within one year of the first violation, the student will be
ineligible to participate in any extracurricular activity for one year from the date of the
second occurrence. Students who violate this section will be referred to the Student
Assistance Team (SAT) and must comply with the recommendations of the SAT before
resuming participation in extracurricular activities. Before a student may resume
participation in activities, satisfactory evidence must be demonstrated to the appropriate
school administrator that the individual's behavior has changed and that he/she is no
longer involved in the use or abuse of chemical substances. Consequences for violation
of this rule remain in effect for one calendar year.
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G. Criminal Violation of the Law
Any student who is found to have participated in any criminal activity will be immediately
suspended from participation in any extracurricular activity for one year from the date of
the occurrence. Before the student may again participate in any activity, satisfactory
evidence must be demonstrated to the Principal or his/her designee that the individual's
behavior has changed.
In order to maintain the integrity of extracurricular activities in the District, the school
administration reserves the right to make decisions regarding situations which do not
rise to the level of criminal activity. The Principal or his/her designee may suspend a
student’s privileges to participate in extracurricular activities during an investigation into
allegations of criminal activity.
Findings of criminal activity or violations of codes of conduct and any impositions of
appropriate discipline shall be made by the Principal or his/her designee. The School
Resource Officer (SRO) shall assist the Principal or his/her designee in the
determination of criminality.
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. 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.
J. Injuries/Illnesses Requiring Medical Attention
Participants in extracurricular activities must report all injuries and illnesses requiring
medical attention to the Health Office. Written clearance from the student's physician to
return to extracurricular participation must be submitted to the Health Office before the
student will be allowed to practice or compete again.
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ADDITIONAL RULES GOVERNING PARTICIPATION IN ATHLETICS
In addition to all other eligibility requirements, a student participating in athletics must
meet the following MPA and District requirements:
A. Is regularly enrolled in Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School or Oxford
Hills Middle School (or whose parents reside in M.S.A.D. #17 and has an
approved home school plan);
B. Is less than twenty (20) years of age;
C. At the high school level, is actively enrolled for credit in courses totaling a
minimum of six (6) credits, unless prior administrative approval has been
granted;
D. Refrains from participating on an outside team unless authorized by school
officials;
E. Has not graduated from a four-year course in a secondary school prior to the
season;
F. Has not competed under a name not verified by a birth certificate;
G. Has not transferred to M.S.A.D. #17 primarily to participate in athletic
activities;
H. Has provided to the Health office a record of a physical examination by a
licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physicians assistant given within the
two previous years;
I. Has provided an annual Interval History Questionnaire (JJJ-E2) to the Health
office;
J. Has been cleared by the Health Office to participate based on an evaluation
of the IHQ, physical exam record, and clearance records of any
injuries/illnesses.
K. Has submitted to the coach or advisor a signed (by the student and his/her
legal guardian) agreement that he/she will abide by the rules and regulations
of the Oxford Hills School District, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School,
Oxford Hills Middle School, and/or the Oxford Hills Athletic Department and
the team/activity; and
L. Has adequate health/accident insurance.
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Students in private schools approved for attendance purposes only that do not sponsor
interscholastic sports teams and whose parents are residents of the District may
participate in District intramural activities at the appropriate grade level. These students,
when given permission by the Athletic Director and coach of the team, may also
participate as an individual not representing a District team in individual sports at the
Middle School or on Middle School interscholastic teams where no cuts are made.
ATHLETIC TEAM MEMBERSHIP
A student may participate in only one sport at any one time per season. An athlete may
not drop one sport and try out for another sport during a season without permission of
the Athletic Director and the coaches involved.
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 Director following consideration of extenuating
circumstances.
Approved by the Superintendent: June 9, 2011
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