The board believes that the educational goals and objectives of the district are best achieved by a diversity of learning experiences, some of which are more appropriately conducted outside the regular classroom program.

The purpose of extracurricular activities shall be:

A. To develop useful new capabilities in pupils that can lead to extension of career opportunities;

B. To develop pupil initiative and provide for the exercise of responsibility;

C. To develop leadership capabilities and good organizational skills;

D. To aid pupils in the social skills;

E. To enable pupils to explore a wider range of individual interests than might be available in the regular program.

For purposes of this policy, “extracurricular activities” shall be those activities that are sponsored or approved by the board but are not offered for credit. Such activities shall generally be conducted outside the regular school day, available to pupils who voluntarily elect to participate, marked by pupil participation in the processes of initiation, planning, organizing and execution and shall ordinarily include band, clubs, dramatic or musical presentations, and intramural and interscholastic sports.

Equal access to school facilities shall be granted to all activities that meet this definition.

The chief school administrator shall prepare procedures to implement an extracurricular program which shall:

A. Assess the needs and interests of the pupils of this district;

B. Ensure the provision of competent guidance and supervision by staff;

C. Guard against the exploitation of pupils;

D. Provide for a variety of experiences and a diversity of organizational models;

E. Provide for the continuing evaluation of the extracurricular program and staff;

F. Ensure that all extracurricular activities are open to all eligible pupils and that all pupils are fully informed of the opportunities open to them.

The guidance goal for each pupil shall be a balanced program of appropriate academic studies and activities to be determined by the school, the parents/guardians and the pupil. Guidance is necessary to encourage nonparticipants, and to prevent the overenthusiastic from emphasizing activities at the cost of their academic performance.

Only persons in the employ of a board of education shall be permitted to organize district pupils during school time or during any recess in the school day for purposes of instruction or coaching or for conducting games, events, or contests in physical education or athletics.

No activity shall be considered to be under the sponsorship of this board unless it has been approved by the board on recommendation of the chief school administrator. Fund raising activities of extracurricular groups must be approved by the board.

All pupils in good disciplinary and academic standing shall have equal access to all extracurricular activities regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, disability, immigration status, English proficiency, housing status or socioeconomic status. The district shall ensure equity in educational programs including extracurricular activities and provide opportunities for students to interact positively with others on a nondiscriminatory basis.

Good Disciplinary Standing

Good disciplinary standing shall mean that a pupil is not eligible to participate while serving a detention or suspension. Pupils who serve more than three detentions, suspensions or a combination of the two during one term may be found not eligible to participate the following term.

A. When a pupil already participating in an extracurricular activity is reported for an infraction of the rules for pupil conduct, the principal shall appoint a staff committee to consider whether the pupil shall be removed from any or all extracurricular activities.

B. If a pupil was in bad disciplinary standing the previous term, the principal shall refer the matter to a staff committee to determine whether the pupil shall be permitted to participate during the current term.

Good Academic Standing

Good academic standing at the beginning of the school year for all grades means successful completion of the previous year’s requirements, with no failures.

Continuing good academic standing requires maintenance of passing grades in all subjects during the current year.

A pupil who begins the year not in good academic standing, who maintains a passing grade in every subject, may request consideration to participate in extracurricular activities at the beginning of the second semester.

Attendance

The district’s attendance policy shall also apply.

Implementation

The chief school administrator shall direct development of detailed regulations to ensure equitable implementation of this policy. Particular care shall be taken to ensure that all extra-curricular programs
and their operation comply with district equity requirements. Participation in academically related coaching or tutoring groups may be exempt from the eligibility requirement at the chief school administrator’s discretion.

Adopted: May 2006
NJSBA Review/Update: January 2009, October 2017
Readopted: January 21, 2009
Revised/Readopted: April 26, 2017
Reviewed:

Key Words

Extracurricular Activities, Cocurricular Activities, Student Activities, Pupil Activities

Legal References: N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. Law Against Discrimination
N.J.S.A. 18A:11-3 Voluntary associations regulating conduct of student activities; membership; rules and regulations; appeals
N.J.S.A. 18A:19-14 Funds derived from pupil activities
N.J.S.A. 18A:35-20 Participation in courses in which verbalization unessential to understanding of subject matter; location of and children in bilingual programs
N.J.S.A. 18A:42-5, -6 Certain student organizations declared harmful …
N.J.S.A. 34:13A-1 et seq. New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act
N.J.A.C. 6A:7-1.1 et seq. Managing for Equality and Equity in Education
N.J.A.C. 6A:8-3.2 Career education and counseling
N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.16 Athletics personnel
N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.2 Required health services
N.J.A.C. 6A:30-1.1et seq. Evaluation of the Performance of School Districts
N.J.A.C. 6A:32-9.1 et seq. Athletics Procedures

20 U.S.C.A. 4071-4074 – Equal Access Act

20 U.S.C.A. 1681 et seq. – Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Krupp v. Bd. of Ed. of Union County Reg. H.S. Dist. #1, 278 N.J. Super. 31 (App. Div. 1994) cert. den. 140 N.J. 277 (1994)

Good News Club v. Milford Central School, 121 U.S. 2093 (2001)

The Comprehensive Equity Plan, New Jersey Department of Education

NJSIAA Constitution, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations

Possible
Cross References: 1210 Community organizations
1320 Participation in out of school community activities
*1322 Contests for pupils
*2224 Nondiscrimination/affirmative action
*3453 School activity funds
4143/4243 Extra pay for extra work
*5113 Absences and excuses
*5126 Awards for achievement
*5131 Conduct/discipline
*5136 Fund-raising activities
5143 Insurance
*5145.4 Equal educational opportunity
*6010 Goals and objectives
*6142 Subject fields
6142.5 Travel and exchange programs
*6142.12 Career and technical education
*6145.1/6145.2 Intramural competition; interscholastic competition
6145.4 Public performances and exhibitions
6145.5 Student organizations
6145.7 Social events/meetings
*6146 Graduation requirements
*6153 Field trips

*Indicates policy is included in the Critical Policy Reference Manual.