Policy FF - Student Activities
Policy FF - Student Activities (PDF)
Issue Date: December 16, 2020
Revised: July 12, 2023
Extracurricular Activities
There is no constitutional right to participate in extracurricular activities and student government, and this policy does not create such a right.
Students who participate in student government and extracurricular activities become role models for others in the school and community. These individuals often play major roles in establishing standards of acceptable behavior in the school and community and establishing and maintaining the reputation of the school and the level of community confidence and support afforded the school. It is of the utmost importance that those involved in student government, whether as officers or advisors, and those involved in competitive athletics and other extracurricular activities, whether students or staff, comply with all applicable laws and standards of behavior and conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting their positions and responsibilities. By choosing to participate in student government, competitive athletics, or other extracurricular activities, students voluntarily subject themselves to a degree of regulation even higher than that imposed on students generally, and have reason to expect intrusions upon normal rights and privileges.1
Participation Eligibility
A student in grades 9-12 may participate in extracurricular activities on or off campus at the beginning of the school year.
In order to be eligible to participate in an extracurricular activity event for the grade report period following the initial grade report period of a school year, a student:
1. Must be a full-time student in the school he or she intends to represent, or otherwise comply with all Utah State Board of Education dual enrollment requirements.
2. Cannot fail more than one subject in the preceding grading period.
3. Must have obtained a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 based on a r.0 scale or its equivalent in the preceding grading period.
Prohibited Conduct
The following prohibited conduct may render a student ineligible for and/or unable to continue participation in student government and/or extracurricular activities, if occurring while the student is in the classroom, on school property, or during school-sponsored activities, regardless of location or circumstances:
1. Use of foul, abusive, or profane language while engaged in school related activities.
2. Illicit use, possession, or distribution of a controlled substance, or drug paraphernalia, tobacco product, an electronic cigarette product, or an alcoholic beverage; or
3. Hazing, demeaning, or assaultive behavior, whether consensual or not, including behavior involving physical violence, restraint, improper touching, or inappropriate exposure of body parts not normally exposed in public settings, forced ingestion of any substance, or any act which would constitute a crime against a person or a public order under state law.
4. Acts of expression that are sexually explicit, defamatory, threatening, harassing, or generally not appropriate in the presence of minors.
[1] Johnson v. Cache Cty. Sch. Dist., 323 F. Supp. 3d 1301 (D. Utah 2018)
Suspension from Extracurricular Activities
A student whose recorded report period grade average is lower than 2.0 at the end of a grade report period shall be suspended from participation in any extracurricular activity event during succeeding grade report periods until the end of a grade report period which the student achieves a course grade for that grade report period of at least 2.0 in each course. This suspension shall become effective seven days after the last day of the grade reporting period during which the grade lower than 2.0 was earned.
Students with Disabilities
Suspension of a student with disabilities whose disability significantly interferes with the student's ability to meet regular academic standards shall be based on the student's failure to meet the requirements of the student's Individual Education Program, as determined by the Special Education Committee.
Out-of-School Practice
A student who has been suspended from extracurricular activity events shall also be suspended from out-of-school practice for extracurricular activities until suspension from participation has been lifted.
Limit on Suspension
A student may not be suspended under this provision during the period in which school is recessed for the summer or during the initial grade reporting period of a regular school term on the basis of grades received in the final grade report period of the preceding regular school term.
Reinstatement to Extracurricular Activities
At the end of any grade report period in which a student attains a course grade (minimum 2.0 or greater) in each course taken, any suspension from participation in extracurricular activities and/or suspension from out-of-school practice for extracurricular activities shall be removed unless the extracurricular team or group requires a grade higher than 2.0 in each course taken. If the extracurricular team or group requires a grade higher than a 2.0 in each course, then the student’s eligibility will be determined by the team or group rules for that activity. In other words, nothing in this policy shall prohibit a team or group from having higher academic standards than those in this policy.
Practice and Performance
Schools shall comply with the rules and regulations of the Utah High School Activities Association in scheduling and conducting practices and performances of competitive play.
Utah High Schools Activities Association Handbook 2019-20, Bylaws Art. 2
Classes
High school competitive extracurricular programs shall be supplementary to the high school curriculum.
Athletic classes conducted during the school day must comply with UHSAA rules.
Off-Season Clinics
Required or voluntary participation in summer or other off-season sports clinics, workshops, and leagues may not be used as criteria for team membership or for the opportunity to try out for team membership. School personnel, activity leaders, coaches, advisory and other personnel shall not require students to attend out-of-school camps, clinics or workshops for which the personnel, activity leaders, coaches or advisory personnel receive remuneration from a source other than the school or district in which they are employed.
A summer workshop or clinic conducted by a school for any sport or activity shall be scheduled and held consistent with UHSAA bylaws and policies.
Utah Admin. R 277-605-5 (July 22, 2022)
Utah High Schools Activities Association Handbook 2019-20, Bylaws Art. 2, Sec 3
Supervision
Coaches and other designated school leaders shall diligently supervise students at all times while on school-sponsored activities, including during the activity itself, in locker rooms, seating areas, eating establishments, lodging facilities and during travel. Coaches and designated school leaders are responsible for a student as long as the student remains on school grounds following a school sponsored activity unless the student has been turned over to the personal custody and supervision of the student’s parent. Coaches and school leaders have complied with this policy if they have 1) terminated, dismissed, or ended the event, practice, production, or game has ended, 2) directed the students to leave campus, and 3) taken reasonably measures to check that students have left school grounds. Reasonable measures to check that students have left school grounds may include as appropriate 1) turning off building lights, 2) locking doors, 3) directing students out of parking lots and school grounds, etc. Coaches, assistants, and advisers shall not permit hazing, demeaning, or assaultive behavior (whether consensual or not), including behavior involving physical violence, restraint, improper touching, inappropriate exposure of body parts not normally exposed in public settings, forced ingestion of any substance, or any act which would constitute a crime against a person or public order under Utah law.
Utah Admin. R 277-605-4(1), (2), (4) (July 22, 2022)
Training
Coaches shall complete required training relating to child sexual abuse prevention as provided for in Policy DDAA and bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing and retaliation as provided for in Policy DLA and Policy FGAD. Athletic coaches shall also complete required training relating to concussions as provided for in Policy FDAF. In addition, athletic coaches shall maintain high-quality hands-on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid certification through an approved provider. (Approved providers are the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, the American Safety and Health Institute, the National Safety Provider, or another provider approved by the State Superintendent.)
Utah Admin. Rules R277-605-2(1) (July 22, 2022)
Utah Admin. Rule R277-605-6 (July 22, 2022)
Example
A coach or other designated school leader shall not participate in the use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products (electronic cigarette products), controlled substances, or promiscuous sexual relationships while on school-sponsored activities.
Utah Admin. R 277-605-4(3) (July 22, 2022)
Utah Code §53G-8-209(2) (2020)
Definitions
Definitions of curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities shall be as follows:
- Curricular activities occur within the regular school day and constitute the delivery of instruction to students in the District.
- Co-curricular activities are an extension of classroom instruction in which participation is by the entire class or a significant portion thereof. They relate directly to, and enhance student learning of, essential elements through participation, demonstration, illustration, and observation. Co-curricular activities are included in the teacher's instructional plan and are conducted by or supervised by a classroom teacher or other educational professional such as a librarian, school nurse, counselor, or administrator. Students suspended from extracurricular activities because of a grade(s) below 2.00 or more than one failed course shall not be prevented from participating in after-school co-curricular activities.
- Extracurricular activities are school-sponsored activities that are not directly related to instruction of the essential elements but that may have an indirect relation to some areas of the curriculum. They offer worthwhile and significant contributions to a student's personal, physical, and social development. Participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege and not a right, and students must meet specific requirements in order to participate. Activities may include, but are not limited to, performances, contests, demonstrations, displays, and club activities.