Grade Eligibility
The Mifflinburg Area School District recognizes and accepts the educational values inherent in a broad, varied and well defined program of extra-curricular activities.
The Board of School Directors directs that each school shall have, and each principal shall be responsible for such a program in their schools, operating them in accordance with Board policies, applicable regulations and the directions of the Superintendent.
Extra-Curricular Activities are defined as those activities which ordinarily occur outside the regular program requirements of a class of curriculum. Examples include (but are not limited to) athletics, band, theatre, and cheerleaders. Such activities are an integral part of school life and are used as a means of developing wholesome attitudes and good human relations as well as knowledge and skills. These activities often require as much careful planning and supervision as student experiences in the academic subject area; however, care must be taken that these activities do not take precedence over subject matter areas but remain as supplemental activities to the basic courses of study.
While it is desirable that students participate in such activities to the extent that they further their educational development, it is of paramount importance that such participation shall not jeopardize pupil’s academic achievement nor exploit their time and talents.
The Board supports and endorses the following eligibility requirements as a condition of participation in these extra-curricular activities. These eligibility requirements will depend upon earning and maintaining satisfactory progress in school subjects.
Eligibility Requirements
- No student shall be permitted to compete/perform who is failing two (2) or more, but less than three (3) credits, or the equivalent in partial credit courses, unless the only failing grade is in a two-credit course. Such a student will be considered “performance ineligible.” During this time the student may not compete/perform but may practice and participate in team activities.
- No student shall be permitted to compete/perform or practice who is failing three (3) or more credits. Such a student will be considered “participation ineligible.” During this time, the student may not compete/perform nor practice/participate in team activities, including team transportation and/or early dismissals for events.
- In any case, a student who fails to meet minimum PIAA eligibility requirements will be considered “participation ineligible.”
Enforcement Policy
- A student who is ineligible will be notified, along with his/her coach, by Friday.
- The period of ineligibility will be for one week, beginning Sunday through the following Saturday.
General Requirements
- In cases where a student’s work does not meet the above requirements at the end of a marking period – using the student’s marking period grades – the student shall be deemed either performance or participation ineligible. The period of ineligibility for this academic review will be fifteen (15) school days starting on the day report cards are issued. At the end of the school year, the student’s final credits in his/her subjects rather than his/her credits for the last grading period shall be used to determine his/her eligibility for the next grading period. If as a result of attending summer school the student’s average is raised to meet requirements, s/he is considered eligible and may begin participation in the fall.
- For activities that include an academic component during the school day, such as band or choir, a student who is declared ineligible will continue to participate in any regularly scheduled classes but would be subject to the above eligibility requirements for activities occurring outside the school day. A student’s nonparticipation in such activities because of ineligibility will not affect his/her regular class grade.
- Normally, an “incomplete” must be made up within ten (10) school days. However, in unusual circumstances this period may be extended with permission from the principal. “Incompletes” become effective on the day report cards are distributed, but are not considered passing or failing when determining a student’s eligibility. Students may participate in extra-curricular activities during the period of time an “incomplete” is in effect, as long as minimum PIAA requirements are met.
- The principal, athletic director, advisor and/or coach shall jointly implement this policy. In any instance, the decision of the principal as to the eligibility of a student shall govern.
PIAA Standards
- School standards cannot be less strict than PIAA standards. In any instance where they are in conflict, PIAA rules will be in effect.
- Rules you should know:
- In order to be eligible for interscholastic athletics, a pupil must have passed at least four (4) full-credit subjects, or the equivalent, during the previous grading period. Back work may be made up, providing it is in accordance with the regular rules of the school.
- In cases where a student’s work in any preceding grading period does not meet the standards provided for in the above statement, said student shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics for the first fifteen (15) school days of the next grading period beginning on the first day report cards are issued.
- Pupils who are enrolled for the first time must comply with the requirements of the curriculum rules. The standing required for the preceding week, the preceding grading period or the preceding year shall be obtained from the records of the last school which the pupil has attended.
- At the end of the school year, the student’s final credits in his/her subjects rather than his/her credits for the last grading period shall be used to determine his/her eligibility for the next grading period.
- In order to be eligible for interscholastic athletics, a pupil must have passed at least four (4) full-credit subjects, or the equivalent, during the previous grading period. Back work may be made up, providing it is in accordance with the regular rules of the school.
Verification of Continuing Eligibility
The procedure for checking a student’s continuing eligibility will be as follows:
- At the beginning of each activity, the designated coach, sponsor or athletic director must provide a list of eligible student participants to the building principal for certification. One student list shall be filed in the principal’s office and one list shall be retained for the sponsor’s files.
- Faculty members must maintain updated grade records in the district’s electronic grading system. By Thursday of each week academic eligibility will be determined for the coming week.
- The principal or designee of each school has the responsibility for determining that student participants are in compliance with eligibility requirements.
MIFFLINBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES
CODE OF CONDUCT
These guidelines apply to all co-curricular activities at Mifflinburg Area High School and Mifflinburg Area Middle School. Co-curricular activities are generally defined as, but not limited to, activities that occur outside of the school day. Students are expected to abide by the specifics of this Code of Conduct.
It is the privilege and duty of every person connected with the co-curricular program to exemplify good conduct by his/her own actions and earnestly advocate it before others. Good conduct is defined as common courtesy, following established rules, appropriate language, cooperation, self-discipline and integrity. It reveals the spirit of the individual, the organization, the school and the community at large. Students participating in sports or other co-curricular activities are expected to develop and display honorable character and citizenship at all times, as they represent the Mifflinburg Area School District within and beyond the school walls.
ACADEMICS
A primary function of public schooling is the academic development of students as individuals and as responsible citizens. Much of this learning is measured by school performance in subject areas. Therefore, in order for students to participate in co-curricular activities, a top priority must be placed on success in school coursework. MASD academic eligibility requirements comply with PIAA regulations, and are described in Board Policy #122 (Extra-Curricular Program), and referenced in the High School Student Handbook.
ATTENDANCE
Students are not permitted to participate in practice sessions or actual school events if they are absent from school that day. (Exceptions are a preplanned college visitation/testing, a school-related function, emergency or extenuating circumstance approved by a building administrator.)
Students must also be in attendance the full day of school after an event, or they will be ineligible to participate in the next event. Acceptability of any excuse will be determined by the building administrator. In this situation, any excused absence is not in question.
Any unexcused early dismissal, as specified by an administrator, will result in the student being ineligible to participate in practice sessions or actual school events that day.
Any student sent home ill from school is ineligible for all co-curricular activities that day.
PENALTIES FOR BEHAVIOR INFRACTIONS
As a representative of MASD, co-curricular participants are expected to demonstrate high standards of conduct at all times. During the regular school year, these regulations are in effect 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Fall programs that begin before the first day of school are subject to the 24-hour per day, 7-day-per-week regulation. During the summer months when students are participating in school activities under the supervision of district personnel, students will be subject to disciplinary measures dictated by Board Policy.
The principal may exclude students from any or all co-curricular activities due to serious academic problems, attendance, or disciplinary infractions which result in a suspension from school.
Any student who is suspended from school may not attend events, practices, or school-related functions, or use school facilities for co-curricular purposes during the period of suspension.
Any violation of Board Policy #227 (Drug and Alcohol Abuse) on school property or at a school event, including transportation to and from the event, will result in an immediate suspension from all co-curricular activities. This suspension will continue for a period of 60 calendar days for a first offense and 125 calendar days for a second offense. *
Any student who possesses/uses/distributes alcohol, drugs, or anabolic steroids off school property will be suspended from co-curricular activities for 21 calendar days. A second offense will result in a suspension of 60 calendar days. A third offense will result in a suspension of one calendar year. *
Any student who is engaged in criminal activity, vandalism, or otherwise brings discredit to the school through his/her actions or conduct either on or off school property will be suspended from co-curricular activities for 21 calendar days. A second offense will result in a suspension of 60 calendar days. A third offense will result in a suspension of one calendar year. *
Should this co-curricular season expire before the suspension is over, the remaining days will be carried over to the next activity in which the student intends to participate. The suspended days will only count if the student completes the season. The student is eligible to request a tryout/opportunity to participate in any co-curricular activity after the suspension period ends.
Any verifiable violation of MASD Board Policy #222 (SMOKING/TOBACCO USE) with regard to the use of tobacco or other prohibited substances by the participant will result in suspension from the next scheduled event for the first offense. A second offense will result in further discipline to be determined by the principal. *
* For items #3-6 above, the student will be referred to the Student Assistance Program (SAP). The Student Assistance Program is composed of school personnel with special training in adolescent chemical dependency, intervention, and after care. SAP teams have established school-wide intervention procedures for referring students who demonstrate problems with drugs/alcohol and other at-risk behaviors. Intervention procedures include identification of students, collection and review of pertinent data, referral for assessment and evaluation, and participation in support program. Participation in SAP-related interventions require parental permission. Students who participate in and comply with SAP recommendations will be permitted to attend and participate in team practices and meetings during the term of suspension, but will not be permitted to compete or participate in team events (minimum of 2 events) during that time.
The suspension period shall be from the date the infraction was verified. If the school year concludes before the suspension has been completed, the suspension will continue with the beginning of the fall season of the next school year. Verified offenses occurring during the summer months when the student is participating in activities under the supervision of district personnel will result in immediate suspension from co-curricular activities for 21 calendar days.
GENERAL INFORMATION
A student may not participate in a school activity without his/her own signature and the signature of his/her parent/guardian on the Code of Conduct form.
The signed Code of Conduct form will be in effect for all activities and athletics for the entire school year, and during the summer months as noted above.
It is the principal’s responsibility to enforce this policy. Appeals to his/her decision should be made to the principal in writing and should list the reasons for the appeal.
A season or activity will begin with the first day of practice and end with the day after the last event of that season or activity.