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SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17109

POLICY

 ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

It is the belief of the Susquehanna Township School District that extra-curricular activities are an important component of the school system. In order for the student to receive academic eligibility to participate in any interscholastic sport and/or extra-curricular activity sponsored by the Susquehanna Township School District, the following criteria must be met. In the case of the National Honor Society and other activities with higher academic standards, the guidelines of the organization supersede the District’s eligibility requirements.

Students participating in interscholastic athletics must also meet all requirements established by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (Article IX of the “By Laws”). Students who do not meet the district standards will not be permitted to participate in performances, games or programs associated with the extra curricular program unless they regularly and successfully attend the district’s Academic Assistance Program as described in the steps below. 

Interscholastic Athletic Academic Eligibility

1)    The athletic department will complete end of the marking period grade checks. PIAA standards require that an athlete be passing at least 4.0 credits in order to remain eligible. If not passing the minimum 4.0 credits the student-athlete shall become ineligible to participate in any contests and scrimmages for a period of 15 student school days. This period of 15 days begins the first student school day report cards are issued. In the case of end of year class failures the days will carry over into the subsequent school year. The student-athlete remains eligible to practice but must attend AAP at least twice a week during the 15-day period.   Failure to comply with AAP requirements will result in further ineligibility until compliance is met. 

2)    The athletic department at the end of each week will also complete in-season weekly grade checks. Students failing 2.0 or more credits will become ineligible to participate in any contests and scrimmages during the following week. At this time, the student-athlete must also be passing the minimum 4.0 credits as required by the PIAA, if not he/she becomes ineligible for a one-week period. The PIAA establishes the athletic week to run from Sunday through Saturday. The student-athlete remains eligible to practice but must attend AAP at least twice during the one-week period. Failure to comply with AAP requirements will result in further ineligibility until compliance is met.

Approved by the School Board – August 29, 1988

Amended by the School Board – September 30, 1996

Amended by the School Board – June 24, 2002

Amended by the School Board – April 28, 2008

Susquehanna Township School District considers non-athletic, extra-curricular activities to be an integral part of its educational program; therefore, these programs should be readily accessible to the student body.   As with athletics, academic eligibility would not affect attendance at regular meetings. Students would follow the guidelines below for eligibility for competitions, performances, and non-curricular field trips.

Marching Band, because of its competition status, would be treated the same as sports teams. Members would appear on a weekly eligibility report. If students are failing two or more credits, they would be required to attend AAP and be able to practice, but would not be able to participate in performances that week.

                                Quiz Bowl, because of its competition status, would be treated the same as sports teams. Members would appear on a weekly eligibility report. If students are failing two or more credits, they would be required to attend AAP and be able to practice but would not be able to participate in competitions that week.

              Musical/Drama Club participants would be subject to weekly eligibility once practices start. Members would appear on a weekly eligibility report. If students are failing two or more credits, they would be required to attend AAP and be able to practice. If a student is failing two or more credits for the two consecutive weeks prior to the performance, students would not be able to participate in the performances.

              Club/Organization Field Trip participants would be required to meet eligibility requirements if the field trip would cause students to miss class time. The advisor would be required to check student eligibility for two weeks prior to the date(s) of field trips. If a student is failing two or more credits, he/she would not be eligible to participate in these outside activities.

Additional Points of Clarification 

1)    The Academic Assistance Program (AAP) will be offered at least two days per week after school at the Middle School to all students attending grades six through eight. The High School program, which is offered to the entire student body, will operate at least three days per week after school and an evening program will be provided (up to two nights per week) if there is sufficient demand and if staffing is available. Late bus transportation will be provided for after-school AAP participants. The participants must provide transportation to and from evening sessions.

2)    If for some reason afternoon AAP sessions are canceled during a given week, making it impossible for a student to attend the required number of sessions, the student may not be penalized as a result.

3)    Ineligible students may not be credited with attending two AAP sessions in one week by attending two on the same day. Students must attend the sessions on two different days during a given week.

4)    A student who is a member of an extra-curricular activity which is an extension of the regular school curriculum; ie., marching band, chorus, and receives a grade based, in part, on his/her participation in a performance will be permitted to perform as long as he/she attends in a satisfactory manner, two AAP sessions per week. Students failing to meet the District’s eligibility requirements who fail to meet AAP requirements may not participate in performances and may be graded accordingly.

5)    Students who fail to meet the District’s athletic/extra-curricular requirements, as a result of poor grades on their final report card of the school year, may attend an approved summer school. These earned grades will be utilized in upgrading a student’s academic standing insofar as eligibility is concerned. Grades received through private tutoring will not be utilized in upgrading a student’s academic standing insofar as eligibility is concerned.

6)    The eligibility requirements presented in this document will go into effect on the first day of the school year.

7)    At the beginning of the school year, Middle School and High School students will be apprised of the new athletic/extra-curricular eligibility standards at class level assembly programs. Essential elements of the extra-curricular eligibility policy will be placed in the District Calendar and in the Student-Parent Handbook.

Definitions:

AAP Teacher/Facilitator – These individuals will be hired to supervise and provide individualized and small group academic assistance to students choosing or required to attend the Academic Assistance Program (AAP). The teacher/facilitators also monitor student behavior, study habits and general effort during the sessions, and will complete required paperwork associated with the program. They will be certified teachers.

Academic Assistance Program (AAP) – A program open to all students seeking after school academic help or desiring a positive after-school study environment. It will be held in designated areas of both the Middle School and the High School. Individual sessions may be canceled at the discretion of the principal.

Inter-scholastic Sport – A sport sponsored by the District and sanctioned by the PIAA.

Extra-curricular Activity – Any School sponsored activity or program, which occurs beyond the normal school day for which the Susquehanna Township School District employs personnel to direct or supervise the activity. This includes inter-scholastic sports.

Satisfactory Manner – The student to receive a satisfactory completion of an AAP session must be on time for the session, prepared with learning materials and assignments, behave in an acceptable manner and utilize the entire session for study related activities. Students performing in this manner will receive an “A” (acceptable) evaluation from the teacher/facilitators and students not performing in this manner will receive a “U” (unacceptable) evaluation.

POLICY AMENDMENT AUGUST 29, 1988 RELATING TO ELIGIBILITY FOR ELEMENTARY BAND AND ORCHESTRA

Participation in extra-curricular band and orchestra in the elementary school shall be contingent on the following conditions:

a.            Grades of “C” or better in reading and mathematics and no more than one “N” in any other subject.

b.            Consistent attendance at weekly lessons.

c.            Evidence of preparation/practice between scheduled lessons.

Conferencing between instrumental teachers, parents and students will occur prior to any dismissal from program.