2430 - DISTRICT-SPONSORED CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
The Board believes that the goals and objectives of the District are best achieved by a diversity of learning experiences that take place both in and outside of the classroom. To achieve this goal, the Board encourages students to form clubs and activities that will enhance their educational experience. To assist students in furthering this goal, the Board shall sponsor three (3) types of clubs and activities: school-sponsored curricular clubs, co-curricular clubs, and interscholastic extra-curricular activities.
The following criteria should be used to differentiate between a school-sponsored curricular club, co-curricular club, and interscholastic extra-curricular activity from that of a non-school sponsored student club or activity.
School-sponsored curricular clubs are defined as clubs whose activities are based on:
- subject matter that is actually taught as the primary topic of a course or will be taught in a regularly offered course;
- subject matter that relates to the District's composite courses of study;
- participation that is required for a particular course;
- participation that results in academic credit.
No curricular-related activity shall be considered to be under the sponsorship of this Board unless it meets one (1) or more of the criteria stated above and has been approved by the Superintendent.
- Co-Curricular Clubs and Interscholastic Extra-Curricular Activities
The policy of the Board is to maintain a co-curricular club and interscholastic extra-curricular activities program sufficiently varied to meet the wide range of vocational, recreational, social, and cultural needs and interests of the students. School administrators should use the following criteria in accepting a co-curricular club or interscholastic extra-curricular activity as District sponsored:
- Co-Curricular Clubs
The school may establish co-curricular student clubs associated with national organizations such as the National Honor Society, student government, debate teams, intramural activities, Vocational Industrial Club of America (VICA), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), robotics teams, etc. To be sponsored, these clubs must use students' knowledge of the curriculum to develop and expand their critical thinking, athletic ability, leadership ability, post-secondary educational, and employability skills. In order to remain members, student participants must continue to meet all of the eligibility criteria and abide by the principles and practices established by the club, team, or the organization. In order to be sponsored by the Board, student clubs and their national organizations shall not show an allegiance to or preference for or against an individual's race, age, national origin, gender, gender orientation, religion, creed, disability, or social economic status. - Interscholastic Extra-Curricular Activities
The school may also establish interscholastic extra-curricular activities. These activities must fall under the guidance and direction of the Florida High School Athletic Association to be considered sponsored by the District. In order to be eligible for any interscholastic extra-curricular activity, a student must have maintained at least a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average. In the event that the interscholastic extra-curricular athletic activity requires a limited number of players, the coach or other leader of the particular activity has the flexibility to allow or terminate a student's participation based on fitness, ability, or other similar criteria.
- Co-Curricular Clubs
Students shall be fully informed of all school-sponsored curricular clubs, co-curricular clubs, interscholastic extra-curricular activities, and non-district sponsored student clubs available to them and of the eligibility standards established for participation in these activities. District-sponsored activities shall be available to all students who elect to participate and meet eligibility standards.
The District defines school-sponsored curricular clubs, co-curricular clubs, and interscholastic extra-curricular activities as activities that are conducted on or off school premises under the supervision and guidance of a staff advisor. School-sponsored curricular clubs, co-curricular clubs, and interscholastic extra-curricular activities may also receive funding from the District for their meetings, activities, and competitions. The staff advisor may provide services for the club during their normal workday as well as receive compensation for their involvement in the clubs' activities after their normal workday ends.
School-sponsored curricular clubs, co-curricular clubs, and interscholastic extra-curricular activities shall require a fiscal account to be established that must comply with the District's financial and bookkeeping controls established by the office of accounting services. Each advisor assigned to school-sponsored curricular clubs, co-curricular clubs, and interscholastic extra-curricular activities shall provide a periodic update to the principal on the fiscal status of the club and their activities.
Nonschool-sponsored student clubs or activities are clubs whose activities fail to meet any of the criteria listed above. Some of these clubs include, but are not limited to race, or gender-related clubs, surf clubs, religious clubs, etc.
The Board shall allow non-school sponsored student clubs or activities during non-instructional time, in accordance with the provisions in Policy 5730 - Equal Access for Nonschool-Sponsored Student Clubs or Activities. These clubs may use the name of the school when it is required or necessary to distinguish it from other such clubs in relation to competitions or other types of events. The use of the school name is not intended to show the club falls under the control, supervision, direction, guidance, or sponsorship of the Board. Non-school sponsored student clubs or activities fiscal accounts are not controlled or accounted for by the District.
The Board shall allow non-school sponsored student clubs or activities to use its facilities for meetings. The requirements for the use of District facilities by nonschool-sponsored student clubs or activities can also be found in Policy 5730 - Equal Access for Nonschool-Sponsored Student Clubs or Activities. The school principal may assign a staff member to attend and supervise a nonschool-sponsored student club or activity in a custodial capacity.
District employees or agents of the District may participate in non-school sponsored student clubs, but may only do so before or after their normal working hours. At no time shall employees or agents of the District that participates in a non-school sponsored student club indicate or imply to anyone that their participation in club activities shows that the club or their participation with the club is sponsored by the Board. Employees or agents of the District wishing to attend such a club during their non-working hours must certify in writing to the school principal, students in the club, and to the parents/guardians of students in the club that they are doing so as a private citizen and that they are not acting in their official capacity as an employee, agent, or representative of the Board. If an employee or agent of the District attends a non-school sponsored student club during their non-working hours, the principal shall not allow them to act as the custodial supervisor for the club and as such shall assign another staff member to act as the custodial supervisor during meeting or activities on campus.
Non-school sponsored student clubs or activities fiscal accounts are not controlled or accounted for by the District.
- Forming Clubs
All clubs should provide the school principal with the following information prior to the start of student participation:
- purpose and rationale for the club
- intended outcomes for students
- participation requirements
- plan of operation
- costs to participate and/or fund-raising activities anticipated
- persons in charge
- assure that the club will adhere to school/student conduct rules, the laws of the United States, the State of Florida, and/or the District
The school principal will evaluate each request for a club and list it as either a "school-sponsored curricular club", "co-curricular", "interscholastic extra-curricular club", or "non-school sponsored, student club or activity". Each school principal shall provide a listing of all clubs meeting at their school to the Office of Risk Management on an annual basis. Parents will be informed about the nature and purpose of the curricular and extra-curricular clubs and activities in their child's school.
- Operating Guidelines for School-Sponsored Clubs
The principal shall prepare and publish operation procedures for all co-curricular clubs and interscholastic extra-curricular activities that ensure that:
- students participate in ways that do not interfere with their academic programs;
- the safety and welfare of the student are adequately safeguarded;
- all activities have proper faculty planning, direction, and supervision;
- faculty members and students are encouraged, but not required, to attend activities involving student performances;
- each activity is assessed continuously, relative to its stated purpose and goals;
- building facilities and equipment are being used safely and as intended, and being maintained in proper condition.
Nonschool-sponsored activities and/or clubs initiated by parents or other members of the community may be allowed under the provisions of Policy 7510 - Use of District Facilities.
The Board, however, will not:
- assume any responsibility for the planning, conducting, or evaluating of such activities;
- provide any funds or other resources;
- allow any member of the District's staff to assist in the planning, conducting, or evaluation of such an activity during the hours s/he is functioning as a member of the staff.
Nondistrict-sponsored outside organization, parent, community member activities or clubs may not use the name of the Board or any other name, which would associate an activity with the District.
This policy applies to secondary-age students. Primary-age schools are not bound by this policy, but should use this policy as a guide when operating clubs in their schools.
The Superintendent shall develop and update, as needed, administrative procedures to implement this policy.
Revised 3/23/04
Revised 4/12/05
Revised 3/12/24
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