Extracurricular Activities 6-46

School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 6-46

INSTRUCTION

Extracurricular Activities

1. Generally

   Student activities are extracurricular and supplement the regular school curriculum. Student activities are voluntary and do not carry credit toward graduation. They take the form of special interest groups, honor societies, athletic teams, and other extensions of classroom work. All extracurricular activities are designed to promote character, building qualities of participation and leadership ability. Extracurricular activities and the eligibility requirements shall be approved by the Superintendent or designee as required by Virginia Board of Education accreditation standards. All student organizations and activities shall be under the direct supervision of the school principal or a designee and shall supplement the regular program of the school. They should be evaluated periodically to ensure that interruption of the instructional programs is avoided. Students should not be permitted to engage in such organizations and activities to the detriment of their classroom work.

2. Categories

   Extracurricular activities are divided into four general categories:

   1. Interscholastic and intramural athletics.
   2. Activities stemming directly from classroom studies. Examples are student government, musical productions, dramatics, debate, the school newspaper and literary publications.
   3. Activities designed to promote interest in academic achievement and/or specific subject areas. Examples are the National Honor Society and subject matter organizations.
   4. Activities which promote general educational goals and are school-oriented. Examples are service and special interest clubs.
3. Access to Extracurricular Activities

   Access to and participation in extracurricular activities shall be open to all students as provided in state and federal regulations and School Board policy Access to Programs.

4. Supervision

   The School Administration shall appoint qualified members of the faculty, or in the absence of qualified faculty members, may appoint qualified community members as sponsors for each activity. The sponsor shall be responsible for the guidance and general supervision of the activity and shall ensure that all actions conform to applicable law, policy and regulation.

5. Financial Support
   1. Partial School Division financial support. The school sponsored extracurricular activities named in Section B-1 and B-2 may receive partial financial support. Transportation may be provided, or the cost of transportation may be paid from appropriated funds.

      An estimate of funds required for each activity shall be submitted for approval. This estimate shall be submitted by the sponsor of the activity for inclusion in the individual school budget.

   2. Financially self- supporting activities. The school sponsored extracurricular activities covered in Sections B-3 and B-4 should be financially self-supporting. School transportation for these activities, however, may be requested. If it cannot be provided, then vehicular transportation may be by commercial means, or by private car under regulations established for such use.
6. Permission by School Principal

   The actions and activities of each organization must be approved by the school principal.

7. Parental Permission

   In each instance when an organization schedules an activity away from school, the parents/legal guardians of minor students will be notified, and written permission obtained when appropriate.

8. Evaluation and Approval

   The Superintendent and/or a designee shall periodically evaluate the school sponsored extracurricular activities program to ensure compliance with state accreditation standards and federal regulations.

9. Fraternities and/or Sororities

   Fraternities, sororities or any clandestine organization shall not be permitted in the School Division. Principals shall inform students that activities associated with such organizations shall be prohibited at school.

10. Restrictions

    Each principal is authorized to work out a point system regulating and limiting participation of individual students in activities and organizations.

Legal Reference

Virginia Department of Education Regulations, 8VAC20-131, et seq., as amended. Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended.

U.S. Department of Education Regulations, Discrimination on Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Prohibited, 34 C.F.R. Part 106, as amended.

U.S. Department of Education Regulations, Discrimination on Basis of Handicap in Education Programs or Activities Prohibited, 34 C.F.R. Part 100, as amended.

U.S. Department of Education Regulations, Discrimination on Basis of Age in Education Programs or Activities Prohibited, 34 C.F.R. Part 110, as amended.

Adopted by School Board: July 13, 1993 (Effective August 14, 1993)
Amended by School Board: August 23, 2022