Extracurricular Activities

The Charles County Board of Education extends the privilege of extracurricular activities and athletics to students who recognize their obligation to themselves, their co-participants and their school community while striving for academic excellence.

Extracurricular activities are defined as any activity pursued outside of a student’s class enrollment. Examples of extracurricular activities include athletics, clubs, and student government associations. Extracurricular programs help provide valuable experiences and are considered an integral part of the total educational program. Involvement in extracurricular activities often have a positive influence on the academic achievement of students. It is the goal of this policy to help students successfully balance academics and extracurricular activities in order to provide opportunities for a well-rounded educational experience.

Activities that support specific content curriculum would not fall under the eligibility policy as long as the student is enrolled in the credit bearing class. Examples of activities that do not fall under the eligibility criteria include fine and performing arts, J.R.O.T.C. drill competitions, and Skills U.S.A.

Extracurricular Activities and Athletics Eligibility Requirements

Grade	Eligibility Requirements
9	A student who is promoted from eighth grade to ninth grade automatically meets the GPA and attendance eligibility requirements for the first semester. Except for students promoted from eighth grade to ninth grade in their first semester, absences count against eligibility. Students who are absent fewer than 5 days from the previous quarter may be eligible without providing documentation. Students who are absent 5 or more days may provide documentation for a lawful absence within 5 days of the absence with a limit of 5 parent notes. A suspension will count against eligibility.
10-12	Students must meet local promotion standards. Students must have earned a 2.0 GPA from the previous quarter with no failing “F” grades for quarters 1, 2, and 3. Students must have earned a final 2.0 GPA with no final “F” grades for any yearlong or second semester course from the previous school year. Absences count against eligibility. Students who are absent fewer than 5 days from the previous quarter may be eligible without providing documentation. Students who are absent 5 or more days may provide documentation for a lawful absence within 5 days of the absence with a limit of 5 parent notes. A suspension will count against eligibility.

Grade

Eligibility Requirements

A student who is promoted from eighth grade to ninth grade automatically meets the GPA and attendance eligibility requirements for the first semester.
Except for students promoted from eighth grade to ninth grade in their first semester, absences count against eligibility. Students who are absent fewer than 5 days from the previous quarter may be eligible without providing documentation. Students who are absent 5 or more days may provide documentation for a lawful absence within 5 days of the absence with a limit of 5 parent notes. A suspension will count against eligibility.

10-12

Students must meet local promotion standards.
Students must have earned a 2.0 GPA from the previous quarter with no failing “F” grades for quarters 1, 2, and 3.
Students must have earned a final 2.0 GPA with no final “F” grades for any yearlong or second semester course from the previous school year.
Absences count against eligibility. Students who are absent fewer than 5 days from the previous quarter may be eligible without providing documentation. Students who are absent 5 or more days may provide documentation for a lawful absence within 5 days of the absence with a limit of 5 parent notes. A suspension will count against eligibility.

Lawful Absences as Defined by COMAR 13A.08.01.03

Illness of a student documented by a parent or doctor’s note
Pregnancy and parenting related issues
Court summons
Death of family member
Other emergency as approved by the principal
Hazardous weather conditions
Work approved or sponsored by the school
Observance of a religious holiday
State of emergency
Lack of authorized transportation

The Superintendent shall adopt rules concerning how a student’s absence during a school day affects the student’s ability to participate in extracurricular and/or athletic activities that school day.

In addition, the following guidelines will be adhered to when determining eligibility for each quarter:

Except for students promoted from eighth grade to ninth grade, students who wish to participate in fall extracurricular and/or athletic activities will need to meet eligibility requirements based on their final grade-point average at the end of the previous year.
Except for students promoted from eighth grade to ninth grade, students who wish to participate in winter extracurricular and/or athletic activities will need to meet eligibility requirements based on their first quarter grade-point average.
Students who wish to participate in spring extracurricular and or athletic activities will need to meet eligibility requirements based on their second quarter grade-point average.
Except for students promoted from eighth grade to ninth grade in their first semester, if a student received a failing grade in quarters 1,2, or 3, she/he is ineligible for the remainder of the season, for post-season play, and for the following quarter.
Students academically ineligible at the end of the school year due to a failing grade may regain eligibility by attending and passing any/all summer school class(es) that caused the student’s ineligibility. Students may regain eligibility only by taking the same summer school class to improve a failing grade or the corresponding equivalent that meets graduation requirements. Grade point average requirements will be recalculated after the completion of summer school.
Summer school classes taken for original credit do not count towards or against eligibility.
Students cannot gain or regain eligibility at interim or at any time during the quarter and/or season.