File: JJ - CO-CURRICULAR AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES File: JJ - CO-CURRICULAR AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIESThe School Committee believes that student activities are a vital part of the total educational program, and that activities should be used as a means for developing wholesome attitudes, good human relations, knowledge, and skills. Therefore, the schools will provide a broad and balanced program of activities geared to the various ages, interests, and needs of students.
The following will serve as guides in the organization of student activities:
1. The schools will observe a complementary relationship with the home and community when planning activities with due regard for the widespread and rich facilities already available to students.
2. The assistance of parents/guardians in planning activity programs may be encouraged.
3. The goal for each student will be a balanced program of appropriate academic studies and activities to be determined by the school, the parents/guardians, and the student. This should be a shared responsibility.
4. Guidance will be offered to encourage participation of all students in appropriate activities and to prevent over-emphasis on extracurricular activities at the cost of academic performance.
5. All activities will be supervised, and all clubs and groups will have an advisor designated by the Principal.
6. Participation by students in programs of extra-curricular school-based activities including interscholastic athletics is a privilege, and such participation shall be subject to the approval of the school principal and in compliance with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) guidelines, if applicable.
7. Student participants in any Framingham Public School extracurricular activity must recognize that they represent their school, and that their behavior reflects on the school and the community.
Athletic and Co-Curricular Eligibility
Athletics and Co-curricular activities are privileges in the Framingham Public Schools. Participants are required to be in good standing with regard to academics, attendance and student wellness. Standards for participation are outlined below. School Administration reserves the right to deny participation on an individual basis for failure to meet these standards. For a more complete description of MIAA athletic eligibility, please refer to www.miaa.net
Academics
To be eligible to participate in co-curricular activities, students must have earned: passing grades in at least four (4) courses or the equivalent in the term immediately preceding participation in the activity. For the purpose of this policy, major subjects are defined as courses in the English, History and Social Science, Mathematics, Science, and World Language departments, or other courses at the discretion of the school principal. To be eligible to participate in athletics students
must meet the academic requirements as outlined and mandated by the MIAA and are included in the FPS Athletics Handbook and reviewed and approved annually. If a student does not achieve the MIAA standard, the student will be entitled to appeal to the Principal or their designee to discuss options for practice or an appeal to the MIAA for a hardship waiver through the MIAA Eligibility Appeals Board. Students and parents/guardians will be notified of ineligible status with a designation on the term report cards, however they are encouraged to work with teachers to proactively monitor academic progress and standing throughout each term. If a student is ineligible for co-curricular activities,they may not participate in meetings, rehearsals, or any club-sponsored activities.
Attendance
A student who is absent, suspended in-house, or suspended out of school may not participate in a game, rehearsal, practice, event, or meeting held on that day without the grade administrator's permission. If this occurs on Friday, the student may not participate in any activity held on Saturday or Sunday without the grade administrator's permission. For purposes of attendance, students must be present for at least half of the school day (7:25 am-10:45 am, or 10:45 am - 1:55 pm) to be considered present for that day. Students with extenuating circumstances who will be absent for more than half the day must request prior approval from their grade administrator to participate on that day.
LEGAL REF.: M.G.L. 71:47
603 CMR 26:06
REF: FPS Athletics Handbook
This policy was updated and approved by the Framingham School Committee in Open Session on February 5, 2025.