Activities

Philosophy

The High School Co-Curricular Program provides a sense of well-being and belonging through activities which encourage group and individual participation and generate a climate of interest, cooperation, acceptance, respect and enthusiasm. Integrating and representing different nationalities and cultural backgrounds is emphasized. Aspects of the program reinforce the importance of community service, meaningful contact with the host country, leadership opportunities and student initiative.

Clubs and activities

The HS Club Program is a dynamic element of the JIS High School co-curricular experience that provides students with opportunities to explore personal interests, build new friendships, and develop leadership skills. The Club Program encompasses a range of options: Service Clubs, Student Government, Special Interest Clubs, Sports Clubs and Honor Societies.

We offer two club sessions per year, one per semester. To launch the Club Program, we begin each session with a Club Fair. Club members and the club advisor sponsor a table, offer information about their club’s goals and activities, and encourage new members to sign up. Faculty are encouraged to get involved by helping with an existing club or starting a new one. 

Activity Club Deadlines for AY 26/27

Activity Club SOPs

All of our Activity Club Standard operating procedures can be found at this link. 

IASAS Cultural Programs

October - Play/Musical

November - MUN, THIMUN, Art & Film

March - Music, Dance/Drama/Tech, Speech & Debate

IASAS cultural programs eligibility

IASAS eligibility rule I.b states that all delegates must be enrolled in a school approved music course, music elective, or performance ensemble. It also allows IASAS schools to make individual exceptions. At JIS exceptions are typically students who will breach our 45 block limit if they are formally enrolled in an IASAS class. In these cases and these cases only, students wishing to be eligible for IASAS can audit the appropriate class within their honor passes in order to be considered for selection. 

Competitive robotics

The above JIS audit practice also applies to our Competitive Robotics students who can audit Robotics 3 in order to be considered for selection for the competition team.

Athletics/Activity Coaches & Club Advisors Term + Method of Selection

Vacancies are posted by email to all JIS teachers:

• After a Coach or advisor has served for three consecutive years

• After a Coach or advisor completes a shorter term

• When a Coach or advisor departs JIS

Whenever possible, the school tries to appoint all coaches for a given year in May of the previous year to aid in planning.

Any JIS staff member may apply. An individual may reapply upon completion of a term. All appointments are on an annual basis, but if an existing coach is invited to continue for up to three years the position is not advertised, as there is no vacancy.

The Head of Athletics and Activity coordinators appoint coaches or advisors in consultation with the High School Principal. Applications are considered, and a shortlist is drawn up. If needed, candidates are interviewed, and all applicants are notified of the decision. If there are no applicants, the Head of Athletics / Activity coordinator canvasses the faculty for possible coaches. Throughout this process, the high school principal is briefed on developments.

Practice & Rehearsal Policy

Varsity:  Athletics, IASAS Activities, and Creative Arts Production & Performances  

• Maximum 10 hours a week, no more than 5 sessions (including games/performances)

• A participant is required to attend a minimum of 80% of practices, rehearsals, games or performances.

• Sessions may occur after school, evenings, mornings and or Saturdays.

• In order to participate in a game, practice, rehearsal or performance a student must be in attendance for at least 2 classes of the school day.

• Students may not attend activities after 10:00 PM on a school night (Sunday to Thursday).

• PLC time on Friday mornings is not to be used for practices or rehearsals. 

Junior Varsity    

• 7-8 hours a week, no more than 4 sessions (including games/performances)

• Same conditions apply as for Varsity.

Freshman/U-15 Athletics

• 6 - 7 hours a week, no more than 4 sessions (including games/performances)

• Same conditions apply as for Varsity.

Clubs                     

• 1 - 2 sessions a week

• Club meetings are held after school from 3:15 - 5:15 PM.

Policy for Rehearsals in preparation for Creative Arts Showcases

• Only one after school rehearsal per group is allowed the week of the performance

• In the case of groups combining (e.g. Strings/Choir), then it is possible to meet twice (e.g. Tuesday and Friday).

Academic & Behavioral Eligibility

Students participating in Varsity and Junior Varsity Athletics and Activities are required to maintain a satisfactory academic and behavioral standing in all classes. Students may be ineligible under certain circumstances and the following steps should be taken: 

1. If a faculty member feels that a student is starting to display a “pattern of behavior” which will result in a grade which is failing or well below the student’s ability level, they are asked to contact the coach or Head of Athletics / Activities coordinator.

2. If the Head of Athletics / Activities coordinator is contacted, s/he will notify the appropriate coach who must then discuss the situation with the student.

3. If the pattern continues, a meeting will be arranged with the student, the coach, the faculty member in question, the Associate Principal for Student Affairs and the Head of Athletics / Activities coordinator.

In the majority of cases, this process will help the students to bring their academic coursework up to an acceptable level and allow them to continue to participate. However, there will also be instances when continued participation will be denied.

Exceptions must be approved by the Principal, Head of Athletics / Activities coordinator and the student’s guidance counselor in consultation with the coach.

Travel

One week before traveling, the Head of Athletics / Activities coordinator will email a list of students and chaperones travelling to all staff.

Students are asked to see each of their teachers to complete the Student Assignment Reminder Form prior to departure for the trip. Although students are encouraged to complete this form, it is not mandatory. By getting this form signed the students have ensured their right to assignment and homework extensions. By not filling in this form a student forfeits their rights to the extensions. 

Travel: Tests / Quizzes / Assignments

For students travelling on co-curricular programs no make-up work or assessments will be required until the second day back (e.g. Sunday return, assessment is allowed on Tuesday). Please see the AP for Curriculum and Learning if clarification is needed.

For students “at home” (e.g. when we host events at JIS) students would not be eligible for extensions/changes to assessment dates after the activity. 

Travel: IASAS

Students may miss up to 3 days of classes to participate in an IASAS tournament or conference.

Travel: Exchanges (Pre-IASAS)

Students may miss up to 1-2 days of classes to participate in an Exchange.

Travel: Activities (non-IASAS; examples: AMIS, THIMUN)

Students may be away for up to 3 days of class. 

Clubs

Clubs should not require travel during school days. Please contact the Activities coordinator if a club would like to apply for an exception to this policy. 

Major Productions

No Tests, quizzes or assignments may be due for cast / crew or orchestra participants the Monday after their weekend performances. Please see the AP for Curriculum and Learning if clarification is needed.

Off-campus Behavior Policy (in Student Handbook) 

As a student in the JIS High School, there is an expectation that certain behaviors are adhered to. When a student is on campus, involved in school activities and on school transportation, the student handbook which includes student guidelines and consequences and the code of ethics are clear about these expectations.

However, as a student at JIS the HS Administration may become involved in off-campus behavior, which may lead to disciplinary consequences if the following occurs:

• If your behavior off campus negatively affects other JIS students, and is reported to an administrator

• If the behavior brings disrepute to the school or JIS community

• If the behavior is considered ‘at risk behavior’ and needs to be reported to family or other support persons

Violations of IASAS Guidelines

When a student commits an infraction relating to alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse, cheating, deceit, disrespect, flagrant curfew / “off limits” areas violations, as well as aiding and abetting any of the above, the following shall apply:

1. The student may no longer participate in that convention.

2. The student will be sent home at his/her parents” expense if it is feasible to do so.

3. Upon return to school, the following consequences will apply:

   1. Appropriate counseling will be required.

   2. The student will be required to spend all free periods and breaks (including lunch breaks) in a supervised environment. This consequence will last for 20 school days following the determination of the infraction of the IASAS rule.

   3. The student must leave campus at the end of the regular school day and may not come to school on weekends/holidays for a period of 40 instructional days. Any exceptions must have administrative approval, i.e. additional study, band concert, curricular trips.

   4. The student will be excluded from co-curricular activities for a period of 40 school days following the determination of the infraction. The student will be excluded from any IASAS season/activity that begins within this 40-day period.

   5. Consequences related to third sport season infractions may carry over to the following school year in cases of late discovery.

   6. Revocation of IASAS Awards: Students will be ineligible for any awards pertaining to the activity.

   7. Other individual school’s consequences: Depending on the severity and specifics of the infraction, individual IASAS schools may levy other consequences as per their school policy / handbooks, e.g. out-of-school suspension, exclusion from all IASAS events for one year.

4. For a second offense, the student will automatically be excluded for one calendar year from all IASAS events, including the same convention the following year.

5. If at any time a student is suspended from further competition or involvement in an event, then the only results affected will be those happening after the infraction, and all pre-infraction results will stand.

6. Consequences will be carried over if the student transfers to another IASAS school (Section E.p.1.13 of the IASAS Handbook). The trip administrator will enforce the policies as stated in the IASAS Handbook. Coaches should be familiar with and supportive of these policies. If you have any specific questions regarding this aspect of coaching, please ask for a clarification before you travel.