Extra-Curricular/Co-Curricular Activities

Co-Curricular Activities

Various co-curricular activities are available at the school.  Students may select the clubs and activities to which they choose to belong and are encouraged to participate.  When meeting conflicts occur, it may be necessary for students to limit the number of co-curricular activities to which they belong.  All students involved in co-curricular activities must abide by the Student/Parent Code of Eligibility for Extra and Co-Curricular Activities.

Extra-Curricular Activities

The following material has been provided for those students, and their parents/guardians, who have an interest in participating in an extra-curricular activity at NPLHS.  Your family’s interest in this phase of our school program is gratifying.  Participation in any extra-curricular activity provides a wealth of opportunities and experiences which assist in a student’s personal growth.  For these to be positive experiences, you must also commit yourself to certain responsibilities and obligations.  These guidelines will make you aware of specific policies that are necessary for both the overall development of the participant and the continuation of a well-organized activities program.

Philosophy

It is a goal of this District to provide each student with the opportunity to participate in a varied program of extra-curricular activities which will enhance the student's mental, physical, social and emotional development to the fullest extent of his/her abilities.

Each approved school sponsored sport or activity program shall emphasize a strong sense of good sportsmanship and fair play as an integral part of the student training which encourages athletic prowess and/or activity excellence.

Membership on an athletic team or participation in a school sponsored activity gives the student a high public visibility.  As a result, the character of the entire student body is frequently judged by exhibited behavior.  The acceptance of responsibility for exemplary behavior must be accepted by the student participant and demanded by the appropriate supervisor.

The following regulations apply to all students participating in all extra-curricular activities under the auspices of each school.  Students ruled “ineligible” may not compete in extra-curricular activities in ANY FORM - game, event, etc. - during the period of ineligibility. 

These standards are over and above those of the PIAA which must, of course, also be followed.  They are MINIMUM standards.  Coaches may enforce stricter ones if they wish and if they obtain the principal’s permission.

Athletic and School Activity Eligibility

Eligibility to participate is determined by PIAA standards.  Participants in interscholastic sports must be passing four credits.  At NPLHS, this means that a student cannot be failing more than two credits of courses.  Eligibility is determined every Thursday afternoon at the end of the school day.  When a student is failing more than two credits of courses, the dean of students reports that student to the athletic director.  The dean of students also notifies the student and informs him or her of the period of ineligibility, which is also determined by PIAA.  When students are failing more than two credits of courses at the end of a grading period, the period of ineligibility expands to fifteen days.

Each student must be covered by sufficient insurance with a family accident policy or with a school accident policy.

A physical examination is required for each sport before a student may participate.  The school provides physicians to administer the physicals prior to each season.  It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements to obtain his/her examination.

 Athletic Code

In order to give each young adult the opportunity to participate in one or more sports, the Southern Tioga School District provides a varied program of athletics for the junior and senior high school students.

All students in good scholastic standing are urged to try out for the teams.

When a student goes out for a sport, he/she must obey all regulations governing athletics at our schools.  The regulations set forth by the Southern Tioga School District are found in the next section of this handbook.  The Student/Parent Code of Eligibility for Extra-Curricular Activities should be reviewed and must be signed by both the student and parent/guardian.  These regulations were developed in conjunction with the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.  These rules and regulations must also be adhered to by all student athletes.

Some PIAA eligibility rules are as follows:

1. A member of an interscholastic team must be an amateur under nineteen years of age on or after July 1 in order to participate in a particular sport season.

2. If a pupil has been absent from school twenty days in a semester, he/she immediately becomes ineligible until he/she has attended school for sixty school days. 

3. A member of an interscholastic team must never have played on a professional team.

4. An athlete becomes professional if he/she engages in any athletic activity for money or its equivalent.

5. Any member of a high school athletic team who participates in an athletic contest as a member of a similar team the same season shall be ineligible to compete for the remainder of that season.

6. Academic eligibility is reviewed on a weekly basis.  If a student does not meet the minimum requirements for academics set forth in the Code of Eligibility, the student is deemed academically ineligible for a minimum of seven days.  

7. No pupil who has been in attendance at the school more than three years beyond the ninth grade shall be allowed to represent his/her high school for more than four seasons beyond the eighth grade in any form of athletics.

8. Post-graduates shall not be eligible.

9. A student absent from school for a full day or attending school after the beginning of the school day without proper permission from the principal will not be allowed to practice or compete in an athletic contest that day.

10. A participant ejected from an athletic contest is ineligible to compete in the next athletic contest. 

11. No student shall be eligible to represent his/her high school in any athletic contest unless he/she has been carefully examined by a school nurse, or physician, and his/her physical condition is deemed satisfactory.  A certificate to this effect, together with his/her parent’s/guardian’s consent and signed statement by the student, shall be filed in the office of the athletic director. 

12. Note that any student who is absent the day of a game, event, practice, etc. may not participate in that game, event, practice, etc.  Rare exceptions may be made for family emergencies, funerals, etc., but they will be rare and at the principal’s discretion.

Interscholastic Sports Program

This program offers students an opportunity to participate in sports against other schools in the area.  The interscholastic sports program includes:  soccer, cross-country, wrestling, track, basketball, volleyball, football, golf, tennis, cheerleading, baseball, and softball.  Many of these programs are offered at the varsity, junior varsity, and junior high levels.

A doctor’s examination is required before students will be allowed to try out for any of these sports.  Parent/Guardian consent and insurance are mandatory.

Interscholastic and Extra-Curricular Regulations for Student Participation

This program is designed to accommodate a large number of students in a variety of activities.  It is made available so that anyone wishing to participate in any of the above listed sports may do so and know that he or she will have an opportunity for worthwhile experiences.  These opportunities will be made available after the regular school hours.  We heartily encourage everyone to enjoy this program.

1. A student may not participate in a rehearsal, practice, game, match, or any school activity held in the evening of a day the student was absent from school unless prior approval for the absence has been granted by the building principal.

2. Every student participating in any activity representing the school must be in good academic standing.  This academic standing will be verified weekly, in writing, by the members of the faculty.

3. Any student wishing to participate must arrive to school on time on the day of event to be eligible to participate in a game, event, or practice, etc.  The only possible exception would be a doctor's appointment, dentist’s appointment, court appointment, emergency, etc., with prior approval by the principal.  Students who sign-out for sickness the day of a game, event, practice etc., may not participate in a game, event, or practice.  Exceptions are at the discretion of the principal.

4. Students are not permitted in the building, unless supervised by a member of the faculty (after school hours).

Player Buses

A player bus is provided by the school for those students who participate in the sport and for cheerleaders.  The following regulations in accordance with Board Policy must be followed:

1. All school bus regulations are in effect.

2. Chaperones/coaches will have full authority on the bus.

3. Cheerleaders and players will not sit together.

4. All students will ride to and from all athletic events by the mode of transportation designated by the school district.  All exceptions must be cleared by the principal and/or athletic director at least 24 hours in advance.  Any emergency situation will be handled by the athletic director or coach in charge.  Failure to adhere to this policy will result in suspension or dismissal from athletic competition.

Conduct at Athletic Events 

Students are encouraged to attend athletic events and to support their school teams, but are expected to refrain from the following:

1. Discourteous behavior towards officials or opposing team.

2. Throwing things on the field or game floor.

3. Using profanity or inappropriate cheers.

4. Smoking on school grounds.

5. Standing in the doorways.

6. Showing disrespect during the National Anthem and Alma Mater.

7. Entering locker rooms during games.

8. Throwing snowballs.

9. Tampering with vehicles.

10. Running on the floor during half-time.

11. Interfering with warm-ups.

12. Showing disrespect to any person, in any way, at any school event.

Please note: All school regulations apply at all school-related athletic events, whether these events are on school property or at other facilities.

Fan Bus Regulations

1. All high school bus regulations will be in effect.

2. Only high school students and chaperones may ride on fan buses.

3. Fan buses are organized by interested organizations.  There is a fee to ride the fan bus.  The fee is determined by the distance involved.

4. You must sign-up and pay in advance for the fan bus.  This can be done during your lunch period.  It is a first come, first served basis.

5. There will be two chaperones on all fan buses.  The chaperones will have complete authority on the bus.