Extracurricular activities are those activities that supplement the regular school curriculum, do not carry credit towards graduation, and are joined voluntarily by students. Extracurricular activities are generally developed according to the needs and interests of students and may take the form of special interest groups, honor societies, publications, athletic teams, and other extensions of classroom work.  All extracurricular activities are designed to promote character-building qualities of participation and leadership. 

All school rules and regulations are in effect during extracurricular and co-curricular activities, whether held on campus or away from school. (Co-curricular activities are activities directly related to classroom instruction, such as choral or band concerts/presentations.)  Students are not permitted to participate in organizations and engage in related activities to the detriment of their classroom work.  All student organizations and extracurricular and co-curricular activities are under the supervision of the school principal or his designee and are officially recognized and sanctioned by the Poquoson City School Board.

The School Board anticipates that students who represent the school division as participants in extracurricular or co-curricular activities will conduct themselves in a responsible and respectful manner at all times generally, and specifically abstain from the use of alcohol, tobacco products, and illegal drugs.  Further, the School Board expects coaches, activity sponsors, and administrators to work in unison to promote proper student behavior by clarifying the rules governing student participation in athletics and activities and uniformly enforcing consequences for students who fail to meet them. 

Guidelines for Student Participation in Extracurricular and Co-curricular Activities

1.             Students may not participate in nor attend extracurricular or co-curricular activities if they are under suspension for violations of the Code of Student Conduct. 

2.             The principal, the activities director, and coach/sponsor shall have the discretion to determine if a student will be permitted to participate in the next scrimmage/game/activity following the completion of a suspension.  Students on suspension for the use and/or possession of alcohol and/or illegal drugs are not allowed to participate nor attend extracurricular activities for the period of the suspension and for a period of 45 days from the time of the infraction. 

3.            The activities director will establish rules governing student participation in athletics and activities, which will be distributed and discussed with participants prior to the beginning of the activity. Students are expected to comply with these rules and may forfeit their eligibility through noncompliance.

4.             Students must attend all scheduled classes or an approved school activity on the day of competition/activity to be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities on that day.  The principal or his designee may make exceptions to this standard for students with extenuating and/or unusual circumstances.

5.           Students assigned to detention by teachers and/or administrators must report the detention to the coach or sponsor.  The principal, the activities director, an the coach/sponsor will determine if any additional action is to be taken concerning the student's participation in the scheduled activity.

6.           Students assigned to In-School Suspension lose the right to participate in extracurricular activities on each day they spend in In-School Suspension.  The student must report the disciplinary action to the coach/sponsor. The principal, the activities director, and the coach/sponsor will make a determination as to participation in the scheduled activity.

7.           Students in grades 8-12 participating in interscholastic competition in any and all activities governed by VHSL rules shall meet the eligibility requirements of the VHSL.

Eligibility Relative to Court Disciplinary Action(s)

1.            School officials may suspend a student from participation in extracurricular activities who has been charged with a misdemeanor or felony involving violence, assaults on other individuals, use or possession of a weapon(s), possession/use and/or distribution of alcohol, and/or illegal drugs until disposition of the charges by the court. 

2.           Within 48 hours of being charged with an offense described above, the student must report the incident to the coach/sponsor who will present the facts as known to the school administration to determine eligibility for participation.

3.           School officials may deny participation in all extracurricular activities to any student convicted or found "not innocent" of a misdemeanor involving violence, assault on other individuals, use or possession of weapons, use/possession and/or distribution of alcohol and/or illegal drugs. The student may appeal to the principal for reinstatement in other activities for the following semester. 

4.            Students found guilty or “not innocent of” any felony charges may be denied participation in extracurricular activities.