Extracurricular activities contribute to the positive overall development of students.  It is the mission of this academic policy to use extracurricular activities as a means of promoting, supporting, and maintaining acceptable academic standards. This policy applies to all student members in clubs, sports and extracurricular activities. Students may attend as spectators regardless of academic status provided they follow the Code of Conduct. However, disciplinary actions such as ISS and OSS restrict a student from spectating.

Participation

This procedure affects all students who are participating in extracurricular activities, clubs or groups including, but not limited to:

• Allusions
• Art Club
• Athletics
• Color Wars
• Community Service
• Debate Club
• DJ Club
• FBLA
• Pride Coalition (formerly GSA)
• INTERACT
• Liberty Performing Arts
• MathCON
• National Honor Society
• National Art Honor Society
• Photo Club
• Science Olympiad
• Ski Club
• Stage Crew
• Student Council
• Student Liaison
• Weight Room
• Yearbook

Fundraisers

If any of the extracurricular activities, clubs, or groups listed above conduct a fundraiser, its members must be academically eligible to participate in hosting the event. Only students in good academic standing may attend and participate in the fundraiser.

Academic Review

All Liberty students will have their marking period grades reviewed every two and a half weeks to determine their academic standing. The teachers, coaches, and advisors will receive a copy of the student’s grades to assist in identifying students who need to improve their academic performance.

Although all of our athletically eligible students should be taking a full course load including Physical Education, please take note that according to NYSED and NYSPHSAA, “A contestant must be a bona fide student of the high school represented and must be taking at least four subjects including Physical Education.” If a student is not meeting this requirement they are ineligible to participate in our athletic programs. Please help us in being prudent to this regulation.

Levels of Academic Standing

Eligible

• For students failing 0 subjects at the time of the academic pull:
  • Students may fully participate in all activities.

PROBATIONARY

• For students failing 1 subject at the time of the academic pull:
  • Students may fully participate and should make every effort to seek extra help during and/or after school.

INELIGIBLE

• For students failing 2 or more subjects at the time of the academic pull:
  • Any student that is ineligible may not attend extracurricular events. Students may not participate in extracurricular activities or events.  Students in activities may attend practice only if they attend extra help each day with a teacher(s) for the classes they are failing. This extra help may take place any time during the school day or from 3:00 until 4:00 p.m. Students are required to bring proof of extra help, to practice.
    • Note from teacher  (Coach may not have access to email before practice)
    • Coaches keep the notes as documentation of extra help

Additional Policy Procedures:

• All reported grades will reflect the student’s current marking period average.
• The failure list will be generated through SchoolTool.
  • Students will be notified by their coach and notices will be distributed in the homeroom.
• Students are urged to check their grades through the Student Portal of SchoolTool.
• Students may try out and practice over the summer.  Once school is in session, students may continue to practice as long as they attend extra help and bring proof to practice. If the student passes the courses in summer school, their status will be changed on the academic pull during the final week of August after all grades and Regents are submitted. If these terms are not met, the student may not play until after the first regular school year academic pull in September.
• The coach or advisor must turn in a complete roster once the club or team members have been chosen.
• A student that is ineligible may not leave the study hall except to get help from their academic teacher.
• Students may appeal their level of academic standing within 2 days of the list being published by filling out an appeal form and submitting it to the appeal committee.
  • The Appeal Committee will be made up of the following members:
    • The Athletic Director, 1 Administrator, 3 Faculty Members
    • The Committee will meet once per eligibility period and according to the schedule devised.
  • Students will be notified of their standing with an Academic Eligibility Notification Form in the Homeroom.
  • Students can complete the Appeal Form located in the Main Office
    • Must be within 2 days of being notified
  • Student returns completed Appeal Form to Main Office
  • Appeal Committee meets, reviews and makes a decision based on evidence
  • Appeal Committee completes bottom of Appeal Form
    • Makes a copy
    • Appeal Form is given to their Homeroom teacher to return to students
    • List of Appeal decisions emailed out from the Committee to staff so they are aware of the updates.

Procedures for Academic Eligibility Appeal Forms

Academic Pulls, Appeals, and Committee Meeting Schedule –  Academic Eligibility Appeals Due and Committee Meeting

• September 20, 8 a.m. – September 25, 3:15 p.m.
• October 11, 8 a.m. Progress Report – October 16, 3:15 p.m.
• October 25, 3 p.m – October 30, 3:15 p.m.
• November 15, 8 a.m. Report Card – November 20, 3:15 p.m.
• November 29, 8 a.m. – December 4, 3:15 p.m.
• December 20, 8 a.m. Progress Report -January 2, 3:15 p.m.
• January 10, 8 a.m. – January 16, 3:15 p.m.
• January 31 8 a.m. Report Card – February 5, 3:15 p.m.
• February 14, 8 a.m. – February 21, 3:15 p.m.
• March 6, 8 a.m. Progress Report – March 11, 3:15 p.m.
• March 20, 8 a.m. – March 25, 3:15 p.m.
• April 17, 8 a.m. Report Card – April 22, 3:15 p.m.
• May 1, 8 a.m.  – May 6, 3:15 p.m.
• May 15, 8 a.m.  Progress Report – May 20, 3:15 p.m.
• May 29, 8 a.m. – June 3, 3:15 p.m.