Student organizations or student government may be formed within any building of the District by working with the building principal.  The purpose of such student groups is to enhance communication between the students and professional staff, enhance school spirit and expand opportunities for enrichment experiences for students.

The board shall approve any student organizations and student government.  The superintendent shall determine qualifications and regulations for student groups and make recommendations to the board for groups seeking approval.  Regulations and policies for student groups shall always remain the province of the board and administration.

Each student group shall be directed or guided by a certified school employee.  Funds collected by any student group shall be deposited in the student activity fund at the earliest opportunity, and shall be controlled similarly to other school funds. 

(April 6, 1981, March 15, 2010; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

Students may produce official school publications as part of the curriculum under the supervision of a faculty advisor and the principal.  Official school publications include material produced in the journalism, newspaper, yearbook, or writing classes and distributed to the student body either free or for a fee.

Any expression made by students, including student expression in official school publications, is not an expression of official school policy.  The school district, the board, and the employees or officials are not liable in any civil or criminal action for any student expression made or published by students unless the employees or officials have interfered with or altered the content of the student speech or expression.  The liability, if any, is only to the extent of the interference or alteration of the speech or expression.

Official school publications are free from prior restraint by employees or officials except as provided by law.  A faculty advisor will supervise student writers to maintain professional standards of English and journalism and to comply with the law including, but not limited to, the restrictions against unlawful speech.  The production of official school publications is guided by the law and by the ethical standards adopted by professional associations or societies of journalism.

Persons, other than students, who believe they have been aggrieved by student expression in a student-produced official school publication may follow the student complaint process.  Students who believe their freedom of expression in a student-produced official school publication has been restricted may follow the student complaint process.

The superintendent is responsible for developing a student publications code.  This code will include, but not be limited to, reasonable rules including time, place, and manner of restrictions.  The superintendent will also be responsible for distributing this policy and the student publications code to the students and their parents.

(August 19, 2019)

Student expression, other than student expression in student-produced official school publications, made on the school district premises or under the jurisdiction of the school district or as part of a school-sponsored activity may be attributed to the school district; therefore, student expression must be responsible.  Student expression must be appropriate to assure that the students learn and meet the goals of the school activity and that the potential audience is not exposed to material that may be harmful or inappropriate for their level of maturity.

Students will be allowed to express their viewpoints and opinions as long as the expression is responsible.  The expression will not, in the judgment of the administration, encourage the breaking of laws, defame others, be obscene or indecent, or cause a material and substantial disruption to the educational program.  The administration, when making this judgment, will consider whether the activity in which the expression was made is school-sponsored and whether review or prohibition of the students’ speech furthers an educational purpose.  Further, the expression must be done in a reasonable time, place, and manner that is not disruptive to the orderly and efficient operation of the school district.

Students who violate this policy may be subject to disciplinary measures.  Employees are responsible for insuring students’ expression is in keeping with this policy.

(April 18, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

The Board believes school activities promote additional interests and abilities in the students during their school years and for their lifetime.  School activities may also contribute to the students’ mental and physical growth as well as provide interaction in group activities.  Participation in school activities is a privilege, and students should have an opportunity to participate in and reap the benefits of them.

All student activities affiliated with the school must be under the direction of school personnel.  Student activity events must be approved by the superintendent unless they involve unusual travel expense, in which case the board will take action.  The events must not disrupt the education program or other school district operations.

Every student shall be encouraged to participate in at least one school-sponsored activity or contest.  Any eligible student may elect to participate in the extra-curricular activities of the student’s choice.  No coercion shall be used to force a student to participate in an activity.  A student shall not be required to participate in one activity in order to be eligible to participate in another activity. 

Students will have an opportunity to participate in a school activity unless the activity is not offered or the student cannot participate for disciplinary reasons, including behavioral and academic ineligibility.  All students will have a comparable opportunity to participate in student activities.  However, comparable opportunity does not guarantee boys and girls will be allowed to play on each other’s athletic teams when there are athletic activities available that will allow both boys and girls to reap the benefits of school activities.

Students wanting to participate in school activities must meet the requirements set out by the school district for participation in the activity.  No student shall participate in an athletic practice or contest without filing a doctor’s certificate of good health.

A student participating in interscholastic athletics shall provide evidence of suitable accident insurance, with medical and hospital benefits, before he/she begins practice.  The school will make available to each student an insurance program via an insurance company licensed to provide insurance coverage in Iowa.  Student participation in this program is voluntary.  However, a student who participates in interscholastic athletics shall be adequately insured.  Failure of an athlete to carry school insurance will require a written statement signed by guardian or parent relieving the school district of any and all responsibility due to an injury or death as a direct consequence of interscholastic athletics.  Athlete, as defined here, means all students who participate in interscholastic athletics. 

(December 21, 1987, March 15, 2010; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

Students, as part of the education program, may participate in contests or other public and private events approved by the superintendent that will be of benefit to the student and the education program.  Performance at such events is a privilege.

Students, who perform at such events, serve as ambassadors of the school district and must conduct themselves in the same manner as required in the regular school day.  Students who fail to abide by this policy and the administrative regulations supporting it may be subject to disciplinary measures. 

Students will be allowed to perform in these events only with proper permission and supervision and when the events do not disrupt the education program or other school district operations.  The events must be approved by the superintendent, unless it involves unusual travel and expense, in which case the board must approve of the performance.

In determining whether to approve a student performance, the superintendent shall consider the following guidelines:

• Performances by student groups below the high school level should be allowed on a very limited basis;
• All groups of students should have an opportunity to participate; and,
• Extensive travel by one group of students should be discouraged.

It is within the discretion of the superintendent to determine whether the event will benefit the education program and the participating students.  Contests or other performances by students unapproved by the superintendent are the responsibility of the parent and the student.

(August 19, 2019)

Students may participate in social events approved by the superintendent that will be of benefit to the student and the education program.  Attendance at such events is a privilege.

All social events shall be under the control and supervision of school personnel.  Approval for an event shall be secured from the principal of the building involved before making any public announcement.  Hours, behavior, and activities related to social events shall be reasonable and proper as determined by the administration.  Only those persons who can be expected to recognize the authority and responsibility of the school personnel shall be permitted to attend social functions.  The school retains the right to require anyone to leave for inappropriate or unacceptable behavior.

(April 6, 1981, March 15, 2010; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

The Board’s belief is that students need a night during the week that is set aside as family night.  During the school year, September 1^st to June 1^st, Wednesday night shall be set aside as family night. 

School district employees shall not plan, organize or sponsor activities that involve students after 6:00 P.M. on family night.  Exceptions to this practice are limited to the following:

1. Varsity football practice will be extended to 6:30.  If any varsity football player needs to ride the bus, he will be excused by 6:00 p.m.
2. Activities that are planned or organized by a control board such as the Girls or Boys Athletic Union are exempt from this restriction.  The policy is also waived when students are on an overnight activity approved by the Board of Education.

(March 20, 1989; December 16, 1991, March 15, 2010; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

While trips of an educational nature are desirable, it is suggested that trips involving the loss of school time be avoided, unless equal results cannot be achieved by scheduling the trip during vacation or summer.

Excursion trips should be defined as a trip by a school club, class or organization that is educationally justified.  Excursion trips that extend beyond the normal school day, but would not involve overnight lodging, shall be authorized at the discretion of the principal.  Overnight trips involving students of the South Tama County Community Schools are subject to the following procedures and guidelines:

1. Except in unusual circumstances, each overnight trip must be approved through channels by the Board of Education in advance.  For routine (as defined below) overnight trips in cases where time is a factor approval may be granted by the Superintendent and must be presented to the Board at the next regular board meeting.  To assure timely approval, the approval process should be initiated well in advance so that all channels can be approached and the regular Board meeting pattern is observed.  Insufficient time to process requests may cause otherwise meritorious requests to be turned down.  Requests for approval are to be channeled as follows:
   • Complete a formal request and gain approval from the Building Principal (forms may be developed for trips that are not part of the perennial state series of competitions).  Requests should identify the grade, class, or club organization which must appropriately identify the group.  The number of students should be specified and the trip itinerary shall be completed.
   • Following Principal approval, submit the request to the Activity Director (reminder that fund raising activities for trips and other purposes are to have advanced Activity Director approval).
   • The Activity Director will submit formal request to the Board for approval or may authorize the sponsor/coach to submit the request.  Such requests are to be made through the Superintendent.
   • Board action on perennial requests such as state series competition will normally be acted upon in the meeting in which presented.  Other requests will usually be discussed at one Board meeting and voted for approval at the next regular meeting.

2. All trips known or reasonably anticipated for the school year should be submitted to the Board during the September or October Board meetings.  This includes all the possible state competitions that might involve over-night stays during the year.

3. Federal law requires that any trip involving school transportation out-of-state must have an identifiable educational purpose.

4. Use of school vehicles requires an adult, non-student, driver subject to administrative approval.  Strong preference is that the driver(s) be regular school employees.

5. A partial listing of criteria for approval of overnight trips includes:

• Trips which are in-state have priority over out-of-state trips.
• Routine Activities are Activities sanctioned by the state activities organizations or regents or mainstream collegiate organizations, and have a preference over other activities when part of the state series.
• A Non-Routine Activities request should include a written statement of:
  • Educational purpose(s) or goals, benefits, an/or expectations.
  • School equipment or transportation requested (out of pocket expenses will be an activity cost).
  • Preparatory or follow-up activities that are planned.
  • Method of financing the trip.
  • Method of selecting participants.
  • Number and tentative identification of adult sponsors.
  • Itinerary.
• Activities which significantly provide monetary or other rewards for the coach/sponsor(s) will be discouraged.
• Trips which are inclusive for all members of an identifiable group (team, club, band, etc.) are favored over those which exclude members.
• Equitable access based upon clearly publicized criteria for exclusion is desired.
• High cost activities and activities for which lack of financing is a reason for exclusion are discouraged.
• Regular trips in the “field trip” category are discouraged as overnight trips.
• Normally Non-Routine trips are not to cause students to miss school for more than one day.

(June, 1986; November 17, 1997; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

The school district will provide a program that establishes honors and awards including, but not limited to, academic letters, scholarships and good citizenship awards for students to assist students in setting goals.  Students are made aware of honors and awards and the action necessary on the part of the student to achieve them.

Any regularly enrolled student may be considered for honors or awards awarded by the school.  Qualifications for such awards shall be established by professional school personnel who have been delegated the responsibility by the superintendent or the building principal.  The superintendent or the building principal shall publish the systems by which awards are determined.

(April 6, 1981, March 15, 2010; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

Students who have successfully completed high school shall be granted diplomas.  If a student desires to be excused from graduation activities, he/she may make application to the high school principal stating the reasons.  Students may be prohibited from attending graduation ceremonies as a matter of discipline or failure to comply with school rules. 

(April 6, 1981; June 15, 1992, March 15, 2010; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

Student groups may make expenditures for gifts to the district upon securing the recommendation of the building principal and the approval of the superintendent.  Gifts may be accepted and acknowledged by the superintendent or his designated representative acting for the board. 

(April 6, 1981; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)