Adopted: July 1999
Revised: July 2021
Download 640.2.3AR - Home School Student Participation in Cocurricular Activities
1. Definition
1.1 In accordance with state law, extracurricular (known as cocurricular in District 196) activities, have all the following characteristics:
1.1.1 They are not offered for school credit nor required for graduation;
1.1.2 They are generally conducted outside school hours, or if partly during school hours, at times agreed by the participants, and approved by school authorities, and
1.1.3 The content of the activities is determined primarily by the student participants under the guidance of a staff member or other adult.
1.2 In accordance with Policy 604, Cocurricular Student Activities, student cocurricular activities are also defined as district-sponsored and directed athletic, fine arts and academic activities for which the student receives no credit toward graduation, which are designed to provide opportunities for students to improve skills through group or individual activities at school and public events.
2. Student Eligibility
2.1 District 196 resident students who attend approved home schools and are in compliance with the Minnesota Compulsory Instruction Law may participate in cocurricular activities at District 196 schools. To be eligible, a student must attend home school on a full-time basis or attend home school along with shared time courses in a public school.
2.2 When participating in one or more cocurricular activities, home school students will be subject to all the same school and district policies, fees, time lines, eligibility requirements, regulations and rules which apply to public school students, including student rights and responsibilities, and attendance and performance expectations.
2.3 Other non-home school students enrolled in nonpublic schools are not eligible to participate in District 196 cocurricular activities except through a cooperative sponsorship approved by the Minnesota State High School League.
3. Registration Process
Inquiries regarding participation in cocurricular activities shall be directed to the director of community education.
3.1 Inquiring home school students will be sent a registration form (District Procedure 640.2.3P, Registration Form for Home School Student Participation in Cocurricular Activities) and a copy of this regulation by the director of community education.
3.2 Each completed form shall be sent by the home school to the director of community education.
3.3 After confirming the home school status of the student, the director of community education will forward the registration form to the public school in the attendance area of the home school student.
3.4 After receiving the registration form, the school will contact the home school student with details about participating in the requested cocurricular activity, including time lines, eligibility requirements, fees, etc.
4. Transportation
4.1 Home school students who participate in public school cocurricular activities are eligible for district transportation from home to school if they are at an existing bus stop at the regularly-scheduled bus stop time, if space is available on the bus, if they get off the bus at the regularly scheduled stop and if they meet district policy guidelines for distance from school.
4.2 Home school students who participate in public school cocurricular activities are eligible for district transportation from school to home if they are at the regularly scheduled school bus departure location at the time the bus leaves, if there is room on the bus, if they get off the bus at a regularly scheduled bus stop and if they meet district policy guidelines for distance from school.
4.3 Transportation arrangements will be made by the Transportation Department, at the request of the home school.
5. Attendance Area
Home school students must participate in cocurricular activities at the public school in their attendance area.
Reference:
- Minnesota Statute 123B.49, Extracurricular Activities; Insurance
- Minnesota Statute 123B.36, Authorized Fees