HIGH SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY

The athletic program will make every effort to complement the school mission in achieving academic excellence. Athletics are an integral part of the educational process and will help support the school's overall curriculum. Participants will be considered student-athletes rather than just students or just athletes. The coaching staff is to keep constant watch on the development of the student-athletes in the classroom as well as in the athletic arena. The State Board of Education as mandated by the Arizona State Legislature requires that each school district must have in place a "NO PASS NO PLAY" policy. Athletics, speech, theater, music, and spirit-line are all defined as extra-curricular activities that fall under the "NO PASS NO PLAY" policy. In order to represent the Deer Valley Unified School District in an extra-curricular activity, the student and the parent/guardian shall be notified when:

• Ineligibility is pending
• Ineligibility is determined to be necessary.

Support services shall be made available to students who become ineligible for extra-curricular programs, as well as students notified of pending ineligibility. The same general standards shall apply for Special Education students, except that such eligibility shall be determined on a case-by-case basis in relationship to the respective student’s Individual Education Program. In implementing this policy, the following clarifications apply to all students:

• During an appeal process for loss of credit, the student will be ineligible for extra-curricular activities.
• A student must maintain enrollment in five classes.
• Exception: Seniors, who have sufficient credits to graduate, may enroll in as few courses or classes as needed for graduation credit.
• Ineligibility is declared on Friday and the student-athlete is ineligible Monday through Saturday the following week.
• All A.I.A. sponsored activities are covered by this policy.
• Student-athletes may be allowed to practice during periods of ineligibility.

   

  7-8 ELIGIBILITY

  In accordance with the State of Arizona’s regulations and Deer Valley’s Governing Board Policy, only those students deemed academically eligible may participate in extra or co-curricular activities. Athletic Eligibility will be determined every week by the Administration and Athletic Coordinator starting the first Monday after the week of tryouts. If a student-athlete is failing a class (Minimum of 1 F), they will be put on a pending academic list for one week. During this pending period, the student-athlete will still be considered on the team and allowed to participate. If a pending student-athlete is still failing a class (Minimum of 1 F) the following week, the student-athlete will be put on an ineligible list for one week. During this ineligible period the student-athlete will still be considered on the team, allowed to practice, but not allowed to participate in games or travel with the team to away contests. If the student-athlete has a combination of three occurrences during a season (Pending or Ineligible), then they will be dismissed from the team. This will be considered the three strike rule. If a student-athlete is put on the academic pending list, a letter will be sent home with the student-athlete. If a student-athlete reaches the level of strike two (a combination of pending or ineligible), the coach should make direct contact with the parent/guardian to inform them of their student’s academic eligibility status.

  Grade checks will be run by Administration and/or the Athletic Coordinator using power schools every Monday morning and the pending/ineligible time period will be Monday-Saturday. Grades are considered for all classes with no exceptions, and it is not looked at on a class to class basis. In the case of a teacher error, then that situation will be dealt with on an individual basis.

  Students assigned to OCR/ISS or students who are suspended from school may not participate in any team practices/games from the time of their assignment to OCR/ISS or home suspension until the day following their last day of assignment to OCR/ISS or home suspension. It is the responsibility of the coach to assure that no students assigned to on campus suspension or home suspension be allowed to participate.
  

  Students and parents should be aware that if the student is medically excused from participating in regular physical education classes, they could be ineligible for participation in school athletic programs as stated on the medical excuse from the parent or doctor.
  
  All students are eligible the 1st Monday after the last day of a quarter. Grade checks will not be concluded until the 3rd week of a new quarter.