504 - Student Activities

504 - Student Activities dawn.gibson.cm… Fri, 06/12/2026 - 14:07

504.01 - Student Government

The student council provides for student activities, serves as a training experience for student leaders, promotes the common good, gives students a share in the management of the school, develops high ideals of personal conduct, acts as a clearinghouse for student activities, seeks to interest students in school district affairs and helps solve problems that may arise. Members of the council are student representatives who have direct access to the administration.

The principal, in conjunction with the students and licensed employees, will set forth the guidelines for the student government's elections, operations, and other elements of the government.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8

I.C. Iowa Code Description
Iowa Code § 279.8 Directors - General Rules - Bonds of Employees

Approved: 7/18/2016, 9/20/2021, 2/25/2026
Reviewed: 1/28/2026
Revised: 1/28/2026

dawn.gibson.cm… Fri, 06/12/2026 - 14:07

504.02 - Student Organizations

Secondary school student-initiated, noncurriculum-related groups and student curriculum-related groups, upon receiving permission from the principal, may use school facilities for group meetings during non-instructional time.

Non-instructional time will mean any time before the first period of the day and after the last period of the day in which any student attends class. Meetings will not interfere with the orderly conduct of the education program or other school district operations. It is within the discretion of the principal to determine whether the meetings will interfere with the orderly conduct of the education program or other school district operations. Activities relating to and part of the education program will have priority over the activities of another organization.

Curriculum-Related Organizations

It will also be the responsibility of the principal to determine whether a student group is curriculum-related. One or more of the following questions will be answered affirmatively if the group is curriculum-related:

Is the subject matter of the group actually taught in a regularly offered course?
Will the subject matter of the group soon be taught in a regularly offered course?
Does the subject matter of the group concern the body of courses as a whole?
Is participation in the group required for a particular course?
Does participation in the group result in academic credit?

Secondary school curriculum-related student organizations may use the school district facilities for meetings and other purposes before and after the instructional school day. Employees are assigned to monitor approved meetings and may interact with curriculum-related organizations.

Noncurriculum-Related Organizations

Student-initiated, noncurriculum-related organizations are provided access to meeting space and school district facilities.

Only students may attend and participate in meetings of noncurriculum-related groups. Such attendance is strictly voluntary and student-initiated. As a means of determining whether a student's attendance is voluntary, the principal may require parental consent for the student to attend the meetings.

Employees will be assigned to monitor approved meetings. Employees will not participate in the meeting or assist in planning, criticizing, or encouraging attendance. Only students may be involved in and attend the noncurriculum group's meetings.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

I.C. Iowa Code                          Description
Iowa Code § 287                       Societies and Fraternities
Iowa Code § 297.9                    Schoolhouses/Sites - Use Other than Schools Purposes

U.S.C. - United States Code Description
20 U.S.C. §§ 4071-4074 Education - Equal Access

U.S. Supreme Court Description
496 U.S. 226 Westside Community BOE v Mergens (1990)

Case Law Description
Bender v. Williamsport Area CSD 741 F.2d 538 (3d Cir. 1984) vacated and remanded on other grounds, 475 U.S. 534 (1986).
Westside Bd. of Education v. Mergens 496 U.S. 226 (1990)

Approved: 3/25/2026
Reviewed: 2/25/2026
Revised: 2/25/2026

dawn.gibson.cm… Fri, 06/12/2026 - 14:09

504.04 - Student Performances

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.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy. In developing the administrative regulations, these guidelines should be followed:

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.

L egal Reference: Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988).
Iowa Code §§ 280.13-.14. 281 I.A.C. 12.6.

I.C. Iowa Code Description
Iowa Code § 280 Uniform School Requirements

I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code Description
281 I.A.C. 12.6 General Accreditation Standards - Activity Program

U.S. Supreme Court Description
484 U.S. 260 Hazelwood School District v Kuhlmeier (1988)

Case Law Description
Hazelwood School Dist v. Kuhlmeier 484 U.S. 260 (1988)

Cross References 503.04 Good Conduct Rule

Approved: 7/18/2016, 9/20/2021, 2/25/2026
Reviewed: 1/28/2026
Revised: 1/28/2026

dawn.gibson.cm… Fri, 06/12/2026 - 14:12

504.06 - Student Activity Program

Participation in school activities is a privilege. School activities provide the benefits of promoting additional interests and ability in the students during their school years and for their lifetime.

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. If the activity is an intramural or interscholastic athletic activity, students of the opposite sex will have a comparable opportunity for participation. Comparable opportunity does not guarantee boys and girls will be allowed to play on each other's teams when there are athletic activities available that will allow both boys and girls to reap the benefits of school activities, which are the promotion of additional interests and abilities in the students.

The North Tama County Community School District supports the option of eighth grade students participating in varsity level athletic contests only. Varsity level competition is defined as a starter on the varsity team or an individual that will play more than 50% of all contests. In addition, varsity level competition competes in sanctioned, post season events for any given activity.

Students in eighth grade will have the option of participating in varsity level athletic contests with the approval of the school district eligibility committee. The first step in the process is for the Varsity Head Coach to acquire written parent permission and approval to proceed with the consideration of their eighth grade student participating at the Varsity level. The process will continue with a recommendation made to the Activities Director from the Head Varsity Coach of the sport in question. At this point, a few guiding questions will be documented to determine the next steps. Following this recommendation and as needed, a committee of five individuals will be formed, including the athlete's parent. Any eighth-grade student will be eligible to participate in varsity level athletic contests with the approval of the committee. An eighth-grade student who is allowed to participate at the high school level can no longer participate on an eighth-grade team in the same sport during the same season. Students may not compete in both programs during the same sport season. Any eighth-grade student participating in high school athletics must meet the annual athletic physical examination requirements and academic requirements applicable to all high school level student athletes. The superintendent, in collaboration with the high school principal and athletic director, will develop administrative regulations and procedures necessary to administer this policy.

Student activity events must be approved by the superintendent unless they involve unusual travel expenses, in which case the board will take action. The events must not disrupt the education program or other school district operations.

A high school student who participates in school sponsored athletics may participate in a non-school sponsored sport during the same season.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for each school activity. These regulations will include, but not be limited to, when physical examinations will be required, how and when parents will be informed about the risk of the activity, academic requirements, and proof of insurance on the student participating in certain activities. Students wanting to participate in school activities must meet the requirements set out by the school district for participation in the activity.

Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1683; 1685-1686.

34 C.F.R. Pt. 106.41

Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 280.13-.14.

281 I.A.C. 12.3(6), 12.6., 36.8.

I.C. Iowa Code Description

Iowa Code § 216.9 Unfair/Discriminatory Practices

Iowa Code § 280 Uniform School Requirements

I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code Description

281 I.A.C. 12.3 Administration

281 I.A.C. 12.6 General Accreditation Standards - Activity Program

281 I.A.C. 36.8 Eligibility Requirements

U.S.C. - United States Code Description

20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 Education - Sex

20 U.S.C. §§ 1685 Education - Authority

C.F.R. - Code of Federal Regulations Description

34 C.F.R. Pt. 106.41 Education - Athletics

Cross References Description

507.09 Wellness

507.09-R(1) Wellness - Regulation

Approved: 7/18/2016, 9/20/2021, 2/25/2026, 8/19/2026

Reviewed: 7/22/2026

Revised: 7/22/202

dawn.gibson.cm… Fri, 06/12/2026 - 14:15

504.06-R(1) - Student Activity Program - Regulation

The North Tama County Community School District, guided by HF 2591, will support eighth-grade participation for varsity level athletic competition to support program needs and long-term sustainability, as well as consider the individual abilities of a student-athlete. In years when participation numbers affect a team's ability to field a competitive roster or sustain the program, an eighth-grade student may be considered for varsity participation. These decisions will be made carefully and only when they support the continued success and viability of the athletic program while maintaining meaningful opportunities for student development at both the junior high and high school levels.

To ensure consistency, fairness, and transparency, North Tama will follow the protocol outlined below before any eighth-grade student is approved for varsity level competition.

The head varsity coach determines that a program need exists and recommends the eighth-grade student for varsity consideration.
The first question to be asked before moving forward in this process is: Will this student-athlete be a starter on the team 50% or more of the time? If the answer is No, then the student remains at the JH Level; If the answer is Yes, the student athlete being considered will move on in the process.
An Eligibility Committee meeting will be scheduled and involve the head coach, the junior high coach of the activity, the Activities Director, the parent(s)/guardian(s), and an administrator.
The Eligibility Committee will review the student's athletic ability, physical readiness, academic standing, emotional maturity, safety considerations, and the anticipated impact on both the junior high and varsity programs.
The Eligibility Committee will make the final determination regarding varsity participation. The student athlete must receive at a minimum of 3 of the 5 votes. The decision of this committee will be final and not subject to appeal.

North Tama believes junior high athletics are an essential part of developing fundamental skills, confidence, teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship. Whenever possible, students should continue to compete at the junior high level, where they receive valuable playing experience and opportunities for growth. Varsity participation by an eighth-grade student should occur only when it clearly benefits both the student and the overall sustainability of the athletic program.

By establishing this process, North Tama Community School District seeks to comply with Iowa law while maintaining local control over athletic participation decisions. Our commitment is to provide equitable opportunities for student-athletes while preserving strong junior high and high school programs for years to come.

Approved: 8/19/2026

Reviewed: 7/22/2026

Revised: 7/22/202

maria.yuska@n-… Thu, 09/10/2026 - 08:30