Policy 632-R Extra-Curricular Non-School Sponsored Independent Provider and School-Sponsored Community Education Clubs Teams and Activities Regulations

The purpose of this policy is to provide criteria and rationale for the school district’s Community Education Youth Enrichment Program to recognize designated student activities and approve eligibility to award lettering through the use of a non-school sponsored independent provider and
school-sponsored Community Education teams/clubs.

A non-school sponsored independent provider is an individual, group, or organization that provides an opportunity for district students to participate in a community or local area extracurricular program that is not offered and/or sponsored currently by the district.

1. The independent provider activity may not duplicate an existing school district activity and must follow all district policies, specifically including but not limited to Policy 510/510R (Student Sex Nondiscrimination).

2. To be recognized as a Wayzata Public Schools Independent Provider, participants in the program must be fully enrolled students in grades 9-12. Students below grade 9 are not eligible to letter through this program. Non-public and homeschool students may participate in approved independent provider activities to the same extent they would be allowed to participate in District sponsored activities in accordance with Policies 626 and 630/630R.

3. There must be a team component and public competition involved for an activity to qualify under this policy. In order for members to be recognized, they must be full-time students in grades 9-12 in the District or as described in District Policy 630/630R: Home Schooling.

4. The independent provider will assume full responsibility for and control of the club/team/activity and its operational activities both organizationally and financially.

1. An individual, group or organization interested in applying for independent provider status must obtain an application packet from the Enrichment Programs Manager, complete the application packet, submit additional background information, and return it by the stated deadline. Renewal applications and compliance information must be annually completed and submitted to the Enrichment Programs Manager by the stated deadline. The independent provider status and benefits will terminate unless the renewal is approved annually by the Enrichment Programs Manager.

2. The application and relevant materials must be completed and submitted to the Enrichment Programs Manager for review by the designated date as determined by the Enrichment Programs Manager. The Enrichment Programs Manager, working with the appropriate parties, will review the application, decide whether an independent provider status will be granted, and ensure the school board is informed of new independent providers. The Enrichment Programs Manager will notify the provider of the District’s decision. The Enrichment Programs Manager may request additional information and/or an in-person follow-up meeting.

3. It is the responsibility of the independent provider to collect and submit all materials outlined in the application including, but not limited to: registration forms, administrative fees (if applicable), and other program-related information. Guidance relating to fees can be found in Policy 620/620R, Student Activity Fees.

4. All students participating in the approved activity are responsible for knowing and following school district rules and policies concerning student activities including, but not limited to: attendance, conduct, academic eligibility, and all other district eligibility requirements (see Policy 502/502R, Policy 513/513R, Policy 524/524R, Policy 528, and Policy 621/621R). Students will be disciplined for infractions consistent with those applicable to school sponsored events. Enforcement of District policy is delegated to the independent provider. There is no appeal process to the activities department; it is the responsibility of the independent provider to create its own appeal process. If District policies are not enforced, the club/team/activity may not be eligible for independent provider renewal.

In the event of a Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) by-law violation, the student’s participation in an independent provider program does not satisfy MSHSL consequence obligations. It is possible a participant could serve a consequence for independent provider activity and future school-sponsored and/or MSHSL activity for any given MSHSL by-law violation.

5. The independent provider is expected to review each policy noted on the final page of this policy. All District policies can be found on the District’s website under “School Board.” Further, the independent provider is expected to ensure understanding of the District’s hazing, sexual, racial, religious, harassment, and violence prohibition policies by all personnel who will be working with the students.

6. The independent provider will provide to the district a certificate of liability insurance in amounts no less than those stated in Chapter 466 of Minnesota Statutes, naming the district as an additional insured party.

7. The independent provider will provide proof of adequate workers’ compensation coverage to the district for any employee it has who provides services associated with the approved activity.

8. The independent provider will provide the district with completed background checks and certificate of concussion training for all coaches, advisors, employees, or volunteers with the independent provider. Such background checks will be of a type acceptable to the District. The independent provider will cover the costs and any related incidental expenses to the background checks.

9. All costs for the independent provider will be covered by the independent provider and/or participants. Dependent upon availability and through following District facility use policies, the independent provider may rent District facilities for practices and/or games/contests as outlined in Policy 920.

10. Independent Providers will be allowed to use the Wayzata Public Schools official logo, nickname, mascot, and school colors for their activities, but may not in any way suggest and/or represent the activity or program as school or district endorsed. All written or recorded communications (regardless of form) must include the following statement:

“This activity is not sponsored by Independent School District No. 284. Wayzata Public Schools has no responsibility or liability for this program or activity.”

Independent providers who do not use the disclaimer may be subject to legal action and may be denied continued use of District facilities or immediately lose their status as an independent provider. The independent provider must immediately cease using the official logo, nickname, mascot, and school colors upon the termination of independent provider status.

11. In order for participants in an independent provider activity to qualify for a Wayzata High School letter “W,” the independent provider must (1) have written lettering criteria meeting the requirements of this policy, (2) that are approved by the Enrichment Programs Manager and Activities Director/Designee, and (3) are in place prior to the start of the season applicable to that particular activity. The independent provider’s coaches or advisors will determine, subject to District approval, specific lettering policies for their activity. The independent provider’s coaches or advisors will develop and communicate to the participants and their parents’ baseline expectations that incorporate, but are not limited to, the following components: academics, behavior, participation, and citizenship/community service. The minimum requirements for lettering are:

a. The individual participants must have a time commitment of at least 150 hours, similar to other district activities in which a letter may be earned.

b. The participation must be at a level that is considered comparable to high school varsity competition.

c. The independent provider club/team/activity must have a competition component, some part of which must be held in Minnesota, must be against other high school programs or clubs, and must be organized in such a way that the general public is aware of and may attend if they choose. The competitions must use a set of standardized rules or guidelines for play/participation, teams must be able to compete against other teams of similar age, and there must be officials or judges who apply a standard set of judging criteria.

12. An approved independent provider will be recognized by the District as a club/team/activity eligible for lettering. That approval does not sanction the club/team/activity as District sponsored and does not provide access to the following, but not limited to: yearbook, pep fest, recognition at
School Board meetings, etc.

13. At the conclusion of the season, the independent provider will provide the Enrichment Programs Manager and the Activities Director/Designee with its awards list. Purchase of the chenille letters (“W”) are the responsibility of the independent provider. It is the responsibility of the independent provider to distribute letters to students.

14. Approval as an independent provider will be effective for one calendar year or one season as determined by the Enrichment Programs Manager and the Activities Director/Designee.

1. Community Education clubs/teams/activities are considered school sponsored and eligible for lettering provided they meet the following criteria:

a. Organized by Community Education’s Youth Enrichment Programs staff

b. Sponsored by Community Education

c. Does not duplicate existing District activity

d. Composed of current student body members

e. Meet the interests of the school or community

f. Follows all District policies

g. Meet the lettering requirements listed in item #11 above

2. All students will be responsible for knowing and following school district rules and policies concerning student activities including, but not necessarily limited to: attendance, conduct, academic eligibility and all other district eligibility requirements (see Policy 502/502R, Policy
513/513R, Policy 524/524R, Policy 528, and Policy 621/621R). Students will be disciplined for infractions consistent with those involved with other district sponsored events. In the event of a Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) by-law violation, participation in a Community Education team/club/activity does not satisfy MSHSL consequence obligations. It is possible a participant could serve a consequence for the Community Education activity and future school-sponsored and/or MSHSL activity for any given single MSHSL by-law violation.

• Policy 502/502R: Student Discipline
• Policy 513/513R: Hazing Prohibition
• Policy 524/524R: Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Student Behavior Policy
• Policy 528: Bullying Prohibition
• Policy 620/620R: Student Activity Fees
• Policy 621/621R: Interscholastic Athletics
• Policy 622: Student Organizations
• Policy 626: Non-Public Student Participation
• Policy 630/630R: Home Schooling
• Policy 920: Use of District Facilities and Equipment

• Adopted: December 10, 2018
• Last Reviewed: December 10, 2018

• Policy 632 - Extra-Curricular Non-School Sponsored Independent Provider and School-Sponsored Community Education Clubs Teams and Activities