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Show -Future Of Extra- Curricula "Activities Still Undecided i By TO BLSSELBERG fii North Countv Editor 2 : FARM1NGTON -- Extra-curricular activities are often one urea parents and i heir children agree upon-thcy want them. JK JL'ST HOW they should fit in to the school day. if they should J3jil all. is stj --up jn the air." with a proposal to limit athletic and specialty performance" classes during the regular school day I up for discussion in the Nov. 20 Davis School Board meeting, 'l 'i At that 7 p.m. session, a proposal from the state board of -ri 9ducation-appointed student activities study commission wll be discussed by the live member board of education, their input then Agoing to stale officials for action potentially before year's end. : j THAT SCENARIO was painted by Board Member Ray Bris-pc Bris-pc who has attended related Utah School Board Activities - Assoc. meetings and presented the report. The recommendation ys "the integrity of the daily instructional program should be strengthened and preserved by limiting the number or excluding jJclasses devoted to specialty performing groups, competitive ' J7;sPWs teams and vocational leadership clubs or organizations." H says further that such ekisses "in recent years" have allowed home schools" to bypass UHSAA starting and stopping dates or some activities-sports "thus adding to unfair competition - between schools." Noting further that the practice places "an overemphasis on winning." it said further such required classes have sometimes "reduced options some students have for a more diverse high school education." THE RECOMMENDATION goes on to say that since it's "questionable" all local school boards will limit or exclude such classes "due to local pressure." the state board of education should adopt a policy "outlining what classes will not be acceptable accept-able as part of a high school's curricular offering." with the committee calling that "one way to bring a degree of uniformity and fairness back to high school competition." That proposal was one of 10 covering: interruption of the school day; travel for student activities: costs to students and parents: role of the UHSAA; activity seasons length: standards and guidelines for coaches and activities leaders: number of student activities in which a student may be involved: teacher absences from the classroom: administrative leadership and stu- dent activities. THE COMMITTEE reviewed a 1978 student activities report from Utah schools, held public hearings and surveyed high school studentbody presidents and followed recommendations from two 1983 education reform reports that included: "Encour- Continued on page 2 School District Ponders p Extra-Curricular Events Continued from pg. 1 ' I age schools and school districts to schedule extracurricular acti- TtY vities outside school hours." lif j Among activity-related recommendations being reviewed. Dr. ' I Briscoe said, was the possibility no athletic activities would be - held at night if a school day followed, such as with Tuesday night . s$HE basketball. He said it was hoped "schools would inform students " that their academic (pursuits) are being disrupted" and "leave it ;'Bour to parents." . . :hI;iv HE SAID, local school boards are supposed to discuss the A athletic-special performance proposal and pass on findings for a 'nt state board decision adding. "I think they would move (on thai) this year" pushing need for discussion at next month's only board ; M ' meeting. "Wc would ask the administration to discuss this with the " appropriate groups such as PTA and principals." Board Pres. Shcryl Allen said, emphasizing feelings expressed in the report that "activities are essential but we need to put them into pers- A pectlvc-" ' ' 'fill,, THE "COSTS to students and parents" proposals included 1 possibily setting a monetary limit that could be spent for banc ;) uniforms, for example, "even though some people are giving ;0ou substantial donations." Dr. Briscoe said. That proposal calls for ( local boards taking an "aggressive role in placing a reasonable , a, ceiling on amount spendable for cheerleader, pep club, flag . stat tw irlcr. drill team and other costumes. ;is In the "out of state travel" recommendations, efforts at limit- ; mg such travel for music, forensic and drill team groups may 'CIt mean a need to "consider upgrading, adding to. or initiating competition within the state." REFERRING further to out of state trips it's recommended . ub that be limited to non-instructional days and "should clearly bea planned educational experience - not just a trip." ,. J hltorts to extend activity involvement to more students should ; t be stressed, the student activities recommendation said, with j,; en, primary responsibility for setting a limit on number of activities i:U pursued left to the student and parents although districts are I I encouraged to prepare guidelines giving "realistic help." In addi- , er tion a study s proposed to upgrade minimal academic require- ments necessary to participate in student activities. c hvc - i.?G student activit'es possibly one of education's "best ; : shonM i " -!iU8gfSMed l0cal scho1 bcards of the Legislature 12 i f Crffu 0r partial fundin8 to relieve students an program- fund'raisin that oi' interrupts instructional |