Northside Independent School District - San Antonio, TX

Off-Campus Physical Education

Guidelines for Private or Commercially Sponsored Physical Activity Programs

1. Program Description

   The Off-Campus Physical Education Program is designed for students who are involved in private or commercially sponsored physical activity programs that lead to Olympic level participation and/or competition.

   The program is a cooperative arrangement among Northside Independent School District, the student, and an approved off-campus agency selected by the student. The student receives one-half of physical education credit per semester with the stipulation that he/she may not earn more than one and one half units of credit in physical education toward graduation requirements. A pass/fail grade will be issued by the agency and will not be computed in the student's grade point average.

2. Qualifications

   Students must meet Northside's qualifying criteria for each selected sport for acceptance in the program. In addition the student must participate in his/her selected activity, at the approved agency, under the supervision of a professional coach.

3. Activities Offered

   Activities available through the Off-Campus Program are approved by the local school board and by the Texas Education Agency. The selected activities are not offered comprehensively through the physical education or athletic departments.

4. Northside Central Office Responsibilities

   • Visit all agencies and/or coaches selected by the student to verify the program and instructor authenticity.
   • Issue final approval.
   • Monitor all agencies where students are enrolled.
   • Maintain a record of all TEA/Northside approved off-campus physical education agencies.

5. Agency Requirements

   • Sign all applications, contracts, and agreements to the satisfaction of the Northside Independent School District.
   • Provide qualified coaches/instructors who will teach required lessons and provide necessary supervision.
   • Must be located within a reasonable driving distance from student's campus.
   • Maintain an accurate record of student's attendance and return the form provided by the District at the end of each marking period. Students will hand-carry this form to his/her campus counselor.
   • Send the participation log kept by the student to the physical education coordinator on the campus.
   • Evaluate the student's performance and submit a grade recommendation of pass/fail to the physical education coordinator on the campus at the end of each grading period.
   • Inform the appropriate school authority if a student's attendance becomes irregular.

6. Student Requirements for Participation

   • Must meet Northside's qualifying criteria for each selected sport.
   • Must complete an application and return to the counselor's office.
   • Must train in the activity a minimum of fifteen (15) hours per week to receive one-half unit of credit per semester.
   • All District attendance regulations will be followed.
   • Any student abusing the program by irregular attendance will be withdrawn from the course.

7. Student Responsibilities

   • Confer with the school counselor about the plans and obtain an application.
   • Return a complete application to the counselor that has been filled out by both the student and the agency.
   • Obtain final approval for participation in the off-campus physical education program.

8. Counselor Responsibilities

   • Provide application forms and explain the program, especially student responsibilities.
   • Check each application and contract returned to verify that they are correctly filled out and complete.
   • Schedule the student for late arrival or early dismissal, subject to the principal's approval. Student may not have late arrival and early dismissal during the same semester.