IX. Extra-Curricular Activities/Athletics

Philosophy of Student Activities at Weston High School
The Extra-Curricular Activities program at Weston High School directly supports the mission statement of the school in that it:

1. Challenges students to excellence in academic, civic, cultural, and recreational pursuits;

2. Promotes a climate of respect, support, and appreciation for community;

3. Provides students with opportunities to grow and develop new skills in the unique environment that is a school;

4. Affords the students leadership opportunities that call on and help develop collaborative skills;

5. Allows students an alternative to the traditional athletic program;

6. Endeavors to provide an outlet for inter-class contact and communication, thereby building a sense of community within our community

Philosophy of Athletics at Weston High School
At WHS, we consider athletics an integral part of the educational experience.  Athletics provides opportunities that will help students develop physically, mentally, and emotionally.  We view the competition of athletics as a healthy educational and physiological activity because it challenges each student to excel, to discover his or her physical limits, and to work cooperatively with team members.  While winning is a natural goal in the pursuit of excellence, the principles of good sportsmanship and enjoyment of competition take precedence at all times and enhance the educational value of contests.
 

Participation Requirements
Students must meet the following participation requirements to be eligible to participate in any student group in which a student tries out, auditions, is elected, is nominated or represents the school in a public forum. 

A. Academics
A student must maintain the following standards:

1. Fulfill Student Learning Time requirements.
2. Be passing four full-time courses (courses meeting 4 or 5 blocks per cycle.)
 

B. Chemical Health Violation Policy
From the earliest fall meeting date (see Athletic & Student Activities handbooks for specific dates), to the conclusion of the academic year or final extra-curricular event (whichever is latest), on and off school grounds, weekdays and weekends, twenty-four hours per day, a student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use/consume, possess, buy/sell, or give away any beverage containing alcohol (including products such as NA or near beer); any tobacco product; or marijuana; steroids; or any controlled substance defined in the Massachusetts General Laws (Chapter 94Cm Sectuibs 1 – 48). (NOTE: It is not, however, a violation for a student to be in possession of a legally defined drug specifically prescribed for the student’s own use by his or her doctor.)  It should be clearly understood that any gross violation of this rule, e.g., being drunk and/or disorderly, could result in immediate dismissal from any team, club, elected position or extra-curricular activity.

C. Attendance and Behavior
The High School Administration may also declare a student ineligible for extra-curricular activities/athletics if they judge the student’s behavior to be contrary to the standards of the school. All students must be in good standing and meet all attendance rules to participate in an after school activity/club/team or program.  “Good Standing” is defined but not limited to: Adherence to school rules that regulate behavior and attendance and respectful behavior towards all members of the school community.  A student is considered not to be in good standing during the season of play/activity if he/she has a suspension, Saturday Schools or class cuts.  A student found not to be in good standing may be denied the privilege of participating in an interscholastic sport or extra-curricular activity.  See student Activities and Athletic Handbooks for more details.

 
List of Clubs and Advisors     (for an updated list go to the Student Activities page)
 

List of Seasonal Sports
FALL
Boys Crew (Collaborative with Wayland)
Boys Cross Country
Football Varsity
Football Sub-varsity
Golf Co-ed
Boys Soccer Varsity
Boys Soccer Junior Varsity
Boys Soccer Freshman
Girls Crew (Collaborative with Wayland)
Girls Cross Country
Field Hockey Varsity
Field Hockey Junior Varsity
Field Hockey Freshman
Girls Soccer Varsity
Girls Soccer Junior Varsity
Girls Soccer Freshman
Girls Volleyball Varsity
Girls Volleyball Junior Varsity 

WINTER
Boys Alpine Skiing
Boys Basketball Varsity
Boys Basketball Junior Varsity
Boys Basketball Freshman
Boys Ice Hockey Varsity
Boys Indoor Track
Boys Swimming
Wrestling
Girls Alpine Skiing
Girls Basketball Varsity
Girls Basketball Junior Varsity
Girls Basketball Freshman
Girls Ice Hockey Varsity (Collaborative with Wayland)
Girls Indoor Track
Girls Swimming

SPRING
Baseball Varsity
Baseball Junior Varsity
Boys Crew (Collaborative with Wayland)
Boys Lacrosse Varsity
Boys Lacrosse Junior Varsity
Boys Lacrosse Freshman
Boys Tennis Varsity
Boys Tennis Junior Varsity
Boys Track & Field
Girls Crew (Collaborative with Wayland)
Girls Lacrosse Varsity
Girls Lacrosse Junior Varsity
Girls Lacrosse Freshman
Softball Varsity
Softball Junior Varsity
Girls Tennis Varsity
Girls Tennis Junior Varsity
Girls Track & Field

Athletic/Student Activities Handbooks
The Weston High School Athletic and Student Activities Handbooks contain the philosophies as well as detailed policies, practices and regulations that guide our extra-curricular programs.  These handbooks are published on the Weston High School website , and additional copies are available at the High School.

Student Government
The following are elected positions.  Upperclass elections are held in May for the following year.  Freshmen will be elected to all offices in late September.

Weston High School Student Council

The purpose of the Weston High School Student Council is to represent the students at Weston High School; voice issues/concerns of the students; and unify the student body through social activities and community service.

The Student Council consists of registered student members of Weston High School: two co-presidents; two co-emcees of school assemblies, five representatives from each grade; School Council representatives; two appointed members for Principal’s Advisory Council; two regional SAC representatives; one secretary; and one treasurer

More information and the Student Council Constitution are available from the Student Council Advisor and the Director of Student Activities.

Class Officers

Each class elects a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Student Advisory Council Representative.  The class officers plan social activities, community service, and fund-raising for the class.

Student Representatives to the School Committee - The Weston School Committee meets monthly with the student body Co-Presidents, the four Student Advisory Council Representatives, and the two students who serve as Regional SAC Representatives to the State Department of Education.

Student Member of the Weston School Committee

The four Student Advisory Council Representatives from each class elect one of their members to serve as a non-voting member of the School Committee.

Regional SAC Representatives - Two students are elected each April to represent Weston in meetings with students from neighboring schools at the State Department of Education in Medford.  These students act as advisors on state educational policies and inform student government of state laws and policies.

School Council Members

Two students are appointed at large to two-year terms to represent students on the School Council, a policy-making body of the school as mandated by the Massachusetts Education
Reform Act.  A total of two students serve each year, with one new student and one continuing student to provide continuity of information.

Student Member of the Principal’s Advisory Council

Two students are appointed to meet with the Principal and faculty and staff representatives to address issues of school rules, scheduling, and student behavior.  The Council meets at least once per month.

National Honor Society
Membership in the National Honor Society is based on demonstrated excellence in scholarship, leadership, character, and service. The Weston High School chapter is one of over 16,000 NHS chapters established across the United States to recognize outstanding students and to facilitate service activities for schools and their communities. At the end of the first semester, juniors who have earned a GPA of 3.70 or higher (weighted or unweighted) are eligible for application. Seniors who have earned a GPA of 3.70 or better (weighted or unweighted) are eligible for application after their first quarter. Students with incompletes may be disqualified from consideration.

Students who meet the academic requirements will be mailed an application packet. Students must then complete an application portfolio to be eligible for consideration.  Students must personally turn in their application portfolio to the adviser on or before the announced deadline. Late portfolios will be disqualified from consideration. Incomplete portfolios will also be disqualified from consideration.

In accordance with national guidelines, a faculty council will review each application. The Weston High School faculty council consists of members of the guidance department and appointed faculty members. The faculty adviser is a non-voting member of the faculty council.  Students who have earned the required GPA, shown leadership skills, demonstrated a strong commitment to service work, and shown themselves to be of outstanding character will be invited to participate as members of the NHS. Decisions will be mailed home.

Weston High School National Honor Society Procedures for Dismissal

National Honor Society membership is not guaranteed.  After membership has been conferred, the society’s assumption is that the students will uphold the standards initially expressed in the expectations of the Information Form and with induction into the group.  As cited by the National Honor Society and by the Weston High School standards, procedures for dismissal occur when one or more of the following events are not upheld.

Academic:  National Honor Society members must maintain a weighted or unweighted GPA of 3.70. Student’s GPAs are reviewed quarterly. If a student does not meet the standard, a hearing for dismissal from the group will be scheduled. There is one exception to this:  As induction takes place partway through third quarter, students inducted in their junior year will be placed on probation for one quarter if s/he does not meet the GPA standard at the end of Quarter 3. If the student does not meet the standard when final GPAs are reviewed at the end of junior year, a hearing for dismissal from the group will be scheduled.  This exception does not apply to first time inductees in their senior year. If a student is dismissed from the National Honor Society, any institution previously notified of a student’s membership in the group will be notified of their dismissal.

Community Service: National Honor Society members must complete 10 hours of community service each semester (5 hours within NHS and 5 hours outside of NHS). Community service hours used to satisfy the National Honor Society requirement cannot be used for Community Service for Credit on your report card/transcript or toward a community service award. Hours of community service may only be signed off on by the onsite supervisor, parents may not sign community service forms. Community service is reviewed each semester. If the student fails to fulfill the service requirement, a hearing for dismissal from the group will be scheduled.  If a student is dismissed from the National Honor Society, any institution previously notified of a student’s membership in the group will be notified of their dismissal.

Character:  National Honor Society members must uphold the six “Pillars of Character” (respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship) in addition to Weston’s core values (engagement, integrity, resiliency, and responsibility). Violations of this standard are reviewed on a quarterly basis or as needed. Violations of this standard include but are not limited to infractions of the expectations put forth in the WHS Student/Parent Handbook and the MIAA Substance Abuse Policies. Infractions of this nature are considered flagrant violations of school rules. If the student fails to meet the character requirement, a hearing for dismissal from the group will be scheduled. If a student is dismissed from the National Honor Society, any institution previously notified of a student’s membership in the group will be notified of their dismissal.

Membership:  The requirement for membership in the group is continued participation in the group’s scheduled meetings.  Upon induction, it is expected that members will come to all scheduled meetings.  If a student misses more than one meeting without explanation, a hearing for dismissal from the group will be scheduled.  If a student is dismissed from the National Honor Society, any institution previously notified of a student’s membership in the group will be notified of their dismissal.

Updated 9/7/12

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