Morris School District
MORRIS SCHOOL DISTRICT
Morristown, New Jersey 07960

Policy
File Code: 1322
Monitored:
Mandated:
Other Reasons X
CONTESTS FOR PUPILS

The Superintendent shall approve participation in extracurricular contests sponsored by organizations outside the schools, as long as participation does not unduly interfere with the student's instructional programs. When such contests involve promotional aid, school time, or faculty assistance with essay writing, poster making, or other activities, the Superintendent shall determine whether the experience is closely enough allied to and in support of the instructional work of the school and will clearly serve to advance the educational aims of the district.

The worthiness of the sponsoring agency's cause or the opportunity for individuals to win prizes shall not in themselves constitute sufficient reason for approving a contest.

Contests and awards whether local, state, or national, shall be:
  1. For the benefit of the pupil;
  2. Open to all pupils regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, or sex, except when the contest/award is specifically designed for a specific group, such as "boys, ages 5-7, 8-12, etc." ;
  3. Consistent with district objectives;
  4. Judged by disinterested parties;
  5. Properly supervised with safety precautions in place;
  6. Completely voluntary: compensation is not available for any time, material expenses, etc.
Contests and awards shall not place undue time or financial burdens on pupils, teachers, parents or the Board of Education. They shall not promote commercial products or partisan viewpoints. Participation shall not be dependent on the financial status of the pupil, unless the contest/award is intended for a specific group (see B above).

Date: April 14, 1986
February 12, 2001, First Reading
August 27, 2001 Approved

Legal References:
N.J.S.A. 18A:11-1 General mandatory powers and duties
N.J.S.A. 18A:42-2 School orchestra not to compete with civilian
N.J.S.A. 18A:54-20 Powers of board (county vocational schools)

Possible Cross References:
1314 Fundraising by outside organizations
1320 Participation in out-of-school community
3280 Gifts, grants and bequests
5126 Awards for achievement
6145 Extracurricular activities
6145.1/6145.2 Intramural competition; interscholastic competition
6145.4 Public performances and exhibitions
6153 Field trips

Key Words
Contests for Pupils, Awards
 

Morris School District | 31 Hazel Street | Morristown, New Jersey | Phone: 973-292-2300
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