P6798 Contests and Activities

Individuals or groups within the Wichita Public Schools who plan to participate in contests and activities are to follow the guidelines set forth by the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Kansas State Department of Education, and the Kansas State High School Activities Association. Local contests are to be reviewed by a committee of Wichita elementary and secondary school principals, curriculum personnel selected by the Superintendent or designee and/or an ad hoc committee of classroom teachers selected in relationship to the type of contest. 

Administrative Implemental Procedures: 

Guidelines 

1. To be regarded as a national contest or activity, participation must be offered to students in seven or more states. 

2. A contest or activity should be designed to benefit high school youth in educational, civic, social, and ethical development. Programs designed to promote or advertise a product or an ideology will not be permitted. 

3. Contests that encourage students to work out contributions, solutions, and creations by their own efforts are preferred. 

4. Programs must be open to all students, regardless of race, creed, or sex. 

5. Programs must not place undue burdens on students, teachers, or schools. 

6. Entry fees, if any, must be minimal. 

7. The involvement of teachers and/or principals in the selection or judging process is discouraged. 

8. Programs should be held on nonschool time (weekends, vacations). 

9. Out-of-state travel should be minimal. (See KSHSAA Regulations.) 

10. Programs must be unique, not duplications of others already in operation. 

11. Awards should be appropriate both in number and kind. Scholarships are regarded as the most desirable type of award and should be paid directly to the institution selected by the student. The payment of cash awards directly to winners should be avoided. 

Guidelines for Local Contests and Activities 

12. Local contests and activities are to conform in spirit to the national state guidelines. 

13. Consideration will be given to activities that have community educational benefits. 

14. Consideration will be given to activities that do not include student contests. 

15. Consideration will not be given to any aspect of advertising. 

16. Consideration will not be given to any violation of the separation of church and state. 

17. Consideration will not be given to activities that are already part of the school program. The National Association of Elementary School Principals recommends no participation in contests at the elementary level. The National Association of Secondary School Principals recommends participation in only those listed contests that have had its approval. The National Association of Secondary School Principals provides for advisory lists of national contests in the September issue of its publication. For state approved contests and activities see the publication of the Kansas High School Activities Journal, May issue. (Contests are defined as oral or written competition among students.) Merit scholarship examinations are not affected by this policy. 

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Administrative Responsibility: Learning Services 

Latest Revision Date: August 2006 

Previous Revision Date: March 1999 P6798 

Updated administratively for alignment purposes: March 2021 

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