The CMHS Student Handbook has been altered. On November 12, a new policy regarding revoked privileges qualifications was approved by the School Board. Previously, the policy had stated:

A student in grades 7-12 is eligible to participate in extra-curricular activities if he/she fails no more than one course in a marking term, and the failing grade is no lower than a 65.

Progress reports had no influence on eligibility. However, the new policy incorporates mid-term grades to allow eligibility at the halfway point of the six week term. In addition to this new provision, several other aspects of the revoked policy have been changed. The revised policy now states (new policies in bold):

Participation in extra-curricular activities is encouraged for all students; however, participation is an earned privilege. Extra-curricular activities include all activities which are not part of an established academic curriculum (i.e. athletics, clubs, drama presentations, etc.) and for which students are not graded.

A student in grades 7-12 is eligible to participate in extra-curricular activities if he/she is passing all classes in a mid-term or end of term period, and the failing grade is no lower than a 70.

Students whose eligibility has been revoked may become eligible upon receipt of a mid-term progress report or report card that indicates the above requirements have been met.

Students who are on the revoked privileges list and participate in extra-curricular activities will attend the after school tutoring sessions offered each week in the library from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Attendance at these sessions is required until all grades are passing. Once passing, attendance is no longer mandatory.

In an attempt to offer a "fresh start", students who have a Term 6 (final term) grade of below 70 in any course may participate in fall activities at the start of the next school year. But, the main office will track these students prior to the mid-term check and if at anytime they fall below a 70, they will then be placed on the revoked privileges list.

The main office will utilize Web2School and have the final say as to eligibility.

These revisions offer more flexibility while simultaneously imposing a harsher standard. Though the revoked qualifications have been broadened, the opportunity to promptly remove oneself is more readily available. CMHS Principal Chris Masson believes the new provisions are fair and justified. "Extra-curricular activities are a privilege. Students who can not pass all their classes have not earned this privilege."

Masson added, "If you can not pass your classes on your own, you need to be willing to put in the extra effort to get your grades up to a 70. Show up to the after school work sessions and get your grades up to passing." By requiring attendance at study and tutor sessions after school to those previously eligible for extra-curricular activity, students are no longer able to ignore slipping grades. The after-school program provides a quiet environment to complete assignments and study within. Assistance from teachers and other students is available as well.

The "fresh start" policy allows a student to begin the year with a clean slate. "The School Board felt it was important to give students a fresh start at the beginning of each new school year," said Masson. Regardless of grades from the previous academic year, the revoked privileges list will be blank come August. However, if a single grade falls below a 70 at any point in the opening three weeks of school, the student will be immediately declared ineligible until the first set of progress reports indicate that all grades are equal to or above 70 . If this clause is met, participation in all fall extra-curricular activities, including soccer, is permitted.

Eligibility, if lost, does not mean a six week suspension from extra-curricular activities anymore. Masson supported the consideration of mid-term grades because it gives the students "less time to fall behind". With revoked privileges previously being enforced after each six week term, it was more likely that a student could begin the term with failing grades and rely on the latter part of the term to raise those grades to a passing level. The new policy not only encourages, but requires students to maintain passing grades at all times.