During the last marking period preceding the contest, a student must secure a passing grade and full credit in the equivalent of four (4) traditional, year-long major English courses. A transfer student may not gain academic eligibility if the student was not, or would not be, eligible at the sending school, unless transfer was necessitated by a move of parents/guardians and then eligibility would be determined by the receiving school’s eligibility standards. A student cannot at any time represent a school unless that student is taking courses which would provide Carnegie Units equivalent to four (4) traditional, year-long major English courses. To be eligible for the fall marking period, students are required to have passed and received full credits for the previous academic year’s equivalent of four (4) traditional, year-long major English courses. Academic eligibility of all students shall be considered as official and determined on the published date when the report cards for that reporting period are to be issued to the parents/guardians of all students within a particular class. An athlete who meets the minimum standard after the start of a season is not eligible to participate during that season; exceptions may be allowed for non-cutting teams with the approval of the principal, athletic director, coach, and guidance counselor.

During the school year, students shall not, regardless of the quantity, use or consume, buy, possess, sell, knowingly be in the presence of, or give away any beverage containing alcohol or any controlled substances as defined under Massachusetts General Laws, Ch. 90D, or inhale vapors of any intoxicating substance such as glue, nitrous oxide, and the like, sometimes referred to as “huffing”.

Members of clubs and/or any other school-sponsored activity will be suspended from participating in that school activity for two (2) weeks. At the end of the two-week period, a review board consisting of the Assistant Principal and club advisor will assess the eligibility of the student’s membership.

If a student officer of a class or school-sponsored activity is found to have violated any of the above rules, the student may no longer be eligible for that position.

Athletes: Any student involved in an athletic activity will follow the rules of the FHS Athletic Handbook.

Falmouth High School offers a Unified Sports Program through the partnership of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and Special Olympics of Massachusetts. Our program is designed to use sport as a catalyst for social inclusion, attitude and behavioral change, and empowerment of individuals with and without intellectual disabilities.

Falmouth Public Schools is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared participation, training, and competition in athletic experiences. Our offerings are inspired by the foundational Special Olympics Unified Sports principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. At its core, this Unified strategy is about unifying all students.

The following student clubs and organizations are offered each year at Falmouth High School.  Students are encouraged to join clubs and organizations and should contact the student activities office for more specific information:

• All School Play (Drama Productions)
• Art Shows (Student Art Gallery)
• Best Buddies (Students Helping Students)
• Civic Leadership Project (Learning about Social Issues)
• Clipper Compact (Yearbook)
• Diversity Club (Celebrating Different Cultures)
• Ecology Club (Environmental Education/Conservation
• French Club (French Language and Culture)
• Gay Straight Alliance (Endorsement of a Safe/Positive Environment)
• Gifford Street Writers (Creative Writing)
• Latin Club (Latin Language and Culture)
• Math Team (Problem Solving and Math Competition)
• Mock Trial (Learning about the Judicial Process)
• Model U.N. (Learning about the United Nations and International Relations)
• National Art Honor Society (Awareness of Quality Art Education)
• National Honor Society (Academic Services Organization)
• National Math Honor Society (Academic Honors in Mathematics)
• National Science Honor Society (Academic Honors in Science)
• National French Honor Society (Academic Honors in French)
• Science Fair
• Science/ROV Club
• Student Government (Class Officers, Homeroom House of Representatives, School Council and Student Advisory Board)
• Student Volunteers (School and Community Service)
• Tri-M (Music Honor Society)

Introduction

Each class elects officers to work with the class advisor to organize class spirit events, fundraising, and other activities. Officers are elected each spring (with fall elections for the Freshman Class) and serve one (1) year terms.  One (1) Representative shall be elected to serve as a member of the House of Representatives from each homeroom of Falmouth High School. All serving class officers shall be full members of the House of Representatives. Please refer to the Rules and Procedures of the Homeroom House of Representatives on the FHS homepage.  Guidelines are contained in the Student Government Charter and the Student Activities Handbook, which is housed in the student activities office.

House of Representatives

The Homeroom House of Representatives shall have the following responsibilities:

1. To pass bills and resolutions for the betterment of the School community.
   
   
2. To elect four (4) student representatives to the Falmouth School Committee
   1. One (1) elected from each grade
   2. Not necessarily members of the House, but can be.
   3. Nominated by the Principal
      
      
3. To elect student representatives to the FHS School Council.
   1. Nominated by members of the House
      
      
4. To approve/initiate school-wide student programs/activities
   
   
5. To advise staff of student interests
   
   
6. To serve as an outlet for clubs and organizations to reach students

Student Advisory Board

The Student Advisory Board was established under state law to meet with the Town of Falmouth School Committee.  The eight-member board consists of students elected by each of the four (4) grades.  The Board elects a member to hold a nonvoting student seat on the School Committee.   The School Committee encourages the participation of members in discussion of School Committee items.

Regional Student Advisory Council

Students are elected each spring to serve on the Regional Student Advisory Council of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. This group meets monthly to discuss students’ concerns in the Southeast region of Massachusetts. Some of these concerns are then referred to the State Student Advisory Council, one (1) of whose members sits on the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

School Council

Students are elected from each class to serve as student members of the school council. These students meet with parent/guardian, faculty and community representatives to deal with budget review, curriculum and other issues of concern to the high school. The school council is responsible for assisting with the development of a school success plan each year.

Regulations Regarding School Government

Falmouth High School election by-laws allow a student to be only one (1) of the following: Class Officer, member of the House of Representatives, or member of the Student Advisory Board. A student may run for an office while holding the other, with the understanding that they must resign from the other position if elected.

Impeachment Process

As a result of an article in the December 1985 Student Town Meeting warrant, an impeachment process was created. This process applies to all members of student government and to officers of all student organizations or clubs. Process of impeachment is incorporated into the Student Government Charter, which is available in the student activities office.

Fall Sports

The fall season runs from the Monday before Labor Day through Thanksgiving Day.  Practice and tryouts for fall sports begin in late August.  Athletic practice will begin at 3:15 each afternoon.  This will allow students the opportunity to seek extra help and participate in a variety of school activities such as student government and clubs.

Boys’/Girls’ Cross Country,               Varsity

Cheerleading                                       Varsity

Field Hockey                                      Varsity, Junior Varsity

Football                                               Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshmen

Boys’ Golf                                          Varsity

Boys’ Soccer                                       Varsity, Junior Varsity

Girls’ Soccer                                       Varsity, Junior Varsity

Volleyball                                            Varsity, Junior Varsity

Winter Sports

The winter sports season begins the first Monday after Thanksgiving and may extend to the Saturday preceding the third Monday in March for the purpose of competing in state tournaments and championships.  Athletic practice will begin at 3:15 each afternoon.  This will allow students the opportunity to seek extra help and participate in a variety of school activities such as student government and clubs.

Boys’ Basketball                                 Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshmen

Girls’ Basketball                                 Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshmen

Boys’ Ice Hockey                               Varsity, Junior Varsity

Girls’ Ice Hockey                               Varsity

Boys’/Girls Winter Track                   Varsity

Gymnastics                                         Varsity

Spring Sports

The spring sports season begins the third Monday in March and may extend through the third week in June for purpose of competing in state tournaments and championships.  Students in the senior class may continue to participate after graduation until the end of the season.  Athletic practice will begin at 3:15 each afternoon.  This will allow students the opportunity to seek extra help and participate in a variety of school activities such as student government and clubs.

Baseball                                  Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshmen

Boys’ Lacrosse                       Varsity, Junior Varsity

Girls’ Lacrosse                       Varsity, Junior Varsity           

Softball                                    Varsity, Junior Varsity

Boys’ Tennis                           Varsity

Girls’ Tennis                           Varsity

Boys’/Girls’ Spring Track      Varsity

Girls’ Golf                              Varsity

Boys Golf                               Varsity

Sailing                                     Varsity

Game schedules and directions to away games are available through the Athletics Office and on our website.

Additional Information

Cheerleading – The Cheerleaders are part of the Athletic Department.  Try-outs are in the spring.  Please contact the Athletic Director for more information.

Intramural Athletic Program – An intramural program is available throughout the year.  Information on these programs is announced in the school notices.  The program is under the direction of the Athletic Director.

Eligibility and Athletic Codes – An Athletic Handbook has been published and is available to every team member at the beginning of each season.  The handbook states expectations and penalties for infractions.

MIAA policies regarding the use of drugs and alcohol are in effect from the first day of fall practice through the end of the school year.