Activities
AASCA
American International School of Costa Rica is a member of the Association of American Schools in Central America. AASCA sponsors annual soccer, basketball and volleyball tournaments, as well as annual drama and music festivals. Member schools come from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Panamá, Honduras and, Guatemala. Students in varsity sports, choir and drama are eligible to participate in AASCA tournaments and festivals each year.
Interscholastic Athletics are open to 7th through 12th grade students who can meet the requirements set by the AASCA and this handbook.
All participants must have a proper insurance, parent permission and current physical examinations on file in the health office before they can participate.
ACTION SPORTS
American International School of Costa Rica participates in the San José-wide private schools sports league called Action Sports. Students in the after-school sports teams may play in the Action Sports League if they meet eligibility. Students play games both at home and at different schools in the San José area.
Sports, Music and Art Activities
These activities are available every afternoon. A late bus is provided for those students who normally ride the bus to school. Students must leave the building as soon as practice/games are over.
Eligibility Rules:
AIS students participating in AASCA, Action, and AIS events must conform to our eligibility rules.
• Age-A student cannot be 20 years of age prior or on the scheduled date of the AASCA or Action finals in their particular sport.
• Enrollment-The athlete must be enrolled not later that the 15th day of the current semester, and carry at least 5 subjects.
• Grades-The athlete must be passing five full-credit subjects for the preceding grading period. Semester grades take precedence over those from a nine-week grading period.
• Illness and Injury-The athlete must present written verification from a physician stating that he/she is physically fit to participate after being absent five or more consecutive days.
• Conduct and Character-The athlete must not bring discredit upon the school, nor a disruptive influence on the discipline, good order, morale, or educational environment of the school.
• Physicals-A completed physical form must be on file at the nurse’s office before the athlete’s first practice session. One form may be used for all three sports.
• Participation, practice, and games-The athlete must not participate as a member of any similar team, during the same season, or in an AASCA sponsored sport not under the direct supervision of the school. All athletes must attend each and every meeting, practice, and games held unless the coach receives a written excuse from the parent or guardian excusing his/her presence. If athletes have more than 3 unexcused absences during the season, s/he will be removed the team for that season.
• Suspensions-If an athlete is suspended from school, s/he may not participate in practices or games during that day. If an athlete is suspended more than once during a season, s/he will be asked to leave the team.
The coach may present a major or minor infraction conduct report to the principal for any behavior that he/she deems inappropriate. All athletes are held responsible for their behavior during, before and after practice, during, before and after games, on the bus and in transition to games. All athletes are held to same behavioral standards as all other AIS students. (see code of conduct)
If a student provides his/her own transportation to an activity, s/he may not transport another student, and s/he will be considered as having left the school once s/he leaves the campus.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
Students participating in after-school sports activities will be required to present the results of a physical examination by a doctor before participation is allowed. If any serious injuries that occur during the course of the season, the affected athlete must present a doctor’s release to resume playing.
SCHOOL CLUBS
The administration of American International School of Costa Rica encourages the creation of, and the participation in, student clubs and organizations designed to enhance the mental and physical capabilities of the student participants. These may be class organizations, service clubs or special interest clubs. Each club must file the club name and purpose and the name of the faculty advisor of the club with the Principal before official sanction can be given.
Every student club or organization must be supervised by a faculty advisor. Secret fraternities, sororities or clubs are not authorized.
The constitution of each student organization or club must define its goals and purposes, types of activities with which it will be involved, and membership requirements. No club shall discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or social status.
NHS
The National Honor Society is an organization which recognizes outstanding students for their success in their schoolwork and for outstanding personal traits in character, citizenship, leadership, and service. The NHS is under the auspices of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. NHS membership is recognized in almost every school in the United States.
All students interested in this organization must see the NHS advisor.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
The Student Council serves as the representative organization of the student body to the American International School of Costa Rica Administration. There are student council representatives from high school as well as elementary school. Its methods of organization, elections and operations shall be representative of the principles of a democratic government.
SCHOOL SPONSORED TRIPS
Students are expected to comply with all rules and directives of the supervisor. Failure to comply will result in the student being returned to their parents’ care on the next practical day. The Principal or Director may assign additional consequences.