Public School Teams that allow Private School students to join

[Chris Fultz]

We can not have private / home schooled students on the team.

We are a school team, sanctioned by the school and we meet on school property, etc.

From a legal liability issue, discipline, etc., if they are not a student at the school, then we really have no authority for them. Mentors are taking a lot of "personal risk" working with teams, and the school system umbrella provides a lot of protection if something goes wrong.

I would personally be worried about traveling with a student that did not have to adhere to the school code of conduct and other rules.

[Karibou]

Originally Posted by Chris Fultz

I would personally be worried about traveling with a student that did not have to adhere to the school code of conduct and other rules.

Could you perhaps make it a team rule that the school code of conduct has to be followed at all times? If it's a team rule, they would have to follow it, regardless of the school (make the school's policy YOUR policy). Any punishments (should they need to happen) may have to be tweaked a little bit, though.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Karibou

Could you perhaps make it a team rule that the school code of conduct has to be followed at all times? If it's a team rule, they would have to follow it, regardless of the school (make the school's policy YOUR policy). Any punishments (should they need to happen) may have to be tweaked a little bit, though.

Chris is correct.
It's more than just adhering to school policy it's the blanket coverage of liability that comes with being associated with the school and it being a school activity. It brings protection for mentors and teachers that they wouldn't have otherwise.

[Meredith Novak]

Originally Posted by IndySam

Chris is correct.
It's more than just adhering to school policy it's the blanket coverage of liability that comes with being associated with the school and it being a school activity. It brings protection for mentors and teachers that they wouldn't have otherwise.

True on the liability. We do not meet on school property and our non-profit carries a liability policy. It is very inexpensive for several million dollars worth of coverage. (Great, now everyone is lawyering up to sue the Bomb Squad - new fundraising idea. )

[Wetzel]

I worked with 1884, which was a two school team with a private school and local public school located across the road from each other. The private school provided most of the money, while the public school provided the shop space. That collaborative effort by both schools makes it successful, rather than just having students join "the other schools team." A joint venture might be more appealing to the administration.


Wetzel

[rsaitz]

Originally Posted by Wetzel

I worked with 1884, which was a two school team with a private school and local public school located across the road from each other. The private school provided most of the money, while the public school provided the shop space. That collaborative effort by both schools makes it successful, rather than just having students join "the other schools team." A joint venture might be more appealing to the administration.


Wetzel

this comment and others like this is anew idea that i may explore. however, the private school definitely has students from all over the region, not just from our community. But it's definitely an idea to pursue. thanks!

[Rick TYler]

Like quite a number of teams, we are an independent club, registered as an engineering Explorer Post through Learning for Life. As a non-profit we have very friendly relations with local schools, and as an Explorer Post, we control our own membership and have liability insurance through LFL. It's a great combination, and totally eliminates public/private/home school member issues. I think the schools like the fact that they aren't on the liability hook when we are at events, too, since these are always "Post activities" and not "school activities." Other robotics clubs register as Venturing Crews (Boy Scouts) and 4-H clubs.

[rsaitz]

folks, I appreciate all these responses. there are some good tips in here. I'm in process of getting the actual policy to understand the reasoning behind it. Please keep the comments/suggestions coming. and if you are a public school, where the team is hosted by the school and teachers are mentors, and have accepted private school kids, i'd love to here specifically about that.

A little more background: This team is a combination of two high schools in our community, which has been a challenge of its own. They won all the rookie awards last season across two regionals and went to champtionship. the team wants these private school students and view as core to the mission of FIRST and gracious professionalism.

Thanks again!