2.0 Mandate for Interscholastic Activities On February 18, 1997, the School Board approved new standards for participation in interscholastic activities. The new standards, which went into effect September 1997, are part of the school division's ongoing initiative to raise the level of student achievement. The standards are consistent with those in several other area localities and with the school division's determination to provide the kind of education that will prepare our students for the highly complex world of tomorrow. Athletic and academic competition sponsored by the Beach District, Virginia Beach Middle School League (VBMSL), and the Virginia High School League (VHSL) is covered by the new standards. Intramural sports and individual school extracurricular and club activities are exempt. The Grade Point Average (GPA) eligibility requirement for participation in interscholastic activities is 2.0. High school students must have earned a 2.0 GPA in courses taken the semester immediately preceding the semester in which they want to participate. Final grades earned in courses taken during summer school will be averaged with the semester grades the student earned in courses taken during the second semester to determine a student's second semester grade point average. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement in a given semester and who wish to participate, have the option to use a waiver available to them one time during their high school years and one time during their middle school years. The GPA waiver may be used as long as all VHSL or VBMSL requirements are met. Additional information on using the waiver option and assistance to students desiring help to achieve eligibility is available at each secondary school. ###