School Activity and Athletic Fees Around The Corner

With the school doors are scheduled to open in less than a month, parents and students are preparing for the new school year which for many will include a slew of activities and sports.

Whether anticipating trying out for this year's High School play and musical (this year they will be "The Tempest" and "West Side Story"), playing one of the 28 sports or working in the Middle School Yearbook, participating in most activities requires a fee – some due this week – or for parents to request a fee waiver from the school.

Middle School activities:

$150 per participant. This fee covers the following activities:  Upper and lower school math teams, newspaper, yearbook,  jazz ensemble, chamber orchestra, double reed ensemble, flute ensemble, brass ensemble, select choir, and upper and lower school theatre.

NOTE:  There is a separate fee for Grade 7 and 8 basketball of $280 due Aug. 15.

High School activities:

$100 per participant due Nov. 1. This fee covers the following activities:  Student Government, Math team, Science team, Asian American Club, Gay Straight Alliance, and Class Officers. 

High School Fine and Performing Arts activities:

$275 per participant (A student pays only one fee for any and all of these activities.).

Due Aug. 1:  Marching Band, Stage Band, Jazz Ensemble, Madrigal Singers, Jazz Choir, A cappella groups, Fall Play, Broadway Night, Improv Club, stage crew, and PAC.

Due Nov. 1:  Spring musical, Student directed one-act plays. 

High School Athletics:

$450 for a first sport, $300 for a second sport, $150 for a third sport

This fee covers junior varsity and/or varsity level athletic activities for 2010-2011.

Due Aug. 1:  Football, soccer, volleyball, field hockey, girls swimming, cross country, cheerleading, and golf.

Due Nov. 1:  Basketball, indoor track, wrestling, skiing, boys swimming.

Due Feb. 15:  Baseball, softball, tennis, lacrosse, outdoor track.

The fee may be waived if the family is experiencing exigent circumstances such as an unforeseen medical problem, change in family status, change in employment status for one or both parents, or other emergencies. 

This type of waiver may require a discussion with the Superintendent.

The Federal Free and Reduced School Lunch guidelines will be used to determine the income eligibility guidelines for the Free category, since these are more generous. 

All other categories of reduced fees will be in accordance with the Department of Education State Median Income (SMI) income eligibility guidelines.

For more information on fees and the waivers, http://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/publications/details.asp?docsid=40