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1 Isle student signs up for activities

By Kevin Purdy NORTHTOWNS CORRESPONDENT
Updated: 05/13/08 6:56 AM
Only one home-schooled student has signed up for the extracurricular activities opened nearly three weeks ago to non-enrolled children by the Grand Island Central School District, officials said Monday.

Applications for students to participate in eight intramural sports programs, including volleyball, softball and soccer, were made available online and at district offices April 23. The School Board voted, 4-3, on March 31 to open those programs to an estimated 67 children taught at home within the district, making it one of only three in the 20-district Erie 1 Board of Cooperative Educational Services to do so.

While the single registration seems to indicate a lack of interest, board Vice President James Hanna said that with the new policy taking effect after the start of many spring sports, the fall season may be a better gauge of home-schooled parents and children to take part in district activities.

The measure approved by the district has a “sunset clause” that puts it in effect only until the end of the 2008-09 school year, unless the board approves an extension. Non-enrolled students need proof of immunizations that satisfy their grade level’s requirements, as well as an updated home instruction plan on file with the district.