The student’s parent or legal guardian shall make a written request for the student to participate in interscholastic athletic activities to the principal of the school providing the activity. Such request shall be made no later than the first 11 days of the school year excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and any other legal holidays. A home-school student, who is a member of a school team, shall be included in the school’s October 1 enrollment count for the purposes of and as it applies to athletics.