Glenwood School Cheerleader Policies and Procedures
PURPOSE:
To promote and uphold school spirit
To develop and demonstrate good sportsmanship
To develop good, POSITIVE crowd involvement
To improve relationships between schools during athletic events
To develop and demonstrate leadership qualities among squad members, and to represent our school and community to the best of their ability
TRYOUTS
Eligibility:
Sign up will be conducted for one week during second semester of the school year. A pre-tryout meeting will be held. A parent for each candidate is required to attend unless prior arrangements are made with the cheer coach. Candidate must be enrolled at Glenwood. Registration for the upcoming school year must be paid before tryouts. Candidate must meet academic requirements for athletic eligibility as set forth in the Glenwood student handbook. Candidate must be physically and medically able to participate in all aspects of cheering.
Try Out Clinic:
Cheer tryouts are closed.
Mock try-outs will be prior to the day of tryouts. Results will be posted on the Upper school gym doors after try-outs. Senior Varsity Cheerleaders are not allowed to offer individual help to any candidate. Do not ask for help unless it is during practice hours at tryouts. You will be required to wear black shorts and a white shirt for try-outs. Hair should be pulled into a ponytail with white ribbon. Fingernails should be free of polish. You cannot wear jewelry or any other item that would identify you as a prior year cheerleader. Cheer shoes and shorts that you have worn in the past are acceptable if they do not have Glenwood Cheerleader imprints.
Skills:
1. Individual Cheer 2. Group Chant 3. Group Dance 4. Tumbling 5. Jumps
Judging:
Scores will be kept on file following try-outs. Parents may view the score of their daughter ONLY by making an appointment with the Assistant Athletic Director and/or Headmaster. Candidates will be judged on:
Entrance Individual Cheer Motions
Voice Tumbling Activity Dance
Jumps Group Chant Facials
Appearance Ability to lead a crowd
Squad:
Squad size will depend on the natural break of scores. Those falling below natural break may participate as Basketball Pep Squad.
Academic and Attendance Requirements:
As per stated in the Glenwood student handbook for athletic eligibility
Senior Leaders/Captains or Co-Captains – if applicable
Senior Leaders/Captains or Co-Captain selection is solely at the direction of the cheer coach. She may use any method of selection including but not limited to: try-out scores, teacher recommendations, personal preference, team selection, etc. or any combination of these.
Personal Conduct:
EACH CHEERLEADER MUST:
Represent Glenwood and the squad as a leader and show good moral character at all times, both as a Cheerleader and as a Glenwood student. Not be absent from a game or practice without permission from the cheer coach. Smile! Be punctual. Display sportsmanship. Be respectful. Control your temper. Refrain from public displays of affection.
The cheer coach has the authority to suspend or drop permanently from the squad any Cheerleader for the following reasons:
1. Use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs at any time
2. Undesirable behavior (fighting, drinking, immoral behavior, criminal arrest, etc.)
3. Failure to perform duties
4. Foul language
5. Any act or deed that harms the reputation of Glenwood or the squad
6. Blatant disregard for authority
7. Social media use that discredits Glenwood, Glenwood athletics, or cheer squad.
8. Appearance of cell phone or cell phone use at cheer events
Parents are ultimately responsible for the conduct of their daughter. Cheer sponsors are not responsible for a cheerleader’s actions while they are not participating in cheer activities but know actions that violate this constitution can be a reason for dismissal from the squad.
Personal Behavior:
Each cheerleader must adhere to the rules of Glenwood, AISA, and any rules established by the Cheer Coach, Assistant Athletic Director, and Headmaster.
Cheerleaders must remain inside the gym during basketball events. Cheerleaders are not to leave the gym/concession/bathroom area for any reason. Cell Phones will be turned off and held by cheer coach at all cheer functions. One group message will be sent by cheer coach upon arrival and at departure of all away cheer events.
Cheerleader Duties:
Cheerleader will cheer at all games for football and home games for basketball. There are selected away games the cheerleader will have to cheer for basketball. Each cheerleader is allowed to miss ONE REGULAR SEASON basketball game. (everyone cheers for tournaments) Plan, lead, and cheer at all pep rallies. Sell programs (as directed by cheer coach). Cheer at all tournaments and other sports events (as directed by coach). Attend ALL practices. Attend competitions. Participate in parades. Prepare and post all school spirit signs in halls (upper and lower) by the Friday prior to the event. Have all music, poms, signs, and flag(s) ready for all games. Secure all materials after the game. Cheerleaders will be assigned regular chores on a rotational bases.
Practice:
The practice schedule is set by the cheer coach and every practice is required! Each cheerleader must arrive at practice ready to work, ON TIME. Practice uniform, white socks, and cheer shoes are a must. Hair must be pulled back, away from face and off shoulders. Jewelry (to include stud earrings) may not be worn. ALL practices are CLOSED!
TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO CAMP – EVERY DAY (hours set by cheer coach)
SUMMER CAMP IS REQUIRED – July 18 – 21, 2016 (Date is set by AISA)
CHEER RETREAT – Friday, June 10th (ESCAPE THIS LIVE)
Cheerleader must notify the cheer coach PRIOR to any absence. Extra practices may be necessary but will be considered mandatory. Siblings and other guests are not allowed at practice.
Missed Practices:
For an absence to be excused, the cheer coach must be contacted prior to practice. Any injury that requires doctor’s care (knee, ankle, back, etc.) will require a release from the doctor allowing the cheerleader to return to physical activity. Jobs, non-emergency doctor/dentist appointments will NOT be an excuse for missing a practice or game. If you miss practice, you may not be allowed to participate in the next event, but you must attend, in uniform, sit where designated by the sponsor, and support the cheerleaders. A doctor’s excuse may be required for excessive absences. Missed practices (for any reason) may require discipline as directed by the coach.
Uniforms:
Camp clothes are purchased at the expense of the cheerleader and included in ‘clothing’.
Uniforms are purchased by Glenwood and Glenwood Booster Club and are the property of such. Uniforms will be returned in pristine condition at the end of the year. No part of a uniform shall be worn by anyone except a member of the squad. This includes jackets, sweatshirts, etc. Uniforms or any part thereof should not be left lying around the school or on the bus. If a uniform or any part of a uniform is lost or damaged, the cheerleader will not be allowed to cheer when that uniform is used until the uniform/item is replaced. Cheerleaders will be disciplined if any part of their uniform is found and has to be returned to them. Cheerleaders should be completely dressed prior to entering any cheer event (stadium, gym, etc.). Hair ribbons are part of your uniform. All cheerleaders must be dressed identically while performing. No Exceptions.
Appearance:
Jewelry (watches, stud earrings, etc.) shall not be worn at practice or while performing.
Nails shall be kept short and colored polish shall not be worn while in uniform.
Cheerleaders shall NOT CHEW GUM while performing or practicing.
Hair shall be worn in ponytail and secured with soft devices (ponytail holders).
Tattoos are not allowed. The only metal allowed in mouth are dental appliances.
Responsibility:
Each cheerleader must accept that cheering is their PRIMARY extra-curricular activity, second only to academics and is A FULL YEAR OF RESPONSIBILITY. Cheerleaders must attend ALL games and cheerleader functions unless excused by the cheer sponsor. If a cheerleader quits the squad during the year, she is not eligible to try-out for cheerleading the next year. If a cheerleader is injured or is unable to cheer, she must still attend all games and functions, dress in uniform, and sit where designated by the coach and support the cheerleaders during the games. Each cheerleader must recognize that being a cheerleader is a privilege and must demonstrate unquestionable character and moral integrity. If a cheerleader is benched from the squad for academic reasons, she will not be allowed to participate in practice or attend any games until the probation period is completed. Excessive absences will result in dismissal from the squad.
Discipline:
The cheer sponsor has the authority to discipline any cheerleader for any violation she deems necessary. Discipline options include, but are not limited to:
1. Running laps/Extra conditioning at sponsor’s/coach’s discretion
2. Suspension of Cheerleading Duties (benching)
3. Extra chores (such as cleaning the gym, bus, or equipment)
4. Dismissal from the squad
The cheer sponsor has the authority to discipline any cheerleader for the infractions that occur away from cheerleading activities. These include teacher complaints and behavior, not in accordance with the cheer constitution, while off campus or while not cheering.
Parent Responsibilities:
1. Must attend mandatory meetings as directed by cheer coach
2. Must meet school/booster club requirements for working at games
3. Support the cheer coach
4. Provide transportation if needed
5. Meet financial requirements and school requirements for participating in athletics
6. Provide medical insurance coverage for your daughter
7. Meet requirements for athletic participation as determined by Glenwood
8. We ask that you do not use cheerleading as a disciplinary measure for grades or behavior. Your daughter is making a commitment to a team and her presence is necessary. Please suspend all other privileges before considering cheerleading.
Transportation:
Transportation agreements must be on file. It is the responsibility of the cheerleader to arrive at the place of departure PRIOR to departure time, ready to go. All cheerleaders must ride the bus to the game when it’s available. We will obtain one blanket permission slip from parents. This written authorization will be kept on file at the school. Glenwood Transportation Policy as regard to bus use applies.
Financial Responsibilities: (All figures are approximate)
Camp $300
Clothing $150
shoes cheerleader to provide
Other costs:
Registration $200
School Athletic Fee $100
Bows/poms $40
Fundraising:
Cheerleaders will participate in fundraising activities established as follows:
1. Summer cheer clinic for elementary school students
2. Sell ads for the annual sports program
3. Other fundraisers as directed by Glenwood Booster Club
Complaints, Conflicts, and Suggestions:
Complaints, conflicts, or suggestions should be handled as follows:
1. Talk to the cheer coach.
2. Call the Assistant Athletic Director and arrange a conference with the cheer coach
3. Meet with the Headmaster
4. Present your complaint to the Board of Directors at a scheduled meeting. Office must be notified in advance so that you can be placed on the agenda.
All parents are expected to support the decisions of the cheer coach. Any parent that displays inappropriate behavior toward the cheer coach or any cheerleader should understand that the behavior can be grounds for their daughter’s dismissal from the squad. Parents should keep their comments positive. Any parent that threatens harasses, or physically harms a cheer coach, staff member, board member, cheerleader or acts in any way that harms the program we have established, will be subject to discipline action as directed by the School Board.
Go to aisaonline.org for a copy of AISA Rules and State Legislation These rules will be enforced to the fullest extent possible.
GLENWOOD SCHOOL CHEERLEADER CONTRACT
I understand the responsibilities and privileges of being a Glenwood School Cheerleader. I will cooperate fully with the sponsor, coach, other cheerleaders, faculty, administration, and all persons and organizations concerned with promoting spirit and good sportsmanship at Glenwood. I will do what is best for the squad. I will attend all games, camps, clinics, practices, and functions. I will display my best behavior in class, at practice, games, and at all school functions.
I will take proper care of all uniforms and equipment. I will maintain at least the minimum grade requirements. I will contribute in a positive manner and be an asset to the squad. I will control my temper.
I realize that I am signing a contract committing to the above mentioned rules and regulations and those stated in the constitution.
___________________________________________ ______________________
Candidate Signature Date
Parents:
I have read and understand the guidelines for Cheerleader at Glenwood. By giving permission for my daughter to try out for Cheerleader, I understand all the requirements and consequences of improper actions. I also understand that the sponsor has the final say in my daughter remaining on the squad.
I will do all in my power as a parent or guardian to ensure my daughter abides by the rules and regulations set forth. I realize that she will be participating in gymnastics/stunts and athletics and therefore release Glenwood, the sponsor, the cheer coach, and other cheerleaders from responsibility of injury that can occur. I understand that I am responsible for providing a current doctor’s physical examination and proof of medical insurance for my daughter.
I hereby give ___________________________________ permission to try out for cheerleader and to take part in cheering activities at Glenwood.
__________________________________________ _________________________
Parent Signature Date