TIMBERWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mascot
Constitution
ARTICLE 1 PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization shall be:
Section 1. To promote and maintain good sportsmanship, school spirit and loyalty.
Section 2. To develop and learn leadership qualities as well as those skills necessary for working as a member of a squad such as the following: tact, understanding, the ability to follow as well as lead, mutual respect for others, responsibility, and tolerance.
Section 3. To help Timberwood Middle School achieve the most worthwhile objectives of its athletic activities.
ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
The members of this organization shall consist of duly elected mascots. The following shall make up the different squads.
Section 1. Two Mascots will be elected by a panel of judges. The candidates must be a current 6th or 7th grader.
Section 2. Alternates may also be designated by the panel of judges.
ARTICLE III. ELIGIBILITY FOR TRYOUTS
Section 1. Grades for tryouts will be determined by the first semester report card grades.
Section 2. Each candidate must have at least a 70 average in all of his or her classes for the first semester.
Section 3. Each candidate must not have more than one "U" or three "N's" in conduct. This is based on the first semester grades.
Section 4. Any candidate who has been removed from school, been assigned to one Saturday class, or to the Alternative Center because of disciplinary reasons (including excessive tardies) will be ineligible to try out.
Section 5. Have written permission from parents to try out.
Section 6. Any mascot who resigns or is removed from the squad during the year shall not be allowed to try-out for the next year’s squad.
Section 7. If there is a 5-point break, or more, in scores, before the required number of two mascots, the cut will be made there, to determine the new mascot.
ARTICLE IV. ATTITUDE AND LEADERSHIP
Section 1. Each mascot must maintain desirable attitudes and a spirit of cooperation in all classes.
Section 2. Each mascot must realize the commitment that she/he makes to the school and student body to be a school representative. She/he must also realize that people will be watching her/him more than the other students: therefore, she/he must not act in a way that would cause embarrassment to the school and/or community.
ARTICLE V. COSTUME
Section 1. The mascot shall wear the traditional costume to each game or event.
Section 2. The Mascot uniform will be provided by the school, and the mascot is responsible for the care and liability of the uniform, which would include dry cleaning of costume, if necessary.
Section 3. The Mascot may represent their school by wearing the costume when participating in competitions.
Section 4 Mascots are expected to support all financial projects sponsored by the cheerleaders.
Section 5. All cash due for clothes, camp, and other expenses brought up by the sponsors, will be due buy the date, as designated by the sponsor. If it is not received on time, it will be reviewed by the Advisory Board.
ARTICLE VI. GUIDELINES
Section 1. Games and Events
A. Each mascot must attend all assigned activities and games for the squad unless there is a 24-hour prior written notice, which has been excused by the sponsor. Failure to attend an assigned activity will result in suspension from participation in the next game and Pep Rally. If a cheerleader is sick and misses a required event, they are required to bring a doctor’s note, their first day back.
B. Mascot may not stunt or tumble unless the sponsor or a designee is present.
GAMES
1. Should be at all home events or games 30 minutes prior to the start of the game.
2. Meet behind the stands (or in the commons area). That is where the stretching will take place.
3. Be ready for the start of the game.
4. Do not visit with the stands: you are there to cheer.
5. Be aware of what is going on in the game.
6. Eat and drink only at half time.
7. Do not leave the track (or gym) or sit during the game or event unless directed to do so.
Section 2. Practices--Will be determined by the sponsors.
A. During football, volleyball, and basketball season, the mascot will practice once a week, with the cheerleaders, or as scheduled by the sponsor.
B. Practices after the season will be held once a week or as scheduled by the sponsor.
C. Failure to attend practice (unless excused by the sponsor) will result in a suspension from participating in the next game and pep rally. A written 24-hour prior notice is required for an absence to be excused. If a cheerleader is sick and misses a required event, they are required to bring a doctor’s note, their first day back.
D. The Mascot will have some summer practice sessions to prepare for the year. The sponsor will decide upon a summer practice schedule before the school year has ended. Failure to attend at least 75% of these practices may result in dismissal from the squad.
Section 3. Transportation
A. Each mascot is responsible for his/her transportation to and from all games and practices.
B. The mascot is NOT required to attend games outside of Humble ISD, but will attend all District games regardless of the location.
Section 4. Each mascot will participate in fundraisers and sell spirit items during the year. This includes items with the booster club, such as ribbons and other items.
Section 5. Each mascot shall fully participate in planning for pep rallies, games and other required activities.
Section 6. Each mascot shall cooperate with the sponsor and other squad members, students, teachers, and administrators.
Section 7. Each mascot should be well-groomed at all times.
Section 8. Each mascot should not eat, drink, or chew gum while on the field, court, during practices or events.
Section 9. Each mascot should not sit in the stands or leave the squad (except at half time) until the end of the game.
Section 10. Each mascot should work during the year to improve his/her technique and ideas.
Section 11. Elected mascots may participate in area and local competitions ONLY. We will not be allowed to participate in any national competitions.
Section 12. Each mascot must have an official physical form turned into the sponsor by the last day of school.
ARTICLE VII. DISMISSAL FROM THE SQUAD
Section 1. Any mascot may be dismissed from the squad at the discretion of the Cheerleader Advisory Board for such actions deemed inappropriate for people who have been elected leaders of their school. Such actions would include smoking, cheating, drinking of alcoholic beverages, use of drugs, truancy, theft, or other behavior that would poorly reflect on the rest of the squad or student body.
Section 2. Dismissal will occur if sent to the Alternative Center for disciplinary reasons.
ARTICLE VIII. CHEERLEADER ADVISORY BOARD
Membership A Cheerleader Advisory Board shall be established to help the squad with problems that may arise during the year. The board shall consist of the following members:
A. One school administrator
B. Two teachers
C. The Cheerleading Sponsor
Reasons for Meeting
A. behavior or conduct which reflects unfavorable upon the school and/or cheerleaders and mascots
B. Violation of the constitution or failure to meet other requirements
Actions of the Review Board
A. The following actions may be decided upon by the review board
1. The mascot may be placed on probation.
2. The mascot may be suspended from mascot activities for a designated period of time.
3. The mascot may be dismissed from the
squad.
ARTICLE IX. DEMERIT SYSTEM
Section 1. Demerits will be given by the sponsor for failure to follow the instructions of the sponsor.
Section 2. If a mascot receives a total of five demerits, he/she will be suspended from participating in the next scheduled game and pep rally.
Section 3. If a cheerleader receives a total of seven demerits, he/she will be presented in front of the Advisory Board.
Section 4. If a mascot receives an accumulation of ten demerits, he/she will be dismissed from the squad for the remainder of the year.
Section 5. A mascot can receive a demerit for any, but not limited to the following reasons:
1. Tardy to a game or practice 1
2. Leaving a required event early without prior approval 1
3. Missing a required event (unless home sick) 2
4. Chewing gum or eating candy in costume 1
5. Disrespectful behavior 2
6. Failure to dress properly (at school & at games) 1
7. Improper behavior during a game or event 2
8. Lunch isolation; must notify sponsor immediately 1
9. D-Hall assignment; must notify sponsor immediately 2
10. Saturday class/suspension 3
11. Failure to sell designated number of spirit items 1
12. Failure to make transportation arrangements 1
(cheerleaders should be picked up no later than 15 min. after events)
13. N in conduct 1
14. U in conduct 2
15. Failure to attend a required tutoring session 1
16. ISS 5 day
17. Suspension 8-10
ARTICLE X. MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES
Section 1. Grades shall be checked at the end of each 3-week grading period. To be eligible for participation, the following guidelines must be maintained.
A. At least an overall 70 average must be maintained at all times in all classes with no "F's."
B. Any "U's" in conduct for 2 consecutive 6-week grading periods will result in a review by the Cheerleading Advisory Board. After reviewing the case, the Cheerleading Advisory Board may choose at that time to dismiss the mascot
from the squad for the remainder of the school year.
C. After each grading period report cards will be checked. It is the mascot's responsibility to give a copy to the sponsor. If the final grades do not meet the eligibility requirements, the mascot will be suspended for a period of 3 weeks.
D. If a mascot has a "D" or an "F" on their progress report or report card; he/she will be required to attend tutoring. Failure to attend a required tutoring session will result in a demerit.
E. All U. I. L. rules will apply.
ARTICLE XI. SUMMER CAMPS
Section 1. Eighth Grade mascots must attend the cheerleading camp during the summer. The dates for the camp will be announced before the school year is out. Failure to attend the entire camp will result in dismissal from the squad.
A. The Eighth Grade Squad usually will travel to another location to attend their cheerleading camp. (overnight stay required)
Section 2. Mascots must have a signed permission slip.
Section 3. Transportation by the school will not be provided for camps.
ARTICLE XII. SPONSORS
Section 1. Sponsors are not provided for out of town games. Mascots may go as spectators and yell, but they are the responsibility of their parents. Sponsors will attend games at Timberwood, Charles Street, Turner Stadium, Kingwood 9th and Kingwood High. The sponsors and cheerleaders may choose to attend games at the other Middle Schools in the district.
Section 2. Sponsors are in authority concerning mascot matters and mascots are responsible to them.