BARTOW HIGH SCHOOL

CHEERLEADING CHARTER

2013-2014

“NO PRESSURE, NO DIAMOND!”

Congratulations on making the BHS Cheerleading team. As a cheerleader or a parent, you now represent Bartow High in a manner like no other Jacket. The role you play during athletic contests, to inspire our teams, is vital. A cheerleader’s job is to improve student morale and boost team spirit. You are expected to direct the student body in the support of your school’s team to develop loyalty to the school and team, regardless of the outcome of a game. This role makes you a strong influence in guiding student conduct at games, pep rallies and other performances. Considering the leadership opportunities available to you, your actions set the tone for our student body and fans in attendance at our athletic events. Like other extra-curricular activities, we must keep the educational value of athletic competition high. If we lose that focus, then these events are not worth sponsoring.

Your friends, fans, opposing fans, local community, and the media view your actions on and off the sidelines. These actions will be remembered long after the game is played and with more impact than the final score could ever indicate. Good sportsmanship will represent the most positive side of you and our school.

You are expected to:

  • Understand the responsibility of your role and the PRIVILEGE of representing the school and community.
  • Learn the rules of the games you cheer for.
  • Treat opposing cheerleaders, athletes, and communities the way you would like to be treated, as a guest or friend.
  • Encourage a positive crowd.
  • Respect all adults, teammates, and yourself.
  • Properly conduct yourself at ALL times on and off the sidelines or cheer mats. This includes using proper language.

OUR PURPOSE AND PHILOPSHOPY

Bartow cheerleading is designed to be a fun, competitive, learning environment. In this environment, we will strive to produce great athletes. This will be accomplished by incorporating every aspect of a well-rounded athlete; physically fit, mentally fit, and goal oriented. Through these characteristics we hope to encourage the crowd and the community into further supporting BHS Athletics.

VALUES OF CHEERLEADERS

Through character building, Bartow cheerleaders will display loyalty to their school and their team while displaying good sportsmanship to rival schools. BHS cheerleaders should take an active role outside of cheerleading in acquiring an appreciation and knowledge for the sports for which they cheer.

Our cheerleaders should strive to develop HIGH MORAL STANDARDS in and outside of cheerleading and never settle for less than what they are capable of. BHS cheerleaders will act as representatives for their school at all times and will be expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.

Cheerleaders will treat other cheerleaders, coaches, and parents in the program with respect and love. We are a family. We support, motivate, and advocate for one another. We do not tear down, belittle, or ridicule one another. We may not always like each other, but we will love one another. We promise to communicate any concerns to our captains and coaches and will work to resolve any situations with other members of our family.

PRACTICES

Regular attendance and full participation is essential and expected of champions. Practice wear will consist of athletic attire, cheerleading shoes, safe nails, and hair that is pulled back at all times. No gum or jewelry is allowed. Failure to be at practice fully dressed and on time results in wasting your squad’s time and extra conditioning or suspension of cheerleading privileges. Follow the calendar to ensure you’re wearing the correct practice attire.

Bring water to practice and drink plenty of fluids during the day. Make sure you are physically prepared for practice. Breakfast and lunch are important to your physical abilities.

Practice is MANDATORY. You must schedule around practice times and dates. You are given a practice calendar (that should be kept in your cheer folder) well in advance. Doctor’s appointments, work, and other functions or activities need to be scheduled around cheerleading. Bartow cheerleading must come FIRST. There are exceptions, but your coach will determine what is excused vs. unexcused. In order for an absence to be excused, coaches must be made aware of it in advance.

If you miss a practice, you may not be able to cheer the next game or competition. If you can’t come to practice, you can’t cheer.

SUMMER PRACTICES:

Summer practices are mandatory. Each cheerleader is allotted three (3) absences, and any unexcused absence after that will result in a fall football game suspension per missed practice. You already have a calendar of summer dates. Camps and choreography are MANDATORY!

TUMBLING:

We will have tumbling practice once a week during our regularly scheduled practice time. This practice is dedicated to meet individual tumbling goals, as well as team tumbling goals. The cost of tumbling classes is included in your payment plan. Tumbling practices are still considered mandatory and are required for all cheerleaders. Failure to attend a practice will not result in a refund of money and will have the same consequences as any other practice. Cheerleaders who need extra tumbling help are encouraged to take extra classes and/or privates outside of cheerleading.

UNIFORMS

BHS cheerleading uniforms will be checked out at the beginning of the season, and checked in at the end of each season. Failure to turn in a uniform at the end of the season will result in billing for the cost of the uniform.

Uniforms need to be clean for all events. Uniforms ARE NOT TO BE DRYCLEANED or put in a dryer. Please follow the directions on your “How to Wear My Uniform” sheet.

ELIGIBILITY

In order to cheer for BHS, each cheerleader must be academically eligible. Cheerleaders must have at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA for all final grades. Those who do not meet this requirement are academically ineligible and will be placed on probation for one semester or until the cumulative GPA rises to a 2.0.

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING

All cheerleaders will be expected to participate in conditioning every practice. NO EXCUSES. If a cheerleader fails to participate, cheering privileges will be taken away at the coach’s discretion.

NUTRITION PLAN

We have created two team goals related to nutrition to help better the bodies of our athletes. This is not a diet; its purpose is to keep our athletes healthy. These goals are to help members of the team keep each other motivated to stay healthy. It is also suggested that cheerleaders keep a nutrition journal to help keep them motivated.

Goal 1: No fast food Monday – Friday

Goal 2: No soda drinks Monday – Friday

We will add goals as the year progresses.

GAMES

If a cheerleader is suspended for a game, she must attend the game and sit with the coach in full uniform and cheer with the squad from the sideline.

Cheerleaders are expected to conduct themselves accordingly before, during, and after the game. Cheerleaders must respect the school and themselves. Do not attend any party or social event after a game in uniform.

Cheering a game is your job. Friends, family and fans can hang out with you after the game or during halftime. PARENTS: PLEASE DO NOT DISTRACT YOUR CHEERLEADER DURING CHEER TIMES.

Cheerleaders are to wear their entire uniform to games. This includes hair bows and proper briefs. Everyone is expected to have a clear poncho, cheer bag, megaphone and poms (for girls) for each game. Females must wear hair half up/half down with bangs pulled back or however specified and look neat. Game day make up should be worn. Males need to have neat hair and must be cleanly shaven. No nail polish or jewelry is allowed. Nails should not be able to be seen over the top of the finger tip.

Each cheerleader will be required to fulfill specific duties for each game. Failure to fulfill duties will result in consequences set by the coach or suspension of next game. All cheerleaders must make sure the area is cleaned before dismissal. Failure to do your part will only hurt the squad.

Obscene language, gestures and/or public displays of affection are not appropriate behaviors for a Bartow cheerleader, especially if you are in uniform or cheer attire. If these offenses occur while in uniform or cheer attire, the cheerleader will sit out the remainder of the game or event.

AWAY GAMES:

Cheerleaders must ride the bus to and from all games or events unless otherwise specified. Cheerleaders should arrive 30 minutes early and are to be dressed and ready upon entering the bus. Parents who want to take their child home from an away game MUST clear this with a coach prior to the game. Cheerleaders will only be released to their parents.

MISCONDUCT

Misconduct as determined by the coach will result in game suspension or dismissal from the squad. Conduct rules below will be as followed:

  • Back talk, rolling of eyes, being disruptive, having an insubordinate attitude, and/or any other disrespectful gestures toward the coaching staff will not be tolerated. After a warning, the cheerleaders will be asked to leave practice or a game. The next offense will result in suspension or removal from the squad.
  • Teammates are expected to treat each other with mutual respect. Gossiping, fighting, or exclusivity will not be tolerated.
  • Although cheerleading should be enjoyable, team practices and games are not social hour. If a cheerleader is not actively paying attention, then the member will be disciplined.
  • Sitting or lying down isn’t permitted at practice or games unless specified by the coach.
  • Always leave an area better than you found it.
  • Keep in mind-if your parents, coaches, and teachers wouldn’t approve – DON’T DO IT.

Cheerleaders not following these rules or the expectations of a cheerleader are subject to disciplinary actions. Depending of the severity of the situation the consequences may include:

  • Physical activity above normal conditioning
  • Suspension
  • Placement on a lower level team
  • Removal from the program

Possessing or using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs will not be tolerated. Cheerleaders who violate these rules will be referred to the BHS discipline office and the Polk County Schools Code of Conduct will be used to take disciplinary action.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media, such as blogs, video sharing, picture sharing and social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, YouTube, etc.) are blurring the distinction between student’s school and personal lives. That means we need to be mindful about the public nature of social media in referencing your personal life. Many of us are engaged in social networking on some level, so we feel it is necessary to remind everyone of the need to be careful with respect to the content of your communications. Posting derogatory, harassing, insulting or inappropriate comments or posting photos/videos of a similar nature on a personal blog or on any other social networking site can result in immediate dismissal from the program.

We understand the importance of using social media as a means of communication with friends and family. Our cheer programs use many types of social media to keep everyone in the loop. However, while it is tempting to use social media as an outlet for “venting”, it is imperative that everyone understands that anything posted online could be accessible to people outside your circle. You should always stop and consider what you’re saying before you hit “send” or “post.”

CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM

Bartow Cheerleaders must be able to accept constructive criticism. Constructive criticism is given to help improve the individual athlete and the team as a whole. Negative attitudes towards suggestions from coaches and teammates will not be tolerated.

CAMPS AND COMPETITIONS

Each cheerleader is required to attend all clinics, camps and choreography. Camp is where the cheerleaders learn new and improved stunts, compete against other squads, and most importantly bond as a squad. Clinics and choreography work on important skills needed throughout the year and also allow the squad to bond.

Camp Dates:

  • Tues, June 18 – Thurs, June 20; Stunt Clinic @ LHS
  • Sunday, July 21 – Wed, July 24; UCA camp @ UCF
  • Tues, July 30 – Wed, July 31; Choreography @ BHS

Parents are encouraged to come to the last day of UCA camp to support the cheerleaders in competition.

COMPETITIONS:

All cheerleaders must attend all competitions. These are scheduled in advance, so plan accordingly. This includes SAT/ACT’s, family trips, or other school functions. We usually attend 6-7 competitions a year and most of them land on Saturdays. Tentative dates are:

November 23rd: All Out Championship @ the UCF Arena

December 7th: UCA Regionals @the Orlando Convention Center

December 14th: County Competition

January 3&4: FCC Nationals in Orlando

January 11th: Cheer Challenge @ Hagerty High School in Orlando

January 25th: FHSAA Regionals @ Freedom High School in Tampa

One day between Jan 30, Jan 31 OR Feb 1: FHSAA States @ Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee

February 7-9: UCA Nationals @ Disney

*Parents will be responsible for transporting cheerleaders to and from competitions.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT/REPRESENTATION OF BHS

We need the support of our cheer parents. Our cheerleaders work hard and we want to see you cheering with them in the crowd. Dads: pull out your cheer dad shirts and yell and scream like we just threw the winning touchdown. Moms: take out those poms and shakers, make signs and cheer the cheer like your glory days. Really, we would like to see a sea of fans supporting our cheerleaders, so invite everyone, learn the cheer, and help out our crowd involvement score! With that being said, parents are expected to show good sportsmanship during all games, performances and competitions. Parents are representatives of our teams as much as the athletes themselves. Parents will not be invited to accompany the BHS cheer teams to games or competitions if they display negativity towards opposing players, opposing parents, referees, judges, opposing coaches or BHS coaches.

PAYMENTS

Cheerleading payments are broken up into 6 main payments. The full amount is due at the time of the last scheduled payment or prior to. Over the past few years, we’ve had multiple cheerleaders not pay off their accounts until the end of the school year. This is a huge headache for us, our finance coach and our administration. Therefore, our administration is placing a new restriction on our program this year. If a cheerleader’s account is not paid off by the day of the competitive team tryouts (October 14th), that cheerleader will NOT be allowed to compete. Please understand that our administration is very serious about this deadline and we are not allowed to make exceptions. Please also understand that NO refunds will be given (regarding payments or fundraising) even if a cheerleader doesn’t make the competitive team. Please do your best to pay something every time a payment is due. Every little bit helps. Keep in mind that failure to pay off your account results in the whole program suffering.

Payment 1: $265 (camps/uniform deposit) due June 10th.

Payment 2: $265 (camps/uniform balance) due June 25th.

Payment 3: Clothing/Equipment payment (varies) due July 15th.

Payment 4: Clothing/Equipment payment (varies) due July 29th.

Payment 5: Clothing/Equipment payment (varies) due August 5th.

Payment 6: Clothing/Equipment payment (varies) due August 19th.

Your final payment is due August 19th. Cheerleaders may be benched from football games if accounts are not paid off by this date.

The absolute final date to pay off accounts is October 14th. No cheerleader will be allowed to compete if they have a balance.

All payments need to be made by check or money order. Please do not send cash. You can get a money order at Amscot for free. This is for your protection and ours.

All returned checks will be charged a $35 fee from the School Board.

You will be issued a monthly invoice via paper copy and email. The invoice will let you know how much you’ve paid and how much you owe. Please direct all finance questions to our finance coach, Deanne Taylor, at

COMPETITION FEES:

Competition fees could be covered by the cheerleading account if proper fundraising is done. If our estimated goal is met, a portion of the money will go to paying all or most competition fees for the cheerleaders. Parents are normally expected to pay the travel and hotel fees associated with competing at Nationals. However, this may not be necessary if every team member meets the fundraising goal.

FUNDRAISING

Our regulations regarding fundraising are changing this year. We will be tracking the amount of funds that each cheerleader raises, which is something we have not done in the past. Our squad requires approximately $20,000 per year to operate. This total includes things like: camp gifts, Christmas gifts, competition fees, fill in uniforms, awards for the banquet, and signs for our competition routine, to name a few. Therefore, we are requiring each cheerleader to raise $750this year. We are offering a variety of ways for the cheerleaders to raise these funds. It is our opinion that the sign fundraiser is the easiest way to raise this money. If we can raise all of this money with our first few fundraisers, we won’t have to throw in smaller, more time consuming ones (like car washes and rummage sales).