Constitution for Varsity and B-Team Cheerleaders

TallasseeHigh School

2010-2011

This constitution for the Tallassee City Schools Cheerleaders has been established in order to provide a basic on which they may function in school activities.

Article I

Section I: Name

Varsity and B-Team Cheerleaders at TallasseeHigh School

Section II: Purpose

The purpose of cheerleading is to direct the student in school spirit, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm in all activities.

Article II

Section I: Tryout Qualifications

  1. Must be a TallasseeCitySchool student prior to signing up for cheerleader and before the parent meeting.
  2. Must have a permission slip signed by a parent.
  3. Must have insurance or school insurance.
  4. Must pass aphysical exam.
  5. Must not have an “F” in any course for the semester prior to tryouts and have a 2.0 average.
  6. All financial obligations to Tallassee City Schools must be met prior to tryouts.

Article III

Section I: Selection of Captain(s)

  1. Captainof the Varsity Cheer squad will be determined by the candidatewith the highest tryout score. The candidate must have at least one year of varsity cheering experience. IF there is a tie, there will be two captains (both requiring at least one year of varsity cheering experience).
  1. Captain of the B-Team Cheer squad will be determined by the candidate with the highest tryout score. The candidate must have a least one year of junior varsity cheering experience. IF there is a tie, there will be two captains (both requiring at least one year of junior varsity cheering experience.

Article IV

Section I: General Requirements

  1. Must attend the cheer clinic during the week of tryouts. Anyone with an unexcused absence will not be allowed to tryout. Only one excused absence is allowed. An Absence can only be excused by the Cheer Coach or Principal.
  2. During the week of cheerleader clinic and tryouts, no flowers, banners, cards, etc. are to be brought or delivered to clinic practice or tryouts for any cheerleader candidate.
  3. Any cheerleader that quits or is removed from the squad will not be eligible to tryout the following year. This rule will carry over fromB-TeamtoVarsity.

4. No cheerleader may participate in other athletic functions that interfere with

cheerleading unless prior approval by the Cheer Coach.

5. Candidates for Varsity and B-Team cheerleading must be in the 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th grade at the time of tryouts.

6.Cheerleaders represent TallasseeHigh School to our community as well as to others. A cheerleader’s behavior should be exemplary at all times. At athletic events, cheerleaders should show appropriate respect during opening ceremonies as well as during activities they are required to attend. Cheerleaders must use good manners during the school year.

7. Must follow all Board of Education approved policies.

Section II: Athletic Conflicts

  1. There can be no conflict with Varsity/B-Team games, practices and performances or with other sports/extra-curricular activities.

Section III: Tryout Procedures

  1. A panel of 4 independent judges will select the cheerleaders based on technical merit.
  1. All students trying out will be selected based upon scoring. Therefore those that fall within the 1st break will be Varsity Cheerleaders. Eighth graders try out for B-Team only. Those that fall after the 1st break will be B-Team Cheerleaders. The Maximum number of cheerleaders for B-Team and for Varsity is 14.

If there are not minorities in the top 12cheerleaders selected, the top two qualified minority candidates will be placed on the squad. If one minority candidate is selected in the top 12 cheerleaders, one additional qualified minority candidate will be placed on the squad.

  1. Eighth graders are ineligible for the varsity.
  1. Tryouts will be closed to the public except for the following: a. judges

b. administrator(s) and faculty (Coaches) of THS and SMS schools and

c. UCA Clinic staff only.(No Seniors or former graduates)

5. These squads (Varsity and B-Team) will cheer for football, basketball and any other sports deemed necessary by the Administration and/or Cheer Coach.

6. Cheerleader candidates will be judged on: Communication skills, Cheer Motion Technique, Chant Group Technique, Dance Technique, Jumps, Gymnastic Skills, and Overall appearance. (See sample score sheet for detailed information.)

  1. Must wear purple shorts, plain white sleeveless shirt (with no writing), hair-up in a ponytail with no ribbon or adornment, white socks and white tennis shoes (No Cheerleading Shoes), no jewelry, no acrylic nails or tips and no finger nail polish.
  1. The announcement of the squad will be made immediately after tryouts.

Section IV: Cheerleader Rules

If cheerleader rules are not followed, cheerleaders will be penalized according to a system of demerits.

  1. Practices will be held after school.
  2. Attendance at all football and basketball games or other sports deemed necessary by Administration or Cheer Coach. There must be a documented sickness or death in the family in order for the absence to be accepted. The Cheer Coach will determine if the excuse is valid.
  3. Be on time for all practices.
  4. Must be at football game 45 minutes early, basketball game-15 minutes early unless otherwise designated by the Cheer Coach.
  5. At the intermission of events, cheerleaders will fulfill their responsibilities with the opposing school’s cheerleaders. Cheerleaders should be in the cheering area ready to cheer at 1:00 minute on the game clock.
  6. Must provide money for own meals.
  7. Cheerleaders must provide own transportation to and from practices and home games.
  8. Must ride to and from out of town games with the squad on school sponsored transportation.
  9. Cheerleaders must sit together at games and give complete attention to the responsibility of cheering.
  10. Candy or food may not be taken to the cheering area during any athletic event.
  11. Cheerleaders are to remain with the squad at all times and are never to leave the stadium or gym until the game is over. Leaving an athletic event without permission is grounds for dismissal from the squad.
  12. No talking to fans while cheering.
  13. No smoking or drinking is permitted during any school activity. This would result in immediate removal from the squad.
  14. Cheerleaders are expected at all times to be a credit to the school, being
  15. Courteous and friendly to other teams and squads.
  16. Pleasant, respectful, courteous, and considerate of all members of her own squad.
  17. Neat in appearance.
  18. Respectful to teachers and Coaches at all times; and must follow all school rules and board policies. Uncooperative behavior or refusal to comply with the Cheer Coach’s directions is unacceptable.
  19. Chewing gum, jewelry, large hair clips, excessive make-up and excessive hair do are not allowed during games, pep rallies, or practices.
  20. Nails must be the proper length, bare or with clear polish. No glitter or false nails.
  21. Cheerleaders should wear their complete uniform only during games, pep rallies, special activities, and traveling to and from a game. Uniforms are not to be worn at non school related events.
  22. Each cheerleader is responsible for the care of her uniform.
  23. Complete uniform must be worn including shoes, socks, etc. Hair must be worn pulled back away from the face in a high ponytail with the bow visible from the front.
  24. No cheerleader may hold a job that interferes in anyway with the cheerleading duties, practices, games, etc.

Section V. Demerit System

The Varsity and B-Team squads will operate under the same demerit system that will be established by Cheer Coach’s and Administrators prior to tryouts.

  1. Demerits will be issued for the following:
  2. 5 demerits for missing practice or an activity.
  3. 5 demerits for missing a game.
  4. 5 demerits for receiving In School Suspension (ISS).
  5. 7 demerits for being suspended from school.
  6. 2 demerits for being late to a game or practice.
  7. 2 demerits for talking to fans during a game while cheering.
  8. 2 demerits for incomplete/incorrect uniform or un-kept uniform.
  9. 2 demerits for not fulfilling cheerleader obligations such as painting banners, signs, carrying equipment, fundraisers, etc.
  10. 2 demerits for minor situations such as gum chewing, or any other minor situation that is decided by the Coach.
  11. 2 demerits for inappropriate display of affection towards a male or female while wearing a cheerleader uniform/or cheer clothing.
  12. 1-5 demerits for uncooperative behavior or refusal to comply with the Cheer Coach’s directions.
  13. If a cheerleader fails any class or classes during a nine weeks, he/she will be released from all cheerleading responsibilities and activities for 4 weeks and re-evaluated after progress reports to determine if grades are passing.
  1. Disciplinary action resulting from demerits:
  2. Total of 5 demerits: (Benched) Miss 1 game, pep rally and probation for 1 week.
  3. Total of 10 demerits: (Benched) Miss 2 games, 2 pep rallies, and probation for 2 weeks.

Benching involves: attending all practices, meetings, and performances in uniform. The cheerleader must travel to and from the games, sit with the cheer coach, but not participate in the activity until the benching period ends. A cheerleader that is benched is not allowed to socialize during the game.

  1. Total of 15 demerits: Expulsion from the squad.

Demerits will accumulate during the school year.

Section VI: Immediate Removal from the Squad

A cheerleader will be removed from the squad immediately for any of the following reasons:

  1. Leaving a required athletic event before the completion without permission.
  2. Smoking or drinking in uniform or at any school event.
  3. A basic unwillingness to cooperate with the Cheer Coach based upon their inappropriate actions being and/or defiant towards the Coach.
  4. If a student fails a course during a semester, he/she will be dismissed.

Section VII: Financial Responsibilities

Cheerleaders will be responsible for the following:

  1. Most uniforms and wind suits are school owned.
  2. Socks, briefs, shoes, and ribbons
  3. Summer Camp fee ( 3 to 4 day clinic)
  4. Camp clothing
  5. Pom-poms
  6. Gymnastics: paid monthly
  7. $15.00 try-outs clinic fee

I have read and understand the conditions set forth in this constitution, and I agree to abide by the rules herein. If I sign this constitution, it is my agreement to comply with the rules for TallasseeHigh School Cheerleading.

Date: ______

Name: ______

Signature: ______

Parent’s Signature: ______

TallasseeHigh School Athletics Insurance Coverage

If an injury occurs to a student while participating in a school-related athletic event or practice for that event, we are asking parents to use their personal insurance to pay as much of the doctor/hospital bill as their coverage will allow. The Tallassee City Board of Education is providing a supplemental policy to aid in covering the remaining costs. We hope that both policies will cover the total costs. We also have a catastrophic policy which covers injuries of that nature.

To provide for the efficient functioning of this type of athletic insurance program, we are requesting that each parent provide the school with the following information:

______I do not have any type of medical coverage

______I have medical insurance coverage

______

Company Name

______

Company Address

______

Policy Number

______

Insured Social Security Number

______I have Medicaid Insurance

______

Medicaid Number

______

Signature of Parent/Guardian

______

Date

**Please provide a front and back copy of your insurance card.**

Application for Cheerleading Tryouts

My child, ______

has my permission to be a cheerleader at TallasseeHigh School. I understand that she/he must abide by the same rules and regulations set forth by the advisor and the principal of TallasseeHigh School and be present for all practices and games. I have read the rules and regulations and understand that the violation of any of these rules may lead to temporary or permanent suspension from the squad. I understand and give permission for my daughter/son to ride with the coach and /or parents when necessary. I understand that all forms attached must be completed by ______or my child will not be allowed to tryout. I understand that my child must attend all practices (unless excused by the advisor) and tryout sessions or my child will not be considered for a cheerleading position.

I understand that my daughter/son will be evaluated by qualified judges and we agree to abide by the decision of the judges. I understand all costs involved as stated in the rules.

I understand by the very nature of the activity, cheerleading and gymnastics carry a risk of physical injury. No matter how careful the participant and coach are, how many spotters are used, or what landing surface is used, the risk cannot be eliminated. The risk of injury includes catastrophic injuries such as permanent paralysis or even death from landing or falls on the back, neck or head. I understand these risks and will not hold TallasseeHigh School, any of its personnel, UCA Staff, and Top Dog Cheerleading Company and staffresponsible in the case of accident or injury at any time.

______

Parent or GuardianDate

______

Parent or GuardianDate

I am interested in being a cheerleader at TallasseeHigh School. I understand the risks stated above. If selected, I promise to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the coach and the principal of TallasseeHigh School. I promise to cooperate and follow the instructions of the cheerleading coach.

Student signature: ______Date: ______

Home Address: ______

______

Grade Next Year: ______