2014 – 2015

Deer Lakes Cheerleaders Handbook

Rules / Policies / Guidelines

PURPOSE

It is our purpose to promote and uphold team spirit for those we encounter, to develop and maintain good sportsmanship by example, and to support good relations in the community and with other teams during games and events. The organizational goal is to work in harmony with the administration, athletic department, school system, coaches and sponsors of the Deer Lakes School District.

CODE OF CONDUCT

All team members should behave in a professional and mature manner as a representation of themselves, their parents, teammates, coaches/sponsors and Deer Lakes High School. It is expected that all athletes will act with complete respect to the instructors and other students in the program, as well as staff and students of other districts. Any behavior that disrupts this reputation will not be tolerated.

CHEERLEADER EXPECTATIONS

Agree to abide by the Expectations, Rules and Regulations set forth in this handbook.

HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE!!!! 

Be on time for and attend all practices, games, pep rallies and events.

Promote friendship between, support, encourage and respect ALL other team members.

 Set an example of good behavior at all times (whether in uniform or not) in class, school, home and at all functions.

Remain unified as a team during events, games, etc., home and away, in order to promote spirit, and positively represent DLHS!

APPEARANCE

To practice, you must be wearing practice clothes (shorts, t-shirt, sweatshirt/pants, socks and tennis shoes). NO jeans, sandals, flip-flops, or anything you are unable to move in.

Uniforms are to be worn for all games and events. Uniforms should be kept neat and spotless at all times. Please do not eat or drink any colored beverages in your uniform before games.

Hair is to be worn neatly and up out of the face (ponytails, etc.) for all games and practices. Hair should not need attention while you are cheering. Team ribbons are considered to be part of the uniform and are to be worn in your hair. Please do not use metal or hard plastic hair accessories.

Jewelry is nice . . . BUT, not for practices or games. For safety reasons, only small flat earrings or small stud earrings will be acceptable. No necklaces, bracelets, watches, rings or other forms of jewelry are permitted during games, practices, pep rallies and other events. If you are in uniform, you should not be in jewelry!

Gum is prohibited at all games, practices, and pep rallies.

** Note: Being dressed properly and ready to practice and perform at the designated time and place keeps your coach happy! 

GENERAL SQUAD INFORMATION

It is to be understood that if you are trying out for cheerleading, your season will run from June through February. You will be a part of the squad from summer practice to football season and continue through to the end of basketball season. If you are involved in other school sports or school activities, you will be able to be a part of both. You will, however, be required to share time evenly between activities if they happen to overlap at any time.

If a girl has cheered from 9th – 11th grade consecutively for both football and basketball seasons, she may be eligible to have a spot on the Varsity cheerleading squad for her senior year without going through the tryout procedure, pending approval from Athletic Director, Principal and coaches’. The candidate may not carry excessive demerits from previous years and must display a positive attitude and enthusiasm, etc. **Please see Tryout Packet for further details and form to be completed.

ALL CHEERLEADERSwill be:

  • Required to cheer for all designated games and pep rallies
  • Required to participate in parades and additional events that may be added as the season progresses.
  • Required to attend all practices and events, unless preapproved by coaches.
  • Asked to participate in several community events throughout the year.

FRESHMEN SQUAD

  • Freshmen squad will be comprised of a maximum of 12 members (9th grade only)
  • Required to cheer at all home Freshmen football and basketball games, Homecoming and Senior night for Varsity football.
  • Required to attend all home Varsity football games and sit together in a designated area to cheer on the team.

JV SQUAD

  • JV Squad will be comprised of a maximum of 12 members (10th & 11th grade)
  • Required to cheer at all home JV football and basketball games, Homecoming and Senior night for Varsity football.
  • Required to attend all home Varsity football games and sit together in a designated area to cheer on the team.

VARSITY SQUAD

  • Maximum of 24 members (10th, 11th & 12th grade)

(Example: If there are 7 seniors who are eligible to receive a spot on the squad due to their past service as DLHS cheerleaders, there would then be 17 spots left to fill to reach the maximum of 24 squad members.)

  • Required to cheer all home and awayVarsity football and basketball games.

Deer Lakes High School Cheerleading

Rules and Regulations

  1. Because of the athletic manner of cheerleading, every cheerleader is required to get a physical in the fall sports season. Some cheer camps may require them also.
  1. As for all athletics, the Deer Lakes Co-Curricular Rules and Regulations will also pertain to cheerleading.
  1. As with any athletic team, cheerleaders are required to ride the school buses to and from away games. THEY ARE NOT PERMITTED TO RIDE HOME AT ANY TIME WITH ANYONE OTHER THAN A PARENT / GUARDIAN AND MUST HAVE PERMISSION FROM THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AND THE COACH / SPONSOR AND PROVIDE A WRITTEN NOTE FROM THE PARENT / GUARDIAN. Cheerleaders must stay for the duration of the entire game(s).
  1. As with all athletic squads, cheerleaders are expected to be present at all pep rallies, games, practices and scheduled events. Failure to meet this expectation will result in not cheering for that activity, but the cheerleader must dress and sit behind the squad. Otherwise it will count as an unexcused missed practice or event.
  1. All cheerleaders will attend all practices, games and events, unless preapproved by the coaches. Absenteeism of 3 or more practices, games or events per quarter (June-August, September-November, December-February, March-May) will result in suspension of cheering. Practices will continue to be mandated.
  1. Summer Camp: All cheerleaders will be required to attend an annual camp as a squad.
  1. Social Activities: All members are encouraged to attend all squad activities. Advance notice of non-attendance is required.
  1. If any other activities or opportunities are chosen by the coaches or administration, the coaches or administration will decide if the event is mandatory or optional. Reasonable notice of all such activities / opportunities will be given for mandatory events, and as early as possible for others.
  1. In order to promote uniformity, a specific hairstyle, bow or ribbon will be determined prior to each event. The entire team must wear their hair the same. Hairpieces, bow or other items may be required by the coach and must be purchased and worn as instructed.
  2. As with any athletic squad, cheerleaders are expected to attend a required number of events and/or games. Excessive absences from practices and events may require a doctor’s excuse; otherwise, the absence will be unexcused.
  1. To avoid possible injury or loss, no jewelry is to be worn to practices, games or other events. Body piercing jewelry must also be removed. This has become a national cheerleading regulation.
  1. Coaches will call all times and dates of practices.
  1. All music, cheers, and dances must be approved by the coach and if necessary by the administration or athletic committee.
  1. All uniforms must be kept clean and any alterations must be temporary and approved.
  2. In order to promote and maintain a well-disciplined squad, adherence to the expectations is mandatory. In the event that these expectations are not met, the team coach will handle the disciplinary action. All rules and disciplinary procedures will be provided to each cheerleader by the coach.
  1. All materials purchased for the entire squad will be determined by the coach and may require the approval of the administration.
  1. All money owed to the Cheer Boosters must be paid in full by tryouts. Uniforms must be cleaned and turned in inside a plastic zipper bag with the cheerleaders name on it. If money is due and/or uniforms or cheer equipment is not turned in, your child will not be permitted to tryout and will be out on the school’s debt list.
  1. For the cheerleaders’ safety, there will be no gum chewing at games or practices.
  1. Fingernails are to be kept at a manageable length and only clear nail polish can be on them for games. Long artificial or acrylic nails are seldom permitted with the exception of homecoming. They must be removed or cut down at the discretion of the coach.
  1. If a cheerleader will be missing a required event, a parent must call the coach no later than one hour before the cheerleader is required to be at the event. If not called off, it will be counted as an unexcused absence.
  1. If a cheerleader decides to quit prior to the end of the sports season or if they are removed from the squad due to gross misconduct they will not be permitted to cheer for DLHS for one full year following the date of departure.
  1. Dual Sports Rule: Being that cheerleaders are the spirit leaders of the school, we feel it is important that you are able to participate in different school sports and activities. Therefore, you are permitted to participate in other school related activities throughout the cheering season. However, it is important that you are able share your time evenly between cheerleading and your additional sports/activities when practices and/or games or performances overlap.
  1. All cheerleaders are required to dress uniformly at all games and events. There are NO exceptions.
  1. Jobs are not to interfere with practices or games. You will receive a schedule and you will know what is required of you, so set your work schedule accordingly.
  1. You will be expected to represent your school with respect. If you cannot show respect for yourself and your school, don’t expect anyone else to do so.
  1. Above all, a good attitude is extremely important. You must put your team’s needs above your own individual needs. Cheerleading is a team sport and a big commitment. Be prepared to honor this commitment.
  1. Fighting among team members or squads will not be tolerated. Leave personal problems and issues out of practices and games.

Deer Lakes Cheerleading

Demerit System 2014 - 2015

The demerit system is set up based on the cheerleading rules and regulations. This system has been approved by the athletic director and principal. It will be in effect immediately following tryouts.

If a cheerleader receives demerits, a Demerit Report will be sent home with the cheerleader. This form is to be signed by the parent/guardian and cheerleader and returned to the coach at the next squad event. A copy of this report will be given to the Athletic Director. This report will explain why demerits are being issued and will also give a tally of demerits recorded to date.

CHEERLEADER STANDARDS:

As good will ambassadors of our school and community, DLHS cheerleaders are to exhibit spirit, good judgment, and proper attitude, even when not in uniform.

  1. The coaches have the authority to take proper steps to suspend or drop permanently any cheerleader for any of the following reasons:
  2. Any act that harms the reputation of the school
  3. Any violation of school rules
  4. Any violation of athletic rules of participation
  5. Expulsion or suspension for the violations above will follow proper procedures set down by the athletic direct, principal and student handbook.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

All cheerleaders will attend all practices, games and events, unless preapproved by the coaches. Absenteeism of 3 or more practices, games or events per quarter (June-August, September-November, December-February, March-May) will result in suspension of cheering. Practices and attendance at events will continue to be mandated. If a cheerleader is suspended from the squad for any length of time, they are to dress for each event as though they are cheering that event and attend the event ON TIME and sit with the coaches – there will be no exceptions.

  1. If a cheerleader is going to be late due to some unforeseen problem, the cheerleader is to call the coach as soon as possible with this message. This excuses the tardiness and will not be charged demerits.
  1. If a student is kept after class and will be late to practice, the cheerleader is to bring a note from the teacher when she/he comes, and no demerits will be charged, as long as she comes directly to practice.
  1. Demerits are charged by the coach at the event. These demerits carry throughout one cheering season and will be erased upon completion of the season. (The cheer season runs June – February) The demerit list is the custody of the coach and will not be discussed with any other cheerleader.
  1. Parents are asked to make appointments with Doctors, Dentists,

Orthodontists or any other similar situations outside of practice and game times.

A CHEERLEADER’S ABSENCE PENALIZES THE ENTIRE SQUAD.

Demerits will be issued for the following reason:

(Please note this is only a minor listing of punishable offenses. Demerits can and will be issued for any act that the coaches see as fit. Contrary to popular belief, demerits have been issued at one time or another during each season.)

Long nails or bright nail polish1 demerit

Wearing jewelry during practice, game or cheer event1 demerit

Chewing gum or eating candy while cheering1 demerit

Untidy or incomplete uniform1 demerit

Not having bow in hair1 demerit

Not wearing assigned cheer attire to school2 demerits

Not having pom-poms for event2 demerits

Not having correct shoes2 demerits

Excessive conversation with crowd or other cheerleaders2 demerits

Failure to remain with squad when required2 demerits

Not being prepared to cheer at designated time2 demerits

(This means hair must be in ponytail, bow must be in, shoes must be on,

must be dressed in proper uniform and cheerleader must be ready to cheer.)

Profanity3 demerits

Improper behavior5 demerits

Disrespect towards coaches, administration, officials or other cheerleaders10 demerits

CELL PHONE USAGE!!! First offense1 demerit

Second offense3 demerits

Third offense5 demerits

More than 3 times - each additional time 5 demerits

*Unexcused Absence 5 demerits per absence

(3 approved absences per quarter are permitted – see attendance requirements.

Upon 4th absence demerits will be issued.)

*UNEXCUSED absences are those that pertain to skipping practice/games for the following reasons: work, hair, nail or tanning appointments, detention, suspension, other outside activities, etc.

During the summer months, reasonable vacation time will be considered an EXCUSED absence.

Absences due to other school activities/sports will be considered EXCUSED as long as equal time is shared between cheerleading and your other activity.

5 Demerits =Suspension for one week

10 Demerits =Suspension for two weeks

15 Demerits =Immediate removal from the squad

DEMERIT REPORT

I, ______, am aware that I am receiving

(name of cheerleader)

______demerit(s) for the following reason(s):

______Date______

Cheerleader’s Signature

______Date______

Parent’s Signature

______Date______

Coach’s Signature

As of (date)______, a total amount of ______demerit(s) have been accumulated. Please note that this results in no / a one week / a two week / permanent suspension from cheering events at this time. Attendance to practice, games and events is still mandatory during suspension. Keep in mind that once a total of 15 demerits are obtained, you will be immediately asked to hand in your uniform and you will not be permitted to participate in DLHS cheerleading for one year from the date of your removal from the squad.

DEER LAKES HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING

REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE FORM

After reviewing all of the information contained in this packet, please sign this form stating that you have read and understand all of the information contained here within and that you will abide by all of the rules and regulations set forth. By not signing this form, the cheerleader is not considered eligible to participate in any practices, games, activities or events. A signature from both the cheerleader AND a parent/guardian is required.

I, (Print Cheerleader Name) ______, have read and understood the 2014-2015 Deer Lakes Cheerleading Handbook and agree to abide by all rules and regulations set forth for the remainder of the cheering season.

______

Cheerleader Signature Date

I, (Print Parent/Guardian Name) ______, have read and understood the 2014-2015 Deer Lakes Cheerleading Handbook and agree to abide by all rules and regulations set forth for the remainder of the cheering season.

______

Parent/Guardian Signature Date