Bolsa Grande High School Cheerleading Constitution
2015-2016
I. Purpose
A. You agree to promote the spirit, pride and enthusiasm for Bolsa Grande High School and the surrounding community.
B. You agree to represent Bolsa Grande High School as a leader and role model.
II.Responsibilities and Privileges
A. Varsity (Cheer)
1. Will cheer at Varsity football and basketball games.
2. Will attend all practices.
3. Will attend selected sports games and events throughout the year.
4. Will attend selected competitions at advisor/coach/administrator’s discretion.
5. Will perform at selected pep assemblies.
6. Will attend summer and stunt camp.
B. Junior Varsity
1. Will cheer at all J.V. football games and selected J.V. basketball games.
2. Will attend all practices.
3. Will attend selected sports games and events throughout the year.
4. Will perform at selected pep assemblies with varsity.
5. Will cheer at selected varsity games.
6. Will attend selected competitions at advisor/coach/administrator’s discretion.
7. Will attend summer and stunt camp.
C. Freshman
1. Will cheer at all freshman football games and selected basketball games.
2. Will attend all practices.
3. Will attend selected sports games and events throughout the year.
4. Will perform at selected pep assemblies with varsity and JV.
5. Will cheer at selected varsity games.
6. Will attend selected competitions at advisor/coach/administrator’s discretion.
7. Will attend summer and stunt camp.
III. Tryouts
A. You must attend the tryout meeting.
B. Your parent(s)/guardian(s) must attend the parent tryout meeting
C. You must complete and turn in the “Bolsa Grande High School Cheerleading Clearance” packet by the assigned date.
D. You must be in good “athletic” standing and obtain an athletic clearance card as cleared by the athletic department and advisor.
E. You must have no outstanding fees owed to your school.
F. There is no guarantee that a cheerleader from the previous year or years will qualify for the squad again. They must re-tryout each and every year.
G. If a cheerleader quits, moves, or is dismissed during the cheer season, someone who meets all requirements in this contract may replace that cheerleader, at the advisor’s discretion.
H. The cheer advisor/coach makes final decisions regarding membership, including the quantity of members on each squad.
I. It is expected that you will use all of the skills you demonstrated during tryouts throughout the cheerleading season.
J. The advisor can use his/her discretion in applying these rules as situations arise (i.e. filling a vacated cheer position, emergencies, etc.).
IV. Membership
A. All Games.
1. You agree to cheer POSITIVELY.
2. You agree to promote the good sportsmanship and school spirit at all times.
3. Each squad will be responsible for making, putting up and taking down signs at school and at games. This means all squad members!
B. Grades
1. This is a performance group/club/sport so your grade is based on performances, attendance, and duties. You will need to perform at events your advisor has obligated you to perform in. If your grades fall below a 2.0 GPA, you are put on academic probation. Academic probation means you will be benched for the quarter. If your grades do not improve to at least 2.0 GPA, you may be dropped from the squad. In most cases the benching will be in the form of games and pep assemblies, but you will still be required to practice and to perform duties assigned to you by advisor and/or coach.
C. Conduct
1. You agree to adhere to all local, state, school, district, CIF, and advisor’s policies set forth by the law, administration, athletic code and this contract.
2. You agree to always show respect to the cheer advisor, cheer coaches, staff, administration, any adult in charge, parents, fellow students and your fellow cheerleaders. This also means that absolutely no harassment and/or negative expression of another student, teacher, administrator or yourself through the use of pictures, words, text messages, phone, and/or social media (i.e. Facebook, Tumblr, personal blogs, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) will be tolerated. Any violations will result in immediate dismissal from the squad and will be subject to further consequences.
3. You understand that there is no use or possession of drugs and/or alcohol. You understand that if you are found under the influence of and/or in possession of a controlled substance/drug paraphernalia and/or alcohol on campus or at any school activity that you will be immediately dismissed from the squad and will be subject to further consequences.
4. You understand that the manner in which you conduct yourself at all times, in or out of uniform, directly reflects on the entire school. This means you agree that you will not use profanity in public. (This includes practice and games).
5. No eating or drinking or gum chewing in front of spectators at games or during performances.
6. You agree to no talking to spectators or athletes during performances or while cheering at games. This includes excessive talking to your fellow cheerleaders –we want to be professional during our performances.
7. You agree to no displays of affection at school or any school function.
8. You agree to no lying or stealing.
9. You agree to no physical or verbal fighting; this includes the provoking of others.
10. Violation of rules 1 through 9 above will result in the following disciplinary actions (Consequences may vary depending on the severity of the offense based on advisor discretion. Major infractions will go immediately to consequence C) below:
a. First Offense — You will be benched from the entire next cheer opportunity (i.e. game, pep assembly, etc.), parent contact will be made, and/or conference with administration.
b. Second Offense — You will be benched from the entire next two cheer opportunities (i.e. game, pep assembly, etc.), parent contact will be made, and/or conference with administration.
c. Third Offense — You will be permanently dismissed from your cheer squad, parent contact will be made, and/or conference with administration.
D. Dress Code
1. Games
a. You will wear the complete and proper uniform, including socks, cheer shoes, color of bows, hairstyle, and makeup that have been decided upon for that game.
2. Practices
a. You will wear camp clothes. Cheer shoes and socks will also be worn to all practices.
3. If you do not wear the proper uniform called for by the advisor, coach, or captains or if you wear non-athletic clothes (i.e. jeans. non school colors, etc.) to practice then you will not be allowed to participate in that game and/or practice. This constitutes a nonsuit.
4. Hair will be worn back in a ponytail at all games, practices, and other cheer performances so that it does not interfere with cheering and/or safety
5. You will not wear ANY jewelry while in uniform, at games or at practices due to the possibility of injury to yourself or others.
6. Make up, nails, and hair will be at the discretion of the advisor/coach. Modest and appropriate dress is required for ALL school related functions, including dances (as per BGHS dress code). Proper appearance for performances is mandatory.
7. All grooming and dress code standards are subject to the advisor’s interpretation and will be disciplined accordingly.
E. Uniforms/Equipment
1. Varsity
a. Uniform will say “BG.”
b. Can use boxes while cheering at football games at coach’s discretion.
c. Uniform will include the following:
Cheer SocksUniform Top
Cheer ShoesUniform Skirt Pom-poms Hair Bows
Camp/Spirit Attire
Bloomers
Warm-ups and backpacks
2. Male Cheerleaders
a. Uniform will say “BG”
b. Uniform will include the following:
Uniform TopPants
Cheer shoesCamp/spirit attire
Cheer socksMegaphones
Warm-ups and backpacks
3. Junior Varsity
a. Uniform will say “BG.”
b. Uniform will include the following:
Cheer SocksWarm-ups & Backpacks
Cheer ShoesUniform Skirt
Uniform Top Pom-poms
Camp/Spirit AttireHair Bow
Compression Shorts
4. Freshman
a. Uniform will say “BG.”
b. Uniform will include the following:
Cheer Socks
Cheer ShoesUniform Skirt
Uniform TopPom-poms
Camp/Spirit AttireHair Bow
Compression Shorts
Warm-ups and backpacks
Your Uniform Responsibilities
1. You must purchase and care for your own uniform and equipment. Bolsa Grande ASB will provide the “basic” uniform free of charge should you choose them to do so. This will consist of a shell, skirt and bloomers for females, and a shell and long pants for males. It is your responsibility to clean them, and you must return them, in good condition, at the end of the year. You may not put your name or graduation year on any uniforms that ASB has purchased. Additionally, there is no guarantee that you will receive the exact same uniform the following year if you choose to borrow the uniform again.
a) Be aware and see advisor for cheer uniform payment.
b) Your uniform must be paid for in full before it will be distributed to you. Not having a uniform at games will result in the action stated in Section IV D#3.
d) Your uniform and/or cheer attire will be worn to school on all game days and spirit days. If you do not wear the proper/complete uniform to school, the following consequences will result:
First and second offense — You will be benched one half for each offense, to be served at the next football or boy’s basketball game. If you are not in the proper uniform the day of a pep assembly, you will not be able to participate in it.
Third offense —. You will be benched from the entire next cheer opportunity. (game, pep assembly, etc.)
Fourth offense — You will be benched from the entire next two cheer opportunities (game, pep assembly, etc.) and a parent contact will be made.
Fifth offense — You will be dismissed from your cheer squad.
2. You will wear your uniform or cheer attire to all games and other assigned events, If you do not wear the proper/complete uniform to the game or event, you will be benched from that game/event and will remain benched until you have the proper/complete uniform.
3. Attendance
You must attend the last four periods of the day or have a non-illness related excuse to participate in an activity that day or night.
4. Tardies: The following pertains to per semester.
First and second tardy — You will be benched one half game for each tardy, to be served at the next football or boy’s basketball game.
Third tardy — You will be benched for the entire next game and next pep assembly.
Fourth tardy — You will be benched for the entire next two games and two pep assemblies.
Fifth tardy — You will be dismissed from your cheer squad, after all, you are a campus role model.
5. Unexcused absences: The following pertains to per semester.
a. First unexcused absence — You will be benched from the entire next game and pep assembly.
b. Second and third unexcused absence — You will be benched from the next two games and all pep assemblies that semester.
c. Fourth unexcused absence —You will be dismissed from your cheer squad.
6. Total absences:
a. You will be dismissed from the squad if, excluding summer, you accumulate 10 absences (excused or unexcused) for the entire year. If you do not attend school that day, you may not attend the game and not be penalized providing you have an excused absence.
b. During Summer events (practices or other cheer events) you are allowed a total of 5 excused absences, which include doctor’s appointments, planned vacations (upon making the squad), or death in the family. You are also allowed 2 unexcused absences before possible dismissal from the team.
7. Absence Notes:
You must bring a note from your parent and give it to the advisor the day you return or the absence will be considered unexcused and consequences will be served.
8. Detentions, Referrals and Truancies
a. If disciplinary action resulting from a school detention makes you late to any cheer activity, including practice, it will be considered a tardy.
b. If disciplinary action resulting from a school detention, referral or truancy makes you miss any cheer activity, including practice, it will be considered an unexcused absence.
c. A first school suspension due to disciplinary actions will result in a three game, one competition, and all pep assembly suspension. Any subsequent suspensions due to disciplinary actions will result in dismissal from the squad.
9. Definitions
a. Benched — You will attend game or event in uniform and sit next to the coach without socializing.
b. Excused Absence Illness, family emergency, pre-arranged family obligation, and/or other reasons pre-approved by the advisor. Transportation problems and work are not excused absences.
c. Unexcused Absence — Anything except those reason listed above.
d. School Suspension — If you are suspended from school you are also suspended from your cheer squad and are not going to participate in any cheerleading nor are you allowed to wear any cheerleading attire.
e. Tardy — If you arrive at any cheer activity, including class and practice, after the designated time then you are considered tardy.
10. Participation in other groups, activities and/or sports.
a. If you participate in another group, whose activity conflicts with cheerleading, you are expected to make cheer your first priority and if you miss a practice you may not have your same or desired spot in a routine or stunt when you return.
b. Cheerleading is a FULL YEAR class. Should you quit cheer during the year you will not be permitted to try out again the following year or play a sport during that season.
V. Dismissal
A. Suspension or expulsion from school.
B. The use of drugs or alcohol
C. Disrespect and/or misconduct to/toward cheer advisor/coach, staff; administration, any adult in charge, parents, fellow students and/or fellow squad members.
D. Failure to maintain a 2.00 G.P,A. minimum or any “U” in citizenship or work habits on quarter report card after the probationary period.
E. Infraction or repeated violations of school policy cheer contract guidelines and/or cheer rules.
F. Unwilling and/or unable to fulfill all duties related to cheer.
G. Continual unsportsmanlike conduct towards anyone, including fellow squad members and other schools cheer teams.
H. Causing continual problems on the cheer squad. (Including, but not limited to attitude, conflicts, arguing, insubordination, lying, tardies, absences, etc.)
1. Surpassing the maximum allowable amount of unexcused absences, tardies or overall absences.
J. If a cheerleader is dismissed or resigns from the squad, he/she may NOT TRYOUT for cheer the following year.
K. By the discretion of the advisor and the administration, a dismissed/resigned cheerleader may not participate in group pictures, banquet, or future festivities.
These standards of eligibility and conduct shall apply to all Cheer Team Members.
L. More than 5 tardies/quarter justify dismissal from squad.
M. More than 5 absences/quarter justify dismissal from squad.
N. More than 5 excused and 2 unexcused absences from summer events.
Personal pride dictates that shabby performances, lack of enthusiasm, poor attitude, any display that could be termed substandard performance, or failure to meet any of the requirements of these policies, will result in temporary suspension until the member reaches the standards of the Bolsa Grande High School Cheer Team.
As each member will have a copy of this constitution, the advisor shall have the authority of benching/suspending without the need for warning members that they have violated any of these rules and any failure to abide by these rules will give the advisor the authority to dismiss the member after consulting with the administration.
Cheer Contract Form for Bolsa Grande High School
Cheerleading Constitution
To parents AND cheerleaders:
Keep this copy of the Cheer Constitution for your records. You have 5 days to read through and discuss any questions or concerns with Ms. Tran. After submitting this signed contract, you are saying that you understand completely and have no need for further clarifications. If you need translation in Vietnamese, Spanish, or another language, it is your responsibility to come see Ms. Tran. Always refer back to your copy of the Constitution.
Return this last page by the first practice upon making the squad to Advisor/ Coaches.
Cheerleaders
I have read through this Cheer Constitution and agree to abide by all cheer expectations and policies. I understand that if I violate any of the policies listed within the Constitution, I will face the consequences outlined above.
Cheerleader Name: ______