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HOOVERCITYMIDDLE SCHOOL’S

CHEERLEADING/DANCE TEAM

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I.PURPOSE

The purpose shall be to promote and uphold school spirit, to

develop a sense of good sportsmanship among the student body,

and to improve relationships between schools during all

athletic events.

ARTICLE II.QUALIFICATIONS

Section 1. All participants must meet the following

criteria.

  1. must meet the AHSSA requirements concerning eligibility,
  2. must meet the Athletic Department minimum academic requirements,
  3. must be in good standing in school regarding discipline, attendance, etc. (note: for example-if suspended during current school year, then he/she would not be eligible),
  4. middle school participants (7-8) and a parent or guardian must attend pre-clinic meeting.
  5. must participate in the tryout clinic.

Section 2. There shall be one seventh grade cheerleadingsquad

and one eighth grade cheerleading squad at Simmons and

Bumpus. Berry shall have a 7th and 8th grade football squad,

as well as a 7th and 8th grade basketball squad.

Section 3.There shall be one dance teamconsisting of both seventh

and eighth gradegirls.

Section 4. Current Hoover cheerleaders and dance team

members are prohibited from assisting candidates

with tryouts at any time other than clinic.

Section 5. A previous history of disciplinary problems (school

or athletic) may forfeit a candidate’s opportunity to

tryout for cheerleader or dance team.

ARTICLE III.SELECTION

Section 1. The selection of the cheerleaders and dance team

shall be made during the second semester of each

school year.

Section 2. Tryout dates shall be established by the sponsor

and published at least five weeks prior to tryouts.

Section 3. Judging of cheerleaders and dance team shall be

determined by a panel of judges not associated with

the school.

Section 4. Cheerleaders and dance team must tryout each year

for selection.

Section 5. Judging for cheerleaders shall be made on the

basis of appearance, spirit, eye contact, voice

projection and clarity, sharp concise motions, sense

of coordination, and jumps.

Section 6. Selection for dance team shall be made on the basis

of appearance, coordination, audience appeal,

enthusiasm, rhythm, facial expressions, kicks, and

splits.

Section 7. No cheerleading or dance team shoes or other

cheerleading or dance team accessories may be worn

during tryouts.

Section 8. Only designated school personnel will be allowed in

the tryout area. (Designation to be made by

principal.) A school administrator will be present to

observe the tryouts.

ARTICLE IV. DUTIES

Section 1. Cheerleaders shall participate in the following

activities:

1)Football games-all games

2)Basketball games-home games& selected tournaments

3)Pep rallies and other spirit activities

Section 2. Dance team shall participate/perform in:

1)Football games-all games

2)Basketball-home games& selected tournaments

3)Pep rallies and other spirit activities

Section 3. All cheerleaders and dance team members must

DO the following:

1) attend summer clinic at the time announced.

2)attend all practices promptly.

3)cooperate and follow instructions given by the sponsor(s) and captain (s).

4)abide by the rules established by the sponsor(s) concerning transportation to and from events. The sponsor(s) must approve all transportation.

5)Eighth grade cheerleaders are responsible for conducting tryout clinic for cheerleaders in the spring of the year. Tryouts will be approved by sponsor(s).

6)Outside squads, classes, lessons, etc. are NOT an excused absence. You may participate on, but are NOT allowed to leave practice or an event early or miss the event in it’s entirety. The first violation will result in the athlete being benched on the next event day. The second violation will result in dismissal from squad for remainder of the current athletic school year.

Section 4. CAPTAINS’ DUTIES

1)The captain (s) is/are responsible for communicating practice/meeting information to the other cheerleaders/dancers.

2)The captain(s) is/are responsible for working with the sponsor(s) in organizing the summer practice schedule, including the selection of cheer, chants, and dances, etc. to be performed at pep rallies, games, and other activities.

ARTICLE V.RULES AND REGULATIONS—READ THIS CAREFULLY!

Section 1. Cheerleading and dance team members must adhere

to all the requirements in the Hoover Middle Schools

Constitution, the Hoover City Schools Student Handbook,

and the Hoover City SchoolsAthletic Handbook.

Section 2. Absences must have prior approval of the sponsor to

be “excused.” Do not assume a request will be

excused. This is for both practices and games.

Section 3. Cheerleaders/dance team sponsors may

recommend suspension/permanent dismissal for

anyof the following violations:

  1. unexcused absence from an assigned event
  2. misconduct at athletic events or classroom
  3. being placed in school detention/SaturdaySchool
  4. any inappropriate conduct and/or disrespect for school, faculty, coach, or other teammates
  5. uncooperative or defiant behavior when given instructions
  6. use of profanity at any time
  7. not following transportation policies
  8. not staying with squad/team at an athletic event
  9. low academic standing

Section 4. No practices may be called off school grounds without

permission from the sponsor(s). This is for your safety.

ARTICLE VI. DEMERIT SYSTEM—BE AWARE—READ CAREFULLY!

Section 1. Each of the following offenses will earn the

cheerleader/dance team member one demerit:

(Three demerits will result in suspension or

disciplinary action if behavior continues.)

  1. chewing gum during practice or events
  2. wearing jewelry during practice or events
  3. being out of uniform when assigned to wear one or wearing uniform when not assigned
  4. not wearing hair up and away from face while participating
  5. not returning information or assignments on time
  6. leaving the group without permission
  7. unexcused tardy to any event or scheduled practice (field, floor between games and after half time)
  8. having drink or food in the designated cheer/dance area without permission
  9. uncooperative or defiant behavior when given instructions by: 1. sponsor

2.captain(s)

3. other squad members

4. other students on a daily basis

5. visitors/hosts from other schools

  1. late pick up exceeding 15 minutes
  2. lack of transportation to or from practice or event
  3. ignoring duties

Section 2. a. Three demerits will result in the student being benched for the

next event.

  1. If a student has been benched twice during a season, a third

benching would result in automatic dismissal from the squad

or team.

  1. Outside participation- students are not allowed to leave practice

or games early to attend an outside athletic or dance event.

First violation will result in one being benched on the next event

day. Second violation will result in dismissal from the squad for

remainder of the current athletic school year.

ARTICLE VII.HEALTH

Section 1. a. Any student who does not attend school, due to

illness on a game day will not be allowed to

participate in the event.

b. If a student is tardy or absent the day after an event,

without a doctors excuse the student will not be allowed

to participate in the next event.

c. If a student misses a practice or event without a

pre-arranged excuse she/he will not be allowed to

participate in the next event.

  1. If a student has any health related occurrences

during the school day (i.e. stomach cramps, fever,

dizziness, nausea, etc.) she/he will not be allowed

to participate in any practice or event that day.

  1. If she/he does not dress out for AND participate in P.E. then she/he may not participate in practice that day or the next event.

ARTICLE VIII.RESPONSIBLILITY OF PARENTS

Parents of cheerleaders have a responsibility to the school by

virtue of the fact that their child is a member of the school’s squad. Parents should serve as a support group to assist the entire squad to accomplish its purpose. Specific activities of support would include, but not limited to, the following:

1)Volunteer your service to the sponsor.

2)Enforce all standards and policies to their full extent.

3)Provide required apparel and accessories.

4)Practice good sportsmanship standards as a spectator and parent.

5)Assist in the responsibility for your child’s attendance and punctuality to the squad.

ARTICLE IX.FINAL AUTHORITY

THE SPONSOR AND PRINCIPAL SHALL HAVE FINAL

AUTHORITY IN ALL MATTERS GOVERNING THE

CHEERLEADERS AND DANCE TEAM MEMBERS.

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Approved by Mrs. Carol Barber, PrincipalSimmonsMiddle School

Dr. Joy Brown, PrincipalBumpusMiddle School

Dr. Kathy Wheaton, PrincipalBerryMiddle School

revised March 2007