April 2017
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Hello! This letter is to acquaint you with the cheerleading program at Southington High School.
Your daughter/son has expressed an interest in trying out for one of the squads. If you consent to this, the attached form must be signed by you, the other sections completed by the person indicated, and returned to me on the first day of the upcoming workshops. Your daughter/son will not be permitted to participate until all required forms are completed, signed and returned. In addition, your daughter/son MUST pre-register for tryouts in two places:
A) using the following link = https://goo.gl/forms/Xldxsf2SOsLJX2ts2
B) using the Family ID service for the athletic department (see attached directions)
You may also access this packet and links at http://msallenbackswebpage.weebly.com/ under the Blue Knights Cheerleading tab.
This year, workshops are scheduled for Monday, May 15th and Wednesday, May 17th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the high school in the East Gym. The workshops will begin and end on time so please arrange for rides. The actual tryouts will take place on Friday, May 19th beginning at 3:30 pm. There will be an open workshop on that day beginning at 3:00 pm for review. Once the candidate has tried out they may leave.
For your information, Southington High School is a member of the Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) comprised of over 30 area high schools. Cheerleading is considered a sport at the high school and thus, student-athlete standards as governed by the CIAC are upheld. Varsity cheerleaders cheer for Varsity football games during the fall sports season and home Varsity basketball games during the winter season. Likewise, Junior Varsity cheerleaders cheer for both home Junior Varsity football games and home Junior Varsity basketball games. Both squads are also involved in state cheerleading competitions in the winter months. Participation on these squads requires full-time commitment and dedication beginning in late August and continuing through early March. Taking into account the length of the SHS season, no SHS cheerleader will be permitted to also be a member of an All-Star team. A decision must be made prior to tryouts.
During the school year, practices for both squads are scheduled for at least twice a week in the evening. Additional practices may be scheduled as deemed necessary. In addition, participation in a local gymnastics program is strongly encouraged. Furthermore, we will also attend Solid Ground Stunts Camp (a UCA affiliate) from Wednesday, August 2nd – Saturday morning, August 5th at Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts. Attendance is strongly recommended and details will be forthcoming.
Should your daughter/son make one of the cheerleading squads for the 2017-2018 school year, there will be a mandatory parents meeting on Thursday, May 25th in the evening.
Coupling practice with one football game per week and two basketball games per week makes for a busy schedule and calls for an extreme amount of devotion and involvement on your child’s part. Other activities can be handled, but they must be chosen carefully. Cheerleading is considered an athletic activity at Southington High School and therefore, must be given priority over all other activities, including an outside job.
Of course, no sport is without its expenses. I will outline these for you later at the parents meeting if your daughter/son makes either squad and before she/he accepts the position. Both parent and athlete involvement in the SHS Cheerleading Booster Club can help curb these costs.
The coaches are enthusiastic about working with your daughter/son. Cheerleading is a sport that can bring both fun and fitness into your child’s life, as well as boost their confidence and self-esteem. As always, we will work hard this year on developing team building skills and cultivating a sense of pride for Southington High and its surrounding community.
If you have any further questions, I would be happy to answer them. I can be reached at the high school at 628-3229 ext. 360 or via email at . I look forward to meeting with you personally in the near future.
Sincerely,
Ms. Heather Allenback
Heather M. Allenback
Head Cheerleading Coach
Social Studies Teacher
Please bring this completed form with you on the first day of tryouts
My daughter/son, _________________________________________, has my permission to try out for cheerleading.
_________________________________________ (signature) _________ (date)
REMINDER! Registration via FamilyID is required to indicate an up-to-date physical. If you do not have one, you will not be allowed to practice or tryout.
Teacher recommendation
A significant aspect of your role as a cheerleader is being a role-model both during practices & games, as well as in the classroom. Being able to work well with others and exhibit responsibility are just two ways of reflecting such a role. Please ask two of your CURRENT teachers to complete and sign below indicating that they would recommend you to be a member of the Southington High School cheerleading program.
#1: Name (Print) Course Taught School
_______________________ ____________________ __________________
Signature Date
_______________________ ____________________
#2: Name (Print) Course Taught School
_______________________ ____________________ __________________
Signature Date
_______________________ ____________________
SHS CHEERLEADING TRYOUT
INFORMATION
· Have all of the proper forms completed as directed!!!! No forms, no practice/tryouts.
· All candidates should wear exercise apparel to the workshops and tryouts. Shorts, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes (cheerleading shoes are most desirable) will be appropriate.
· NO JEWELRY OR LONG NAILS!!!!!!!!
· Any cheerleader trying out for the Varsity team should be able to do a standing back-handspring without a spotter.
· Other gymnastics skills that may be demonstrated include a front somersault, back somersault, cart-wheel, front walk-over, back walk-over, round-off, standing back-tuck or any running tumbling skill(s).
· Points will also be given for cheerleading experience:
Varsity experience = 5 points
All-Star experience =4 points
Junior Varsity experience = 3 points
Middle School experience = 2 points
Town League experience = 1 point
· Each candidate will be evaluated on communication, enthusiasm, motion technique, dance technique, gymnastic ability, flexibility, jumps, teacher recommendation, interview response and coach’s knowledge of work ethic, attitude and ability. Previous disciplinary infractions will also be part of the consideration process.
· Candidates of any grade can be on either JV or Varsity (exception = no seniors on JV)
· At least three judges (not coaches at SHS) with cheerleading, dance, and/or gymnastics experience will be used during tryouts.
· Candidates must be academically eligible at the time of tryouts.
· Any questions? Email Ms. Allenback at