Fayetteville City Cheerleading Handbook 2017

FAYETTEVILLE CITY CHEERLEADING HANDBOOK 2017

Mission Statement

The purpose of cheerleading is to promote and uphold school spirit, to support and encourage all school teams, to develop a sense of good sportsmanship among students, to improve the student morale, to build better relationships between competing schools, to be ambassadors to the community and to establish the high personal ideals and good character expected of a high school cheerleader in order to be a role model for peers and younger children in the Fayetteville City School System.

Cheerleading Coaches:

Tiffany Endsley-Head of Spirit program and instruction 931-607-6680

Nicki Schulte-Head FMS Coach 931-438-2533 (FMS)

Ben Endsley-Head FHS Coach 931-607-7661

Cheerlading try-outs will be for the 2017-2018 school year. Each athlete that makes a team will be required to cheer for football and basketball season.

Tryouts will be Tuesday March 28, Thursday March 30 from 3:15-4:30, and Friday March 31 until try-outs are completed. Fast Bus transportation will be provided to the Cheer Magic Gym 119 Stockyard St. Fayetteville. You will need to pick your child up at the gym.

CHEERLEADING TRY-OUTS

All students must have a current physical on file with the school to be able to tryout. If a physical is not current, you will miss the opportunity to cheer for the 2017-2018 calendar year. A current physical means: 1) You have a physical dated after April 15th 2016 2) The physical must be on the official Fayetteville Physical Forms- these are located in front offices as well as on the school websites 3) The cardiac arrest and concussion forms must be attached to physical and sign by both parents and perspective cheerleaders.
If you have to receive a NEW physical to tryout it will expire at the end of the school year-you will then need to have another one dated after April 15, 2017. If you have a physical but not on official school papers your doctor’s office will transfer over to school paperwork, do not wait to the last minute to have this done.

To be eligible to cheer for the Fayetteville Cheerleading Squad students must have a 2.5 GPA (C average).

Each perspective cheerleader will be required to hand out teacher recommendations to 4 core class teachers. Students must have a minimum of three teachers out of the four to recommend them to be eligible to try-out for the cheerleading team. These forms will be located in Mrs. Schulte’s and Mr. Endsley's classroom.

The rules for cheerleaders are listed below. The cheerleaders are expected to faithfully abide by these rules and failure to do so may result in suspension or dismissal from the cheerleading team. These rules must be closely adhered to as to insure the effectiveness of the team.

SUMMER ATTENDANCE

Summer practices are Mandatory. Each Cheerleader will be allowed to miss 5 unexcused practices, after 5 they will be removed from the team. If a sickness keeps a cheerleader out of practice, we must have a doctor’s note with the dates the cheerleader has missed or plans on missing. Practices will be Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00-4:30. Extra Practices may be added if needed. Practices are CLOSED practices. Parents/friends are welcome to watch the last 15 minutes of any practice. A summer practice schedule will be passed out. Tuesdays will be ball game ready practices and Thursdays will consist of stunts and tumbling.
SUMMER CHEERLEADING CAMP IS MANDATORY
Do not try out for cheerleading if you cannot attend camp. Camp dates are set for 6/22/17 - 6/25/17 in Huntsville Alabama @ The University of Alabama Huntsville. We will commute daily to UAH and will need help with car pool to and from camp.

PRACTICE LOCATION

Practices are held at the Tiger Cheerleaders’ home gym; Cheer Magic located at 119 Stockyard St. in Fayetteville Tennessee.

PRACTICE TIMES

Tuesday and Thursday 3:15-4:30, subject to change as the season progresses. The Middle School will practice on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during football season, then back to Tuesdays and Thursdays for Basketball. The Fast Bus will provide transportation from the school grounds only, to the practice location. Everyone must ride the bus unless you have your own car that you drive to and from school. Cheerleaders are not allowed to drive other cheerleaders to practice.

PRACTICE STANDARDS

Cheerleaders must be on time and wear proper practice attire to all practices. Practices are mandatory. No cheerleader may leave practice until dismissed unless prior approval by a coach. A telephone call is required if you will be missing practice. Cheerleaders who are excused/limited from practicing due to injuries are still required to attend all practices and games (doctor’s note must be on file). Practices are CLOSED practices. Parents/friends are welcome to watch the last 15 minutes of any practice.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES and TARDINESS

Absences or Tardiness from either a practice/game/event will result in limited cheering time. Cheering time and practice time will be reduced at the coach’s discretion. EACH CHEERLEADER GETS 3 UNEXCUSED PRACTICES DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. After the allowed amount the CHEERLEADER WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TEAM. EVERY 3 TARDIES=1 UNEXCUSED ABSENCE. If a event arises where a cheerleader knows ahead of time they will be late due to a school function, they must let their coach at school know prior.

NEW POLICY STARTING 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR

We make every effort to work closely with all other sports to give all athletes an opportunity to play any sport they wish, however we have found it impossible for an athlete to cheer and play volleyball. Our schedule has a direct conflict with all practices and most games. It is impossible for these athletes to be beneficial to either team when having to constantly miss required practices and games. The volleyball and cheer coaches have tried to find a solution to this problem, but none have been found. Cheerleaders will not be able to be a part of the volleyball team as well as the cheerleading team.
Any athlete can play girls basketball as well as cheer. The athlete will be required to attend one cheer practice a week giving basketball the rest of the four practice days. The athlete will also be required to change after their girls’ basketball game into their cheer uniform and cheer for the boys’ game. All cheerleaders cheer for both girls and boys games therefore a basketball player can play a game then cheer for the second game. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Any athlete who plays multiple school sports must let their coach know immediately so a fair schedule can be made.

Cheerleaders may participate in other extracurricular activities; however, cheerleading must be given top priority if a cheerleader is to remain on the squad. Cheerleaders must adhere to this decision or give up their position on the squad. Outside activities such as scouts, dance, baby-sitting, and jobs must come second to any game, practice or event for cheerleading.

ELIGIBILITY

Athletes must pass five courses to remain eligible. 75% average must be maintained and no F’s will be allowed. No game participation will be permitted unless grade is brought above a 75% average or the F is brought up. However, athletes must attend and participate in all practices.

UNIFORMS

Cheerleaders will purchase shoes, socks, briefs, hair ribbons, warm-up, travel bags, pompoms, summer camp attire and other accessory articles of clothing to wear with the uniform. Any item that the cheerleader purchases either by fundraising or direct payment is theirs to keep. The main cheerleading uniform purchased by the school is the school property and will be returned to the school at the end of the season (Skirt, Shell and body liner). The cheerleader will be responsible for any damage or loss of a uniform and must replace it. Cheerleaders may wear only the “appropriate uniform” as approved by the coach to school on game days. The “appropriate uniform” is defined as follows: low WHITE ONLY socks, cheerleading shoes, bodysuit (when cold), briefs, cheer top, and skirt. A uniform being worn to school DOES NOT include sandals, sweat pants under cheer skirts, random T-shirts OR SWEATERS over cheer tops, hair down, large dangling earrings etc. Cheerleaders must keep all wearing apparel clean and neat and maintain a well-groomed appearance at all times in and out of uniform. NO JEWELRY will be worn at any events. NO NAIL POLISH will be worn at games/events AND ABSOLUTLEY NO FALSE NAILS. Nails must be kept at an appropriate length as to not injure yourself or others. Cheer attire can change at the discretion of the coach. Coaches will closely monitor adherence to this rule. For practices and games, stud earrings only (MAXIMUM OF TWO PER EAR AND NO GAGES). Visible TATTOOS and/or other BODY PIERCING will not be permitted. DO NOT TRY-OUT IF YOU PLAN ON GETTING/KEEPING ANY BODY PIERCINGS. THIS IS A REQUIREMENT AT ALL TIMES; NOT JUST DURING CHEER EVENTS OR GAMES. IF YOU ARE A CHEERLEADER YOU MUST ADHERE TO THE STANDARD THAT NO BODY PIERCINGS WILL BE WORN AT ANY TIME IN OR OUT OF UNIFORM.

Hair must be kept clear of the face at all times while in uniform. Hair will be pulled back in a ponytail with hair colored hair ribbons and Bow. NATURAL HAIR COLORS ONLY!!!

ADDITIONAL STANDARDS

• Cheerleaders should always give and encourage support of all school teams.

• Cheerleader should continually strive to maintain harmonious relationships between all members of the team. There is not distinction of privileges between participants.
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• Cheerleader should always be enthusiastic, a good sport, and an example of good citizenship. We are cheerleaders, we are the support of the athletics---they do not support us. We are here for them, this is our job, that we signed up to do.

• NO CELL PHONES WILL BE USED during practice time or during a game. Cell phone usage will be allowed during scheduled breaks and half time.
  
• Not having proper uniform (bow, top, skirt, body suit, shoes, socks, poms, earings, nails) at a game or event will result in the athlete sitting out until the full uniform is acquired.

• No bad language, ever.

• A cheerleader should not eat during a ball game or during the quarter break of a ball game. They may eat at half time only after their half time performance.

• School and classroom conduct will be closely monitored. The athlete must be on time, be prepared and organized, participate to the best of their ability and take pride in their academic performance.

• Every cheerleader has a spot. Not everyone can be a flier…not everyone can be a back spot. All cheerleaders will stunt, it is up to the coaches decision to put each person in a group according to ability and safety purposes.

• Smoking, drinking or using illegal drugs as outlined in student handbook and the breaking of any severe rule in the student handbook are prohibited. Vulgar language, dishonesty, cheating, stealing, lying, or FIGHTING which is reported by any school personal will not be tolerated. After fair warning, any continued problem, poor attitude or behavior, which is not of good representation for the cheerleading squad, may result in removal. Automatic removal from the squad is based on the severity of the incident and will be at the discretion of the principal and/or coach. Excessive unexcused absences/tardiness will be reviewed by principal and coach. Before the removal of a squad member, the principal and the coach will review the situation. Guardians and the student will be informed of necessary discipline action. If a cheer squad member is removed from the squad, he/she will remain suspended until the end of the current school year.
  

• If a cheerleader quits during the season she will not be eligible to try-out for cheerleading the following year.

• If a cheerleader gets dismissed from the team, she is eligible to try back out for the next year

DISCIPLINEWILL BE HANDELED AS FOLLOWS:

• First Offense:

A discussion will be held between coach and cheerleader, as is appropriate to the offense in question.
This discussion will be documented and signed with the date and offence along with a solution by
coach and cheerleader.

• Second Offense:

The same documentation will occur in addition to calling the cheerleader’s guardian to inform them of the offense and come up with a solution.

• Third Offense:

Removal from the team

If a cheerleader gets 3 phone calls home to a parent for three separate offenses they will be automatically removed from the team.

GAME SCHEDULES

We go to ALLhome and some away football games. (FMS on Thursdays, FHS on Fridays)

We go to ALL home and a few rivalry basketball games (Huntland, Moore Co,).

*FHS will go to ALL district tournament games. These games are TBA and we do not have a schedule in advance. Without exception, all FHS cheerleaders must attend these games. These are mandatory and contingent on carpooling.*

Schedules for both football and basketball are posted on the school website and will be handed out at practice.
The cheerleaders will participate in the Fayetteville Christmas Parade.

At times we may be asked to perform or do a special events, if so we will make every effort to attend.

FMS will cheer at one FHS football game, this is usually a lot of fun!
FMS will also try to attend one game for each sport to show support (volleyball, cross-country, etc.)

GAME TRANSPORTATION

Cheerleaders are expected to ride the bus to and from away games if provided. Many times we will need to arrange a car pool with other parents. You can take your own child home from events. If you wish to take another cheerleader beside your own cheerleader you must have written permission from the parents of the child that will be riding with you turned into the coach.

No cheerleader is allowed to drive themselves to or from an FHS game.

UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

All Cheerleaders must have the items below. If you are a returning cheerleader, you only need to purchase what you don’t have. If you want to replace a bag or warm up you need to specify on your personal expense sheet.

EXPENSES:

All cheerleaders must have the following items. Each cheerleader will have a personal expense sheet. Returning cheerleaders to the same team will not need to repurchase poms, briefs, bag or warmup. You must have the correct colored items for each team. So, if you cheered at FMS last year and make FHS this year, you will need: new poms, briefs, bag and warm-up as they are different colors. These items are a part of the cheer uniform and are mandatory for every cheerleader.

245.00- Shoes, bow, 4 shirts, 3 shorts

15.00-Briefs

40.00- BagNew Cheerleader or a transfer to FHS total fees- $615.00

230.00- Camp Returning Cheerleader to same team total fees- $475.00

35.00- Poms
50.00- Warm ups

If a cheerleader has lost a mandatory item from last year they must reorder it, this expense will be added to your personal expense sheet.

Fee Schedule for new cheerleaders and new team cheerleaders:

April 14, 2017- 167.50 ½ payment down on practice clothes, shoes, bow, bag and poms.

May 13, 2017 - 167.50 final payment for practice clothes, shoes, bow, bag and poms. This is the same day as the
car wash fundraiser

June 1, 2017- 230.00 Camp fee due

August 1, 2017-50.00 Warm-up fee due

Returning cheerleaders to same team fee schedule: (assuming you have not lost items from last year)

April 14 2017- 122.50 ½ down practice clothes, shoes, and bow

May 13th 2017- 122.50 Final payment for practice clothes, shoes and bow

June 1, 2017-230.00 camp fees due

All Payments must be paid on time. Failure to pay will result in removal from the team. ABSOLUTELY NO MONEY WILL BE REFUNDED FOR ANY REASON. We will do 2 fundraisers before the end of the year to help offset the expenses for camp and attire. Everyone must help with Cheer Clinic and Car Wash regardless if you participated in the fundraiser.

SCHEDULED FUNDRAISERS

• Car Wash: May 13 2016, Every car wash ticket sold you get $5.00 towards your payment.
• Ralph Askins Cheer Clinic: May 20th. For every child Pre-K-8th Grade you sign-up you get 20.00 towards your account.
• Monogram fundraiser: November. This fundraiser will help raise funds to purchase new uniforms and build the account for activities and gifts in the future. Every cheerleader will be required to sell a minimum number of items.

• Additional fundraisers may be added throughout the year to purchase items needed for each team.

COMMUNICATION

The Fayetteville Cheerleading coaches use our Facebook page, Fayetteville Spirit Team, as well as the Texting App Remindto keep all guardians updated. We encourage all families to be a part of the Facebook page as well as Remind to stay up to date and in close communication to the coaches.

COMPETITION

Our overall goal for this program is to go to competition. Going to competition takes A LOT of hard work and commitment. It depends on the ability and dynamics of the squad. It will be up to the coaches of the team on whether or not we go. If we decide to compete, we will do other fundraisers, as a program, to offset expenses. More info on this later if we decide to compete.