High School Constitution
I. Organization
a. This Constitution has been written and adopted for the Hershey High School Cheerleaders.
b. The purpose of the Hershey High School Cheerleaders is to;
i. Create school spirit, pride, and loyalty.
ii. Promote interest in school activities and perform at school games.
iii. Develop responsibility, teach self-respect, encourage honest effort, strive for perfection and develop character.
iv. Teach teamwork and pride in a quality performance through maintaining high standards.
c. Cheer season will consist of a Fall and/or Winter season. Each cheerleader will be asked to make a commitment at tryouts to cheer Fall, Winter, or both seasons. If a cheerleader does not fulfill this obligation, the individual will forfeit any letters, gifts, or awards for the year.
II. Eligibility
a. Each member may not be failing two or more classes per week or the student is ineligible the following Sunday-Saturday. (If it is the end of a marking period, the ineligibility period is three weeks.)
b. If a member is on academic probation for more than 2 weeks (consecutive or nonconsecutive), the member will be dismissed from the squad to focus on academics.
c. Each member must submit a completed Application Form, two Teacher Evaluations, the Parental Consent/Medical Release form, and this Constitution before the annual tryouts take place. Where indicated:
i. The forms must be signed by the student.
ii. The forms must be signed by the parent or guardian.
d. Previous membership on any squad does not guarantee membership the following year.
III. Attendance
a. All students who participate in school activities/practice must be in regular full-day attendance (as defined by the school) the day the activity is scheduled. Participation will not be allowed in the following circumstances:
i. Illegally absent from school.
ii. Tardy with arrival after 10 a.m.
iii. Leaves school due to illness.
iv. Suspension from class or school.
b. If a member is ill and misses ANY activity, he or she must be at HOME or seeking medical attention. The squad member must text or call the coach immediately if he or she did not attend school or left school early because of sickness.
c. Attendance at practices and activities is mandatory unless the student receives prior permission from the Head Coach to be late or absent.
i. This includes any after school activities such as drivers-ed, make-up tests, doctor’s appointments, dentist appointments, orthodontist appointments, etc. Please make arrangements to do this at another time: we do not practice every day. It will be an unexcused absence.
d. Absences can be the downfall of a great cheerleading squad! If a member misses an activity, the following must be followed:
i. Communication to the Head Coach BEFORE the missed activity.
ii. A written note from the member’s parent/guardian detailing the missed activity.
iii. It is up to the Coach’s discretion to accept the absence as an excused or unexcused. An unexcused absence from practice will result in 1 demerit.
iv. Work is not considered an excuse for missing any activity.
v. In the event of an absence, whether excused or unexcused, the cheerleader is responsible to learn the material that was taught before the next event and or pursue any handout or announcement that may have been missed. If the cheerleader is not prepared for the event, he or she will be asked to sit until they can demonstrate proficiency.
e. In order to attend camp, payment must be made in full one month prior to camp. Camp is not
mandatory.
f. Games and Events-Cheerleaders are required to ride the bus to and from all cheer activities. If a special occasion presents, you may with prior approval (at least 24 hours written notice) ride with a parent. School rules state that the student may never ride with a friend or boyfriend, even with parental permission.
IV. Uniform
a. Each member will purchase practice uniforms which must be worn during scheduled practices.
i. A schedule of attire will be sent home, and be posted on social media and/or the school website prior to mandatory practices.
ii. Any financial issues should be discussed with the Coach and will be kept private. We do not want financial considerations to hinder a student from the ability of following the constitution with respect to attire.
b. Uniforms will be provided through the team and will be the property of the Hershey High School Cheerleading Squad.
i. Each member will be required to maintain good condition and cleanliness of the uniform on a regular basis.
ii. If repairs or alterations are needed, the cheerleader should immediately bring the uniform to the coach for professional alteration.
c. Newest cheer shoes should be reserved and worn at each game. This is a non-negotiable. Cheer shoes should be worn at all practices. An old pair of cheer shoes from a previous cheer season is automatically approved for practices only. All other cheer shoes must be approved by the coach.
d. Hair is to be worn in one high ponytail with no bangs, or half up half down with no bangs (this will be decided by the captains before each game). Bangs shorter than eyebrow level are permissible, however, bangs longer than eyebrow level must be pinned straight back. They may not be left hanging down, pushed behind ears, twisted or braided unless approved.
e. NO JEWELRY OF ANY KIND. This is an PIAA rule, no exceptions.
f. No piercing zone, as of June 1st for the upcoming season. No new piercings will be allowed to stay in during practice.
g. Fingernails will be worn short, only clear polish permitted. Acrylic nails are prohibited. This will be enforced for all games and public appearances.
h. White no-show or crew length socks to be worn with uniform, unless uniform socks are purchased. Every member’s socks must be the same.
i. No temporary tattoos or real tattoos can show while in uniform.
j. No paint, tie-dye, marker or any similar material type stains or graffiti allowed on exposed skin while in uniform.
k. Only Hershey Cheerleading apparel will be worn to and from a cheerleading activity. Do not wear any other apparel. Winter coat is an exception.
V. Drugs and Alcohol
a. Drugs and alcohol will not be tolerated. The school district’s drug and alcohol policy will be enforced. The use, possession, and/or distribution of tobacco, drugs, alcohol and/or related paraphernalia is forbidden anytime, at anyplace, during the season of the activity.
VI. Medical
a. Each member must have a complete physical exam by the date given by the Head Coach. If the physical form is not turned in by the due date, the individual may not participate until the form has been turned in and approved by the trainer. The cheerleader may or may not be included in the choreography being worked on at that time. This will be up to the discretion of the head coach.
b. Each member must also have emergency contact information on file with the Head Coach at all times. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the Head Coach of any changes. The emergency contact information must remain current at all times.
c. If a cheerleader is uncertain whether or not they have an injury, the cheerleader should seek medical attention from the athletic trainer before proceeding with practice or a game.
d. If a cheerleader is injured, he or she is still required to attend practices and games as an observer and must remain attentive to learn choreography.
VII. Captain(s)
a. The captain will be chosen after the season has started by the cheerleading squad.
i. The captain(s) are responsible for the actions of their squad.
ii. Squad members will respect the actions of the captain.
iii. The captain(s) will begin practice by checking for proper attire, jewelry, fingernails, etc., and leading the squad in stretching and warm up exercises.
b. Captain(s) are to maintain the utmost respect for themselves; EVERY squad member; Hershey High School administration, faculty, staff, student body, and parents at ALL times.
c. Captain(s) should NOT encourage any form of gossip or negative activity among team members, but encourage camaraderie at ALL times; appropriate conduct and good sportsmanship must always prevail.
d. Captains must not display partiality toward members of the squad.
VIII. Character and Behavior
a. Team members should be leaders within the school and set a good example at all times.
b. Team members should maintain good personal appearance and habits.
i. Smoking, drinking and/or drug use are grounds for suspension or dismissal.
ii. No profanity.
c. Each member must be courteous to ALL other team members, as well as the student body.
i. Every squad member has the right to be free from intimidation and manipulation, both as a
member of the squad and in the surrounding community.
ii. The coaches will not accept and will question unkind actions or remarks, even if these were not intended to hurt.
iii. Any wounding action or comment will be called bullying and will be dealt with seriously. We are a listening squad with a duty to report bullying; it is too important to ignore.
d. Each member must be courteous to other teams and visitors.
e. Each member must respect the Head Coach and Assistant Coach at all times.
f. Cheerleaders may not wander around any building before or after practice. They should come directly to the practice area.
g. Cheerleaders should be dressed and ready to begin at the scheduled time.
h. Cheerleaders may not leave any game or practice area until it is clean and all equipment has been put where it belongs.
i. Team members must always represent Hershey Cheerleading in a positive way while engaged in or away from cheerleading activities.
j. During games, cheerleaders may only talk to others who are not on the cheerleading squad during half-time.
k. If you miss a cheerleading event and are present at another school activity, unless prior authorization was granted, you will be dismissed from the squad.
l. Cell phone use will not be permitted during a practice or game unless an exception has been granted.
IX. Social Media (Please refer to the school’s “Acceptable Use Policy.”)
a. Cheerleaders are to maintain the utmost respect for themselves, their squad, and their school when using social media including Facebook, twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc.
b. Inappropriate postings or language, spreading gossip, and/or initiating or entertaining cyber bullying activities will NOT be tolerated. Participation in such activities will result in referral to school administration for appropriate action and possible repercussion within the cheer program.
c. Negative comments about the squad, any of its members, or the coaches will not be tolerated at any time and will lead to immediate suspension and possible removal from the squad. If you have an issue with a team member or coach, address is directly, not on social media.
d. Cheerleaders are prohibited from using ask.fm during the course of the season.
X. Communication to Coach
a. Communication method
i. If a concern arises, the first method of communication is to call the Head Coach and set up a time to discuss the matter at hand. A parent will not be allowed to show up to a practice or game to discuss a situation without a prior appointment set. It is not fair to the cheerleaders to interrupt the practice or game OR to the coach to have to stay after a practice or game if it was not previously scheduled.
ii. Email communication or text will not be recognized when it is in regards to a problem or concern about cheerleading. It is too easy to express things that are not truly intended through email. You must use live communication and call the Head Coach directly.
iii. If the Coach and the parent cannot agree on a resolution, then the Coach will contact the Athletic Director for a meeting between the three parties. A parent should never contact the Athletic Director first.
iv. Communication boundaries will be set for all cheerleaders.
v. The constitution is black and white. If you have signed this constitution, then you may not argue with a rule specifically listed.
Demerits
There is a demerit system for all violations. The demerit list is NOT LIMITED TO those listed and may be given out for other incidents that arise.
1/2 demerit=Warning
1 demerit=Benched 1/2 game
2 demerits=Benched 1 game
3 demerits=Suspension from the squad for 1 week and parental contact
4 demerits=Removal from squad
Please NOTE: Suspension from the squad equals suspension from any related school activities.
Infraction Number of Demerits
• Late for practice or game (unexcused)
0 to 5 minutes - 2 warnings, then each offense thereafter will have 1/2 demerit issued
5 or more minutes – ½ demerit issued. No warnings.
Leaving early 5 or more minutes - 1/2 demerit. (Exceptions can occur with prior authorization from the Head Coach.)
• Missing a piece of mandatory uniform = 1 demerit. Uniform includes: shell, bodyliner, skirt, briefs, no show white socks or crew socks, bow, pom poms, uniform jacket and pants, rain suit, etc.
• Profanity = 1 demerit
• Not in correct practice attire = 2 warnings issued before demerits are initiated, then 1/2 demerit issued for each infraction thereafter.
• Negative attitude or disrespect = 1 to 4 demerits
• Negative or inappropriate postings or comments on social media = 1 to 4 demerits, dependent upon severity of posts or comments and at the coach’s discretion.
• Public display of affection = 1 demerit
• Unexcused absence from practice = 1 demerit
• Unexcused absence from game = 2 demerit
• Failure to follow school rules = 1 demerit
• Not representing the cheer squad properly (at coach’s discretion) = 1 to 4 demerits
• Detention for any reason=1 demerit
Suspension for any reason=Dismissal from the Cheer Squad
• Disrespect or any negative treatment of coach/teammate(s) = 2 demerits
• Drinking alcoholic beverages or illegal drug use while in uniform will result in immediate dismissal from the squad.
The cheerleading coaches recognize that every infraction or incident that might take place cannot always be accounted for. Therefore, the coaches reserve the right to deal with problems not enumerated as situations may arise, and the consequences will be according to the severity of the infraction or problem. At any time, at the coach’s discretion, the cheerleader may be removed from the squad before he or she has reached four demerits.