EUSTIS HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING/MASCOT

RULES AND REGULATIONS

2013-2014

This has been written and adopted for the Varsity (11-12 grade), JV (9-10grade) cheerleaders, Competition (10-12 grade) and Panther mascot at Eustis High School. The name of the organization shall be the Eustis Panther Varsity, Junior Varsity, CompetitionCheerleading Squad and EHS Panther Mascot.

  1. The purpose of the cheerleading Squad/Mascot is:
  1. Create school spirit, pride and loyalty
  2. Promote interest in school activities and perform at school games
  3. For competition only; represent Eustis High School as a competitive squad in a professional and respectful manner.
  4. The purpose of Lake County School Competition cheer program is a comparison of the relative skills of the participants which involves stunting within a competition structure comparable to other athletics’ activities. It must be governed by rules that explicitly define the time, space, and purpose of the contest and the condition under which a winner is declared.
  5. Develop responsibility, self-respect, dependability, honesty, integrity, discipline, moral character, cooperation, sportsmanship, leadership, respect, courtesy, tolerance, patience and unification.
  6. Pride in a quality performance through maintaining high standards
  7. Maintain good sportsmanship
  1. The Coach:
  1. Hired by the Lake County School system upon recommendation of school administrator
  2. Present for the daily running of practice and cheerleading activities
  3. Present at all cheer events
  4. Administering all disciplinary actions/procedures
  5. Responsible for making travel arrangements to and from away games
  6. Approves all cheers, chants, posters, signs, music, dances, etc.
  7. Providing a safe and comfortable environment for practice and games
  8. Following safety guidelines as set up by the National Federation of State High School Cheerleading Association
  9. Creating a cooperative and supportive atmosphere for the cheer squad
  10. Setting up cheer tryouts year to year
  11. Will decide on number of cheerleaders on squad for the upcoming school year
  12. Set up a standard for cheerleading appearance
  13. Gives direction and creates a balance between cheerleading, classes and other school activities
  14. Has the right to impose additional disciplinary actions for improper behavior not specifically listed in these rules and regulations.
  1. Eligibility for tryouts and squad member:
  1. Attend Eustis High or be a regularly promoted, non waivered incoming student for the next school year. Must have proof of a signed school district/waiver if asked.
  2. Maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher
  3. Submit a completed EHS application packet which includes
  1. Parental consentsigned contract for rules and regulations agreement
  2. Athletic eligibilitypacket
  3. Copy of health insurance card
  4. Current report card or transcript for GPA verification
  5. $10 judges fee
  1. Administration and coach will determine eligibility if student has been suspended for a major offence
  2. Attend tryout clinic and practices as designated (extreme cases will be determined by coach)
  1. Captains:
  1. Number of captains will be at the discretion of the coach
  2. Must have at least one year of cheering on the JV squad for JV Captain; one year of cheering on Varsity squad for Varsity Captain
  3. Captain and/or Co captain selection will be the coaches decision; coaches decision is final.
  1. Attendance:
  1. Must attend school for two full periods the day of a game or practice or in case of a Saturday game, the day before, in order to participate in the activity (a full class period means no tardy to the class and no leaving early).
  2. Be in attendance first period the day after a week day game
  3. Be in attendance to practice 5 minutes before it is scheduled to begin
  4. Be in attendance 30 minutes before a cheer activity, unless told otherwise by coach
  5. Be in attendance 15 minutes before leaving for an away game, you can and will be left if not on time.
  6. One regular game absent for Football season; 2 game practices for Football; 2 regular game absences for Basketball, one must be made up, third absence removed from squad; No absences for post-season games (FB or BB), you miss one game you are done for the year. (See coach for extreme circumstances); no tardies, these will be dealt with on an individual basis.
  7. Only absences relating to LSCC classes will be excused.
  8. Dual enrolled cheerleaders should schedule LSCC classes outside of game nights.
  9. Absences/tardies are to be reported to coach before they occur, in case of emergencies; call the coach or your captain. In extreme situation let another team member relay the message and follow up with a call to coach.
  10. Schedule all appointments, outings, concerts, vacations, job interviews, etc. so they do not interfere with cheerleading practice or games. Work is not an excuse to be late, leave early, or miss a practice or game. EX: if you plan to participate in drama club, don’t accept a part in a play during football and basketball season.
  11. Be punctual, being on time is simple good manners; it is your responsibility to let coach know of an impending absence or tardy. (Club meetings are not an excuse for tardiness)
  12. Attend all cheering activities in its entirety. (See coach for extreme situations)
  13. All activities need to work around cheerleading, you have made a commitment, stick to it!
  1. Uniform:
  1. Cheerleaders are expected to provide the performance uniform, camp equipment and camp payment.
  2. Dress for all practice and games will be uniformly
  3. Uniforms and practice attire will be clean and neat and worn properly (DO NOT LET ANYONE ELSE WHERE ANY OF YOUR CHEER ATTIRE)
  4. No jewelry, nail polish, etc will be worn with performance uniform at any time.
  5. Hair is part of the uniform - hair will be worn in a high tight ponytail for basketball. No hair strands, rolls, etc. Ponytail for practice.
  6. Purchase of new uniforms is at the discretion of the coach
  7. All payments for uniform, camp attire and camp will be due by:
  8. Camp Cost$365on 5/14/14
  9. Camp/Practice Wear$on 6/30/14
  10. Uniform$on 8/1/14
  11. All uniform, camp, and camp wear cost is subject to change based on amount per participant and shipping costs.
  1. Cheerleading Duties:
  1. Be at all practices, games (pre and post season if applicable), cheer events on time and in proper attire.
  2. Participate in any and all fund raisers
  3. Support your teams, players, and teammates with encouraging words.
  4. Participate and help fund the making of goodie bags, signs, etc.
  5. Cheer at Homecoming game

IF DANCE IS ON FRIDAY:

  1. Only seniors will be exempt from the game; they will not be exempt if they have missed a previous game.
  2. All 9th – 11th grade cheerleaders will cheer.
  3. 11th grade cheerleaders until half time.
  4. 9th and 10th will cheer whole game
  5. All class representatives will cheer (9-11)

IF DANCE IS ON SATURDAY:

  1. All cheerleaders (9-12) will cheer homecoming
  2. All class representatives (9-12) will cheer homecoming
  3. Seniors on homecoming court will be exempt from cheering
  1. Attend summer cheer camp
  2. Continue to cheer in inclement weather unless it is a danger to do so, coach will let team know of decision.
  3. Keep uniform clean and neat.
  4. Remove jewelry during practice and games; this includes all earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, etc.
  5. Tattoos are not in view when wearing uniform
  6. Be in full uniform when traveling to a game; unless told otherwise by coach
  7. Do not remove any part of uniform without checking with coach
  8. No cell phones, iPods, etc during the game. Get coaches permission before using at anytime.
  9. Do not eat or chew gum during a game.
  10. Do not socialize with friends, family members, boyfriends, etc during a game.
  11. Display good sportsmanship and manners.
  12. Be truthful.
  13. Treat ALL persons with respect.
  14. Listen and follow all directions given by coach; do not argue or questions the coach.
  15. Eat, drink and exercise appropriately.
  16. Follow the rules and regulations set up by the Lake County School Code of Conduct and the cheer coach.
  17. Be a LADY at all times.
  18. No pictures posted on social media with alcohol, cigarettes or any other illegal substance.
  1. Senior Cheerleaders:
  1. Help and participate in the teaching of cheers, chants, dances, etc during the year and at tryouts.
  2. Command, do not demand; be a leader
  3. Run tryouts at the end of the year. (clinic, practice days, and tryouts)
  1. Parents:
  1. Help transport cheerleaders to and from cheer activities.
  2. Pick up cheerleader from practice and games in a reasonable amount of time (15 minutes after game or practice)
  3. Be responsible for payment of all cheer expenses; get payments in when asked.
  4. Support and cooperate with coach and administration on cheer decisions and disciplinary actions.
  5. Treat all squad members and coaches with respect.
  6. Do not discuss problems at a game or practice; call the school for an appointment.
  1. Discipline:
  1. The coach and/or the administration of Eustis High will dismiss any participant for the following reasons:
  1. Undesirable/violent (fighting) behavior resulting in a school suspension
  2. Undesirable, slanderous, racist or threatening language or actions
  3. Excessive violation of school/athletic rules and regulations (ex: excessive tardies or absences)
  4. Uncooperative, poor or disrespectful attitude toward any person/coach/adult at any time
  5. An act or deed that harms the reputation of EHS or the EHS cheer program
  6. Suspension from school for any reason (The EHS Cheer programs leads the school and is held to high moral standards)
  7. Failure to uphold moral character
  8. Failure in a class or not maintaining a 2.0 GPA
  9. Illegal actions(drugs, alcohol, tobacco, stalking, hate crimes, felony, theft, etc) IF YOU ARE PHOTOGRAPHED WITH ANY ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE, EXPECT TO BE REMOVED FROM THE SQUAD.
  1. Minor Infractions- Consequences for minor rule infraction will be at the discretion of the coach:
  1. Not participating in fund raisers
  2. Improper/inappropriate dress to, at or from a game
  3. Inappropriate language in coach’s presence, during a game, in uniform, practice, etc.
  4. PDA in school or any cheer function
  5. Using a cell phone or iPod at inappropriate times
  6. Not game ready – uniform, equipment, etc.
  7. Socializing with friends, family etc. during a game
  8. Tardy from half time
  9. Eating or chewing gum during a game
  10. Excessive failure to report absences or tardies
  11. Excessive talking, laughing, playing during practice, games, stunts, tryouts, etc.
  12. Failure to meet deadlines involving forms, money etc.
  13. Detention or Saturday school
  14. Complaints from teacher about behavior, work, attitude.
  15. Whining, complaining, and sulking during practice.

Any cheerleading or school rule infraction can lead to a disciplinary action by the coach and/or administration. Remember, the coach and/or administrator decides the consequence for any and all rule violations.

To Parent and Participant:

After reading the above rules and regulations, We ______parents of ______, who is or will be a student of Eustis High, give permission for she/he to participate in cheerleading tryouts and/or cheerleading on the varsity or junior varsity cheer team for the coming school year 2012-2013.

We understand weare responsible for all payment of equipment, camp, travel and uniforms for the coming school year. All money will be paid on time and in full on or before:

  1. Camp Cost$365on 4/17/2013
  2. Camp/Practice Wear$266on 5/29/2013
  3. Uniform$266on 8/21/2013

We understand that qualified judges will evaluate the participants, and we agree to abide by the decision of the judges. We understand that the cheerleaders are picked by a panel of judges who select them on talent, skill and aptitude for the job.

We understand that cheering is a year round activity and will assure our child will be present at all games and practices unless an emergency occurs. In this case, the coach will be the first to be alerted.

We will abide by any disciplinary decisions and will support the coach in her efforts to keep infraction of rules and regulations to a minimum.

We understand that cheerleading, like any other sport has a degree of risk. The risk of injury is high and any one routine or stunt could lead to serious injury, including death. We still give our consent for ourchild to participate in the cheering activities.

We understand that our daughter/son is to adhere to the cheerleading guidelines. If for any reason she/he does not wish to cooperate with said guidelines, the participant can be suspended from the team for an indefinite period of time. This is at the discretion of the coach and/or administration. Decision is final.

By signing this agreement, we understand that our child is being held to a higher degree and she /he will be responsible, dependable, cooperative, respectful and truthful. We understand that any use, dispensation or distribution of illegal or controlled substances, acts of immorality, or illegal acts of any kind will result in termination from the EHS cheer program.

We release the coaches, assistant coaches, volunteers, staff of Eustis High School and the Board of Education for the District of Lake County, from any claims of negligence by ourselves, our daughter/son, our heirs, executors and assigns; from any liability arising from claims for damages, injury, death and any claims for loss of damage to her/his property. We also understand that proper supervision of all cheer activities will be done by a responsible and dependable adult.

I have read, understand and will abide by the rules and regulations as written:

______Signature of Parent/Guardian

Date ______

______Signature of Participant

Date ______

______Signature of Witness

(21 years or older) Date ______