Gatesville Junior High Cheerleader and Mascot

Constitution for 2017-2018

Note: “Cheerleader” henceforth refers to both cheerleaders and mascots.

Cheerleading is an intense physical activity based upon organized routines. The cheers, which contain many components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers and stunting, are done in order to direct spectators of events to cheer for sports teams at games. The highly energetic athletes involved in cheerleading are called cheerleaders. Cheerleading takes an extreme amount of physical work as well as practice.

The Mascot is an energetic character that helps promote school spirit. Mascots cannot talk, but need to express themselves through active movement and props.

Coach: Tracye Stovall, Gatesville Junior High, or 254-865-8271. The Remind app will also be used to send information during the Cheer season.

  1. Qualifications:
  • Candidates for cheerleader must meet at least the minimum UIL requirements for eligibility.
  • Cheerleaders must maintain a minimum overall average of 70 in all classes. A cheerleader whose average is lower than a 70 at the end of the first six weeks of the school year or any nine-week grading period will be suspended from participating in all cheerleading activities. Ifa cheerleader’s average is 70 or better in all classes at the following three-week grade check, he/she will be reinstated following the seven day grace period.
  • The UIL “No Pass/No Play” rule will be strictly enforced. If a cheerleader is ineligible for two nine-weeks (at any time during the year) because his/her classroom average falls below 70, he/she will be removed from the team and will not be eligible to try out for cheerleader the following year.
  • In order to try out or maintain a position on the team, a student must be in compliance with school attendance policy, have no more than one ISS assignment, or no office referrals resulting in corporal punishment.
  • Each member must have a current physical (7th grade athletic physical will work) before starting practices/camps. Physical paperwork is located on the Junior High website.
  • Positive attitudes and exemplary behavior will be required to participate in cheerleading. Anything lower than an “S” in conduct is not acceptable.
  • Summer requirements
  1. Each cheerleader must attend cheerleading camp during the summer. If a cheerleader fails to attend camp, he/she will forfeit his/her position as a cheerleader on the team.
  2. Camp is held during the summer. The coach selects dates and campsites. Cheerleaders will pay for the cost of camp. Camp dates will be scheduled as soon as possible. UCA camp is June 26, 27 and 28 from 08:00 to 5:00 each day at the Junior High Gym. The times of camp could be subject to change depending on UCA camp staff. Bring a sack lunch and water bottles for hydration.
  3. Summer practice will be held in August. The dates are to be determined as soon as the school calendar is released.
  4. All cheerleaders will participate in the activities at camp and will follow the directions of the instructors. If a cheerleader does not follow the rules of camp, the demerit system will be enforced. If a cheerleader is not performing to the satisfaction of the coach, a cheerleader may have to sit out of performance.
  5. Practices are mandatory; failure to attend practices will result in demerits and possible removal from the squad. Conflicts due to school events must be worked out with the coach prior to missing an event or demerits will be issued.
  1. Purpose
  1. The cheerleaders shall promote and uphold school spirit. Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated.
  2. They shall develop a sense of good sportsmanship among the student body, the faculty, and the community.
  3. The cheerleaders shall promote a unified crowd involvement during events.
  4. They shall strive to uphold the highest personal standards as cheerleaders and as people.
  1. Responsibilities
  1. Cheerleaders will be required to arrive at school before 4th period in order to participate in any cheer-related event unless prior approval has been given by the coach.
  2. Any cheerleader unable to perform due to an injury/medical condition will appear at practice/events in full uniform and sit in the designated area with the coach.
  3. Any cheerleader who becomes ineligible during the school year must still attend practices. Ineligible cheerleaders may attend events on their own but will not wear their uniforms and will not be allowed to cheer until eligibility is restored.
  1. Conduct and General Guidelines
  1. The following is simply a summary of general conduct rules. Violation of these rules could result in temporary probation or removal from the squad. Please recognize that we cannot possibly list every situation that might arise. Parents and cheerleaders must understand certain problems could arise that are not listed here that may result in disciplinary action. The cheerleaders will be held to the student code of conduct as well at the athletic code of conduct.
  2. The coach will review all the facts and circumstances surrounding a particular violation and impose appropriate disciplinary action. The coach will strive for consistency in meting out punishment for extracurricular code of conduct violations but will also exercise sound professional discretion.
  3. Being a cheerleader is a privilege. Therefore, our cheerleaders are expected to be good examples both in and out of the classroom. They should be held to a higher standard because they are such visible representatives of the school. This includes actions taken on school trips, actual performances, the classroom, in the community, and through social media. This comes from the athletic code of conduct.
  4. A cheerleader may receive up to three demerits. Upon receipt of the 3rd demerit he/she will be dismissed from the team for the remainder of the year and is not eligible to try out for cheerleader the following year.
  1. Professional Conduct
  1. No suggestions will be considered that come from group meetings called without the presence of a coach.
  2. Friends, boyfriends/girlfriends or family will not be allowed to sit with or visit with a cheerleader while the cheerleader is on duty.
  3. Cheerleaders will be expected to keep cell phones out of sight and on silent during all practices and performances. Cell phones may be used after practice and on the bus going to and from performances.
  4. Cheerleaders will not sit in the stands or leave the squad until the end of an event.
  5. Cheerleaders will not eat or chew gum while on duty at any event. Cheerleaders may have a drink on the sideline for hydration purposes. Sidelines will be left in neat appearance. Cheerleaders will not be dismissed until the sideline is inspected by the coach. All cheerleaders will be dressed in unison while on duty.
  6. A cheerleader must show good sportsmanship at all times.
  7. A cheerleader will refrain from the use of profanity or abusive language at all times.
  8. A cheerleader’s personal conduct should be professional in attitude and appearance.
  9. All team problems should be discussed with the coach first. Cheerleading is a team effort and will be treated like any other sport.
  10. Each cheerleader should remember that he/she is a part of a team. It takes all parts working together to achieve success. Each cheerleader will show respect and strive to get along with his/her fellow cheerleaders.
  11. Managing a team during volleyball, football, basketball, etc. seasons does not excuse a cheerleader from any cheer-related event.
  12. Any cheerleader who represents himself/herself or cheerleading in an unfavorable, questionable, or illegal manner through electronic media (ie. Websites, personal homepages, blogs, text messages, chat rooms or similar websites/files accessible through a server or internet) or using electronic communication devices in such a way as to bring discredit, dishonor, or disgrace on his/her organization or members of any other school organization including himself/herself (ie. Camera phones, digital photos, electronic descriptions) will be subject to the disciplinary actions determined by appropriate school officials and/or coach, including probation or dismissal from cheerleading. This includes but is not limited to: negative or profane comments against teammates, opponents, GISD or faculty/staff, posts or photos related to drugs, alcohol, tobacco or other inappropriate behavior. This is also taken from the athletic code of conduct.
  1. Disciplinary Action
  1. Disciplinary action will be enforced for violations. The coach has the right to remove a cheerleader from any scheduled event for any reason according to the rules or regulations addressed in the constitution or discussed as a team during meetings. More serious violations will result in automatic removal from the team.
  2. Repeated or excessive offenses (repetition of the same offense three or more times during the school year) may result in coach or principal review. Any coach or principal review of a cheerleader’s actions may result in dismissal from the team or denial of participation in future events.
  3. Use of alcohol is a serious violation of team rules and is against the law for persons under 21 years of age. Use of alcohol by a cheerleader will be dealt with as a serious manner.
  4. The use of drugs is prohibited for Gatesville Jr. High school students participating in extracurricular and UIL programs. Gatesville ISD participates in an extensive substance abuse policy, including random drug testing, with consequences for positive tests. Any drug related arrests/charges will be treated in the same manner as a positive test. See GISD Substance Abuse Policy for details.
  5. If a cheerleader receives one demerit, he/she will be benched for one pep rally/game. If a cheerleader earns two demerits, he/she will be benched for two pep rallies/games; a conference will be held with the coach, parent(s) and principal; and a warning about removal upon receipt of the 3rd demerit will be issued. If a cheerleader receives three demerits, he/she will be formally dismissed from the squad and ineligible to try out for cheerleader the following year.
  1. Demerit System
  1. General

Violations of any school policy will be handled by the school. The cheerleader will then receive the appropriate demerit from the coach.

  1. One demerit will be issued for each of the following:
  1. Unexcused absence from an event or practice.
  2. Failure to give prior notification to the coach for an absence
  1. Two demerits will be issued for each of the following:
  1. ISS
  1. Three demerits will be issued for each of the following:
  1. Missing summer camp
  2. AEP
  1. Uniforms and Appearance
  1. Parents are responsible for uniforms which include but are not limited to: camp gear, cheer uniform (skirt, top, briefs, sports bra, bow, socks, shoes, and jacket) poms, cheer bag, rain gear, winter gear, megaphones and will be paid for by the cheerleaders by May 24, 2017.
  2. All uniforms and camp gear will be approved by the coach before purchase.
  3. All uniforms must be in school dress code and approved by the principal. If the uniform is not in school dress code then the cheerleader will have to replace the item and cannot participate until the item is replaced.
  4. No jewelry will be worn during practice, events, or activities. All cheerleaders will wear their hair as directed by the coach and look uniform. No visible tattoos, except for approved temporary tattoos.
  5. Uniforms will be kept neat, clean and in good repair at all times. Cheerleaders are responsible for presenting and maintaining a polished appearance.
  6. Coach will notify cheerleaders when uniforms will be worn.
  7. Every cheerleader is responsible for bringing all accessories to every event.
  8. Cheerleaders must pay for all uniforms, camp and accessories before receiving them. Installment payments can be made for these items up until May 24, 2017. A cheerleader will not be allowed to cheer if he/she has not paid for these items. Payments can be made to Mrs. Humes at Gatesville Junior High office during regular school hours.
  1. Transportation
  1. Cheerleaders are required to ride the provided school transportation to the game. A cheerleader may ride home with a parent/legal guardian only after the parent/legal guardian signs a cheerleader out with the coach.
  2. Cheerleaders are responsible for ensuring that all accessories are brought to every game/event and returned to the bus. Each cheerleader is responsible for his/her own property.
  3. All safety rules will be followed on the bus.
  4. The bus will be clean after each event.
  1. Cheerleader Requirements:
  1. Tryouts
  1. Candidates must have passed each 9 week grading period for the 2016-2017 school year.
  2. Must have an “S” in conduct for the 2016-2017 school year.
  3. If a student has been sent to ISS (lunch ISS not included), the student’s disciplinary record will be reviewed by Mrs. Venable, Mrs. Streater, and/or coach. Depending on the violation, the decision will be made as to whether or not the student can try out for cheerleader.
  4. Be in good financial standing with the school.
  5. Cheerleaders are elected by outside judges. GJH will have one mascot . The highest scoring mascot will be chose. There will be no set number for Junior High cheerleaders. Cheerleaders will be chosen by a natural break by the judges.
  6. The candidates will be selected by qualified, impartial judges from outside the district. The score sheet will be divided into 5 categories worth 25 points each: fight song, chant, cheer, jumps and tumbling.
  7. If a candidate quits the squad during the school year, he/she is not eligible to try out the following year.
  8. Mascotjudges sheet will consist of 20 points each: expression/body language, originality & creativity of routine, crowd involvement/use of props, execution of routine (time frame), character animation, overall mascot impression/spirit.
  9. Tryouts are closed to everyone except the coach, judges, appointed staff and principals. Parents must wait off campus and candidate will contact when it is time to be picked up.
  10. If a person is medically unable to tryout, a video may be submitted; however tumbling and jumps must be on a gym floor or grass. Tumbling or jumps on mats or spring floors will not be permitted.