~Once a Redskin, Always a Redskin~

Modified: Coach Amanda Johnson

JV: Coach Mary Korta & Coach Lisa Myers

Varsity: Coach Nicole Rosno & Coach Theresa Brindisi

Lancaster High School Cheerleading Guidelines

Statement of Purpose

Cheerleaders at Lancaster High School are expected to provide support for, and maintain interest in the sports for which they cheer, as well as fulfill their responsibility as a Lancaster High School Athlete. The cheerleaders are expected to cooperate with each other, the coaches, the school population and the community at large, while also promoting school spirit and acting as goodwill ambassadors between the school and the community. The cheerleaders must set an appropriate example for others by not only obeying school rules, but also State High School League Rules and National Federation Rules both in and out of season and in and out of school. The cheerleaders must at all times be aware that they are representatives of Lancaster High School and therefore, have a responsibility that goes beyond personal grievances or conflicts. It is the responsibility of the student athletes to follow these ideals and properly represent Lancaster High School at home and away events, in and out of school, and also in and out of season. Any other behaviors, which are inappropriate, will not be tolerated.

Eligibility

The following items are required to tryout for the Lancaster Cheerleading Teams:

  1. School Nurse Permission Form signed
  2. School Nurse Interview & Concussion Impact Test
  3. Parent / Guardian permission slip, signed
  4. You cannot be academically ineligible. If your 3rdquarter average is lower than a 72% andyour name is listed on the Academic Ineligibility list, you will not be allowed to try out. HOWEVER, even if you were eligible to tryout because your 3rd quarter average was a 72% or higher, your 4th quarter average must also be a 72% or higher in order to secure your place on a team, and so on.

Responsibilities of a Lancaster Cheerleader

  1. Balancing cheerleading and other commitments.
  2. To complete the sport season.
  3. To live by the training rules, keeping regular hours and abstaining from alcohol, tobacco drugs, and other inappropriate behaviors.
  4. To attend all practice sessions, games, competitions and other scheduled events.
  5. To display the highest standard of conduct and athleticism, both on and off the playing field as well as in and out of season.
  6. To maintain academic eligibility.
  7. To be loyal to your teammates, coaches, school and community.

Attendance Policy

Legal Absence: illness (with a doctor’s note), vacation with family (with at 1 month advance notice given), or staying after school with a teacher for help in an academic class (with a teacher’s note).

Illegal Absence: Any extra-curricular activity that does not count as a grade, dance, all-star cheer, gymnastics, work, babysitting, detention, etc.

  1. If you acquire one illegal absence, you will be given a warning
  2. If you acquire two illegal absences, you will be benched for one game.
  3. If you acquire three illegal absences during the season, you will be cut.
  4. If you are late to practice, a game or meeting you will owe one running lap for every minute you were late.
  5. *More than fifteen minutes late will count as an illegal absence.
  6. *If you are given detention it will count as two illegal absences.
  7. *If you are given suspension you will be cut from the team.

During the last week of each month, each cheerleader will bring home a blank calendar. On the blank calendar the cheerleaders are required to record any commitments that they know are coming up in the next month, besides cheerleading. The calendar will be returned to their perspective coaches, the coaches will approve or disapprove the listed commitments and one copy of the approved calendar will be kept on file and one copy will be returned to the cheerleader. For the approved commitments listed on the calendar, the cheerleaders will not be penalized for missing practice. However, if a cheerleader misses practice, and the commitment is not listed on the calendar, it will count as an illegal absence.

*Please note, commitments listed must be reasonable and not of an excessive nature. Coaches do have the right to inquire about any questionable or excessive commitments listed on the calendar.

Practice

All teams will practice at least three days per week. Additional practices will be added based on the discretion of the coach and the team’s progress.

  1. During warm-ups, everyone is quiet except the leaders.
  2. When the coaches are working with a small group, others should display respect and maturity.
  3. No eating during practices.
  4. A water bottle is required.
  5. The use of cell phones will not be allowed.
  6. If you need to see the trainer, you must do so before practice begins.
  7. No jewelry of any kind is permitted.
  8. Hair must be worn off of shoulders and out of face.
  9. Appropriate shorts, t-shirts and cheerleading sneakers must be worn.
  10. Arguing with coaches or other team members, showing poor attitude or lack of self-control will not be tolerated. If such behavior is displayed, the cheerleader may be asked to leave practice, and parents/guardians will be notified. This will count as an illegal absence.
  11. All practices are closed. Parents, siblings or friends are not permitted to watch practice, unless invited to do so by the coaches.

Camp

  1. Camp is MANDATORY for all cheerleaders on ALL teams.
  2. Camp will be away and overnight for Varsity, and a local HS camp for JV and Modified.
  3. Cheerleaders are responsible for their individual cost of camp.
  4. Fundraisers will be offered as a way of decreasing the cost of camp.

Please Note: Camp will not be the only purpose of the fundraisers. There are other expenses throughout the year that the fundraisers will be used for.

Games & Competition

  1. Cheerleaders must ride the bus to all contests unless a signed letter from a parent/guardian is given to the coach, and approved by the athletic director, prior to the event. The parent must also make himself or herself visible to the coach before taking their cheerleader from an event.
  2. Cheerleaders must wear full uniform at all times at games and competitions, as they are representing the school.
  3. Food is only permitted during half time at games and after the team has taken the floor at competition. Make healthy choices!
  4. Cheerleaders are not to be socializing with the crowd at any point during a game. If you need to speak to your parent/guardian, let the coach know. Cheerleaders will not be allowed in the stands during halftime of a game.

Fundraisers

  1. Cheerleaders are given the option to participate in fundraising to aid in the cost of camp and other cheerleading items. If cheerleaders choose not to participate in fundraiser, they are still responsible for paying all cheerleading items.
  2. Some fundraisers such as carwashes, may be a program fundraiser, and not individual.

Uniforms

  1. Uniforms are to only be worn on the day/ evening of an event or when otherwise instructed by the coach.
  2. Uniforms can be washed: Gentle Cycle, cold water only, no bleach, line dry, DO NOT put any piece of your uniform in the dryer.
  3. Completion of the season or dismissal from the team requires immediate return of the complete school issued uniform to the coach.
  4. You will be required to pay for a uniform that is lost or damaged in any way. The athletic director will determine price.
  5. Any portion of the uniform that is paid for by the cheerleader is theirs to keep.
Informing Coaches
  1. If a cheerleader needs to inform a coach about a situation or ask them a question other than while they are at practice, they are to email their coach themselves. Parents should only contact the coach via email in case of an emergency. We expect the girls to be responsible athletes and therefore, would like to hear from them first hand.
  2. Coaches should not be contacted on their cell phone or at work unless there is an emergency. Email is the best way to contact all coaches.
Finances

As coaches we do understand that finances can be a stressful situation. Therefore, we do our best to cut down costs as much as possible and offer a variety of fundraising options. With this in mind, when a cheerleader commits to the team, they are also committing to the expenses of the season. Before a cheerleader can attend camp or receive any apparel or miscellaneous items purchased, they will be asked to pay the appropriate balance. Please note, even if a cheerleader leaves the team midseason for any reason, they are still responsible for any financial balance they have accumulated throughout their time on the team.

RESERVE CLAUSE

The administrators and coaches reserve the right to rule on any other infraction not covered above.

Student Name______

Grade

Team (level)

I, the undersigned have read and fully understand the rules and regulations, which will govern my child as a student athlete and a member of the cheerleading team. I further understand that as becoming a member of the cheerleading team, my child is making a commitment as a Lancaster High School student athlete, which therefore makes attendance at practices, games and special events (including competitions and fundraisers) a requirement of the athlete. I understand that as a member of the cheerleading team, my child has made a commitment to fulfill their responsibilities as a cheerleader for both the football and basketball season.

In addition, I also understand that cheerleading is a vigorous, physical activity involving motion, rotation and height in a unique environment, and as such carries with it a higher than ordinary risk of injury. I am aware that the coaches are well trained and are conscious of proper cheerleading technique and proper safety procedures, however, I am also aware that serious injury could occur throughout the season.

I understand all that I have read and have asked questions to clarify any confusions or concerns, and I hereby give consent to my child to be a member of the 2012-2013 cheerleading team at Lancaster High School as well as recognize their responsibility as a student athlete of the school. I also understand that my child may be required to pay for personal cheerleading clothing and expenses, which is a responsible even if my child is dismissed or decides to leave the team midseason.

Parent/ Guardian Signature______Date______

As a cheerleader and student athlete at Lancaster High School, I have reviewed all rules and regulations with my parent / guardian and I agree to fulfill all requirements and responsibilities, as set forth in the Cheerleader Guidelines. I have read the policies and understand that if I fail to fulfill my responsibilities as a Lancaster High School Student Athlete, I will be removed from the team.

Student’s Signature______Date______

COACHES COPY

Student Name______

Grade

Team (level)

I, the undersigned have read and fully understand the rules and regulations, which will govern my child as a student athlete and a member of the cheerleading team. I further understand that as becoming a member of the cheerleading team, my child is making a commitment as a Lancaster High School student athlete, which therefore makes attendance at practices, games and special events (including competitions and fundraisers) a requirement of the athlete. I understand that as a member of the cheerleading team, my child has made a commitment to fulfill their responsibilities as a cheerleader for both the football and basketball season.

In addition, I also understand that cheerleading is a vigorous, physical activity involving motion, rotation and height in a unique environment, and as such carries with it a higher than ordinary risk of injury. I am aware that the coaches are well trained and are conscious of proper cheerleading technique and proper safety procedures, however, I am also aware that serious injury could occur throughout the season.

I understand all that I have read and have asked questions to clarify any confusions or concerns, and I hereby give consent to my child to be a member of the 2012-2013 cheerleading team at Lancaster High School as well as recognize their responsibility as a student athlete of the school. I also understand that my child may be required to pay for personal cheerleading clothing and expenses, which is a responsible even if my child is dismissed or decides to leave the team midseason.

Parent/ Guardian Signature______Date______

As a cheerleader and student athlete at Lancaster High School, I have reviewed all rules and regulations with my parent / guardian and I agree to fulfill all requirements and responsibilities, as set forth in the Cheerleader Guidelines. I have read the policies and understand that if I fail to fulfill my responsibilities as a Lancaster High School Student Athlete, I will be removed from the team.

Student’s Signature______Date______