NORTHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING

& MASCOT

TRYOUT PACKET

2018-2019

Tryout Information

MUST HAVE AN UP TO DATE NORTHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 2017 PHYSICAL IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF THE EVENTS FOR NEW PROSPECTIVE CHEERLEADERS or MASCOTS.

RETURNING CHEERLEADERS/MASCOTS OR NHS STUDENT MUST HAVE UPDATED PHYSICAL AND PRESENT A “TICKET TO PLAY” PRIOR TO TRYOUTS. ALL PACKETS AND TICKETS TO PLAY MUST BE TURNED IN THURSDAY APRIL 12, 2018.

(FORMS CAN BE FOUND ON THE NHS ATHLETIC WEBSITE.)

PHYSICALS MUST STAY UP TO DATE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SEASON (TRY OUTS 2018- APRIL 2019). IT ‘S THE ATHELETES RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THIS UP TO DATE. **NHS will have a physical night on May 8, 2018from 5:30 – 7 pm if your physical expires soon or during the summer for the cost of $10.

**This is highly recommended by Northwood Athletics.

Tryout Practice: April 16- April 19, 2018 3:45-5:30 at the NHS Bus Lobby

Final Tryout: April 19, 2017 3:45-6pm, however you are excused after the final tryout presentation

NHS Workouts on Tuesdays beginning May 7, 2018 3:45-5:30, in the NHS bus lobby.

Parent/ Cheerleading/Mascot Meeting: May 7, 2018 (in NHS Auditorium @6 pm)

Spirit Express Team Camp: August 3-August 5th, 2018 (Friday-Sunday at The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill)

The number of girls/boys trying out will depend on what time we will be done Thursday. Result will be sent via email by Sunday evening.

Make sure to be on time for tryout practice. Bring a water bottle for tryouts.

Cheerleaders/Mascots are expected to attend every practice and event following tryouts, without exceptions. The season, mandatory practice begins August 1, 2018, however we will be hosting a Jr. NHS Cheer Camp the end of July which begins our NHS Fundraisers. Plan your family vacations accordingly. We will host numerous fundraisers throughout the season and Allcheerleaders/mascots are required to attend these fundraisers. Also, you are required to work at the PTA Thrift store 15 hours this year or pay $75 fee if unable to fulfill your duty. We need Parents support as well, not just one or two especially on our big events that we sponsor.

Mandatory Fundraisers Include:

NHS Jr. Cheer Camp July 23-25 6-8pm, Team Car Wash August 11, 2018, Homecoming Dance, Hosting Cheer Competitions(October 2018 & March 2019), Working PTA Thrift Store(15 hrs. minimum for all Cheerleaders/Coaches/Mascots), Selling Charger Cards (3 per cheerleader parent this year), Selling old Cheer gear at games, Selling Peanuts at Football games, working Concession Stands during football games, and Hosting a Homecoming Basketball Dance this coming year.

*A parent or guardian must be present at the parent meeting, as well as the cheerleaders. Please bring your check or money order for camp payment. This will be due May 7, 2018, No Exceptionsthis year unfortunately. Attire will be fitted for on the night of May 7th and must be ordered through the Varsity Spirit Wear link no later than May 31, 2018 to be back in time for Camp. No Exceptions!!! We will do a second order for optional items in August so they are back in time for Oct. 2018.

Rules for 2018-2019

Everyone who makes a team will be expected to keep certain weekends free for competitions. Both JV and Varsity cheer at all home and away football games. Teams also cheer for home basketball, wrestling, and some lacrosse home games. Cheerleading is a long season, August- April. If you are trying out, you are saying you are in this for the long haul. You are joining a TEAM; a team that trust you and expects you to be at all practice on time and games.

  • Cheerleaders/Mascots represent the school at All TIMES; therefore they are expected to display a positive attitude.
  • A cheerleader/mascot CANNOT be engaged in any afternoon or evening job/activity that interferes with practices and or games so work your schedule accordingly. Make up games are the only exceptions. Cheerleaders/Mascots may not participate in any other sports that are going on simultaneously beginning this year. Those from previous years that tryout and make the squad will be “Grandfathered In”. We have found by not being involved for the entire year we lose unity throughout the team, especially since we have added a Competition squad as well. If you are on an addition cheer gym squad you must make sure it does not interfere with you NHS Cheer commitment. Being a member of the NHS Cheerleading/Mascot Program and fulfilling those responsibilities must be the cheerleader’s’ first extracurricular priority.
  • Cheerleaders/Mascots are expected to participate in ALL Team Building Activities/ Fundraisers without exception. Dates are given far in advance, in order for planning purposes.
  • Cheerleaders/Mascots should be well-groomed. Uniforms should be wrinkle-free and clean. Hair must be worn back if it touches the shoulder or is in the face. Jewelry, nail polish, and fingernails, that show above the fingertips from the palm side of the hand is prohibited(NCHSAA policy)
  • Each cheerleader/mascot will be responsible for financial obligations such as the purchase of cheerleading shoes, socks, briefs, warm-ups, bows, and camp attire. An estimated list of financial obligations can be found in this packet for New and Returning athletes.
  • All cheerleaders must clean and mend(if needed) uniforms before they are returned to the coach at the end of the season. If a uniform is damaged in any way or not returned to the coach by the designated time, the cheerleader will be charged the replacement value. Cheerleaders/Mascots are reminded they do not own their uniforms but use them throughout the duration of the cheerleading season and should take care to keep them in good condition.
  • Cheerleaders are expected to promote a positive image for the school community-your peers, parents, teachers, and other community members.
  • Smoking, drinking, and/or drug use will not be tolerated. Cheerleaders/mascots caught breaking this rule will be dismissed from the squad immediately and suspended from tryouts for a year. Evidence of drinking or smoking, include but not limited to photographs, will be grounds for dismissal.
  • Inappropriate online behavior including provocative pictures, threats, bullying, foul language, and “bad mouthing” athlete or Coach will be grounds for dismissal.
  • A demerit system is used to enforce rules and regulations and implement consequences. The demerit system can be found in this document and is used for both JV and Varsity squads. Signing the rules indicates that you have read the demerit system, and understand the rules and consequences related to the demerit system.
  • All official cheerleading/mascot decision will be made by the coaching staff. All coaches are to be given respect and cooperation by cheerleaders and parents at all times. Lack of respect from either parents or cheerleaders/mascots will be ground for automatic dismissal from the team. If a parent or cheerleader has an issues that feels like needs to be addressed, this should be done by setting up meeting that contains more than one coach after practice. Verbal aggression or “attack” from either cheerleader or parent will be automatic grounds for dismissal.
  • NHS requires that athletes be present ½ the day to be eligible for practices and games scheduled for that day.
  • If any cheerleader/mascot quits or is dismissed during the season all NHS cheer/mascot clothing must be turned in except for the items purchased by the cheerleader/mascot. No refunds will be given for clothing associated with NHS Cheerleading.

Eligibility

  • To tryout, each cheerleader must maintain passing 3 out of 4 classes.
  • Progress reports and report card are checked throughout the season.
  • From the time an F is written in on the progress report or quarter report card, you will have until the next progress report to pull up the F, and you must sit out of games during that period until it has improved.
  • If a cheerleader/mascots grades fall below standards on the first report card, he/she will be placed on probation. If a cheerleader/mascot cannot meet eligibility requirements by the next progress report; he/she will be dismissed from the cheerleading team.
  • If a cheerleader/mascot must attend tutoring on a practice day, he/she must get prior approval from the coach and bring a note to practice from the teacher.

Practices/Games:

  • There will usually be 2-3 practices and one game during football season. We will practice 3 days prior to the school season beginning. This leaves one day free for you to make doctors’ appointments. Schedule accordingly! Practices are scheduled for the seasons well in advance, and doctors’ appointments should not be made during practice times.
  • The schedules for both football, basketball, wrestling and lacrosse will be provided, as soon as the information is given to the coach. Basketball schedules tend to change throughout the season on the fly.
  • Missing 3 games in the total (Football/Basketball/Wrestling) season will result in automatic dismissal form the squad.
  • Parents are responsible to see that each cheerleader is at school at the designated time for home and away games. Cheerleaders/mascots are subject to being left at the school after the designated departure time.
  • Cheerleaders late to a game must sit with the coach during the first quarter and receive demerits for tardiness.
  • Ring halftime of all games, every cheerleader/mascot must be present on the track or gym bench and in proper position five minutes before the start of the second half. Being late will result in being benched for the third quarter.
  • To earn a letter, a Cheerleader/Mascot must cheer 95% of the Varsity games, with the exception of being a member of the homecoming court, sickness, death in the family or an absence that had been excused by the coach.
  • If an athlete has served detention or ASD or any other type of disciplinary detention, they will not be allowed to participate in any athletic activity that day.
  • For home games, all bags and belongings will be locked in the cheer room PRIOR to arrival time. The only things permitted on the track are water bottles, and warm-ups depending on the weather. The coach will inform you of any other items that are needed on the track for each game.
  • New: If a cheerleader/mascot must sit out of a game with the coach due to illness, injury, or discipline the cheerleader must wear her warm ups in place of their uniform.

Practice/Games Continued:

  • During football season, games are usually held on Thursdays for JV and Fridays for Varsity. Cheerleaders are expected to be present at all games, including layoff games, which may occur over Thanksgiving and Christmas break. Please note that some nights will involve cheerleaders not returning home until after 11 pm.
  • JV & Varsity basketball teams play on the separate nights most of the time, but they do have some 3 game nights. Basketball games are usually held on Tuesdays/Wednesdays, and Fridays. We will cheer for both Girls and Boys basketball.
  • Wrestling matches are usually on Wednesday and we usually cheer 4-6 matches a year along with the Charger Cup, which we help with.
  • If you are going to be missing/late to practice/game for whatever reason you will need to inform a Coach ASAP. Your coach will determine if your absence is excused or unexcused. Letting a team mate know is Not Acceptable, must communicate with ALL Coaches.
  • DO NOT BE LATE FOR PRACTICE. Only tardy for academic reasons will be excused. You must inform a cheer coach in writing with a text before practice time if you are going to be late for academic reasons. You must also bring a note signed by the teacher stating the time you were involved in the academic activity. Tardiness to practice is not tolerated. If you are late you will receive a demerit. If you are tardy more than 15 minutes, this will be counted as an unexcused absence. Being LATE throws the whole TEAM behind in Practice.
  • 3 unexcused absences from practice will result in immediate dismissal from the team. A total of 6 missed practices, excused or unexcused (injured cheerleaders should still report to practices even if they may not participate) will result in dismissal from the team.
  • If you are sick and need to miss practice to keep the rest of the team healthy you must notify your coach as soon as possible.
  • **Do Not ask permission to miss practice or game! Your Team is depending on your and you are expected to be there unless there is a contagious sickness or unfortunate death in the family.Dance/ Comp Cheer/Work are not excused.
  • Cheerleaders/Mascots are NOT to participate in stunts, mounts, or anything which might result in physical injury without the coach present.
  • Cheerleaders/mascots are NOT allowed to perform a stunt that has not been warmed up prior to performance.
  • Each cheerleader/mascot is required to report any injury to the coach immediately. If a cheerleader must see a doctor due to an injury, they must bring back a note stating that is it okay to return to regular activity (school Policy). We have concussion forms that must be filled out prior to returning to cheer activity from the doctor.
  • **If you are an athlete that continues to stay injured, then you are considered a liability to the team and you will be dismissed from the squad for safety reasons. Especially if they claim to be hurt at practice and can not participate but yet they are doing other things outside of cheere.
  • When in the gym performing or practicing the only item allowed in the gym is water bottles. Cheerleaders will not be allowed to go in and out of the cheer room once a game/match has begun.
  • Effective practice are vital to the success of cheerleading squad. Because of this practice will be closed to parents and others not directly associated with the cheerleading program.
  • Tumbling classes are encouraged for all cheerleaders. It is important that all cheerleaders continue in furthering their skill levels, not only for themselves, but for the team. Tumbling classes will be announced at the parent meeting. We have a special relationship with Apex Infinite Cheer Gym and special guest will be helping us this season with your skill set as long as you put forth the commitment.

We are actively pursuing corporate sponsorship and family donations. The Booster Club (NHSBFAA) is alive and well and encourages all parents to participate. All Cheerleaders/mascots are required to attend all fundraisers and Community Service activities. Teams will have mandatory hours to contribute. Every family should volunteer. Everyone should pull their weight. We do not want to rely on the same parents all the time.

Competitions:

  • Coaches will give you as much notice about competition dates as possible.
  • Each cheerleader/mascot is expected to be at the competition until dismissed.
  • Must follow all NCHSAA rules for competition and NHS Rules.
  • Cheerleaders/Mascots will be allowed to compete only if the squad has fulfilled its regular year-long responsibilities. This includes PTA thrift hours and fundraisers.
  • Cheerleaders/Mascots are expected to display good sportsmanship at all times during any competition.
  • Cheerleaders/Mascots may only perform at a Max of 3 competitions for the year. The number of competitions the teams compete at depends on the amount of funds in the teams account and the completion of fundraisers. Competitions are expensive on the average $45 to $70 per athlete.*
  • This year there will be a $50 additional fee for those who want to participate on Competition Team that will be due September 1, 2018.
  • Competition uniforms were purchase by NHS cheer funds in 2016 and these uniforms are to be taken care of at all times. Never throw in wash machine or have dry cleaned. They must be hand washed and lie flat to dry.
  • Competition is “No Joke” and you must be truly dedicated to be prepared to go to NCHSAA competitions by November/December and February. Goal for this year!!!
  • Athlete must be willing to take constructive criticism and utilize this to build their skill set.
  • Cheerleader/Mascot must practice like they perform at all times.
  • Each cheerleader is expected to fundraise for competition cost/ program cost.

We would like to have support of all parents especially when planning meals for the home games. Our team mom will be in charge of setting this up, along with other events. Please volunteer when you can. Thanks for your support in advance. The only way to know what is going on is to stay involved.

**We rely on the “REMIND” me application to send out pertinent information each and every day of the cheerleading season/year. Cheerleader/Mascots/Parents are required to sign up for this application to receive communication concerning the Cheerleading activities.