HELENA HIGH SCHOOL

CHEERLEADING CONSTITUTION

The Helena High School Cheerleading Constitution works in conjunction and in compliance with the Shelby County Board of Education Cheerleading Constitution.

  1. PURPOSE:

The purpose of a Helena High School cheerleader will be to promote and uphold school spirit, to develop a sense of good sportsmanship among students, and to build better relationships among schools during athletic events.

  1. ELIGIBILITY OF CANDIDATES:

Please refer to the Shelby County Board of Education Cheerleader Constitution.

  1. JUDGES AND TRYOUT PROCEDURES:
  1. Please refer to the SCBOE Cheerleader Constitution.
  2. CANDIDATES CAUGHT HAVING OUTSIDE COMMUNICATION WITH ANYONE NOT DIRECTLY RELATED WITH THE CHEERLEADING TRYOUTS BY MEANS OF CELL PHONES, PERSONAL DEVICES, SOCIAL MEDIA, ETC... MAY BE DISQUALIFIED FROM TRYING OUT FOR THE SQUAD.

IV.SQUAD MEMBERSHIP

  1. Helena High School reserves the right to determine grade levels and size of squad(s) in compliance with the SCBOE Cheerleader Constitution.
  2. At no time will the number of cheerleaders selected result in the elimination of only one candidate.
  3. Newly-selected members become subject immediately to all provisions and regulations of this constitution and the SCBOE Cheerleader Constitution.
  1. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHEERLEADERS:

ALL CHEERLEADERS ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF HELENA HIGH SCHOOL AND MUST ALWAYS ACT IN A MANNER WHICH WILL BE AN ASSET AND CREDIT TO THEIR SCHOOL. EACH CHEERLEADER IS EXPECTED TO:

  1. Recognize that being a cheerleader is a privilege and show unquestionable character and moral integrity by abiding by the Helena High School Student Handbook, the Shelby County Code of Conduct, and the SCBOE andHHS Cheerleading Constitutions.
  2. Exhibit leadership qualities at all times, control extreme emotions, demonstrate exceptional moral character, and use good judgment.
  3. Promote good sportsmanship and good spirit at all school and cheerleading events.
  4. Maintain a spirit of cooperation in all classes and with all teachers, faculty, and staff members.
  5. Realize the commitment he/she makes to be a school representative when he/she is selected.
  6. Be willing to control, to the best of his/her ability, any unsportsmanlike conduct at any athletic event or school function.
  7. Cooperate fully with the sponsor and head cheerleader and support all decisions made by them.
  8. Be able to accept constructive criticism from the sponsor, squad members, faculty and staff.
  9. Be prompt and appropriately dressed for all cheerleading functions.
  10. Refrain from outlandish fashion trends such as body piercing, tattoos, and bizarre hair colors as deemed inappropriate by the sponsor or principal. At no time (practice or cheerleading events) should piercings or tattoos be visible.
  11. Realize that it is required to remain in athletics class (if provided) the entire semester to earn respective PE credit.
  12. Be responsible for cheering at all athletic events deemed necessary by the sponsor or principal regardless of involvement in competition or other extra-curricular activities.
  1. HEAD CHEERLEADERS:

Head and Co-head cheerleaders will be selected by the sponsors. This decision will be based on proven cheerleading ability, leadership potential, and positive attitude.

  1. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF HEAD CHEERLEADERS:

BEING SELECTED AS HEAD CHEERLEADER IS AN HONOR WHICH BRINGS WITH IT EXTRA RESPONSIBILITIES. THE HEAD CHEERLEADERS WILL:

  1. Be responsible for leading the squad in proper warm-up activities before practices, games, etc.
  2. Select and start positive cheers and chants from an approved list designated by the sponsors.
  3. Decide which uniforms will be worn and notify all cheerleaders and sponsors.
  4. Organize the planning of pep rallies and other cheerleading activities.
  5. See that all needed equipment is ready for use and is stored properly after games or practices.
  6. Control squad behavior on the field or court by taking charge.
  7. Report any squad problems to the appropriate sponsor.
  1. PRACTICE:
  1. Practices will be held regularly as planned by the sponsor.
  2. Practices must be attended by each cheerleader unless a doctor’s excuse is presented. Excuses by parents cannot be accepted for absences unless the cheerleader is throwing up or running a fever. In this case, a parent must call or email the sponsor prior to practice. Routine doctor’s appointments should be made on days that practice is not held when at all possible.
  3. A cheerleader must stay the entire length of a practice session unless permission is given by the sponsor ahead of time.
  4. Missed practices or leaving practice early will result in demerits.
  5. Cheerleaders should not have cell phones at practice. If a parent needs to get in touch with a cheerleader he/she must contact the school or the sponsor. The sponsor will have a cell phone with her/him at all times, and the number will be provided to the parents. Cell phones in use or not turned off or on silent will result in demerits.
  6. If a cheerleader is going to be absent from practice, she must personally notify the sponsor prior to that practice. The athletic classat school is considered practice. Failure to notify the sponsor in a reasonable amount of time prior to the scheduled practice will result in demerits.
  7. All cheerleaders will participate regularly in a fitness and strength building program as planned by the sponsor (ex. running programs, strength building programs, outside trainers/coaches).
  8. Absence from practice due to conflicts with another approved school sport will be excused only with the prior approval of the sponsor and/or the principal.
  1. ATHLETIC EVENTS:
  1. Cheerleaders will perform at all pep rallies and games, both home and away, that are deemed appropriate by the sponsor and the principal.
  2. Cheerleaders will not be allowed to cheer if absent from school for more than half of the school day on which an event is scheduled unless excused by the principal.
  3. All cheerleaders must be in position, ready to cheer when the event begins. They must also be back in their position by the end of all halftime activities. Tardiness will result in demerits.
  4. A cheerleader will not be allowed to leave her position during a game or event without permission of the sponsor.
  5. A cheerleader will not be allowed to carry personal conversations with spectators or other cheerleaders during a cheering session.
  6. Cheerleaders should not have cell phones at athletic events.
  7. A cheerleader cannot chew gum during cheerleading events or practice.
  8. A cheerleader will not be allowed to bring food or drink on the field or court during a game.
  1. SUMMER CAMP:
  1. Cheerleaders are required to attend a summer cheerleading camp.
  2. Cheerleaders will be required to attend all practices deemed necessary by the sponsor prior to the camp, competition, or performance.
  1. COMPETITIONS AND PERFORMANCES
  2. Cheerleaders will enter any competitions or performances deemed appropriate by the sponsor or principal.
  3. Cheerleaders will be required to attend all practices deemed necessary by the sponsor prior to the competition or performance.
  4. The sponsor will select those cheerleaders who will perform at competitions.
  5. Selection to perform at competitions will be based on team needs, skill level, attitude, practice habits, work ethic, and other characteristics the sponsor deems necessary.
  6. This is very similar to an athletic team where the coach decides who will be on the field during the contest and who will not.
  7. All other team members will be alternates and will be required to attend/participate in all practices, fundraisers, and any other team activities associated with the competition.
  1. UNIFORMS:
  1. All uniforms must be purchased by the individual cheerleader and/or her parents and will become the sole property of said cheerleader.
  2. Uniforms will be bought, made, or planned with the approval of the sponsor and the principal.
  3. All alterations of uniforms should be made before the squad goes to summer camp.
  4. Uniforms must be cleaned and pressed at all times and should be ready to wear at any notice.
  5. A cheerleader must wear the correct uniform to each event. This includes tights, undergarments, shoes, socks, and ribbon.
  6. If a cheerleader wears the wrong uniform or does not bring the appropriate uniform thirty (30) minutes prior to the beginning of an event or prior to leaving for an event, she will not be allowed to cheer at that event.
  7. A cheerleader must not wear any part of the uniform, including cheerleading shoes, outside of cheerleading.
  8. A cheerleader will not wear any jewelry while in uniform or at practice.
  9. Hair must be pulled back from the face and off the shoulders at all times when the cheerleader is in uniform or at practice.
  10. Nails must be kept no longer than sport length and only clear or pale shades of polish may be worn when the cheerleader is in uniform. Artificial nails may not be worn at practice or games.
  1. FINANCES:
  1. Only fundraisers approved by the principal will be allowed. Nothing is to be ordered or sold in the name of HHS cheerleaders without filling out the appropriate fundraiser forms and an official purchase order form approved by the principal.
  2. All fundraising projects sponsored and conducted by the cheerleaders will go toward financing summer camp, competitions, and squad supplies. The balance of these expenses is the responsibility of the individual cheerleader and his/her parents.
  3. Once a fundraiser has been accepted by the sponsor, each cheerleader must work to make it a success. Each cheerleader must raise her predetermined fair share or pay the difference. Failure to do your part will result in demerits.
  4. Fundraising money must be turned in to the sponsor by the deadlines set by the sponsor. Failure to comply will result in an accumulation of demerits at the rate of one demerit for each day past the deadline.
  1. RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS:
  1. Volunteer your services to the sponsor and squad when asked.
  2. Enforce the adopted standards and code of conduct applicable to the squad.
  3. Provide required apparel and accessories on time.
  4. Practice good sportsmanship standards as a spectator and parent.
  5. Assume responsibility of your child’s attendance and punctuality at all practices and performances.
  6. Join and support the Athletic Association and PTA.
  1. SUSPENSIONS AND/OR DISMISSAL:
  1. Please reference the SCBOE Cheerleader Constitution regarding the Shelby County Academic First policy regarding grades and dismissal from the squad.
  2. Dismissed cheerleaders must return all squad-owned uniforms or accessories immediately upon dismissal or be held financially responsible for them.
  3. Demerits will be given for certain infractions as listed in the demerit system. When a cheerleader accumulates five (5) demerits, she will be suspended from the next scheduled event. When the tenth (10) demerit is recorded, the cheerleader will be suspended from the squad for four (4) weeks. When the fifteenth (15) demerit is recorded, the cheerleader will be dismissed from the squad.
  4. Any action not specifically mentioned in the constitution, but deemed to be inappropriate or detrimental to the squad as determined by the sponsors and the principal will result in suspension from cheerleading activities the length of which will be decided by the sponsors and the principal.
  1. TRANSPORTATION:

Please refer to the SCBOE Cheerleader Constitution.

XVIII. DEMERIT SYSTEM:

A record will be kept by the sponsor of the demerits received by each cheerleader. When the demerits are given, the cheerleader will sign his/her name on the cheerleader discipline form as the demerits are recorded, and a notice will be sent to his/her parents.

Helena High School reserves the right to make additions, deletions, alterations, and/or changes to this document as and when it deems necessary.

DEMERIT LIST

1. Gum, candy, food, etc. at game, practice or event 1

2. Conversations with friends or other cheerleaders during game 1

3. Wearing jewelry while in uniform (games and events) or at practice 1

4. Fingernails too long or brightly colored or artificial nails when in uniform 1

5. Failure to dress properly for practice 1

6. Missing deadlines on fund-raising projects (per day) 1

7. Failure to carry out assigned tasks (1st offense) 1

8. Failure to carry out assigned tasks (any offense after first) 2

9. Unwillingness to cooperate with squad (pouting, tantrums, clowning, etc.) 2

10. Dishonesty in any form 2

11. Failure to put up equipment (mats, signs, markers, etc.) 2

12. Wearing wrong uniform (including undergarments, socks, tights, shoes, ribbon) 2

13. Leaving practice or event early 2

14. Late to game, practice, or event (5 minutes or more) 2

15. Failure to return on time after official time-out or half-time 2

16. Public displays of affection in uniform or at practice 2

17. Disrespect/defiance of the sponsor, any school board employee, or leader*** 3

18. Deliberately refusing to follow the directions of sponsors*** 3

19. Unbecoming conduct at practice, game, pep rally, or other events *** 3

20. Failure to notify sponsor that practice will be missed 3

21. Cell phone at game, practice, or event 3

22. Failure to return demerit form signed by parent the next day (per day)3

23. Failure to attend a game or event (without a DOCTOR’S excuse)*** 5

24. Failure to attend practice (without a DOCTOR’S excuse)*** 5

25. Failure to participate in squad projects and/or pay fair share of fund-raiser 5

26. Any Class II offense*** 5

27. Second Class II or ANY Class III offense 15

28. Use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, etc. (at any time) 15

***This offense could have circumstances that call for immediate dismissal from the squad.

EACH CHEERLEADER AND PARENT SHOULD REMAIN FAMILIAR WITH THIS DEMERIT SYSTEM AND SHOULD KEEP A COPY FOR PERIODIC REVIEW.

REMINDER: When a cheerleader accumulates (5) five demerits, she/he will be suspended from the next scheduled event. When the (10) tenth is recorded, the cheerleader will be suspended from the squad for 4 weeks (20 school days). When the (15) fifteenth demerit is recorded, the cheerleader will be dismissed from the squad. All financial costs that have been incurred will still be the sole responsibility of the parents upon dismissal.

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Parent/Guardian Signature DateCheerleader SignatureDate