2016-2017

Shoal River Middle School

Cheerleading Tryout Packet

Clinic- Monday, May 23 from 4:00-6:00

Clinic- Tuesday, May 24 from 4:00-6:00

Try outs- Thursday, May 26 starting at 4:00

Please contact Lori Eckel with any questions.

*Mandatory Cheer Camp June 20-24 for all girls making the SRMS Cheer Team.

SRMS Cheerleader Tryout Checklist:

This form is to help you stay organized; all paperwork must be completed by the deadlines in order to be eligible to participate in tryouts. Check off as you complete each item to ensure you have completed all requirements. This form does not need to be turned in with the other paperwork.

Due May 13th by 3 pm

______Cheerleader Application and signed SRMS Cheerleader Agreement

______$30 non-refundable clinic fee payable to SRMS

Due May 18th by 3 pm

______Teacher recommendations

______SRMS Athletic Paperwork packet (8 pages- notary required on page 2)

-Parent Permission, release, emergency medical authorization (pages 1-2)

-Middle School Athletic Conference Physical Evaluation (pages 3-4)

-Consent and Release from Liability for Concussion and Heat Related Illness (pages 5-6)

-Middle School Athletic Conference Rules and Regulations (page 7-8)

**Teacher recommendations are sent to Ms. Eckel from your teachers. Follow up with your teachers to make sure they have returned these recommendation forms to Ms. Eckel at SRMS by May 18 at 3 pm.

Dear Cheerleading Candidates and Parents,

Thank you for your interest in trying out for the 2016-2017 Shoal River Middle School Cheerleading Squad. Cheerleading is an exciting and rewarding sport that teaches teamwork, dedication, sportsmanship, leadership, school spirit, and hard work. Being chosen to represent Shoal River Middle School as a cheerleader is both an honor and a privilege, you will be in the forefront as a representative of our school and will be expected to adhere to a strict code of conduct at all times, both on and off campus.

Dedication to Cheer

If you commit to being involved in our program, take into consideration the time and money commitment involved. Below is a list of some of those responsibilities:

  • Afterschool practices twice a week and a weekly tumbling class to improve tumbling skills
  • Weekly football and basketball games
  • Pep rallies, fund raising activities, team bonding activities, summer practices
  • Mandatory summer camp in June
  • Cheerleaders who make the squad may not participate in other sports that conflict with games and practices (i.e. volleyball, cross country, soccer and basketball)
  • SRMS cheerleading will come before non- school related activities such as music lessons, competitive dance and cheer teams, traveling sports teams, etc.
  • Cheerleading is estimated to cost around $500 per year

Clinic and Tryouts

Clinic and tryouts are closed, no parents or spectators will be permitted in the gym. The dance, cheer and chant will be available online starting the first day of clinic, girls will be given the information where to view it before they leave the gym on May 23. Full day attendance is required at school on clinic and tryout days.

  • Cheer clinic will be held on Monday, May 23 and Tuesday, May 24 from 4-6 pm in the SRMS gym
  • Tryouts will be held on Thursday, May 26 beginning at 4 pm in the SRMS gym
  • Clinic attire: athletic shorts, t-shirts, tennis shoes. Hair should be pulled up in a tight, high pony tail.
  • Tryout attire: black athletic shorts, the t-shirt from clinic and tennis shoes. Hair should be pulled up in a high, tight pony tail. Bows are optional.
  • A panel of qualified judges will select the cheerleaders based on:
  • Grade Point Average
  • Conduct and Teacher Evaluations
  • Skill and ability on jumps and tumbling
  • Knowledge of clinic cheer, chant, and dance
  • Responsibility
  • Spirit
  • Ability to learn the material during the fast pace, two day clinic
  • Voice
  • Motions
  • Technique
  • Appearance and Grooming

Teacher Recommendations

  • 6th and 7th grade students:
  • Five Teacher Recommendations are required for tryouts for 6th and 7th graders.
  • Four of the recommendations will come from core class teachers (Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies).
  • One other recommendation can come from P.E., music, band, or other elective teacher.
  • 5th grade students:
  • Recommendations for 5th grade students will vary.
  • 5th grade students who only have one primary teacher for multiple core classes can attain one recommendation from that teacher, one from the P.E. teacher, and one from the music teacher, one from a previous teacher, one from the principal.
  • 5th grade students who have multiple teachers for core classes will follow the directions for 6th and 7th graders.
  • These forms are due to Ms. Eckel no later than Wednesday, May 18
  • Remind your teachers to fill out and send the forms as they are part of your tryout score

Cheer Cost

  • Payment of $30 non-refundable clinic fee may be given to Ms. Eckel or dropped off at the front office in a sealed envelope with your name on the front by Friday, May 13. This fee covers the clinic, t-shirt and the fee for the judges. All checks should be payable to Shoal River Middle School.
  • The estimated cost for cheer will be $500, we will do fundraising to help offset this cost and it is entirely possible to pay your entire bill with fundraising.
  • The first payment toward this balance will be $200 and will be due on June 10.
  • If you fundraise enough to pay your balance in full, you will be issued a refund of your initial $200 payment.
  • Weekly tumbling classes are required, this is a fee paid to an outside gym, typically is has been about $50 per month
  • This is an estimation of a sample cheer bill totaling $500, actual costs may vary slightly:
  • $175 Team shirts/game day shirts/customization fees
  • $80Nfinity vengeance cheer shoes
  • $25Hair bows
  • $50Personalized cheer bag
  • $20 Nike pro shorts to be worn with uniform
  • $25Poms
  • $35Megaphone- new girls only
  • $90Warmup jacket

Fundraising

  • All girls will be expected to help with fundraisers
  • We will do several fundraisers in to help offset the cost of cheer at SRMS
  • The first fundraiser will be our football program. Each girl will be required to sell ads to local businesses. You will receive 40% of the sales. You can earn a significant amount of money with this fundraiser.

Summer Cheer Camp and Summer Practices

  • Cheer camp is mandatory, it will be help at SRMS on June 20-24 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Camp will be funded through fundraisers in which all girls are expected to participate.
  • Summer practices will begin the week of July 11th
  • Summer practices are important because football games will start very soon after the beginning of the school year

Other important information

  • A “C” average must be maintained in each class each nine weeks.
  • The Cheerleading Constitution and Rules will be discussed at our first meeting for the new cheerleaders and their parents.
  • All bills from the previous season in any sport/activity must be paid in full.
  • The decisions of the judges at tryouts will be considered final.
  • No grandfathering clause is in effect- a position on a squad for the current year does not guarantee a position on the squad for the next year.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email me. Thank you for your interest in SRMS cheer! I know we are going to have an amazing year.

Lori Eckel

850-689-7229

Cheerleader Application

2016-2017

Name:______Age:______

Date of Birth:______2016-2017 Grade:______

Address:______

Cheerleader’s Home Phone:______Cheerleader’s Cell Phone: ______

Cheerleader’s Email Address:______

Parent/Guardian 1:______

Cell Phone:______Email Address:______

Parent/Guardian 2:______

Cell Phone:______Email Address:______

Why would you like to be a Shoal River Cheerleader?

______

______

______

List any past experience with cheerleading, gymnastics, and dance. If you cheered before, what positions in stunting are you able to do?

______

______

______

What qualities make you the best choice to represent SRMS as a cheerleader?

______

______

Please list the highest tumble pass that you can perform without a spot (example: round off, round off back handspring, etc.)

______

*****These questions are for upcoming 8th graders only******

Would you like to be considered for Captain? ______

What makes you a good choice for Captain?

______

______

Shoal River Middle School Cheerleader and Parent Agreement

I have read the cheerleading tryout packet and understand the responsibilities and privileges of being a SRMS cheerleader. I will abide by the rules in this cheerleading packet. I will fully cooperate with the coach and all persons and organizations concerned to promote school spirit and good sportsmanship while representing the students and faculty of Shoal River Middle School.

______

Student SignatureDate

My child ______has my permission to try out for cheerleading at Shoal River Middle School for the 2016-17 school year. If selected she/he has permission to participate as a member of the cheerleading squad. I have read the cheerleading packet and I also understand the rules stated. I understand the responsibilities of being a cheerleader. I also understand the role I assume as a parent of a cheerleader and I will assist in every way to see that these rules and regulations are followed. I understand the school and coach assume no financial obligations due to expenses incurred by the cheerleaders. I also understand the school and coach assume no responsibility for any accident or injury that might occur during this cheerleading clinic or tryout.

______

Parent SignatureDate

SRMS Cheerleading Teacher Recommendation Form

Due to Ms. Eckel by May 18, 2016

The student listed below is trying out for the Shoal River Middle School Cheerleading Squad. A recommendation form is required from each teacher for the following subjects: Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies and one elective.

Students please fill out the following information and give forms to required teachers

Name:______Current Grade: ______

Teacher’s Name: ______Subject: ______

Teachers complete this form and return to Lori Eckel at SRMS no later than Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Elementary teachers may send forms through the courier; SRMS teachers put them in my box. Please do not give the recommendation form back to the student.

Candidate Conduct:

Excellent- 4 Above Average-3 Average-2 Below Average-1 Poor-0

Class conduct / Honesty / Cooperation
Respect to peers / Appearance/grooming / Attendance
Respect to teachers / Leadership Ability / Motivated
Works well in groups / Dependability / Attitude

Class Grades:

9 weeks grades
1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4th
Language Art
Math
Science
Social Studies

Overall Recommendation (choose one)

______Do not recommend

______Recommend with reservation

______Recommend

______Highly recommend

Thank you for your help. Being chosen to represent SRMS as a cheerleader is both an honor and a privilege. It is my goal to select outstanding representatives both on and off the field.