2015-16 Cheerleading Syllabus: 7th Period

Head Coach/Advisor: Noel Sill

Assistant Coach: Sarah Kritzmire

The Roles and Responsibilities of a PLHS Cheerleader

1.Promote school spirit within the school and community

2.Represent PLHS with respect and pride

3.Be a positive role model for others

4.Exhibit positive attitudes towards yourself and others

5.Be involved in campus and community activities

Course Content and Performance Standards

Cheerleaders will be expected to meet or exceed all San Diego UnifiedPLHS Physical Education Requirements. For example, all 9th grade cheerleaders are required to complete the California State Fitness Test. All cheerleaders will follow the safety guidelines set by ACCAA.

PLHS Cheer Program Requirements

Description: JV and Varsity Cheer will be held during 7thPeriod. Start times vary and cheerleaders should refer to their school schedule as to whether it is a Classic Schedule, Advisory Schedule, or an Early Out Schedule. Generally we practice from 1:30-2:30pm.Practice and conditioning for both squads will take place during 7thPeriod; however, additional time and practice may be required on occasion for special events; advance notice will be given.

Please remember that to be a PLHS Cheerleader is a privilege available only to those who have tried out and who have made the team. Each of you must have a commitment to one another and the PLHS Cheer Program. These are the minimal requirements:

1.All Cheerleaders must maintain a minimumAcademic GPA of3.0; you are expected to do better.

2.All Cheerleaders must maintain a minimumCitizenship GPA of3.0; excellent citizenship and attendance is mandatory in all classes.

  • If academic/citizenship grades drop below the minimum GPA stated above on a 6 Week Progress Report or at the Fall 2015/16 Semester, cheerleaders will be benched from the squad and placed on probation until the next Official 6 Week or Semester Grades are issued whichever comes first. If cheerleaders drop below the minimum GPA for a 2nd time in a single school year, the cheerleader will be immediately removed from 7thPeriod Cheer and will no longer be able to participate in PLHS Cheer for the remainder of the year. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE!!!

3.All Cheerleaders are expected to dress out for Cheerfor every practicein athletic clothing only, which will include:

1. T-shirt & sports bra

2. Gym shorts/Yoga Pantsbriefs

3. Cheer shoes and socks

4. Hair ties

  • All athletic clothing must be Pointer Attire. (Must say “Pointer” or “Point Loma” or in school colors: black, gray, white, maroon, gold, yellow or be your class color!).
  • All athletic clothing must be worn appropriately. (No rolling shirts up or bearing midriff)
  • School clothes, tennis shoes, flip flops, Uggs…are not acceptable and will result in a “non-suit” for the day!! This means no dress out points.
  • If cheerleaders are sick or injured, a signed doctor’s note will be required in order for the cheerleader to sit out/ not dress out without grade penalization.

4.All Cheerleaders are expected to arrive at schooldressed out in their full uniform on all game days.This includes appropriate hair, uniform, and cheer shoes. Cheerleaders who are not dressed accordingly will receive no dress out points for that day.

5.All Cheerleaders are expected to arrive at school dressed appropriately for all school “Spirit Days”. “Spirit Days” usually occur the week before a school dance and/or pep rally. At least one week of advanced notice will be given before all such weeks. Cheerleaders will be required to check in with the Coach on each “Spirit Day” in order to receive dress out credit. Cheerleaders who are not dressed accordingly will receive no dress out points for that day.

6. All Cheerleaders are expected to attend all events scheduledby the Cheer Coach/Advisor, as well as all athletic games, events, activities and Pep Rallies which include but are not limited to:

  • All Football Games
  • All Basketball Games
  • Water Polo, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Wrestling, Soccer, Baseball, Softball…
  • All PLHS Pep Rallies
  • Cheerleaders are to arrive on time to all events and games. Times will be instructed by the coach and may vary from game to game. Tardiness will result in the loss of grade points (5 pts for every 5 minutes late).
  • Failure to attend any game, pep rally, school/community event etc…will result in the loss of all grade points for that activity.
  • Failure to attend three or more practices, events, games…will result in being removed from the squad per the “three-strike policy” outlined in the 2014-15 Cheer Handbook.
  1. All Cheerleaders are expected to arrive at games/events dressed appropriately.
  • No Jewelry is to be worn in Uniform (Exception=Ear Studs)
  • Hair is to be worn as instructed by the coach
  • Girls must look presentable and professional at all times

8. Performance at games and pep rallies are part of the cheerleader’s P.E. grade. The Cheer Coach/Advisor will determine whether each cheerleader receives full points. The Cheer Coach/Advisor will let cheerleaders at games know if they are not going to receive full points.

Points will be taken of if a Cheerleader:

  • Arrives late or leaves early (for any reason, even if the coach has been informed ahead of time). Arrives late to start cheering after half-time
  • Is not dressed in the appropriate clothing
  • Has forgotten poms
  • Is wearing jewelry
  • Exhibits a bad attitude toward coach, captains, other cheerleaders, audience members, other team etc.
  • Doesn’t know the cheers
  • Lacks enthusiasm, not smiling etc.
  • Is chewing gum
  • Is eating when he/she should be cheering
  • Is talking to friends in the stands
  • Is talking to other cheerleaders when they should be paying attention to the game or cheering

9. 7thPeriod Cheer Grading Policies

Academic Grades will be based on a point system that translates into the following percentages:

1. Game, Activity/Event & Pep Rally Attendance & Participation = 50%

2. 7thPeriod Participation & Dress Out = 40%

3. Additional Assignments & Activities = 10%

A = 100 - 90%; B = 89 - 80%; C = 79 - 70%; D = 69 - 60%; F = 59 – 50%

*Grades will be available to parents and cheerleaders on powerschool under their 7th period class and will be updated every 2 weeks. Contact Head Coach and Advisor Noel Sill with any questions or concerns.

Citizenship grades will be based on the PLHS Citizenship Rubric which includes appropriate behavior and the following tardy and truancy policies:

2 Tardies = Maximum S1st Truancy = Maximum U

3 Tardies = Maximum N3 or More Uncleared Absences = U

4+Tardies = Maximum U

*All PLHS grading policies and procedures are further explained in the 2014-15 PLHS Student Planner & the PLHS Citizenship Rubric available to download with syllabus on the PLHS Website.

Cheer Behavior Expectations

1.Cheerleaders will attend 7th period, games, and events on time

2.Cheerleaders will change in the Girl’s Locker Room only. Changing in school bathrooms, hallways, or field is unacceptable!

3.Cheerleaders will be dressed out & on the football field ready to practice on time(1:30-2:30pm unless otherwise noted by the coach/advisor)

4.Cheerleaders will not have visible/use cell phones, ipods etc…during practice, games, pep rallies et…

5.Cheerleaders will be on task at all times

6.Cheerleaders will be respectful to all persons, belongings, and beliefs

7.Cheerleaders will obey instructions the first time they are given

8.Cheerleaders will be honest

9.Cheerleaders will not use profanity

10.Cheerleaders will obey all school rules

11.Cheerleaders will be dismissed by the Cheer Coach/Advisor

*Please remember that as a PLHS Cheerleader, you are an ambassador for the school and the entire PLHS Community. If through your behavior/actions (whether on or off campus) you jeopardize or damage the reputation of the PLHS Cheer Program/PLHS Community, you will be dismissed from the PLHS Cheer Squad.

Additional Guidelines for PLHS Cheerleaders

1.PLHS Cheer functions as a family. We all need to take responsibility for helping one another. Cheerleaders will be asked to help motivate one another or participate in community events. These tasks should be undertaken cheerfully and enthusiastically.

2.Cheerleading is a team sport. Due to the nature of the routines and stunts, practice is not functional when people are missing. Grades are also determined by participation, so missing 7th period practice for whatever reason will affect your grade. Grades must be earned; there are no automatic "A" grades.

3.It is difficult to maintain eligibility, be a cheerleader and have a job. If you begin working, your work schedule must not interfere with participation in an event, game, or practice as these events are apart of your 7th period/PE grade. Work is not an acceptable excuse for missing a game or practice. Also, all personal appointments should be made after practice and scheduled around games and events.

4.Cheer is your primary athletic responsibility. If you would like to try out for another sport, practices must not interfere with any Cheer related activity.

5.Varsity Cheerleaders will have practice M,T,W,F with off campus passes for Thursday 7th period only. JV Cheerleaders will have practice M,T,W,TH with only sophomores receiving off campus passes for 7th period Friday. Freshman cheerleaderswill report to Coach Sill on the field for study hall 7th period Fridays.

6.Cheerleaders may be dismissed early or entirely from 7th Period for games and Cheer related activities or in the event of a minimum day. However, parents will be notified if this occurs.

7.In the event of an emergency rendering the Cheer Coach/Advisor absent, cheerleaders are expected to follow all guidelines, refrain from any stunting activities, and follow the direction of their team captains.

8.Any issue/concern that a cheerleader or parent may have should first be addressed with the Cheer Coach/Advisor.

9.In the event that a cheerleader is sick or ill the cheerleader must inform the coach prior to cheer practice via text or email. In order to excuse the absence from grade penalty, the cheerleader must return with a doctor’s note excusing him/her from cheer practice upon returning to practice the following day.

10.Cheerleaders may be removed from a performance if they miss any practice within the week of and/or prior to a performance. It is very important that all cheerleaders are at practice!

Failure to adhere to PLHS Cheer Program Guidelines and Requirements outlined here and in the PLHS Cheer Handbook;7th Period Guidelines; Behavior Expectations; and School & Athletic Policies and Procedures may result in dismissal from the Cheer Program.

Detailed Program guidelines may be found in the PLHS Cheer Handbook.

Communication

Cheer coach/Advisor Noel Sill: I can be contacted by email, text, or phone call anytime. I am a teacher on campus with a full schedule so I will usually be able to get back to you the same day regarding any questions or concerns you might have. I am also available to meet with you upon request.

Contact Information

Head Coach/Advisor: Noel SillAssistant Coach: Sarah Kritzmire

Coaching Email: oaching Email:

Teaching Email:

Work Phone #: 619-223-3121

Cell Phone # 619-890-0794

Please read, sign, date, detach, and return to coach Noel Sill as soon as possible. Thank you!

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Syllabus Agreement: PLHS Cheer 7th Period Athletics 2015-16

I, the parent/guardian of understand and accept the terms and conditions of the PLHS 7th period athletic cheer syllabus and will support my athlete as she/he completes the 2015/16 cheerleading season.

Parent/Guardian Signature:Date:

I, (Cheerleader Name) understand and accept the terms and conditions of the PLHS 7th period athletic cheer syllabus and will uphold my responsibilities as a cheerleader and teammate for the 2015-16 school year while pursuing athletic and academic excellence.

Cheerleader Signature:Date: