MISSION VIEJO HIGH SCHOOL Course Syllabus and Policies

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1 MISSION VIEJO HIGH SCHOOL Course Syllabus and Policies As a member of Mission Viejo High School Pep Squad you are an ambassador to the school and to Saddleback Valley Unified School District in everything you do and everywhere you go. It is imperative that you conduct yourself in a polite and proper manner at all times, and that you participate on the Pep Squad with pride and honor. Cheerleaders and Songleaders are expected to be leaders in all areas of school life. It is a privilege to be a member and representative of Mission Viejo Pep Squad. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. Pep squad is an elective P.E. course and will meet during the school day. 2. Practices will also be held after school hours. 3. Punctuality and attendance is mandatory. 4. Pep Squad members are expected to fulfill the entire year of membership. 5. Other school activities are permitted as long as they don t conflict with Pep Squad responsibilities. PURPOSE: The Purpose of the MVHS pep squad is: To support MVHS athletic teams. To promote and uphold school spirit. To serve the school through active participation. To promote good sportsmanship. To perform at rallies and games. To instill spirit, enthusiasm, and pride in the student body. To assist at school and community functions when requested. ELIGIBILITY: Tryout Eligibility: Incoming 8 th graders and/or new students to Mission Viejo High School must qualify for tryouts with an overall 2.0 GPA or better based on the previous semester or trimester grading period. Current Mission Viejo High School students must qualify for tryouts with an overall 2.0 GPA or better based on the previous semester grading period.

2 Academic Eligibility: Student must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA to remain eligible during the year of their Pep Squad membership. Each eligibility period is based on quarter grades. A student may earn one F and, if the student s overall GPA is a C average, the student will be eligible. A student who earns two F s in one grading period is automatically declared ineligible. Students may request a one time academic waiver for their probationary period if they have not already used a waiver. (See district policy ) Students may not exercise the option of a probationary period in order to qualify for the initial squad selection. Citizenship Eligibility: Any student who receives any U s in citizenship in any grading period is ineligible. Permission from the Assistant Principal over Discipline is mandatory. Residency/School Choice: Students must qualify for tryouts with proof of residency and/or prior SVUSD approval for School Choice. Athletic Eligibility: All pep squad members must meet the athletic clearance requirements, which include but are not limited to: physical exam, proof of insurance, and transportation fee according to the SVUSD Athletic Code. GENERAL RULES A good attitude is the most important attribute of any pep squad member. Each member should strive to cooperate with all members on the squad and with the Advisor and coaches. A continuing poor attitude can result in indefinite suspension or removal from the squad. Pep squad members are required to set an example for the student body at all times. Pep squad members are expected to uphold all general school rules and the rules governing conduct at school events. If the rules are broken a Pep Squad member may be removed from the squad at the Advisor s discretion. Pep squad members will not participate in any activity on or off campus that could embarrass Mission Viejo High School. Pep squad members will conduct themselves at all times in a manner that brings credit to themselves and the school. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS: Pep squad members will conduct themselves in a manner that is supportive of their team even if they are losing. Pep squad members will be respectful of the officials and the opposing team and cheerleaders. Cheers and signs will be positive and enthusiastic without being degrading or derogatory toward the opposing team. All squads are required to attend ALL CIF play-off games, including but not limited to football games, boys basketball games and other sports as assigned. This includes CIF games scheduled for the day after Thanksgiving. Please keep that date open.

3 TIME COMMITMENT: Enrollment in Period 7 Pep Squad class is mandatory. A pep squad member may not leave at mid-year. Pep squad is a yearlong commitment. Extra-curricular activities or after school jobs CANNOT interfere with scheduled games, CIF games or practices. Time commitment may at times require up to 20 hours per week. PRACTICE: ALL scheduled practices including summer practices are mandatory for all Pep squad members. Doctor /dentist, orthodontic, DMV appointments, work, family vacations, or other competitions with clubs or studios are not excused absences for practices or games. Pep squad members must be fully dressed out in designated Mission practice clothes AND athletic shoes for all practices. NO EXCEPTIONS. Lack of appropriate practice clothes during practice will be considered an unexcused absence. This includes wearing jewelry to practice. It is a safety hazard. Practice clothes (t-shirts/shorts, warm-ups, sweatshirts) from other allstar gyms and teams are not to be worn at Mission practices. UNIFORMS / APPEARANCE GUIDELINES: The Advisor and coaches will determine all uniforms. Uniforms are to be purchased by each individual pep squad member and will be received when paid in full. If any part of a uniform is lost or damaged, it is the responsibility of the pepster to replace it immediately. Uniforms will be worn for all functions at which the pepster will be performing and during the school day of the performance. Failure to wear the uniform during the school day will be counted as an unexcused absence, unless otherwise specified. Keep track of and LABEL all uniforms. The uniform, or any part of the uniform, will not be lent to anyone that is not a current member of the Pep squad. Failure to adhere to rule will cause a suspension of Pepster. All squads will color coordinate their uniforms including socks and shoes. Flip-flops, UGG boots, etc. are not a part of the uniform at any time. Any pepster not in complete uniform will not perform. This includes pepsters traveling to and from games. Uniforms will be worn on game days, to assemblies and any other events as necessary. A pepster may not participate if she is not in the correct uniform. Uniforms are not worn to any activities outside those designated. Wearing jewelry while in uniform or at any practice is NOT allowed. Rings, necklaces, earrings, tongue / nose / eyebrow/ belly button studs are NOT allowed at any pep squad events. This includes practices and games. Hair will be worn pulled back and off of the face in the assigned style for each cheerleading activity. Failure to do so will be treated as a pepster out of uniform. Nails must be trimmed and kept at a short length at all times to ensure safety. Tattoos are NOT allowed.

4 FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS All uniforms must be paid for BEFORE ordering. Varsity Pep Squad members must pay a separate transportation fee. If a Pepster quits a team or is dismissed of her duties as a Mission Viejo HS pepster, there will be no refunds of any program contributions. TRANSPORTATION: Varsity Pep Squad members will be traveling to away games and must pay SVUSD bus fees (checks must be made out MVHS). Payment of $130 is due September 10,2009 Pep squad members may ride home from away games with parents if advance written permission has been obtained by the Advisor. Un-sportsmanlike conduct or misbehavior on any bus is prohibited. Any infraction will result in disciplinary measures by the Advisor. Any unauthorized transportation procedures can be grounds for immediate dismissal from the team. ATTENDANCE and PRACTICES Members are expected to be on time and to fully participate in all practices. Plan on practices after school and sometimes on weekends, early mornings and evenings. We work around coach s schedules and facility availability. A pep squad member will only be allowed 1 unexcused absence throughout the year. This includes any and all practices scheduled outside of their 7 th period class. In the event of a 2nd unexcused absence, the Pep Squad member will receive disciplinary actions from the Advisor. (see Consequences below) A Pep Squad member may not miss any games or mandatory functions for reasons other than severe illness. A doctor s note will be required after an absence for illness. GRADING POLICY Grades will be determined based on the following: 1. Positive attitude 2. Honorable representation of Mission Viejo HS 3. Full attendance at all required events 4. Full participation at practices 5. Using their skills that were shown in tryouts 6. On time to class period 7. Dressing out for class period and games in appropriate attire 8. Returning paperwork on time 9. On time to bus 10. On time to games 11. Respect given to Coach, Advisor, Teachers and Administrators 12. Respect given to peers 13. Leadership

5 CONSEQUENCES These consequences are based upon the inability of the Pepster to follow the Pep Squad Contract and Course Syllabus and Policies. 1. Verbal warning, student conference, lower grade, phone call to parent 2. Suspension from pep squad activities and parent meeting 3. Withdraw from Pep Squad with an F grade ZERO TOLERANCE We have a zero tolerance rule for controlled substances. While I cannot police every move of every cheer/song leader, if any Pep Squad member is caught using controlled substances, that member will be withdrawn from Pep Squad with an F grade for the remainder of the year, no exceptions. That individual will also become ineligible to tryout for future teams. Use of profanity in any circumstance is prohibited and will result in disciplinary consequences as outlined above. Defiance and/or disrespect to any school official, staff member, coach, Advisor or team member is also grounds for disciplinary action. * All other SVUSD / MVHS rules governing student conduct and eligibility will apply. By signing this form, it is understood that parents and student understand and agree to abide by the rules, conditions and expectations for Pep Squad members. Please sign for the parent (both parents where applicable) and student and return to Mrs. Boss. Please make a copy for yourself and student. Parent(s) Guardian Student