GHS Varsity and Junior Varsity Cheerleader and Mascot Constitution for

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1 GHS Varsity and Junior Varsity Cheerleader and Mascot Constitution for Principal: Yancey Sanderson Assistant Principal: Kristi Street Sponsor(s): Jennifer Penny and Michele Fast [NOTE: "Cheerleader" henceforth refers to both cheerleaders and mascots.] I. Qualifications A. Candidates for cheerleader must meet at least the minimum UIL requirements for eligibility. This includes minimum credits to participate: sophomores must have 5 credits; juniors, 10 credits; and seniors, 15 credits. B. The UIL No Pass/No Play rule will be strictly enforced. Cheerleaders must maintain a minimum overall average of 70 in all classes. A cheerleader whose average is lower than 70 at the end of the first six weeks of the school year or any nine week grading period will be suspended from participating in all cheerleading activities. If a cheerleader's average is 70 or better in all classes at the following three-week grade check, he/she will be reinstated following the seven-day grace period. The member must attend practice during the period of ineligibility. C. If a cheerleader is ineligible for more than one grading period (at any time during the year) because his/her grade falls below 70, he/she will be removed from the squad and will not be eligible to tryout for cheerleader the following year. D. In order to try out or maintain a position on the squad, a student must be in compliance with school attendance policy, have no more than one ISS assignment, OSS or an office referrals resulting in corporal punishment. E. Summer requirements 1. Each cheerleader MUST attend cheerleading camp during the summer. If a cheerleader fails to attend camp, he/she will forfeit his/her position as a cheerleader. 2. Camp is held during the summer. Dates and campsites are selected by the coach/sponsor(s). Cheerleaders will pay for the cost of camp. Camp dates will be scheduled as soon as possible. 3. All cheerleaders will participate in the activities at camp and will follow the directions of the instructors. If a cheerleader does not follow the rules of the camp, the demerit system will be enforced. If a cheerleader is not performing to the satisfaction of the coach/sponsor(s), a cheerleader may have to sit out of performance/competition.

2 4. Practices will be scheduled by the coach/sponsor(s) during the summer. Practices will be scheduled in June, July, and August. The coach/sponsor(s) will try to schedule events around other school activities. Practices are mandatory; failure to attend practices will result in demerits and possible removal from the squad. Conflicts due to school events must be worked out with the coach/sponsor(s) prior to missing an event or demerits will be issued. II. Purpose A. The cheerleaders shall promote and uphold school spirit. B. They shall develop a sense of good sportsmanship among the student body, the faculty, and the community. C. The cheerleaders shall promote unified crowd involvement during events. D. They shall strive to uphold the highest personal standards as cheerleaders and as people. III. Responsibilities A. Cheerleaders will be required to be in attendance for at least one half of the school day in order to participate in any cheer-related event unless prior approval has been given by coach/sponsor(s). B. Any cheerleader unable to perform due to an injury/medical condition will appear at events in full uniform and sit in the designated area or with the coach/sponsor(s). C. Any cheerleader who becomes ineligible during the school year must still attend practices. Ineligible cheerleaders may attend events on their own but will not wear their uniforms and will not be allowed to cheer until eligibility is restored. IV. Conduct and General Guidelines A. The following is simply a summary of general conduct rules. Violation of these rules could result in temporary probation or removal from the squad. Please recognize that we cannot possibly list every situation that might arise. Parents and cheerleaders must understand certain problems could arise that are not listed here that may result in disciplinary action. B. The coach/sponsor(s) will review all the facts and circumstances surrounding a particular violation and impose appropriate disciplinary action. The coach/sponsor(s) will strive for consistency in meting out punishment for extracurricular code of conduct violations but will also exercise sound professional discretion. C. Being a cheerleader is a privilege. Therefore, our cheerleaders are expected to be good examples both in and out of the classroom. They should be held to a higher standard because they are such visible representatives of the school. This

3 includes actions taken on school trips, actual competitions/performances, the classroom, in the community and through social media. D. Professional Conduct 1. No suggestions will be considered that come from group meetings called without the presence of a coach/sponsor(s). 2. Friends, boyfriends/girlfriends or family will not be allowed to sit with or visit with a cheerleader while a cheerleader is on duty. 3. Cheerleaders will be expected to keep cell phones out of sight and on silent during all practices and performances. Cell phones may be used after practice and on the bus going to and from performances. 4. Cheerleaders will not sit in the stands or leave the squad until the end of an event. 5. Cheerleaders will not eat or chew gum while on duty at any event. 6. A cheerleader must show good sportsmanship at all times. 7. A cheerleader will refrain from the use of profanity or abusive language at all times. 8. A cheerleader's personal conduct should be professional in attitude and appearance. 9. All squad problems should be discussed with the coach/sponsor(s) first. 10. Each cheerleader should remember that he/she is a part of the squad. It takes all parts working together to achieve success. Each cheerleader will show respect and strive to get along with his/her fellow cheerleaders. 11. Managing a team during volleyball, football, basketball, baseball, etc., seasons does not excuse a cheerleader from any cheer-related event. 12. Any cheerleader who represents himself/herself or cheerleading in an unfavorable, questionable, or illegal manner through electronic media (i.e. websites, personal homepages, blogs, text messages, chat rooms or similar websites/files accessible through a server or internet) or using electronic communication devices in such a way as to bring discredit, dishonor, or disgrace on his/her organization or members of any other school organization including himself/herself (i.e. camera phones, digital photos, electronic descriptions) will be subject to the disciplinary actions determined by appropriate school officials and/or the coach/sponsor(s), including probation or dismissal from cheerleading. This includes but is not limited to: negative or profane comments against teammates,

4 opponents, GISD or faculty/staff; posts or photos relating to drugs, alcohol, tobacco or other inappropriate behavior. E. Disciplinary Action 1. Disciplinary action will be enforced for violations. The coach/sponsor(s) have the right to remove a cheerleader from any scheduled event for any reason according to the rules or regulations addressed in the constitution or discussed as a squad during meetings. More serious violations will result in automatic removal from the squad. 2. Repeated or excessive offenses [repetition of the same offense three (3) or more times during the school year] may result in coach/sponsor(s) or principal review. Any coach/sponsor(s) or principal review of a cheerleader's actions may result in dismissal from the squad or denial of participation in future events. 3. Use of alcohol is a serious violation of squad rules and is against the law for persons under 21 years of age. Use of alcohol by a cheerleader will be dealt with in a serious manner. 4. The use of drugs is prohibited for Gatesville High School students participating in extracurricular and UIL programs. Gatesville ISD participates in an extensive Substance Abuse Policy, including random drug testing, with consequences for positive tests. Any drug related arrests/charges will be treated in the same manner as a positive test. See GISD Substance Abuse Policy for details. F. Demerit System 1. General Violations of any school policy will be handled by the school. The cheerleader/mascot will then receive the appropriate demerit from the coach/sponsor(s). The following is the demerit system that the cheerleading coaches will use for violations of guidelines outlined in constitution, as well as other incidents of conduct infractions. If a cheerleader/mascot accrues 20 demerits, she will be removed from the squad. Demerits may be dropped by performing community service through a program or activity approved by the sponsor. For every hour of community service, you may have up to two demerits dropped. ITEM DEMERIT 1. Miss a practice 5 2. Late to practice 3 3. Do not help set up before a game 3 4. Do not help take down after a game 3 5. Late to game 5 6. Late to 3rd quarter 1 point for each minute late (Be in place 2 minutes prior to the 3rd quarter starting) 7. Uniform 1 point for each missing item

5 8. Jewelry 2 points each time you are asked to remove an item 9. Not having all game items 1 point for each missing item 10. General Conduct violation 1-10 demerits, depending on the infraction/ violation of conduct outlined in constitution IV. D 1-11; classroom/school misconducted noted by teacher comment/ ISS 1 game suspension 12. AEP Removal from squad 13. Miss a game Removal from squad 14. Drugs/alcohol/arrest Removal from squad V. Uniforms and Appearance A. Although the school purchases the uniform (top) for varsity, all other expenses including camp, other uniforms, camp gear, rain gear, winter gear, and shoes will be paid for by the cheerleaders. B. All uniforms and camp gear will be approved by the coach/sponsor(s) before purchase. C. All alterations must be approved by the coach/sponsor(s). If any uniform/clothing is altered unacceptably, the outfit cannot be worn, and the cheerleader will not be able to participate in activities that require that outfit. The cheerleader will also be responsible for replacing the uniform/clothing. D. No jewelry will be worn during practice, events, or activities. All cheerleaders will wear their hair as directed by the coach/sponsor(s) and look uniform. No visible tattoos, except those approved for temporary tattoos. E. Uniforms will be kept neat, clean, and in good repair at all times. Cheerleaders are responsible for presenting and maintaining a polished appearance. F. Uniforms will only be worn at designated times. The uniform must receive principal approval before it can be worn during the school day. G. All school issued uniforms will be turned in or replacement cost paid for by the cheerleader before tryouts for the next year. School issued uniforms not properly cared for will be subject to a damage fee equal to the cost of repairing or replacing the item. Failure to return a uniform will result in a cheerleader not being able to try out. Cheerleaders with outstanding debt will be placed on the fees and fines list and maybe subject to disciplinary action and/or loss of privileges in school activities. H. Every cheerleader is responsible for bringing all accessories to every game. I. Cheerleaders must pay for all uniforms and accessories before receiving them. Installment payments can be made for these items. A cheerleader will not be allowed to cheer if he/she has not paid for these items. VI. Transportation

6 A. Cheerleaders are required to ride the provided school transportation to the game. A cheerleader may ride home with a parent/legal guardian only after the parent/legal guardian signs a cheerleader out with the coach/sponsor(s). B. Cheerleaders are responsible for ensuring that all accessories are brought to every game/event and returned to the bus. Each cheerleader is responsible for his/her own property. VII. Cheerleader Requirements A. Tryouts 1. Candidates may not have a failing grade for more than one grading period during the current year. 2. Cheerleaders and mascots are elected by outside judges. There will be a single varsity mascot. The highest scoring mascot will be chosen. There will be no set number for varsity squad members and the junior varsity squad may be comprised of up to six (6) members. In the event there are not a viable number of junior varsity candidates, there will be no junior varsity squad. Cheerleaders will be chosen by a natural break and/or a score of 70% from the judges. 3. The candidates will be selected by impartial judges from outside the district. 4. Varsity candidates may be incoming freshman, sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Junior varsity candidates may be incoming freshmen, sophomores, or juniors. 5. If a candidate quits the squad during the school year, he/she is not eligible to try out the following year. 6. Tryouts will consist of one cheer, one chant, the fight song routine, and a dance. 7. Tryouts are closed to everyone except the coach/sponsor(s), judges, and principals. Parents may wait for their children outside of the designated tryout area. 8. If a person is medically unable to tryout, a video may be submitted. B. Cheer Captain (s) 1. The position of cheer captain(s) will be filled by a senior with two (2) years of varsity experience unless there is no eligible senior available. In this event, all candidates must have cheered for at least two (2) years at the varsity level (in Gatesville) prior to being eligible to try out for captain. 2. Cheer captain(s) will be selected by considering scores from the judges, coaches, and may include input from cheerleaders and teachers. 3. There will be no captain(s) on junior varsity. Each cheerleader will have certain responsibilities in order to practice the skills needed to be in a leadership position.

7 4. As deemed necessary by sponsor/coach, along with school administration, the position of cheer captain may not be named until the fall allowing time for squad input. It may also be determined by sponsor/coach, along with school administration, that it may be in the best interest of the squad to NOT designate a cheer captain. VIII. Lettering A. Letter jackets are awarded to varsity cheerleaders who successfully complete all varsity responsibilities, including selection at spring tryouts; summer camp and practices; and participation at football, volleyball, and basketball duties. B. Students, however, are only awarded one letter jacket per their high school career for participation in UIL.

8 GHS Varsity and Junior Varsity Cheerleader and Mascot Constitution Contract "I, (printed cheerleader's name), have read the constitution for varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders/mascots." "I,, promise to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the cheer constitution and present at all times a positive and enthusiastic attitude, for I am, as a cheerleader, a role model." "I,, fully understand that if I am found in violation of any ideals mentioned in the constitution, I will be subject to some form of disciplinary action which may result in immediate, temporary, or permanent removal from the squad." Signature of Cheerleader Date Signature of Parent/Guardian Date Signature of Parent/Guardian Date Signature of Parent/Guardian Date