HOOVER CITY SCHOOLS CHEERLEADING/DANCE TEAM CONSTITUTION

Transcription

1 HOOVER CITY SCHOOLS CHEERLEADING/DANCE TEAM CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I. ARTICLE II. PURPOSE The purpose shall be to promote and uphold school spirit, to develop a sense of good sportsmanship among the student body, and to improve relationships between schools during all athletic events. QUALIFICATIONS Section 1. All participants must meet the following criteria. a. must meet the AHSSA requirements concerning eligibility, b. must meet the Athletic Department minimum academic requirements, c. must be in good standing in school regarding discipline, attendance, etc. (note: for example-if suspended during current school year, then he/she would not be eligible), d. middle school participants (7-8) and a parent or guardian must attend pre-clinic meeting. e. must participate in the tryout clinic. Section 3. Section 5. There shall be one seventh grade cheerleading squad and one eighth grade cheerleading squad at Simmons and Bumpus. Berry shall have a 7 th and 8 th grade football squad, as well as a 7 th and 8 th grade basketball squad. There shall be one dance team consisting of both seventh and eighth grade girls. Current Hoover cheerleaders and dance team members are prohibited from assisting candidates with tryouts at any time other than clinic. A previous history of disciplinary problems (school or athletic) may forfeit a candidate s opportunity to tryout for cheerleader or dance team.

2 ARTICLE III. SELECTION Section 1. The selection of the cheerleaders and dance team shall be made during the second semester of each school year. 2 Section 3. Section 5. Section 6. Section 7. Section 8. Tryout dates shall be established by the sponsor and published at least five weeks prior to tryouts. Judging of cheerleaders and dance team shall be determined by a panel of judges not associated with the school. Cheerleaders and dance team must tryout each year for selection. Judging for cheerleaders shall be made on the basis of appearance, spirit, eye contact, voice projection and clarity, sharp concise motions, sense of coordination, jumps, coach and teacher recommendations. Selection for dance team shall be made on the basis of appearance, coordination, audience appeal, enthusiasm, rhythm, facial expressions, kicks, splits, and teacher recommendations. No cheerleading or dance team shoes or other cheerleading or dance team accessories may be worn during tryouts. Only designated school personnel will be allowed in the tryout area. (Designation to be made by principal.) A school administrator will be present to observe the tryouts. ARTICLE IV. DUTIES Section 1. Cheerleaders shall participate in the following activities: 1) Football games-all games 2) Basketball games-home games & selected tournaments 3) Pep rallies and other spirit activities Dance team shall participate/perform in: 1) Football games-all games

3 2) Basketball-home games & selected tournaments 3) Pep rallies and other spirit activities 3 Section 3. All cheerleaders and dance team members must DO the following: 1) attend summer clinic at the time announced. 2) attend all practices promptly. 3) cooperate and follow instructions given by the sponsor(s) and captain (s). 4) abide by the rules established by the sponsor(s) concerning transportation to and from events. The sponsor(s) must approve all transportation. 5) Eighth grade cheerleaders are responsible for conducting tryout clinic for cheerleaders in the spring of the year. Tryouts will be approved by sponsor(s). 6) Outside squads, classes, lessons, etc. are NOT an excused absence. You may participate on, but are NOT allowed to leave practice or an event early or miss the event in it s entirety. The first violation will result in the athlete being benched on the next event day. The second violation will result in dismissal from squad for remainder of the current athletic school year. CAPTAINS DUTIES 1) The captain (s) is/are responsible for communicating practice/meeting information to the other cheerleaders/dancers. 2) The captain(s) is/are responsible for working with the sponsor(s) in organizing the summer practice schedule, including the selection of cheer, chants, and dances, etc. to be performed at pep rallies, games, and other activities. ARTICLE V. RULES AND REGULATIONS READ THIS CAREFULLY! Section 1. Cheerleading and dance team members must adhere to all the requirements in the Hoover Middle Schools Constitution, the Hoover City Schools Student Handbook, and the Hoover City Schools Athletic Handbook. Absences must have prior approval of the sponsor to be excused. Do not assume a request will be excused. This is for both practices and games.

4 Section 3. Cheerleaders/dance team sponsors may recommend suspension/permanent dismissal for any of the following violations: a. unexcused absence from an assigned event b. misconduct at athletic events or classroom c. being placed in school detention/saturday School d. any inappropriate conduct and/or disrespect for school, faculty, coach, or other teammates e. uncooperative or defiant behavior when given instructions f. use of profanity at any time g. not following transportation policies h. not staying with squad/team at an athletic event i. low academic standing No practices may be called off school grounds without permission from the sponsor(s). This is for your safety. 4 ARTICLE VI. DEMERIT SYSTEM BE AWARE READ CAREFULLY! Section 1. Each of the following offenses will earn the cheerleader/dance team member one demerit: (Three demerits will result in suspension or disciplinary action if behavior continues.) a. chewing gum during practice or events b. wearing jewelry during practice or events c. being out of uniform when assigned to wear one or wearing uniform when not assigned d. not wearing hair up and away from face while participating e. not returning information or assignments on time f. leaving the group without permission g. unexcused tardy to any event or scheduled practice (field, floor between games and after half time) h. having drink or food in the designated cheer/dance area without permission i. uncooperative or defiant behavior when given instructions by: 1. sponsor 2.captain(s) 3. other squad members 4. other students on a daily basis 5. visitors/hosts from other schools j. late pick up exceeding 15 minutes k. lack of transportation to or from practice or event l. ignoring duties

5 a. Three demerits will result in the student being benched for the next event. b. If a student has been benched twice during a season, a third benching would result in automatic dismissal from the squad or team. c. Outside participation- students are not allowed to leave practice or games early to attend an outside athletic or dance event. First violation will result in one being benched on the next event day. Second violation will result in dismissal from the squad for remainder of the current athletic school year. 5 ARTICLE VII. HEALTH Section 1. a. Any student who does not attend school, due to illness on a game day will not be allowed to participate in the event. b. If a student is tardy or absent the day after an event, without a doctors excuse the student will not be allowed to participate in the next event. c. If a student misses a practice or event without a pre-arranged excuse she/he will not be allowed to participate in the next event. d. If a student has any health related occurrences during the school day (i.e. stomach cramps, fever, dizziness, nausea, etc.) she/he will not be allowed to participate in any practice or event that day. e. If she/he does not dress out for AND participate in P.E. then she/he may not participate in practice that day or the next event. ARTICLE VIII. RESPONSIBLILITY OF PARENTS Parents of cheerleaders have a responsibility to the school by virtue of the fact that their child is a member of the school s squad. Parents should serve as a support group to assist the entire squad to accomplish its purpose. Specific activities of support would include, but not limited to, the following: 1) Volunteer your service to the sponsor. 2) Enforce all standards and policies to their full extent. 3) Provide required apparel and accessories.

6 4) Practice good sportsmanship standards as a spectator and parent. 5) Assist in the responsibility for your child s attendance and punctuality to the squad. ARTICLE IX. FINAL AUTHORITY THE CHEER SPONSOR AND PRINCIPAL SHALL HAVE FINAL AUTHORITY IN ALL MATTERS GOVERNING THE CHEERLEADERS AND DANCE TEAM MEMBERS. Approved by Mrs. Carol Barber, Principal Simmons Middle School Dr. Joy Brown, Principal Bumpus Middle School Dr. Kathy Wheaton, Principal Berry Middle School revised March