Jr. Raider Cheer 2018 Season Frequently Asked Questions:

Transcription

1 Jr. Raider Cheer 2018 Season Frequently Asked Questions: Eligibility / Sideline vs. Competition Q: Who is eligible for Jr. Raider Cheer? A: All students who will be in 6 th 8 th grade during the 2018 fall season. You must reside in the Alpharetta High School District to cheer in our program. Address information can be verified via the Fulton County Board of Education website Enter your address and 09 into the grade box to determine whether you live in the AHS school district. Q: What is the difference between Sideline & Competition team? A: JRC has (3) sideline teams, one for each grade, and (1) competition team: The competition team is comprised of sideline cheerleaders from all (3) grades. The competition team perform a competitive cheer routine at Middle School cheer competitions. The sideline teams cheer for their grade s football team. Note: You must first be on a Jr. Raider Sideline team in order to be on the Jr. Raider Competition team. Q: Is there a pre-set number of cheerleaders per squad? A: JRC does not pre-set the number of cheerleaders per squad. Q: Who can try out for the Competition team? A: All Sideline cheerleaders can also tryout for the Competition team. The Competition team is comprised of 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th graders. Tryouts for Competition team coincide with the Sideline team tryouts. Your cheerleader will need to indicate consideration for the team on the registration form. Name tags will be designated with a star to alert the coaches. On registration each day, please have your cheerleader alert the registrar so that a star can be placed on their nametag. Q: Does my cheerleader have to be on a Sideline team in order to make the Competition team? A: Yes our Competition team is comprised of 6 th -8 th grade Sideline cheerleaders. Q: How many competitions will the competition team compete in? A: We typically choose (4) competitions in the greater Atlanta area. All venues are at high schools with travel up to 30 miles distance. Registration & Fees Q: How do I register for tryouts / is there a fee? A: Send your cheerleader s name, grade for the 2017 school year, team(s) trying out for, and parent name/contact info to the Jr. Raider Cheer secretary at: secretary@jrraidercheer.com Jr. Raider Cheer Season FAQ Page 1 of 7

2 You will receive important tryout information, along with a list of the required forms that you will need to back to the Secretary as soon as possible. These required forms can also be found on our website. Tryout Fee: $30 tryout fee is due on the first day of tryouts. Please cash or check only, payable to: Jr. Raider Cheer. Q: What is the deadline for registration? A: In order to help us prepare for the tryouts, your cheerleader should be registered through our secretary no later than March 21, Walk-in registrations will be accepted on March 26 only for a $10 late fee. Q: Where are the costs for Sideline cheer? A: The total fee for the season is $435. This fee is made up of the following: $300 Activity fee: Includes 2-day mandatory choreography camp, practice shirt, and special events during the season. $135 Gym Fee: In order to simply and streamline the fee, we are including the 3-month gym fee ($45 per month) into the activity fee. Practices are held 1 day a week at Stingrays in Johns Creek from August October. Sideline uniforms are a separate amount and brand new uniforms are estimated at $600 for 2017 season. Payment Options: The sideline activity fee can be made with the following payment options: o 2 payments: 50% at the Informational Parent Meeting in April date (TBD) and 50% by July 1. Cash or Check Only o 3 equal payments of $145 due May 1st, June 1st, July 1 st Cash or Check Only o Uniforms are paid for at the uniform fitting on 4/8/17 o Credit cards can be used at the uniform fitting for NEW uniform. All other fees are paid with cash or check. Q: What are the costs for the Competition team? A: The Competition Team is an opportunity for our elite level cheerleaders to compete together and prepare for cheering competitively at AHS. There is an additional activity fee of $325. This fee includes a 3-day choreography camp, music, practice shirt, competition entrance fees, and a 1-day stunt camp. Payment Options: o 2 payments: 50% at the Informational Parent Meeting in April date (TBD) and 50% by July 1. Cash or Check Only o 3 equal payments of $100 due May 1st, June 1st, July 1 st Cash or Check Only o All Gym Fees paid directly to the gym and must be set up on an automatic monthly draft. Spring Practice: Gym Fees weekly practices May and June - $45/month. Fall Practice: Gym Fees bi-weekly practices Aug October - $80/month. Please note: These fees are in addition to your cheerleader s Sideline fees noted above. Q: How much does the uniform cost? A: JRC will be using the same uniform as last year. Used uniforms will be available on a first come, first served basis at our uniform fitting on Tuesday, April 17th. The uniforms will be discounted 50% off last season s costs. A brand new uniform is expected to cost $600 for the 2018 Jr. Raider Cheer Season FAQ Page 2 of 7

3 2018 season Cheerleaders will be able to sell their uniform pieces, if applicable, at this time. Q: Do I purchase a uniform for the Competition Team? A: Yes - The Competition Team wears the Sideline uniform, with the addition of a long sleeve shirt at each competition. There is a separate bow for the Competition Team and indoor cheer shoes are required. Q: Is there a withdrawal policy / date? A: Yes, we understand circumstances sometimes require girls to withdraw from our program. The final date for withdrawing from our program is July 16, Prior to July 16, a cheerleader can withdraw from a squad, and parents will receive a refund of the activity fee, less $50, to cover the cost of administrative fees. Uniforms, shirts, bows, etc. are nonrefundable after their purchase in April. No exceptions will be made. Q: Are scholarships available? A: JRC makes every effort to provide scholarships to those in need. Inquiries for financial assistance can be made to the President of JRC at info@jrraidercheer.com. Q: Does JRC do fundraising? A: Yes, JRC has fundraising plans for the season. More details will be forthcoming. Tryouts: Q: What are the dates and the tryout process? A: The tryouts are held March 26, March 27, and March 28, March 26: 6:30-9pm (30 mins at end for Comp) March 27: 4:30-7pm (30 mins at end for Comp) March 28: 9am start-time. (Comp at the end) The first two days are devoted to teaching an 8-count routine, chant, jump sequence, tumbling, etc. The third day is the actual tryout day, where your cheerleader will be given a 15 minute timeframe to attend. Note: Tryouts are closed to parents for all three days. Q: What do the girls wear to tryouts? A: All cheerleaders must be dressed in the following: Black athletic shorts (it is fine if they have a stripe down the side or around the edges) Plain white t-shirt White no-show socks, and athletic shoes (cheer shoes are optional). Hair must be pulled back off your face and your shoulders. We prefer a ponytail. Bows are optional, but must be solid white. This is a Jr. Raider tryout please leave all-star gym related clothing, bows or backpacks at home. Q: Does everyone make a team? 2018 Jr. Raider Cheer Season FAQ Page 3 of 7

4 A: No many factors determine our teams for the season. We encourage your cheerleader to bring her best attitude and effort to the tryout process. As our schools most visible athletes, Jr. Raider Cheerleaders are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. As the ambassadors to the school, they represent our student body and are to be welcoming, enthusiastic and always promoting school spirit. Tumbling Requirements: o For Sideline teams, there are no tumbling requirements. o For the Competition team, a round-off, back handspring is the minimum tumbling requirement. Q: How do I know if my cheerleader made a team? A: Results will be posted on our website by xxx. Practices: Q: Where do the Cheer teams practice? A: We have an amazing gym partner with our program. Johns Creek Stingrays Allstars gym is located off State Bridge Road in Johns Creek: Our Sideline teams have a mandatory weekly practice and a mandatory 2-day camp (in July) at Stingrays gym. Additional Sideline practices will take place off-site. Our Competition teams have a twice weekly practice, 1-day stunt camp, and 3-day choreography camp at Stingrays gym. Cheer/Football Season Dates: Q: When does Sideline cheer begin / what is the schedule? A: Weekly practices will begin after Spring Break (week of April 11) to begin learning the cheers for the season. Practices will continue weekly (TBD) throughout the summer. If your cheerleader is in town, they are expected to attend each practice. There is no fee associated with these practices. Camp: The mandatory attendance policy begins with our Choreography Camp on July 30 and 31 (9-3pm). Weekly Mandatory Practices: Mandatory weekly practices in the gym begin on Monday, August 7 4:30 6:00pm and continue every Monday (with the exception of school holidays) through October 30 h. During the season, one additional weekly practice may be scheduled off-site. GAMES: Plan on a game every weekend, including holidays, during football season (through November). Cheerleaders are required to arrive 1 hour prior to the start of their game. Q: When does Competition cheer begin / what is the schedule? A: Competition teams will begin practicing after Spring Break with a weekly practice at the gym on Mondays through the summer. If your cheerleader is in town, they are expected to attend each practice. We are still in the process of setting the schedule for our competition team and will make the dates available as soon as possible. However, please plan for the following: 2018 Jr. Raider Cheer Season FAQ Page 4 of 7

5 Twice weekly mandatory practices will begin on August 1 st and continue through the end of October. Competitions generally begin in September, with (4) competitions in total during September and October. Q: When does football season begin? What is the commitment? A: The football season typically begins the 3 rd weekend in August and runs through the end of October, with playoffs into November. The final schedule for Football is available by mid-july and will be posted on our website once available. Important: JRC expects cheerleaders to cheer for the entire season including ALL PLAYOFF GAMES. Plan on a game every weekend, including holidays, during football season. Q: How many games do they cheer for / when are the games? A: We support the Varsity Jr. Raider Football program and follow their schedule. There are generally eight (8) footballs games, every weekend from the end of August through November (including holiday weekends). The games are on Saturdays by grade levels. A typical home game day schedule is 3:30 PM for 6 th, 5:30 PM for 7 th, and 7:30 PM for 8 th. An occasional morning game day occurs (9:00, 11:00, and 1:00). JV / Silver Games: We support the JV Jr. Raider Football program, with 1 weekday game per grade. JRC only requires cheerleaders to cheer at 50% of these games. Cheerleaders are required to arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of their game. Q: Where are the games played? A: Our home field is the Raider Stadium at Alpharetta High School. Games are played as scheduled, rain or shine. Summer Cheer Camp Q: Is there a Mandatory Summer Camp? A: Yes. To attend, all cheerleaders must be fully registered, forms completed and paid in full. These camps are MANDATORY and are included in your activity fees. 2-day Mandatory Choreography Sideline camp: o July 30 and 31 9:00am 3:00pm (includes 1 hour for lunch, please plan to pack a lunch) 3-day Mandatory Choreography Competition camp: o These dates have not yet been scheduled Q: What if I cannot attend one of the camps? A: The camps are all mandatory. We are posting the camp dates prior to tryouts, so that families can make arrangements. We have made every effort to minimize the time required of the girls during their summer break and know that it can be hard to organize family schedules. Please make absolutely every effort to make alternate arrangements, as missing any of the camps may result in your cheerleader not having a spot in the routine until she can be worked in at a later date. The choreographers create the routines based on the number of girls at the camp, and it is very difficult to try and work someone in later in the year Jr. Raider Cheer Season FAQ Page 5 of 7

6 Q: Can I get a refund if I cannot attend one of the camps? A: Unfortunately there will be no refunds for any camp missed. Coaches: Q: Who are the coaches and what are their responsibilities? A: We have three types of coaches that your cheerleaders will be supported by: Sideline and Competition Team Managers are typically parents of a cheerleader who are volunteering their time to support the program. They will attend all games and serve as point of contact for any questions and concerns. Team Managers are required to undergo a background check to work closely with our teams. Student Coaches are typically high school students with cheerleading experience who apply to be a student coach for the season. They will attend all practices and games and serve as mentors/coaches to the cheerleaders. Student Coaches are required to provide teacher recommendations. Gym coaches will be teaching your cheerleaders the routines, sign work, and skill progressions. Our partner gym is Stingrays. They are highly qualified professionals. Events: Jr. Raider Cheer has many Events throughout the season. These events are important and set apart our program! They not only encourage strong, positive relationships within the squad but play a role within our community. This is an integral part of being a Jr. Raider Cheerleader. The cheerleaders are required to attend events including: Old Soldiers Day Parade (downtown Alpharetta) End-of-Camp pool party Jr. Raider Night (AHS) Pink Out Night (AHS) Trunk or Treat (AHS) End of Season Cheer banquet In addition, many other events are planned throughout the season such as pizza/pool parties, events with their respective football teams, dinner after the games and community service events. A full list will be added to our website once available. Mark your calendar & volunteer to help! Commitment & Volunteering: Q: As a parent/guardian, what time commitment is expected of me? A: Besides ensuring your cheerleader is on time to all practices, camps, events and games, we ask that at least one parent/guardian is onsite at all games in case of an emergency. Events will also request a minimum of (3) volunteer signups from each family. We appreciate your support and participation in any team event, and requests from team managers to support the team Jr. Raider Cheer Season FAQ Page 6 of 7

7 Q: What other volunteer opportunities are available? A: Volunteering with our organization is a great way to stay close to the action and meet some terrific people. We have many volunteer opportunities, such as: assisting with social activities, special events, team photographers, community service, etc. If you have a special talent, extra time or just want to get involved, please contact our Special Events Chairs at specialevents@jrraidercheer.com. We are grateful to our wonderful parent volunteers! Website & Contacts: Q: Where can I find up-to-date information about the JRC program? A: Please use our website for information about our program There is also a calendar of events, so that families can prepare in advance should your cheerleader make a team. We make every effort to post information as it becomes available. Q: Who do I contact if I have a question or concern? A: Please send questions or concerns to our JRC President at info@jrraidercheer.com Jr. Raider Cheer Season FAQ Page 7 of 7