Churchill Spirit Guidelines We are looking forward to a positive and successful year. In order to create this environment, every spirit member will be expected to comply with the following guidelines. The purpose of these guidelines is to stop problems before they start. I. PRACTICES A. DRESS CODE 1. You must be in your designated practice attire. (Every member regardless of eligibility, must be dressed appropriately at practice). 2. If you lose or ruin any part of your practice uniform, you will be responsible for replacing it. You will receive demerits until it is replaced. 3. Make sure you put your name in all of your practice clothes. 4. When on campus, you must be dressed appropriately. Cover any practice clothing not considered practice attire. 5. Hair should ALWAYS be in a ponytail/secured with bangs out of the face. 6. Hair should be natural in color and not distracting to the team. Hair that is 2 toned our unnatural in color is not permitted. 7. You may NEVER wear ANY jewelry to practice including cartilage piercings. 8. NO GUM at practice. 9. At no time, unless specified by the coach/director, may a member practice without shoes. B. BEHAVIOR 1. Arrive EARLY. You will receive demerits and/or physical consequences, even if you are one minute late! 2. No eating or gum chewing is allowed at practice. 3. You will only be allowed to stop for drinks at designated water breaks. 4. You may not use cell phones at practice or at any other spirit activity. Ringers should be off and your cell phone should not be out. 5. No talking when you should be listening and no talking when someone is performing. 6. You should never be talking when the coach/director or head cheerleader/dance & drill officers are giving instructions. 7. No sitting at practices or gym practices. Use any free time to stretch or practice. 8. Stay in line and ready for your turn at all tumbling classes or across the floor combinations. If you are not ready due to talking or being off task, it will result in demerits or a physical consequence. 9. School practices will be closed to everyone. Do not invite family, boyfriends, friends, etc. to come and watch. 10. Do not leave your belongings in the cheer/dance facility unless it is locked up. 11. Pick up all trash from the cheer/dance facility before leaving. 12. You are always expected to give 100%. If there is any reason why you are unable to do this, (i.e. injury, illness, etc.), you must bring a note from your parent or doctor explaining the problem before practice begins. 13. In order to be excused from a specific activity for a prolonged period of time, you will be required to give your coach/director a doctor s note specifying the prohibited activity and the anticipated date of return to regular activity. We must receive doctor s clearance for you to return to an activity. 14. Depending on the restrictions of the injury and the length of the restricted behavior, this may result in removal from competition, performances, and other activities. 15. Anyone who is disruptive or disrespectful during practice will be asked to leave and receive automatic spirit probation. If this happens twice, then you will be removed from the squad/team. (Remember you are expected to be respectful to not only your cheerleading coach/dance director, but also your tumbling and stunting coaches, your head cheerleader(s)/dance & drill officers, and your fellow teammates).
II. ABSENCES A. SUMMER PRACTICES 1. Vacations will not be considered excused. For each absence incurred, you will miss one beginning of the year performance and/or be subject to consequences as outlined in the NEISD Constitution. You must be present at practice in its entirety in order to maintain your performance status. 2. Cheerleaders, Dance & Drill members will not be allowed to miss camp to attend summer school. B. SCHOOL YEAR 1. If you are going to be absent from a practice, you must follow two steps in order for the absence to be excused. Please be aware that an excused absence does not mean that there will not be performance consequences. Excused absences will not incur demerits but still can prevent a student from performing. Step One - A parent needs to call/email the spirit office BEFORE practice begins. Step Two A parent note/email to excuse the absence is due the day you return. 2. If you leave during the school day, you still must notify the coach/director. 3. Even if you are absent from school, you must still follow the two steps listed above in order for the absence to be excused. 4. EXCUSED ABSCENCES include: Personal illness or accident Funeral or death in the family Special school activities which are approved in advance by the coach/director Religious holidays Weddings in the immediate family. *Absences for other reasons will be considered unexcused absences. *All appointments (i.e. doctors, dentists, tutoring, etc.) must be scheduled around practice time. These appointments are not considered excused absences. 5. If you have more than one absence (EXCUSED or UNEXCUSED) per week, you may not be allowed to perform at that week s performance/game. 6. If you are not present and on time for send off, then you are automatically benched or pulled from that week s performance/game. 7. During competition season, excessive absences may result in removal from the competition routine. 8. Extra practices for competition may be called as needed (i.e. weekends, holidays, etc.) Absences from these practices may result in removal from the competition routine. 9. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES from any game or activity can result in the following: Being benched from a performance/game. 3 demerits Required attendance at the next scheduled event If an unexcused absence occurs at a competition, then the individual will be removed from the competition squad/routine and placed on automatic probation. III. UNIFORMS 1. No PDA while in any part of your uniform (including jackets) or in practice clothes. 2. No nail polish while in uniform (pep rallies included). 3. No chewing gum while in uniform. 4. On game days, you must remain in uniform as outlined by the director. At all games and performances, every member must have their hair completely pulled back in a ponytail or assigned hairstyle. All whispies must be secured. 5. On game days & at games, cheerleaders may not wear jewelry.
6. You must always be fully dressed while in uniform (completely zipped, buttoned, etc.) 7. If you are wearing the wrong uniform or missing a part of a uniform, you will be issued demerits and may not be allowed to perform. 8. Uniforms may only be worn to school sanctioned events approved by the coach/director. Do not wear them to public places, even after football games. 9. Make sure you change before going out after games/performances. Do not change on the bus. 10. Take care of your uniform, if you lose or ruin any piece of your uniform, you must purchase a replacement at your own expense. 11. Uniforms will be turned in preceding tryouts for the new school year. All uniforms must be cleaned and in good condition at the time of turn in. If not, you will be charged the fee to replace or fix the uniform. 12. If you quit or are removed from the team, you must return your uniforms immediately. 13. Remember, when you are in uniform, you represent the school and all of SPIRIT. Act like a lady, and be a good role model. IV. GAMES/PERFORMANCES 1. You must be fully dressed in your complete uniform when you arrive (including hair, makeup and shoes) 2. Only bring your Churchill cheerleading/dance bag to games (no purses on the track or in the stands). Everything you bring must be kept in your bag. 3. You are required to bring a filled water bottle to every football game. You will not be permitted to get on the bus without it. 4. Dance: You will be required to bring your rain poncho to all outside events. 5. During half time, you are not allowed to socialize with the fans. You will sit and watch the half time performance. 6. If you need to use the restroom, you need to get permission from your Coach/Director. Bathroom visits will be for emergencies only. 7. The use of cell phones at all games is prohibited. Ringers should always be off, and your cell phone should be put away. Phones will be confiscated if seen out in the open. 8. You MAY NOT socialize with anyone other than spirit group members, your coach/director, or chaperones. (Not even your parents. If they need you, they need to see a director.) 9. Concessions are never permitted. 10. You are required to ride the bus to and from events. Any exceptions must be cleared in writing 24 hours prior to the event. 11. No photographs in the stands unless given special permission by a director. 12. No talking or moving while the National Anthem, the Moment of Silence, school songs, etc. are being conducted. 13. When the players come out to take the field/court or leave the field/court (during warm-up, at the beginning of a game, half time, the end of the game, etc.) you need to stand up, cheer, and stop any talking. 14. Remember, your job at games is to CHEER the athletes, not to socialize. Excessive talking will result in demerits. 15. DANCE: All members will file into the stands in a single file line and be silent. Our performance does not begin at halftime, it begins the moment we put on the uniform. All dancers are expected to stand in straight rows with their focus on the game. There is absolutely no talking while on the track, preparing to perform. 16. Remember to always show enthusiasm while performing. Always smile and be spirited. You are the school s spirit leaders. 17. If your behavior does not meet the expectations of the coach/director, you may be benched from performances/games. 18. If you are not financially in good standing, you will lose your performance eligibility.
V. COMPETITION: DANCE A. Every member of the Dance/Drill team is required to take part in competition and will perform in at least 1 routine. B. Attendance at designated competitions is mandatory for every team member. If an unexcused absence occurs at a competition, then the individual may be removed from ALL competition routines and placed on automatic spirit probation. C. Competition Routines 1. Formations will be based on skill, technique, showmanship, and choreography of the routine. 2. Membership on the team does not guarantee performance eligibility. All members are subject to an audition process for each routine and selection for a routine will be left to the discretion of the director. 3. At least 3 team routines will always be entered for competition. 4. If there are competition alternates, they will be required to attend all practices and competitions. 5. During the competition season, excessive absences (including excessive excused absences) may result in removal from some or ALL competition routines. 6. Extra/unscheduled practices for competition may be called as needed (i.e. weekends, holidays, etc.). Absences from these practices may result in removal from some or ALL competition routines. 7. If a member is placed on either academic or spirit probation, it may cause her to be removed from the competition routine. 8. If inappropriate behavior occurs during practice or academic classes, then this may cause removal from competition as well. 9. In order to maintain your position for competition, all payments must be made on time. D. Competition/Performance Trips 1. All trip expenses must be paid in full and on time to maintain position on the competition team. 2. If you are ineligible during the time of the trip, you will not be able to take part in the trip, and you will not receive a refund for any payments that have been made. 3. If you quit or are removed for the squad/team, then you will be removed from the trip without a refund. 4. If you are removed from the competition routine for disciplinary reasons, then you will be removed from the trip without a refund. This includes absences from mandatory competition practices, such as holiday practices, weekend practices, and emergency-unscheduled practices. 5. There will be no refunds for trips for any reason unless the district states that we can no longer take our trip due to world events. At that time, we will try to get as much money back as possible, but no full refund is guaranteed. 6. Students must abide by all school rules and trip policies. Failure to do so will result in the student being flown home at the parent s expense and disciplinary action will be taken. VI. DANCE STUDIO TROUPES/CLASSES A. While we encourage all team members to enroll in an outside dance class, Churchill H.S. Dance/Drill team must take precedence over all other dance studio events. If a Dance/Drill team member misses any Churchill Dance/Drill team activity because of her involvement on a dance studio team/class, then she may be removed from a performance and possibly the team. VII. FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES 1. You will not perform/cheer until all obligations are paid. 2. You will not receive merchandise until it is paid for. 3. No money for extra trips and events will be accepted until accounts are up to date or cleared.
4. You WILL NOT be reimbursed for any amount of money if your daughter quits or is removed from the team. 5. Any money that you have left in your individual account at the end of the year will remain in the individual account. If you are a senior or you do not return to the team, then your money will be put into the general fund account. If you return to the team, your individual money returns to the team with you. 6. All Spirit members must have a zero balance within spirit groups in order to be eligible for tryouts. (This balance has to be cleared prior to the 1 st day of workshop). VIII. FUNDRAISING 1. Each member is responsible for participating in at least one fundraiser offered. 2. These fundraisers are established to help each individual in every spirit program. 3. Turn in money on time. You must pay for lost items. 4. If you have an outstanding balance and fail to participate in fundraising events, you will lose all performance privileges until the balance is paid in full. IX. GRADES A. Overall 1. You must keep all grades over a 70 average. Failure to do so will result in academic probation for 3 weeks. If you are passing by the three-week progress report time, you will no longer be on probation. 2. While on academic probation, you will be required to attend all practices, but you may not perform, attend events with the squad, wear your uniform, etc. 3. Two academic probations may cause you to be dismissed from the team. B. Grading Policy for Dance/Drill Class Your average will be based on the following breakdown. 1. Participation 40% 2. Written Activities 10% 3. Skills Tests/Performances 50% X. PROBATION/DISMISSAL 1. Demerits and merits will be enforced. 2. If you receive 5 demerits, then you will be placed on spirit probation for 15 school days. While on Spirit Probation: You will be required to attend all practices and events, but you will not be allowed to perform/cheer. No talking is permitted at events/games/activities while a member is on spirit probation. 3. For some offenses, you may be placed on automatic spirit probation. This means you will serve the time on spirit probation no matter how many merits you have accumulated. 4. Two spirit probations will dismiss you from the squad. 5. Two academic probations may cause you to be dismissed from the squad. 6. Accumulating 10 demerits will dismiss you from the team. 7. Members receiving 10 demerits for one violation may not use merits to prevent dismissal from the team. 8. Pre-season/Summer demerits will affect beginning of the year performances. 9. A list of merits/demerits is attached. Demerits will also be given for violating the guidelines specified in this packet. 10. Dismissal from the team or choosing to quit the team makes you ineligible to try out for any of the spirit organizations the following year. Remember being a member of Churchill High School Spirit puts you in the spotlight. People WILL notice your behavior. Always be polite and behave in a manner that would make Churchill proud.
MAJOR DEMERIT OFFENSES (THESE WILL ONLY BE ASSIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR/COACH) 1-5 Demerits Failure to fulfill assignments or instructions given by the coach/director or officers 5 Demerits Disrespect or insubordination to the head cheerleader/officer or other team members 10 Demerits Disrespect or insubordination to the coach/director/staff member 1 Demerit After school Detention 3 Demerits Saturday Detention 3-5 Demerits ISS/Suspension (Coach s/director s discretion based on the circumstances) 1-10 Demerits Failure to uphold the standards of NEISD, Churchill High School, and Churchill Spirit Groups. (This includes: appearance, attitude, and behavior as it reflects the member, their team, spirit groups, and Churchill. This would include such items as lewd behavior, theft, inappropriate use of social media, body piercing, tattoos (not allowed anywhere on the body as a member of spirit groups), inappropriate behavior outside of school, unwillingness to conform to the expectations set forth by the NEISD Code of Conduct, Churchill HS, and the director. *A member accumulating 10 or more demerits in a semester will be dismissed from the team. *A member accumulating 5 demerits will be placed on spirit probation (15 day period with no performances). *A member placed on spirit probation twice will be removed from the organization. *Merit/Demerit accumulations will be for one semester. *Summer Demerits will affect camp or beginning of the year performances. *Consequences for breaking the law are outlined in the student code of conduct issued by NEISD and will be enacted by the director and administrator in charge. *Consequences for placement in SRC or any alternative school are outlined in the student code of conduct issued by NEISD and will be enacted by the director and administrator in charge. *Make smart choices. You are part of a team!! *EARN MERITS!!! REMEMBER MEMBERSHIP IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IS A PRIVILEGE AND NOT A RIGHT. SINCE THESE STUDENTS ARE VIEWED AS ROLE MODELS FOR THE SCHOOL, THEY MAY BE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD OF BEHAVIOR THAN OTHER STUDENTS AT CHURCHILL HIGH SCHOOL.
CHURCHILL SPIRIT MERITS/DEMERITS 3 Merits = 1 Demerit MERIT LIST DEMERITS 9 merits Straight A Report Card (student must copy and provide to director) 3 merits A/B Report Card (student must copy and provide to director) 1 merits super yelling & spirit at the games (awarded by director) 9 merits perfect attendance for the nine weeks (student must copy and provide to director) 1 merit attending a UIL fine arts performance as a spectator (choir, orchestra, drama, etc.) 3 merits working at a designated activity 1 merit bringing in snacks or drinks for the team 3 merits bringing in motivational items for the team 3 merits attending an extra Churchill game in uniform and cheering with the spirit groups 1-12 merits special assignments given by the director (errands, special events, community service, etc.) 1-3 merits helping a Churchill faculty member with office work 1 merit making a poster supporting athletic groups, other spirit groups or other organizations here on campus. (maximum of 3 per semester) 3 demerits unexcused absence from a practice, game, or activity 1 demerit tardy to roll call for a game/activity 2 demerits failure to wear the proper uniform 1 demerit missing a part of the uniform 1-5 demerits PDA 1 demerit wearing jewelry or nail polish while in uniform 1 demerit not cheering at the game 1 demerit chewing gum in uniform 1-3 demerits inappropriate language 3-5 demerits inappropriate language while in uniform 1 demerit off task during practice 3 demerits wearing any part of your uniform in public while not at a spirit group activity 1-5 demerits inappropriate behavior on the bus or at any activity/game 2 demerits excessive talking to outsiders at the game 3 demerits misuse of the uniform i.e. letting others wear your uniform