Shawnee Mission North. Cheerleading Constitution

Shawnee Mission North Cheerleading Constitution 2018-2019

~~~ Purpose ~~~ The purpose of Shawnee Mission North Cheerleading is to promote and uphold school spirit and tradition, to strengthen personal leadership skills, and develop a sense of responsibility, to develop good sportsmanship among the students, to support Shawnee Mission North High School and community as a whole.

Shawnee Mission North High School Cheerleading Rules and Regulations 2018-2019 Cheerleaders, as visible symbols of spirit leaders, are responsible for conveying SMN spirit, positive attitude, sportsmanship and leadership to the community and at all athletic events, while encouraging attendance at school events at Shawnee Mission North High School. Cheerleaders must also develop leadership qualities and skills and represent SMN Cheerleading with both pride and excellence. A. PRIORITY 1. ACADEMICS: Cheerleaders are to consider academics as their number one priority. Failure to maintain good grades will result in restriction of cheerleading activities. i. The student shall have an average of passing grades in at least five subjects of unit weight from the beginning of the semester to the close of the school day immediately preceding the activity in which he/she participates. A student's eligibility is taken day-to-day. Prior to tryouts & seasons, the student athlete must be passing by the end of each semester to continue participation. If a student is ineligible at the closing of the day, he/she may not participate that day. Saturday contests will use the grade at the close of school on Friday. Contests on days when no school is in session, eligibility will revert back to the last day school was in session. B. CHEER DUTIES 1. TIME COMMITMENT: i. The Shawnee Mission North Cheerleading Program requires time and dedication from each cheerleader in order to maintain a quality program. Cheerleaders must be willing/able to participate in all games and practices or else they are subject to being benched from games/performances. 2. DEFINITION OF SQUADS: i. Varsity Squad: 1. Composed of any cheerleader grades 9-12 2. Cheer for all Varsity football/basketball games (HOME & AWAY) ii. Sub Varsity Squad: 1. Composed of any cheerleader grades 9-11 2. Cheer for all home and in district away football/basketball games iii. Competition: Not all cheerleaders who mark competition team will make the competition team. 1. Composed of Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors 2. Perform at the SMSD Winter Warm Up, BVSW Showcase, KSHSAA State Competition, and other local or National competitions/festivals iv. All Squads: 1. Perform routines during pep rallies, assemblies, and events. 2. Other required events include summer/fall/winter practices/games, camp, club carnival, HG assembly, scrimmages, cheer clinic, fundraising activities, and any community service activities

C. PHYSICAL FORM REQUIRED: i. A physical form is required by KSHSAA. Each cheerleader must have a physical on file in the office as of 8/13/18 or you are ineligible and will not participate until complete. ii. Parents are strongly encouraged to have health insurance on their cheerleader. The school does not provide any insurance program on your child, with the exception of a catastrophic policy provided by the KSHSAA. There is an insurance program offered for parents to purchase; there are several options available. The information packet can be picked up at enrollment or in the main office. D. UNIFORM 1. All cheerleading uniforms are USD 512 property. There will be a hold placed on your account if the correct uniforms are not checked in or are not paid for if damaged. 2. Uniforms are to be cleaned when checked in/checked out. There will be a $40 non-refundable rental fee to maintain the quality of the uniform. 3. This includes but is not limited to uniforms, warmups, etc. E. EXPENSES 1. Attached is the expenses spreadsheet that each cheerleader will be expected to purchase. Expenses are non-refundable due to but not limited to academic or behavioral dismissal. 2. Each cheerleading family will be a member of the Cheer Booster Club. There is a $20 fee. The booster club helps out throughout the year in case we need anything such as, help with team lunches/dinners, help with the clinics, kick off parties, etc. They also plan the banquet at the end of the year and this money will go towards making sure our banquet is a huge success! F. CITIZENSHIP 1. Cheerleaders will be a positive, active, thriving member of the team, as well as their squad. This is of the utmost importance and will continually be evaluated. 2. Cheerleaders are expected to conduct their personal lives in keeping with the high school discipline policy and the SMN Student Handbook. 3. A cheerleader who is in possession of or is under the influence of alcoholic beverages or any illegal substance at school, or any Shawnee Mission School District premises, or at any school-coached activity, discipline will be at the discretion of the Head Coach and Administration. 4. Cheerleaders are expected to maintain a positive image on any social media sites. Remember that we are a team, and what one girl does or says reflects on the entire squad and program. ALL cheerleaders will follow @SMNorthCheer on Twitter. 5. Maintain and display a positive attitude and appearance that adheres to the sportsmanship and safety guidelines of KSHSAA. Jewelry is not allowed to be worn during any practice or game. Visible tattoos will need to be covered. 6. Maintain good grades and good classroom behavior. 7. Maintain a friendly personality towards other cheerleaders and the cheerleading coaches. CHEERLEADING AND DRAMA DO NOT MIX! KEEP IT OUT!! 8. Be respectful and courteous to faculty, coaches, spectators, officials, opponents, and fellow cheerleaders. 9. Be a positive leader of SMN and show good sportsmanship IN AND OUT of uniform. 10. Coaches reserve the right to make decisions that are in the best interest of the team to ensure safe and successful performances.

ON GAME DAYS, CHEERLEADERS WILL. 1. Dress appropriately when in uniform: cheer shoes, cheer approved warm ups, bow, and crops. 2. Arrive on time, game ready. a. Cheerleaders will be benched the total number of minutes that they are late to the game or practice unless otherwise approved by coach. 3. Have the appropriate length of fingernails as set forth by the KSHSAA. Tie back long hair and bangs, so that it is off the shoulders and out of the eyes. Hard hair clips will not be worn while stunting and cheering. 4. If cheerleaders are benched or on the bench due to injury, they are to sit with their coach in uniform. 5. Changing for games: Cheerleaders that are attending a game you are not cheering for CANNOT be in uniform. Please bring a change of clothes. Example: Sub Varsity must change out of uniform in order to attend the Varsity game that night. G. FALL/WINTER PRACTICES 1. Practices will be two- three times a week for football season and once or twice a week for basketball depending on set performances, typically Monday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday. *Competition Practices will be the same days, but extended times. ***A schedule will need to be worked out with dual athletes ahead of time. You will need to be at a FULL cheer practice EACH WEEK if you split sports/activities. To be in competition, you must be able to attend all practices in their entirety. 2. Please take advantage of the 50 minutes you have between the end of school and the beginning of practice. Practice starts promptly at 330pm. 3. During special performances and/or events, additional practices will also be required. 4. If you are absent for multiple practices for a performance, you will more than likely be taken out of the performance. If you miss a practice directly before a performance, you WILL be taken out of the performance. 5. Participation in practice is necessary. Coach supervision is always required during squad stunting including during practice, games, and warm ups prior to games. 6. Practice time is designated for cheerleading activity and electronics are to be put away, as well as food. H. ATTENDANCE 1. Cheerleading requires teamwork, it is imperative that cheerleaders attend ALL practices, games, and other required activities. We need cheerleaders to be dedicated to SMN Cheer and responsible to their cheerleading duties. i. Four (4) absences, excused or unexcused, will be allowed for each season; spring/summer, fall, and winter. After the third absence the cheerleader as well as a parent will be notified and after the fourth (4) absence, the cheerleader will be dismissed from the squad. ii. ANYTIME a cheerleader misses an event, they must: Complete and return an Absence Form, signed by the cheerleader and a parent Or a parent/guardian must email the coach

I. ABSENCES: DEFINITION OF ABSENCE 1. Excused absence: Includes but are not limited to: sickness from school. a. The cheerleader must call/leave a voicemail explaining why they will not be at game/practice. b. If you have to go to a doctor, please get a doctor s note to bring to your coach so this can be excused from your absence total. 2. Planned absence: Require an Absent Form or email prior to the absence. These include funerals, any religious observance, school-related activities directly related to or coached by SMN (you are participating for a class grade or an athlete in that sport). a. In the case of a long-term illness, a doctor s note should be given to the head coach. These cases will be handled on an individual basis, as it is difficult to predict how a long-term illness will affect the number of absences accrued by the cheerleader. 3. Unexcused absence: Includes but are not limited to: work, forgetting, family vacation, outside club activities not related to SMN, not having a ride, appointments, etc. 4. School policy requires you to be at school ALL hours of the day in order to participate in that day s events. You may request to speak with the Athletic Director in a case where an absence cannot be avoided, and he will decide if you are able to participate. A Friday absence affects weekend events. 5. Consequences of Absences a. First Absence: 1 quarter/period benching b. Second Absence: 1 half benching c. Third Absence: 3 quarters/periods benching and parent contact d. Fourth Absence: 1 game benching and parent contact e. Fifth Absence: Removal from the team **IF proper notification has failed to be given, it is up to the coaches discretion to bench a cheerleader for any of the above reasons** J. DISCIPLINE 1. The following situations will result in benching or dismissal from the squad, but are not limited to: i. Skipping cheer or school, failing to wear the proper attire, arriving late to games or practices, acquiring school detentions or suspensions, behaving inappropriately while in/out of cheerleading uniform, behaving inappropriately while at school, such as excessive tardies, cell phone usage, talking back to teachers, fighting, etc. 2. Repeated disregard for cheerleader expectations, include but are not limited to: i. Conduct unbecoming to an SMN cheerleader, which includes but isn t limited to: lack of cooperation, disrespectful or rude attitude, fighting or the use of inappropriate language to any fan, school official, parent, coaches, or another cheerleader. ii. Other situations such as those listed under cheerleader expectations or anywhere else in this packet, where the coach feels it is necessary for consequences to be administered. 3. DISMISSAL i. If you have been benched for 2 full games due to behavior/attitude issues, you will be dismissed. ii. If you are dismissed for violating cheer/school policy/contract, you may only try out again if you are in good standing with this program (this includes but is not limited to uniforms/fees, teacher recommendations, and coaches evaluation).

K. INJURY/HEALTH 1. Safety is our top priority at every single practice, event, etc. 2. Cheerleaders that are injured who are required to sit out, will still be required to attend practices and games, you re still a part of this team, regardless if you are cheering or not. This will be determined by a Dr. s note or the athletic trainer. 3. A Dr. s note will be required to clear a cheerleader after a severe injury. L. VARSITY LETTERING 1. Varsity lettering is for a Varsity cheerleader that has cheered either for the fall or winter Varsity season and has completed all task and expectations required of the program. This cheerleader must be in good standing with the program, and SMN. M. QUITTING/PUNISHMENT 1. Quitting should never be an option, but if you do quit, you are choosing to become ineligible for the following year. N. SEASON CHEERING 1. You can choose to cheer for fall, winter, competition season, both seasons (all year), or all three seasons (all year).. 2. This is designed so that those involved in other activities can fully dedicate their time to that sport for that season instead of having to split time/various commitments/picking a sport/etc. This should create less conflicts for everyone. Please be aware that you are expected to be at cheer practices/games/etc. i. Fall Squad = Summer practice/football Season ii. Winter Squad = Summer practice/basketball Season iii. Competition= Summer practices/choreography camp/kshaa and local cheer festivals iv. Full Year (game day) = both seasons of Fall/Winter v. Full Year(competition)= both season and competition O. CHECKOFF/SKILL DEMONSTRATION 1. You will need to demonstrate to coaches and Varsity captains that you know every cheer, chant, and dance BEFORE you are able to cheer at any game or assembly. 2. Cheerleaders who make the team will receive a link with all cheers and band dances for you to practice with. 3. We are looking to make sure you know the right placement of arms/legs/body of each cheer and dance and can perform skills safely. 4. Cheerleaders will be expected to train /condition on season and off season with the team and without the team. It is highly recommended that you sign up for the school s summer weighs program.

Read and Return to your Coach Being a cheerleader or yell leader is a privilege, and along with this privilege comes responsibility. It is important that all of our squad members know and are willing to uphold all the responsibilities addressed in this packet. They also must realize there are school, district, and state rules that are not addressed in this packet that they will be held responsible for. Leadership is essential to a successful program and all our squad members need to take a leadership role. It is hoped that this constitution will address the majority of situations which may arise during the season. It has been written in an attempt to ensure the utmost fairness to all cheerleaders. No document, however, can address the particular circumstances of every situation, therefore, as the coaches; we must reserve the right of flexibility in enforcing rules and application of the cheer constitution and discipline system. As parents/guardians and cheerleaders, you must have faith in our desire and responsibility to treat each cheerleader as fairly as possible. Students: Your signature below states that you have read and understand the information presented in this packet. It states that you are willing to follow the rules put forth by the coaches. It states that you are willing to uphold your responsibilities to yourself, your squad, and your school. It states that if ever you should have a problem upholding any of the responsibilities, you will gracefully accept the consequence and change the behavior. This form must be returned, along with the necessary district forms (physical, concussion form, activity packet, etc.), before you may begin practicing. Student Signature Squad Date Parent/Guardian: Your signature below states that you have read and reviewed the cheerleading constitution with your student. It states that you are willing to support decisions made by the coaches and administration. It states that you will support the cheerleading program by keeping a positive attitude and relaying that positive attitude to your student and the rest of the squad members. Signature of Parent/Guardian Date Please list conflicts in the space provided: Summer conflicts (date and reason):

------------------------- Cheerleader Contract ------------------------- 2018-2019 I pledge. To be drug, tobacco, and alcohol free. To be my best at all practices and performances. To promote school spirit and sportsmanship. To be a positive leader and role model for my squad, school, and community. To be someone others can count on to be hardworking, dependable, and positive. To follow all safety guidelines and stunt progressions set up by my coach. To be the type of cheerleader that I would like to coach. To help others. To constantly work at improving my cheerleading skills. To keep academics as my number one priority. I agree with the above pledge and have read the Shawnee Mission North Cheerleading Constitution. I understand the choice and commitment I will be making by agreeing to cheer for Shawnee Mission North High School. I have filled out my application with this information in mind. Cheerleader Candidate Signature Date

Parent Contract 2018-2019 I have read the Shawnee Mission North Cheerleading Constitution set up for all cheerleaders, and I will assist in every way to see that the standards and rules are enforced. I understand the choices and commitment my child will be making by agreeing to cheer for Shawnee Mission North High School. While I expect the school authorities to exercise reasonable precautions to avoid injury, I understand they assume no financial obligation for an injury that may occur at any time. With these things in mind, I give my child permission to participate as a cheerleading candidate for Shawnee Mission North High School. Parent Signature Date