2016-2017 ORANGE AND WHITE SQUAD CHEERLEADING TRYOUT PACKET AND APPLICATION GENERAL Thank you for your interest in trying out for the Orange Park High School Cheerleading squads. In this packet, you will find: Tryout information with a list of important dates An information sheet The Statement of Permission and Agreement. You will also need to complete and turn in a Physical Form, Insurance Verification Form, and Proof of Eligibility. These forms can be found on the OPHS website (http://oph.oneclay.net/athletics.html under the Athletics Paperwork button) or can be picked up from the front office. Please read and understand all of the enclosed information before tryouts. OPHS FREE PHYSICAL DATE: April 23 rd from 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Attendance is highly recommended as you cannot tryout without a current physical on file. CHEERLEADING CLINIC AND TRYOUT DATES: Cheer Clinics will be held on June 3 rd, 6 th, and 7 th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tryout material will be taught during this time. Try-outs will be held on June 8 th at 6pm ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for the 2016-2017 cheerleading season, a student must: Have cumulative 2.0 cumulative GPA for current OPHS students Maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA throughout the year for current 8 th graders Grades are monitored weekly No outstanding balance of money owed to OPHS Cheer from previous year BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS: Cheerleaders will be a positive representative of OPHS both in and out of uniform Absolutely no PDA while in uniform Excessive absences or tardies to school will result in game suspensions. Two unexcused absences for practice or games will result in dismissal from the team. Referrals and negative teacher reports will result in game suspensions or dismissal from the team at the coach s discretion Use of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs (with supporting evidence) will result in dismissal from the team Social media is monitored on a regular basis. Squad members who use any form of social media to libel another cheerleader will be immediately dismissed from the team (with supporting evidence).
REQUIRED PAPERWORK FOR TRYOUTS (All paperwork must be turned in before you will be allowed to participate in clinics or tryouts. You will not be allowed to participate cheer clinics or tryouts if any of these forms are missing or incomplete.) Insurance Waiver and Release Form (From the Athletics Paperwork) Cheerleader Application and Information Sheet Statement of Permission and Agreement Teacher Evaluation Forms from your Teachers Paperwork can be dropped off at the front office or mailed to: Attn: Kimberly Veczko, Orange Park High School, 2300 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park, Florida 32073. Junior high school teacher evaluations can be sent via internal county mail Attn: Kimberly Veczko, OPHS *Note: The deadline for turning in these forms is June 3 rd. The sooner you can get this paperwork completed, the better. WHAT TO WEAR FOR TRYOUTS: During clinic days please wear comfortable, school-appropriate shorts (with briefs) and a t-shirt. Dress as if you would dress for cheerleading practice. Sports bras must be worn underneath your shirt. No spandex, denim, basketball, or pajama shorts. All jewelry must be removed before clinics and tryouts including: ear, nose, tongue, and belly piercings (we will be checking). No artificial nails or colors. Your hair should also be worn off of your shoulders. On official tryout day, you will need to wear appropriate shorts and a t-shirt (same requirements as above). You may coordinate outfits with your tryout partner. Your hair should be off your shoulders, and no jewelry should be worn or artificial nails. Please do not wear any shirt with OPHS logo. SQUAD DESCRIPTIONS: Orange Squad For all seniors (Male and Female): You will try out for the orange squad only even if you do not wish to compete. You will still be expected to practice with Orange Squad and will be dismissed at coach s request. You are expected to fill in when needed. The Orange Squad will participate in the following events: Competitions (All Competitions), Varsity Football (All Games Home and Away), Pep Rallies, Raider Roar, JV and Varsity Basketball (Selected Home Games) Members from the Orange Squad may be asked to move to the White Squad based on skills and need. COED Cheerleading Team No cheerleader will be excused from competitions without approval from the coaches. Squad members will be allowed to participate on all-star squads or other sports and activities as long as they meet their obligation to the OPHS Cheerleading team first. White Squad The White Squad will participate in the following events: Junior Varsity Football (All Games Home and Away), Pep Rallies, Raider Roar, JV and Varsity Basketball (Selected Home and All In-County Away Games), Girls Basketball (All Home and Selected In-County Away Games) Members from the White Squad may be asked to move to the Orange Squad based on skills and need. COED Cheerleading Team No cheerleader will be excused from competitions without approval from the coaches. Squad members will be allowed to participate on all-star squads or other sports and activities as long as they meet their obligation to the OPHS Cheerleading team first.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION: Orange Squad The following requirements must be met in order to be considered for the Orange Squad: All grade levels may try out for Orange Squad. All seniors will try out for the Orange Squad only COED or Quad Group Stunt (Video submissions accepted) Males must perform an unassisted toss hands and lib attempt A cheer, chant, and dance that will be taught to you during the clinic Males must demonstrate a chant with megaphone You may also be required to create an original cheer Jumps Including: a toe touch, right or left hurdler, and double jump of your choice (Descriptions and pictures of these jumps can be found on the UCA website). Tumbling is required for this team. Each potential cheerleader must attempt a running tumbling pass (minimum round-off rebound) Females must attempt a back handspring or tuck Athleticism and physical fitness Scholastic achievement and eligibility Good conduct Attitude, initiative, teamwork, leadership, work ethic, enthusiasm, and coachability White Squad The following requirements must be met in order to be considered for the White Squad: COED or Quad Group Stunt (Video submissions accepted) Males must perform a pencil toss A cheer, chant, and dance that will be taught to you during the clinic Males must demonstrate a chant with megaphone You may also be required to create an original cheer Jumps Including: a toe touch, right or left hurdler, and double jump of your choice (Descriptions and pictures of these jumps can be found on the UCA website). Tumbling is not a requirement but is recommended. You will have a chance to demonstrate your for running and/or standing tumbling abilities for the judges Athleticism and physical fitness Scholastic achievement and eligibility Good conduct Attitude, initiative, teamwork, leadership, work ethic, enthusiasm, and coachability By trying out for this program, all cheerleaders are trying out for a competitive cheerleading program. All cheerleaders are expected to understand that if selected for the competition team, they will be required to compete. This includes selected Orange and White cheerleaders. TRYOUT PROCEDURE: Tryouts will consist of performing designated skills in front of judges, coaches and spectators in small groups. Judges are typically coaches and 1 or 2 judges from outside the school community and are chosen on the basis of their expertise in cheerleading. Skills that will be judged include, but are not limited to: stunts, cheer technique, voice, motions, jumps, dance, rhythm, tumbling, and overall spirit. All material necessary to try out will be taught at the tryout clinic. Attendance at the clinic is mandatory. Teacher and coach s evaluations will be factored into the athlete s overall score. Each candidate will be rated by 6 teachers and a coach based on attendance, punctuality, attitude, respect, leadership skills, cooperation, and conduct Selection of the team will be based on point totals assigned by judges, teacher evaluations, and need for cheerleaders on each squad The coaches reserve the right to make preliminary cuts before the final judged tryout
IF YOU ARE SELECTED FOR EITHER ORANGE OR WHITE SQUAD: Uniform fitting and Varsity Orders June 13 th at 9:00 a.m. Coach Veczko s Room Upstairs Main Building Room 211 Meeting for all cheerleaders and their parents: Practices will begin on Monday, June 13 th and will continue until school begins. Practice usually runs anywhere from 2-3 hours and includes warmups/stretches, skills practice, and conditioning. These practices are mandatory, and work schedules, vacation, extracurricular activities, etc. should be arranged so the cheerleaders are at practice each day. These practices are important, and attendance is mandatory. UCA at-home Cheer Camp Dates June 15 th at 6:00 p.m. in the OPHS Library Beginning June 13 th from 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. in the OPHS Gym or field. Visit ophscheer.weebly.com for more detailed practice information. June 27 th (12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.) June 28 th, 29 th, 30 th (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) COST There are several financial obligations that must be met in order to cheer at Orange Park High School. Each cheerleader will be given the opportunity to raise money through several fundraising events throughout the season. However, due to collection issues the following must occur. If your cheerleader makes one of the squads, there will be a meeting where she/he will list the cheer items she needs. We will be ordering them through Varsity, the leading cheer apparel company, and the cheerleader will be responsible for paying for them. Payment due date will be determined on uniform fitting day and payments will be made through varsity.com. Items must be paid for before they are shipped from Varsity. Failure to have the proper equipment, materials and clothes will result in the cheerleader not being able to participate in cheer-related activities. Approximate Item Cost: New Cheerleader (Equipment Only) - $200-$400 Returning Cheerleader (Equipment Only) - $100-$200 Cheer Camp (Includes Camp Shirts, Snacks, and Lunch on Final Day of Camp) - $300 Competition (Fees and Transportation) - $400 *All monies for Cheer Camp are due by June 24th. The cost of $300 is an approximation and is subject to change based on UCA s total cost per camper, number of participants, clothing, and food cost. Please be prepared to have this amount of money in the event that you make the team. PURPOSE STATEMENT The purpose of this organization is to promote and uphold school spirit, to develop good sportsmanship among students, to support athletic programs and to develop positive relationships in the community and between schools during athletic events. The organization s goal is to work in harmony with the administration, faculty, band, athletic teams, and other school organizations. The highest priority should be to display and encourage spirit and pride for OPHS. We look forward to seeing you at tryouts. If you have any questions, please contact Kimberly Veczko kaveczko@oneclay.net or Tyler Sason tbsason@oneclay.net
Cheerleader Application and Information Sheet PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM ON OR BEFORE CLINIC. PRINT LEGIBLY. Section I (Cheerleader Information) Name: Current Grade/School: Birth Date: I am interested in trying out for which team? White Squad Orange Squad *Check one or both. Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors may try out for both squads. Seniors will try out for Orange Squad only. Coaches will make the final determination as to which team you will be on. If you are asked to cheer on a certain squad or competition team, you must do so at the coach s request. Failure to abide by this rule will result in dismissal from the team, without exception. Flyer COED Flyer Main Base Side Base Backspot *Please check all that apply T-shirt Size: Do you have a physical on file at OPHS (Y or N)? Exp. Date: Address: City/State: Zip: Cheerleader s Phone Number: Cheerleader s E-mail: Section II (Parental Information) Parent s First and Last Name: Address: City/State: Zip: *If different Parent's Phone Number: Parent s E-mail: Section III (Liability Release), has my permission to attend clinics and tryout for the Orange Park High School Cheerleading Squads. We will not hold Orange Park High School, the Clay County School Board, or cheerleading sponsors responsible in case of accidents. We (Cheerleader and Parent) have read this tryout information packet in its entirety and will adhere to the rules and guidelines described above. By signing this page, I understand that each cheerleader must submit the completed application, athletic packets and have a current physical on file in order to participate in clinics and tryouts. Parent Signature: Date: Cheerleader Signature: Date:
Statement of Permission and Agreement If you make the cheerleading squad, realize that you are making a commitment to Orange Park High School, your coaches, your teammates, and yourself for the complete season (full year). The decision to tryout should not be taken lightly. You will be expected to make cheerleading one of your top priorities. Furthermore, as a representative of OPHS, you must maintain proper behavior at all times. You must follow the cheerleading guidelines set forth in the Orange Park High School Cheerleading Constitution. Students who break the rules will be disciplined according to the Cheerleading Constitution and/or at the coach's discretion. Cheering for the Orange Park High School Raiders is a privilege and should be treated as such. By making this commitment to the Orange Park High School Cheerleading program, you will receive many valuable and rewarding experiences that you will remember long after you graduate from high school. These activities will channel your enthusiasm and spirit in a constructive and beneficial manner, and will give you a sense of pride and accomplishment in your achievements. Cheerleader Agreement I,, have read and understand the 2016-2017 OPHS Cheerleading Tryout Information Packet and Rules. I agree to abide by the policies described above if I am chosen as a member of the squad. I agree with the information in these documents and understand that failure to adhere to these rules, policies, and procedures can result in dismissal from the squad. Cheerleader Signature: Date: Parent/Guardian Statement of Permission I,, the parent or legal guardian of, have read and understand the 2016-2017 OPHS Cheerleading Tryout Information Packet and Rules. I agree to abide by the policies described above if my child is chosen as a member of the squad. I also agree to the financial obligations as they are described in the information provided. I understand that failure by myself or my child to adhere to these policies can result in dismissal from the squad. Parent Signature: Date: