Clayton High School Cheerleading Handbook 2017-2018 Varsity Coach: Abbie Tucker JV Coach: Kathrine Stephens Assistant Coach: Caroline Williamitis 1) The Role of a Cheerleader -represent the school to the highest degree -set an example of good behavior and sportsmanship at all times -provide leadership -promote unification of the crowd s involvement during the athletic event -to contribute to self-growth in the following areas: Leadership, Emotional Maturity, Self-Confidence, Mental/ Moral/Ethical Values, Decision Making Skills, Cooperation, Spirit of Competition, Character, Self-Discipline and Self-Control -balance academic requirements and demands with extra-curricular and personal activities 2) Selection of Cheerleaders The following information must be handed in to the main office before Thursday, July 27, 2017 or you will not be allowed to try-out: 1. Completed Physical Form 2. Copy of your Final Report Card from the 2016-2017 school year 3. Signed copy of rules and regulations form (end of this packet) 4. Completed Student Information Sheet (end of this packet) Try-outs will consist over a two-day period: Monday, July 31 st - 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm (Check in 4:30p) Tuesday, August 1 st - 5:00-9:00 pm *Cheerleaders who make the team will be expected to attend all practices prior to school starting. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS! Cheerleaders must be present for both days of tryouts. Cheerleaders will be able to leave after they have finished their individual tryout. Numbers will be posted outside of the main gym by the morning of Wednesday, August 2 nd. Our parent meeting will be held the night of Wednesday, August 2 nd. Our first practice will be Thursday, August 3 rd. Candidates will try-out in front of the Clayton High School coaches and one guest judge. They will be judged using a scoring sheet that has a numerical range for each of the following categories: 1 Cheer 1 Chant 6 8 Count Dance Jumps: single toe touch and jump combo (no more than 3 jumps) Tumbling: 1 standing pass and one running pass (everyone must tumble) Attitude/Discipline Spirit/Enthusiasm
*JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN TUMBLE DOES NOT MEAN YOU MAKE EITHER SQUAD. *On the final day of try-outs, please dress as if you were cheering a game. Please wear Clayton colors. Hair must be all the way up unless it stops before your shoulders. *Skills that are evaluated during the try-out will be expected to be performed throughout the season. If a cheerleader cannot perform those skills, he or she may be asked to sit out until those skills return. 3) Summer Prep Class @ Nick s Flippin Kids Once a week May-July $45 a month Wednesdays 5-6p CLASS STARTS WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 th **Payments: Payments must be paid to the main office no later than the Wednesday before the beginning of each month. If money is not turned in by the appropriate date, you will not be allowed to sign up for the class after the date of each month has passed. Checks should be made out to Clayton High School. Please place your payment in an envelope with your first and last name on it and Clayton Cheer beneath. Payments are due the following dates: Wednesday, April 26 th Wednesday, May 24 th (early due to holiday weekend) Wednesday, June 28 th There will be four classes per month. Each class we will work tumble, stunt, jumps, motions, and more. This is a great way for the kids to meet each other and get a taste of Clayton Cheerleading. ** Just because you sign up for this class does NOT mean you make the team. This is a prep class for tryouts only. Other classes offered at Nick s Flippin Kids Advanced tumble class Tuesday and Thursday 7:30-8:30p FOR ALL CLASSES YOU WILL NEED TO FILL OUT A WAIVER BEFORE YOU CAN PARTICIPATE. The link to the waiver is provided below. You can fill out online or print and bring with you to the first class. Submit online: http://www.nicksflippinkids.com/registration.php Print out: http://www.nicksflippinkids.com/documents/gymnasticsrelease.pdf 4) Attendance -Procedure for Absence from Practice or Game: Contact your coach as soon as you are aware of an issue. Excused/ unexcused absences will be at the coaches discretion. This should be done by e-mail
JV kathrinestephens@johnston.k12.nc.us Varsity ajtuck3r@gmail.com and carolinewilliamitis@johnston.k12.nc.us -Only cases of sickness or death in the immediate family will be an excused absence from a game or practice. Team members will not be allowed to miss games or practices for trips, vacations, driver s ed., concerts, dances, work, etc. -Absences will be deemed excused or unexcused by the coaches. -An unexcused absence will result in a suspension from the next game. The second unexcused absence will result in a one-week suspension from the team. The third unexcused absence will result in dismissal from the team. -If you are absent from a practice or game, there is no guarantee that you will still have your original position in line, stunts or routines. 5) Conduct A Clayton cheerleader is responsible for his/her actions on and off the field/court. Promoting good sportsmanship by way of example is required at all times. If you become a member of the squad, you are accepting the fact that your actions are more prominent than those not associated with such an activity. Because of this, Clayton cheerleaders are expected to follow all rules outlined in the student handbook. They must also maintain good rapport with the Clayton High School administration/staff, squad members, game officials and coaches. Clayton cheerleading will follow a strike system. If you accumulate 5 strikes, your uniform will be taken and you will be dismissed from the team. In some situations, you will accumulate strikes and also have other consequences. Any situation not specifically stated may also result in strikes. The situation will be discussed between coaches and you will be informed of the number of strikes. If you are suspended from school, your uniform will automatically be taken and you will be removed from the squad. Remember, the COACHES are in charge of the team. Failure to follow the policies and procedures of the team could result in removal from the squad. The most important rules for the cheerleading program have been included. Unforeseen issues may occur and will be dealt with on an individual basis as determined by the coaches/athletic director/principal. 6) Grades Cheerleaders must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA. Reports will be collected each quarter. If you fall below an overall GPA of 2.5, you will be required to attend all powerblock hours for each class. If you fall below a C in one class, you will be required to go to powerblock for that specific class. Failure to do this will result in suspension from the squad until the required grades are achieved. 7) Cheer Season Our cheer season starts as soon as tryouts are over and goes until either playoff season is over or our sports banquet (whichever is last). Our season TYPICALLY lasts from the beginning of August until the end of February. Once you have made the team, you are making a commitment for the ENTIRE year. Practices: -Practices will be approximately 3-4 days per week. Times will depend on the gym availability. Games: -The fall season consists of all home and away football games. JV games are scheduled for Thursday nights and Varsity games are scheduled for Friday nights. All cheerleaders must take school transportation to the away games. Cheerleaders can only leave an away game with a parent/guardian. Cheerleader s parent/guardian MUST sign their child out in order for their cheerleader to leave with them.
-The winter season consists of all home games, in county away games, and away play-off games for girls and boys basketball. Games are usually on Tuesday and Friday nights. In the beginning of the season some games will be played on other week nights. -Varsity will be split into two squads for basketball season. Competitions: -Competing is a privilege, not a requirement. The coaches will have the final say on whether or not the team will be competing. Please keep this in mind. All varsity cheerleaders will be competing in the Conference Championship in February. -Varsity Alternates will be selected from JV early in the season based on talent, what positions are needed on the varsity squad, and coaches decision. If you are selected as a varsity alternate you are responsible for attending assigned practices with varsity, attending all competitions, filling in for varsity practices, and filling in for varsity games. If you cannot commit, please let the coaches know. Please be open to new ideas. Stunt groups will not always be the same. They may change to better the strength of the team. This also means that you might change stunting positions. Just because you put on your sheet that you are a flyer, does not mean you will be flying during the season. Same goes for bases/backspots. You may be asked to backspot/base or even fly. 8) Uniforms Each cheerleader will is responsible for his/her uniform. Your uniform must be clean for every event. Each cheerleader is responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged item. Uniforms are to be worn for school activities only. You cannot lend your uniform to anyone. 9) Financial Responsibilities Cheerleading can be an expensive program. Clayton cheerleaders will need to purchase the following items (costs are estimated): Pom Set $55 Blue Crop $25 each Blue Briefs $16 each **Pom set, crop, and brief package $85 NEW Warm-up $162 Back Pack $58 Bow $12 T-shirt - $25 Varsity Edge Shoe - $85 (optional) o MUST have plain white cheer shoe Fleece Pullover (optional) $125 Long Sleeve Team Tee (optional) $61 Camp - $100 o ALL JV & Varsity athletes must attend camp. Vacation and other excuses will not be accepted for camp. Please plan accordingly Your Total: **This money would be due at the parent meeting right after tryouts 10) Miscellaneous Snack and Dinner sign up:
Each team will have a sign-up sheet for bringing snacks and drinks for halftime. This is imperative as the cheerleaders will need to replenish their spirit juices to get the crowd pumped during the second half! Parents can bring whatever snack they wish (we ask that they be healthy snacks), but we do ask that drinks either be water or sports drinks (no sodas please). As is tradition, Varsity cheerleading will continue to have their pre-game dinners before home football games. There will be a sign up sheet. Big Sister/Little Sister This year we are going to be doing something fun between JV and Varsity. Each varsity cheerleader will have a little sister from JV cheerleading assigned to them. There will be a few events where little sister/big sister will be doing exchanges such as letters, snacks, and gifts. This is not meant to be a financial burden. There will be price caps that should be respected. Below are the following events: First Varsity Game: Letter (JV will give letter to Varsity) First JV Game: Letter (Varsity will give letter to JV) Last Football Game: Snack $5 limit (both) Christmas: Sock Exchange ($10 limit) Fundraisers: This year we will have a fundraising chair on both JV and Varsity. These athletes will be coordinating fundraising events. All athletes are required to participate in such events. This can include but it not limited to: selling raffle tickets, teaching the kiddy camp in the summer, car washes, etc. Jewelry, Tattoos, Nails: There will be absolutely NO jewelry allowed to be worn during practices, competitions, or games. This is for safety reasons and is also a state athletic rule. For games and practices, you are allowed to wear a retainer. A BANDAID WILL NOT SUFFICE! Tattoos are strongly discouraged since they usually take time to heal. Getting a tattoo does not count as an excuse to not participate in practice. Tattoos must be covered up if they show outside of the uniform. Parents, please do not allow your child to get a piercing during the season, even if it is on a break, if they will not be able to take that piece of jewelry out. Nails will not be allowed during the season. If they are painted it needs to only be a natural French tip or nude. Fake nails will not be tolerated.
Clayton Cheerleading Punishment System Situation Punishment Improper use of social media (inappropriate posts) Unsportsmanlike conduct Improper conduct or attitude as determined by coaches or administration Late to Practice Unexcused tardies to practices or games Not helping put away mats, make signs, clean-up, etc. Not being in the proper uniform, attire, hair bow, hair style or practice gear Having painted nails at a game Wearing jewelry at a practice or game Not being back before the two minute mark at a game Unexcused absence from practice or game Second unexcused absence Third unexcused absence 1 game suspension 1 week suspension from the team Dismissal from team
Personal Cheerleader Contract I have read the Clayton High School Cheerleading Handbook and understand the responsibilities and privileges of being a Clayton High School Cheerleader. I will abide by these rules and regulations if chosen for the 2017-2018 cheerleading squad. I understand that if I do not follow the rules, I will receive consequences and may be suspended and/or removed from the cheerleading squad. I will cooperate fully with the coaches and all persons and organizations concerned to promote spirit and good sportsmanship at Clayton High School. At all times, whether at school or away from school, I will conduct myself in a manner that best represents the students and faculty at Clayton High School. Name (printed): Signature: Date: Parental Permission My child, has permission to tryout for the cheerleading squad at Clayton High School for the 2017-2018 season. If chosen, she has permission to participate as a member of the cheerleading team for that school year. I have read and discussed with my child the guidelines, and I understand the responsibilities and commitment of being a cheerleader. I also understand the role I must assume as a parent of a cheerleader, and I will assist in every way to see that the rules and regulations are enforced. I will do my best to support the coaches and administration in decisions made throughout the season. I understand that every attempt will be made to properly supervise all activities to prevent any accidents or injuries. I do hereby give my consent and support for my child, if selected, to be a cheerleader at Clayton High School for the upcoming season. Name (printed): Signature: Date:
Student Information Sheet Name: Grade for 2017-2018: Mailing Address: Telephone Numbers: Parent: Cheerleader s Cell: Cheerleader s E-mail Address: Parents /Guardians Names: Parents/Guardians E-mail Addresses: Team Trying out for (circle one) JV Varsity Both *Note this does not mean you will be selected for that team Stunt Position (circle at least one) Main Base Side Base Backspot Flyer Standing Tumbling: Running Tumbling: 1) Please list any outside activities that could interfere with practice. Please list days and times. 2) Why do you want to be a member of the Clayton Cheerleading Squad? Your signature below states that everything on this sheet is accurate. It also signifies that you understand that you will not be placed on a squad that you did not indicate above. Signature: Date: