T.R. MILLER HIGH SCHOOL CHEER CONSTITUTION 2016-2017 With any honor comes responsibility. The honor of representing T.R. Miller High School requires that a cheerleader maintain a conscientious attitude at all times, both in extracurricular and academic activities. Exemplary behavior is mandatory at all times, anywhere in the community, and at all school functions where you are recognized as a representative of T.R. Miller High School. Having elected to try out for cheerleader, cheerleading must be a priority over other responsibilities. The rules and regulations of this constitution will serve as a guideline to help each cheerleader successfully meet the responsibilities required in the cheerleading program. ELIGIBILITY FOR TRYING OUT Student must be in good academic standing with at least a 2.0 GPA, and on track to graduate. Student must have no suspensions or Class II discipline infractions. Student AND parent/guardian must attend the mandatory meeting before tryouts. Student must pay $125 try-out fee BEFORE try-outs. If your student makes the team, this money is put toward uniform rental, if your student does not make the team, it is refunded to you. Student must have a current physical prior to try-outs. All financial obligations to Brewton City Schools must be met prior to try-outs. Any cheerleader who quits or is removed from the team the previous year will not be eligible to try out. TRY-OUTS Tryouts will be comprised and judged on the following components: Point Value Activity 5 Execute a standing back handspring. This is optional, but it does carry. 15 Execute three jumps: toe touch, herkie, and a jump of choice. 30 Execute a group cheer, individual cheer and chant 15 Dance Technique: sharp motions, timing, expression. 35 Teachers evaluations are 35% of the overall score! 100 Total Possible Points Twelve cheerleaders will be chosen based on highest scores.
CONDUCT Promoting good sportsmanship by way of example is required at all times Cheerleaders must not use foul/vulgar language at practices, in school, at games, at camp, or at any cheerleader event. Public displays of affection will not be tolerated. Proper appearance is required at all times, with clothing appropriate to the occasion. No cell or other electronic device usage during games, camp, or practices. Cheerleaders must display proper behavior in class, including being on time, not skipping classes or school and not cheating on any type of schoolwork. Cheerleaders are expected to show respect for all those in authority, as well as being respectful of team members. Cheerleaders are not to use any type of tobacco products. The Demerit system will be used for infractions listed above. ATTENDANCE/ABSENCES All practices, games, and events are mandatory. All cheerleaders are required to attend summer camp (whether home camp or away). Summer workouts are also mandatory. Please plan vacations around them. A calendar will be provided with practices, camp, etc outlined. The only excused absences will be: school related (ie. school sponsored field trips), death in the immediate family, or doctor s excused absence. All appointments must be scheduled around practice. All other absences are unexcused. Fall Season: Missing scheduled practice for an excused absence will result in sitting out the first quarter of that week s football game. This means the cheerleader will sit with the coach in front of the squad during that time. Missing a scheduled practice with an unexcused absence will result in the cheerleader not performing at that week s pep-rally. She will still dress for the pep-rally, but will sit with the coach. Winter Season: Excused absence will be sitting out with the coach one quarter of that week s basketball game. Unexcused absence will be dressed attendance, but sit with the coach for the entire game. In addition, each unexcused absence carries 5 demerits.
PRACTICES All Practices are mandatory. Cheerleaders must arrive at practice on time, wearing proper shoes and assigned outfit for the day, ready to practice. Cheerleaders will dress uniformly for all practices. Camp gear will be worn as well as other items that should be bought, (see itemized cheer cost sheet). No gum chewing or eating, no jewelry AT ALL of any kind, hair will be pulled away from the face in a secure ponytail, Every cheerleader MUST bring a water bottle to every practice. Demerits will be given for this as proper hydration is very important. No fingernail polish, fake nails or nails extending pass fingertip length. Failure to follow these procedures will result in demerits. GAMES/PERFORMANCE All games are mandatory. School attendance for at least one half day (4 periods) is required to be eligible to participate in the cheer event for that day. Hair will be worn away from the face in the uniform manner decided by the coach. This means every cheerleaders hair will be held securely back in the SAME way. No fingernails or polish. No gum chewing or eating during the game. No personal grooming during the game. Socializing with friends, family, and others is not permitted during the game. During game suspension the team member will sit in uniform with the coach. No cell phones. Failure to follow these procedures will result in demerits. UNIFORMS Uniforms are rented from the school for a yearly cost of $125. They should be kept in good order, washing in warm or cold water and air-dryed. Uniforms may be altered, but MUST NOT be cut down!! All other cheer items will be purchased by the cheerleader, see itemized cost list. Shoes must be kept clean. An appropriate bra should be worn that matches the color and shape of the uniform. In other words, no bra straps should EVER be visible! All cheerleaders will have the same uniform look at games and performances. This means hair, clothing, and cold weather gear. Absolutely no jewelry. This includes ALL types of piercing.
No glitter, products containing glitter, stick-on body art, shall be worn on the body, hair, or uniform. Uniform should be worn only by the person assigned the uniform, and only for cheerleading activities. Cheerleaders are not to loan out any piece of their uniform to anyone. This includes warm up jackets and pants. All uniforms will be turned in at the end of the season. CAPTAIN, CO-CAPTAIN AND CHEER LINE Captain and co-captain will be decided at try-outs. To be eligible for both captain and co-captain, cheerleading must be the candidates only athletic activity during the fall of that school year. The captain will be the student with at least one year of experience who receives the highest score at try-outs. Co-captain will be the student with at least one year of experience who receives the second highest score at try-outs. Cheer line placement will be decided by the coach. TRANSPORTATION The coach will determine whether a parent may transport a student. Students and parents must comply with the requirements of the coach. The coach may only give permission for a parent or legal guardian to provide transportation from an activity. The parent or legal guardian must sign a release relinquishing the school from liability. MAJOR VIOLATIONS The following violations will be grounds for immediate dismissal from the cheer squad: Cheerleaders observed by any school official or law officer in use or possession of: (a) alcohol or (b) drugs including but not limited to amphetamines, cannabinoids, spice, cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, designer drugs, or undocumented prescription drugs. Cheerleaders observed by any school official smoking or using tobacco products. Cheerleaders participating in any violent behavior, including physical violence and/or any type of harassment or bullying including inappropriate, mean or hurtful texting, or cyber bullying. Cheerleaders participating in any inappropriate behaviors including pictures found on an Internet site, cell phone, other electronic devices, or e-mails sent to school officials. Cheerleaders must not have any inappropriate pictures displayed on social
networking sites, sent to cell phones, ipads, school officials, or any other type of electronic communication device. Inappropriate pictures include, but are not limited to the following: pictures that depict the member having possession of or in the presence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or tobacco products, revealing attire such as lingerie or partially nude clothing and performing or acting out anything of a sexual nature. Each case of discipline will be judged individually. The cheer coach will make the decision in any discipline situation, including immediate removal of a team member without previous warning. Every attempt will be made to discipline fairly/equally, and to make consequences of actions known ahead of time. Parents will be kept informed of problem situations. Severity of or repeated offenses may dictate harsher actions. The Brewton City Board of Education has adopted formal grievance procedures (policy 3.32) by which disputes may be resolved. I have read and agree to the rules and regulations set forth in the T.R. Miller High School Constitution. Failure to comply with the above mentioned rules and regulations would result in penalty, demerits, removal from an event or activity and/or expulsion from the cheer team. All rules go into effect immediately upon being selected as a T.R. Miller Cheerleader until the end of basketball season. Date Signature of Student Date Signature of Parent/Guardian Date Signature of Parent/Guardian