SAM BARLOW HIGH SCHOOL Cheerleading Policies and Procedures Cheerleading is governed by the rules and regulations determined by Sam Barlow s Athletic/Activity Policy. All rules and regulations will be enforced at the start of the 2017 2018 cheerleading season, May 13 th, 2017. Visit our website at: www.sambarlowcheer.wordpress.com 2017-2018 PURPOSE The purpose of the cheerleading at Sam Barlow High School is to develop leadership, promote unity within the school and to generate school spirit and enthusiasm at athletic events and school-sponsored activities. Cheer is a very big time commitment. Our cheer season starts the day you make a team and runs thru March. Expected commitment is 4+ days a week. Practices, games, team training, assemblies, competitions and community service. Due to the nature of our sport, an individual absence affects the entire team. Personal commitment is KEY to team success. Cheer is physically demanding. No matter where you are currently in your physical fitness, you will be expected to improve. Strength and flexibility is important with the skills we re expected to perform. Be prepared to run, condition and watch your body become stronger. SCHEDULES Coaches will distribute calendars in a timely manner listing practices, activities, events and games. April May: Team selections, uniform fitting June July: MHC clinic, Team Training, Summer Conditioning August: CAMP, Summer Conditioning, Team Training, and Daily Doubles September November: Football games, Soccer and Volleyball games (varsity only), Team Training, practice 2+ times a week, choreography, MHC Competition & All State (varsity only) December March: Basketball games, competitions (jv & varsity), STATE and Nationals (varsity only), Team Training, practices 2+ times a week Varsity cheerleaders attend playoff games for all sports and are responsible for their own transportation to these playoff games. Cheerleaders will be responsible for their own transportation within a 30mile radius of Sam Barlow High School. In rare occasions the school will provide a rooter bus for a game, if that is the case the cheerleaders will ride the bus to and from the game. JV may be asked to cover an occasional playoff game if multiple games are scheduled for the same time & date. Playoff games are a day-by-day, game-by-game situation, so an advance calendar is not possible. Cheerleaders should maintain a very flexible/clear schedule to be available for playoff attendance. Note: The Athletic office may change a scheduled game, date/time, and/or location. Your coach will notify you soon as possible of any change. JV cheerleaders may be asked to help out the Varsity team on some occasions.
GENERAL INFORMATION ALL SQUAD MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO: Be present at all times, participating fully in cheerleading activities. Throughout the event you may not: 1. Chew Gum 2. Socialize excessively 3. Eat in front of the crowd (except during half time) 4. Engage in Public displays of affection Arrive on time to practices, tumbling, games, competitions, and meetings. Arrive prepared (poms, correct outfit, shoes, hair out of face in high ponytail with bow, no jewelry (including belly rings and plugs), and short natural finger nails without nail polish. Dress for practices in pre-determined practice attire. Cell phones will be collected during all practices and games. Cheerleaders who have a chronic injury must have a doctor s note to sit out of practice and games. Cheerleaders who are recovering from injuries must have a doctor s note in order to resume participation in practices. If the correct attire is not worn to practice, game, or school you will lose the right to participate. A violation will equal 1 absence. All cheerleaders must comply with school drug and alcohol policy. A copy of this policy will be handed out and will be due back with your cheerleading tryout application. CONTACTING YOUR COACH Coaches will give you their contact information and the best times to contact them. Please avoid having discussions with coaches during games or practices as they are trying to focus on what is happening with their team. Call or e-mail them to make an appointment if needed. RIGHT TO CHEER It is up to the discretion of each coach when infractions of expectations occur. Safety is the number one priority when a student is unprepared to cheer. PIERCINGS According to the NFHS rulebook, Jewelry must not be worn except for religious or medical medals, which shall be taped to the body under the uniform. This means that all cheerleaders are REQUIRED to take out piercings while participating in cheerleading practices, tumbling, games and competitions NO EXCEPTIONS. If a cheerleader is unwilling to follow this rule they will be benched with an unexcused absence. UNIFORMS The uniform consists of warm-ups, skirt, poly-top, crop, briefs, shoes, white socks, and hair in high ponytail (out of face) and bow. No jewelry, acrylic/gel nails, or nail polish is to be worn (a watch can be worn to school only). The uniform is to be worn only in conjunction with school events. The coach will designate when uniforms shall be worn to school. This uniform of the day will always include a hair bow and no jewelry or plugs. Skirts must be worn at proper length (no rolling up). A violation will equal 1 absence. Team members may NOT let others use their Cheer clothes or supplies. This includes practice clothes, shirts, poms, or any part of your uniform. Uniforms may only be worn by members. ATTENDANCE If a cheerleader is going to be absent due to illness or emergency, the coach must be notified by the parent prior to that practice/game (voicemail, text message, e-mail, or note are acceptable). Check your calendars before scheduling doctor/dental appointments, Senior Pictures, vacations, etc. Vacation and Driver s Ed are unexcused absences and will result in loss of right to cheer. 2
Attendance will be taken at all cheer events including Practices, Tumbling, Games, Competitions, and any other event a cheerleader is required to attend. Each cheerleader will receive 8 allowed (6 for captains) absences from the start of our mandatory camp practice August 6 th through the end of February (or March if varsity members are competing at Nationals). 2 tardies will result in 1 absence. Accumulating more than 8 (6) absences will result in termination from the team. Competition cheerleaders are required to participate in all practices in January and February (and March if varsity is attending Nationals). Failure to participate may result in being removed or replaced by an alternate for the state competition. All cheerleaders are expected to be on time. Plan in advance to arrive 10 minutes early. If you are absent due to a school conflict (i.e. band or choir concert, etc) the Cheerleader must notify their coach in advance. This absence will be excused and will NOT count as one of the allowed absences. If a cheerleader is absent more than once for illness or family emergency in the same week (i.e. step throat on Tuesday, an still has it on Thursday) then it will only count as 1 absence even though they are gone for more than 1 practice/game. All other absences (suspensions, vacations, outside group activities, etc.) will count for every practice/game missed (i.e. 2-day suspension will equal 2 absences). Once a cheerleader has arrived to practice, you are expected to stay throughout the entire practice. Leaving early will result in an absence. All coaches and cheerleaders must observe OSAA s Moratorium week. Any communication between coaches and cheerleaders is not allowed during this week. Attending tumbling is optional for the cheerleaders during this week. ACCOUNTS/FUNDRAISING FUNDRAISING Each year, the coaches will organize/supervise: spring fundraiser, fall cheer clinic and cafeteria duty. Any other fundraising activities need parent organization/supervision. All fundraising activities must have approval from the Cheer Coach and the Activities Director. All team members are encouraged to participate in all fundraising. All cheer clinic fundraised money is deposited into the cheerleading accounts at SBHS and becomes program money. However, money raised by individuals will be applied to their own cheer expenses as well as team needs (i.e. competitions, travel, etc.) Leftover fundraised money becomes property of the cheerleading program and cannot be applied anywhere else. INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS Students trying out must be financially able to maintain their participation. If for any reason, a member leaves or is removed from the team, the parent/guardian is still responsible for all expenses. The estimated cost for cheerleading is $1,200 - $1,500 a year. This cost includes (but is not limited to) cheer gear (uniform, camp wear, poms, shoes, bag, spanks, crops, bow, sweatshirt), tumbling, choreography, travel, and competition fees. Nationals for varsity are also an added expense. CAMP fee will be broken up into the following payments: 50% of camp fee due at the post tryout meeting Tuesday May 16 th 50% (remaining balance) of camp fee will de due Monday June 12 th Cheer bills will be broken up into the following payments (please note this is NEW this season): 75% of your total CHEER GEAR balance will be due AUGUST 1 st. Camp wear will be passed out on August 3 rd if 75% is not paid by this practice we will withhold any gear not needed for camp. Once 75% of payment is received the reaming cheer gear will be handed out. 100% of your total CHEER GEAR balance will be due October 2 nd. If payment is not received your child may loose the right to cheer until payment is received. Invoices with remaining balance will be sent out starting November 1 st. Payment will be due 30 days after receiving invoice. If varsity travels to Nationals that payment will be billed separately 3
Please note that if payment is not made by scheduled due date above it will result in loss of right to cheer until payment has been made. SPONSORSHIPS Every year we do a team Sponsorship poster. This is a great way to earn money for your individual account. We require that each individual brings in a $50 sponsor for the cheer program. Anything brought in after the first $50 goes to your personal account. Example: if you bring in a Blue level sponsor of $150 - $50 will go to the program and $100 will go to your individual account. All sponsors will be due Tuesday August 15 th, 2017. MISCELLANEOUS ALL-STAR CHEERLEADING MEMBERS Due to the conflict in schedules and commitment, anyone wishing to participate on an All Star team will need to complete a contract. First priority is high school cheerleading and any reason to not be able to fulfill that commitment will result in immediate removal from the team. BANQUET The banquet for all squad members will be held at the end of Basketball season (or after Nationals for Varsity). CAMP Cheerleading camp is mandatory for all squad members. It is a very important experience for several reasons: team building, quality of material, technique improvement, and fun! Coaching staff selects camp and location. COMMITMENT Squads will be selected in the spring for the following year. The individual must cheer for both seasons (fall and winter), which leaves the spring season open for other activities. Varsity members not completing both seasons (including playoffs) will not letter. COMPETITION The primary duties of a SBHS cheerleader is to cheer at games and get the student body and fans involved in the game. As well has help promote school spirit. Competition comes second. When attending competitions athletes are required to: Stay thru the end of awards Keep hair up with bow in Only wear assigned cheer gear to the competition and thru the duration of the competition CONFLICTS & ISSUES Often when conflicts and issues arise, emotions run high. Please wait 24 hours before contacting a coach regarding an issue or conflict. The coaches will then make every effort to successfully resolve the situation. If the issue cannot be resolved with the coaching staff, cheerleaders and/or parents/guardians should contact our Activities Director Dan Dalzell who may involve the principal. Please do not contact the district office. They will simply refer you to step one. ELIGIBILITY FOR TRYOUTS In order to be eligible, a squad member with an outstanding balance on their account needs to pay the remaining balance prior to tryouts. Cheerleaders are expected to be good citizens. A student must have passed 5 classes (2.5 credits) the previous semester, be enrolled in and passing 5 classes (even Seniors), and on track to graduate, as prescribed by OSAA (Oregon School Athletic/Activity Association). 4
Due by 1 st practice of Daily Doubles in August Physical All Freshmen and Juniors (Sophomores or Seniors who did not have one the previous year) District participation fee LETTERING Varsity members earn a letter for participation in all assigned games (all sports). Injuries that occur while performing cheerleading duties will not affect ability to earn a letter. Varsity members receive a letter of completion at the end of the Winter Season. Playoffs are part of this commitment. PICTURES Squad pictures are scheduled only once. Squad members are required to attend, however you are not required to purchase pictures. SENIOR NIGHT Senior cheerleaders will be recognized along with their parents at the end of the basketball season. We are a twoseason activity and will honor our seniors at the end of our season. Social Networking Websites Cheerleaders are asked to add/follow Barlow cheer on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. These media outlets are used to communicate many of our ongoing activities with cheerleaders and parents as well. Cheerleaders may not post or make reference to in appropriate material (i.e. drugs, sex, alcohol, skipping school, etc.) on any networking sites they may have. If the coaches discover inappropriate material on a cheerleader s page, they have 24 hours to make the necessary changes (delete the post). Failure to make these changes after 1 violation will result in being benched from the next game and will result in 1 unexcused absence. Two violations will result in a full week of suspension from the team and you will accumulate as many unexcused absences for the number of practices, games missed. Three violations will result in termination from the team. We love social media and will use that to post pictures and brag about our teams but we will put all of our information (calendars, fundraisers, etc.) up on the website for both parents and cheerleaders to reference thru out the season. TRYOUTS/SQUAD SELECTION Two practice sessions will be held before tryouts. During these sessions exact tryout procedures will be explained and taught in detail. All sessions are closed to the public. Video taping and copying of music will be discussed at the Tryout Information Meeting. A panel of judges shall be made up of cheerleading coaches or people with cheerleading experience. Each prospective cheerleader will perform before a panel of judges and will be judged on the following: 1) cheer 2) dance 3) jumps 4) smiles, spirit, enthusiasm, appearance 5) tumbling We will be posting team selection on our website. Tryout results will be posted by tryout number. Team announcements will be posted 1.5-2hours after the last tryout time. Thursday s tryout practice we will assign tryout times. If your number is not listed you did not make a team. Team placements are final. If you do not make a team and want to know what you can do the following year to improve we ask that you email us. We will not discuss scores with individuals. TEAM TRAINING (TUMBLING) Cheerleaders are required to attend weekly team training/tumbling classes as a team. Team training is a required part of the success of Barlow cheer. Teams will work on tumbling, but will also work on jumps, motions, stunting, and competition material. Missing team training will count as an absence. TRANSPORTATION Cheerleaders are responsible for their own transportation to practices, meetings, activities, and games. Coaches will determine where teams will be traveling. Per district rules, coaches cannot drive athletes in their personal vehicles. 5