Cheerleader Tryouts 2017-18 In this packet there is information that is important for you and your parents to read together. By signing the papers here, you and your parents are agreeing that you will abide by the rules and regulations set forth in the following pages. Tryout practice will be Monday, March 6-Thursday, March 9 in the gym from 3:20-6:00. In order to be a cheerleader at Pickens Middle School, each team member must attend the UCA summer camp at Pickens Middle School on June 19-22. No exceptions! The cost of cheering this year will be approximately $590. There is a payment schedule included in this packet. While cheerleading is an expensive sport, keep in mind that it is a yearlong sport/commitment (starts in Mar. 2017 and goes through Feb. 2018). In order to try out, you will need to turn in the last page of this packet, signed, on Friday, March 3rd to Ms. Carswell (room C104) or Mrs. Spivey (room C106). Dates to Remember: Feb. 20-Mar. 3 Pick up tryout information from Ms. Carswell-room C104 or Mrs. Spivey-room C106 Return signed page to either Ms. Carswell or Mrs. Spivey by Friday, March 3rd. Mar. 6-Mar. 9 (Practice M-W 5:30-8pm Tryouts on Thur. 3:20-5:30) Cheerleader candidates practice Mon-Wed, Mar 6th-8th from 5:30-8:00pm in the school gym. The actual tryout will be on Thur., May 9 th from 3:20-5:30 in the gym. You must be present at ALL practices and meetings. You must have a ride at these times. All practices are closed; meaning that no one other than the instructor, coaches and staff (who have been asked to assist with tryouts), and cheerleader candidates will be allowed in the gym/cafeteria. For tryout practice, all cheerleading candidates MUST wear a plain white t-shirt, solid navy or black shorts and athletic shoes. Signed Try-out Packets are due by 3:00 p.m. Friday, March 3. Failure to dress in appropriate attire at tryout practice, or missed practice will result in disqualification from tryouts. Additional Information/Comments: On Thursday, March 9, each candidate will be given an envelope as they enter their car in the car pick up line stating whether or not they made the team. These envelopes are not to be opened until you have left the school grounds. An administrator will be present during tryouts. All girls who make the cheerleading team will be required to have a physical on file with the athletic director dated on or after April 1, 2017. Cheer Practices (For those that make the team) Thurs., Mar 16 3:20-5:30 Thurs., Apr 20 3:20-5:30 Thurs., Mar 23 3:20-5:30 Thurs., Apr 27 3:20-5:30 Thurs., Mar 30 3:20-5:30 Thurs., May 4 3:20-5:30 Thurs., Apr 6 3:20-5:30 Thurs., May 18 3:20-5:30 UCA Camp at Pickens Middle School (Mandatory) - Monday, June 19-Thursday, June 22 Monday, June 19 12:00 pm 6:00 pm (Eat lunch before arriving, bring water bottle snack provided) Tuesday, June 20 9:00 am 4:00 pm (Lunch provided bring your own snack & water bottle) Wednesday, June 21 9:00 am 4:00 pm (Lunch provided bring your own snack & water bottle) Thursday, June 22 9:00 am 4:00 pm (Lunch provided bring your own snack & water bottle) Summer Practices (every Wednesday starting on June 29th from 9am 4pm)
PMS Cheerleading Rules 1. Be on time for all practices and games. When you are late it causes the entire team to suffer. The consequences listed below will be enforced. 2. Be respectful of yourself and others. Cheerleaders are representatives of the school and are to be examples of good citizenship and good moral character. 3. Talk positively to and about your coaches and the other cheerleaders. If you have a problem with one of your coaches or another cheerleader, come to us. Do not talk about your team in a negative way. 4. All practices and games are mandatory. See attendance section for specific details and consequences. 5. It is your responsibility to arrange an on time pick up from all practices, games, and cheer events. We understand unexpected things happen, so cheerleaders are allowed 1 late pick up. After the first late pick up, the following consequences will be administered: 1 st offense - you will sit out part of the game 2 nd offense you will sit out all of the game 3 rd offense you will sit out all of the game and serve lunch detention 4 th offense you will be dismissed from the team 6. Be sure to wear and bring all cheerleading attire to the games and practices (uniform, bodysuit when needed, socks, shoes, bloomers, and bow with hair in a high ponytail). Practice wear and game day uniform schedules are distributed and posted on PMS website under athletics cheerleading well in advance. You are required to come to all practices and games dressed correctly, according to the schedule. If you are not dressed appropriately, the following consequences will be administered: 1 st offense - you will sit out part of the game 2 nd offense you will sit out all of the game 3 rd offense you will sit out all of the game and serve lunch detention 4 th offense you will be dismissed from the team 7. Gather all your belongings at the end of practices and games. You are responsible for your things. 8. Horseplay while doing stunts at practice or at games is strictly forbidden. This is a safety issue and is not tolerated. 9. During the games, cheerleaders are to be in line and cheering at all times. Visiting/talking with friends and family at the fence during football games and in the bleachers during basketball games is NOT allowed. 10. Cell phones are to be OFF and PUT AWAY in your cheer bag during practices and games. PMS Cheerleading Consequences We expect all cheerleaders to have good behavior at school and during cheerleading activities. If a district policy, school rule, or cheerleading rule is broken, any one of the following consequences could be used, depending upon the situation. Other consequences may be implemented at the discretion of the administration and the coaches. The final decision in any situation will be made by the coaches and/or administration. 1. Warning The coach will speak with the cheerleader individually concerning the broken rule. 2. Extra conditioning The cheerleader will attend extra practice(s) or complete extra conditioning. 3. Game suspension The cheerleader will not cheer at all or part of the assigned game (depending on the situation). The cheerleader will dress out in uniform and sit with the coach during the game. 4. Dismissal from the team. Consequences for late pick up and inappropriate attire at practices and games are listed under the Cheerleading Rules section. Consequences for missed practices, games, and cheer events are listed under the Attendance section. Consequences for academics are listed under the Academic Responsibilities section.
Attitude We expect each cheerleader to show the coaches respect. This includes your behavior in and out of class. If you have a problem with one of the coaches, you need to come to us. If you talk negatively about the coaches, team members, or students disciplinary action will be taken. If you expect respect, be the first to show it. Practices & Games Practices will be held each week on Thursdays from 3:20-5:45. On game days we will not have practice. Football games are on Thursdays and basketball games are on Mondays and Thursdays (there are occasional Wednesday games as the schedule requires). Since the only absences that are excused are for personal illness with a doctor s note or death in the immediate family (mother, father, sibling, maternal/paternal grandparent), please schedule all regular doctor or dentist appointments on other days during the week. *At the beginning of each sport season, girls will be required to pay for their after school meals in advance. The cost is approximately $5/per game. Once the number of away games for football, and the number of home games for basketball are determined, the girls will be responsible for bringing in the money to cover their food for those games. For instance, if we have 4 away football games, the girls would bring in $20 to pay for their food for football season. Attendance All team members must adhere to the school attendance and tardy policy. Excessive school absence and tardies will result in removal from the team. Members will not perform if absent from school, or if they leave school early on the day of an activity. Please remember that due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control, games may be moved to various days and times. When this happens, it causes us to change the schedule. Sometimes this occurs with very little notice. We will do everything that we can to notify you of any changes as soon as we are given the information. Absences from games, practices and cheer events only personal illness with a doctor s note or death in the immediate family (mother, father, sibling, maternal/paternal grandparent) will excuse an absence from a game, practice or cheer event. Regularly scheduled doctor/dentist/optical appointments, out of town travel, birthday parties, etc. are not excused absences and should be scheduled on non-game or non-practice days. A calendar will be given well in advance to allow for planning these appointments and personal plans outside of practice and game times. All team members must have a ride from practice, games, and cheer events at the scheduled time (consequences are listed under Cheerleading Rules section). Girls are allowed to call from away games in ample time for a ride to meet them at the school. Coaches and administrators should not be expected to wait for late rides. We dismiss from practice on time and would expect on time pickups. Excused absences are: personal illness with a doctor s note or death in the immediate family (mother, father, sibling, maternal/paternal grandparent). Consequences for unexcused absences from games, practices and cheer events: 1 st offense sit out 1 game 2 nd offense sit out 2 games 3 rd offense dismissal from the team
School Rules All school rules apply and must be followed. Academic Responsibilities All members must maintain a C in each class. Warnings will be given at midterm and/or report card. Improvements should be seen by the next reporting period (midterm/report card whichever postdates the warning). If student does not show improvement, then he/she will sit out 2 games and be given a final warning. After the final warning is given, if the student does not show improvement by the next reporting period (midterm/report card whichever postdates the final warning), the student will be dismissed from the team. Academic responsibilities come before extra-curricular activities. Each case will be reviewed individually by the coaches and the administration. Any member who becomes unable to participate in physical education classes, for any health or injury reasons, will not be allowed to participate with the cheerleading team during the same period of time until a doctor note is received releasing the athlete. Cheerleading is a time consuming sport. Cheerleaders are also expected to perform satisfactorily in the classroom. Cheerleaders must be good managers of time in order to complete school work and their cheerleading responsibilities. If you have difficulty managing your time and maintaining your school work, it may be best not to try out for the team. Practice & Game Responsibilities Weekly practice will be held during school sports seasons. Practice during football season will be on Thursdays from 3:20-5:45 with games being on Thursdays (there are occasional Wednesday games as the schedule requires). Practice may be added or decreased if necessary. Practice and games during basketball season will be on Mondays and Thursdays. All members are required to be at every practice and attend summer camp! All members are to be present at all games, practices and other cheerleading activities for the entire time. Failure to notify the coaches of any absences prior to the date of the game, practice or activity may result in dismissal from the team. Consequences for missed practices, games, and cheer events are listed under the Attendance section. Please see attendance policy or ask one of the coaches if you have any questions. Cheerleaders are to be picked up from practice on time (consequences for late pick ups are listed under the Cheerleading Rules section). Cell Phones Member are not to uses cell phones or have them turned on during practice or games. Cell phones are to be kept in members book bags until after practice and games. Uniforms and Equipment Each member is responsible for her own uniform. No alterations can be made to your uniform. Uniforms should be washed separately in cold water and hung to dry after each game. Spots can be treated with spray and wash but DO NOT dry your uniform. Uniforms not returned in the same condition in which you received it, will result in being charged to replace the uniform. Abuse to any school property will result in a fine of replacement cost. Uniforms are not to be worn for any activity (or to school) except performances with the cheerleading team. On game days cheerleaders are to wear cheer pants and tops to school. We will advise to wear bodyliner depending on weather.
Financial Each member will have to buy camp wear, shoes, bloomers, a bag, pay for summer camp, pay a uniform rental fee, poms, practice wear, warm ups, etc. The coaches will try to keep prices down; however, purchases must be made together to keep dress consistent. The following is a list of the anticipated items that will be required to be purchased (these are estimated prices): 2 Bows $ 10 Practice wear $ 40 (2 practice shirts) Socks $ 5 Shoes $ 50 Bloomers $ 10 Bodyliner $ 20 Camp $250 (4 days @PMS includes snacks & 3 meals 6/19-6/22) Bag $ 30 (includes personalization) Uniform Rental $ 25 (upkeep of uniforms) Warm up jacket $ 85 (includes personalization) Warm up pants $ 40 Poms $ 25 2 pair Soffe shorts (1 Red, 1 navy) $ - (each girl responsible for purchasing their own) Approximate total $590 Payment can be made in full or according to the following schedule: Mar 17 payment of $100 Mar 31 payment of $100 Apr 21 payment of $100 May 5 payment of $100 May 26 payment of $100 June 15 payment of $ 90 (payments must be current in order to attend cheer camp) Athletic Ability Cheerleading is an active sport. If you are unable to run, jump, and do other physical activities, it may be best if you do not tryout. Travel All member are expected to remain together and travel to and from functions on the SDPC bus. You cannot leave with your parents from the away games unless prior approval is granted from school administration for extreme emergencies. We arrive together, we leave together. Fundraising Fundraising is a very important part of being a cheerleader. By doing this, the team also learns the importance of working as a team, as well as a greater appreciation for the things they are able to wear and the places that they are able to go. A feeling of pride comes with earning your way. If you are unwilling for your child to raise money, it would probably be best for him/her not to try out for cheerleading. All cheerleaders selected for the team will be expected to sell items from fundraisers throughout the year. Each cheerleader will also be responsible for helping make signs for games, sometimes having to bring supplies home to work on them, and working at fundraisers, if needed.
My child, has my permission to try out, and if selected, be a cheerleader at Pickens Middle School. I understand that he/she must abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the coach and the administration of Pickens Middle School, and be on time and present for all practices, games, and cheer events. I have read the rules and regulations (refers to the entire try-out packet), and understand that the violation of any of these rules may lead to temporary or permanent suspension from the team. I understand and give permission for my daughter/son to ride with the coaches when necessary. I understand that this form must be read, signed, and returned by Friday, March 3, 2017, or my child will not be allowed to try-out. I understand that my child must attend all practices and try-out sessions, or my child will not be considered for the cheerleading team. I understand that my daughter/son will be evaluated during try-outs by the judges and coaches, and I, the parent, agree to abide by the decision of the judges/coaches. I understand all costs involved as stated in the rules. I understand by the very nature of the activity, cheerleading and gymnastics carry a risk of physical injury. No matter how careful the participant and coaches are, how many spotters are used, or what landing surface is used, the risk cannot be eliminated. The risk of injury includes minor injuries such as muscle pulls, dislocation and broken bones. The risk also includes catastrophic injuries such as permanent paralysis or even death from landing or falls on the back, neck, or head. I understand these risks and will not hold Pickens Middle School or any of its personnel responsible in the case of an accident or injury at any time. Parent Guardian Name Please Print Parent/Guardian s Signature Date I am interested in being a cheerleader at Pickens Middle School. I understand the risks stated above. If selected, I promise to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the coach and the administration of Pickens Middle School. I promise to cooperate and follow the instructions of the cheerleading coach. Student Name (print): Date: Home Address: Parent s Email Address: Home Phone: Parents Cell Phone Students Cell Phone Grade Next School Year: Student Name (print): Student s signature: