Akimel A-al Middle School Cheerleading Tryout Information 2017-2018 1. Complete all parts of the tryout packet including the doctor s physical (You will not be allowed to try out without it!). 2. Turn in the completed packet to Ms. Cotharin at Student Services by Wednesday, October 25 th at 3:30pm at the latest. 3. Tryouts dates are as follows. Monday, October 30 th 3:30 5:00pm Wednesday, November 1 st 3:30 5:00pm Thursday, November 2 nd 3:30 5:00pm Friday, November 3 rd 3:30-5:30pm 4. Practices are held before school, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays (7:00am 8:00am) so it will be your responsibility to schedule and find transportation those three days a week. Tryouts All girls will learn 1 cheer, 3 chants, and 1 dance that they will perform on the last day of tryouts. All girls will be required to do a toe touch and front hurdler. Tryouts are CLOSED to the public. No one will be able to observe or watch during this time. Daily Evaluation precision of motions rhythm and timing memorization of words projection of voice cleanness of jump and tumbling skill spirit, attitude, and effort Final Evaluation Cheer technique, voice projection Dance technique Jump technique Tumbling skills are optional Please remember that you are evaluated throughout the week. The main component of cheerleading is being energetic and a lot of smiling. This is the time to let your spirit shine. Also factored into the decision are the teacher evaluations and current grades, please make sure you are aware of this. All students trying out should wear comfortable clothes but still abide by the Akimel A-al dress code. Gym shoes and socks must be worn each day. Hair should be pulled back away from your face, and absolutely no jewelry of any kind may be worn. No gum will be allowed either. Please respect the decision of the coaching staff. No scores will be released nor will we discuss why a particular student was picked over another one. This process is very difficult for everyone and we appreciate your understanding in advance. GOOD LUCK AND GO RATTLERS!
How many girls will be chosen? Frequently Asked Questions There will not be a set number of cheerleaders determined prior to tryouts. We will take anywhere between 24-32 girls total. All cheerleaders will cheer for home boys basketball games. How long is the commitment? It begins with the day you are chosen for the squad and goes to the end of January for the initial season. Cheerleading is basically a winter commitment with the possibility of continuing in the spring depending on the number of girls wanting to continue. How much does it cost? Practices If you are selected to be on the cheer squad there is a $90 fee that must be paid before you begin practice. Additionally, you will be required to purchase poms and hair ties for $16. Extra items such as bags may also be purchased. This money will be collected the first week of practice to ensure items are delivered before our first game. All cheerleaders should be prepared to attend practices and games an average of three days a week during the winter. Practices will be held every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 7:00 a.m. It will be your responsibility to schedule and find transportation those three days a week. Games If it is a Monday game day cheerleaders will stay after school and prepare for the game. If it is a Wednesday game day, students will go home and be back by 3:30pm. Monday games begin at 5:00pm. Wednesday games begin at 4:30pm. All Cheerleaders will cheer at both JV and Varsity games. Games usually end around 7. Game Dates are November 29 th, December 4 th, December 6 th, December 11 th, and December 13 th. Showcase The final performance is the District Showcase which is sometime after the end of the regular season. Information on that will be provided at a later time. Do I have to be able to do a back handspring? While being able to do a back handspring is a great skill to have, it is not a requirement. o It is also, however, not a guarantee that you will make the squad just because you can do one. Attending outside tumbling classes would be helpful, but not required.
Akimel A-al Cheerleading Rules and Responsibilities 1. Promote and uphold school spirit. 2. Set an example of good behavior at all times (on or off campus; in or out of uniform). 3. Good grades must be maintained. Cheerleaders must maintain a passing grade of D or higher in all classes. If a cheerleader is ineligible at progress report time, district policy will apply. If grades are not brought up for the report card, the cheerleader will be dismissed to concentrate on academics. 4. Proper appearance is required at all times in accordance with the Akimel dress code. No jewelry may be worn at practices or at games. There are no exceptions to this rule. 5. Uniforms will be provided by the school and therefore belong to the school. They are to be kept clean, neat, and in good condition at all times. Uniforms that are ruined, lost, or stolen will be replaced by the cheerleader at his/her own expense. Uniforms may not be cut to alter the size, please use safety pins to adjust the uniform to fit you properly. 6. Cheerleaders must come to games with the complete uniform on and hair NEATLY pulled away from their face. Please invest in a pack of bobby pins and strong hairspray to use throughout the season. 7. Attendance at all scheduled games and practices is essential. Cheerleaders will not be allowed to miss practices or games for other classes, such as dance, tumbling, etc. Parents should make every possible effort to avoid scheduling medical, dental, or orthodontist appointments that interfere with a game or practice. Cheerleaders should only arrive late to an after school game or practice if they are fulfilling a requirement for one of their academic classes, (for example making up a test). Please let your coach know in advance if you will be missing a required game or practice. 8. Any absence from practice must be reported to the coach by the PARENT either by email or phone call prior to the absence taking place. Akimel does not have a school-wide attendance list which is published, therefore, if your child is absent from school on a practice or game day, the coach must be notified. This same rule applies for leaving practice early or arriving late. Messages can be left on the coach s voicemail. For a scheduled absence, inform the coach the day before. Excessive excused absences or tardies may result in the cheerleader being benched for a game or dismissed from the squad. Coaches phone numbers and email will be provided after the team is selected.
9. Failure to contact the coach about missing a practice is considered an unexcused absence. Three unexcused absences may result in a temporary or permanent dismissal from the squad. 10. Cheerleaders must not use foul language at practice, at games, or in school. 11. No talking to spectators or on the line should take place during games. 12. Cheerleaders will not be late after quarters, half-time, or between games. Have water bottles in your bag and go to the bathroom before the game. When the game resumes after a quarter, you need to be on the line ready to cheer. 13. Cheerleaders will be required to purchase accessory items to go with their provided uniform. These items include poms, shoes, socks, briefs, and hair bows. Information regarding purchasing these items will be given to each cheerleader at a later date. 14. It is the cheerleader s responsibility to arrange for transportation to and from practices and games. 15. Failure to comply with these or any other Akimel rules may result in the cheerleader being released from the squad. Cheerleading Tryout Checklist Academic Rating Sheet Get doctor s physical and get official form completed. *You must have health insurance to participate Read the rules and responsibilities and sign the parent/student application letter. Sign the District Participation and fee agreement. Sign the Sportsmanship letter. Turn in all signed forms to Akimel s Student Services desk by October 25 th. Come to tryouts on October 30 th, November 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd.
Application for Cheerleading Tryouts My child,, has my permission to be a cheerleader at (Please print clearly) Akimel Middle School. I understand that he/she must abide by the rules and responsibilities set forth by the coach and administration at Akimel and be present for all practices and games. I have read the rules and responsibilities and understand that the violation of any of these rules may lead to the temporary or permanent suspension from the squad. I understand that all forms, including the doctor s physical, must be completed and turned in by Wednesday, October 25 th, or my child will not be allowed to try out. I understand that my child must attend all days of the tryouts in order to be considered for the squad. I understand that my child will be evaluated by a team of judges and agree to abide by their decisions. I understand that cheerleading carries a risk of physical injury. I understand that safety precautions will be taken at all times, but those precautions will not completely eliminate injuries. I understand these risks and will not hold Akimel Middle School or any of its personnel responsible in the case of injury at any time. I understand the cost s associated with trying out for this team and will have my child purchase the items required. Parent/Guardian Signature Date I,, am interested in being a cheerleader at Akimel Middle School. If selected, I promise to abide by all the rules and responsibilities set forth by the coach and administration at Akimel A-al. I promise to cooperate and follow the instructions of the coach at all times. Student signature Date Additional Information (Please print very clearly) Mother s Cell # Father s Cell # Home Phone # Student s Cell # Parents Email Student s Email (Please make sure to include an email address that is checked frequently as that is the main form of communication.)