LINDEN KILDARE HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADER AND MASCOT HANDBOOK

2016-2017 LINDEN KILDARE HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADER AND MASCOT HANDBOOK IMPORTANT DATE: Jan 20 @ 6 PARENT MEETING Try-out practice Feb 10 th 3:30-6:00 Feb 11 th 4:30-6:30 Feb 13 @ 10am Feb 24 th Try-ons with Varsity Rep. IMPORTANT DATE: Wildflower trails 4/30 Color run TBD Practice: TBD Mini camp TBD (7-9) Camp June 20-23 Tarleton State University Money Payment option: - March 4 - $200 April 22 - $300 May 20 remainder

This handbook is not a contract. The handbook may be changed or modified by the district at its discretion at any time for any reason. A. TRYOUT PROCESS/CANDIDATE ELIGIBLITY 1. A student can try out if they accrued during the current school year no more than 2 ISS referrals (any student assigned to DAEP disqualifies him/her from tryout eligibility). 2. UIL requirement must be met. Having one failing grade for the most recent semester will make them ineligible to tryout. (EX: if tryouts are in march 2014 the previous grading cycle would be fall of 2013) 3. A student cannot tryout that has accrued no more than 2 unexcused absences. (2 entire school days or more than 14 individual classes) 4. Candidates for cheerleader must have acceptable conduct grades. If a student receives more than 2 N s in conduct during the year, they will be ineligible for tryouts. 5. Varsity cheerleaders must be an eighth grader, freshmen, sophomore, or junior during the school year. 6. To be eligible to try out for varsity cheerleader, the candidate must have been a member of the pep squad as an 8 th grader, Tigerettes, band, athletics, or a cheerleader during the year of selection. 7. AS OF 2010 TRYOUTS, ANY CHEERLEADER THAT QUITS OR LOSES THEIR PRIVILEGES WHICH RESULTS IN REMOVAL FROM THE SQUAD FOR THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR MUST SIT OUT THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR REMOVED AND THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. At the beginning of the school year, students selected for varsity cheerleader must be classified as a freshman or have the following credits: 10 th grade 6 credits, 11 th grade 12 credits, 12 th grade 18 credits. PARENT MEETING All candidates must have parent/guardian attend the parent meeting prior to tryouts. The parent/guardian must attend for student to tryout. CLINIC 1. Each candidate must attend all the closed clinics held after school. If this requirement is not met, the candidate will not be allowed to tryout.. *The only excused absence from closed clinic would be if a student was involved in another school related event: such as a track meet, softball game, or tennis match. 2. To be eligible to tryout, each candidate must have submitted, by the given deadline, a properly filled out information sheet and medical release form. (These will be provided for the candidate.

TRYOUTS Each candidate should be appropriately dressed in shorts in any color, a PLAIN white shirt, white socks and white tennis shoes (SPANDEX shorts allowed only under regular shorts). The candidate should not wear any extreme makeup, hair pieces, jewelry, or clothing with logos. 1. Each candidate for cheerleader will be required to tryout on the following: a. Individual cheer and chant b. Entrance and tumbling c. Jumps d. Dance (group) ** The candidates will be taught a cheer, chant and dance at the clinic that they will tryout with. The judges will also be looking for spirit, facials when cheering, voice, sharp and correct motions, rhythm and each candidate will be required to do a double toe touch and two more of the their best jumps. 2. Time: tryouts will be Feb 14 and will start at 10:00am. EACH CANDIDATE MUST BE AT THE SCHOOL BY 9:00 TO STRETCH. Mascot tryouts will be the same day as cheerleader tryouts. 3. Location: tryouts will be in the LKHS gym. Tryouts are closed (no spectators allowed) 4. Money: Camp Deposits will be due within 2 weeks of tryouts. There will be dates when the remaining balance is due and those will be announced. Uniforms will not be handed out along with other cheer supplies until they are paid for when it comes due. If your child does not have proper attire and supplies, they will not be allowed to participate until they are received. 5. Demerit system is activated once the new squad is announced. JUDGING Cheer evaluation 1. Three officially sanctioned judges will evaluate each candidate on a group dance and individual cheer/chant/jumps. In unusual cases when 3 judges are not available, tryouts may proceed with 2 judges. Spirit Event Coordinators out of Tennessee is the company used for judging purposes. 2. The judges will also be looking at spirit, enthusiasm, motion, technique, voice, jumps, and tumbling. The judges will also have the candidate s report card to view grades and conduct. 3. The judge s evaluation will represent 100% of the candidate s total score. 4. The varsity squad will be comprised of seniors, juniors, sophomores, and/or freshmen as follows: The top 12 scorers will be chosen for the varsity cheerleading squad. Mascot evaluation: Each candidate performs a 1.5-2 minute prepared spirit skit. These skits are performed before the judges. Mascot candidates are judged on their entrance, delivery, creativity, and overall impression. Judges may award a maximum of 5 points for each performance categories. The top candidate achieving the highest total score will be the mascot.

Ties: Any ties will be broken by the judges, under the supervision of the LKHS personnel in charge of cheerleader/mascot tryouts and the squad coach. The decision of the judges will be final. PARENT MEETING WILL BE Jan 20, 2016 AT 6 PM IN HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA. PARENT OR GUARDIAN MUST ATTEND FOR STUDENT TO BE ELIGILBE TO TRY OUT March 7, 2014. (*exception is discretionary to coach for emergency reasons only) Obligations: Cheerleaders and mascot must be able to: 1. Pay for performance and practice uniforms, summer camps, accessories, shoes, warm up suit, bows, socks, jerseys, pom, bloomers, megaphone, and competition fees. No uniform articles will be issued nor will squad members be allowed to attend summer camp until full financial obligations are met. If financial obligations are not met by the deadline, no extensions and no refunds will be given. 2. Must attend summer camp with squad. 3. Must attend all practices. If he/she is ineligible, he/she must attend all practices. 4. Must attend all performances to include all varsity football games (varsity cheerleaders and mascot), home basketball and playoff games. 5. Must compete in competitions unless they are ineligible. If they are ineligible they must still attend the competition. 6. Must participate in fund-raisers. During a fundraiser, the squad member is responsible for turning in unsold products, or money by the set deadline. Failure to meet fundraiser goals (ex 25 items) will result in demerits. 7. Cheerleader practice/performances will take priority over work and other non-school related organization/clubs. 8. Follow guidelines outlined in the LKHS Cheerleading and mascot constitution. 9. Conform to the LKHS student code of conduct and avoid frequent tardiness or referrals to the office for disciplinary reasons. The advisor will counsel any cheerleader/mascot who exhibits a tendency to repeatedly violate any provisions of the code of conduct and may, if the behavior does not stop, remove a chronic violator from the squad for the remainder of the year. The expectation of students who represent LKHS in a performance capacity is that they will conduct themselves in a manner which reflects positively on their school as well as on the cheer squad. 10. Keep uniforms neat and clean. Uniforms purchased by cheerleaders may be sold the following year to the new squad. Mascot responsibilities: 1. For uniform getting to and from all activities. 2. Put the uniform back in supply closet following the event. 3. Entertainment of the crowds at pep rallies and games and keeping the crowd pumped up. The mascot must be friendly to children at pep rallies and games by waving and shaking their hands. 4. Mascot will do dances/cheers with the cheerleaders in uniform when possible. 5. When the mascot is not the Tiger uniform, he/she will be in LK attire.

General rules and regulations 1. Attendance at all performances, competitions, practices, and events is mandatory. If unable to attend notification must be made prior to absence or demerits will be issued. 2. Squad members will meet 10 minutes before scheduled time of performance or scheduled time of departure. DON T BE LATE 3. Squad members will not chew gum, consume food or drink while in uniform or mascot uniform except at halftime of games. 4. Squad members will not wear any jewelry during any performance or practice or any event members are representing the LKHS cheerleading team; THIS INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO EARRINGS, BODY PIERCINGS OF ANYTYPE. 5. All body art ex: tattoos must be covered during any performance or activity/event when members are representing LKHS cheerleading team. 6. Restroom breaks during performances are at coach's discretion. Squad will stay together as a team during all performances. IF PERMISSION GIVEN TO LEAVE TO GO TO RESTROOM DURING PERFORMANCE THERE WILL BE CONDITIONING ASSIGNED. 7. Squad members must refrain from socializing with students, parents, each other, and others during performance events unless given permission by the advisor. 8. Squad members are responsible for proper uniform attire as assigned by the advisor for each performance/game. 9. SQUAD MEMBERS NOT IN PROPER UNIFORM (I.E. HAIR IN PONYTAIL, APPRPRIATE RIBBON/BOW, SHELL, SKIRT, BLOOMERS, SOCKS, SHOES ETC) WILL OT PERFORM WITH SQUAD. THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIT WITH ADVISOR. 10. Squad members will stand in formation during the game. They should have their hands behind their backs and refrain from forming groups for visitation purposes. Excessive talkers will be given on warning and if it continues the cheerleader/mascot will be removed from the track for the remainder of the game and conditioning assignment will be given. 11. Any cheerleader/mascot that fails the first 6 weeks grading cycle and then the 9 week grading period for the remainder of the school year may not perform the following 3 weeks and will be put on probation. At the end of the 3 weeks, if all courses are passing, the cheerleader/mascot will be eligible again. 12. Any cheerleader/mascot that is also in the band will be required to ride the designated cheerleading vehicle to all games. The participant will be dismissed to join the band 2 minutes before halftime and will return with 5 minutes before the end of the third quarter to cheer. CAMP All squad members must attend the summer camps arranged by the advisor. Any squad member that does not attend camp will not be allowed to cheer. The cost of camp is the responsibility of the cheerleader. OUT OF TOWN TRIPS 1. It is mandatory that all cheerleaders/mascot must ride to all events in the school sponsored vehicle. The students will be allowed to ride home with THEIR

PARENT/GAURADIAN ONLY, unless prior arrangements are made with the coach by the parent. Parents must sign their child out with the advisor. 2. Parents/squad member should arrange to have squad members picked up within 15 minutes of returning from an out of town game or event. Repeated lateness could result in dismissal from the squad. 3. Medical and travel release forms must be on file and kept current if demographic changes occur. 4. All school rules and regulations will be enforced. POSTERS/RUN THROUGH SIGNS All squad members are required to make assigned posters over summer break. Paint and paper will be provided. The cheerleaders will only be responsible for providing containers for paint. The posters will be due on the first day of practice for the school year approximately 2 weeks to the first day of school. PRACTICES 1. All scheduled practices are mandatory for all squad members. Squad members will receive a practice schedule. Practices for special events and competitions will be scheduled as needed. Times in which this will be necessary include: prior to mini cheer camp, football and basketball season, and competitions. Failure to attend will result in demerits and conditioning. 2. All squad members are expected to be on time and dressed in practice clothes and cheer shoes. 3. NO FOOD WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE GYM DURING PRACTICE. IT WILL BE THROWN IN THE TRASH PRIOR TO PRACTICE. 4. All squad members will be required to attend the practice from start to finish. All appointments will need to be scheduled before or after practice. 5. All squad members are expected to work out at each practice as well as work on cheers etc. all cheerleaders need to come to practice willing to work hard. A good attitude and cooperation are expected. Behaviors that disrupt practice will result in extra conditioning. 6. A cheerleader must attend practice in order to be able to cheer at the weeks activities. NO PRACTICE = NO PARTICIPATION!!! MONEY The estimated cost of being on the LKHS cheer squad ranges from $700-$900 per participant. It is the responsibility of the cheerleader to meet these expenses. If a cheerleader quits or loses privileges and is removed from the squad, the money is nonrefundable. The squad will do fundraising to help with some expenses; the majority of the cost will be from the cheerleader/guardian. DEMERIT SYSTEM In order to achieve the greatest amount of teamwork and responsibility behavior, the coach will issue demerits when the action of the squad member reflects poorly on the squad or school, creates a problem with general operation of the group, detracts from or hinders the group performances, or fails to comply with instructions guidelines issued by those in authority. FIVE DEMERITS WILL RESULT IN BEING PUT ON PROBATION AND SITTING OUT OF

ACTIVITES FOR ONE WEEK. WHILE ON PROBATION MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO BE AT PRACTICE AND AT PERFORMANCE IN UNIFORM AND SIT WITH COACH DURING THE GAME. SIX DEMERITS WILL RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM THE SQUAD. In addition to the demerit system there will also be conditioning assigned with demerits given and the conditioning must be completed before squad members will be allowed to participate in the next scheduled performance. amount of demerits amount of conditioning 1 15 sprints, 3 bleacher circuits, 50 sit ups 2 20 sprints, 3 bleacher circuits, 75 sit ups 3 30 sprints, 5 bleacher circuits, 100 sit ups 4 40 sprints, 10 bleacher circuits, 150 sit ups 5 50 sprints, 15 bleacher circuits, 200 sit ups issuing of demerits 2 skipping class/iss - demerits non participation at the following pep rally and game 2 drinking, smoking, stealing or behaving in an unbecoming manner 2 failure to complete required posters 2 failure to attend game/competition 2 failure to attend practice or meeting 2 disrespect to any teacher, school personnel, or coach 2 failure to participate in fund-raisers, failure to meet goals, failure to return unsold items by dead line 2 failure to attend extra functions other than sporting events 1 being tardy to meeting, practice or game 1 failure to wear complete and proper uniform/ practice clothing as notified 1 failure to return to field or court after halftime 1 failure to cooperate with squad, head cheerleader or coach 1 leaving the game before it is over without sponsor approval 1 hair combing, gum chewing eating or drinking while in uniform 1 any type of profanity 1 excessive talking while cheering, socializing with parents and other students during performance events/games 1 wearing jewelry while at practice or in uniform 1 public display of affection (hugging, kissing, etc) 1 not standing still or paying attention during the National Anthem or school song

**if member is sent to ISS for tardies it will be required to do 25 sprints, 4 bleachers, 100 sit ups Any cheerleader/mascot caught fighting at school or at a school function, in or out of uniform, will be put on probation and given 5 demerits. Once on probation, cheerleader/mascot keeps that status from that time to the next tryout time. If a cheerleader incurs a serious infraction for the second time, he/she will be removed from the squad. A dismissed cheerleader/mascot will not be featured in the yearbook. A dismissed cheerleader will be required to sit out a whole school year of cheering before he/she can try out again. DISMISSAL FROM SQUAD 1. Blatant or chronic violation of school rules or policies resulting in multiple ISS referrals, (3 or more), suspensions or alternative school placement will result in dismissal from the squad. 2. If, during the school year, a cheerleader/mascot does not finish the squad performance schedule (i.e. all games competitions, etc) due to dismissal or resignation, he/she will not receive recognition at assemblies, etc as having been a squad member. 3. Excessive absences will result in dismissal from the squad. Status for trying out again will require special consideration from the designated principal for student activities, and the advisor. (A physician s statement concerning the squad members physical ability to perform would be necessary.) 4. Upon receipt of the 6 th demerit, the cheerleader/mascot will be removed from the squad for the remainder for the school year. 5. Failure to return to LKHS in school sponsored vehicle without permission after games, competitions, etc, will result in removal from the squad. 6. If at any time a squad member is not able to participate 100% at practice or performances, unless a doctors note is provided within two weeks, a review conference with the designated administrator and cheer advisor will be held to determine dismissal from the squad. 7. AS OF 2010 TRYOUTS, ANY CHEERLEADER THAT QUITS OR LOSES THEIR PRIVILEGES WHICH RESULTS IN REMOVAL FROM THE SQUAD FOR THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR MUST SIT OUT THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR REMOVED AND THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. ABSENCES/TARDIES The success of the squad is dependent upon each squad member attending as many performances/activities as possible. Although it is recognized that extenuating circumstances may require a squad member s occasional absence or tardiness from a performance/activity, excessive absences or tardies detract from the squad s ability to perform to expected standards. Therefore, 4 absences or tardies will warrant review of the circumstances resulting the 4 absences or tardies to determine possible abuse of the policy. If abuse is determined, removal from the squad will be the consequence.

1. The parent/guardian should contact the advisor prior to absence from an assigned activity if a squad member must miss the activity. 2. If a cheerleader/mascot is attending school regularly after an illness, he/she should be fulfilling his/her cheerleading/mascot obligations as well. If they cannot physically participate in the activity it is expected to attend the event in full uniform (or one determined by the coach) and sit in the area designated by the advisor. If a cheerleader/mascot has missed school (non-school related activity) on the day of performance, he/she will not be able to perform that evening. The Board of Trustees authorizes the advisor and Administration to decide upon any situation which arises and is not proved for this constitution. Candidate # Judge # Judges sheet cheerleading tryouts Category 1 individual: entrance & tumbling 1. Enthusiasm/confidence (0-5) 2. Difficulty/ technique (0-5) Category 2 individual: cheer/chant 1. Sharp motions 0-10 2. Correct motions 0-10 3. Voice inflection 0-10 4. Spirit 0-10 5. Facials 0-5 Category 3 individual: jump 1. Double toe touch 0-10 2. Other 0-5 3. Other 0-5 Category 4 group audition: dance 1. Motions 0-10 2. Rhythm 0-10 3. Facials 0-5 Total (possible 100) LKHS MASCOT SCORE SHEET Crowd Appeal 10pts

Making the crowd interested in you, judged on how well you keep their attention. Energy 10pts Enthusiasm and spirit. Animation 10pts How well you portray the character. Ex: Bigger motions like steps and claps. Variety 10pts Different actions and things to make the crowd involved. Ex: Use of signs, using big hand gloves to make the crowd clap. Coordination 10pts Ex: How well you dance in the outfit. Can you move around and make it look good, opposed to tripping over the feet? TOTAL AMT OF PTS (50) TOTAL

This is due on the first day of tryout clinic. You CAN NOT come to clinic without turning this form in and your medical release form (must be notarized) My parents and I have read and understand all the requirements and expectations listed in the LKHS cheerleader handbook. I agree to abide by all the rules and will attend all functions that are required. I understand that there is a monetary obligation that goes with being LKHS cheerleader/mascot and agree to pay my part in full when it is due. I understand that I will be held to a higher standard because I will be a leader of LKHS and will be in the public eye. I understand that I will have to maintain good grades as well as behavior in the classroom. I will give 100% at all games, practices and performances and will make all efforts possible to maintain a positive attitude at all times on and off the field. Linden Kildare High School Release Form I (parent, guardian, or managing conservator), whose address is, hereby AGREE to ASSUME ALL RISKS AND WAIVE ALL CLAIMS against Linden Kildare CISD and the LKHS Cheerleaders, its officers, directors, and coaches for any damage, loss or injury, with respect to the Child s participation in the program or in any such matters. Guardian signature: Date: Student signature: Student name (printed): Parent signature: Parent name (printed): Date: ITEMS TO BE TURNED IN SIGNED HANDBOOK AGREEMENT (THIS PAGE) COPY OF MOST RECENT REPORT CARD (THIS IS FOR JUDGES TO EVALUATE CONDUCT AND CLASSROOM PERFORMANCE) MEDICAL RELEASE FORM (NOTORIZED) COPY OF INSURANCE CARD, IF NONE WRITE NONE ON THE LINE