CYPRESS-FAIRBANKS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT CHEERLEADING/MASCOT CONSTITUTION 2014-15 Final Philosophy Statement *All rules and regulations listed below apply equally to the mascot.* Cypress Fairbanks ISD cheerleaders will serve as the primary support group to lead and direct spirit for athletics, special events and activities. Members will encourage school pride, good sportsmanship and a positive image in school activities. Education is foremost in cheerleading and good personal conduct is not limited to the sidelines. Members will project an image of high standards, morals and goals for others to follow. Participation in CFISD cheer programs is a privilege and not a right. Purpose The purpose of the cheerleading organization is to promote participation in and provide unified support for the athletic teams and student body of the Cypress Fairbanks high schools while developing a positive relationship among all competitive schools. Cheerleading is an activity that supplements the secondary curricular program. Cheerleaders should serve as support groups for the athletic programs in the school and should play an important role in the administration of other activities and contests. Each squad should strive to boost school spirit, promote sportsmanship, develop good, positive crowd involvement and help spectators achieve the most worthwhile educational objective of the interscholastic program. Because cheerleading is not a sanctioned UIL competitive sport, performing is a secondary role of cheerleader groups and competition is a secondary consideration. Cheerleader activities should center on leading or directing the cheering of student and adult fans. These activities should be focused on creating a cooperative spirit, recognizing outstanding plays and aiding the school and game officials in the promotion of good sportsmanship and in the administration of the contest. Cheerleaders are considered recognized representatives of Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, their schools, and their individual school squads at all times. Members will exhibit moral leadership among their peers, both in and out of school. Whether at school, school related activities, or in non-school settings where students may be observed and recognized by others in the community, squad members are expected to exhibit good manners. Members must present a well groomed appearance, which includes appropriate and tasteful dress that is not offensive or overly revealing. Members are expected to maintain strict adherence to the CFISD Student Code of Conduct and Handbook. 1
I. OBJECTIVES A. The primary function of a cheerleader is to support all interscholastic athletic events by encouraging and directing crowd participation. B. Cheerleaders must be more than good athletes and performers; they must be leaders, role models, and ambassadors for the school and community. C. Adherence to National Federation Guidelines is expected. D. Participation in cheerleading strengthens and develops character, scholarship, leadership, and individual responsibility. II. MEMBERSHIP To maintain district consistency, campuses will use the following benchmarks when determining squad numbers: Varsity up to 20 and Junior Varsity up to 14. Using the philosophy of a natural break will give campuses the flexibility to select squads based on the outcome of the judges scores. The natural break is a campus decision with no minimum requirement. A. The highest ranking sophomore and junior candidates will be placed on the Varsity squad. A freshman will be placed on the varsity squad if he/she scores in the top 25% of candidates meeting the varsity scoring criteria. These candidates must be promoted to the next grade level by the first day of then school year. Failure to obtain promotion by the first day will result in immediate removal from the squad. B. The next highest ranking freshmen and sophomores during the try out year will be placed on the Junior Varsity squad for the next school year. A freshman scoring within the varsity scoring criteria, but not in the top 25% of candidates will be placed on the junior varsity squad. Juniors who do not meet the varsity scoring criteria will not be placed on a squad. C. Beginning with the fall sports season, any first year campus cheerleader may cheer with the junior varsity squad for a probationary period determined by the coach but not to exceed three school weeks. D. Should a vacancy arise before cheerleading camp, the eligible candidate for the particular squad with a vacancy with the next highest score may be given the opportunity to fill the vacancy. Consideration will be given to the established campus break criteria. If the first eligible student does not desire to join the squad, the next eligible student may be asked until the vacancy is filled. If a vacancy arises during or after cheerleading camp, the position will not be filled. 2
E. A cheerleader's involvement in any other school organizations, athletics, or outside jobs or activities, cannot at any time interfere with his or her responsibilities and duties as a cheerleader. A competition squad may be formed from a combination of current varsity and junior varsity squad members. Campus cheerleader coaches will determine the number of squad members who make up the competition squad. Additional guidelines and expectations of the competition squad may be required. III. TRYOUTS A. Eligibility 1. In order to try out, candidates must be in grades nine through eleven, and be enrolled in their CFISD designated high school prior to the mandatory parent meeting established by the campus. Records from previous schools must be on file with CFISD prior to tryouts. 2. A candidate must have an overall grade average of 2.5 or better (no rounding) calculated on six weeks grades of all reporting periods completed in the current school year prior to tryouts. Grade average will be determined on a four point system. There will be no distinction between grade point level of AP/K and ACA classes. 3. Candidates must have a conduct grade of all S's and E's and no more than a total of two I's for all six weeks completed in the current school year prior to tryouts. Any candidate receiving a U in conduct in any six weeks period completed in the current school year prior to tryouts will be ineligible. Campus protocols with regard to tardies and their effect on conduct grades are at the discretion of the campus and may be subject to an administrative review. 4. Candidates are subject to an administrative review and may be deemed ineligible to tryout if any of the following have occurred during the current school year prior to tryouts: a. Two or more assignments to DMC, b. An act that results in suspension at home, c. Excessive or unexcused absences as determined by the grade level Assistant Principal d. Assignment to a disciplinary alternative education placement for any infraction that is applicable to the current Code of Conduct. e. Any outside criminal activity or any act punishable by law. 5. Any cheerleader who resigns or is removed from the squad for reasons other than grades or injury may not try out the following year. Note: trying out and making the squad is a confirmed selection; therefore, resignations at this point in time will follow this protocol. If the cheerleader has been removed, he/she may request a campus administrative review for a waiver of this ruling. The waiver decision is final and may not be appealed beyond the campus level. 3
6. Candidates and at least one parent, or adult representing each candidate, must attend a mandatory pre-tryout meeting. If there is a conflict, the coach must be notified prior to the meeting. 7. Candidates must present a written statement from a parent or guardian granting permission to try out and acknowledging that the candidate is physically able to try out without physical harm. 8. Candidates and their parents must sign a statement agreeing that, if elected, they will abide by all the rules and regulations governing cheerleaders and agree to pay for any expenses incurred by their student. 9. Personal participation at cheerleader tryouts is required. 10. All financial obligations related to cheerleading equipment, fees, and the return of school issued equipment, must be cleared before tryouts. B. Procedures 1. Tryouts will be held during the spring semester of each school year and are closed to any observers. 2. Tryouts will be held before a panel of professional judges from established cheerleading associations or gyms. Judges should not have previously coached the school squad whose individual members are trying out. 3. Tryouts will be closed to all except cheer coaches, judges, the administration, and facilitators (approved by the administration). 4. A common district scoring form will be used. 5. Tryout scoring for the varsity and junior varsity squad will be based on one of the following methods as chosen by each individual school. Different criteria may be used for each squad and must be communicated to candidates. 80% judges' scores / 20% class performance record 80% judges' scores / 20% interview process 60% judges scores / 20% interview / 20% class performance record In case of a tie for either squad, the candidate with the highest judges scores will be placed on the squad. If the judges scores are also equal, the tied candidates will be placed on the squad, even if this increases the previously determined squad membership total. 6. All tryout results are final. C. Alternate Tryout Process 4
1. All candidates must be physically able to compete on the day of the tryouts or, if eligible, on the alternate date. In the event a declared candidate for the current school year is seriously ill or injured and therefore physically unable to participate on the date set for tryouts, an alternate tryout date may be set by the coach. This date shall not be more than 10 school days from the scheduled tryout date. The coach may require a written statement from a physician confirming that a candidate is physically unable to compete on the regularly scheduled tryout date. The varsity or junior varsity cheerleader must be physically able to participate on the alternate date in order to be considered for the next year's squad. 2. A three-judge panel consisting of coaches or assistant coaches from other Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District high schools shall serve as the judges on the alternate tryout date. The coach may require a written statement from a physician confirming that a candidate is physically able to compete on the date of the alternate tryouts. 3. The final score for candidates using an alternate date may be based 100% on the scoring of the three-judge panel or a school may choose to incorporate the interview score and class performance record along with the scores of the three-judge panel. 4. The candidates' final score must equal or better the lowest final score of those selected during the regular tryout session. The coach shall rank the candidates from the regular tryout. The score of the candidate(s) from the alternate process will be ranked with the others. A candidate from the alternate tryout process must have a score that meets or exceeds the score of the lowest successful candidate from the regular tryout process in order to qualify for the squad. 5. Any student(s) who qualifies for the squad as a result of the alternate tryout process will be an addition to the previously declared size of the squad. IV. RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES, AND OBLIGATIONS A. A cheerleader's year begins the day she/he is elected and ends the last day of the following school year. B. A cheerleader is expected to fulfill all the financial obligations required throughout the entire year of squad membership. C. A cheerleader must have been promoted to the next grade level by the first day of school. Failure to be promoted will result in immediate removal from the squad. D. Cheerleaders are school representatives whether in uniform or not and should act accordingly, meeting all requirements (including all forms of social media) of the CFISD Code of Conduct, home school and district constitution. E. Cheerleaders are required to be at summer camp, all practices (including summer), games, pep rallies, competitions, class periods, fund raisers, and additional activities arranged by the squad or coach. Coaches will allow squad members a minimum of four weeks off during the summer. 5
F. Cheerleading class is mandatory for the fall semester for all students, but may, at the discretion of the coaches and campus administration, be optional in the spring for seniors or students choosing not to try out; however, all cheerleading activities in the Spring, for those opting to be removed from the class, require attendance and participation. Note: Students who choose to be removed or are removed from cheerleading class three or more weeks after the beginning of the semester, will be placed in a Physical Education class for the remainder of the semester. G. A cheerleader may not participate in after-school cheer activities if an unexcused absence has been recorded for the current school day. Cheerleader class guidelines: 1. Cheerleaders may receive P.E. credit for cheerleading class; therefore, they will be expected to dress out everyday. They should wear a t-shirt, shorts, and tennis shoes every day. 2. Daily attendance is mandatory. 3. Cheerleaders are expected to be on time to class every day. 4. The grade they receive will be based on: a. Dressing out b. Participating in practice c. Dependability and responsibility d. Preparation e. Any alternate assignment as determined by the coach 5. Conduct grades will also be given. G. Should the coach suspect a health condition that could be injurious to the cheerleader/mascot if he/she continues to cheer, the coach has the right to ask him/her to submit to a doctor's examination at the cheerleader's expense and obtain a doctor's release before continuing to cheer. Dismissal will result when a medical or physical condition prohibits safe performance for more than twelve cumulative weeks or 60 calendar days. H. Cheerleading is an extracurricular activity and therefore will be governed by the academic eligibility policies contained in the Texas Education Code. I. Cheerleaders with failing grades at the end of the six weeks period will be suspended from events, not practices, for the next three weeks. A student who is ineligible for more than a total of six weeks will be dismissed permanently. Failure does not have to be in the same class or consecutive six weeks periods. Only classes listed as Designated or Advanced courses in the Student Handbook/Code of Conduct for maintaining eligibility will be acknowledged in the case of exempting a failing grade. V. DISCIPLINE AND CONDUCT A. A demerit system will be developed and implemented by individual campuses. B. Violations are cumulative from the time a cheerleader is elected to the following tryout. However, if a cheerleader is not trying out, demerits are cumulative to the end of the school year. 6
C. Cheerleaders who incur discipline problems may be placed on probation, suspension or dismissed from the squad. D. The authority and decision to dismiss a cheerleader from the squad rests with the campus administration and cheer coaches. VI. LETTER JACKET POLICY A. Letter jackets will be awarded to Varsity Cheerleaders/mascot based on the following: A varsity team member must have successfully completed one year as a varsity cheerleader, mascot or manager. One year is determined to be from tryouts to the end of basketball season. Successful completion shall be interpreted as full participation in all required events, activities, and practices as determined by the coach(es) and excludes excused absences. In the event that a cheerleader quits the team or is removed for disciplinary reasons prior to the distribution of the award, the award jacket will be delivered at the end of the current school year if they have met the above criteria. B. Regardless of the number of activities or organizations a student participates in, no more than one letter jacket will be awarded to a student while in high school. VII. AUTOMATIC DISMISSAL A cheerleader will be automatically dismissed: A. On the first day of the beginning of the 7th week of academic ineligibility. B. If he/she violates the district's alcohol and drug policies as referenced in the Student Code of Conduct. C. If he/she is placed in a disciplinary alternative educational program. D. When a medical or physical condition prohibits full participation safe performance for more than twelve cumulative weeks or 60 calendar days. E. When the cheerleader reaches the maximum number of demerits as determined by the school's constitution. F. If involved in a fight and is determined to be a mutual combatant. G. If, for a second time, is placed in Discipline Management Class. H. For any infraction which results in suspension. *I. For outside criminal activity or any act punishable by law. 7
J. When a cheerleader organizes or is involved in a hazing incident. The term hazing means any assumption of authority by a student whereby another student suffers or is exposed to any cruelty, intimidation, humiliation, embarrassment, hardship, or oppression, or is required to perform exercises to excess, to become sleep deprived, to commit dangerous activities, to curry favor from those in power, to submit to physical assaults, to consume offensive foods or alcohol, or the threat of bodily harm or death, or the deprivation or abridgement of any right. (Section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 [51 U.S.C. 20 U.S.C 1091]) Note: A cheerleader that resigns or is removed from the squad for reasons other than grades or injury may not be eligible to try out the following year. (Refer to Section III. 5) * These offenses may be appealed through the following process: (Cheerleader will be suspended from all cheer activities pending completion of the appeal process.) Appeal Process The appeal must be in writing and delivered to the District's Associate Athletic Director at the Richard E. Berry Center. An appeals committee will be chaired by the Associate Athletic Director and will consist of a cheerleader coach an assistant/associate principal, a head coach of a sport or any combination thereof outside the students home campus. The appeals committee may uphold the decision to dismiss, reverse the decision or render a designated time of removal from the team. The appeals committee has five days to respond, in writing, with a decision. The appeals committee will not challenge the campus discipline proceedings, findings, or decision. It will deal only with the extenuating circumstances that should be considered as to whether a member should or should not be dismissed from the cheerleading squad. The committee's decision will be based on what is best for the program and the school. The decision of the appeals committee is final and cannot be appealed to the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Board of Trustees. 8