Dear Parents and Guardians: Your son or daughter is interested in becoming a member of the Kirby Smith Middle School Cheerleading Squad. If selected for this team there are specific responsibilities and obligations, which he or she must assume in order to qualify and remain part of the squad. Your cheerleader candidate has received an application of intent to try out for our team, which includes information regarding tryouts and the tryout process. Please read all information so you and your child are aware of the expectations and requirements. All procedures will be followed with no exceptions. On the following pages, you will find the Cheerleader Tryout Qualifications and Requirements, Cheerleader Expectations, Projected Expense List, Important Upcoming Dates, Tryout Timetable, Expectations on Tryout Day, and the necessary forms to be completed and returned. Please be aware of due dates and paper work that needs to be turned in. If the information is late or if the candidate fails to turn in any required paperwork, the candidate will be disqualified for Cheerleader tryouts or the team. Being a cheerleader is a full year commitment and requires an extreme amount of dedication from not only the cheerleader, but the family as well. If you and your child both feel the obligations and responsibilities can be met, please allow your child to participate in tryouts. Please me mindful that a mandatory parent meeting is tentatively scheduled for Monday, August 29, 2016 at 5:00 pm in the Kirby Smith Middle School Auditorium. We look forward to a successful year. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at school, 904-630- 6600. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation, Sherri Simmons, KSMS Cheer Coach Dawn Moore, KSMS Asst. Cheer Coach
CHEERLEADER TRYOUT QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS The squad will consist of students in grades 6 th -8th. All forms must be turned in to the cheer coach(es) before the deadline in order to tryout. Candidates will not be allowed to tryout if everything is not completed and turned in by the designated date and time. Cheerleaders will be selected by impartial and qualified judges. The candidate must pass all subjects in order to participate in the tryout clinic and judging process. If the candidate failed one or more course(s), he or she may tryout for cheerleader, if they are passing at the 3 week mark. The candidate must attend all 3 days of the tryout clinic. The candidates will be judged on: motion technique, jump technique and height, showmanship, voice projection, memory, tumbling, and overall appeal. Cheerleaders are held to the highest standards of leadership, character, and cooperation as they are the leaders of our school spirit and sportsmanship. Therefore, any candidate not receiving a passing recommendation from their teacher evaluations will NOT be eligible to tryout. Only the candidates who receive the highest score will be selected to the squad. There is not a minimum number of candidates selected to the squad; The candidate s score will consist of: Judges Scores Coach(es) Evaluations Administration Evaluation Placement There may be athletes on the team that tumbles at a different level than the rest of their teammates. We will work with each athlete by level as best we can, but please remember that stunting, pyramids, jumps, dance, motions, and age are huge factors as well. Some will be stronger tumblers than others. Some will contribute more with stunts than others. We chose our team based on the positions that we need to fill (Bases, flyers, tumblers, etc.) Every athlete is on the team for a reason please trust the coaching staff.
CHEERLEADER EXPECTATIONS All duties and responsibilities as a squad member begin upon selection and do not end until the next tryout date. All squad members will be required to: 1. Attend all assigned practices and performances 2. Attend all pep rallies 3. Attend all assigned holiday and post season games and tournaments 4. Attend and actively participate in all assigned promotional activities (fundraisers) 5. Attend all assigned community functions 6. Prepare and participate in all decorating projects 7. Attend any other assigned activity, such as competition 8. Meet all financial obligations by established deadlines. 9. Uphold all the articles contained within the KSMS Cheerleading Handbook. Note: Gymnastic classes are recommended for each member, but not necessary. Each member and their parents are responsible for the gymnastic class cost if you chose to do this.
PROJECTED CHEERLEADER EXPENSE LIST Listed below is an itemized list of expenses, this will give you an idea of what to expect in terms of financial obligations. The largest sum of money is due right after tryouts; however, some items may be purchased over a period of time. This list is not inclusive and must be realized by all members and parents/guardians that additions must be made from time to time. Great care is taken by the coach to keep costs as low as possible. No student will be eliminated from participation due to financial need. Fundraising will be done to help offset some of the costs. Fundraising is limited for each organization, so not all costs will be covered. Each member is responsible for all costs that are not met through fundraising. All items need to be paid in full before any item can be ordered! KSMS CHEERLEADER EXPENSE LIST ITEM PRICE DUE DATE Skills Camp $25.00 TBD Uniform Package includes uniform shell, skirt, matching body liner, undergarment, socks, bag, shoes, pom poms, warm-up suit, casual uniform, and practice shirt and short. $440.00 plus tax and shipping Midnight on September 5, 2016 (if selected for the team. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the team.) Competitions TBA TBA Choreography & Music $100.00 TBA Competition Bow $30.00 TBA In order to ensure a successful year, we must ensure that all of our debt is cleared prior to the start of football season. I,, understand & agree to abide by the Financial Responsibility Statement listed above if selected as a cheerleader for the 2016 2017 school year. I/we understand that failure to meet the above Financial Responsibility on OR before the specified due dates constitutes immediate removal from the team. Student Signature Date Parent Signature Date
PROJECTED CHEERLEADER TRYOUT TIMETABLE 2016-2017 Week of August 22nd August 26 th Pick up KSMS Cheerleading Tryout Packet from Ms. D. Moore or Ms. Simmons (room 308) Monday, August 29 th All cheerleader applications must be turned into Mrs. Simmons in Rm. 308 or Mrs. Moore in the Guidance office, by 12:00 pm. If you have any questions please call 951 547-2908. ***You must print and complete the sports packet on the KSMS Athletics Website - http://ksmsathletics.olinesports.com/links.php This includes the 2016-2017 Athletic Packet, Physical Form, Consent and Release from Liability Certificate, and Emergency Care Information Form MUST HAVE A VALID SPORTS PHYSICAL IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN TRYOUTS Monday, August 29th We will have a mandatory meeting for all cheerleader applicants and their parent/guardian. The meeting will be held at 5:00 PM in the KSMS Auditorium. There must be a parent/guardian at this meeting with the candidate. Monday, August 29 th, Tuesday, August 30 th, and Thursday September 1st Cheer clinic: 3:20 5:15 To learn mandatory cheer, chant, dance, and jumps Thursday, September 1st Cheerleading tryouts: 5:00 start time All candidates must be in the gym lobby dressed and ready to go by 4:45 PM Candidates are expected to be there until they tryout. If tryout turn is missed, it is missed and you will NOT be allowed to tryout later. ** The Cheer Try-outs will be open to the public and friends and family members are able to watch the cheer Tryouts, but not the cheer clinic. Violation of this rule may result in disqualification from tryouts!
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY OF TRYOUTS Process The try out process is very casual and fun! The athletes demonstrate Jumps, Tumbling Skills and Choreography. They will also meet the staff and form new friendships with their cheer family. We evaluate the athletes in groups and encourage each person to do their best!! After tryouts, the staff will pick teams based on their discretion. Many key elements factor into this decision. 1. Each candidate will be known as an identification number, which will be worn during the tryout process. 2. Each candidate will tryout in a group of 3 or 4, in front of the judges. The candidate s jumps, cheer, and tumbling pass will be performed individually. The dance and chant will be performed as a group. If the judge(s) deem necessary, any part of the tryout material may be performed twice. 3. Each candidate s cheerleading ability will be judged by highly qualified judges. 4. Tryouts are open to the public. There is a $2.00 fee per person. 5. Only the candidates who have the highest score will be selected to the KSMS Cheerleading Squad. 6. Results will be available after the end of cheerleading tryouts and the final tally of scores. 7. After the results are finalized, each candidate will be called back into the gym. Each candidate will be given an envelope and asked not to open the envelope until after they leave the gym. The envelope will contain a letter stating whether or not the candidate has made the cheerleading squad for the 2016-2017 school year. 8. If the candidate has made the 2016-2017 cheerleading squad, they will be asked to turn in their full uniform payment by September 5th. WHAT TO WEAR FOR TRYOUTS 1. Plain white t-shirt there must be no designs or writing on the shirt 2. Plain black shorts these can be purchased at any athletic store. No skirts or skorts 3. White socks 4. White athletic/cheer shoes 5. Wear hair in a ponytail, French braid, bun, pigtails, etc just make sure no strands will fall onto your face. 6. If your hair is too short for a ponytail, then make sure it is all pulled away from your face (or you can do a half-up style).
CHEERLEADER CANDIDATE/ PARENT AGREEMENT I,, would like to try-out for Kirby Smith Middle School Cheer Team for the 2016-2017 school year. has my permission to try-out for the Kirby Smith Middle School Cheerleading squad for the 2016-2017 school year. We have read the tryout Information concerning the Cheerleader organization and the tryout procedures. We are satisfied with the high standards set forth to govern this organization. We understand that it is a privilege and not a right to be selected as a member of this group. We also understand that not everyone can be chosen. We further understand the tryout procedures and how cheerleaders are selected. We agree to abide by the decision of the judges and know that all decisions are final. Cheerleader Candidate Signature: Date: Parent/guardian Signature: Date:
PARENTAL PERMISSION AND RELEASE FORM My child,, has my,, permission to be a participant in the try-out process at Kirby Smith Middle School. I understand that he/she must abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the sponsor/coach, administration, and Duval County Public Schools. I have read the stated guidelines and I understand that, upon making the cheerleading squad, other guidelines and regulations will be expressed and explained to my child and to me. I, further, understand that my child will be expected to abide by any and all rules and regulations set forth in the future concerning cheerleading at Kirby Smith Middle School. I understand that all forms and paperwork must be completed and turned in to the coach by the established due dates. I understand that my child will NOT be allowed to try-out if all paperwork is not completed and turned in at the established time. I also understand that my student must have an updated physical on file prior to tryouts. I understand that my student MUST attend all try-out practice sessions or my student will not be considered for a position on the Kirby Smith Middle School Cheerleading Squad. I understand that the final and ultimate decision for my child s participation is made by the coach(s). I understand that there are grade and conduct requirements. Failure to maintain the requirements can result in temporary or permanent suspension from the try-out process or the squad, if chosen. I, further, understand that there will be expenses involved that I will have to pay such as, uniforms, shoes, practice outfits, etc. I understand that ALL costs associated with this program are my responsibility if money from fundraisers is not available. I understand that all participants MUST be covered by a PRIVATE INSURANCE POLICY. I, further, understand that cheerleading is a sport and that the very nature of the activity, cheerleading and gymnastics, carries a risk of physical injury. The risk of injury includes minor injuries, such as, pulled muscles, dislocations and broken bones, as well as, major injuries, which can include paralysis or death. I have read and signed the appropriate Medical/Physical and Parent Release forms that outline the liability issues and concerns associated with sports and possible injury to my child. I,, hereby give my consent for my child,, to try-out for cheerleader at Kirby Smith Middle School and recognize his/her responsibilities and requirements as a leader of his/her school. I understand that, if chosen, I will be required to pay for all expenses, including cheerleading camp and for cheerleading uniforms and apparel. Failure to do so could result in dismissal of my child s participation on the cheerleading squad. PARENT SIGNATURE DATE I,, understand my responsibilities as a candidate for the Kirby Smith Middle School Cheerleading Squad. I, further, understand that I must abide by all rules and regulation set forth by the coach(s), administration, and Duval County Public Schools. I understand that if I fail to abide by these rules or future delegated rules, I will be suspended or possibly removed from the squad, if chosen. STUDENT SIGNATURE DATE