AMS Cheerleading Tryout Packet Cheer Clinic - March 6-8th (3:30-5:00) Tryouts March 9th - 7th grade - 3:30 and 8th grade -5pm Carefully read all information with a parent or guardian. All forms must be turned in by March 2nd to Mrs. Stockman at the middle school. (You can turn them in at the parent meeting) *Girls will wear black shorts and white t-shirt for tryouts. No cheer logo allowed on shorts or t-shirt. Thank you for your interest in becoming a 2017-2018 Athens Middle School Cheerleader. Please be sure that you and your parents read these rules and regulations very carefully. To be considered for team selection, a student must be enrolled in 6th or 7th grade and be in good standing (academically and financially) with Athens City Schools. Results from try outs will be posted on Friday night, March 10th by 8:00. Nicole Stockman - Head Coach Good Luck!!
Checklist For Required Forms Physical -Must be signed by Parent/ Guardian, Student, and a MD or Do. (No CRNP, etc.) -Must have physical EVERY YEAR! Concussion Form -State Law -Must be signed by parent/ Guardian and Student each school year Student Release Form -Must be signed by parent/ Guardian and Student each school year ACS Consent to Participate and Warning Statement -Must be signed by parent/ Guardian and Student each school year ACS Insurance Form -Insurance is required in order to participate. -Must be signed by parent/ Guardian and Student each school year Athletic Handbook Acknowledgment -Must be signed by parent/ Guardian and Student each school year Disclosure of Protected Information and Consent for Treatment - Required by Encore for Athletic Training - Must be signed by parent/ Guardian and Student each school year Star Sportsmanship Training Proof of Understanding/ Application for AMS Cheer AMS Student/ Parent Compact 2
CHEERLEADING PARENT INFORMATION Cheerleader applicants and parents should read through this entire packet. **There will be a MANDATORY PARENT MEETING on Thursday, March 2nd at 5:30 in the lunchroom. PARENTS: ALL CHEER PRACTICES ARE CLOSED! YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE YOUR CHILD PERFORM AT BALLGAMES, PEP RALLIES AND CAMP COMPETITIONS. IMPORTANT DATES: *Tryout Clinic Dates: Mar. 6th - 9th (3:30-5:00 pm each day) Thursday (tryouts will go longer) *Tryouts: Mar. 9th 7th -3:30pm 8th-5pm (Try-outs will be closed to everyone but those trying out) * Camp Date: June 26th - 29th *Mandatory Practices June 19th - 22nd! (Others to be announced ASAP!!!!!) *Tryout information: Each girl will be given a score sheet to see what they will be judged on. A teacher evaluation will be part of the score sheet. Each candidate must turn in proof of Understanding/application for cheerleading, insurance form, and Parent-Student Compact and all other required forms by March 2nd. *Uniform fitting: April 25th @ 6:00 for 7th grade and 7:00 for 8th grade $300 deposit is due at the fitting *Fundraiser #1 Selling tickets for the Spring Charity Sale at Belk Saturday, April 29th 2017 from 6:00am to 10:00am (Details will be given after tryouts) **BEFORE YOUR CHILD CAN TRYOUT FOR CHEERLEADER, A COMPLETED PHYSICAL FORM MUST BE ON FILE IN ORDER TO PRACTICE. Costs: We will be conducting a few fundraising events to help offset the following costs, but each cheerleader will be responsible for all costs associated with being a member of the cheerleading squad. If this is your first year or you are moving to a different squad, your approximate cost for camp, uniforms, accessories, etc. is usually around $1000-$1500. Returning cheerleaders will not have as high of bills. *Any used uniform purchases and negotiations are your responsibility. Please do not ask the coaches to facilitate this process.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR AMS CHEERLEADERS UNIFORM FITTING (April 25th @ 6:00 for 7th grade and 7:00 for 8th grade) - $300 uniform/camp deposit due at uniform fitting. April 10th -1/4 cheer balance due May 10th -1/4 cheer balance due June 10th -1/4 cheer balance due July 10th - Remainder of cheer balance is due! Make all checks payable to AMS. *Cheerleaders will receive demerits if money is not paid on time. *Cheerleaders will not be allowed to cheer during football season until her bill is paid in full. Payments may be mailed or dropped off to Mrs. Stockman. If mailed, send to 104 Hastings Rd. Athens, AL 35613
Code of Behavior ATHENS MIDDLE SCHOOL CHEERLEADER CONSTITUTION A cheerleader shall conduct herself above reproach, especially while in uniform. She shall act like a young lady representing AMS at all times. This means being polite, accepting defeat and victory graciously, upholding school spirit in all activities, promoting good sportsmanship and keeping a good attitude at all times. AMS cheerleaders are on a demerit system. The coach will determine the amount of demerits, based on the reasons and the guidelines set up in this constitution. You are expected to be at ALL PRACTICES! You will receive demerits if you miss unless you are sick or there is a family emergency. You must be at the last planned practice before the game or you will not be allowed to cheer at that game. When a cheerleader receives 30 demerits, she will be taken off the squad. You are expected to work together as a squad. You must respect the feelings of others, on and off the field. No one person runs this team, it is teamwork!!! All cheer squads at AMS will support and respect each other. MEMBERSHIP: A. The number of cheerleaders elected will depend on the number of people trying out and the number is decided by the coach. B. No alternate cheerleader will be selected. C. All tryout information is confidential. All decisions of the tryout are final. The 2017-2018 squad will consist of cheerleaders judged through a 3 day clinic, a mock tryout, and the final evaluations. They will be selected by the coach and judges according to ability, attitude, effort, cooperation, and teacher evaluations. D. The captain and co-captain (FOR 8TH GRADE) will be chosen by the coach (as the coach sees fit and must be willing to help in any way with the 7th grade team) INELIGIBILITY: (to try out for cheerleader) A. Has been dropped from the squad or quit the previous year. B. Has un-excused or unsatisfactory absences from school, or has been suspended from school. C. Must have an overall C semester average. Must be in accordance with the state "No pass, no play" rule. Each member must maintain a "C" average in each class during a 9 week grading period. Any grade of 69 or below on Progress Reports will result in the cheerleader being disciplined. The cheerleader will be reporting to the coach on a weekly basis until their average is brought up to a "C".
REQUIREMENTS: A. Physical examination before tryouts. B. School insurance or part of family coverage. C. Must wear proper shoes, shirts, and shorts at all practices. D. The Coach will decide on the amount of practices during the summer. Practices will be to the coach's advantage, not the cheerleaders. (When you plan your summer vacation, you must remember your mandatory cheerleading dates!) E. Must maintain a high standard of conduct. Each member must be concerned about moral standards and conduct. ALL EYES ARE ON YOU!!! This includes Snapchat, Twitter and Facebook pages. These MUST be clean! F. Cell phones must be off and out of sight during practice and games. G. Must keep a pleasing appearance, NO JEWELRY while in uniform or at practice. Do not come to games with jewelry on! H. Hair must be kept out of eyes at all practices and games! Bangs are to be pulled back with a barrette or bow. If bangs can reach your eyes, they must be pulled back. I. Cheerleader must be present at school the day of the game in order to cheer. J. The coach will decide where and when the cheerleaders will attend summer camp. The cost will be about $350. This does not include spending money. K. Each member must notify the coach two weeks in advance of any absence from a scheduled activity/game. If a cheerleader is not going to be at school or will check out on a game day or practice day, she must notify the coach as soon as possible. L. Only sickness or family emergency constitutes a reason for missing a game. If a cheerleader misses a game, she will sit with the coach and not cheer the next game! M. Each member must ride the bus to games but may arrange their own transportation home. Camp transportation is not provided.
FUNDRAISING: This is a difficult task. We will try to do a few fundraisers to help with the cost. The balance of the bill must be paid by the first ballgame for every cheerleader. Any cheerleader who is not paid in full WILL NOT cheer until their bill is paid. THIS RULE WILL BE ENFORCED WITH NO QUESTIONS OR EXCUSES!!!!!!!!! The coach will decide the number and type of fundraisers the cheerleaders will do. * * (It is not the responsibility of the sponsor to have several fundraisers to raise ALL the needed money.) UNIFORMS: A. Cheerleaders will purchase all required items chosen by the coach. B. Any used uniform purchases are negotiated by the cheerleaders. The coach does not set prices nor hold uniforms. C. Uniforms should be clean at all times, including shoes. Excellent care should be given to the uniforms. D. Only white socks should be worn with uniforms. E. The coach will determine the correct fit of the uniform. NO uniforms are to be altered in any way without the permission of the coach. Failure to comply with this regulation will result in benching the cheerleader until the uniform is corrected; removal from the squad is a possibility. F. No sweaters, jackets, etc... are to be worn from other schools, nor can personal casual jackets be worn during games. G. Take care of all parts of the uniform. Replace them if necessary. It is your responsibility to call the uniform representative to get replacements. If your daughter's uniforms are not fitting her in an appropriate manner, the coach has the right to bench the cheerleader until the uniform can be replaced with one that is appropriate. Make sure you do not purchase skirts that are too short! RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHEERLEADERS: A. Being a positive role model to others. Must exhibit respect for coach and others! B. Respect and abide by the coach's, captain's, and co-captain's rules and decisions. Demerits will be issued for any show of disrespect. C. Learning cheers, dances, chants and stunts. D. Planning and cheering at pep rallies and ball games. E. Painting and hanging signs.
F. Making favors for games; spirit sticks, candy, etc... G. Decorating halls, gym, etc... H. Captain and co-captain must not participate in another activity that will interfere with their responsibilities. Captain and co-captain responsibilities consist of the following things: contacting the cheerleaders to inform them of practices, games, etc..., organizing practices and pep rallies, making sure the proper and necessary equipment for practice and games is in place, making cheer sheets, helping to carry out the instructions of the coach. If the captain or co-captain fails to meet these responsibilities, the coach has the option of replacing them at any time (this is for 8th grade.) I. The coach will decide what outside resources to use for stunting, tumbling, and choreography. The coach may require each member to take a gymnastic class. Estimated monthly cost will be $50/monthly. A CALENDAR OF PRACTICE DATES WILL BE GIVEN IN ADVANCE. PLEASE USE THE CALENDAR WHEN SCHEDULING DOCTOR, ORTHODONDIST, AND DENTIST APPOINTMENTS. We are a team! GAMES: Cheerleaders are to be at games 45 minutes prior to kick off or tip off unless otherwise instructed. If the cheerleaders are not in full uniform (socks, shoes, correct uniform, etc...) they will not be allowed to cheer. Captain and co-captain (for 8th grade and day leader for 7th grade) must have cheer sheets at ball games. If you are too sick to cheer but are able to come to the game, you must be in uniform and sit with the coach. Benched cheerleaders will come to the games in full uniform and sit with the coach. CONDUCT: Cheerleaders shall conduct themselves in a proper manner at all times. You are representing Athens Middle School. Conduct in the classroom and anywhere at school or in the community should be exemplary. Boyfriends or friends will not be allowed to sit directly behind or beside cheerleaders during a game. Failure to be on time at any function will result in demerits. Lack of respect and cooperation with other cheerleaders, faculty or the coach will not be permitted. Back talking or improper conduct toward the coach will not be permitted. You should be inside the building or at the field when you are expected to be there. *Anyone who receives 15 demerits related to conduct will not be allowed to go out for cheerleader the next year.
DEMERIT CLASSIFICATION AND NUMBERS: A. (30) drinking alcoholic beverages or using drugs, at any time; automatic dismissal from the squad B. (10) Not coming to practice (unless you furnish a doctor's excuse) The coach IS THE ONLY ONE TO NOTIFY, ALWAYS!!!!!!! Remember her number! C. (15) Not coming to a game, unless you have a doctor's excuse. You are to notify the coach!!! No one else. D. (5) Not turning in fundraiser or money by due date given by coach. E. (10) profane language F. (20) smoking in or out of uniform G. (10) skipping school or class H. (15) passion marks of any kind seen in any place I. (5) losing uniform accessories J. (5) not being at games 45 minutes before or as instructed K. (5) not keeping uniform pressed and clean or not keeping cheerleader shoes clean L. (5) tardy for practice or game (tardy after the game starts is considered a missed game and tardy for more than half the practice is considered a miss practice) M. (5) unexcused absence or tardy from school (discretion of the sponsor) N. (5-10) failure to make signs, decorations, or goody bags 0. (5) Insufficient knowledge of cheers, etc... (5 demerits - first football/basketball game) P. (5-10) not doing your part in cheering at ball games Q. (5) unnecessary conversation with crowd or team members R. (5) eating, drinking, chewing gum or putting on lotion during a game S. (5-15) back talking or other improper conduct toward the coach (ex. Not doing what the coach requests, bad attitude, etc...) T. (5) not turning in money on time U. (?) improper conduct, depending on seriousness(the amount of the demerits will be decided by the coach) V. (?) detention or any other behavior deemed inappropriate-this includes morning detention, ASD, or ISS **If a cheerleader is suspended from school for any reason, she may be dismissed from the squad. Any class three violation according to the Athens City Handbook will result in immediate dismissal from the squad. If a cheerleader is assigned detention, she must take it in the morning. NO EXCEPTIONS. W. (5) 9 weeks with a D in a core subject X. (10) 9 weeks with an F in a core subject Y. (10) Not coming to the game in full uniform with poms, and accessories (ex. Hair ribbon, socks, etc...) Z. (5-30) Not abiding by the constitutional guidelines
This constitution as set forth will be ENFORCED. It is based on a demerit system as described above. Each cheerleader will be allowed 30 demerits per school year. The school year runs from tryout to tryout. The coach will require a cheerleader who has received 10 or more demerits to sit out a pep rally and/or game, depending on the seriousness of the demerits. This decision is up to the coach and left to her discretion. A cheerleader receiving more than 30 demerits will be dismissed from the squad and cannot try-out the following year! If a cheerleader quits, she gives up all rights of being a cheerleader and cannot try-out for an entire year!!!!! Cheerleaders will have an opportunity to work off demerits by doing community service as approved by the coach. One hour of community service will work off one demerit. However, a cheerleader that receives 30 demerits may not have this option. ****The constitution may be revised as the coach deems necessary.
Points Awarded neat, clean, smile Points Awarded Total for category Appearance (5) BHS (5) ROTuck (6) St Tuck (7) Layout (8) Full (10) Tumbling (10) Toe Touch (10) OpBonal Jump (5) Jumps (15) MoBons(10) Voice and presentabons(5) Individual Cheer (15) MoBons(10) Voice and presentabons(5) Group Cheer (15) Dance (15) sharpness & placement (10) performance (5) Teacher Evals (15) filled in by coach GPA (10) Total (100) filled in by coach 11
PROOF OF UNDERSTANDING/ Application for AMS Cheerleader My child, has my permission to be a Cheerleader for the 2017-2018 season. I understand that he/she must abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the coach and administration at AMS. My child must be present at all games, practices, and other activities represented by the cheerleaders. If my child is unable to attend any of these activities, I will notify the coach two weeks before the activity. It may or may not be excused. I have read the constitution and I understand the rules and regulations. I understand that violation of any of these rules may lead to temporary or permanent suspension from the squad. I understand that all forms must be signed by Thursday, March 2nd, in order for my child to be eligible for and be considered for a position as an AMS Cheerleader. I understand that the tryout will be a four day selection process with the team decision being made by the coach and judges. I agree to abide by the final decision of the coach. Also, I understand that the tryouts will consist of 5 teacher evaluations and I agree to abide by their evaluations. After the selected team has been chosen all decisions are final. I understand and agree to pay all expenses involved by their given deadlines. I understand that any expenses are my full responsibility. Failure to pay the complete amount owed by the last payment date will result in dismissal from the squad. I understand that by the very nature of the activity, cheerleading and stunting carry risk of physical injury. No matter how careful the participants and coach are, how many spotters are used, or what landing surface is used, the risks cannot be eliminated. The risk of injury includes minor injuries such as muscle pulls, dislocations, sprains, or broken bones and catastrophic injuries that may be caused by head, neck, or back trauma. I understand these risks. I will not hold Athens Middle School/ Athens City Schools, or any of its personnel responsible in the case of an accident or injury at any time. I understand that medical insurance is necessary and required, and my child will/does have it or will purchase the 24-hour school plan. ONE PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED Parent or Guardian Date Parent or Guardian Date I am interested in becoming a cheerleader at AMS. I understand the risks stated above. If elected, I promise to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the coach and administration at AMS. I will cooperate and follow the instructions of the coach. Student Home Phone
AMS STUDENT-PARENT COMPACT FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE CHEER PROGRAM Participation in AMS's cheer program is both a privilege and a responsibility. It is a privilege because you get to develop your cheer and leadership skills with your teammates in an organized setting. It is a responsibility because you represent our school and community with your actions and appearance. You are responsible to exhibit a high standard of conduct, good attitude, and respect for others at all times. Cheerleader expectations: I will represent Athens in a positive manner at all times. I will support other groups at Athens such as all cheer squads, athletic teams, and our band. I will respect all cheer coaches and my teammates. I will do my part to make this a successful and enjoyable year. If I have a concern, I will go to the coach instead of causing distention with other squad members. Parent expectations: I will support the coach and all squad members at all times. If I have a concern, I will go to the coach with my concern instead of going to other parents or squad members. I understand that my child's attitude toward the coach and others are often a direct reflection of me. I will serve as a positive role model while encouraging my child to do the same. I have read the above expectations. I understand I must be a positive role model. I agree to abide by this compact as well as the constitution and all school policies. Student Signature I have read the above expectations. program. Date I understand support is critical for the success of any Parent/Guardian Signature Date