Franklin High School Varsity and Junior Varsity Cheerleading Constitution PREAMBLE We, the coaches who represent the cheerleaders of Franklin High School, do establish this constitution. SECTION I The Selection of Cheerleaders A. The JV and /or Varsity cheerleaders will be selected in the spring. Each student is trying out for football, basketball and competition seasons. Tryouts will be open to students having a D average at the completion of the previous quarter. Selection will take place after a trying out period where each student will display his/her ability to cheer. The coach and judging panel (determined by the head coach) will select who makes the team. This decision is final. B. Any outstanding cheer account balances from a previous year must be paid in full prior to tryouts. Parent/Guardian initial here: C. Each student, upon becoming a cheerleader, will remain so for the above-determined seasons, providing he/she lives up to and abides by the rules set down in this constitution. ARTICLE 2 In order to tryout all participants MUST have a current physical card on file in the FHS Athletic Office. You must also have an emergency form, athletic handbook agreement form, concussion release form and $50 athletic fee paid. Anyone wanting to participate in tryouts must have these four forms and payment turned in before May 1 st to the Franklin High School Athletic Office. You may drop them off between the hours of 7:00-3:30 and the Athletic Secretary will give you a tryout permit which you will need to bring to tryouts. You will NOT be able to tryout without these forms turned in! If you are unsure if you need a physical, please visit the Athletic Office to find out. You can pick up these forms at Forest Park Middle School, download them from the school website, or pick them up in the Athletic Office. **Do NOT wait until the last day to find out if you need a physical. ARTICLE 3 Parents/Guardians permitting their child to participate in cheerleading must read and sign where indicated within this constitution. The coach must receive Addendum A, B, and C before the child can participate in the cheerleading tryouts. Additionally, the athletic department must receive all four forms mentioned above along with a $50 athletic fee. This fee does not get deposited into a cheerleader s personal account. If you have any questions regarding this fee, please call the FHS Athletic Office for an explanation. ARTICLE 4 The maximum number of cheerleaders to cheer at any event is set by the coach. 1
SECTION II Membership A. Football Season: All Varsity girls will cheer for all home and away football games and pep assemblies. JV will cheer for home and away JV football games. B. Basketball Season: Varsity and JV cheerleaders will cheer at home games following a schedule developed by the coaching staff. C. Attendance at playoff games is required, and is dependent upon the number allowed by the W.I.A.A., and at the discretion of the Varsity coach. SECTION III Uniforms All uniforms must be cleaned and returned at the appropriate time set by the coach. The Uniform Coordinator must approve the condition and quality of the uniform before it is considered returned. The uniform should always be pressed and taken care of so it looks fresh and neat at all times. All flaws should be repaired through the Uniform Coordinator, and all alterations should be requested through the Uniform Coordinator. Each garment should be hand washed separately, using cold water. Tide detergent is recommended; do not use bleach. If you lose or damage your uniform, signs, or poms you will be charged to replace them. Fees are as follows: Poms: $15 per pom FHS Shells: $108.95 FHS Skirts: $74.95 Saber Liners: $151.95 Saber Skirts: $65.95 Warmup Jacket:$39.95 (Estimation at time of print) Warmup Pants: $22.95 Signs: Cost depends on the type of sign ($20-$30) Parent/Guardian Initial here: ARTICLE 2 Two pairs of cheerleading athletic shoes will be purchased each year and are the expense of the athlete. They must be kept clean for each event. Past cheerleaders are required to purchase new shoes at the beginning of each year. (Old, worn out shoes will not be permitted for safety reasons.) Shoes will not be worn for anything other than performances or practices. They are not to be worn to school for casual dress. Parent/Guardian Initial here: ARTICLE 3 No jewelry jewelry is not to be worn at any practices, competitions, games, and/or any other cheerleading event. There are absolutely no exceptions to this rule at any time. Cheerleaders are not permitted to get new body piercing during the season (Fall/Winter sports) and will be asked to remove all jewelry at tryouts and events where active participation is required. 2
ARTICLE 4 Appearance of cheerleaders is expected to be at their best for all games, assemblies and competitions. Hair must be pulled up and out of the face at all games and competitions. Long bangs will also be required to be pulled back. Hair can present itself as a safety hazard and must be properly attended to. ARTICLE 5 On game day, cheerleaders will wear their uniforms, warm-ups, sweats or article of choice by coaches and cheer shoes to school. No sandals or flip flops allowed with uniforms. The appearance of all cheerleaders is expected to be at their best on these days. The coach has the final say of what will be worn on game days. SECTION IV General Rules All cheerleaders, both Varsity and JV must ride as a team on the student bus. ARTICLE 2 Students must carry a class load of at least 4 credits per semester of course work at all times. The first and third quarter reports and the first and second semester final grade reports will be used to determine eligibility. If a student-athlete is failing one or more classes at the quarter grade report he/she must attend Study Table. If a student-athlete is failing one or more classes at the first and second semester final grade report he/she is ineligible for competition/performance for a minimum of 15 consecutive school days. To regain eligibility after 15 consecutive school days, the student-athlete must be passing all classes. ARTICLE 3 Conduct at Games/Practices A. Do not chew gum or eat candy under any circumstances while in front of a crowd or during practice. B. Do not initiate conversation with spectators, players or cheerleaders. It is important to watch the game closely and always know what s going on. Cheers and sidelines must be appropriate. C. It is the duty and responsibility of a cheerleader, as a representative of the school, to act in a sportsman-like manner and promote sportsmanship throughout the entire cheering section. D. Cheerleaders should always be present while the team is playing. They may only leave the game in case of an emergency. E. Friends and boyfriends are not allowed to socialize with you or sit near the bench while cheering at a game (or during practice times). You are there to support the team. F. Use good common sense as appropriate behavior (remember, there are people watching you). G. Cheerleaders are expected to cheer at all scheduled games and be active at all scheduled practices. Missing a game for something other than an illness or excused absence will result in a possible suspension at the coach s discretion. Excuses: Excuses, such as illness and vacation, should be explained only to the coach. A job or baby-sitting, is not 3
an excuse to miss a game/practice. If you are not in school and will miss practice, your coach must be notified via phone by 2:00pm. The coaches will review questionable absences. In accordance with W.I.A.A. policies, with the exception of illness, injury, or coach permission, students are expected to report to every practice/activity session and event that is scheduled for the athletic/activity program in which they are participating. Failure to attend a scheduled activity, event, or class will jeopardize students opportunity to participate in the next scheduled activity in the program. Students are also required to attend at least three blocks, excluding resource, in their entirety in order to participate in any practices or events that day, and if the event is scheduled for a Saturday, students must attend at least three blocks, excluding resource, in their entirety the previous school day. H. Cheerleaders are required to attend all cheer functions. Practices, Games, Competitions, and other events are mandatory. Being late to a practice without a note from a teacher or prior knowledge of the coach will have an unexcused absence on their attendance. I. Cheerleaders will be allotted 3 days of unexcused absences to use during the summer if needed for family vacations or other case-by-case situations pre-determined by the coach. SECTION V Discipline All cheerleaders will be treated as athletes. The main objective of the Franklin cheerleading program is to provide students with an activity that enables them to grow and develop personally, physically and academically. Under this philosophy, the coach has the power to discipline when actions are warranted. This system is intended to protect the good and hardworking cheerleader. Discipline will be held on a case by case arrangement. A 3 strike policy will be in effect upon making the team. SECTION VI Rules of Conduct These general rules must be followed on and off the school grounds. Remember you have been selected to be a leader and a representative of Franklin High School. A. No Smoking. B. No drinking of alcoholic beverages. C. No use of illegal drugs. D. Show good judgment in obeying school and cheerleading rules. E. Show good moral conduct at all times. F. No disruptive or disrespectful behavior will be tolerated in classrooms or towards teaching and administrative staff. Conduct in the classroom should set a good and positive example to other students. G. Good sportsmanship at all times. H. All rules set up by the W.I.A.A. and the National Federation for Cheerleaders must be obeyed. I. Encourage the enforcement of these rules to all squad members. Cheerleaders should not place themselves in a situation where they would even be suspected of breaking any of these rules. Violation will result in suspensions as determined by the coaches. 4
J. All Cheerleaders are required to friend SaberCheerleading on Facebook to keep up with information and if they have twitter. Appropriate sportsmanship and behavior is expected of these athletes at all times. ARTICLE 2 Practices: All cheerleaders must report to the practice facility on time and prepared. Tardiness will result in some form of cardiovascular exercise (jumps, running laps, pushups or back handsprings). A. Practices 1. Summer Practice - Required practices will be determined. All family vacations and work schedules should be adjusted accordingly. Failure to attend these practices will result in a suspension from game performances and the cheerleader will only be allowed to return at the discretion of the coach. 2. Weekly Practice - (during school year) each squad will start with three practices a week from 3:45pm to 6:00 pm in the Upper Gym. Practices will be EVERY Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. No excuse will be accepted, except illness and school related instances, for missing weekly practices. Attendance is required even if a cheerleader is not scheduled to cheer at that week s game or if they are out of the building due to a school fieldtrip. If a cheerleader misses a practice before a game due to an illness or any other circumstances, he/she will not be allowed to cheer at the next scheduled game. This rule is enforced for safety reasons. Set all doctor s appointments and work schedules so these won t interfere with practice times. If the cheerleader is unable to attend practice due to illness, he/she is excused from the game and should not attend as a fan. However, if a cheerleader misses for any other reason than an illness, they are required to attend the game in uniform and sit on the bleacher with the coach. 3. Extra Practices - can be called at the coach s discretion and will be announced ahead of time. B. Attire at Practice 1. Cheerleading shoes, shorts, T-shirt/tank top, and sports bra must be worn at practices. Sweat pants, hooded sweatshirts and pocket t-shirts are not permitted for safety reasons. 2. Hair must be pulled back and out of face. 3. Hair clips must be flat. This means no fashion barrettes or clips allowed. 4. Finger nails must be kept short for safety reasons. C. Camps 1. Youth Camp All Varsity cheerleaders are required to participate in our week long Youth Camp which is usually scheduled the first week of July with kids and cheerleaders performing at the Franklin 4 th of July parade. This is one of our main fund raisers for the team. Any absences must be pre- approved by the coach. 2. Summer Camp - It is mandatory for all cheerleaders to attend summer camp. This camp helps to build team skills with professional cheerleading instructors. Date and location to be determined by the coach. Camp will be the first week of August. D. Work Schedule 1. After receiving your cheerleading schedule, set your off days from work accordingly. 2. Know you are responsible to be at all practices, games and mandatory fundraisers. 3. A job should not interfere with cheerleading. No excuses. Early dismissal from practice will not be allowed and no one will be excused from clean-up to go to work. If a conflict does occur, the cheerleader may be suspended. 5
E. Tumbling 1. All cheerleaders are required to attend tumbling sessions as scheduled by coach. The cost of tumbling is the responsibility of each cheer family. Tumbling is an increasingly important aspect of cheerleading. For safety reasons, professional gymnastics instruction is required. Athletes are required to attend an open gym or a tumbling class at day and gym of choice 4x a month minimum, and are required to show documented proof of attendance. Documented proof could be a receipt or a note from the instructor. SECTION VI Dismissal 6 Parent/Guardian initial here: A. Offenses A cheerleader will be suspended on a first offense from the cheerleading squad for two consecutive athletic events of the football or basketball season for any of the following. 1. Smoking and/or drinking of alcoholic beverages. 2. Any school suspensions. 3. Repeatedly not following the rules and regulations set up for cheerleaders. B. Second Offense - On the second offense for any of the above rule infractions, the cheerleader will be suspended for the next five athletic events following the incident. On the third offense, the cheerleader will be suspended for the remainder of the year. For any violation a more strict penalty may be applied by the Franklin administration. The cheerleader will continue to participate in all practices and attend all games in uniform. If the violation results in a school suspension, the cheerleader will resume practice and attendance at games upon return to school. The coach has the right to give a suspension when she feels a suspension is warranted. All end of the year awards will be forfeited upon permanent suspension. C. Absence Dismissal A cheerleader will be suspended from the cheerleading squad for three consecutive athletic events if they have two unexcused absences. If a third occurs, the cheerleader will be dismissed from the team. The coach will determine what constitutes unexcused absences. NOTE: You must email your coach by 2:00 p.m. on a scheduled practice or game day if you will not attend due to an illness. If the coach does not receive communication from you by the stated time, that will be an unexcused absence. ARTICLE 2 Any type of drug abuse will result in an immediate dismissal for the remainder of the year. ARTICLE 3 Any cheerleader who quits or is dismissed during the year forfeits any money earned through fundraisers and will not be able to collect money from her cheerleader account. Parent/Guardian initial here:
ARTICLE 4 Any cheerleader who quits or is dismissed during the year must return their uniform within one week of the dismissal and pay in full any balance due in their account. Failure to pay in full will result in notification to the Athletic Director. SECTION VII Membership Cheerleaders may not participate in any sports or all-star teams, including driver s education during their cheerleading season unless an agreement is made between the cheerleader and the coach. No other sport or activity may conflict with cheerleading. If this occurs, the cheerleader will be asked to quit the other sport. No exceptions. SECTION VIII Finance Cheerleading involves many costs, some that are based upon what is ordered individually by each cheerleader, and others to maintain the program (i.e. coaching salaries, buses, competition fees, etc.) In prior sections of this Constitution, you were asked to initial any items that pertained to costs. It is important to realize that cheerleading is an expensive sport and for the team to continue operations, timely payments must be made. Individual accounts will be set up for each cheerleader. As costs are incurred, or individual fundraiser money is earned, it will be posted to their account. Due dates for payment will be noted and a copy of the account balance will be provided to the cheerleader. Further fees are as follows: Any school activity costs money to participate in. For new athletes the cost is roughly $600.00within a 10 month period. Camp Cost $300 approximate Camp Clothes $50.00 approximate Bows $9.50 Briefs $7.00 Turtleneck $15.00 Competition Shoes $55.00 Competition Fees $120.00 approximate Other fees may be charged throughout the season. I will inform you as soon as they are presented. SECTION VIIII Fundraisers A. Team Fundraisers - Cheerleaders and their families are expected to participate in team fundraisers. These are designed to offset team costs. Our primary fundraisers include: Summer Youth Camp Buy Seasons 7
Winter Kids Camp Concessions Cheer Showcase Additional fundraisers/events may be added. Participation in the fundraisers by cheerleaders is mandatory. Participation by family members is requested, as these fundraisers will not be successful without adequate help. All that participate in a given fundraiser will benefit from it. Parent/Guardian initial here: SECTION X Contact Policies A. Cell Phones-Cell phones need to be turned off and put in the Cell Phone container for every practice, game, and competition. Cell phones are a big distraction and we want our athletes to practice and attend cheer events with a clear mind. If you have an emergency during practice time, you can reach the head coach at 414-916-5611. ONLY DURING PRACTICE TIMES WILL THIS NUMBER BE CONTACTED. B. Email- If parents or athletes need to ask questions or have information to ask the coach about you may email Coach Ashley at sabercheerleading@gmail.com. Please allow 24-48 hours for a return email. Email will be the only form of communication allowed besides emergencies during practice times. ARTICLE 2 A. Constitution- This constitution can be changed and altered at any time at coaches discretion. Parent/Guardian initial here: This Constitution has been read and agreed upon for the Franklin High School JV and Varsity Cheerleading Team by the following: Head Coach Assistant Coach JV Coach Parent/Guardian Cheerleader 8
Addendum A Franklin Cheerleader Tryout Application 2013-2014 Name: Grade (2013/2014 school year) Father s Name: Mother s Name: Home Phone: Father s Cell Phone: Mother s Cell Phone: Cheerleader Cell Phone: Parent/Guardian E-mail: Cheerleader E-mail: Current GPA (from latest quarter in school): Cheerleading Experience: Why do you want to try out for the Franklin Cheerleading Team?: Birthday: 9
Addendum B Cheerleader Agreement Dear Prospective Cheerleader, All prospective cheerleaders and their parents are required to read the Cheerleader Constitution. The Constitution acts as a guideline for the cheerleaders and the coaches for proper modes of behavior for a Franklin Cheerleader. Please read through the constitution carefully. When you have read it, discuss it with your parent(s) to make sure that you all understand the Constitution the same way. If you understand the rules and the consequences of breaking these rules, and if you agree that the rules and consequences are fair to all involved, please sign the agreement below. A student will not be allowed to begin tryouts until this slip is returned. Sincerely, Franklin Cheerleading Coaching Staff CHEERLEADER AGREEMENT I have read the Cheerleader Constitution and understand the responsibilities and privileges of being a Franklin Cheerleader. I will abide by these rules and regulations. I will cooperate with the coaching staff and all persons and organizations concerned with promoting spirit and good sportsman-like conduct. At all times, whether at school or away, I will conduct myself in a manner that best represents the students and faculty at Franklin High School. Cheerleader Signature Date Attach a copy of your last quarter s report card. You will not be allowed to tryout without proof of a 1.0 GPA. 10
Dear Parent/Guardian, Addendum C Parental Permission Slip All prospective cheerleaders parents/guardians are required to read and initial the Cheerleader Constitution. The Constitution acts as a guideline for the cheerleaders and the coaches for behavior for a Franklin Cheerleader. Please read through the Constitution carefully. When you have read it, discuss it with your child to make sure that you both read and understand the Constitution the same way. If you understand the rules and the consequences of breaking these rules, and if you agree that the rules and consequences are fair to all involved, please sign the agreement below. A student will not be allowed to begin tryouts until this slip is returned. Sincerely, Franklin Cheerleading Coaching Staff PARENT/GUARDIAN PERMISSION SLIP My child,, has my permission to be a cheerleader at Franklin High School. I understand that he/she must abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the coaches of Franklin High School and be present for all practices and games. I have read the rules and regulations and understand that the violation of any of these rules may lead to temporary or permanent suspension from the team. I understand that all forms must be completed, prior to tryouts, or my child will not be allowed to tryout. I understand and will abide by the judges and coaches decisions. I understand all costs involved as stated in the Financial Obligations Addendum, and agree to pay these costs, plus the costs of competition, which are noted as an anticipated amount (not actual) on the financial sheet. I understand by the very nature of the activity, cheerleading and tumbling carry a risk of physical injury. No matter how careful the participant and coach are, how many spotters are used, or what landing surface is used, the risk cannot be eliminated. The risk of injury includes minor injuries such as muscle pulls and soreness and dislocated, twisted or broken bones. The risk also includes catastrophic injuries from landing or falls on the back, neck, or head. I understand these risks and will not hold Franklin High School or any of its personnel (including, but not limited to, the Franklin Cheerleading Coaching Staff) responsible in the case of accident or injury at any time. Parent/Guardian Signature Date 11
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