Olathe Northwest High School Cheerleading Code of Conduct Objective Olathe Northwest Cheerleading places an emphasis on game day and competition. Therefore, cheerleaders are required to perform both at games and competitions and value both of these things equally. Article I Responsibility to develop positive school spirit and good sportsmanship to promote student body involvement at events. to demonstrate, develop and elicit qualities of a team member to perform at a level of excellence/precision to be a source of pride to the school, the team, and themselves to maintain high visibility and be a positive role model to promote school showmanship by participating in competitions and investing in school events to be a strong and competitive athlete that promotes positive leadership Article II Qualifications and Personal Standards Members must be enrolled as a full-time student at Olathe Northwest for the entire school year. Members must be passing all classes to be eligible for performances/activities/games. 2.5 cumulative grade point average must be maintained throughout the school year to remain eligible. o If at midterm reports, a member has a grade below a C, she/he will be placed on academic probation until the grade is brought up to a C. The student, parent, teacher, and coach will meet to determine a plan of action to help the student/cheerleader achieve academic success. o If a member has a grade below a D at the end of the quarter or semester, she/he will be benched until mid-terms of the next grading period and may be subject to removal from the squad. Members must meet all Kansas State High School Activities Association eligibility requirements. All members must adhere to the student policies of the Olathe District Schools and KSHSAA. Members are representatives of Olathe Northwest and have a responsibility to herself/himself and the team to maintain high standards of appearance. Drinking, smoking, the use of drugs or profanity, or police arrest while a member of the squad, will not be tolerated, and will be subject to ONWHS and Olathe School District disciplinary policies, which may result in removal from the squad. Article III Membership Acceptance & Selection of New Members Section 1: Tryouts Candidates must be passing all classes and have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA to be eligible to tryout. Attendance at all clinics for tryouts is very important. Daily points are given towards the final tryout score. Qualified judges will be asked to judge Cheerleading tryouts. Tryouts will be closed to all spectators. Candidates will learn all tryout material during the scheduled tryout clinics and will be judged based on motion technique, jumps, voice projection, spirit, timing, appearance, showmanship, and confidence. Tryout and clinic attire should include solid colored shorts and T-shirt, tennis shoes, and no show white socks. Hair must be up in a pony tail and out of your face for clinics, tryouts, and performances Section 2: New Members All team members must have a signed physical examination form before the first day of school in August (must be dated May 1 or later). All team members must obtain the required signatures on the ONW Cheerleading Code of Conduct Agreement Consent Form (attached) prior to the first scheduled practice. All cheerleaders will be tested over cheers/chants/band dances before cheering at any event/game. Cheerleaders are expected to learn the material from a DVD prior to routine camp.
Article IV Attendance Attendance is mandatory. Members are required to attend cheerleading class, all practices, games and any cheer related events. Failure to do so could result in disciplinary action for excessive absences or possibly removal from the squad. Members are required to perform both at games and competitions. Therefore, you must be able to do both as an Olathe Northwest cheerleader. Section 1: Types of Absences 1. Personal Excused Absence: Family emergencies, one-time events (i.e. 50 th wedding anniversary, family reunion, etc.), and illness constitute a personal excused absence. The cheerleader must contact the coach prior to the absence. When a member becomes ill suddenly and will be absent from practice, it is her responsibility to e-mail the coach at least the night before or the morning of to let her know. A personal excused absence will constitute a loss of points. These points can be made up by cheering at an additional game, making posters, making up new cheers, chants, or dances. IT IS UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL TO FILL OUT A MAKE-UP POINTS FORM AND TURN IT IN TO THE COACH. 2. School Excused Absence: If a member misses a practice, game or other scheduled event due to participation in another school activity, it will be considered an excused absence. The member must provide a calendar of events to participate in this other activity to the coach and clear the absence prior to the date of the event. A school excused absence will constitute a loss of points. Points missed from these events can be made up. IT IS UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL TO FILL OUT A MAKE-UP POINTS FORM AND TURN IT IN TO THE COACH. 3. Unexcused Absences: Absences that include, but are not limited to the following: work, forgetting, family vacation, outside club activities not related to Olathe Northwest (i.e. competitive cheer practice), not having a ride, etc. will be considered unexcused which will result in a loss of points and cannot be made up. Section 2: Competitions If a member is selected for the Performance Team and receives 1 unexcused absence, that member will then be removed from the Performance Team and will become an alternate. That member will then be placed on the Game Time team for the remainder of the year. If a member is selected for the Game Time Team and receives 3 unexcused absences, that member will then be removed from the team and a schedule change will be enforced. All Game Time Team members are alternates for the Performance Team. These members may be called up at any time during the year if needed. If a member chooses to opt out of any competition, regardless of which team they are performing on, for any reason during the year then removal from the team will take place and a schedule change will be enforced. You must be able to commit to both games and competitions in order to remain eligible. Article V Grading Procedures Section 1: Class/Practice - a total of 20 points will be awarded for each class/practice. o On Time/Attendance o Uniform, Hair, Jewelry/Gum/Food o Behavior/Spirit/Enthusiasm o Participation/Coachability Section 2: Games a total of 40 points will be awarded for each game. Individual o On Time/Attendance o Uniform o Hair o Jewelry/Gum/Food o Spirit/Enthusiasm o Behavior/Game Etiquette Team o Cheers/Chants o Time Outs/Quarters
Article VI Transportation The school will provide transportation to all out-of-district away games/events. All members must ride the bus or suburban to and from all such away events & performances. A member who becomes ill at a game and who cannot perform may be released only to the care of her parent or guardian. Transportation to all in-district games is the responsibility of the individual unless otherwise stated by the coach. The team member will adhere to the conduct code and consider the entire trip an extension of ONWHS policies. Each member is responsible for her own transportation to and from practices and home games. Lack of transportation will not be an excuse for non-attendance at any practice or game. Article VII Camps and Overnight Events All members are required to attend summer camp. The cost of camp will be paid by the individual member and must be paid in full before the camp date. All bags can be thoroughly checked prior to departure for any overnight trips. The coach reserves the right to do spontaneous periodic room checks for any overnight trip. All members are required to attend routine camp. This is where choreography will be taught and cheerleaders will learn about miscellaneous expectations related to Olathe Northwest cheer. Article VIII NCA High School Cheer Nationals All members are required to attend NCA cheer Nationals each year. All members and parents will complete and sign a Nationals contract. All members are responsible for the $50.00 Nationals deposit on May 1 st. All members are responsible for the Nationals balance on December 15 th. The ONW Cheer Booster club will provide individual fundraising opportunities for Nationals. Members must participate in the fundraiser in order to earn money towards their Nationals account. Note: Please see article IV, Section 2 about competition attendance. Article IX Cheerleading Squads Cheerleading squads will be determined at the beginning of the Football and Basketball seasons. Cheerleaders are required to attend all games assigned for their squad. No subs or switching Note: If a cheerleader is going to be absent for any reason, please see article IV for attendance. Article X Fundraising Members are responsible for purchasing all camp and practice clothing, all of which are personal items the members will keep. Group fundraising no one is excused from group fundraising and all will try to raise the designated minimum. Individual fundraising optional and money raised will be used for Nationals account balance. Any other money raised may go towards your individual cheer balance. Article XI Standards of Conduct Certain standards are necessary for the integrity and reputation of any successful organization. Members of the cheerleading squad are leaders within the school and should set a good example at all times. Cheerleaders are expected to maintain standards for character, personal habits, clothing and appearance, which are above reproach. Smoking, drinking, using restricted substances, or police arrests will not be tolerated at any time and may be considered grounds for removal. A public display of affection is unacceptable. The use of profanity is unacceptable. Members are expected to keep a positive attitude at all times. Members are expected to use social media responsibly at all times. All members are required to take part in an online social media course and will need to sign a social media usage contract.
Article XII Probation and Termination of Membership Section 1: Probation Probation means not cheering for a minimum of one week and not participating in activities during that week. However, a member on probation for any reason will be required to attend all practices and events. A member may be placed on probation for the following reasons: o Inappropriate public displays of affection while in a uniform o Inappropriate use of social media, photography, email or texts o Leaving a game or practice without permission of the coach or administrator o Missing a required sporting event or practice o Misconduct of any kind at home/away events or in any public arena (removal may be considered depending on the seriousness of the offense and will be determined by the administrator and coach) o Grades below a D o Any member who does not qualify to perform by the coach s standards o Violation of the Olathe District Substance Abuse Policy o Criminal arrest (removal may be considered and will be determined by the administrator and coach) Section 2: Dismissal A member may be dismissed from the squad and will no longer represent Olathe Northwest as a cheerleader. The following are reasons for dismissal of a member: o Failure to be in good standing violation of the standards, regulations, and laws of the state of Kansas, KSHSAA, and Olathe Northwest o Failure to adhere to the Olathe District Schools drug, alcohol, tobacco policy o Failure to commit to all competitions Note: This is a performing group and in the event that conduct, attitude, or personal performance is not satisfactory, the coach and the administrator may restrict the performer at any time. This restriction or probation will be for an indefinite period or until such situation has been rectified. In such an event, the coach and member will meet to discuss the reason for the restriction and will discuss expectations to be met prior to the member resuming a performing status. Note: The Olathe School District Policies/Procedures/Expectations will be considered during each disciplinary procedure. Article XIII Communication In the event there is a question or concern about any information regarding cheer, cheerleaders and parents should take the following actions: o Ask a teammate o Email coach Article XIV Uniforms The school will provide members with cheerleading uniforms. Each member is held responsible for the care and return of her uniform. Members will pay for any damaged uniform or items not returned. Uniforms must be returned clean or a cleaning fee will be added to the student s account. Members will be responsible for the purchase of their own accessories (briefs, shoes, camp clothes, warm-ups, pants, bows, bags, etc.). Members will be responsible for the prompt payment of their cheer account. Payment dates are June 1, July 1 and August 1. If balance is not paid by the start of the school year, the member will be ineligible to participate until payment has been paid or payment arrangements are set up. All cheer balances must be paid in full in order to be eligible to tryout the next school year. Members are required to wear the uniform appropriately both at school and at events. Cheerleaders are representing Olathe Northwest and need to wear the uniform professionally. Members must wear all parts of the uniform during the school day and at games/events. o Current cheer shoes only o Black cheer briefs and white no show socks
o No jewelry piercings that cannot be removed should not be done during the cheer season. Piercings are not allowed in order to participate, as ruled by KSHSAA. o Fingernails must be short near the end of the fingers o No gum o Make-up and hair must be done before arriving to practices/games Hair must be pulled up - all loose hair must be hair sprayed or pinned back Pony tail must be worn high, centered on top of the head, with bow on top Poofs are required for games and competitions No glitter Note: Hair may be worn down during the school day with the uniform. If hair is going to be worn up in any way, then the correct bow should also be worn. o Only cheer leggings and uniform jackets may be worn with the uniform if cold. o Uniforms will only be worn for cheerleading events, and must be worn by the cheer member only. No cheerleading uniforms or accessories may be loaned or worn by non-cheer members Article XV: General Rules and Expectations All class/practices/games/cheer events are mandatory. Members are required to be at class/practice/games/cheer events for the full time it has been scheduled. Cheerleading is a team sport and requires all members. If one member is missing, the entire team is impacted. Therefore, appointments, vacations, etc. should be scheduled so they do not conflict with any cheerleading class/practice/game/event. All absences need to be communicated prior to practice NOT RIGHT BEFORE PRACTICE OR AT PRACTICE. Members will be prompt (early is on time), and have proper attire for class/practices/games/events. Practices may be scheduled before and after school as deemed necessary by the coach. No phones during class/practice/games/events. Coaches reserve the right to make decisions that are in the best interest of the team to ensure safe and successful performances. Cheerleaders and parents will respect the decisions made by coaches. A member who is removed from the Performance Team is expected to perform on the Game Day team. If a member is absent from a practice prior to a game or event, she may be benched for that game or event. The member must attend the game or event and sit with the coach on duty in uniform no cell phones. Being a team member requires tremendous time commitment throughout the summer and school year. This commitment may make it very difficult to have time for a job. Members who are injured or under a doctor s care and cannot practice are required to attend all practices. Those who are not seriously injured will be required to practice as much as they are physically able. During the year, other school related activities might occur (i.e. sports, musicals, vocal performance, etc.). Participation in these activities is encouraged but when conflicts develop priorities need to be identified with the sponsors of the other activities. A year long commitment has been made to cheerleading. Cheerleaders who quit after making the team or are removed from the squad will not be allowed the opportunity to try out the following year. Please remember that participation is not a right, it is a privilege.
Olathe Northwest Cheerleading Code of Conduct Agreement Consent Form Parent Agreement I have read the Olathe Northwest Code of Conduct and understand the policies defined. I understand that my daughter must abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the coach and administrators at Olathe Northwest High School. I understand that the violation of any of these rules may affect her cheerleading grade or lead to temporary or permanent suspension from the team. I further understand the financial obligations and will be prompt with any requirements for payments. I give permission for my daughter to ride with the coach when necessary. I understand that my daughter must attend all practices and tryout sessions or she will face the consequences set forth by the Code of Conduct. I agree to see that my daughter follows the Code of Conduct to best of her ability. I agree to support my daughter by making an effort to attend performances. Parent or Guardian Signature Relationship to Member Date Parent or Guardian Signature Relationship to Member Date Team Member Agreement I have read the Olathe Northwest Code of Conduct and understand the policies defined. I agree to abide by the rules and understand that I may be placed on probation or permanently removed from the squad for failure to follow the Code of Conduct. I understand the time commitment and I am willing to attend all required activities. I will be responsible for my own transportation to activities held at the school and in the Olathe School District. I promise to cooperate and follow the instructions of the coach. Team Member Signature Date