Nocona High School Cheerleading 2016-17 Handbook Page 1
Table of Contents Mission Statement/Standards Page 3 Responsibilities of Cheerleaders Page 3-5 Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians Page 6 Cheerleading Team Guidelines Page 7 Information Form Page 8 Student/Parent Acknowledgement Page 9 Page 2
NHS Cheerleading Mission Statement The purpose of this organization is to promote spirit, to support, and participate in a unified manner for the athletic teams and student body of NHS to develop positive relations among other schools in the district. Through the development of leadership, self-discipline, sportsmanship, and spirit of competitiveness, the organization shall fulfill its purpose for the benefit of NHS and the Nocona community. Nocona High School Cheerleading Mission Statement: To promote school spirit To support the school s athletic teams To increase positive crowd involvement To show respect for the school, school administrators, other members of the squad, and to the coaches at all times. TO HAVE FUN! Time Commitments Cheerleading is a very time consuming activity. It is the responsibility of each cheerleader to be present at each performance, event, practice, pep rally planning, meeting, fundraiser, sign painting, community service event, etc. Transportation Page 3
Squad members must ride to and from performances in transportation provided by NISD. The coach must have a school provided note, signed by a parent or guardian, to ride home with anyone else. Academics and Behavior Nocona High School Cheerleaders are to serve as positive role models and maintain high standards in academic performance and behavior. Cheerleaders who do not meet these standards are subject to probation and/or dismissal from the cheerleading squad. Cheerleading Activities Cheerleaders are expected to attend all campus events, as specified by the Cheerleading Coach. Remember, you are a cheerleader for the Nocona Indians and Lady Indians; you will cheer for all the athletic teams. Activities include but are not limited to: Attend scheduled summer, after-school, and weekend practices. Attend athletic events, as specified by the Cheer Coach (including; all football games, varsity-districthome volleyball and basketball games, and any other playoff event). Failure to attend these events will result in disciplinary action as specified by the Cheer Coach. Participate in pep rallies. Participate in community events as specified by the Cheer Coach. Participate and attend fundraising events. Attend summer camp: Mandatory Page 4
FAILURE TO ATTEND CHEERLEADING CAMP WILL RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM THE SQUAD AT THE CHEER COACH S DISCRETION! Attendance An unexcused absence is defined as an absence where no prior knowledge was given to the coach, and was not due to an illness or death. Any unexcused absence(s) from a practice may disqualify the member from that week s events. The member must still attend the performance and support the team members, but must sit out and watch. Extraordinary cases will be decided upon by the Coach. (2) Unexcused absences will result in (1) game suspension, and suspension thereafter. (2) Tardies will result in (1) unexcused absence. All assigned activities MUST be attended by the entire squad. A valid excuse must be reported to and approved by the Cheer Coach in advance (at least 24 hours). On performance/event days, members must be present at least one-half of the school day in order to perform. Probation You will be placed on probation for the following reasons: Receiving an F on a report card A cheerleader who receives a grade lower than a 70 on a report card will be placed on academic probation (suspension) for 3 weeks. If the grade at the 3 weeks progress report is above 70, the cheerleader will be removed from probation. Page 5
Failure to maintain satisfactory conduct Cheerleaders placed in in-school suspension will be placed on probation. The probation will last one week for each day of in-school suspension. During this time, the cheerleader must attend all practices, but will not be in uniform or participate in any cheerleading activities. The cheerleader will sit with the group as directed by the Cheerleading Coach. Dismissal Cheerleaders will be dismissed for the following reasons: Receiving three or more F s on a report card, Receiving a failing grade in two consecutive six weeks, Repeated ISS or being sent to OSS or AEP, cutting class, use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, or at the discretion of the administration and Cheer Coach Summary of Cheerleader Responsibilities Sign and adhere to all rules and regulations outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. Sign and adhere to appropriate contracts, rules and regulations and higher standards of behavior as outlined in the Cheerleading Handbook. Cooperate with the Cheer Coach, squad members, and all NHS administration and faculty. Serve as an appropriate role model for other students. Maintain required standards of academic performance. Arrive on time and prepared for all practices and performances. Fulfill all financial responsibilities required. Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians Stay informed of rules and regulations that are applicable to the NHS Cheerleading program. Provide transportation to ensure that the student arrives on time to events. Page 6
Insure that every item issued to the cheerleader is clean at all times. Cooperate with school administrators and Cheer Coaches. Submit any concerns, ideas for improvement, or procedural changes directly to the Cheer Coach. Encourage student adherence to the establishment rules, regulations, procedures, etc. Insure fulfillment of all financial responsibilities required of your student as a member of the squad. Support the Cheer Coach to ensure a strong partnership and foster a positive experience for ALL cheerleaders, spectators, students, and parents. Squad Selection Process: The NHS cheer squad(s) will be chosen from the list of students who sign up and participate in the practices before tryouts. Practices can be two to four at the discretion of the cheerleading coach; attendance is a mandatory part of the process. There may be one squad (Varsity) or two (Varsity & JV) based on the number of participants in the tryout process, and the number of participants meeting minimum performance scores established by the Universal Cheerleaders Association or (UCA). 3 judges from UCA will determine tryout scores. Results will be posted on the NHS web page the night of tryouts. Each participant will be given a unique ID number that will be used in the posting of results. Cheerleading Team Guidelines The NHS Cheerleading Squads and Mascots are a TEAM! You will be expected to practice and perform with the team s best interest at heart. Your individuality will shine through your smile and team spirit! Page 7
ALL guidelines must be followed. If a member chooses to not follow team guidelines, disciplinary actions will be taken. The following actions will not be tolerated by the Squad or the Cheer Coach: Failure to attend required events without calling the Cheer Coach in advance (at least 24 hours before event) Leaving an event without the approval of the Cheer Coaches Failure to wear uniform when required Wearing uniform when not required Someone else wearing any item of your uniform Pieces of your required uniform missing Failure to have any part of the uniform neat and clean Talking back to any school personnel Wearing jewelry while performing or practicing including any facial piercing (ex. nose, eyebrows, lips), belly button piercing Using cell phone during practice (texting) Chewing gum during practice or a performance Conduct unbecoming of a Lady/Gentleman Using foul language Failure to pay attention Failure to follow instructions given by Cheer Coach Failure to spot properly Unsportsmanlike conduct Talking or acting inappropriate during the School/Fight Song and National Anthem Tardy to events Missing deadlines (money due, projects, fundraisers, signs, etc.) Failure to stand in correct order at events Late work in classes Quitting: If you quit cheerleading during the year you will only be eligible to tryout the following year at the Cheer Coach and administration s discretion. Any infraction not listed, may be reported as misconduct at the Cheer Coach s discretion. Page 8
Cheerleader Information Cheerleader Name: Grade: Age: Address: Home Phone :_( ) Cell Phone :_( ) Email Address: Birthday: Parent s/guardian s Name: Work Phone :_( ) Cell Phone(s) :_( ) ( ) Page 9
Email Address: Insurance & Medical Information Cheerleader s Doctor & Telephone Number: ( ) Insurance Company: Policy#/Group #: Mailing Address: Phone: _ ( ) I,, being a member of/candidate for the membership of the Nocona High School cheerleading squad, acknowledge that I have read the entire Nocona High School Cheerleading Handbook. My parents/guardians have also read the entire Nocona High School Cheerleading Handbook. By signing this page, my parents/guardians and I agree to abide by all rules established for a Nocona High School Cheerleader. Cheerleader s Signature Date Parent/Guardian s Signature Date Page 10