Hillsdale High School Cheerleading Contract 2018-2019 The 2018 Cheerleading tryouts are here! This contract must be read and everything must be understood and agreed to in order to make the squad. One of the most important things written in this contract is the importance of the commitment that goes along with making cheerleading at Hillsdale. In this program we will be supporting all of the athletic teams, doing community events, performing at rallies, school events, as well as spreading school spirit. As a cheerleader you are expected to be the standard that other students measure by. Being on the squad is a privilege. Cheerleaders can be dismissed from the program because of behavior, grades, poor attitude, and lack of commitment. Please read carefully the cheerleading rules of conduct and performance regarding expectations for cheerleaders. Suspension from school, excessive tardiness to class and/or not meeting academic requirements, missing practice and games, inappropriate use of social media, and any violation of the rules of the San Mateo Union High School District will result in removal from the squad. If you don t feel that you can support the cheerleading constitution, don t try out! It is less painful than being removed later on. Being a cheerleader is a year-long commitment of time, athletic ability and talent as well as a financial commitment. We are responsible for putting on the homecoming dance, working the snack bar at football games, all of these things help to keep costs down and all families are expected to participate..that s part of the commitment factor. During football season you will cheer 1 game a week, basketball season 2 games a week along with practices 2-3 days a week. Cheerleading can be the most rewarding experience of your life. It teaches you to balance your time, work with a team, work with a team captain, discipline yourself, learn new skills, perfect your skills, and be an ambassador for your school. These are admirable traits, and if you are willing to commit, we want you on the Hillsdale High School Spirit Squad.
HHS CHEERLEADING EXPENSES The SMUHSD supplies all members of the squad with the following uniform pieces: *skirt *briefs *shell *warm ups (jacket and pants) *bodyliner *poms The following items are a part of the uniform pieces to purchase if your son/daughter is chosen for the spirit squad. If your son/daughter has cheered at HHS on the squad in the last year, expenses are much lower. All of these items are personalized and sized specifically for your cheerleader. It is important at the fitting that you try everything on because clothes cannot be exchanged. Cost for a new member is about $435 (the personalization is what costs the most) and cost for returning members that only need to purchase new items is about $230. These clothes are used for practice, game days, community events, and camp. These items are yours to keep. *2 bows *hooded sweatshirt *shoes *large tote bag *personalization on all tops and bag *jersey with name and graduating year *3 t-shirts *3 shorts *socks For returning members, there is 2 new bows, 3 new t-shirts, 3 new pair of shorts, and a new pair of shoes. All other items (bag, jersey, sweatshirt, and socks ) will be used again. There will also be optional items to purchase: half zip fleece, full zip fleece, and leggings. Camp at UC Santa Cruz Camp is July 20-23rd at UC Santa Cruz. Cost is $450 and includes all meals with the exception of lunch on Friday. This also includes all of the instruction, medical staff, food, housing, and transportation to and from camp. Payment is either cash or credit card. Once the uniform pieces and camp are paid for, there are no expenses for the rest of the year. Please remember the first year is the most expensive! The clothes that are purchased are used for camp, clinics, to wear to school on game days, performances, and practice. You will get A LOT of use of these items and it is your responsibility to take care of them. If lost or damaged beyond use, it will be your responsibility to replace them, including items that the district has purchased. NONE of these clothes should EVER be shared, especially with non-cheerleaders. You have paid for and earned these clothes! CHEERLEADING RULES OF CONDUCT Immediate Removal: Being involved in a fight during a school activity Use of alcoholic beverages or drugs at school or school sponsored event, while in uniform or cheer clothing, or pictures on social media (regardless of parental permission) Being arrested for any reason Convicted of a crime Suspension Insubordination to coaches Any form of cyber-bullying or inappropriate use of social media
Absences: Serious illness (not at school), family emergency, or a school event are the only EXCUSED absences. All other excuses such as work, birthdays, doctor/dentist appointments, driving tests, fell asleep, mad about not being in the front, or other school activities such as boyfriend/girlfriend games, etc. are UNEXCUSED and will result in consequences. Unexcused tardy to practice will have consequences (unless prearranged and accompanied with teacher note) Consequences Unexcused Absences: Absences from a game, rally, or other cheerleading activity including practices that are not pre-arranged with the coach (notice of at least 2 weeks is required) will result in being benched at the next game (Must dress out and sit on sidelines). Removal from rallies, including Homecoming, may also result from unexcused absences and/or tardies. Parents will be notified. Repeat offenders to the above will result in removal from the squad after we have a meeting with the parents, cheerleader, and coaches. Safety: According to the National Federation of State High School Associations Jewelry: Is prohibited at all times, including piercings of any kind. (Use spacers). If you are planning to get a piercing, please understand that you WILL NOT be allowed to stunt at any time. Nose rings, regardless of how small must be removed at practices and games. This is for safety reasons and coaches will be enforcing this rule. This is at PRACTICE and any PERFORMANCES. These guidelines are for your safety! We do not want to have an earring ripped out of an ear or nose. Please be responsible and take care of these before try-outs and practice/games. Game Behavior/Conduct: *Do not yell at the officials during, before, or after a game. *Do not yell or make rude gestures to the opposing team or fans. *Be a lady/gentlemen at all times. *Set the standard for all of your peers. *Absolutely no moving or talking during the National Anthem. *While doing sidelines, you will stand facing and watching the game, not talking to the person next to you. *You will stand up straight with your poms behind your back unless you are cheering. *Captains will call cheers throughout the entire game. *Bathrooms should be used before games and during halftime. *Report time is 30 minutes before game time unless otherwise stated by your coach. RULES OF PERFORMANCE 1. Every cheerleader serves at the discretion of the coach. If in the judgment of the coach the best interest of the squad is not being served, an individual may be removed from the squad or benched, although no rules have been violated, the cheerleader will be warned and counseled one time about the problem/situation. If correction does not occur within a reasonable time period determined by the coach, removal from the squad will result. This includes not knowing the material or stunting safely! 2. According to school rules, a cheerleader may not participate in an activity or game if he/she has been absent more than ½ day from school the day of the activity or game, and he/she should not be at that event. Practice is included in this rule.
3. A cheerleader must meet district athletic eligibility requirements. Grades will be checked at each progress report every six weeks by the coaches and athletic director and they must maintain no lower than a 2.0 and have less than two F s. Grades come first. If tutoring is needed in the afternoons, you must stay for tutoring. If you are below a 2.0 at a grading period, you are benched for the next 6 weeks. If you are academically ineligible for a second time, your season is over and you will be asked to return your uniform. 4. Many students need to work at a job and cannot be a cheerleader for that reason. A cheerleader will not be excused from any cheerleading function because he/she has to be at work. If you cannot fit work and cheer into your schedule, you must make a choice. 5. The uniform is placed in the care of the cheerleader. Should the uniform be lost or damaged, the cheerleader will be held responsible for replacing the uniform pieces that were lost or damaged. The cheerleader must be in correct uniform in order to participate in any cheerleading function such as games and practices, down to the correct bow. Cheerleaders ONLY will wear the uniform, warm ups, or team apparel. Allowing a NON cheerleader to wear any cheerleading apparel will result in a discipline. You EARNED these clothes so do NOT let others wear them. 6. Cheerleaders must remain off of the truancy list. If you end up on the list, you are benched for the next 6 weeks. If you are on the truancy list for a second time during the year, your season is over and you will be asked to return your uniform immediately. 7. Cheerleaders will arrive to games in full uniform including shoes and hair done. (No dressing at the game or wearing flip flops or Uggs, there will be consequences). Hair must be pulled back in a ponytail unless otherwise stated. 8. Warm ups and sweatshirts will be carried to all games in case of cool weather. 9. Inappropriate use of social media will not be tolerated, this includes language and pictures. Once you make the squad, you are representing Hillsdale High School, the spirit squad, your families, and yourself. We take this very seriously and you are expected to act appropriately at ALL times. Captains will be monitoring all forms of social media (including private accounts). Be respectful and responsible. Just because your friends think a photo is cute, doesn t mean it is appropriate. If your grandparents, your boss, or your principal wouldn t approve, then keep if off social media. Fundraising Homecoming: Our main fundraiser for the year is the Homecoming Dance. All families are required to help in one way or another during Homecoming., last year about 750 students attended the dance. We also decorate all of the football players homes the night before the game and drivers will be needed. We will be having a parent meeting in September to discuss the jobs for this event. This is a HUGE event Baked Goods: At all home football games, we have a booth to sell baked goods. This money goes towards choreography and music expenses, competition expenses, and misc. items such as paint and paper for poster making. There will be a schedule for when the squad members work the booth and have to bring.
Recap and Important Dates: Uniform fitting is scheduled for Monday May 21 st. Returning Varsity at 3:00, returning JV at 3:30, new Varsity at 4:00 and new JV at 4:30. At this time, camp payments will be due. Camp will be paid either by credit card or cash. In addition to camp. Payments for the uniform will be done through a portal, and will be due by May 28 th. The uniform cannot be ordered until everyone is paid, so please do your best to pay as soon as possible. USA Camp Friday July 20-23rd at UC Santa Cruz. Though camp is NOT mandatory, it is strongly recommended for members to attend. There is a lot of material taught, stunt technique and safety, as well as the opportunity to bond with your teammates which you will miss out if you are not there. We understand that you may have plans in the summer, but if you can attend, you are encouraged to. Practices for new members will begin the week of May 1 st. More specific information will be given to you at try-outs. Please email Stephanie Marcone at hillsdaleknightscheer@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Cheerleading Try-out Grade Check. Must be filled out by all teachers by Wednesday May 9th Period Subject Grade Comments; 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7 th Advisory Any additional comments from teachers: