Montour Cheerleading Tryout Packet 2018-2019
Try Out Schedule 2018-2019 May 7, 2018: Information Meeting High School Auditorium 5:30 pm It is mandatory that a parent and the perspective cheerleader attend in order to tryout. May 8, 2018: Learn Material High School Gym 4:00-5:30pm All signed forms need to be turned in at this time. Optional May 9, 2018: Learn Material High School Gym 4:00-5:30pm All signed forms need to be turned in at this time. Optional May 10, 2018: Learn Material High School Gym 4:00-5:30pm All signed forms need to be turned in at this time. Optional May 11, 2018: Tryouts High School Gym Tryouts will start promptly at 4:30pm Please remain at the high school until the coaches dismiss your perspective squad. If there are ties, you may need to be reevaluated. CLOSED TRYOUT
Additional Information Girls who make the 2018-2019 Montour Cheerleading Squads should know the following information before trying out. 1. Finances: Girls are responsible for paying the full amount of their camp cost in the spring/early summer. Also, all apparel will be sized and purchased by the girls shortly after tryouts to insure ontime delivery (i.e. shoes, warm ups, bags, etc). Payment for these items will also be due in the spring/early summer. Those girls who do not have the required clothes and uniform will not cheer until they do. 2. Camp: Mandatory Participation There will be a private UCA camp scheduled for this summer. There are no excuses for missing camp. Vacation is not an excused absence. Please plan accordingly. A cheerleader will be dismissed from the squad if she does not attend camp. Camp Dates: August 6-9 (UCA) August 13-16 3. Practice: Mandatory Participation During the summer, both before and after camp. Varsity: Starting the Monday after tryouts (Monday and Wednesdays from 4:00-6:00) until school is out. Once school is out, we will have practice in the mornings, two days a week, from 8:00-10:00 am. See Demerit List for excused absences JV: TBD During the school year cheerleaders will be required to practice every Monday and Wednesday during both football and basketball seasons. Refer to constitution for excused absences. Times and places are still yet to be confirmed. 4. Games: Mandatory Participation Varsity cheerleaders are required to go to every home and away football and basketball game. JV is required to go to every home football and basketball game. Coaches and administration will determine dates when schedules are available.
Tryout Information 1. All candidates will try out in groups of two or three. 2. All candidates must wear: Black or navy blue gym shorts (not rolled, no spandex) Plain white t-shirt, tucked in White socks (high or low) and tennis shoes Clothes must have no reference to past cheerleading experience or teams. NO jewelry Hair must be worn in a ponytail with bangs and loose ends securely fastened off of the face and shoulders. Place your tryout number on the right side of your shirt or shorts. 3. All candidates will perform only the try out requirements. You may present any running or standing tumbling that is equal or higher than a standing back hand spring or round off back hand spring. 4. Participants should report to the gym by 4:00 to ensure that they are ready to go by 4:30 pm. If you are late and miss your team s tryout, you will not be permitted to try out. 5. Please remain at the high school until the coaches dismiss your perspective squad. If there are ties, you may need to be reevaluated. 6. Judges are independent of the Montour School District 7. ALL DECISIONS ARE FINAL. Any conflicts/question must be submitted in writing to the coach and athletic director.
Needed Items Tuesday-Thursday May, 8-10: You cannot tryout without each of the following turned in on time: 1. Permission Slip (bottom portion): Filled out and signed by parent/guardian. 2. Information Sheet: Filled out 3. Constitution Contract: Filled out and signed by perspective cheerleader and parent/guardian.
Permission Slip Dear Parents/Guardians, Your child has signified the desire to become a member of the Montour High School Cheerleading Program. If selected, there are certain responsibilities and obligations, which must be assumed in order to qualify, and remain a member of the squad. They are as follows: 1. Attend all scheduled practices and events 2. Attend mandatory summer camps 3. Attend all games with assigned squad 4. Purchase personal accessories that stay with cheerleaders, which may include: warm ups, shoes, bows, bags, and other apparel deemed necessary 5. Take part in mandatory fundraising 6. Adhere to the academic requirement (2.0) 7. Adhere to the districts code of conduct 8. Abide faithfully by the rules and regulations set down by the Montour Cheerleader Constitution 9. Failure to adhere to these regulations may result in suspension or dismissal from the squad. Enclosed you will find a copy of the cheerleader constitution which you, and your daughter, should read very carefully so that you may realize the level of commitment expected with this program. Cheerleading can be a very rewarding activity and we sincerely hope it will be an enriching and worthwhile experience for your child. Sincerely, Montour Cheerleading Coaches has permission to participate in tryouts for the Montour High School Cheerleading Program. I understand tryouts may be strenuous, and will not hold the Montour School District, its employees, or agents responsible for any personal injury. I have read the requirements established in the Montour Cheerleader tryout information packet, and if my child is selected, I will assist her in every way to see that these requirements are met. Parent/Guardian Signature Date
Information Sheet Student Information: Name: Date of Birth: Grade in 2018-2019 School Year: Home Address: Emergency Contact and Number: Email Address: Cell Phone Number: Stunting Position: Please indicate your stunting position (top, base, or back). If you are more than one, please label your main position and then any secondary positions. If you ve never stunted, please indicate that as well. Example: Base (primary) or Back (secondary) Parent Information: Parent/Guardian Name(s): Email Address: Cell Phone Number:
CHEERLEADER CONSTITUTION 2018-2019 Montour School District A Montour Cheerleader is a very special person. As representatives of their school, they must assume the responsibility for encouraging school spirit, sportsmanlike conduct by the student body, and courtesy toward students and athletes from visiting and hosting schools. A Montour Cheerleader also has a responsibility to her squad. This may, at times, necessitate sacrifices. As part of the team, she has an obligation to the squad to willingly attend every cheerleading event as scheduled by the school and coach. In addition, she must be willing to maintain a high degree of ethical, moral, and academic standards at all times. I. Purpose The purpose of a cheerleader is to promote and uphold school spirit, develop sportsmanship, strive to build better relationships among schools, and uphold the highest personal and team standards. II. Conduct Each cheerleader is a representative of the Montour High School. She is expected to conduct herself both in uniform in a dignified and appropriate manner. She is expected to abide by all policies and regulations of the Montour School District, as well as the policies set forth in the cheerleader constitution. Failure to abide by these regulations may result in dismissal from the squad at the discretion of the coach and administration. Disciplinary action will be taken whenever necessary at the discretion of the coach and administration. III. Academic Policy Cheerleaders are expected to maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA during the cheerleading season. If a cheerleader receives less than a 2.0 GPA on a 9 week grading period, she will receive 10 demerits and is automatically benched for a game. If grades are not brought up to at least a 2.0 by progress reports for the next 9 week period, dismissal from the squad will occur. IV. Season The cheerleading season lasts approximately one year. It begins in August, with preseason tryouts/workouts that start immediately after tryouts, and concludes with the end of basketball season the following school year. All duties and requirements are to be fulfilled for the entire length of the season.
V. Tryout eligibility/requirements a) Squads are as follows: Varsity: A student grade 9-12 who meets requirements Junior Varsity: A student grade 9-11 who meets requirements b) Regular school attendance and promptness at school and classes is mandatory. c) The desire and willingness to accept the standards set forth in this constitution and by the coach must be evident. d) Good health and physical condition is mandatory. e) School insurance or proof of insurance coverage is mandatory if selected to be a cheerleader. f) A signed agreement by candidate and parent/guardian signature, stating she understands and accepts the constitution in its entirety. g) Students that try out must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. h) Cheerleaders who are dismissed from the squad or quit the squad may be eligible to try out again, after one full season has been completed. VI. Expectations/Rules a) Uniforms are the property of the school district. All uniforms are to be kept neat and clean. b) Each cheerleader is required to purchase all designated shoes, socks, hair accessories, etc. as a part of her uniform. c) Each cheerleader is expected to have their uniform and accessories paid for by the due date designated by the coach and Booster Association. If a cheerleader does not have her items paid for, she will not receive the items. Therefore, she will be unable to cheer. d) Each cheerleader needs to pass a physical using the designated school form. e) Each cheerleader is to attend mandatory camp and purchase camp clothing. f) Additional responsibilities must also be fulfilled, such as sign painting, decorating the hallways, decorating lockers, etc. g) Each cheerleader is to behave properly at school, practices, and games. h) Proper conduct is expected on the bus rides to and from away games. i) Each cheerleader is expected to have her own transportation to and from practices, games, and other required events. j) Each cheerleader is expected to be in formation at all times during the games. k) Each cheerleader is expected to cooperate with her teammates, captains, and coaches at all times. l) Each cheerleader must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher when grades are checked. m) Appropriate/assigned clothing must be worn to games, practices, fundraisers, and school on game/spirit days. NO EXCEPTIONS!!! Lost,
stolen, or improper care of uniform/spirit wear will need to be replaced at the cheerleader s expense. n) Hair must be worn as required by the coach. o) Make-up should be worn tastefully and naturally. p) No jewelry is to be worn at practices or games. q) No chewing gum at practices or games. r) No cell phones are to be used at practices or games. s) Attendance at practices and games is mandatory. Abuse of the excused absence policy will be reviewed by the coaches and the school administration and appropriate action will be taken. t) Hazing of any kind is forbidden. Hazing incidents between squads or between individuals will not be tolerated. Any incident will be reviewed by the coaches and the school administration. School district policy will be enforced and disciplinary action will be taken. VII. Games a) Cheerleaders must be at all games, appropriately dressed and ready at the designated time. b) Cheerleaders are not permitted to leave the sports complex or school building during games or practices. c) Cheerleaders are required to ride the bus to and from away games. If for emergency situations a cheerleader is unable to ride the bus, a parent/guardian signed note needs to be present. d) If a cheerleader accumulates enough demerits to be benched for a game, she is required to dress in the appropriate uniform and sit behind her squad. If she does not, she will be benched for the next game. VIII. Fundraisers a) Participation in fundraisers is mandatory, as deemed by the coach and booster association. b) Funds are used to help defray the cost of many expenses. For example: summer camp, warm ups, camp clothing, shoes, socks, jackets, bodysuits, kick pants, etc. IX. Attendance a) Cheerleaders will report appropriately dressed and ready to practice on time. b) Work and all other activities must be scheduled after practice. They are not excused absences. c) All absences must be cleared through the coach before practice or day of game. d) Participation in all practices, games, spirit activities, and other cheer activities such as fundraising is mandatory. e) A phone call, email, or text is required from a cheerleader or parent when a cheerleader is going to be absent from a practice, game, or
other cheerleading event. A phone call, email, or text is required prior to the event; otherwise, it will be considered an unexcused absence. f) Squad members may not participate in any practice or game on days they are absent from school. You must be present at school for 3 or more hours on the day the activity (practice, game, pep rally, etc.) is taking place. g) Camps are mandatory. Vacations are not excused absences. h) All squads are required to cheer together when warranted by special occasions, such as youth night or any other situation decided on by the coach or school. i) Cheerleaders are expected to cheer for the entire football and basketball seasons. j) Another cheerleading team s practice will be considered an unexcused absence. k) Cheerleaders participating in other school sponsored activities or sports (in season) must make the coach aware of the other activity s schedule in advance. The cheerleader may split time with the other activity, but this must first be cleared with your cheerleading coach. Pre-season sports conditioning is not a split time activity or an excused absence. In order to be considered a split time activity, it must be a required practice/event for a school activity/sport. Failure to notify your coach will result in demerits. X. Demerits A demerit is a negative point which can be accumulated at any time during the season. Demerits are given by the coach and may be cause for dismissal. Any school disciplinary action demerits (ISS - OSS) will not carry from one school year to the next school year. Read the following demerit list very carefully before trying out to be a Montour High School Cheerleader. a) A written excuse is required, and a cheerleader or parent must notify the coach of any absences prior to a game or practice. b) Excused/Unexcused Absences: Missing all or part of a game or practice could result in demerits (Saturday games included). The only acceptable excuse for missing games/practices is for a religious reason, illness, family emergency, wedding, funeral, or a doctor s appointment with a written doctor s excuse. Please make every effort not to schedule doctor appointments that will conflict with practice or game times. In the case of an extended medical leave the cheerleader, if physically able, must still dress and attend all games and practices and she must have a written doctor s excuse stating the exact duration of her leave and when she may resume participation. Trips, concerts, work, other sports or activities, other cheerleading squad s practices or events, are not excused absences. Unforeseen absences and situations will be reviewed and evaluated on a case by case basis and a final decision will be determined by the coach and the school administration.
c) Benching of a game will occur when a cheerleader accumulates 10 demerits. This means she will not participate in the next game. She must continue to practice, dress, and attend the game. If she misses the game in which she is benched, she will receive another 5 demerits. Once a cheerleader reaches 15 demerits she will be dismissed from the squad. *A cheerleader will be notified of a demerit upon receiving it. Demerit List *An accumulation of 15 demerits will result in dismissal from the squad Missed Game (unexcused) 10 GPA less than a 2.0 (9 week period) 10 Suspension: out of school (OSS) 10 (any school infraction that results in having to serve an out of school suspension) Suspension: in school (ISS) 5 (any school infraction that results in having to serve in school suspension or detention) Missed Practice (unexcused) 5 Missed Mandatory Fundraiser (unexcused) 5 Unsportsmanlike conduct demerits 5 (with the other team or own team) Disrespect to a squad member or coach 5 Failure to decorate an assigned locker 5 Failure to decorate the school or stadium on assigned date 5 Improper dress 2 (practice, game, fundraiser, or at school on game/spirit day) Jewelry at game or practice 2 Improper hair/incorrect or no bow 2 Failure to notify coach of absence 2 Late (to game, quarter, halftime, or practice) 2 Incessant talking (at game or practice) 2 Profanity (game, practice, other cheerleading event) 2 XI. Dismissal Cheerleaders may be dismissed from the squad for any of the following reasons: (Uniforms must be turned in at that time) 1. accumulation of 15 demerits 2. any criminal act resulting in a conviction 3. GPA less than a 2.0 for the 1st 9 week period that is not brought up by progress reports for the 2nd 9 week period 4. conduct which negatively reflects the squad or school district 5. failure to abide by the drug and alcohol policy of the school district 6. any disrespect to coaches or other school officials
7. failure to follow all polices and guidelines of the school and squad 8. expulsion from the school district 9. other incidents which may occur will be investigated by the coach and the school administration *Cheerleaders who are dismissed from the squad or quit the squad may be eligible to try out again, after one full season has been completed. XII. Vacancy Permanent vacancies will be filled at the coach s discretion. If a vacancy is filled, it will be filled by the individual with the next highest score from tryouts. XIII. Captain Requirements/Selection Criteria a) Varsity: returning senior or junior with previous varsity experience with Montour Cheerleading. After summer camp, the squad will take a closed vote. The results of that vote will be taken into consideration by the coach before the final decision is made. b) Junior Varsity: returning junior or sophomore with previous experience with Montour Cheerleading. After summer camp, the squad will take a closed vote. The results of that vote will be taken into consideration by the coach before the final decision is made. Captain(s) Responsibilities The captain will: a) Act as a liaison between squad and coach b) Act as a hostess to visiting squads c) Help the coach plan practices, pep rallies, and game material d) Maintain a positive attitude to emphasize team work on the squad at all times e) Not make plans without the coach s approval f) Be able to guide the squad g) Be firm, fair, and friendly h) Be dependable and poised i) Communicate and clear all items with the coach at all times Captain(s) Privilege Revoked (upon review by the coaches and school administration) A cheerleader with captain status may be removed from her position for the following reasons: a) An unexcused absence or abuse of the excused absence policy. b) Not fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of captain or demonstrating an inappropriate attitude while performing the duties and responsibilities of captain.
c) A disrespectful attitude toward squad members, coaches, or other school officials d) Failure to be a good example and role model to the squad and cheerleading program and exhibiting any behavior that negatively impacts the squad, cheerleading program, or the Montour School District e) Failure to abide by the policies and regulations of the cheerleading program and the Montour School District * If a captain is relieved of her position, it will be at the coach s discretion to reinstate a new captain. * Please keep your copy of the constitution to refer to if necessary.
Please sign, date, and return with your try out paperwork. Thank You! Cheerleader Contract I, have read and understand all of the regulations and requirements for being a Montour High School Cheerleader. I understand all of the consequences and punishments should I violate any of the above. Cheerleader Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date