Merrillville High School Cheerleading Rules 2015-2016 As a Merrillville High School cheerleader, you have accepted many responsibilities. You have agreed to represent your school by displaying good sportsmanship and by setting a positive example for our fans and fans from outlying communities. You have taken on the responsibility to care for yourself in such a way that will allow you to continue to be a positive and valuable part of our team. As an athlete, you must make every practice, game, and event. The following rules will be set in motion to insure our success as a team. These rules are in addition to those in the MHS Pirate Planner. Attendance True athletes do not miss games or events. You are expected to attend every event, practice, or game. Most absences are unexcused. If for some reason you will be absent from a practice, game or event, your parent/guardian must telephone your coach and explain your absence or tardy. A cheerleader s absence will be unexcused if a phone is not received prior to the absence. It is not acceptable to have anyone but the parent/guardian relay the message and remember that in most cases these absences are UNEXCUSED. When you are absent from school, you are not allowed to attend the practice or game on that day. If the absence from school is excused, it will not be held against you. However, do not make a habit of being absent. Make every effort to get to school so that you can attend the following practice or game. A parent phone call is still required. In addition, in the event that new material is created while you are absent, you will not be included in new routines. When time permits, you will be added to the routines. It is your responsibility to find what you missed at the practice and learn any new material on your own time. If you know in advance that you will have to miss a practice, game, or event and believe that it should be excused, (Example: death of a family member) it is your responsibility to submit a written letter signed by your parent/guardian to the athletic director for her approval prior to the absence. It is the coach s/athletic director s discretion whether that absence will be excused. Unexcused absences may result in at least a one game suspension. Once a cheerleader has missed 3 practices or one game she/he will be required to meet with the Athletic Director to discuss being removed from the team. If you know ahead of time that you will be tardy, please inform your coach prior to the practice, game or event. (Example: make-up exam) MHS athletes are only allowed to participate in one high school sport at a time. Competition Teams, Private Clubs or Teams/Groups must not interfere with your commitment to the MHS Cheerleading team. If you have another commitment outside of the high school (club sports, competition teams, groups etc.), you must remember that your high school sport is your priority. Under no circumstances are you allowed to miss practices, games, or events for your outside activity. Such absences will be unexcused. Practice Expectations The following expectations are in place to ensure a successful practice atmosphere. Violation of the expectations may result in being benched from the routine. You are expected to be on time for all practices, games, and events. Being on time means the following: o you are dressed in scheduled practice attire o your hair is up with bangs out of your face before stretching begins o your jewelry is removed from all parts of your body o your water bottle is full o you are seated in your assigned area A cheerleader s phone should be turned off and out of sight during practice time. A cheerleader is expected to be focused throughout the duration of practice. A cheerleader is expected to show respect for coaches as well as teammates. A cheerleader is expected to put forth 100% effort throughout the duration of every practice. Summer Practices are not optional. We spend our summer practices working on material that will be used during the football and basketball seasons. Cheerleaders are expected to attend all practices and to be on time. There are two weeks of Moratorium for athletes to take vacation. Please refer to these dates when planning your summer vacations. The attendance policy applies to summer practices and protocols must be followed.
Dress Code for Practice The MHS Athletic Department has put in place a specific dress code for all athletes during practices and work outs in the fitness areas. Failure to adhere to the dress code will be documented and can be cause for removal from the cheer team. By mid-summer there will be a clothing schedule for practice. You will be expected to wear the assigned clothing on the assigned day. o o Cheerleaders who do not wear the proper clothing to practice will sign an infraction sheet. Depending on the infraction, a cheerleader may not be allowed to participate in practice due to safety concerns. For example, improper shoes, oversized shirt Girls must not show their midriff or bra straps of any kind. Shorts should be rolled only once and must cover your rear. Shoes and socks must be worn at all times. Tank tops may not be worn. Nails are expected to be at the required length and the body is fee of jewelry. All cheerleaders will have their hair tied back in a soft hair device and bangs must be off of the face. Guys must have a shirt on at all times and shorts must be worn so that undergarments will not be seen. Game & Event Expectations The following expectations are in place to ensure a successful game time atmosphere. Violation of the expectations may result in being benched. You are expected to be on time for all games and events. Being on time means the following: o you are dressed in scheduled uniform o your hair is in a high ponytail with bangs and loose hair out of your face o your jewelry is removed from all parts of your body o your water bottle is full A cheerleader s phone should be turned off and out of sight during games/events. A cheerleader is expected to be focused throughout the duration of a game/event. A cheerleader is expected to show respect for coaches as well as teammates. A cheerleader is expected to put forth 100% effort throughout the duration of every game/event. A cheerleader will be expected to stay within the designated team area before games and during halftime. Public display of affection (PDA) is prohibited. In the event that a cheerleader is benched, she/he will be expected to stand by the cheerleading Pick Up Time Cheerleaders need to be picked up on time at the end of practices, games, or events. Cheerleaders who are picked up later than 20 minutes after the designated time will sign an infraction sheet stating that they were picked up late. Parents need to be prepared to pick up their teen or make arrangements in advance for carpool. Chronic problems will be reported to the Athletic Department and will result in being benched or dismissal from the team. o After 3 infractions, the cheerleader will meet with the athletic director. Injuries If you become injured at a practice, game or other cheerleading event, it is your responsibility to inform the coach/coaches in charge. It is important for you to be honest with yourself, your teammates, and coach about the injury. Continuing to perform while injured will likely make the injury and recovery time worse. A cheerleader should not presume that she/he will return to her/his original position in any given routine upon returning from an injury. An injured cheerleader is expected to attend all practices, games, and events unless prohibited by a doctor. A dated doctor s note will be required for verification. In the event that a cheerleader is injured, she/he will be expected to stand by the cheerleading You will need a doctor s release to resume cheering after incurring an injury in which you went to the doctor or emergency room. The Athletic Trainer will make decisions regarding injuries of a less serious nature.
Appearance When in uniform, a cheerleader must have a neat and clean appearance. Your uniform must be clean! All cheerleaders are expected to wear the proper uniform or assigned attire to school on the day of a game. This will include ribbon and shoes. o Do not wear jeans or pants under your skirt. o Only the current team cheerleading shoe will be worn. Only white, black, or nude undergarments are to be worn under your uniform. o Do not wear colored or printed bras. Bra straps should never be seen hanging out of your uniform. You will need to invest in a bra that has racer back straps. Solid black boy-cut briefs are to be worn under your skirt. The team sock is a solid white quarter length sock. o It covers the ankle with a one inch band. The package should say quarter length. Anytime MHS cheerleaders are in uniform, they will adhere to the following: o Girls will wear their hair in one high ponytail with bangs, loose hair back and off of the face. o A team bow will be worn when in uniform. The bow and uniform will be decided upon prior to game day. o If a headband is necessary, it must match the cheerleader s current hair color. o Boys will not have facial hair; hair passed the tops of their ears, or hair touching their collars. o All hair should be natural in color, modest in design and free of beads or hard devices. Jewelry of any kind will not be worn during games or practices. o No earrings of any size are allowed while in uniform! o Body jewelry including navel rings are prohibited. o Medical medals must be taped to the body. o Watches may be worn to school. Tattoos that show outside of a uniform will need to be covered with a band-aid or large gauze pad and medical tape. In accordance with the National Federation for High School Sports (NFHS), girls and guys will have their nails trimmed so that they can not be seen from their palm. o You will not be permitted to cheer if your nails extend beyond your fingertips. o This includes gel nails, artificial nails, and press on. Dances are not an exception. Plan to have your nails done after game day and plan to remove them before the next practice. This is a safety issue and is a NFHS rule. o When in uniform (this includes at school), cheerleaders are not permitted to wear nail polish. No one is permitted to wear their uniform outside of games and events scheduled by the MHS cheer coaches. o This means after a game you need to change clothes before going out to eat or to meet with friends. o Seniors will be permitted to wear their uniform for senior pictures. o Please keep in mind that letter jackets and all cheerleading clothing signal you out as a representative of our school and cheer program. Behave properly when wearing clothing that represents Merrillville. This rule includes any and all social media. Inappropriate items on social media can and will be held against you. Cheerleading Uniforms All cheerleading uniforms are the property of the high school. You may wear them when given permission by the MHS coaching staff. While these uniforms are in your possession, they are YOUR responsibility. You must keep them clean. Use Oxy Clean when laundering uniforms; do not use bleach. Repairs are your responsibility. (i.e. zippers, buttons, holes in seams) You may not alter the uniforms in any way other than moving the buttons. If you lose or cause permanent damage to any of the pieces, you will be expected to pay for a replacement. Uniforms will be turned in promptly at the end of the season. It is your responsibility to launder your uniforms before turning them in. Debt slips will be filed for the cost of the uniforms not turned in or for damage to one of the pieces. Keep in mind that one uniform costs approximately $190.00.
Fundraising MHS Cheerleaders are expected to participate in fundraising throughout the year. All sales are cash only. Money should be turned in on time and items delivered in a timely manner. Fundraising may include brochure sales, MHS Cheer Camps, Patron Ads, t-shirts etc. A cheerleader who chooses not to fundraise will be expected to buy-out their fair share. Discipline Policy Upon being selected for the MHS cheerleading program, the cheerleader and parent will sign a contract to comply with the MHS Cheerleading Rules. Infractions of the MHS Cheerleading Rules and the MHS Athletic Rules will be documented by the cheerleading coach and signed by the cheerleader. A copy of the infraction will be kept on file. A cheerleader will be required to meet with the athletic director to discuss dismissal from the team if one or more of the following occur o Unexcused absence from a game o 3 documented infractions o Blatant disrespect towards coach o Blatant disregard for safety rules Cyberspace MHS Cheerleaders are expected to conduct themselves in a positive manner in regards to texting and all forms of social media. Your actions and choices can and will be held against you. Once something is sent, it is no longer yours. Be careful, respectful, and thoughtful with your cyberspace actions. Academics You are a student before you are an athlete. IHSAA rules require athletes to pass four out of five solid subject classes. Please make sure your schedule has five solid subject areas. Once a grading period is complete an athlete could be deemed academically ineligible. Trimester grades rule over 6 week grades. An athlete remains ineligible for the entire 6 weeks to follow. Once a cheerleader has been ineligible two times in one year she/he is removed from the team. Your grades are your responsibility. Take care of your grades daily and do not wait until they are low to try to raise them! Refer to the MHS Pirate Planner for additional information. In the event that a cheerleader is benched, she/he will be expected to stand by the cheerleading The cheerleader will not be allowed to wear school owned clothing items. Awards Cheerleaders who are in good standing at the end of the season will earn their appropriate award. Good standing means that a cheerleader is academically eligible the entire season, has attended and actively participated in all games and events, and has displayed respect and strong character throughout the given season. Keep in mind that absences from games and events may result in forfeiting your Varsity Letter for that season. Awards are as follows: o Varsity Pirate Head and Letter or emblem o Scholar Athlete Award You must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA or higher to earn this award. Freshmen are not eligible until after first trimester. o Varsity Award: To earn this award a senior must have earned four Varsity Cheerleading letters. Other awards voted on by peers and coaches at the conclusion of basketball season and awarded at the Winter Banquet include: o P.E.P. (Pride-Enthusiasm-Patience) o Most Valuable o Most Improved o Leadership o Sportsmanship
Competition Team MHS cheer coaches will determine if the program will have the privilege of entering competitions. The MHS cheer coaches will determine who will be part of the competition team. o Excellent cheerleading skills such as tumbling, jumps, dancing, and motions will play an important role in choosing the team. o The coaches will also take a close look at strong character traits, dedication, attitude, responsibility, and attendance, as well as, fundraising efforts. Members of the competition team will be expected to attend additional or extended practices. Members of the competition team will be expected to do extra fundraising to pay for competition costs including food and travel expenses. o Competitions are expensive and may require the individuals to pay their own entry fees and expenses if funds are not available. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This copy is for your records. Merrillville High School Student and Parent Cheerleader Contracts Cheerleader Contract: I have carefully read the rules and regulations for being a member of the Merrillville Cheerleading Team. I understand the importance of complying with the rules to maintain my status on the team throughout the 2015-16 sports seasons. If for some reason I am not in compliance with the cheerleader rules, I understand that some form of punishment will be the result of my lack of responsibility. I also understand that not following the rules throughout the season may jeopardize my ability to earn the awards associated with cheerleading. I know that ultimately I could be removed from the squad if my actions warrant such a firm punishment. I understand that the athletic director will be involved in the decision of removal from the team if my actions ever exceed what is expected of a Merrillville Cheerleader. I realize that following the cheerleading rules is my choice and I choose to be held responsible for my actions as I represent Merrillville High School. I not only understand the rules but I pledge to accept any consequences that occur if I fail to follow them as they are written. (Cheerleader Signature) (Date) Parent/Guardian Contract: My daughter/son and I have carefully read the rules and regulations for being a member of the Merrillville Cheerleading Team. I understand the importance of my child complying with the written rules and I sign this contract knowing that his/her status on the team or an end of the year award could be jeopardized by his/her actions during the season. I understand that the coach will contact me if there is a serious infraction that could cause my child to be removed from the team. I understand that the athletic director will be involved in the ultimate decision to remove him/her. My child, fully knowing the responsibilities that are expected of him/her, has chosen to be a member of the 2015-16 Cheerleading Team. I understand the rules and I sign this contract knowing that it is my responsibility to help my child comply with the written expectations. (Parent/Guardian Signature) (Date)