Covington High School Cheerleading Bylaws and Expectations ***NOTICE: The sponsor(s) and principal reserve the right to exercise discretion given the situation as it arises concerning any area within these Bylaws whether explicitly stated or not.*** I. Academics a. Must maintain a GPA in compliance with LHSAA regulations. Cheerleader will earn a minimum of a 1.5 GPA and pass 6 out of 7 classes. b. Must submit all interims and report cards to sponsor. Cheerleader will print an interim report from JPAMS at the midway point in the grading period to turn in to sponsors, due date TBA each quarter. Report cards will be checked by the sponsor on the day given. It is the cheerleader s responsibility to turn in each interim and report card to the sponsor on the date expected. Failure to do so will result in 1 demerit per day late. Cheerleader cannot perform until it is seen and approved by sponsor. c. Any squad member falling below the required GPA regulations on the date interims are issued will be placed on probation until said member is able to prove that she/he has risen equal to or above the required GPA and has passed 6 out of 7 classes. Once improvement is shown via an official JPAMS printout or report card, said member s status will be reinstated. If said member has not risen equal to or above the required GPA by the end of the nine week period, said member will be on suspension until the next scheduled interim. If, at the next subsequent interim period, the member still falls below GPA course requirements, the member will remain on suspension until the end of the semester. If said member, is still below requirements the member will be dismissed from the squad. (Academic requirements for cheerleaders follow the LHSAA requirements.) If a member is on academic probation, member will not be in attendance during cheer practices, performances, or cheer related events until grades meet the cheer requirements. She/he will not be in uniform. The cheerleader is responsible for learning any missed material. Any member who is on academic probation will show proof of grade eligibility, via an official JPAMS print out or report card, no later than Monday of any event week to be allowed to participate in said week s event(s). d. Must maintain a good attendance report including check in/out and tardiness. Member is not allowed to miss any amount of the school day for any reason on the day of a performance, with the exception of the three items listed in III j. If the student misses or checks in/out, the member must be in attendance at the team event, but is not allowed to partake in the performance. II. School Discipline a. Must display a positive attitude when dealing with teammates, sponsors, faculty and staff of Covington High School. b. Gossip and/or verbal bullying will not be tolerated from any member of the cheerleading squad. If a problem occurs, the sponsor and/or principal will take action. c. Must maintain a positive discipline report (checked periodically by sponsor). d. Suspension from school will result in dismissal from squad. e. A morning detention, Saturday detention, in-school suspension or negative reports from teachers, administrators, or substitutes will be disciplined accordingly and will result in demerits, suspension, and/or dismissal from the squad. f. Squad members are to serve as role models for the school. Inappropriate dress and/or behavior from a member of the squad while at school or at a school function will result in demerits and/or disciplinary action.
g. Squad members will refrain from public displays of affection with their boyfriend/girlfriend. Demerits will be given as a consequence of this action. h. Squad members that represent CHS or the squad in an unfavorable, questionable, or illegal manner through electronic media (i.e. websites, personal home pages, blogs, text messages, chat rooms or similar websites/files accessible through a server or internet) or using electronic communication devices in such a way as to bring discredit, dishonor, or disgrace on their squad or members of any other school organization including themselves (i.e. camera phones, digital photos, electronic descriptions) will be subject to the disciplinary actions determined by appropriate school officials and/or sponsors/directors/coaches, including probation or dismissal from the squad. Squad members involved will receive up to 5 demerits per incident. i. Any member who is dismissed from the squad or quits the team will NOT be allowed to try out for any ancillary team (cheer, dance, flag) the following school year and will not be awarded her/his senior blanket and letter jacket. j. Squad members must be in good standing to be eligible to try out for the following school year. In order to be in good standing the member must have 9 or fewer demerits. k. Rising seniors may apply to be grandfathered onto the team her/his senior year. To be considered grandfathered onto the team, member must submit her/his cheer tryout application by the tryout application deadline. If approved, said member is guaranteed a spot on the upcoming squad her/his senior year if she/he meets the eligibility criteria: 1. Three consecutive years on the CHS cheerleading squad 2. Meet GPA / report card eligibility 3. Meet discipline criteria no school suspensions 4. Zero demerits cheer applicant must be at zero demerits by cheer tryout application deadline documentation of zero demerit status must be provided with cheer application by tryout application deadline. ***Participants are to uphold the positive leadership image and responsibilities of a Covington High School Cheerleader. Failure to do so will result in demerits, suspension, and/or dismissal from the squad. Any consequences not mentioned are not necessarily excluded. III. Squad Participation a. Must complete four hours of school service in the front office the two weeks before the school year begins. These hours will be completed by every member with no exceptions. Three demerits will be issued for each hour not completed. Each member must sign up for a designated time slot. Time slots will be given out on a first come first serve basis. b. Must attend all practices, performances and any other team obligation deemed mandatory. (See calendar attached for information about practices through June 2017 and into next school year.) Mandatory events include, but are not limited to afterschool practices, summer camp, kiddie camp, and paint practices. c. Medical appointments (doctor, orthodontist, etc.) must be made outside of practice/game times. Only emergency doctor/dentist appointments will be excused (up to a total of 5 absences for whatever reason). Consequences will include demerits and/or jumps for missing too much practice. d. Cheerleaders must schedule work around Cheerleading activities. Absences, tardiness, or early departures will not be excused and the cheerleader will receive demerits. Cheerleaders are not allowed to leave early for work. e. Must participate in all performances at football games, team events, pep rallies, and basketball games. f. Must be on time for all events (i.e. practices, games, and other assigned functions). Meeting time is determined by the sponsor. Cheerleaders are expected to be in uniform and prepared to stretch at the designated time. Consumption of food past designated time is not allowed. Practice 1 demerit for each 5 minutes late, after 30 minutes it will be counted as an absence and may result in possible non-performance as outlined in the attendance policy
Performance arrival time 5 demerits for each 10 minutes late, after 40 minutes it will be counted as an absence Officers meetings 10 minutes or more 4 demerits g. If a cheerleader becomes injured during the season, the member is still held to all Cheerleading responsibilities outlined in this document. The cheerleader must attend all functions within her/his ability as outlined by a doctor s note. h. Must attend team practice the day before a performance. If a cheerleader misses this practice, excused or unexcused, the cheerleader will not perform at the performance in question. i. Certain circumstances will be counted as an excused absence. Sponsor must be contacted IN ADVANCE and documentation must be provided. Failure to contact the sponsor in advance negates an excused absence. Up to five absences may be excused. Any absence for any reason after the 5 th absence is considered unexcused and will result in demerits and any other consequence as outlined. The following can be considered excused absences: 1. death of a family member or close friend with funeral program or obituary 2. serious injury or illness that results in emergency care (per physician s note) 3. conflict with another school related activity ***Sponsor and administration reserve the right to judge the legitimacy of the excuse*** j. Unexcused absences the week of a game will result in disciplinary action. Two or more absences in a week will result in the member forfeiting the right to participate in the performance (be it game, pep rally, or both). The team member is expected to attend and sit on the sideline with the sponsor for the game, and will remain with the sponsor during any forfeited performance(s). In addition, the member will receive 6 demerits for each missed practice. k. Cheerleaders who choose to take a job or a tumbling class must not schedule work or tumbling classes that interfere with cheerleading squad practices, events, or performances. These absences will NOT be excused. l. Cheerleaders are required to ride the bus or transportation provided by the cheer sponsor or athletic department. Any other travel arrangements MUST be made 24 hours in advance. No team member will be allowed to ride home with peers, boyfriends or siblings under 21. Written consent from the cheerleader s guardian must be given 24 hours in advance for any other travel arrangements with someone age 21 or older. IV. Uniforms a. Cheerleaders will wear required uniforms to school sponsored events ONLY. No Cheerleader should wear any portion of the uniform (practice or game) except at authorized functions. Cheerleaders are not to allow anyone not affiliated with cheerleading to wear any piece or part of their uniforms. b. Any Cheerleader in uniform must conduct herself/himself appropriately. Any negative conduct, (i.e. inappropriate language, smoking, drinking, fighting, etc.) will be severely reprimanded resulting in a minimum two-week suspension from the team or as much as dismissal from the team. c. Visible tattoos or excessive and/or unusual piercings are not allowed at any time. d. Cheerleaders are responsible for the upkeep and replacement of all required uniforms, including alterations. e. Senior Blankets Only Cheerleaders who are currently in their senior year and have been members of the team for 6 semesters (3 years) will receive Senior Blankets. f. Letter jackets Cheerleaders will receive letter jackets after two seasons of football and two seasons of basketball. Jackets will be ordered at the end of the spring semester of the second year (after team tryouts). First time seniors will be eligible to receive a jacket. g. Cheerleaders are not allowed to wear clothing or accessories supporting other high school teams at school or at a CHS sponsored event. Anyone found wearing these things will receive 5 demerits per incident.
V. Monetary Concerns a. Cost includes uniforms, shoes, camp, camp clothing, bloomers, bag, poms, megaphone, winter wear and a spring stunt clinic. (A purchase list will be available at the first parent meeting at which time you will know your exact beginning balance.) b. Approximate cost for the guardian will be $1050.00. c. No refunds will be provided. d. The cost of cheerleading includes items for your child specifically. Fundraising is a necessity to purchase items for the team as a whole. Examples of these items include, but are not limited to, transportation to games and other events, summer camp favors, shipping, paint supplies, sign paper, homecoming flowers, senior night materials, social events for team, team meals, judges for team tryouts, etc. e. Each cheerleader is required to participate in fundraisers to offset the cost of team items and lower individual cost. Refusal to participate in fundraising will result in additional out-of-pocket expenses and demerits. f. Other out of pocket expenses arise during the year such as summer camp goodie bags, gifts for big sis/lil sis, holiday party gifts/refreshments, candy for homecoming parade, candy for bags that are made for various athletic teams. g. Cheerleaders must have a zero balance to be eligible to try out for the upcoming school year. VI. Practices during the year a. Cheerleading practice in the fall/football season will be 2-3 days per week. Cheerleaders will be given a calendar for the month at least 1 month in advance. Additional practice is necessary on Fridays of pep rally performances at 6:55am until 7:24am in the gym (usually for Varsity only). The 2 weeks leading up to homecoming will require Wednesday practices. b. Practices for basketball season generally begin in January. The days of the week TBD, time - 3-4:15pm. c. We strongly encourage and support your child s decision to participate in various school events on campus. It is your child s responsibility to directly communicate with sponsor any school conflicts with performances and practices a minimum of 48 hours in advance (preferably more). VIII. Merit/Demerit System a. The merit/demerit system is devised in order to maintain the high standards of our cheerleading squad. All members need to understand the responsibility involved in being a Cheerleader. Merits and demerits will only be assigned by the sponsors. Jumps may also be a consequence of an infraction at the sponsor s discretion. b. The sponsors will provide Cheerleaders with a list of activities that can be completed to gain merits. These are the ONLY activities that can be used to gain merits. Merits 1 merit (1 hour) is equal to 1 demerit. c. Cheerleaders may bank up to 15 merits. d. Proof of participation in activities for merits must be written (time, date, activity, name of squad member) and signed by a school administrator, cheer sponsor, and/or an approved faculty member not actively involved in the event taking place. Cheer sponsors will determine the faculty members allowed to validate merits at events where an administrator or cheer sponsor is not present. e. Each cheerleader must submit a sheet for her/his own merits. A merit sheet with more than 1 name on it will NOT be accepted. f. Merits must be submitted by Monday of the week after the event occurs. Failure to turn them in at the appointed time makes them null and void.
Demerits: 1. Missed practices: 6 demerits/practice, plus non-participation in a performance or game as determined by the sponsor 2. Non participation at practice: determined by the sponsor (max 4) 3. Two excused absences or one unexcused absence in one week will result in the member sitting out of the main performance for that week. Infraction # of Demerits Received Missed event ( unexcused) 20 (and possible dismissal from squad) In-school suspension 10 Saturday detention 10 Morning Detention 5 Teacher/Classroom Behavioral Complaint 2 (min; sponsor discretion based on complaint received) Missed event (parade, game, etc. excused) 10 Missed practice (unexcused) 6 (and possible refusal to perform) More than 5 missed practices (excused) 6 (for each thereafter regardless of excuse) Late to sidelines at any time 3 Disruptive behavior at practice, event, or performance 1-3 Early departure or tardiness from practice 1 per 5 min late; 5 each additional minute (prac) After 30 minutes will be replaced in performance Early departure or tardiness from a performance 5 demerits for each 10 minutes late, after 40 minutes it will be counted as an absence Uniform infraction 1 (per item - practice) 1-5 (per item - performance) 1 for hair, bow, shoes 3 for body liner or uniform piece missing 5 for poms or megaphone 1 per item reminder (i.e., jewelry) at performance Gum chewing at practice or performance or event 1 (per infraction) Consumption of food (during practice or performance) 1 (per instance of occurrence) ***Other situations, such as disrespect to authority or inappropriate behavior, may arise resulting in demerits based on the discretion of the sponsor and/or administrator. Demerits will be given based on the severity of the situation. If a Cheerleader is suspended from school, she/he will be dismissed from the team.***
Good Standing: Probation: Suspension: Dismissal Hearing: Dismissal: Member has 9 or fewer demerits. Participation in all events. Member has 10 19 demerits. Member will have a weekly meeting with sponsors on Monday after practice until total demerits falls below 10. Member will still be allowed to participate in all events. An email will be sent home to the parent. Member has 20 or more demerits. Member is suspended from team for four and a half weeks. During that time member must attend all activities, but is not allowed to participate or be in uniform and must sit or stand with the sponsor. A letter will be sent home to the parent that must be signed and returned. Member has 25 demerits. Meeting will be called with parent, sponsors, cheerleader, and administration to discuss the cheerleader s status on the team. Remains on suspension. Member has 30 or more demerits. Member will be dismissed from the team. Questions regarding merits or demerits should be addressed in a scheduled meeting between the cheerleader, parent/guardian and sponsor. Administration may attend if deemed necessary by the sponsor. Parent/Guardian should contact the sponsor to set up the meeting at least 24 hours prior to the requested meeting day/time. Please see calendar of dates for the spring and summer. Attendance is mandatory according to the schedule.
Dear Parent/Guardian & Prospective Team Member: Covington High School Cheerleader Bylaws Agreement Form 2017-2018 The information in this packet outlines the expectations and responsibilities of a Covington High School Cheerleader. Please review carefully all of the following and sign where necessary. Those selected to be Covington High School Cheerleader will represent the school as leaders. Along with the privileges of being a CHS Cheerleader, there is also a great deal of responsibility. Cheerleading is a year-round commitment. We begin shortly after tryouts and continue beyond the following year s tryouts. If you do not feel that you can dedicate yourself as a cheerleader and role model for an entire year, please reconsider your role as a cheerleader. As role models for the school, Cheerleaders must uphold a high level of behavior and respect for themselves, their teammates, school, family, and community. Please look over the Bylaws and Expectations carefully. Thank you, Mary Koepp, 2017-2018 Sponsor Lindsey Mercante, 2017-2018 Sponsor Dr. Robert DeRoche, Principal I,, have read the CHS Cheerleader Bylaws and Expectations for 2017-2018, and I agree to the terms outlined and acknowledge that my signature confirms my complete acceptance and support of the bylaws and expectations as explained herein. Cheerleader Name printed Cheerleader Signature Date Parent Name - printed Parent/Guardian Signature Date