2013-14 Asotin Cheerleading Handbook 1. Do what is right 2. Do your best 3. Do not do anything that will hurt you or your team
ASOTIN CHEER PROGRAM MISSION IS TO: Promote and uphold school spirit, unity and pride. Represent the school to the highest degree Set an example of good behavior and sportsmanship at all times (whether in uniform or not) Promote friendship with each other and with schools with whom we compete, perform and go to camp. Promote the development of lifelong values and skills. To provide opportunities for participation in a wide variety of activities during every sport and competition season to all students at AHS. To assist participants in the development of athletic and leadership skills. To develop effective time management strategies. To develop socially through cooperation, competition and appropriate standards of behavior. EDUCATIONAL VALUE TO ASOTIN HIGH SCHOOL Membership on a cheer squad offers a unique opportunity for personal growth, leadership, and involvement in diverse activities. The attitude, dedication, and enthusiasm of the squad members are just as important as the skills involved in spirit leading. Members of the cheer squad are committed to the highest level of athleticism, performance, self-discipline, respect for the school and others, personal exemplary conduct and the performance of all responsibilities related to the pursuit of school spirit and pride. Furthermore, cheerleaders must demonstrate an ability to balance academic requirements and demands with extra-curricular and personal activities. GOALS Cheer at football, girls' & boys' basketball games. We also want to be in attendance at volleyball games when time permits. Participate in & support Homecoming and Winter Spirit Week Activities. Support and perform at pep and recognition assemblies put on by the ASB. Perform community service under the umbrella of Asotin High School cheerleaders. ELIGIBILITY For each performance, members must be passing in all classes. If you have a D you must get a note from your teacher that you have met with them and are working on bringing the grade up. All members must have a current physical and signed copies of all required forms on file with the athletic department before practices begin. All members must sign and abide by the athletic code of AHS, state and WIAA guidelines. If you miss practice the day before the game or performance it is the coach's discretion if you are prepared enough to perform. If a member quits mid-season that member cannot participate for one full season after unless the circumstances are determined by the coaches and athletic director that the decision to quit was warranted.
CONDUCT Promote good sportsmanship by way of example. Members must not use foul language at practices, in school, at games, camp or competitions, etc. Excessive public displays of affection are not appropriate, especially in uniform, at games or in school setting. Proper appearance is important. Don't wear clothing that is demeaning. This not only reflects on you but the team. Rule of thumb if grandma wouldn't approve don't wear it. By being part of the spirit squad, you are accepting the fact that your actions are more prominent than those not associated with such an activity. Because of this, exemplary behavior is needed at all times, anywhere in the community and at all school functions where you are a representative of Asotin High School. Members must cooperate with all faculty members, squad members, game officials and coaches. If someone approaches you with a concern, do not argue with them just stop what you are doing and advise the coach. The coach will let you know if you are to continue or change and will discuss the situation with the person complaining. Every attempt will be made to discipline fairly/equally, and to make consequences of actions known ahead of time. These rules are your first warning. Read them and know what is appropriate and what is not. Parents will be notified if a member has been asked to stop doing something but the member continues. ABSENCES One person being absent affects the entire squad. We follow the AHS Athletic Handbook attendance regulations for regularly scheduled games and activities. (pg 6) *Students must attend all practices *Unexcused Absences *First Offense misses next performance or game *Second Offense miss next two performances or games *Third Offense off the team. All practices and games are mandatory. If you are involved in another school activity this is an excused absence if the activity is during the same season or part of your grade. Missing a scheduled practice the day before a game will result in the individual not performing at the game...unless prior approved by the coach and as regulated within these Rules and Regulations. Absences due to work schedules are unexcused. Jobs must work around the cheer squad schedule. These absences could affect whether you letter. Attendance at a game or practice without proper shoes, clothes or uniform will be considered an unexcused absence and you will be given other tasks to perform such as cake table. If a member is absent, it is their responsibility to contact the coach to find out what they have missed, if schedules have been changed, etc. If the member fails to make this contact 3
and they do not make the next practice, performance, etc, it will be considered unexcused. Contacting another member and getting wrong information is not an excuse. Please contact the coach directly. PRACTICES/GAMES Cheerleaders need to arrive to practice 15 minutes before practice begins, wearing proper shoes and clothing. These fifteen minutes will be used to sign in, prepare for practice, and record in the book if there are any physical activities that may hinder or cause injury to themselves or another student if they participate. Members are required to arrive 1 hour before the game time to stretch and set up for time outs and 1/2 time game activities. 1/2 hour needs to be designated for warm-ups so you not injured. Hair needs to be out of the eyes and in a secured ponytail if shoulder length or below. Uniform Hair ties will be worn at every game. We want to always look sharp. Do not chew gum or eat during practice or games let's keep focused. No jewelry it can be ripped from your body while stunting and is a safety hazard. Safety is our first priority. No horse-playing. Never stunt or jump without the coach present. Make-up should be worn in moderation. No Nail color for performances. Nails need to be athletic length. We always want to look in uniform. Exceptions are for fun day activities. Don't socialize with friends or other team members while the game is in progress. You are being watched by your peers and parents please watch the game and know what it going on. Members will be warned the first time. The second time the member will be asked to sit out until the next quarter. We want you to have fun but goofing off during a game reflects on our entire team. These kids and parents take the game seriously and want to see that you also take it seriously. Uniforms are provided by the school and must be cleaned and pressed. Don't leave them in your bag from one game to the other and then put on a wrinkled uniform. Team athletic shoes must be clean. These are provided by the student. A little shoe polish or Tide to Go works wonders on worn shoes. All phones must be turned off during practices, performances or games. If parents need to get in touch with a cheerleader please contact the coach as we require them to shut off phones. There is time for having fun and texting but not when people are watching. Take the game seriously. Cheerleaders will not loan out any piece of their uniform to anyone. Warm-ups and sweatshirts are considered part of your cheer wardrobe and should not be worn by anyone other than you or at any other time other than cheer activities. This is a school rule. Cheerleaders must wear their uniforms or team-designated outfit to school on game days during school and on the bus to a game. There is not time to change once we get there. They can change into something more comfortable for the ride home. During game suspensions the team member will not attend the event. If they come to a home activity they will work the table. Conflicts that do not concern the cheerleading team are left at the door. If arguments occur that are not immediately resolved, both members will be asked to leave and a meeting will 4
be scheduled with the coach the next day. If it cannot be resolved, a parent meeting will be held. If issues continue, members can be dismissed from the squad. PERFORMANCES AND CHEER LINES Placement for performances and cheer lines will be based on participation, ability and effort. At the time of performance, if a team member does not have the routine clean enough for performance, they may be asked to sit out the performance. TRANSPORTATION Pursuant to AHS Handbook DISCIPLINE POLICY Pursuant to AHS Handbook CHEER PROGRAM FINANCES Uniforms are required for participation on the spirit squad and are provided by the school. Uniforms are to be kept in good condition and clean at all times. The individual, at their own expense, will replace uniforms ruined, lost or stolen. Students will sign off on the issuance of uniforms received. SUMMER CAMP Camp attendance is not mandatory in order to participate on the cheer squad. Camp fees are the responsibility of the member. Be aware that some extra specialty events that the team may participate in require a camp nomination. If you don't go to camp you cannot participate in those specialty events. If a member is removed from or chooses to quit the squad, they are still responsible for payment of all items ordered. Deposits made for cheer clothes, shoes, and/or camps are non-refundable. Additional expenses such as hair ties, camp clothes, and team shirts/dress slacks are the responsibility of the squad member. FUNDRAISING Duck Race participation is required for all members. This is the only fundraiser that our team has where the money goes to purchase items needed to get us through the year. Money is used for banquet awards, equipment, and supplies. The team will determine how much money they will need for the year and spread it out amongst the team members to raise. Anything over the amount needed will be applied to the members personal cheer account to help them pay for personal items such as shoes, undershells, briefs, camp, camp supplies, etc. Other fundraising opportunities are available; however, it is the individual's responsibility to pay all expenses for camp, specialty activities and clothing for these activities. Fundraising for camp and personal items requires parent volunteers. 5
If a cheerleader quits the team, money raised under the umbrella of Asotin Cheerleaders must be left with the cheerleading squad. Parent deposits will be returned minus any required return or deposit fees by the company in which she was raising funds. SCHEDULES Season schedules will be set by the coaches in accordance to gym availability. Additional practices maybe required to get ready for a performance or competition. Open gyms are not required. However, stunt team placement will be determined by the best fit for the team. The more open gyms a member attends the better their ability to perform. BANQUETS We will host one banquet each year in March to cover all teams and all seasons. PARENT INVOLVEMENT We welcome parent involvement. If you would like to volunteer in an area please contact the coaches. Parents cannot ride the buses to and from events unless you are acting as a chaperone because the coach is gone. This is because the buses are too crowded. WEB SITE Google Asotin Cheerleading takes you to our site The coach will communicate changes in schedules, competition information, travel information, post pictures, etc to the web site. Parents and students can contact coaches by email, text, telephone call or check the website to get up-to-date information. Everyone Makes the Team Lettering In Cheerleading We no longer do tryouts. Everyone is on the team. You must have the material down completely before you are allowed to take the floor in a performance. You can be in clubs, band or other school activities and still cheer. It is the student's responsibility to put the school activity in the book when you are going to be gone for these events so we can plan accordingly. If it is not in the book it is unexcused. Panther A member will be the panther at every varsity game. If no one volunteers then a member will be appointed. 6
Participating in Community Activities: Part of being a cheerleader is to raise the spirit throughout the school and community. The Boosters sponsor the cheer teams to put on community activities. All cheerleaders will participate in these activities from sitting up to taking down. We encourage parents to work in the place of their daughter/son so they can participate in these activities. Skills Needed to Letter Works well with all team members helps others to improve their skills whether on jv or varsity. Works hard on all team fundraisers and sells the minimum requirement. We try to make fundraising for the team as simple as possible. No one likes to fundraise but to be able to do the fun activities (i.e. bbqs, fun day races, etc) where we give prizes and awards we have to raise money. This benefits the team so we need the entire team to participate. Fulfills their part of the school spirit activities (decorating, obtaining donations, etc) Does not become ineligible due to grades. Your lack of dedication to studies becomes the team's inability to perform if you are missing. Excessive absences can make you ineligible to Letter. Abides by the Athletic Code Attendance at practices, events, games, fundraising, etc. Must not miss more than 3 regular season games/activities/practices to letter. Specific Skills Required Jumps Must have a toe touch and two other intermediate jumps and 1 combination. Strong motion technique always not just during games but also practice...you perform how you practice. Strong voice technique Strong dance skills can pick up on dances and perfect them quickly Strong stunting skills---may not be able to do each stunt but is always willing to try. Takes stunting seriously and never allows a girl to fall. Stunts will not always go up but team and spotters never let a girl hit the floor. Strong cheer and chant memorization To Be A Captain We will name our captains for the next year at the Banquet or shortly after. This gives the captains time to meet with the coaches and make plans to present to the team. Captains must be full year cheerleaders. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I have read and understand the Asotin High School Cheer Squad Contract. I agree to follow these standards and policies and cooperate fully with the other members of the spirit squad and the coach. 7
Forms needed to be completed each year: Cheer Information Page Asotin Cheerleading Handbook Website Permission Concussion Information Safety Guidelines Warning/Agreement for Tumbling & Cheerleading Emergency Treatment and Athletic Travel Release/Insurance Athletic Clearance Physicals (good for 2 years) I have read and understand the Asotin High School Cheer Squad Contract. I agree to support these standards and policies. I understand that if I damage or lose a piece of my uniform, I will be charged for the replacement cost. Cheerleader's signature Date Parent's/Guardian's Signature Date 8