2012-2013 Lancaster Jr. High School Cheerleading Coach Contact Numbers Thomas Ewing Coach Miller: 330-806-7072 jamie_miller@lancaster.k12.oh.us General Sherman Coach Holbrook: 614-395-3424 jholbrook002@columbus.rr.com
LANCASTER CHEER PROGRAM VISION IS To assist participants in the development of athletic and leadership skills. To develop effective time management strategies To develop socially through cooperation and appropriate standards of behavior. To support and promote the players and encourage crowd participation LANCASTER 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) To encourage school spirit and pride in Lancaster High School LANCASTER CHEER PROGRAM STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS Cheerleaders are dedicated to promoting spirit, enthusiasm, and a positive winning attitude through example Emphasize the ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, integrity, accountability, and fair play. Show courtesy to all visiting teams, competitors, hosts and officials Respect the integrity and judgment of all sports and competition officials It is recognized that these standards are necessary to maintain squad morale, squad and individual discipline, and effective learning By trying out for and accepting a position on the Lancaster High School Cheerleading Team for the 2012-2013 seasons, we (athlete and parent) understand and agree to the following Attendance Policy All games and practices are mandatory and required for participation. Keep in mind that changes may be made to the schedule to accommodate facilities, changes in game/transportation schedules, or scheduling conflicts. One person being absent affects the entire squad. It is important not to inconvenience the practice time of the entire squad by being absent. Season Absences: o If you are absent from more than ½ day of school (excused absence), you are excused from practice o If you were at school but are not at practice, you must provide a doctor s excuse. o Missing practices that have valid excuses can still lead to being removed from a routine position, due to not physically being available to practice. o If you miss the practice (unexcused) before a game, you will sit the following game. Even if you are excused from practice, understand missing the practice before a game can remove you from certain squad performances including cheers, chants, dances, formations, etc. The way a squad practices before a contest is the way they will perform at the following game. o If you are going to be absent from practice or a game (regardless if you were at school or not) the cheerleader must CALL their respective coach. In this
situation, a text will not be accepted. If the coach does not/cannot answer, a voicemail is acceptable. o If you miss school on a game day, you must have a doctor s excuse. If you do not provide one upon return, you will be required to sit the next game. o Parental decisions to sit their cheerleader will be honored; however, they will be given an Unexcused absence and be required to sit the next game. If excused absences become excessive, the coaches have the right to evaluate the athlete s ability to effectively participate and may ask the athlete to sit out parts or all of a scheduled game or activity. THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT EXCUSED ABSENCES and will result in loss of participation in next event and will result in points being awarded for an unexcused absence (see violation list). o Illness that did not prevent the student from going to school OR failure to notify the appropriate coach OR failure to provide a medical excuse o Family vacations, parties, or activities that are during MANDATORY season for athletes (including Christmas Break games) o Discipline actions give to the student by teachers or faculty o Work o o Driving School Homework- You must manage your time wisely and complete all homework before or after practices and/or games. Missing a game- If you miss a game, you will sit the following game. You will not be allowed to sit out during a game without a doctor s excuse. If you do not have a doctor s excuse you MUST cheer. Choosing to sit out = unexcused absence Away Games: All cheerleaders are highly encouraged to ride the bus to and from all events. We understand this cannot always happen. If there is a circumstance in which a parent requests the child be picked up from the contest and not ride the bus, the parent or guardian must, in writing and in advance, provide a note to inform the coach(es) the student will not be riding the bus. Only a parent/guardian can transport their individual child. NO EXCEPTIONS. Discipline Policy Coaches have the right to determine what they feel is appropriate dress and behavior for athletes that are participating in the program. Coaches also have the right to discipline as they see fit to best benefit the program. Cheerleaders will be held to the following: All academic and athletic codes of conduct set forth by the athletic department, OASSA, and OHSSA Promoting good sportsmanship by way of example is required at all times. Members may not use foul language at practices, in school, at games, etc. INCLUDING FACEBOOK AND OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES. This can result in violations. Cheerleaders exhibiting poor sportsmanship towards their own teammates or coaches, including but not limited to: rude comments, negative attitudes, rumor fostering, etc. will be required to meet with the coaching staff. If the behavior continues a parent conference will be called and the team member will be suspended from all practices, games, and performances for an indefinite amount of time and will be awarded
appropriate violation points. This will be decided by the coaching staff and athletic department. Cheerleaders found to be verbally or physically abusive or disrespectful to their fellow teammates or coaching staff will be indefinitely suspended and be required to meet with the coaching staff and athletic director. This is grounds for immediate removal from the team. Cheerleaders are not permitted to be in any kind of physical altercation and/or try to intimidate another person regardless if they are a cheerleader or not. Physical aggression will not be tolerated and you may be removed from the team immediately. Excessive public displays of affection are never considered appropriate, especially in uniform, at games, or in school Proper appearance is required at all times, with clothing appropriate to the occasion Cheerleaders must arrive on time, wearing proper shoes and clothing and be ready to begin practice. Cheerleaders must know all the cheers and routines for the game. Coaches reserve the right to remove cheerleaders from games/routines for lack of cheer knowledge with and without notice No iced cappuccinos, sweet teas, energy drinks, etc. will be allowed at practice. Water and sports drinks are permitted and encouraged. No chewing gum or eating at games or practices Cell phone use is OFF LIMITS during games and practice. Coaches will collect all cell phones before practice and return them at the end of practice/game. Socializing with friends/ goofing off while the game is in progress is not allowed Remain in cheering area during game Follow coach's directive at games/practices All squad members are to participate in ALL areas: making up cheers & posters, creating dance routines, participating in fund raisers & pep assemblies, etc. All cheerleaders must participate in fundraisers see attached list for plans for the 2012-2013 season! Everyone must share the workload! The key word in your position is CHEER leader. Please try not to bring your problems with you to practices and games. Coaches are available if you need someone to talk to after practice. Display correct and acceptable leadership skills. This is the LEADER part of cheerleader Cheerleaders must also understand that those expectations do not diminish outside of being in uniform or in season. Any behavior that is deemed by coaches to be inappropriate in nature or unbecoming during the year may result in disciplinary actions. For severe or recurrent problems, coaches reserve the right for immediate dismissal from the team. Please understand that it is your choices and actions, and the consequences of those decisions and actions that will determine your success on the LHS cheerleading team. Also, know that what you do, the actions you take, the decisions you make, not only affect you but also affect and reflect upon your teammates, family, school, and community as well. Please conduct yourself in such a way that represents the pride and dignity of all those entities. Leave a positive image in the minds of all those that know you and the organization you belong to.
Quitting the Team Any cheerleader that quits or is removed from a school sanctioned cheerleading team will not receive any school or program awards APPEARANCE Make-up should be worn in moderation. Fingernails must be sports length. Nail polish, if worn, must be clear or natural color. Do not get anything pierced or get a tattoo during season. Any existing tattoos will need to be covered. No jewelry is to be worn at practice or at games. This is an OHSSA policy. Do NOT bring it to the game. Coaches will not be responsible for lost or stolen items. Clear posts will not be permitted! NO jewelry means no jewelry. Band-aids are not acceptable either. Hair needs to be out of the eyes and in a secured ponytail for practice and for games unless otherwise decided by the coach. Hair must be of natural color. Please no colored stripes in your hair or two toned hair, (top one color and bottom another). Coaches reserve the right to ask cheerleaders to change their hair. Refusal to do so will be grounds for violation points and/or up to removal from the team. UNIFORMS Correct cheer shoes and uniforms must be kept neat and clean at all times. All pieces of the assigned uniform must be worn to the game and available by game time. Failure to do so WILL result in sitting on the bench during the game regardless if someone brings it to you Cheerleaders in uniform or wearing any item of squad or team identification must always conduct themselves in a manner becoming to a Lancaster High School Cheer Squad member Cheerleaders will be financially responsible for any loss or damaged items belonging to the LHS Cheer Program A complete uniform consists of the following: warm up pants and jacket or full uniform including bow, shell, body suit, skirt, and correct shoes. Do NOT show up in a uniform and boots/flip flops. This will result in violation points. 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 Cheerleaders will be given a Cheer Handbook, this book will be handed out before summer break. Material may be added as the season progresses and knowledge of that material will be expected throughout the season. It is expected the cheerleader learns the material by the assigned date. Failure to do so can result in sitting out and/or conditioning Lettering To earn your award or Varsity letter you must complete the following requirements: Football- Must cheer 32 quarters during the regular season + all post season quarters Basketball- Must cheer 64 quarters during the regular season + all post season quarters If you do not meet this requirement, you will not receive your awards. This requirement is for all cheerleaders regardless of excused/unexcused absences. Summer Conditioning
Summer conditioning will take place for 2 weeks of August. The dates are: 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17 from 7-11:30 am. Summer conditioning is mandatory for all cheerleaders unless involved in another fall sport that conflicts. If the times do not conflict, the cheerleader is expected to attend to bond and condition with their new team mates. (Summer cheer camp will take place in odd numbered years only.) Violations Cheerleaders will be given violation points for each offense committed during the season. All offenses are counted as 1 point unless otherwise noted or the offense is extreme and the coach(es) find it necessary to award more than 1. Points will continue to add throughout the season. Once a cheerleader reaches 24 violation points, they will be removed from the team. 4 violation points= sit one quarter of next contest 6 violation points = sit one half of next contest 8 violation points= sit whole next contest **to count, sitting will require athlete to be in full uniform, participating in crowd leadership, and sitting with the coach. You can still receive violations while sitting out from a game, should your behavior reflect such. If your cheerleader receives a violation, you will receive a notice of the violation, the points given, and the reason for the violation. The parent will have to sign the slip and the cheerleader will need to return the slip to their coach upon their next meeting (be it practice or a game). Failure to do so will cause the cheerleader s points to be doubled for that offense with a phone call home. Parents are not able to call in the place of signing a violation slip. A phone call will be considered as non-returned violation and points will still be doubled.
Violations are as follows: Time Violations- may be assigned for being late for practices, games, bus departures, or any LHS cheer event Arrival and Pick-up: cheerleader will receive automatic 1 violation point if pick up/arrival time from games or practices exceeds 10 minutes over conclusion/arrival and other arrangements have not been verified through the coach. 1 violation point will be given for every 10 minutes after conclusion/start of practices/games/events/bus departure. Conduct/Attitude- may be assigned for poor attitude/ participation at practices, games or events, inappropriate language or attitudes, disrespect to coaches/teachers, PDA in uniform, and any other behaviors deemed inappropriate of a Lancaster Cheerleader, in and out of school Uniform Violation- will be assessed for not having all required pieces of uniform on and ready to participate at a cheerleading event. This includes camp wear, hair ribbons, correct color spankies, body suit, poms, and megs. It is also an additional violation to add additional articles that are not part of the required or expected uniform. Any time a cheerleader is in uniform, the uniform should be complete with no additional articles of clothing or shoe wear. Cosmetic Violations- this includes inappropriate nail length, wearing nail polish, jewelry of any kind, unreasonable amounts of makeup, hair that is not completely tied back away from face and secured out of eyes, and other appearance violations (including hair coloring that is not of natural coloring, thus, found in nature). See appearance listed above or ask a coach if you are unclear of the expectation. Game Conduct Violations-this includes talking while in formations, being out of formation, not cheering to best of ability, not tumbling if capable, calling inappropriate cheers, not staying with the team, and any other behaviors that are considered a poor representation of Lancaster cheerleading Attire Violation- may be assigned for not being dressed appropriately in designated spirit wear on assigned days Practice Violaiton-this includes not being ready for practice on time, refusing to participate in all assigned practice activities to the best of their ability, inappropriate attire to practices, not have shoes, poms, megs, folders, etc., or any other behaviors considered inappropriate. Attendance Violation- Missing a practice unexcused is an automatic 4 points. Missing a game unexcused is an automatic 8 points. Detention/Suspension Violation- will receive automatic 2 violations for suspensions and 1-2 for detentions (each detention will be considered on a case by case basis and severity will be considered). Physical/Verbal Aggression Violation: any physical and/or verbal aggression (including threats) or attack on another student (cheerleader or other) will result in an automatic 2 violations Cell Phone Violation- will receive an automatic 2 violations if using a cell phone during practice, game, or any other time deemed inappropriate while in supervision of coaches. The coach will collect the cell phone if cheerleader is uncooperative. If the cell phone is collected an automatic 4 violation points will be given.