STONY POINT HIGH SCHOOL TIGER CHEER PROGRAM MEMBER MANUAL

STONY POINT HIGH SCHOOL TIGER CHEER PROGRAM MEMBER MANUAL 2017-2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS PHILOSOPHY/PURPOSE... 3 OBJECTIVES... 3 MISSION STATEMENT... 3 DEFINITIONS... 3 DISCLAIMER... 3 THE TIGER STANDARD... 4 TEAM ACCOUNTABILITY.... 4 SPHS EXPECTATIONS.... 4 LEADERSHIP.... 5 GENERAL CONDUCT... 5 TECHNOLOGY CONDUCT.... 5 DISCIPLINE.... 6 TARDINESS AND ABSENTEEISM.... 6 DETENTION, REFERRALS, & ISS.... 6 FAILURE TO COMPLY w/ SCHOOL RULES.... 6 ACADEMICS... 7 DRESS CODE.... 7 NOTES (INJURIES, GUIDELINES).... 7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM... 8 2017 2018 AACCA RULES 2017 2018 RRISD CHEERLEADER & MASCOT HANDBOOK 2

APPENDIX PHILOSOPHY/PURPOSE Being a cheerleader is an honor and special privilege. Cheerleaders and spirit groups exist to promote good sportsmanship, good citizenship, wholesome and enthusiastic school spirit, and are first and foremost REPRESENTATIVES of their school. Cheerleaders exemplify both individual and group behavior suitable to their position and in accordance with the rules as stated in the RRISD Student Code of Conduct. Members of these groups have a fundamental responsibility to play a leadership role in building teamwork and helping the school achieve its goals and objectives. Because of these responsibilities, members of the cheer program are expected to maintain a higher standard of academic achievement and behavior both on and off campus than that of their peers. OBJECTIVES Program members will be physically and mentally skilled in learning and remembering cheers. They will also publicly demonstrate a skill level suitable for the team position, the timing necessary for group performance, and promote positive crowd control. Off the field, they will support all athletic teams through advertisement, personal attitude, and attendance at events. MISSION STATEMENT It is the mission of the Tiger Cheer Program to promote school spirit and sportsmanship, support all Tigers, and be a daily positive representation of Stony Point High School, to our peers and our community, in all we do. DEFINITIONS Cheerleader: A cheerleader is a selected member of the student body who serves as a representative of the student body. Cheerleaders represent the school at extracurricular events designated by the coach. As previously stated in the Philosophy section, cheerleaders serve to promote good sportsmanship, good citizenship, and school spirit. Mascot: A mascot is a cheerleader in costume. Mascots serve as full members of the cheer program and, therefore, all rules and guidelines in this handbook are applicable to Mascots. Tiger M.O.B.: Tiger M.O.B. is a selected member of the student body who serves as a representative of the student body. The organization operates under the SPHS Cheer Program and, therefore, all rules and guidelines in this manual are applicable to Tiger M.O.B members. Cheerleading Year: The rules and procedures outlined in this manual are in effect from the time the student is selected to the cheerleading squad until the next tryout date. This does not include the academic guidelines. Because of TEA rules, the academic policies are in effect for a school year. DISCLAIMER Unfortunately, not all situations that arise can be anticipated or accounted for in the manual. Should events occur that are not covered in the Stony Point High School Cheer Program Member Manual, they will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the assistant principal and cheer coaches and will be dealt with according to what is fair and just. Furthermore, Stony Point High School reserves the right to alter the rules according to the situation, at any time. 3

THE TIGER STANDARD As a Stony Point Tiger Cheerleader, we have a responsibility to seek, practice, and perform excellence. Our peers, teachers, and community members hold us to a higher standard, as well as, look to us for leadership. A critical component in this system is accountability. We must hold each other to these expectations and encourage our fellow teammates when we see an individual falling below the Tiger Standard. Below is a list of Expectations of Excellence for every Tiger Cheer squad member. 1. Always represent SPHS & RRISD with respect, class, integrity, and high morality. 2. Be on time/early to all cheer events. o Please notify the coaches, president and team captains at least a week in advance of the need to be late or miss an assigned function. 3. Maintain academic excellence. 4. Follow all SPHS and RRISD rules. TEAM ACCOUNTABILITY Should a member fall below the Tiger Standard, they will receive physical activity and/or other consequences determined by coaches. Should a member of the program continuously fall below the Tiger Standard, they will be placed on a three week probation during which they will be benched for all cheer events, including, but not limited to, volunteer opportunities and performances determine by coaches. In the event a member falls below the standard while on probation, he/she will be removed from the program. SPHS Expectations Maintain Stony Point Cheer uniforms and equipment throughout membership term and return all uniform items issued at the end of their annual membership term. Members shall pay all costs related to the replacement of any non-returned uniform items. Failure to return uniform items or pay replacement costs will result in disciplinary action including but not limited to a withholding of high school transcripts. Provide and update physicals, addresses, phone numbers or other personal identification information as required by Stony Point Cheer. Follow the safety guidelines set by the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors (AACCA). (Rules are located at the end of member manual.) Comply with state law, SPHS and RRISD policies, and the Tiger Standard. 4

LEADERSHIP Being a leader of an organization is a privilege, and with that comes great responsibility. You are the MODEL of what we expect all members of our cheer program to emulate. You will be held to a higher standard of attitude, behavior, responsibility, and dependability. You will be required to reinforce the rules and expectations set forth by RRISD and the SPHS Cheer Program Member Manual. Our program leadership is organized similar to a business structure: PRESIDENT (1) VICE PRESIDENT (2) PROJECT MANAGERS (4) PROJECT TEAMS (4) JV CAPTAIN & CO-CAPTAIN MOB CAPTAIN & CO-CAPTAIN In order to be eligible for the positions of PRESIDENT or VICE PRESIDENT, candidates must have been a member of the SPHS Cheer Program for two years and be a Varsity member for the upcoming year. PROJECT MANAGERS will be selected from Varsity members only. The positions of captain and co-captain for JV and MOB will follow the same selection criteria. The coaches will use the OFFICER RUBRIC, program vote, candidate interviews, and/or any other device they deem necessary to make their decision(s). The positions will go to the most highly qualified candidates who have displayed and will continue to display outstanding school spirit, integrity, dependability, and leadership. **Should any officer unsuccessfully fulfill their duties, they will be relieved of their duties. The coaches and leadership will hold interviews to fill the position with the most highly qualified candidate using the criteria listed above. **More information provided in the Leadership Manual and Application. GENERAL CONDUCT RULES All members of the SPHS Tiger Cheer Program are expected to behave in a manner that is becoming to the individual, as well as to the organization they represent. Members are aware that, in or out of uniform, they are representatives of both, SPHS and the cheer program, and should act accordingly. TECHNOLOGY CONDUCT Maintaining a higher standard of conduct also applies to activities outside of school which includes online activity or any form of technological communication. Any social networking site such as Facebook, Twitter, or any other public forum appearing on the internet is public domain even if it is marked private. Program members are responsible for their personal websites and postings, for postings on other students websites, and for any form of communication, which may be made public. The areas of appropriateness will include, but are not limited to, language (abbreviated or alluding to), pictures, suggestive poses, clothing, and references to alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. Any question of appropriateness will be reviewed by the coaches. Always protect our brand and represent yourself in a positive manner. **Students who have been removed and those who voluntarily quit retain no rights to team awards, recognitions, etc., which are received after dismissal, although they may have accrued over the duration of the school term. They lose all privileges associated with cheerleading membership, including attending cheerleading events, using cheer equipment, and wearing cheerleader attire. 5

DISCIPLINE SPHS Cheer coaches may take disciplinary action for violations of SPHS Cheer Rules and Expectations. Disciplinary actions may include, but are not limited to: extra conditioning or running activities; suspensions from the squad for one or more events, and dismissal from the squad. If a member is dismissed from the program, he or she will not be eligible to try out the following year. Tardiness and Absenteeism Consequences related to tardiness and absences shall be as follows: 1. Tardiness. Consequences will include physical activity for instances of tardiness to any practice, scheduled meeting, appearance or assigned function. All instances of tardiness will be treated equally. 2. Absenteeism. Members will be required to make up time for missed cheer events. All instances of absenteeism (unexcused absences from a practice, workout, or game; and leaving a practice, game or other event early) will be treated equally. Expectations for absenteeism are as follows: Notify PRESIDENT at least a week in advance of absence. (We realize not all circumstances can be foreseen. In the event, please notify the PRESIDENT as soon as you are aware of the absence.) Schedule all appointments around practice (includes cheer class). A Missed Practice Make-Up workout will be required. 3 Unexcused absences Member is benched for required cheer event. Excessive absences may result in dismissal from the program. Detention, Referrals, and ISS As stated earlier, members of the SPHS Tiger Cheer Program are held to a higher standard, not only academically, but in citizenship as well. Anyone given detention, a referral, or ISS for any reason will be subject to the following disciplinary actions: First Offense Benched for next event, physical activity assigned by coach Second Offense Benched for next two events, physical activity assigned by coach, and placed on probation for duration of semester. Third Offense Removal from program Suspension from school results in an automatic dismissal from program. Students assigned to ISS may not perform, wear the cheerleader uniform or other cheer apparel, or practice with the squad while in ISS or while suspended plus one calendar school day. Failure to Comply with School Rules Any member failing to abide by published school rules relating to conduct, possession and/or use of drugs, alcoholic beverages, or other illegal activities will be subject to review by the coaches and principal. Dismissal from the program may result from that review. The possession and/or use of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs are expressly forbidden and will not be tolerated. Any infraction on OR off campus will result in a coach/student review. Suspension or dismissal from the program may result from this review. 6

Academics Members are required to maintain at least a 70 average in all classes or mandatory tutorials will be assigned. Individuals are responsible for scheduling tutorials with teachers when needed. If a teacher is not available for tutorials, a 30 minute study session in the library will replace the tutorial. Should an individual miss tutorials without prior communication with coaches, it will be considered an unexcused absence and follow consequences listed in this manual. Dress Code All SPHS Dress code requirements will be enforced. No jewelry in practice or games. All members shall be in uniform* for all performances, practices, and other events. (*In uniform will vary depending on the occasion. Please make sure you reference TWIC to insure you are in the correct attire for that event.) NOTES 1. Injuries: SPHS Cheer follows all RRISD and SPHS trainers injury protocol and recommendations. If an injury occurs, the student must be examined by a SPHS Athletic Trainer. At this time, the trainer will either clear or recommend a certain amount of rest time for the individual. Should the student be cleared and deemed able to continue activity, he/she will be required to resume practice or performance. Should an injury occur that keeps the student out of two consecutive practices, a note from the student s doctor stating the reason will be required. If the injury restricts the student from three or more practices, a doctor s note will be required. This note should state the nature of the injury, the length of time of the restriction, the specific task the student cannot perform, and any special instructions. Lack of participation will be categorized as missing practice if there is no Doctor s note. **Any visit to the trainers requires an appointment to be scheduled. Missing a scheduled appointment is the same as missing a practice. 2. Guidelines: These are general rules and guidelines for all Stony Point High School Cheerleaders. Failure to comply may at times require judgment calls to be made. These decisions will be left up to the individual coach for each squad. Coaches reserve the right to upgrade any penalty (immediate benching, office referral) depending on the severity of the situation. 7

PARENTS/Guardians, after reading carefully, please initial each highlighted space below and sign at the bottom: I understand my financial obligations, all costs involved and the payment schedule as stipulated in the member manual and agree to pay all costs, on time, associated with Stony Point Cheer. I understand be the very nature of the activity, cheerleading and gymnastics, carry a risk of physical injury. Furthermore, I understand program members and coaches follow guidelines regarding safety protocols which include, but are not limited to, continued education on fundamentals and proper technique, dynamic stretching and warm ups, stunt progressions, and proper health and nutrition for athletes. I have discussed the responsibilities and expectations outlined in the SPHS Tiger Cheer Program Member Manual with my son/daughter. I understand I play an integral role not only in their success as a member of the program, but the success of the program as a whole. I willing accept this role and will contribute to the best of my ability. Parent/Guardian Signature Date Stony Point High School Tiger Cheer Program Member Manual Agreement By signing below, I signify that I fully understand and agree to comply with all rules and guidelines set forth in this member manual. I further understand that, in order for my child to be eligible for tryouts, I am required to sign this statement of acknowledgement. Parent Signature Student Signature Student s Name Printed Date 8