North Mason High School Cheer Squad Rules & Regulations 2013/2014 Membership on the North Mason High School (NMHS) 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 demonstrate a proven ability to balance academic requirements and demands with extra-curricular and personal activities. Cheerleaders shall understand that teamwork and the maintenance of discipline is key to the success of the spirit program. Cheerleaders must be dedicated to promoting spirit, enthusiasm, and a positive winning attitude through example. Adherence to the NMHS Cheer program Rules and Regulations is vital to achieving these goals. All members shall realize that the manner in which they conduct themselves, in or out of uniform, directly reflects on the entire team and school. It is recognized that these standards are necessary to maintain squad morale, squad and individual discipline, and effective learning. Consistent enforcement of rules and regulations is also necessary to ensure the safety and general well-being of each individual cheerleader. Participation in cheerleading is voluntary, not mandatory. It is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked by the school personnel when a cheerleader violates the rules and regulations. NMHS CHEERLEADING EXISTS: To encourage school spirit and pride in North Mason High School To promote physical and mental development To develop lifelong values and skills NMHS CHEER PROGRAM VISION IS: To provide opportunities for participation in a wide variety of activities during the season To be an integral, well-coordinated part of the secondary school curriculum 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 NMHS 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 the development of lifelong values and skills 1
NMHS CHEER GOALS: Cheer at fall and winter sports events Participate in & support Homecoming Week Support and perform at pep and recognition assemblies Perform community service under the umbrella of North Mason High School Cheerleaders events may include: o North Mason Relay for Life June o Allyn Days 3 rd weekend in July o Taste of Hood Canal 2 nd weekend in August o Belfair Tree Lighting 1 st Saturday in December o Other events as determined by the coach NMHS CHEER PROGRAM CODE OF ETHICS: Ensure equal opportunity to all students without regard to gender, race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry or economic capability Emphasize the ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, integrity, accountability, and fair play Abide by all school, district and league rules Show courtesy to all visiting teams, competitors, hosts and officials Respect the integrity and judgment of all sports and competition officials NMHS CHEER PROGRAM STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS: In addition to the rules listed in this contract, all cheerleaders are required to abide by the North Mason School District ACTIVITIES CODE. These minimum standards for participation are located on the high school website under the Athletics tab. All students who participate in the athletic program of the North Mason School District will comply with the rules and regulations and will submit to the reasonable discipline of school authorities. Any student having registered and/or participated in the athletic program is subject to the athletic code for athletes from the first participation until graduation from senior high school. In other words, the student is giving their word and agreeing to abide by this code from the moment he/she completes the registration forms for their first high school sport or activity, until they graduate from high school. CAPTAINS: The coach will select a Captain and Co-Captain for the fall and winter season. Responsibilities of the captains are motivation, leading squad at games, liaison between coach and squad, creating, learning, and teaching chants, and dances, etc. to all members of the squad, completing the needed forms for ASB, help and support team members to perform the needed tasks of a cheerleader at North Mason High School. Having final decisions with the coaches approval on any clothing designs Having final decision regarding game day attire to school and at games Informing coaches of any squad issues and working with coaches and squad to resolve all matters. Captains may not issue demerits. Must bring squad in and lead warm ups. TRANSPORTATION: During the fall, the squad will ride the rooter bus to away football games. The participant is expected to travel to and from the game on the rooter bus. Only on the personal, written request by a parent/guardian of the participant, and with the approval of the coach, will a participant be allowed to leave with his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) or another team member's parent(s)/guardian(s). Cheerleaders must be fully dressed in uniform or warm-ups when they arrive to ride the school transportation. 2
NMHS CHEER CONDUCT: By being part of the cheerleading 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 mandatory at all times, anywhere in the community and at all school functions where you are a representative of NMHS. NMHS CHEER DEMERIT SYSTEM: In order to keep disciplinary actions consistent for everyone we have the following demerit system. Demerits will be distributed accordingly for any behavior that the coach feels is unacceptable. Please note that the coach may add or remove penalties throughout the year as necessary, but written notice will be given if a change is made. All merits and/or demerits will be recorded and dated in a notebook. Demerits do not re-start at the end of the semester. The following is a list of conduct unbecoming a cheerleader and the penalty assessed for each violation: Your GOAL is to have 0 Demerits! CONDUCT AND APPEARANCE DEMERITS ISSUED *Wearing jewelry at games or practice 1 *Having fingernails not-conducive to athletic participation 1 *Chewing gum while cheering 1 *Incorrect uniform for a game (Coach must approve changes or additions once the game has started) 1 *Insufficient apparel for practice (ex. forgetting shoes or shorts) 1 *Wearing uniform in improper places/letting non-cheerleaders wear uniform 2 *Improperly caring for uniform/shoes 2 (+replace) *Display of physical affection in public while in uniform (PDA) 2 *Unsportsmanlike conduct 2 *Talking to friends during practice or games without a coaches approval 2 *Talking on cell phone once activity has started without a coaches approval 2 *Fighting with a team member 5 and/or removal (In the event that two or more cheerleaders have a dispute that interrupts the productivity and cohesiveness of the team and the problem cannot be resolved, both team members will be removed from the squad) PRACTICE AND PARTICIPATION DEMERITS ISSUED *Late/unsatisfactory fulfillment of duties 2 *Unexcused tardiness for a game/practice/other cheer event 2 ( on time to practice requires that the cheerleader is dressed and ready to stretch at the designated practice time) *Failure to participate fully at a game/practice/or other cheer event 2 *Excessive talking while cheering 2 and/or benched *Not standing to attention during National Anthem 2 and/or benched *Being late after half time 2 *Not cooperating with coaches/captains/squad 3 and/or benched *Excused absence approved by coach 5 *Unexcused absence from a game/practice/or other cheer event 10 and benched the next game *Not fulfilling duties as captain Removal as captain (Acquiring more than 5 demerits and not leading by example) The following violations will be grounds for immediate dismissal from the cheerleading squad. Underage alcoholic consumption, drug use, use of tobacco products, steroids or any other controlled substances. 3
Failure to leave a party, function, location or event where the aforementioned items are evidenced by a squad member. Stealing or breaking the law. CONSEQUENCES FOR DEMERITS 1 DEMERIT WARNING 2 DEMERITS 10 pushups 4 DEMERITS 10 minutes conditioning, decided on by coach and put away all items after practice 6 DEMERITS 15 minutes conditioning, decided on by coach and put away all items after practice 8 DEMERITS 20 minutes conditioning, decided on by coach, Run 1 mile 10 DEMERITS Warning Letter sent home to parents and sit out half the next game in uniform with coach. 15 DEMERITS Probation Letter & meeting with parents. Cheerleader will sit out the next game in uniform with coach. 20 DEMERITS Removal from squad for the rest of the school year and must receive approval from coach in order to try out the next year. MERITS: If an individual reaches 10 demerits, he/she may make the demerits up by earning MERITS. Only 5 merits can be earned per school year. MERITS can be earned by doing any of the following (each task = 1 merit): - Make and hang 3 spirit posters; - Make locker signs for ALL of your squad OR for the players of the current sport; - 2 hours of community service Must be school related i.e. volunteer at the middle school or elementary schools or clean up school grounds. - Organize and clean the cheer closet. - Other tasks as determined by the coach and cheerleader In order to get credit for the MERITS, the coach needs verification that you completed the task prior the next event you would cheer. If it is not a task the coach is involved in, a note is needed from the person in charge to explain that you completed the task. NMHS CHEER RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Participation at all games is mandatory. Games are scheduled and attendance on time is mandatory. 2. Participation in all practices is mandatory. Practice times are determined by the coach. Practice schedules will be distributed with advance notice. We practice 2-3 times per week for a minimum of 1 ½ hours. A. Practice is a serious work time. The group depends on you to have a good attitude and to be in attendance. Each time someone misses a practice, the whole group suffers. B. Wear appropriate practice clothes for every practice: close fitting shirts and shorts (sports bras for girls), socks and cheer shoes. Always bring a notebook and something to write with. No jewelry (this includes any body piercing), no gum. Fingernails must be sport length. C. You may not use cell phones during practice. This includes texting. D. Hair is to be secured in a ponytail during practices and games. For short hair your bangs must be secured out of your eyes. E. Participate in all activities proposed by the Captain s and Coach. You will be required to participate in stunts. This includes flyers, bases, and spotters. 3. Participation in all mandatory fund-raising activities as required by the Coach. 4. Follow cheerleader and safety guidelines as outlined by the National Federation of State High School Association Spirit Rules Book and as indicated by Coach. 5. Pep assembly planning, poster painting, and working together with other school groups such as A.S.B. to advertise events and generate school spirit. 6. Control, entertain, and lead the crowd enthusiastically always showing GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP. 7. Be prepared to practice or perform with the required uniform, outfit or poms. 4
8. Obtain all required cheerleading gear and outfits including camp and camp wear. See attached 2013 2014 North Mason High School Cheer Season Costs. (Attachment A) NMHS Cheer School and Practice Attendance: 1. Attendance / School Participation: For any games/matches, or practices held on a school day, the participant must be in attendance for all classes offered, or have prior administrative clearance. 2. If it is necessary to be late or absent from any practice, the Coach must be notified 1 hour prior or in the event of an emergency as soon as possible via call, text, or voice mail (please have my cell phone and home # s available to insure prompt notification). 3. The only excused absence from any practice or activity is if you were absent from school due to illness or an emergency comes up that the Coach clears BEFORE you miss practice. All appointments for hair, doctor, dentist, etc. must be made for non-cheer time. A. The following applies to practices and games: Be prepared to participate fully for the entire practice session or game. Cheering at a game is your job. Please take that responsibility seriously. Your actions reflect not only on yourself but also on the team and the school. B. Organize your time so that meals and any preparatory activity (getting properly dressed/doing hair/making phone calls to your ride) are done before the team is scheduled to meet. 4. Arrive 45 minutes prior to the start of the game unless otherwise instructed by your coach. 5. A tardy is more than 5 minutes late (you have a 5 minute grace period. do not abuse this privilege). Disruptive Behavior: 1. A cheerleader will be given 1 verbal warning for uncooperative behavior during practices, games, meetings, etc. These behaviors include, but are not limited to: talking over the coach or captain, chewing gum, being out of position, wearing jewelry, lack of spirit, negativity, not putting forth 100% effort (poor work ethic, selective participant) etc. After the warning, a cheerleader will be given a demerit and disciplinary action as indicated by the Demerit System and will be required to stay after practice to complete the discipline. In the event the cheerleader continues the behavior even after the consultation, the member will be asked to leave practice, will be benched from the next performance, and will be required to have a meeting with the Coach prior to returning to practice. Further incidences could result in dismissal from the team. 2. Cheerleaders exhibiting poor Sportsmanship towards their own teammates, including but not limited to: rude comments, negative attitudes/comments towards the team/ coach, rumor fostering, cliquing, gossiping about teammates etc. will be counseled by the Coach. Once consultation has occurred, if the behavior persists a parent conference will be called and the member will be suspended from all practices, performances, meetings, gatherings etc. for at least a week and/or until such time as a solution is found to rectify the problem. 3. Cheerleaders found to be verbally or physically abusing fellow teammates or the coach will be immediately counseled by the Coach/Athletic Director. This is grounds for immediate suspension/dismissal from the squad. 4. Please understand that it is your choices and actions, and the consequences of those decisions and actions that will determine your success on the NMHS cheer squad. Also know that what you do, the actions you take and decisions you make, not only affect or are representations of who you are, but also affect and reflect upon your team mates, family, school, and community as well. 5. 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. 5
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I have read and understand the North Mason High School Cheer Squad Rules and Regulations 2013/2014. I agree to follow these standards and policies and cooperate fully with the other members of the cheerleading squad and the coach. Cheerleader s Signature Date Printed Name I have read and understand the North Mason High School Cheer Squad Rules and Regulations2013/2014. I agree to support these standards and policies. Parent s/guardian s Signature Date Printed Name 6