Pine Creek High School Cheerleading Tryout Packet Please read over this packet carefully. Attach signed contract, teacher evaluations, and grade printout to this form and turn into the PC athletic office or to a PC cheer coach no later than April 11 th at 3:00 pm. Prior to trying out you must have a current physical on file with the school or have a copy of one to bring to the coaches on the first day of the tryout clinic. You will not be able to participate in any form if you do not have a current physical. Name of athlete: Grade (for the 2018-2019 season): Prior cheer experience (if any): Stunt position preferred (if available): Email address: Cell phone number: Parents Names: Parents email address: Parents Cell phone number: Portion below to be used by coaching staff during tryouts Signed Contract 3 Teacher Recommendations Grade printout Current Physical Notes:
Handbook for the 2018-2019 cheerleading season Congratulations! You have made a big decision to try out for a Pine Creek High School Cheerleading team. We sincerely appreciate your interest in becoming a member of Pine Creek Cheer. This packet contains very important information for both you and your parents. One of the most important things to note is the monetary commitment involved in being a cheerleader. Cheerleading is a 3 season sport and all uniforms, equipment, and camps must be purchased as a team/program. Uniforms, shoes, camp expenses, camp clothes/practice wear, bows, bags, and other cheer needs will cost participants approximately $1,500- $2,000 depending on team placement. In addition to the monetary commitment, your parents and you must agree to follow the policies and expectations of the Pine Creek Cheerleading program. Please look at the guidelines that are attached and go through them with you parent(s) to make sure both your parents and you understand what is involved in being a cheerleader. It is hard work, but just like any major activity, it is worth it! Thank you again for your interest in the PCHS cheerleading squad. Remember that what is important about being a cheerleader supporting the school, making new friends, growing as an athlete, representing the program in a positive light and showing off your talents! If we have not already met you, we are looking forward to doing so during the tryout process. Good luck at the final tryout. We hope you are chosen to be a part of our fabulous program! Remember, on April 13 th, take a deep breath, relax, and always keep a SMILE on your face! Pine Creek Clinic and Tryout Dates Information Meeting (meet the coaches): Friday April 5th 6:30pm Tryout Clinic: April 11 th 3:30-5:30 pm PCHS Cafeteria Tryout Clinic: April 12 th 3:30-5:30 pm PCHS Cafeteria Tryout Clinic: Friday April 13 th 3:30-5:00 pm PCHS Cafeteria Tryouts: Friday April 13 th 5:30pm PCHS Cafeteria Mandatory post tryout team meeting/uniform fitting for all teams April 18 th 6:30 pm if you are a returning cheerleader you will be able to bring any gear from last season to sell to a new PC cheerleader (uniforms, shoes, poms exc.) This is required for all athletes who make any 2018-2019 cheerleading team to attend this meeting/fitting. We need to get everyone sized so we can get all of our practice wear and gear asap.
Frequently Asked Questions: When and where will the actual tryouts be held? Friday April 13 th 5:30pm Pine Creek Cafeteria Will tryouts be open to the public? No- tryouts will be closed to the public Is there a tryout fee? There will not be a tryout fee What will I need to wear to tryouts? Comfortable athletic shoes Comfortable all black shorts Comfortable solid white shirt Hair in a high pony tail no hair in the face No jewelry Will I have to tryout by myself? No, athletes will be assigned a group of 3 to tryout together At the tryouts, the group will perform a dance routine and a cheer together Athletes will show your jumps and tumbling individually What will I be taught? A dance, cheer, and jumps In what order will athletes try out? The order of tryouts will be randomly selected prior to the official tryout. Your groups tryout number will be given out at the tryout clinic prior to tryouts What skills will be judged at tryouts? Dance Cheer Jumps Tumbling (standing and running)
When will I find out if I made the program? A list will be posted on the PCHS Cheer website and facebook page by Saturday, April 14th at 11:00 am Please do not contact coaches to discuss your placement until Monday, April 16th. What else do I need or should I expect for tryouts? 3 Teacher recommendations- 1 from your highest scoring class, 1 from your lowest scoring class, and one teacher of your choice (must have this teacher in a current class). These must be turned in with your tryout packet. Athlete will not be eligible to tryout without all 3 recommendation letters. A print out of your current grades will be needed prior to tryouts A current physical on hand or on file with the school. If you do not have a current physical you will not be able to participate in the tryout clinic or tryout. Each athlete will have a brief interview conducted at the clinic during tryouts week. What if I am unable to tryout on the tryout dates listed? If you are unable to attend the tryout clinic or tryout you will be able to schedule a tryout for another time. Private tryouts must be scheduled prior to the first tryout clinic day. We would like to have all private tryouts completed prior to April 13 th in order to finalize team placements. Please email Coach Dana Ward at dana.ward@asd20.org with any questions. Is prior cheerleading experience required to try out for the Pine Creek Cheerleading program? The goal of the PC Cheer program is to build and grow athletes in the sport of cheer. While prior cheer experience is not necessary, team placement will take into consideration any prior experience and skill set. There are many factors put into the tryout process and having prior cheer experience will not automatically place you on a PC cheer team. Guidelines for 2018-2019 PCHS Cheerleaders By signing below, you are stating that you agree to follow the guidelines set forth.
1. General Liability and Assumption of Risk Cheerleading is a vigorous, physical activity involving motions, rotations, and height in a unique environment and as such carries with it a higher than ordinary amount of risk of injury. Be advised that serious, catastrophic injury, paralysis, or even death could occur from an athlete s participation. Coaches are trained and updated annually on the most current safety practices and do everything in their power to keep athletes safe and free of injury. Like all sports, however, there is an assumption of risk when participating. By signing this contract, you voluntarily give consent for such participation by the student and acknowledge the risks associated with such a participation, you also release the coaches, volunteers, and staff at Pine Creek High School, School District #20, and the Board of Education, from any claims of negligence by you, your student, your heirs, from any liability arising from claims for damages for any injury to your student and any claims for loss or damages to him/her property which may arise out of his/her participation in this school sponsored program. 2. Respect towards Coaches and Teammates and Non-Team Members Members of the Pine Creek Cheerleading teams are expected to conduct themselves as leaders and representatives of PCHS at all times, not just when wearing their uniform. Athletes are expected to show respect towards coaches, teammates, and non-team members. They are also expected to be good representatives within the community and to present themselves in a professional and appropriate manner. Because we do spend large amounts of time together, conflicts and disagreements are sure to happen but athletes are expected to maintain a high level of respect for one another no matter what. Disrespecting a non-team member (teacher, staff member, fellow student, etc.) will result in a minimum one event suspension and possibly more depending on the severity of the situation. Blatant disrespect of teammates, coaches, and/or the PCHS Cheer program (whether it is through writing, phone calls, texting, social media, etc.) may result in the automatic removal from the team. 3. Drugs and Alcohol Alcohol and drug use of any kind is prohibited and not an acceptable behavior. Be mindful and plan accordingly when attending outside personal events. Even being present at a function where drugs and alcohol are present could result in program repercussions. Cheerleaders who find themselves in a situation where drugs and alcohol are present are expected to leave with a reasonable amount of time. If you drive, this should be immediate. If you do not drive, you are expected to call for a ride the moment you realize you are in a bad situation. Staying at the event to give someone else a ride home is not considered a valid excuse. Please see the PCHS Parent-Student Athlete handbook for further information on disciplinary actions for drugs and alcohol use.
4. Punctuality Being punctual is your way of telling your coaches and teammates that cheerleading is important to you. If you have to be late for an extenuating circumstance, please be sure to let a coach know BEFORE practice or the event. If it is school related then you must bring a note from the teacher you were working with. Recent studies have shown that many injuries result from improper warming up. Thus for the safety of the athletes, if and athlete is late to practice they will be expected to complete double the warmup requirement of the day. If an athlete is late to a game, they will automatically miss the first quarter of that game. Calling or texting to let a coach know you will be late is expected but does not excuse you from being late. 5. Attendance You are expected to be at all practices and events. Even when athletes are sick or injured, the expectation is that they will still try to be at a practice and events to support their team unless they absolutely need bed rest. Please do not schedule medical appointments during practice times. In the event of planned family absences, please notify the coach in writing well in advance so that the coaches can plan accordingly. An email from a parent is expected. If you miss a practice 2 weeks prior to an event, you may miss the next event. Students, who miss a practice or event, whether it is excused or unexcused, are subject to losing their positions at games or events. Each cheerleader must be in attendance at school for at least 3 periods of the day in order to practice or perform. If they do not attend the required periods of school that day they forfeit the right to participate that event. Work is never an excuse to miss, arrive late, or leave a practice or event early. You or your parents must notify a coach of an absence as far in advance as possible. You are not allowed to have a friend tell a coach. Missing 3 or more games with unexcused absences will result in the removal of the team. An excused absence could entail: required school events, family travel, and sickness. Your absence will be deemed excused or unexcused by the coaching staff. The Varsity team will have a dedicated game day practice for each game. The designated game day practice is mandatory. If any athlete does not attend the game day practice they will not be allowed to cheer at that game. 6. Public Display of Affection When students are guilty of Public Displays of Affection (PDA) it directly reflects on the team and the intuition they are a part of. Whether in uniform or not, once an athlete joins Pine Creek Cheer they are expected to refrain from PDA, especially on school grounds or at school events. Any violation of the PDA police could result in the athletes missing the entire next weeks worth of events. 7. Grades Our program goal is to have the highest team GPA of any of the sports and activities at Pine Creek High School. Academics will be taken very seriously. You are a student first and then a
cheerleader. All cheerleaders are expected to maintain their grades. Grades will be reviewed every 2 weeks. If on the ineligible list, the athlete will sit out of all activities for the next two weeks and will be expected to seek out tutoring or extra help from their teacher. Multiple appearances on the D/F list are not to be acceptable and appropriate action will be taken up to and including removal from the team if this occurs. Please remember that part of being a student-athlete is time management. It affects the entire team when we have a member that has to sit out for 2 weeks due to grades. If an athlete is struggling, it is their responsibility to communicate this with the coaches. We will make every attempt to get you the help you need. Remember, we want everyone to be successful! 8. Clothing Athletes are expected to wear their uniform with pride and in a manner determined by the Pine Creek Cheerleading program. Any cheerleader not dressed appropriately for practice or events (i.e. right color t-shirt, spandex/spanks, cheer shorts, and cheer shoes) will not be allowed to practice. We expect each cheerleader to be wearing the correct practice wear, shoes, and bow to each practice. Specific practice wear will be assigned for each practice so the team looks uniformed. Athletes may not wear sports bras alone. Uniforms (including gear given out) must be kept in good condition. No alterations can be made to uniforms and additional gear (i.e. cutting the sleeves off t-shirts etc.). If uniforms and/or gear are damaged, athletes will be responsible for replacing the damaged items. At no time are cheerleaders allowed to give out articles of their cheer clothing to non-cheer members. 9. Jewelry, Hair, and Cell Phones NO jewelry, gum, or pocket t-shirts are to be worn during practice or games. Hair must be pulled back into a secure ponytail or braid. Fingernails must be kept trimmed as a safety issue. National Federation of High School Sprit Rules (Section 2-2-1) states that all jewelry must be removed during the practices and events. It s not only a major safety issue but it is also grounds for coaches to be disciplined and potentially fired. Jewelry is not aloud from the time the athlete steps foot into the practice room to the time the practice is over. This holds true for events and competitions as well. If a coach sees an athlete wearing jewelry at practice, that athlete must sit out the remainder of the practice. If a coach sees and athlete wearing jewelry at a game they must sit out the first half of that game or the entire next event. Cell phones are strictly prohibited in the practice area and should be left in one s locker, bag, or car (the coaches will also be providing a cell phone jail for phones to be placed at during practice if needed). Once we begin warming up for an athletic event, cell phones are off limits until the performance/game is over. Failure to cooperate will result in removal from the current athletic contest. If a parent needs to get in contact with their student during an event they may call or text a coach and leave a
message. During competitions and camps, cell phones and electronic devises will be taken by the coaches and given back at the end of the event. 10. Payments and Accounts There will be approximately $1,500- $2,000 (depending on the team) in costs for the uniform, practice clothes, shoes, warm-ups, accessories, and camp expenses. Competition expenses will be separate and will also be fundraised for. While fundraising is being offered, payment schedule for cheer items will be strictly enforced and all athletes will be expected to make timely payments as established by the payment schedule. Any hardships will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Please keep in mind that all balances must be paid in full on their due dates or athletes will have to sit out and will not receive cheer items until it has been paid. 11. Fundraising Fundraising opportunities will be available throughout the year (all cheerleaders are expected and required to participate). All money received from Pine Creek High School Cheerleading fundraisers will be deposited into the PCHS cheerleading account. All fundraising efforts must be pre-approved by the head coach. Money deposited will not be reimbursed if a cheerleader quits or graduates from the program. Cheerleaders must be prepared to earn monies for, or have parental support to pay for, expenses. 12. Transportation All athletes and parents will be responsible for their own transportation to and from practice and events. In some instances of away games or events, a bus MAY be provided. Coaches will advise athletes and parents when a bus will be provided to events and any pertinent details in regards to busing. When riding the bus all athletes are required to be dressed in full uniform. There will be NO changing on the bus. Athletes that arrive to a bus and are not prepared will be required to sit out from the event. If an athlete will be riding home from an event with a parent/guardian, they must do a face-to-face check out with the coach or appointed school representative. Athletes will not be allowed to leave any event that required athletic bus/school transportation with a peer, ONLY a designated parent or guardian. 13. Discipline
The coach may bench a cheerleader for cheerleading and/or school rule violations for part or all of an event. Anytime a student is benched, the coach will attempt to contact the parent by email to explain the reason(s). During the time that the cheerleader is benched, he/she is expected to attend practices and contests. A benched athlete is required to dress down at school and the event and stand/ sit with the coaches throughout the duration of the game/ event. Failure to do so may result in further discipline, up to, and including, dismissal from the team. Being on the cheerleading team does not guarantee your athlete will cheer every game or be in every performance/competition. Suspension from school for any reason (i.e. cheating, bullying, leaving campus, fighting, etc.) will result in loss of cheerleading privileges on the day(s) of suspension is being served and may result in additional suspension from the team. Misconduct in the community may also result in the suspension or removal from the team. 14. Social Media Athletes are expected to maintain the same professionalism and courtesy away from school as they do in school. As such, it is important to be aware of our behavior not just on campus, off campus, or in the community, but also in the cyber world as well. It is never ok to post inappropriate pictures or comments on any school media outlet or to use it as a place to bully others. Additionally, as a member of the PCHS Cheer program, all cheerleaders and parents acknowledge that posting grievances towards the school, its staff, the cheer program, its athletes, or any other staff member at Pine Creek High School is not only unacceptable, it will be terms for dismissal of the program. We are aware of the new trend with fake social media accounts. If we find out that an athlete has a fake account, and is posting something inappropriate, it will have the same consequences. Remember Eagles, social media is NEVER a place to bully or air your dirty laundry. If you have an issue, respect yourself, your school, your program, and your coaches by coming to them and discussing your problem or issue! This is not just a PCHS Cheer rule, but also a valuable life lesson. Remember, we are building strong young adults! 15. Lettering As a Varsity member of the Pine Creek cheerleading team, athletes have the opportunity to letter. Lettering on Varsity requires participation at 80% of all practices and games through each season. Since Cheerleading is a 2 season sport, there is an opportunity for Varsity athletes to letter 2 times during the year. Attendance will be taken at all mandatory events and will be calculated at the end of the season to determine if an athlete will be lettering for fall and winter seasons. 16. Quitting/Removal of the team
If an athlete ends up quitting or being removed from the team prior to the end of the full cheerleading season that athlete will not be allowed to return to the team until the next cheerleading season. At the time of the next tryout the reason for quitting/being removed from the team will be reviewed by the coaching staff to determine the placement on a team for the next season. 17. The Coach has final say Ultimately the coach has the final say in any situation. If you are going to be a part of Pine Creek Cheer you must trust that your coaches will do what is best for the team. Not every decision will directly benefit every member but is always made in what the coach believes to be in the best interest of the team as a whole. If a student has a question or issue with the decision then they must talk to the coach about the issue in a respectful manner. Building communication between the coach and student athlete is critical to the success of the PCHS cheer program. Parents should only contact a coach after their daughter has discussed the issue(s) first. If you feel the problem has not been resolved between the coach and the athlete, it is preferred to email the coaches to set up a meeting for you and the student athlete. If after meeting with the coach, a family still feels as though the problem has not been resolved, they may request the assistance of the Athletic Director. Please follow the communication protocol because it is vital to resolving any and all concerns. 18. Team/ Parent/ Coach Communication The PCHS cheerleading program uses an app called Team Snap. This app is a simple way for teams/ parents/ and coaches can communicate quickly and easily. As soon as teams are set please watch your email for an invitation to join your appropriate group on team snap (jv, jv parents, varsity, varsity parent s exc.). Weekly parent s emails will be sent through this as well as any group messaging between the teams and/or parents. We feel like any communication that the team is having as a whole needs to have access by the coaching staff to eliminate any conflicts and confusion that may come up. We do not want to have the team using a regular group chat on their phones for communication. Please sign below and return this page with your tryout packet
I/ We have read the guidelines and information packet for Pine Creek High School Cheerleading team. By signing below I/We am/are gibing my/our son/daughter permission to try out for a PCHS cheerleader team. I/We further understand that if my/our son/daughter is selected for a cheerleading team that he/she is to follow these guidelines during the entire cheerleading season. I/We understand that he/she will be accountable for all things stated in the above guidelines. Parent Signature Date I have read the guidelines for PCHS cheerleaders, understand them, and agree to follow them during the tryout period. If selected to a team, I agree to continue following the guidelines during my entire time as a member of a PCHS cheerleading team. Athlete Signature Date Athletes printed name Pine Creek High School Cheerleading Teacher Recommendation Form
Teachers Name: Subject: Current grade in this class: will be trying out for a position on a Pine Creek cheerleading team. We have asked all athletes to get teacher recommendations as a part of their tryout process. Please fill out this questionnaire and return to the athlete in a sealed envelope or bring to Jenny Fields office and place in Coach Dana Ward s box. Thank you so much for your help in our tryout process. Please answer each question with a 1-5 rating 1 being poor and 5 being excellent. Feel free to elaborate if you feel necessary. Your options matter to us! Does this student arrive on time to class? Does this student have a good attitude while in class? Does this athlete work well with others? Do you think this student is capable of completing their school work as well as being a student athlete? Do you think this student will represent Pine Creek High School well, in and out of school? If you have any other comments, concerns, or recommendations for the coaching staff, please write them below. Thank you so much for your input! Teachers Signature Date Pine Creek High School Cheerleading Teacher Recommendation Form
Teachers Name: Subject: Current grade in this class: will be trying out for a position on a Pine Creek cheerleading team. We have asked all athletes to get teacher recommendations as a part of their tryout process. Please fill out this questionnaire and return to the athlete in a sealed envelope or bring to Jenny Fields office and place in Coach Dana Ward s box. Thank you so much for your help in our tryout process. Please answer each question with a 1-5 rating 1 being poor and 5 being excellent. Feel free to elaborate if you feel necessary. Your options matter to us! Does this student arrive on time to class? Does this student have a good attitude while in class? Does this athlete work well with others? Do you think this student is capable of completing their school work as well as being a student athlete? Do you think this student will represent Pine Creek High School well, in and out of school? If you have any other comments, concerns, or recommendations for the coaching staff, please write them below. Thank you so much for your input! Teachers Signature Date Pine Creek High School Cheerleading Teacher Recommendation Form
Teachers Name: Subject: Current grade in this class: will be trying out for a position on a Pine Creek cheerleading team. We have asked all athletes to get teacher recommendations as a part of their tryout process. Please fill out this questionnaire and return to the athlete in a sealed envelope or bring to Jenny Fields office and place in Coach Dana Ward s box. Thank you so much for your help in our tryout process. Please answer each question with a 1-5 rating 1 being poor and 5 being excellent. Feel free to elaborate if you feel necessary. Your options matter to us! Does this student arrive on time to class? Does this student have a good attitude while in class? Does this athlete work well with others? Do you think this student is capable of completing their school work as well as being a student athlete? Do you think this student will represent Pine Creek High School well, in and out of school? If you have any other comments, concerns, or recommendations for the coaching staff, please write them below. Thank you so much for your input! Teachers Signature Date