2013-2014 MIDDLE SCHOOL PEP SQUAD HANDBOOK
PLEASANT GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL PEP SQUAD HANDBOOK 2013-2014
Pleasant Grove Middle School Pep Squad General Information Pep Squad Purpose (Extension of the Cheerleading Squad) Promote School Spirit Encourage the Football Team Support the Cheerleaders *As a member of the Pleasant Grove Middle School Pep Squad, keep in mind that you are not only representing yourself, but you are also representing HAWK NATION! Practice So our squad can make the best representation possible and support the cheerleaders, practices will correspond with the cheerleader s practices. These practices will be announced. You must be present and on time to practice in order to participate in the pep rally and game on Thursday. You should have someone here to pick you up on time after practice. Demerits will be received by members who choose not to follow any of the above guidelines. Pep Rallies To promote school spirit, pep rallies will be each Thursday during football season. They will occur at different times during the school day depending on the football schedule. You will be released from class a few minutes before the pep rally and will be expected to report directly to the gym, take your assigned seat, and wait for the festivities to begin. You must participate and follow the schedule according to the agenda given by the cheerleaders. Demerits will be received by members who choose not to follow any of the above guidelines.
Games Games are on Thursday nights beginning anywhere from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Encouraging the football team, promoting school spirit, and supporting the cheerleaders is of the utmost importance during the football games. Therefore, you will be expected to arrive, be seated in the stands, and ready to cheer 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the game. You are required to stay in your seat unless your sponsor gives you permission to do otherwise and will remain as a squad until the end of the game. If you have to leave early, a parent or guardian must sign you out with the sponsor. You may only have bottled water in the stands during game time. A designated break time will allow for eating and to use the restroom. Demerits will be received by members who choose not to attend the games or follow any of the above guidelines. Uniforms Your uniform consists of: Pep Squad T-shirt, denim bottom (dress code length), hair bow, and hair worn up and out of face. In order to participate, you must wear the required uniform at all pep squad functions. Equipment You should always bring your pom poms to practices, pep rallies, and games. In order to participate, you must have your pom poms. Posters To promote school spirit, each pep squad member will be required to make one poster on standard size poster board. A schedule will be given to each member indicating when the poster is due. All posters must have correct spelling, correct themes, and show support for the Hawks. Any posters that are incomplete or late will not be accepted, and members will receive demerits. Lieutenants You will be responsible for taking attendance/tardies of the members of your line, report anyone out of uniform to the sponsor, and making sure members of your line are participating. You are responsible for the display of all posters from the members of your line. Demerits will be received by any lieutenant who chooses not to follow any of the above guidelines. You are the leader so you must model the behaviors that are expected from all members!
Suspension from Pep Squad Remember that if you receive SEVEN demerits; you will be dismissed from the pep squad. You must be in good standing with the pep squad your first year to be a lieutenant the next year. You must be in good standing with the pep squad during the seventh grade to be a cheerleader in the eighth grade. It is important to follow all the rules so that you can participate in future pep squad or cheerleading activities.
Pleasant Grove Middle School Pep Squad Demerit System The demerit system will be in effect regarding attitude, punctuality, regulations, etc. at all gatherings where a member will be representing Pleasant Grove Middle School. Demerits will be given by the sponsor only. Lieutenants may recommend a demerit, but it is the sponsor who will make the final decision on any demerit situations. Suspension form games and pep squad will be based upon the demerit system as will conduct and grade requirements. Demerits will be given for violation of rules. Seven demerits will constitute a dismissal from the position. A student who, on or within 300 feet of school property or at a schoolrelated event on or off school property, 1) Sells, gives, delivers, possesses, uses, or is under the influence of prohibited drugs or alcohol or 2) Engages in conduct punishable as an offense relating to an abusable volatile chemical May be removed from the team or organization or be suspended from the team or organization for a period of time to be determined by the sponsor and the campus administrator in addition to consequences for violation of the Student Code of Conduct. These consequences are minimal; coaches or sponsors may elect to increase punishment. Additional school consequences may apply. In all cases the parents and authority will be notified. Membership in an extracurricular organization/team is a privilege and not a right. Any student who is found to have formal charges brought against him/her by law enforcement officials or any student who, in the opinion of the coach, sponsor, or administrator brings forth a negative view of the team or organization by his/her actions is subject to disciplinary actions in addition to the requirements of the Student Code of Conduct. Consequences will be determined by the coach, sponsor, or administrator. Demerits may be earned for the following: 1) Tardy to pep squad activities (games, practices, etc.) 2) Absent from pep squad activities (games, practices, etc.) unless the absence is an excused absence from school 3) Allowing uniform to become dirty or unpresentable 4) Excessive talking without permission during games, pep rallies, or formal practices.
5) Excessive movement in the stands or leaving the stands without permission 6) Talking back or arguing with lieutenants or sponsor 7) Neglecting to turn in a poster for the week 8) Any other situation at the discretion of the sponsor after sufficient warning has been given Merits are positive marks recorded for a member by the sponsor. Merits can help to cancel out demerits. Merits can be earned for the following activities: 1) Wearing spirit ribbons to pep rallies and games 2) Exceptional poster 3) Participating in volunteer work for a local charity organization 4) Volunteering in various cheerleading related competitions 5) Participating in spirit ribbon sales during lunch 6) Exhibition of exceptional spirit and performance during pep rally or game