TESORO HIGH SCHOOL Rules & Policies

TESORO HIGH SCHOOL PEP SQUAD 2015-2016

TESORO HIGH SCHOOL Rules & Policies 2015-2016 PHILOSOPHY As a Member of the Tesoro High School Pep Squad you represent Tesoro High School and the Capistrano Unified School District in everything you do! It is paramount that you conduct yourself in an appropriate, respectful and polite manner at all times. It is a privilege to be a member of the Pep Squad and to be able to represent Tesoro High School. PURPOSE The purpose of the Tesoro Pep Squad is: 1. To promote school spirit and Titan Pride at Tesoro. 2. To support the THS athletic teams and to cheer at football and basketball games. 3. To positively represent THS at cheer and song competitions. 4. To perform at pep rallies, games and special events. 5. To be a leader on campus and serve the school and community through ACTIVE participation. MEMBERSHIP Membership on Pep Squad is membership of a TEAM. As such, each Member must be available to attend ALL practices, events, games, pep rallies, competitions, etc. Without all Members, the team is incomplete. Each Member must be respectful and participate at all times with pride, respect and a positive attitude. This commitment is for one year, May to April. There are four teams: Varsity Cheer, Varsity Song, JV Cheer and JV Song. Members of Tesoro High School JV and Varsity squads may not be members of any other sports team at Tesoro High School or all-star cheer team without the written consent of their Cheer or Song coach. If a student quits, or is removed from the Pep Squad at any time during the year, for disciplinary or other reasons, she/he relinquishes her/his standing on the Pep Squad, will be dropped from the class, will not be a part of any Pep Squad activities, including the year-end banquet and lettering, and will not be allowed to try out for the squad the following year. And may not get full donation back. All Members must be enrolled in a minimum of 5 classes, one of which must be Pep Squad. All Members earn PE credit for Pep Squad. Varsity Members will be eligible for a Varsity letter upon successful completion of the year in good standing including participation in all Varsity events and competitions. THS Pep Squad 2015-2016 Page 1 of 6

TRY-OUT PROCEDURES 1. Tryout packets are available to download on School Loop and at www.tesorocheer.com. 2. The following required paperwork must be completed and submitted NO LATER THAN 3:00 pm on Monday April 27, to the THS front office, ATTN: CHEER 1) THS Cheerleader or Songleader Application with current head shot on photo paper 2) THS Pep Squad Permission Form and Medical Release Form 3) Copy of latest report card (9-12) or Academic Advisor Grade Check Form (incoming freshmen) 4) THS Athletic Clearance packet with current/updated physical (turn in to Jennifer King, THS athletic secretary) 5) THS Pep Squad Rules and Policies last page signed by parent/guardian and student Failure to submit required paperwork by Monday, April 27 at 3:00 pm will result in not being allowed to participate in the tryout process. 3. After school Tryout Clinics and Tryouts will be held at THS. $20 donation requested. Cheer Clinics -April 29-May 1 Wednesday, April 29 th, 5:00-7:00pm in Food Court (check-in begins at 4:30pm) Thursday, April 30 th, 5:00-7:00pm in Dance Room Friday, May 1 st, 5:00-7:00pm in Small Gym Tryouts- Candidates must be available for call backs at the end May 2nd ~ 9:00am- 12:00pm Song Candidates May 2nd ~ 12:00-3:00pm Cheer Candidates (registration begins at 11:00am) Dancers that want to be on cheer in the case they do not make dance will be asked to stay on May 2 nd and try out for cheer as well. What to Wear for CHEER Plain white, red or blue tank top or t-shirt (NO spaghetti straps and/or bare midriffs) Red or Blue shorts with briefs underneath & Cheer or athletic tennis shoes. Hair should be slicked back in a high pony. Ribbons encouraged. Secure bangs and wispy hair out of your face. Please refrain from wearing any shirts/shorts designating all star or prior team affiliation. NO jewelry of any kind should be worn! 4. New prospective members must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be eligible to tryout and only have one unsatisfactory on previous report card/progress report. 5. Coaching staff will determine the size of each squad and its members. Results from tryouts are final. Please do not contact coaching staff regarding team placements. Guest judges will be present at Tryouts in addition to the coaching staff. 6. Selected team members numbers will be posted on www.tesorocheer.com by 6pm on Sunday, May 3 rd. 7. Parent/Student Meeting Monday, May 4 th at 5:30 pm in the Tesoro Library. Clothing/Uniform & Camp payments will be collected at this time. Total costs will be given to the cheerleader at the fitting. Please make checks payable to Tesoro Cheer. Credit Cards can be used in the ASB office the following day until 1pm (if using a cc, please add an additional 5% to the total). 8. New Teams: Fittings/Welcome Event, Tuesday, May 11 th 3-6pm at THS Returning Members/Current Tesoro Students 3pm & Incoming Students 3:45pm *Uniform sizing will be done so please wear a sport bra and briefs under your clothing. THS Pep Squad 2015-2016 Page 2 of 6

RULES, REGULATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Each member is expected to follow the rules, regulations and responsibilities set by the coaching staff at all times. Disciplinary procedures are at the discretion of the Coach and/or Athletic Director. I. General Rules 1. Pep Squad must take priority over other co-curricular activities. Members may engage in jobs and outside activities (including participation in choir, ASB, drama or other school clubs) only if they DO NOT interfere with participation in Pep Squad activities, including ALL practices, games, competitions and events. 2. Members may not let others use their Pep Squad clothes or supplies. This includes practice clothes, shirts, poms or any part of your uniform or costume. Uniforms may only be worn by members and at Pep Squad events. 3. Rings, necklaces, earrings and/or nose rings may not be worn during any Pep Squad team performance including game days, rallies and competitions. Exception- two small post earrings may be worn to school on game days, but must be removed before performing. 4. Hair must be in natural colors and/or highlights. No wild colors or chunky blocks of colors. 5. Pep Squad Members should refrain from representing themselves on any website in association with vulgar language, reference to use of drugs and/or alcohol, or sexual innuendo. And negative comments about the team. 6. Pep Squad Members will follow Tesoro High School s Athletic Code for discipline. 7. New Pep Squad Members must have a 2.5 GPA in order to be eligible to try out. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and may only have one unsatisfactory on previous report card/progress report in order to remain a Member of Pep Squad. If he/she drops below a 2.5 GPA at the end of the semester, he/she will be put on academic probation for the next semester. Academic probation is only allowed for one semester throughout the entire four-year membership period. For purposes of determining Athletic eligibility only one PE class (Pep Squad) may count towards semester GPA. II. Game & Performance Responsibilities: 1. All Pep Squad Members are expected to attend and be on time to all practices, games and other scheduled activities. The participation of all athletes is required for safe, proper and effective performances and for the TEAM to be complete. Responsibilities include- Varsity Cheer a. Home and away football games b. Home and away boy/girl basketball games as determined by the coach c. All CIF playoff games. THESE GAMES TAKE PLACE OVER THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY AND THE FEBRUARY PRESIDENTS WEEKEND HOLIDAY. VARSITY MEMBERS SHOULD NOT PLAN TRAVEL OVER THESE DATES. d. Pep Rallies, community events, fundraising events and outreach activities. e. Scheduled competitions. Competitions often take place on Saturday and/or Sunday. f. Summer workouts, summer camp and all summer practices (July and August) g. Practice including those beyond class time, off campus, and weekends. Responsibilities JV Cheer: Responsibilities are the same as above with the exception of Pep Rallies, away games and CIF games. JV teams will not travel to games. III. Competition Performance Requirements 1. All teams compete. 2. All Members are expected to attend ALL competitions (even if sidelined). 3. The coaches set competition dates. Competitions generally occur December through March and often impact Presidents weekend. Competitions are held on Saturdays and Sundays. By becoming a Member of the Pep Squad you are agreeing to the dates that the coaches choose regardless of your personal schedules. THS Pep Squad 2015-2016 Page 3 of 6

4. Only Members in good standing may compete. Good standing is defined as a Member who is not curtailed by any disciplinary action that would prohibit a Member from participating. 5. Skills that are demonstrated at tryouts are expected to remain as such or improve throughout the year. 6. Coaches determine who competes at the Varsity level and members may be placed on a lower level team at any time throughout the school year. IV. Attendance: 1. Attend and be on time to all practices, games, competitions and other scheduled Pep Squad activities. 2. The coaching staff sets the summer schedule. Each Member and their family should plan activities/vacations around the Pep Squad schedule. 3. Any Member who is too sick to attend practice must notify the coaches by sending an email to their coach PRIOR to the beginning of practice or it will be considered an unexcused absence. The ONLY acceptable reason for an excused absence is extreme illness or a family emergency. 4. Doctor/dentist appointments, driving classes, work and/or tests and family events are not accepted excuses for missing practices and will be counted as unexcused. Please schedule these at times/days that don t conflict with your team s practices or games. 5. Any Member who is out ill and misses practice may be removed from the upcoming game, pep rally, performance and/or competition at the discretion of the coach. 6. A Member who has more than 2 unexcused absences throughout the summer or recurring absences during the school year may be removed from an upcoming performance or game at the discretion of the coach. 7. Excessive absences may be cause for removal from the squad. 8. Competitions may never be missed, as they require the entire TEAM in order to compete. Any member missing a competition may be removed from future competitions at the Coaches discretion. V. Injuries 1. It is the Member s responsibility to notify the coaching staff of an injury as soon as it occurs. 2. Any Member who is injured must have a doctor s note sidelining the Member. 3. Members are responsible for following doctor s orders at all times. 4. Any injured/sidelined Member will need a doctor s written release of full participation in order to resume participation. 5. Any limitations on participation may keep the Member sidelined and he/she may be removed from the routines, and it is NOT guaranteed that he/she will be worked back into the routine. VI. Safety Rules (Taken from NFHS Spirit Rules) 1. All Members (CHEER AND SONG) are required to follow and adhere to all safety guidelines, procedures and directions given by the coaches. 2. NO JEWELRY or GUM CHEWING is allowed during practices, games or other Pep Squad events. 3. Hair must be tied up and secured off the face as a safety precaution. 4. Tumbling and stunting of any kind is only permitted when the coach is present. 5. Nails must be short (near the end of the fingers) for ALL MEMBERS at ALL TIMES. French or clear nail polish only for game day, performances and competitions. VII. Transportation 1. ALL Members will ride to and from away games on a team bus when available. 2. Anytime Members are required to travel on a team bus they must return on the team bus. 3. Members are responsible for arranging transportation to away games and competitions when a team bus is not available. VIII. Fundraising & Donations The Cheer program is 100% funded through parent donations, corporate sponsorship and fundraising. Our goal is for 100% participation. These funds are necessary for the success of the program. Each member is requested to donate/fundraise $2000 this amount does not include clothing/uniform or camp fees. This amount pays for the coaching salaries, choreography/music editing, competition registration fees, equipment costs and repair, maintenance of safety equipment, spirit items, etc. THS Pep Squad 2015-2016 Page 4 of 6

Many fundraising opportunities are held throughout the season. Full participation is needed to help raise the appropriate funds. Fundraising events may include, but are not limited to: * Banner Sales/Corporate Sponsorship * Letter Writing * Fall /Spring Youth Spirit Camp * Competition Hosting * Pop Warner Snack Bar * ASB School Dances * Freshman Orientation Pizza Party *Holiday themed fundraiser IX. Grading Policy All Members begin each semester with 100 points, which is an A. It is their responsibility to maintain their grade by adhering to the above rules. In addition to other consequences, point deductions may be made for the following infractions: Disrespectful attitude/behavior Tardy and/or missing part of practice/games/events (i.e. leaving early) Unexcused absence (practice/games/events) Out of Uniform* practice or game day Non Dress** (unable to participate) Failure to bring/submit required paperwork on date assigned *Out of uniform= wrong clothing, wearing nail polish on game days, at pep rallies or competitions, wearing jewelry, failure to bring Pep Squad backpack, poms or warm ups. ** Non Dress= no shoes, practice wear, uniform, poms, and/or warm ups so unable to participate. X. Communication Members are expected to check Coach s Corner (www.tesorocheer.com) every Sunday after 6:00pm for weekly updates. Members are responsible for all information posted there. If at any time the Member has an issue that needs to be addressed, please have the first point of contact be directly from the Member to the Coach. Head Coach Cris Stuart coachcris@cox.net XI. Tentative Practice Schedule - Summer Practices* see calendar for specific times/changes Varsity & JV Cheer May 19 th, 21 st, 26 th, 3:30-5:30pm May 28 th JV Only, 3:30-5:30pm June 2 nd, 3:30-5:30pm July 6 th, 7 th, 8 th, 9 th, 13 th, 14 th, 15 th, 16 th, 9:00am-12:30pm July 28 th, 29 th, 30 th, 9:00am-2:00pm Camp TBD BY COACH AND TEAM August 18 th -19 th -20 th WERK IT WEEK ~ 9:00am-4:00pm *MANDATORY* *SUMMER VACATIONS: #1 June 20 - July 5 #2 July 17 - July 27 #3 July 31 - August 17 Practice Schedule beginning AUGUST 25 Varsity Cheer Monday 6 th period Tuesday 6 th period to 4:30pm Thursday 6 th period to 4:00pm JV Cheer Monday 6 th period & 3:00-5:00pm Tuesday 6 th period Thursday 6 th period PLEASE KEEP THESE RULES & POLICIES FOR YOUR RECORDS THS Pep Squad 2015-2016 Page 5 of 6 SIGN AND RETURN PAGE 6 ONLY

Please carefully read and sign this page and return to Front Office ATTN: Cheer no later than 3:00 pm on Monday, April 27, 2015. 1. We understand the decision of the coaches is final and not negotiable after tryouts. 2. We understand that teams are chosen on a basis of grades, teacher evaluations, talent and overall team needs. 3. We understand that coaches are happy to discuss our daughter s (son s) strengths and weaknesses in order to help them improve, but that the coach must also consider what is best for the team as a whole. 4. We understand and agree that coaches make all program decisions. 5. We understand that cheer and song must become the 1 st priority in terms of co-curricular activities. Including other teams if approved. 6. We understand that if our daughter (son) is selected this year, she (he) will still have to tryout again next year and their position on the squad is NOT guaranteed. Improvement, attitude and talent all play a part in whether they return. I have read and agree to abide by the Pep Squad Rules and Policies, accepting the consequences and possible dismissal from the squad for breaking any of the rules. I also sign this understanding that I, as a parent, cannot change or alter these rules and I am allowing my child to try out for this team knowing that these are the rules and I agree to the terms of the program as it stands. Student Signature Date Parent Signature Date Parent Signature Date THS Pep Squad 2015-2016 Page 6 of 6