Escobedo Middle School Cheerleading Constitution

2013-2014 Escobedo Middle School Cheerleading Constitution Topic Page # Agreement page (turn in) 1 Current School Schedule (turn in) 2 Purpose (initials) 3 Requirements (initials) 3 Required Paperwork (initials) 3 Fees & Fundraisers (initials) 4 Absences (initials) 4 Transportation/Bus Trips (initials) 4-5 Uniforms (initials) 5 Safety (initials) 5 Practices and Games (initials) 6 Demerits (initials) 7-8 Suspension & Removal from Cheerleading (initials) 8 Code of Conduct (turn in) 9 Cheerleader Agreement: I have read the cheerleading constitution and agree to abide by the said requirements. I have initialed above by each topic acknowledging that I have read and understood each part. I understand that the purpose of a constitution is to keep this activity fair for all parties involved. If I have any questions concerning decisions made for the team, I will contact the coaches first. I understand that as a cheerleader, I will have the responsibility to be a good school leader and role model. Student Name (Please print) Student Signature Parent Agreement: I have read the cheerleading constitution and agree to abide by the said requirements. I have initialed above by each topic acknowledging that I have read and understood each part. I understand that the purpose of a constitution is to keep this activity fair for all parties involved. If I have any questions concerning decisions made for the team, I will contact the coaches first. I understand that as a parent/guardian, I will have some responsibilities for both my cheerleader and the team. Parent/Guardian Name (Please print) Home Phone #: Parent/Guardian Signature Cell Phone #: ~ 1 ~

****This page needs to be completed by current Escobedo Cheerleaders**** Cheerleader s Name: Current Grade Level: 6 th 7 th 8 th Current School Schedule: PERIOD Room # SUBJECT TEACHER 1 2 3 4 5 6 ****Please fill out and turn in to Coach Freeman.**** ~ 2 ~

PURPOSE: 1. To promote and uphold school spirit 2. To model good sportsmanlike behavior and leadership 3. To develop positive relationships between schools during all athletic events 4. To uphold the highest standards-academically, personally, and athletically REQUIREMENTS: 1. You must be officially enrolled at Escobedo Middle School. 2. You must be prepared to make a year-long commitment to the squad and EMS. 3. You must achieve and MAINTAIN a 2.0 grade point average for the entire season. 4. You may not have any "F's" or "U's" on any progress report or report card during the season. 5. You must MAINTAIN an outstanding, O, or satisfactory, S, in citizenship in ALL of your CLASSES for the duration of the season. Grade checks will be conducted periodically. 6. If you receive a failing grade, needs improvement, and/or unsatisfactory mark for citizenship on any grade check, you will be declared ineligible to cheer for no less than one week AND MAY REMAIN SO until you become eligible. Once you are declared ineligible, your grades and/or citizenship will be checked weekly. After being ineligible for a four-week period you will be removed from the squad and will no longer be a part of the Escobedo Middle School Cheerleading Squad. 7. If a teacher approaches the cheerleading advisors with a concern about school-work or conduct, each concern will be addressed and appropriate action will be taken, including demerits issued, suspension from the squad to make-up class work and/or to serve teacher detentions. If you have to miss practice due to detention you will also miss the following game for not being at practice and be issued a demerit. 8. Once you have made the Escobedo Cheerleading squad, you must abide by all school and district rules and regulations. If you are suspended FOR ANY REASON, tardies, dress code, fighting, insubordination, etc., you will be IMMEDIATELY removed from the squad. 9. All practices, games, events, and fundraisers are MANDATORY. If you miss any of these events you will be issued a demerit and will not cheer at a game determined by the advisors. 10. You must be in school on the day of the event to be eligible to cheer that day, unless excused by an administrator. 11. IF YOU ARE INELIGIBLE TO CHEER YOU ARE STILL REQUIRED TO ATTEND PRACTICES. YOU ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO ATTEND ALL GAMES WITH THE SQUAD IN FULL UNIFORM BUT YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO CHEER. YOU WILL SIT WITH THE ADVISORS. THIS INCLUDES AWAY GAMES UNLESS THE ADVISORS DETERMINE OTHERWISE. REQUIRED PAPERWORK: 1. Before participation can begin, you must have ALL of the following completed and signed by your parents or legal guardians: a. Permission to Participate b. Statement of Understanding and Acceptance for both parents and students c. Declaration of Physical Health d. Student Athletic Insurance Waver e. Field Trip Permit f. Copy of Current Insurance Card g. Vegas Cheer Authority Registration Form h. Cheerleading Constitution Signature Page ~ 3 ~

FEES & FUNDRAISERS: 1. Each Cheerleader is required to pay about $500.00. 2. This fee covers the cost of the uniform and the mandatory accessories of socks, shoes, briefs, warmups, tee shirt, sweatshirt, bag, pom-poms, and hair ribbon. 3. All Cheerleaders will be required to participate in all fundraisers. 4. Fundraiser money will be used to purchase and/or fund any or all of the following: a. Poster supplies b. Presents and treats for the Cheerleaders c. End-of-the-Year banquet 5. Parents may break the $500.00 into four installments. $200.00 is payable NO LATER than Wednesday, October 2 nd. $150.00 is due by Wednesday, November 6 th. On Wednesday, December 4 th, a total of $150.00 will be due. Payments must be made ON TIME and IN FULL. Only cash or money orders will be accepted! ABSENCES: 1. All Practices are mandatory, unless excused by an administrator and/or advisors. 2. If you MUST miss cheerleading practice, you are to notify the advisors in writing one day in advance. 3. An unexcused absence from practice or a game will result in a demerit and a one-game suspension per missed practice, and two-game suspension per missed game. 4. Half-time performances are considered a privilege. Failure to attend mandatory practices to learn and perfect the half-time routines will result in the exclusion from half-time performances. If you are not prepared to perform at the appropriate level, you will not perform during half time. 5. You will be given an UNEXCUSED absence and a demerit if you miss practice or a game due to an after school detention. 6. You may not practice or perform if you have not been in school that day, unless excused by an administrator. 7. If you are declared truant, you will be ineligible for a period of one week starting on the day the infraction was reported to the administration. TRANSPORTATION/BUS TRIPS: 1. One bus will be provided for the girls' and boys' teams, team managers, and the cheerleaders. 2. All three teams will sit together, however girls are not to sit next to a boy. 3. All riders must have a signed field trip permit before he/she will be allowed to ride the bus. 4. The team coaches and cheerleading advisors will chaperone the bus rides. 5. Parents/guardians will be expected to provide transportation home upon returning from away games. 6. PARENTS MUST PICK UP THEIR CHEERLEADER DIRECTLY AFTER GAMES END AT THE FRONT PARKING LOT. THERE WILL BE NO SUPERVISION PROVIDED AFTER HOME GAMES END AND UPON RETURN FROM AWAY GAMES. ADVISORS WILL WAIT 10 MINUTES AFTER THE HOMES GAMES AND UPON RETURN FROM AWAY GAMES. 7. A parent MUST provide a note IN ADVANCE in order to pick up their cheerleader from an away game location stating that cheerleader will not ride the bus back to EMS. 8. A parent MAY NOT provide transportation home from an away game location or EMS for another cheerleader unless the cheer advisors have been provided with a note from that cheerleader s parents giving their permission for another parent to provide transportation. ~ 4 ~

UNIFORMS: 1. Uniforms, including poms, are not to be loaned to anyone, for any reason. 2. All uniforms are to be clean, freshly washed (according to directions) and in good repair at all times. 3. Cheer members will pay for the replacement of any part of the uniform that is lost or damaged once the uniforms are issued. 4. The uniform requirements include: poms, white ankle socks, skirt, midrifts, warm-up suit, practice clothes, sweatshirt, shoes, and ribbons. 5. Uniforms are to be worn only for approved school activities. 6. No excessive make-up should be worn during games and practices. SAFETY: 1. No stunting or gymnastics are allowed when the coach(es) is/are not present! Members will be benched for an entire game. 2. No jewelry is allowed on any part of the body, including any body piercings (ears, stomach, tongue, etc.) 3. No glitter is allowed. 4. Flyers should NOT put lotion on their arms or legs before a performance. 5. Nails must be sport length to avoid injury to self or other squad members. No acrylic nails allowed. 6. Hair must be worn up and out of face. Nails cannot extend past fingertips at any cheerleading function. 7. Gum is not allowed. 8. Members assume the risk of injury during every situation, practice, performances, tumbling, stunting, etc. 9. Camp clothing or exercise and proper footwear are required for every practice. No spaghetti straps, low cut shirts or short shorts allowed. 10. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND BRING WATER TO PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCES. 11. Eat a healthful diet and get adequate sleep in order to prevent injury and to perform at top physical athletic levels. 12. Failure to meet any of the safety rules set forth by the advisors will result in suspension or possible removal depending on the severity of the infraction. ~ 5 ~

PRACTICES AND GAMES **Practice sessions should not be wasted by inattentiveness, tardiness/leaving early, misbehavior, laziness, unwillingness to participate or lack of cooperation.** 1. All practices are mandatory! No exceptions! Other activities are not an excuse to miss practice. 2. Absences from practices may only be excused by the coach(es) prior to practice and will be limited to emergencies. 3. Proper clothing and footwear are required for every practice. This means shorts, t-shirts, tennis shoes and socks. All clothing must adhere to the school dress code. 4. Due to safety concerns, jewelry is prohibited during any practice or performance. 5. Finger nails must be filed. Nail polish is NOT allowed for competition. Acrylic nails are NOT allowed. 6. All hair must be tied back for every practice and performance. Carry extra hair binders and bobby pins to keep your hair back. 7. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a loss of points and possible dismissal from the squad. 8. The safety of our cheerleaders is our priority. Please do not interrupt practice. 9. The advisors will distribute practice schedules. Occasionally, extra practices may be called if a special performance requires more work. 10. You are expected to cheer at all scheduled events unless you have been determined ineligible. 11. A cheerleader will not perform during games or half-time routines for the following reasons without the advisors approval: i. Any violation of the standards or rules of the school ii. Not in proper uniform from head to toe iii. Inappropriate behavior as reported by your parents, teachers, administrators, or school official iv. Inappropriate language or gestures v. Unsportsmanlike behavior vi. Unexcused absence from practices or games vii. Disrespect to adults or fellow cheerleaders viii. Any other valid reason, as the above is not an inclusive list, but determined by the advisor and administration. 12. The advisors have the right to determine if a cheerleader will participate in a game and/or half-time performance if he/she does not exhibit the mastery of skills required to perform the routines and cheers. 13. A cheerleader may also be withheld from performing during games and/or half-time routines if he/she has missed required and mandatory practices. 14. It is the determination of the advisors to rule it reasonable, appropriate, and fair to require the squad to attend extra practices to perfect routines/performances. 15. Anytime a cheerleader is benched for a game, he/she will sit in full uniform with the advisors and is required to travel with the team. 16. Cheerleaders may not eat, drink (except water), or chew gum while practicing or performing. You may want to pack a snack to eat before practice or games begin. You are permitted to get a snack before games and at half time, but the squad must sit together while guest squads are performing. Cheerleaders presence Must be accounted for at all times and Cheerleaders MUST be on the gym floor, ready to cheer, at the two minute mark on the half-time clock. ~ 6 ~

DEMERITS: 1. Demerits will go into effect as of Monday, October 7 th. 2. Cheerleading advisors will issue consequences that match each step of the demerit system in accordance with progressive discipline. Once a cheerleader has acquired 10 demerits, she will be IMMEDIATELY removed from the EMS Cheerleading squad. If you are permanently removed from the EMS cheerleading squad, you will not be reimbursed for any amount of the cheerleading expenses as outlined in these guidelines. 3. Demerits will be issued for inappropriate behavior such as, but not limited to, unexcused absences, tardiness, being unprepared at practice or at games, disrespect toward the coaches, other students, other cheerleaders, or players, starting fights, talking back, yelling, eye rolling, excessive talking while on or off the court, inappropriate use of social media, chewing gum, being issued a Dean s detention or teacher detention, and having ineligible grades such as D s, F s, N s and or U s. An advisor may issue a demerit for ANY behavior deemed inappropriate. 4. Demerits and consequences are as follows: 1 st Demerit = verbal warning / conference with the cheerleading advisor 2 nd Demerit = verbal warning / conference with the cheerleading advisor 3 rd Demerit = one game suspension and/or performance on specified day 4 th Demerit = apology letter to advisor 5 th Demerit = parent letter 6 th Demerit = second game suspension and/or performance on specified day 7 th Demerit = apology letter to the squad 8 th Demerit = required parent, cheerleader, cheerleader advisor, and athletic advisor meeting 9 th Demerit = third game suspension and/or performance on specified day 10 th Demerit = IMMEDIATELY removed from the EMS Cheerleading squad. 5. Cheerleaders earn demerit points for NOT adhering to the rules. Each member will begin the season with zero demerits. Every three (3) demerits earned will result in a suspension for all performances on a specified day. If ten (10) demerits are earned, the said member will be dismissed from the team. Members removed from the team due to demerits will be ineligible for any future cheerleading squad at Escobedo Middle School. It is ultimately the advisor s decision to dismiss any member from the team. 6. Demerits will be earned for the following: One (1) Demerit: Dirty/torn/wrinkled uniform Improper or missing uniform/accessories Jewelry worn during practice/performance Improper hair ~ 7 ~

Having acrylic nails (during practice or competition) or painted finger nails (during competition only) Inappropriate practice clothes that violate dress code Improper shoes Tardy to practice/performance (1-5 minutes) Chewing gum Bickering, swearing, uncooperative attitude, excessive talking Eating or drinking (other than water) during practice or performance Leaving without permission Grade probation/citizenship Spraying perfume/hairspray on bus trips Two(2) Demerits: Unexcused absence from practice Tardy to practice/performance (6-10 minutes) Late pick-up after practice/performance (5-10 minutes) Three(3) Demerits Tardy to practice/performance (11 minutes or more) Late pick-up after practice/performance (more than 11 minutes) Unexcused absence from a performance Any behavior affecting bus safety Any public displays of affection Any Dean s referrals Any unsportsmanlike conduct This includes insubordination to coaches, choreographer, teacher(s) and/or administrator(s). Failure to participate in mandatory fundraising activity Failure to abide by the CCSD Rules of Conduct and regulation for student athletes will result in deduction of demerits and possible suspension or removal from the team, depending on the severity of the infraction. Each time a cheerleader earns demerits, he/she and his/her parents will be required to sign a form stating the violation(s). SUSPENSION & REMOVAL FROM CHEERLEADING: 1. You will be suspended from cheerleading either temporarily or permanently; the length of time to be determined by the advisors and the administration if you are/have been: a. Exhibiting inappropriate behavior on and/or off the court (including social networking sites). b. Absences 5 unexcused absences from practices/games c. Referred to the Dean for ANY school and/or classroom violations. d. Referred to law enforcement authorities or are arrested for any reason. e. Investigated for using tobacco, alcohol, or are in possession of a controlled substance and/or narcotic, and it has been determined that you are in violation. ~ 8 ~

f. If you are permanently removed from the EMS cheerleading squad, you will not be reimbursed for any amount of the cheerleading expenses as outlined in these guidelines. Escobedo Middle School Cheerleader Code of Conduct It is the intent of the Escobedo Middle School Cheerleading staff that all participants, including cheerleaders, advisors, parents, and spectators, promote the sport of cheerleading in a positive manner. We look forward to good sportsmanship and lasting friendships for all participants. CHEERLEADER CONDUCT 1. Conduct in the classrooms, halls, and other areas of the campus should always be such that it sets a positive example for other students. 2. MEMBERS SHALL COOPERATE WITH ADVISORS, CHOREOGRAPHER, SQUAD MEMBERS, GAME OFFICIALS, SPECTATORS, FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATORS AT ALL TIMES! 3. Never shall a member BOO, show disrespect, or display any type of unsportsmanlike conduct. 4. Squad members are not allowed to display inappropriate behavior such as: smoking, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, public displays of affection or using inappropriate language. 5. Cheerleaders will abide by all CCSD rules of conduct for student athletes for the duration of their membership on the squad. 6. Members shall conduct themselves properly at all times. 7. During a game, all members should be enthusiastic, well-groomed, and demonstrate positive sportsmanship. 8. Members should lead the crowd and help promote a positive attitude as much as possible. 9. Members are NOT to discuss squad business with anyone other than squad members or coaches. 10. Each member of the squad has the responsibility to uphold the highest standards of behavior. **Cheerleaders represent the entire student body. Any display of unsportsmanlike conduct, bad social habits, or undesirable behavior, in and/or out of school, are points of utmost importance and reflect poorly on the entire squad and the EMS student population.** COACH CONDUCT Escobedo Middle School coaches will be responsible for their conduct, their cheerleaders conduct, and their cheerleaders parents. Absolutely no abusive or vulgar language will be tolerated toward cheerleaders, coaches, or anyone else. SPECTATOR/PARENT CONDUCT Proper conduct is required of parents and spectators at all times. Spectators shall at no time use signs, gestures, or degrading comments toward opposing spectators, coaches, cheerleaders, or parents. Cheerleader s Signature Parent/Guardian s Signature ~ 9 ~