1 Caddo Middle Magnet School Spirit Group Contract 2015-2016 The Caddo Middle Magnet Spirit Group members represent one of the best middle schools in the state of Louisiana. Each member must remember that when wearing the uniform, they represent the whole group and must act accordingly. I. Purpose: The purpose of this organization shall be to promote Caddo Middle Magnet School and the standards and ideals for its students. The Spirit Groups promote the ideas of team spirit, dedication, sacrifice, honor, and friendship between members of the squads. II. Membership: Spirit Groups include Pep Squad, Cheerleaders, Starline, Mascot, Twirlers, and Flag Runners. III. Prerequisites for Membership: a. Good Standing: All Spirit Group students must be in good standing. "Good standing" is defined as having at least a cumulative 2.5 GPA and current with all financial obligations, both to the school and the squad. b. Membership: In order to try out for Cheerleader, Starline, or Twirler, students must have been a member in good standing of a CMM Spirit Group for an entire school year. Transfer students can meet these eligibility requirements if they were a member of a spirit group from the transferring school. c. Submit: All candidates for each spirit squad must submit the following prior to the dates listed below: i. All candidates for any squad (with the exception of Pep Squad) MUST submit a Teacher Recommendation form by Friday, March 6, 2015 at NOON; ii. Intent to Run form signed by both the candidate and his/her parent/guardian submitted PRIOR to first clinic; iii. Legible copy of current report card submitted PRIOR to first clinic (printout from JCAMPUS is acceptable); and iv. $25 fee, cash or check submitted PRIOR to first clinic. d. Standards of Membership: Membership in the organization will be determined by the following standards: i. Pep Squad Membership is open to all 6 th grade students. The deadline for Pep Squad membership will be two weeks after the first day of school, if a used uniform is attainable. Members of Pep Squad will be required to purchase a (new or used) uniform. There will also be other potential fees (coach, parties, etc.) after the school year begins.
2 IV. Rules for Each Member: ii. Cheerleader, Starline, and Twirler candidates will be selected through a tryout process. Candidates for Cheerleader and Starline will be taught routines by which they will be judged. Twirler candidates will create their own routine that will include basic twirling skills. Knowledgeable persons who are familiar with cheerleader, dance line, twirling, mascot, and flag squad techniques and skills will judge the candidates. The judging panel will consist of no less than two and no more than four judges. Fifty percent of the final score comes from the judges and fifty percent from teacher recommendations. The candidate s scores will be tallied and Sponsor and CMM Administration will determine the natural break in the scores. Score sheets are the property of CMM and will not be viewable. The judges' decisions are final. iii. Flag Runner candidates must be either a 7 th or 8 th grade student. Candidates will create and perform a flag routine showing school spirit. iv. CMM Stallion Mascot Star candidates must be an 8 th grade student. Candidates will create and perform a skit showing imagination and school spirit. The top two candidates will be chosen. a. Attendance: i. Each member is required to attend ALL team performances, practices, functions, and activities in which the team participates including attending Cheer Chant Camp, summer practices, summer camps, football games, poster making projects, community service projects, or any other activities designated by the sponsor. ii. Excused absences are illness, death in the family, religious holiday, or other mandatory school-sponsored events (this list is not all-inclusive). Mandatory school-sponsored events do not include any other sporting events or homework. iii. Members are required to attend all performances in uniform even if a member has been removed from a particular performance.
3 iv. Members must contact their Sponsor PRIOR to any missed team activity (practice, performance, special practice, etc.) for ANY reason, excused or unexcused. Any excused or unexcused absence must be submitted in writing (emails and texts are acceptable) by the member s parent/guardian PRIOR to any event. Notifying another squad member of the absence WILL NOT be considered Sponsor contact. v. To be eligible to participate in pep rallies or other in-school related activities, spirit group member must attend at least four classes on the day of the scheduled event. b. Code of Conduct: i. Members are expected to conduct themselves at all times in accordance with Caddo Middle Magnet s Code of Conduct. ii. Members are expected to be attentive and cooperative when learning routines. Repeated disruptions, inattentiveness, excessive conversation, and/or excessive complaining during practice will result in warnings followed by disciplinary actions by the coach and/or sponsor, including, but not limited to issuing of demerits in accordance with Section V of the contract. All disciplinary actions will be at the discretion of the coach and sponsor. iii. While an active member of the team, actions that reflect negatively on the team while in or out of uniform may be brought to the attention of the sponsor and/or school administrator. c. Participation: Each member must be on time and stay at all activities, including practices, for the entire time. Arriving late or leaving early will result in disciplinary action by the coach and/or sponsor, and the demerit system will be implemented. Any appointments must be scheduled on days or times other than planned activities. Arriving late or leaving early to any spirit group event/activity affects all of the children represented in the group. If your child has activities that conflict with this commitment, we suggest he/she decline to try out. Practices, games, and special events are mandatory. d. Attire: i. Each member is responsible for bringing required equipment and wearing required attire to all practices and performances or she will face disciplinary consequences; ii. Proper undergarments must be worn when practicing or performing; iii. No gum, candy, or jewelry is allowed during practice or while in uniform; and iv. Hair must be pulled back away from face and secured so that it will not fall during practice and performances.
4 e. Competitions: i. School spirit is the focus of cheerleading and dance line at Caddo Middle Magnet. It is not designed to serve as a competition squad, and participation in competition is voluntary. ii. Competitions will be limited to no more than two (2) competitions for the Cheerleaders and Starline. Choosing to participate in competitions for these squads will be determined by a majority vote conducted by each squad. iii. Competitions may not conflict with CMM Spirit Activities, i.e., no competition practices or competitions shall be scheduled until the CMM football season is complete. iv. Any national bids received by a Spirit Group or community-sponsored events in which a squad wishes to participate must be presented to school administration for approval. V. Disciplinary Actions Cheerleaders, Starline, Twirlers, Flag Runners, & Mascot a. Demerit System: It is the responsibility of the squad s coach and/or sponsor to maintain discipline. Demerits will be recorded and managed by the sponsor. Demerit records will begin upon the selection of each spirit group and will be cumulative until their next tryout. The demerit system is as follows: One demerit will be issued for the following: 1. Tardiness to practice, game, event, or meeting. Includes returning late to the game or practice after a break or half time; 2. Leaving a game, practice, event, or meeting early without prior approval from the coach or sponsor; 3. Improper attire worn at practice or event, including failure to wear hair up and away from face; 4. Failure to bring proper equipment to practice or performance; 5. Uncooperative behavior, excessive talking, or playing during a cheerleading or dance line performance, practice, or activity; 6. Chewing gum or candy during a practice, game, or event; 7. Excessive talking or horseplay during a game, practice, event, or meeting; 8. Constantly complaining, negative attitude, or lack of support to the squad; 9. Wearing jewelry to a practice, game, or event; 10. Not meeting a due date (signs, grade checks, fundraisers, etc.); 11. Not following a specific direction given by the coach or sponsor; 12. Going into the stands or bleachers to sit with friends during games at any time without approval from coach or sponsor; 13. Stunting without supervision from coach or sponsor; 14. Using a cell phone during practice or a game. Sponsor reserves the right to collect cell phones at a game;
5 15. Not being picked up from practice in a timely manner (one demerit for every 15 minutes). Three demerits will be issued for the following: 1. Unexcused absence to a game or event; 2. Any type of verbal or physical disrespect towards coach, sponsor or teammate; 3. Receiving a discipline referral from anyone at school; 4. Being disrespectful towards any teacher, coach, or any school personnel. Five demerits will be issued for the following: 1. Receiving ISS b. Removal from Performances: Removal from performances will be enforced for the following: 1. Absences if a member misses the practice prior to a performance, the member will not perform. "Performance" shall mean any public appearance where spirit members ability, conduct, and leadership will be on display; 2. A member may not be allowed to perform if excellence in any given routine is not achieved; 3. A member may not be allowed to perform if he/she has been suspended or has any other school disciplinary problems; and 4. A member may not be allowed to perform if not current on all financial obligations. c. Probation: Five (5) demerits will result in a team member being placed on probation. Probation is defined as attending in uniform but sitting out at the next group event. A meeting will be held with the sponsor, squad member, and his/her parent/guardian. School administration will be made aware of a member s standing. d. Loss of Membership: Ten (10) demerits, out-of-school suspension, failure to be in good standing, or failure to maintain a 2.5 GPA for two nine-week periods will result in a conference with the student, parent, principal, coach, and Spirit Chairperson. Eligibility to remain in a spirit squad will be determined at that point. VI. Merit System A MERIT SYSTEM is defined as a system of reward for exceptional or beyond the expected behavior and effort in cheerleading and dance. 1. Making a sign or poster - the sponsor will designate a place and time to paint for merits. No signs or posters painted outside of this time will be counted. 1 sponsor- approved sign = 1 merit; 2. Community service = 1 merit per hour A note signed by the community service activity director verifying service must be given to sponsor in order to count;
6 3. Helping a teacher after school for 1 hour = 1 merit. A note from the teacher verifying help must be turned in; 4. Straight A's for the nine weeks = 3 merits; 3.5 3.99 = 1 merit; 5. Perfect attendance (practice and/or school) for the nine weeks = 1 merit. It is each individual cheerleader s/dancer s responsibility to receive merit(s). A note or email from a parent is sufficient notification. If the coach or sponsored is not notified, merits will not be awarded. VII. Disciplinary Actions Pep Squad Each member is required to attend 50% of assigned team performances, 50% of team practices, and be in good standing. These attendance requirements must be met in order for a member to be eligible to try out for a spirit group in a subsequent year. Members will adhere to all school policies, rules, and regulations as stipulated in the Caddo Middle Magnet student handbook. VIII. Parent Support Positions and Duties Each parent will be expected to serve on a minimum of one (1) committee to provide help and assistance as needed.