BONNEVILLE HIGH CHEERLEADERS CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 1: NAME AND PURPOSE A. The name of the organization will be the Bonneville High School Cheerleaders. B. The purpose of this organization and each of its members will be to accomplish the following: 1. To promote school unity spirit and sportsmanship and to entertain at school games and other school functions. 2. To provide entertainment for out-of-school functions approved by the advisor, administration, and members. 3. To develop ability, character, personality, academic standards and leadership within each member. 4. To promote pride in and loyalty to Bonneville High School. 5. To support the constitution of Bonneville High School and uphold all of its laws and traditions. 6. To give each member a chance to better her/himself by upholding these goals. ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP A. Any person who meets the entrance requirements and is selected by the advisor and judges in a formal tryout is eligible for membership on the cheerleading squad. B. The following requirements must be met by each student before tryouts and must uphold the requirements while a member of the Bonneville High School cheerleading squad: 1. All candidates must have a GPA of 3.0 the quarter prior to tryouts. Members of the cheerleading squad must have a GPA of 3.0 at the end of each term. 2. A candidate can have no more than one N and no U s in citizenship neither the quarter prior to tryouts nor any one quarter after becoming a member of the cheerleading squad. 3. A candidate will be ineligible for tryouts if an F, I, or NC is received the quarter prior to tryouts. 4. Current cheerleaders on probation at the time tryout clinics begin are not eligible to tryout. 5. All candidates for the cheerleading squad shall have no administratively determined truancy the quarter prior to tryouts. 6. Students with more than.75 attendance credit loss the quarter prior to tryouts will be ineligible to try out. C. Candidates for second or third year membership must tryout each year and meet the same requirements as any candidate. No candidate who has been on the team previously will be guaranteed a spot on the team. ARTICLE III: PROBATION AND DISMISSAL A. Probation time will be determined by the coach and administration, depending on the infraction. The length of time will be no more than 20 school days B. A member on probation may not dress or perform with the squad during probation time. C. A member on probation must still attend all practices and performances and carry out all her/his assignments even though she/he may not participate in cheering/performing. D. A member on probation must sit and cheer with cheerleaders during games as well as ride the bus to away games. E. A cheerleader may only be on probation once in one school year. F. A member will be placed on probation for any one of the following reasons: 1. Failure to maintain a 3.0 GPA at the end of each quarter 2. Receiving more than one N in citizenship 3. Receiving 1 administratively determined truancy in any class 4. Having more than.75 attendance credit loss at the end of each quarter 5. Receiving 10 or more demerits 6. Showing disrespect to advisor, fellow squad members, student body, or administration 7. Inappropriate behavior at games or other school functions, cheerleading or not
8. Being in the immediate area or vicinity where there is underage use of controlled substance, intake of alcoholic beverages, or use of tobacco 9. Being suspended from school for any reason 10. Displaying a negative attitude or failure to be an active, contributing member of the squad 11. Failure to be on time more than four times to practices, games, or any other cheerleading activity 11. Being caught plagiarizing or cheating on any assignment or test 12. Sending threatening or inappropriate text/picture messages or emails 13. Not following NFSH safety guidelines G. A member will be removed from the squad under any of the following circumstances: 1. Cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0 for more than one grading period 2. Possession or use of tobacco, controlled substances, or alcoholic beverages at any time and in any amount* 3. Involvement at any location in theft or destruction of another s property 4. Earning an F, I, or NM during any grading period 5. Earning a U in a class 6. Being placed on probation for the second time 7. Receiving 2 or more truants 8. Receiving 15 demerits 9. Any part of probation or the probation contract is broken 10. Violation of Safe School policy including fighting, weapons, harassment etc. 11. Noncompliance with school policies *If 2 or more people confirm suspicious or inappropriate behavior of a cheerleader, probation or removal could result. H. Cheerleaders are responsible for their own GPA, citizenship, and attendance progress. The advisor will not intervene between a cheerleader and a teacher. If any required level is not met, the member will either be placed on probation or removed from the squad, depending on the infraction. Grades and attendance are available to all cheerleaders at any time. They will be responsible for checking their own grades and attendance to see that they are in compliance with the rules. I. Infraction of any rule such as violation of the constitution or any offense serious enough to harm the reputation or moral of the squad will be left to the discretion of the advisor and administration. Upon violation the student may be placed on probation or removed from the squad. If questions arise, the situation may be referred to the administration for consideration. ARTICLE IV: ASSIGNMENTS AND ATTENDANCE A. Cheerleaders are required to participate in assigned activities such as school athletic events, school functions, extra scheduled practices, and performances. Only the advisor can excuse a member from an event. Members who have an acceptable reason to miss must notify the advisor in advance. Extreme illness and valid emergencies will be accepted only if notified and confirmed. Acceptable excuses are: extreme personal illness, death or funeral of friend or family member, wedding of family member, or school excused activity. Unacceptable excuses are: jobs, appointments, social events, family parties or entertainment opportunities. B. All pre-excused absences from practices and games still incur demerits. Cheerleaders can trade assignments with each other as long as it is arranged prior to the activity or event and only if approved by the coach. C. Cheerleaders are allowed to participate in ONE sport additional to cheerleading. He/she will not be penalized with demerits or grade for attending this sports practices or games. D. If a cheerleader misses a performance or assigned game without prior approval, she/he will incur demerits and will have to sit out of the performance/game.
E. Cheerleaders must be in school at least half of the day on the day of any game/performance. F. If a cheerleader misses any of 4 practices prior to a game or scheduled event, she/he will not participate in that event. G. Because of the time commitment involved, it will be very difficult for a member to hold a job outside of cheerleading. Work schedules must be flexible to allow for practices called on short notice. Members will have monthly calendars, but additions or changes may need to be made occasionally. WORK IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO MISS A GAME, PRACTICE OR EVENT. ARTICLE V: SAFETY GUIDELINES A. We follow and adhere to all cheer safety regulations as outlined by the National Federation of State High School Association. Failure to follow theses guidelines under the direction of the advisor/coach is grounds for probation. B. In accordance with cheer safety guidelines, the following are NOT permitted in any practice or performance: gum, jewelry of any kind (including body piercing), long fingernails, unsecured hair, and inappropriate attire. C. Cheerleaders may not practice or work on any stunts unless advisor, assistant, or designated adult is present. ARTICLE V: CHEERING AT GAMES A. Cheerleaders act as representatives of Bonneville High School. All cheerleaders must act in a responsible and appropriate manner during games and at all times. Cheerleaders must have a positive attitude at all events, games and appearances. B. Cheerleaders must arrive at home games and activities at scheduled times; they must be present at the scheduled time for transportation to away games or will incur demerits. C. Cheerleaders must ride the school bus as a group to and from all required activities. Cheerleaders may be released to go with a parent/guardian only and with clearance from the advisor. ARTICLE VI: CLASS AND PRACTICE A. Class will be held during 4th period of every A day. The officers and advisors may call additional practices if necessary, possibly with little prior notice. B. During all practices, members must wear appropriate clothing that will not restrict movement and cannot be in the halls if practice clothing does not conform to the school dress code. C. Cheerleaders receive a grade on their report card for their cheerleading activities. Grading is based on the following: 1. cheer class: being on time, hair up, no jewelry or gum, cheer clothes/shoes 2. performances at events 3. skill level improvement 4. cooperation and attitude 5. practices and performances 6. handing in assignments, forms, money, etc. on time 7. proper dress for practice, games, and school 8. attendance at all assigned events D. Grading criteria will be according to the Cheerleading Grading Policy as determined by the advisor/coach. E. Citizenship grades will be given based on the attitude of the student. Attendance is also a factor when giving citizenship marks. ARTICLE VII: FINANCES A. Each cheerleader will be responsible for financing his/ her shoes, socks, sweats, day uniforms, and uniforms, after administration approval is secured. District guidelines for expenses are $600.00 per cheerleader excluding camp, competition and travel.
B. Any uniform, shoe, poms etc. lost or ruined by a member must be replaced by the member at full replacement cost. C. All uniforms must be properly and routinely cleaned and maintained. All uniform items should be worn at designated places only. D. The cheerleading funds will be raised by the members and used under the supervision of the advisor and administration. Any items purchased through the fund must be left with the school. A purchase order must be obtained from the bookkeeper and approved by administration before making any purchases. E. Cheerleaders who quit or are removed from the squad forfeit the district fees, music fees, money invested in uniforms and accessories, camp fees and any money in connection with the Cheerleading fund-raisers. NO EXCEPTIONS. The member may keep her/his practice and day uniforms. The school cannot refund any monies already invested in the cheer program. ARTICLE VIII: COMPETITION A. All Cheerleaders compete in regional and optional national competitions. B. Minimal competency for competition will be determined by the advisor/coach and may change depending on available skill level. C. Competition practices are mandatory. A cheerleader may not miss or be excused from any of 4 practices prior to a major performance. If a practice is missed, the cheerleader will be removed from the routine. If 3 practices are missed, the cheerleader will be terminated from the competition team altogether. D. If a cheerleader is on probation during a competition event, she/he is ineligible to compete. E. The cost of the competition team is dependant upon the number of competitions the squad attends and the number of members on the team. Upon competition team selection, an estimated cost list will be determined. Additional choreography and travel expenses will apply. F. Cheerleaders SHOULD NOT ski, snowboard, sled or participate in any sports/activities that may jeopardize their physical well-being during the competition season. Failure to follow this rule can result in probation. G. Competition season is from October through March. ARTICLE X: DEMERITS and MERITS A. Cheer practices, performances and activities will be governed by the following point system: 1 demerit for inappropriate behavior including disrespect and negative attitude 1 demerit for being late to any practice, game, performance or activity 1 demerit for leaving any cheer practice, game, or event early. 2 demerits for any prearranged absence 3 demerits for not showing up to any cheer practice or activity without being previously excused. 1. If a cheerleader simply does not show up to any practice, game or event without notification, she will be benched from part or all the following performance. 2. If a cheerleader accrues 10 demerits at any given time, she will be put on probation for 10 school days. If 15 demerits are accrued, she will be removed from the team. B. Merits will not be given to offset demerits. Cheerleaders are responsible for keeping track of their own demerits. ARTICLE X: OFFICERS A. There will be 3 officer positions to be filled each year: Head Cheerleader, Co-head Cheerleader, and Secretary. B. Head and Co-head positions can only be filled by senior cheerleaders who have been members of the BHS Cheer team for at least 1 year. C. Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Act as a liaison between squad/class members and coaches 2. Set a good example for the team at all times: a. Be on time
b. Be respectful c. Be positive d. Be helpful e. Work hard and have fun 3. Maintain all aspects of the BHS Cheer Constitution and class Disclosure 4. Represent BHS appropriately at all times 5. Deliver and collect necessary information in a timely manner 6. Encourage teammates in school and cheer 7. Meet once a month to discuss any cheer issues and relay information back to Coach 8. Plan Pep or Spirit activities to involve students during lunches, football games, Homecoming week, etc. 9. Plan a back to school retreat or other team building activities ARTICLE IX: OTHER ITEMS A. If a cheerleader is aware of any infraction by another team member, she has a responsibility to report that infraction to the advisor B. Cheerleaders will refrain from inappropriate social networking posts. C. To maintain the quality and the dignity of the cheerleading squad, the advisor may add other rules with approval from the administration and in agreement with the cheerleading officers D. Coaches and advisors want what is best for each cheerleader and the team. Decisions are always based on the best interest of the squad. E. Cheerleaders and parents are to approach the advisor first with any issues, concerns, or to gain permission for any activity. After approval from advisor, if further permission is needed, one may proceed to the administrator over cheerleading. Only after these channels have been pursued is it appropriate to approach the principal. If there is a personal grievance, the advisor should be the first one approached. After the advisor has been met with she will take the appropriate means necessary to resolve the grievance. I understand and accept the rules and regulations in the Bonneville High Cheerleader Constitution. I also understand that my violation of the rules will result in disciplinary action(s) that is/ are also outlined in the constitution and may affect my/my daughter s position on the team. By signing this Constitution I agree to abide by the rules and regulations at all times. Cheerleader signature Date Parent/Guardian signature Date