MILL VALLEY CHEERLEADING CONSTITUTION Following notification of membership to the 2018-2019 Mill Valley cheerleading squad, members are required to adhere to a yearlong cheerleading commitment. Failure to uphold this commitment as detailed in this constitution will result in termination from the squad. ARTICLE I - OBJECTIVE The objective of the cheerleading squad is to create interest in school activities, develop leadership, encourage school spirit, and provide entertainment at any activity deemed suitable by the Cheer Coach (es) and MVHS administration, as well as to perform with precision in an effort to strengthen school spirit and individual pride. Each cheer/ yell leader should strive to build a better relationship between schools and uphold the highest personal, scholastic, and cheering standards. Cheer and yell leaders will have a sense of good sportsmanship among students and seek to promote unification of the crowd's involvement during athletic events. Article II - Membership Requirements Members must be enrolled as full time students for the 2018-2019 school years. Members should hold exemplary grades, be dedicated to the squad, and to the school. Members must adhere to student policies of the student and parent District handbook and Kansas State High School Activities Association. Members must be physically capable of participating in extensive workouts, practices, and performances; unless extenuating circumstances occur. Ex) knee injury, broken arm, etc.
Section 4: Members will be required to pay for personal items such as summer camp, camp uniforms, and any apparel related to school uniforms. Please see the estimated expense list in the tryout packet for an overview of these items. If expenses are not paid by the due date set by the coach; grades and transcripts will be held until payments are received, and the member will not perform until accounts are settled. Section 5: Cheerleaders are at all times representatives of the school and community; therefore, they must maintain high standards of appearance and character. Any problem in this section will result in a conference with the coach. Depending on the circumstances, please also keep in mind that the demerit system and suspensions could apply in these situations. Section 6: Every week the members grades will be checked. If you are academically ineligible for that week you will be benched. You must still attend and participate in practices. You must attend games in full uniform and sit next to the coach throughout the entire game/event. The coaches will contact you either in person, via e-mail or phone to let you know if you are ineligible. Section 7: Members will attend all practices and performances, be prompt, and have proper attire for those days. Members will practice two-three times a week and cheer up to three events a week as decided by coaches and captains. Members are required to participate in weekly Mill Valley games as well as sectionals, regionals, sub-state and state. Members must help coach a Junior Jaguar Cheerleading Squad during football. Members must attend the Junior Jaguar Clinic. Members must attend a monthly tumbling class if they cannot do a back handspring on a wood floor. Members must attend assigned fundraisers. A maximum of 30 cheerleaders will be selected for the State of Kansas Game Day Competition. A tryout for this event will be held during the summer. You must have a solid back handspring to be chosen for this team. Members must attend any competitions or outside performance determined by the coaches Senior Members must plan and participate in try-out clinic, and facilitate try-outs for the following year. Section 8: Members will attend all practices and assigned events unless excused by the coach. If an emergency or illness arises, the coach must be notified via e-mail or voicemail. If frequent illnesses occur, the coach may request a doctor s not to verify the missed dates and to make sure you are able to participate in athletic practices and events. Summer camp is mandatory for all members. Members will have practice prior to camp in order to prepare. The cost of camp is $325.00 per person and will cover all meals, room and board, and professional instruction for the camp. The cheerleading member will pay the cost of camp. The camp fee of $325.00 is due April 25 th. Section 9: Practices are required and must be attended in order to perform during a given week. Practices will be scheduled by the coach as needed. If a practice before an event is missed by a cheerleader, regardless if it is excused or unexcused, the cheerleader may be benched for the next game or portions of the next
performance. The practices prepare the cheerleaders for performance and if the cheer or yell leader is not present; they will not be performance-ready. Please refer to the demerit policy in regards to unexcused absences from practices. Section 10: To practice or perform in an event you must meet the requirements for attendance listed in the student and parent district handbook Section 11: Each new member must have a signed physical examination form. New members that do not have a physical on file at Mill Valley or either of the middle schools for the 2017-2018 school year MUST get a physical prior to June Practices dated AFTER May 1 st, 2018. Please make your appointments as soon as the 2018-2019 squad membership is posted. Members that DO HAVE a physical on file for the 2017-2018- school year MUST GET A NEW physical before August 1, 2018 and dated after May 1, 2018! Section 12: If a member decides to terminate their Mill Valley Cheerleading membership, prior to the end of the season, they are required to turn in clean uniforms and address the team within a week of notifying the coaches of their decision. Article III - Uniform The school will provide some of the cheer/yell leading uniforms. Each member is held responsible for the care and return of her uniform at the end of the season. The member will pay for any damaged uniform, or items belonging to the school that are not returned. Uniforms must be returned, cleaned and in the form that the coach expresses at the appropriate time. Uniforms must be returned in a manner specified by the coach. No jewelry is to be worn during performances and practices. This includes tongue piercing, belly piercing, nose rings, etc. No fake nails are allowed during any cheer performances, games or festivals. Nails must be kept short and trimmed. Members must wear all parts of the uniform unless a change is made by the coach. When performing, cheerleaders should be groomed performance-perfect. Hair should be worn out of face as specified by the coach. Members must arrive to performances with hair and makeup ready. Showing up repetitively without these items will result in a demerit and/or conditioning consequence. The student is responsible for basic items such as shoes, briefs, poms, socks, practice uniforms etc.
Article IV - Attendance Members must adhere to student policies of the student and parent district handbook and Kansas State High School Activities Association Absences will be treated as excused or unexcused. The coach must receive an e-mail or phone call from a parent TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE for a pre-arranged absence to be considered for either excused or unexcused. The only last-minute absences that will be considered excused are for illness and funerals. All other absences (at the discretion of the coaches) will result in an unexcused absence (2 demerits). Appointments and work schedules should be scheduled around cheerleading commitments as they ARE NOT excused reasons for missing practices/games/performances. Please remember that Cheer is a time-intensive commitment. While working is not discouraged, a minimal work schedule is best to avoid conflicts. During the year other school related activities may occur (i.e. drama, musicals, vocal performances, etc.) Participation in these activities is encouraged, but when conflicts occur priorities need to be identified with sponsors of activities at least two weeks in advance. Any individuals interested in extra-curricular activities need to inform the coach prior to try-outs. Section 4: Practices may be scheduled during the summer, on weekends, mornings, evenings, and after school, in accordance with the De Soto District policies. Practices will be scheduled in advance. Coaches have the authority to make any necessary changes to the schedule at any time. In the event of a schedule change, as long as the coaches have given two weeks notice, the event is considered mandatory. All participants will be notified of changes via the team website, e-mail, and twitter. Section 5: Cheer/Yell leaders who are injured or under a doctor's care and cannot practice are required to attend all practice and games. Coaches must obtain a doctor s notice in order to sit out of practice/performances. Those who are not seriously injured will be required to practice as much as they are physically able. Article V Discipline Policy Demerit Policy The Mill Valley Cheer and Yell leading demerit policy will be used to assign consequences as a result of breaching the Cheer and Yell leading Constitution. The demerit policy will be divided into two seasons: spring/fall (beginning with tryouts and ending with the final fall athletic activity) and winter (beginning with the first practice or game following the fall athletic regular season and ending with the final winter athletic activity). If a cheerleader has reached his/her twelfth demerit during the Spring/Fall Season or his/her twelfth demerit in the Winter Season, they will be terminated from the cheer/yell-leading squad. DEMERIT SYSTEM SPRING/SUMMER/FALL SEASON: - (Beginning with tryouts and ending with the final fall athletic activity) 1. Demerits will be used as a disciplinary tool.
2. Demerit will be issued by coaches. Coaches will email parents when three or more demerits have been received. 3. THREE demerits will result in the benching for half of a scheduled game performance. 4. SIX demerits will result in benching from an entire game and a conference with coaches, parents and cheer or yell-leader. 5. NINE demerits will result in a 10 day benching, and conference, 6. TWELVE demerits will result in removal from the squad. WINTER SEASON: (Beginning with the first practice or game following the fall athletic regular season and ending with the final winter athletic activity) 1. Demerits will be used as a disciplinary tool. 2. Demerit will be issued by coaches. Coaches will email parents when three or more demerits have been received. 3. THREE demerits will result in the benching for half of a scheduled game performance. 4. SIX demerits will result in benching from an entire game and a conference with coaches, parents and cheer or yell-leader. 5. NINE demerits will result in a 10 day benching, and conference, 6. TWELVE demerits will result in removal from the squad. One Demerit and/or Conditioning Consequences will be given for (but are not limited to): a. Tardiness to any team activity or call time b. Disrespect towards coaches or team members c. Inappropriate technology usage (includes facebook, email, cell phones, etc.) d. Non-compliance with teams established norms e. Non-compliance with Coach s expectations f. Non-compliance with KSHSAA rules i. Including- jewelry, hair, gum, shoes, showing midriff, etc. g. Unprepared for practice (includes uniform, poms, shoes, hair, etc.) h. Unprepared for performance i. Required to be dressed out prior to arriving at each event ii. Performance attire including bow, poms, crop, briefs, correct under garments, warmups, etc *Conditioning consequence=running. All conditioning consequences will take place before or after a weekly practice. Two demerits will be given for: An unexcused absence from a scheduled event. o All absences must be communicated with a coach via e-mail or phone call prior to the absence. If failure to communicate with a coach occurs an unexcused absence will be given. o It is the members responsibility to remind coaches of absences. Six demerits will be given for: Non-compliance with the Constitution or District expectations; including the guidelines set forth in both the MVHS Student Handbook and the USD 232 Student and Parent District Handbook.
*Demerits may be given for other infractions not listed in this Constitution. Coaches have the final discretion to assign demerits. Merits will be given for: a. Coaches may add merit incentives during the year. Benching and suspensions consist of attending the designated event, in uniform, sitting with the squad or coach. This member will not be able to perform for that event or communicate with other squad members. Benching could occur from the demerit policy or the grade policy. Suspension could occur for behavior issues in school, on the squad, or with administration in regards to school or district policies, the demerit policy. Termination involves removal from the cheerleading squad for not fulfilling membership requirements. This could be in regards to the demerit policy, student grades, or behavior issues in school, on the squad, or with the administration in regards to school or district policies. Any cheer/ yell leader who is placed in any kind of suspension (out of school or in school) will be benched for a minimum of ten days and may receive additional discipline which may include removal from the squad. Article VI - Performances Members of the cheer/yell leading squad are required to cheer at all pep assemblies, competition/festivals and required games, both at home and away, as assigned. All members should be ready to cheer at any time during the event, should the need arise. Cheer/yell leaders will be split into two squads during basketball season. These squads may have different members for each game as necessary. Trading events is allowed when in accordance with the Mill Valley Cheer/Yell switch policy. You are allowed 2 switches for basketball season and you must first try and find someone who stunts a similar position to you. Each switch must be approved by a coach prior to the performance. Missing an event will result in 2 demerits. Members are not allowed to visit with friends (not the squad), relatives, boyfriends, or be on their cell phones when on duty during the game. If attending a Varsity game which you are not required sitting with the coach, you must change into street clothes. Failing to do so will result in a demerit. Section 4: If cheer/yell leader is deemed to be unprepared for performance by coach or captains, she/he will be benched. Depending on circumstances, further discipline may be necessary.
Section 5: Cheer/ yell leaders attending a game but who are too ill to cheer will be in uniform and sit with the coach. If the member was too sick to attend school he/she should not attend that activity. If a student arrives at a game after not being at school he/she will be sent home to recover. Section 6: Each member will be present at least 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the event, and earlier if a practice is called. Cheer/yell leaders will be on the track or court two minutes before each game, or two minutes before the start of second half - stretched out and ready to cheer. Cheer/Yell leaders must be in cheer formation for national anthem or any other presentations before a game. Cheer/Yell leaders are required to perform the fight song each time it plays. Cheer/yell leaders must be released by the coach for a break during half time and after games. Section 7: Members are expected to pay attention, smile, not talk to others while performing, cheer and remain positive throughout the entire game. Excessive talking will result in conditioning consequences during the next practice. Our purpose is to support and motivate our various teams. Article VII - Fundraising Money from these projects goes toward the benefit of the entire group, it is important for each member to do his/her fair share for the fundraising. No one is excused from our group fundraising projects, and all will try to raise the designated minimum. Coaches will keep a running total of each members contributions to each fundraiser. Some of the fundraising activities we may participate in are as follows: (Note: this list is not limited to only the following. We may add if necessary.) Working Concession Stand during all athletic seasons Junior Jaguar Clinic Cheer sponsorships Selling Items Lakeside Cleanup
Article VIII - Election of Officers Officers may consist of one captain, two co-captains, and/or the possibility of lieutenants. Eligibility: A candidate for captain must have a grade point average of 2.50. This average must be maintained throughout the year. Must turn in a captain application form provided by the coaches. May go through an interview process with the coaches. Officers will be expected to come early and stay late whenever necessary. Officers are expected to take an active role in all the squad fundraisers and events sponsored by the cheerleading squad. Officers must be able to place cheerleading events in front of any other events: Including in and out of school activities. Officers must be able to meet weekly with the coaches. If at any time the coach or administration does not feel an officer is fulfilling her duties or is not representing the squad and school in a positive manner, the officer may be relieved of her duties as an officer. In case of a vacancy in the officer line, the decision to fill the vacancy will be left to the discretion of the coaches. Article IX - Standards of Conduct Certain standards are necessary for the integrity and reputation of any leading organization. Members of the cheer/yell leading squad are leaders within the school and should set a good example at all times. Members of the squad are expected to maintain standards for character, personal habits, clothing and appearance, which are above reproach. In accordance with the MVHS Student Handbook and the USD 232 Student and Parent District Handbook- Absolutely no smoking or being under the influence or in possession of drugs or alcohol at any time. Putting yourself in a situation that these would be present will also result in consequences from the cheer coaches/mvhs administration.
There will be no public display of affection (holding hands, arms around each other, kissing, etc.) while in uniform. If seen, this will result in a demerit. Section 4: Any member involved in inappropriate technology usage at any time will result in a demerit and a conference with the coaches to determine further action. This includes but not limited to posting on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat etc. Article X Requirements for Lettering The year will be split up into 2 seasons-fall and Winter. Lettering recipients must perform or attend 80% of events in each season. Any member not fulfilling the 2018-2019 cheer obligations may result in removal of lettering. Lettering recipients must participate in preparations for, attend and perform in: 1. *Camp (July18th-20 th ) 2. *Junior Jaguar Clinic 3. *State Game Day Competition (If selected for State Team) 4. *All Cheer Competitions 5. *USD 232 Cheer Showcase 6. *Choreography Camp 7. 80% of Fall Season Events (All members will attend all sub state/state games) 8. 80% of Winter Season Events (All members will attend all sub state/state games) *See coaches about options if you have a conflict with a specific date Lettering recipients must remain in good standing as a member of the Cheer/Yell Team for the entire year. Cheer/ Yell-leaders placed on probation or suspension will not be eligible to letter. Article XI - Exceptions The coaches will make any exceptions to the rules stated in this handbook with the concurrence of the Athletic Director and Administrator. This handbook is designed to be used as a guide for the MVHS Cheer/Yell leading Squad. Good judgment and common sense will be used when events are not covered in this handbook.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SIGN AND RETURN THIS PORTION 2018-2019 Cheerleading/Yell-Leading Constitution I have read, understand, and agree to follow the expectations set forth in the Mill Valley High School Cheer/Yell-leading Constitution and demerit policy. I understand that non-compliance with any of the above will result in the set disciplinary actions. Signature of Cheer/Yell-leader Applicant Date Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian Date