2016-2017 Cheerleader Constitution Lake Minneola High School 1) Purpose and Philosophy: The purpose of this organization shall be to promote and uphold school spirit, to participate in the competitive sport of cheerleading, to support our community through community service, to develop a sense of good sportsmanship among students, and to build a better relationship between schools during athletic events. The program should aid in developing the student participant into a responsible, mature, and independent young adult. 2) Membership: A) Members of the Varsity and JV cheerleading squad will be chosen during closed tryouts. B) Tryouts will be held in the spring of each year. Coaches will hold an additional tryout in the fall for those who are new to Lake Minneola High School. C) A cut-off score will determine membership and placement. Coaches may designate alternates for Varsity and JV. D) Alternates for competition will be determined by the coaches prior to choreography camp. Full competition members and alternates can be changed at any time as determined necessary by the coaches. E) Members must commit themselves to the squad for the entire length of the football and basket season. F) Members will be required to try out each year. G) Cheerleading must take priority over other extracurricular activities, personal recreation, and work. H) In order to maintain skill level in gymnastics which is an integral part of competitive cheerleading, members will be required to take gymnastic/tumbling classes to maintain and improve tumbling skills. These classes will take place during team practice with a tumbling specialist. 3) Squad Requirements: a) Eligibility Requirements i. Members must have a physical on file each school year ii. Members must carry school insurance even if they are covered under a policy held by their parent or guardian. The Cost of the insurance is $10 iii. Members must maintain a GPA of 2.0 iv. Members and their parents must sign the cheerleader constitution in front of a school authority
b) Members will perform at football games, basketball games, pep rallies, and other school sponsored functions. If an event is rescheduled, the member is responsible for changing his/her personal schedule. c) Each member is required to attend each practice (see practice section) d) Absences and Tardiness i. A member is not allowed to participate in activities if he/she is absent for more then half a day of school. ii. If a member is not present at the practice the day before a game, he/she will not be allowed to cheer in the game, but will be required to attend. iii. Written notification of intent to miss a practice must be given to the coach at least 24 hours prior to absence. Written notice of a miss game must be given at least one week prior to the game. Members must notify the coach prior to an absence even in the event of an illness or emergency. Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence. A member will be excused from the practice or a game only for the reasons listed below. 1. Death or funeral in immediate family 2. Illness (documentation from a doctor will be required in order to excuse the absence) iv. Having another team member inform the coach of your absence is unexcused. e) All members must participate in conditioning. The team will condition together under the direction of the coach. Conditioning counts as a practice, and any conditioning session missed must be made up. f) All members must participate in fund-raisers, community service projects, and team building events g) All members must participate at designated competitions. 4) Uniforms and Equipment a) Each member is required to have the appropriate uniforms and props b) Each member is responsible for keeping props and uniforms in good condition. This includes repair and the cleaning of uniforms regularly. Any damage to any uniform or prop will be repaired at the member s expense c) No uniform shall be altered in any way. If a member cuts a uniform, he/she will be required to reimburse Lake Minneola High School Cheerleading Program for the full price of replacing the uniform. d) The coach will set the date for squad uniforms and props to be returned. If uniforms and props are not returned by the date, the coach will place the athlete on the fine list. e) If any part of the uniform is lost or damaged beyond repair, the member is required to reimburse Lake Minneola High School Cheerleading Program for the full price of replacing the uniform.
f) No uniform or part of the uniform shall be lent to any individual or organization without the prior approval of the coach. g) Uniforms are for the athletes to RETURN. Everyone will return their uniform at the end of the school year. Uniforms must be cleaned at the time of return. 5) Practice and Games a) Members must wear designated practice uniforms at all practices and come prepared to do whatever is required of them b) Members must notify the coach in advanced if they are going to miss a practice even in the event of illness or emergency. Failure to do this will result in an unexcused practice c) Summer and holiday practices will be scheduled as needed by the coach d) Practices will be orderly at all times e) Practices shall be organized and run by the coaches or the captains when instructed by the coach f) Practices may be added, deleted, lengthened, or shortened by the coach as needed g) The coach will determine the schedule and frequency of practices h) Members must turn off cell phone or put them on silence during practices i) Hair should be in a pony tail and off the shoulders at all times during practices and games j) No jewelry of any kind will be allowed in uniform or at practice k) Fingernails must remain trimmed, and colored fingernail polish is not allowed while in uniform l) Run-through and spirit poster creation days may be scheduled. All members are required to participate and stay until projects are completed m) All practices are closed n) There will be no talking during stunts/pyramids during practice. 6) Games and Trips a) Varsity cheerleaders will perform at ALL football games, all designated basketball games, all scheduled competitions, pep rallies, etc. b) JV cheerleaders will perform at all home football games, all designated basketball games, all scheduled pep rallies, etc c) Cheerleaders are required to ride the bus to and from games. No personal vehicles may be used unless stated otherwise. Cheerleaders will only be allowed to ride home with their parents. Parents must sign the cheerleader out at the end of a game or competition. Special arrangements will not be allowed unless they are approved by the coach prior to the event. d) All cheerleaders are required to clean up the bus afterwards e) All cheerleaders are required to help take all the equipment to and from the games
f) Cheerleaders must be attentive to the game and show spirit between cheers/stunts during games. Cheerleaders may not get out of line unless performing a special skill g) The cheerleaders must be back in place two minutes prior to the 3 rd quarter. Tardiness will result in sitting out the entire 3 rd quarter. h) Cheerleaders must bring water with them to every game i) Cheerleaders must arrive at a specified time. If a cheerleader is tardy or misses/delays the bus, then he/she must sit out the specified time determined by the coach. j) No person other than a member of the cheerleading squad may sit in the designated cheerleading sections during basketball games 7) Personal Conduct a) A member must promote Lake Minneola High School positively. Any negative comments or suggestions will not be tolerated and are grounds for discipline b) All members are expected to possess character that is above reproach and exhibit person conduct, habits, and appearance that cannot be criticized i. No primping in public while in uniform ii. No gum chewing during performances or practices iii. No public display of affections while in uniform iv. No tattoos may be visible in any way v. No belly rings or any other body piercing is allowed during practice, games, or special events vi. No profanity will be tolerated vii. Members will be courteous to members of other teams and other students at all time viii. Members will not smoke, drink, or use drugs anywhere at any time c) Members will constantly strive to be positive role models d) Members will abide by the policies and regulations established by the school administration and the Board of Education e) Members will maintain a positive attitude during class f) Members will remain loyal to their school, team, and squad g) Members will display good sportsmanship at all times h) Members will be courteous and friendly to members of their squad. There will be no gossip about other members of the squad. Failure to support all other members of the squad will result in automatic benching i) Members will keep a positive and encouraging attitude throughout practice j) Members will do what the coaches ask of them realizing that failure to comply with the coaches request could result in automatic benching k) Members will respect the coaches at all times; talking back, having a negative attitude, or raising his/her voice will result in automatic benching
8) Funding a) Each member will have an individual expense sheet with the amount of funding required for the season b) Personal items can not be fundraised. Members will be required to pay for personal items ( i.e. shoes, bloomers, socks, camp attire, warm-up suits, bags, etc) c) All other expenses can be paid through fundraising d) Funds will be used for items that will be kept as school property, and any cheerleading trips. Any funds not raised will be the responsibility of the individual cheerleader e) All equipment, materials, and uniforms purchased are property of Lake Minneola High School Cheerleading program and must be returned f) Failure to pay for items ordered will cause a member to be placed on the fine list. g) There will be PLENTY of opportunities to fundraise throughout the season. 9) Home Discipline a) It is imperative that each member be present at every practice and at all events. Hence, parents of each member must agree to find methods of punishing their child other than preventing him/her from participating in the squad s activities. Any parents who cannot comply with this request should not allow their child to be a member of the squad. 10) Parent Communication a) If a parent has a concern, this concern should be brought to the coach s attention first. i. To address a concern, the parent should request to meet with the coach in a respectful manner 1) Appropriate concerns to discuss with the coach a) The treatment of your child mentally and physically b) Ways to help your child improve c) Concerns about your child s behavior 2) Inappropriate concerns to discuss with the coach a) Participation/ placement of your child on the mat b) Team strategy c) play calling d) Other student athletes ii. To avoid high emotional meetings, the parent should never discuss a concern before, during, or after a practice or other cheerleading event iii. Meetings will be held during school hours on the school campus iv. If a parent becomes hostile towards the coach during a meeting or discussion, then the appropriate steps will be carried out b) If a parent is not satisfied with the result of the meeting with the coach, he/she should request a meeting with the school athletic director.
c) If a parent is still not satisfied with the results then he/she can contact the principal or District Athletic Director. The district athletic director will not act on or listen to a concern unless all the steps above have been followed. d) Any personal threats to the coaches will result is automatic removal of your son/daughter from the squad. e) Parents, there shall be NO negative emails sent out to other members of the squad. If this event occurs your son/daughter will automatically be removed from the squad. f) There shall be no outside meetings held without the coaches presence g) No parent is allowed to make outside arrangements for the cheerleading program without the coaches acknowledgment/approval. 11) Records a) Records will be kept by the coach b) Each member should be sure that the coach has a signed constitution, current home phone number and cell number, copy of insurance card, class schedule, advisory teacher, medical release form, and physical form c) The coach should be informed of any medical or physical limitations of your child 12) Camp a) JV members are required to attend UCA camp during the summer. Varsity is required to attend UCA camp and choreography camp during the summer. Each member is expected to abide by all rules set forth by the coaches and the camp. If a member commits any infraction while at camp, he/she will be penalized and sent home at parental expense. 13) Injury a) If your child were to become seriously injured at a cheerleading event the following steps will be taken 1) if an athletic trainer is present he/she will evaluate your child to determine the severity of the injury and the appropriate steps 2) If an athletic trainer is not present the coaches will evaluate to the best of his/her ability and determine the appropriate steps 3) If it is determined that the cheerleader needs to seek medical attention then the parent will be contacted immediately. i. If it is not an emergency then the parent may transport their child to get medical attention ii. In the event of an emergency, 911 will be called to transport your child to the hospital
14) Dismissal/Suspension: a) A member may be dismissed from the squad or suspended for a term to be determined by the coach for the following: 1. Smoking, whether in or out of uniform 2. Drinking, whether in or out of uniform 3. Using drugs, whether in or out of uniform 4. Scholastic average below standards 5. Not following the rules and regulations set up for the members of the squad 6. An unexcused absence from school 7. Out of School suspension 8. Excessive absences and tardiness from school or practice 9. Poor attitude 10. Missing practice immediately prior to a performance 11. Not knowing a cheer, stunt, routine, etc by a specified date 12. Not completing conditioning requirements 13. Academic dishonesty 14. Disrespectful attitude towards coaches and team members
LAKE MINNEOLA HIGH SCHOOL 101 North Hancock Road Minneola, FL 34715 I have read and reviewed the 2016-2017 Cheerleader constitution. I acknowledge that a copy has been given to me. I agree to follow all the rules stated in the constitution. I fully acknowledge what consequences/action will be taken if I don t comply with the constitution throughout the entire season. Squad Member Signature: Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: