POOLESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING TRYOUTS 2013-2014 The PHS fall cheerleading season will begin practicing on Wednesday, August 14 th and continue throughout the fall sport season and culminate with the 2013 MCPS Cheerleading Competition. This year we will once again have both Varsity and JV squads. Your participation in winter cheerleading is not a requirement for fall season participation, however, we will be selecting one Varsity squad from all interested Varsity and JV squad members. The winter squad will continue cheering at all home Basketball games, beginning in December. (To be reconsidered) Our fall practice schedule will include workouts each Tuesday through Thursday from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm and we will be prepared to cheer at every Friday night or Saturday Football game. On occasion we may be asked to cheer at soccer, field hockey and/or volleyball games, and we will be ready to do so if requested. Because cheerleading is considered as an MCPS sport, and because the requirements for being a competitive cheerleader are strenuous, it is important for our squads to train to become well-conditioned athletes. Because of this, participation in our strength and conditioning practice sessions is an acknowledged expectation. In addition to cheering at home football games, we would like to cheer at as many away football games as possible and we will need to rely heavily on parent volunteers for away-game transportation options. For the MCPS Cheerleading Competition held in November, our practice schedule demands will increase as we intensify our efforts to be prepared for competition. Competition training must be taken very seriously, and attendance is very important. To be successful we must be well choreographed as a highly functioning TEAM and not a group of individual cheerleaders! So if you are chosen to participate with the competition squad, you must be committed to attend every practice session.
TRYOUT INFORMATION Clinic Dates: Where: PHS Main Gym When: Tuesday, May 28, 3:30-5:30 pm Wednesday, May 29, 3:30-5:30 pm Thursday, May 30, 3:30-5:30 pm Tryout Date: Where: When: PHS Main Gym Friday-May 31, 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm *Tryouts will begin promptly at 3:30 PM sharp DO NOT BE LATE! There are no alternative dates for tryouts. During clinics, we will teach basic cheerleading techniques, cheers, chants, jumps, tumbling, and a dance. For the final try out, you will be judged on one cheer, one chant, one tumble pass, three jumps and a dance. Minimum tumble passes include a cartwheel, roundoff, and forward roll. Participants must attend all three clinics in order to participate in try outs. Required Information for clinic sessions: Must wear plain white t-shirt Must wear black shorts Must wear white socks Must wear white shoes Hair must be pulled back in a pony tail-short hair/bangs and out of face No jewelry No Gum chewing. Be respectful to your coach and peers or else you will be asked to leave. Every participant will be issued a tryout number that you will wear every day during clinics, and your tryout. Clinic and Try out is closed to visitors.
Attendance is mandatory on the tryout date. You must attend all of your scheduled classes in order to tryout or have preapproved absences by our school Athletic Director. Qualifications The qualifications to become a member of the squad include: Maintaining a minimum 2.0 Marking Period Average Incredibly Positive Attitude School Spirit Enthusiasm Commitment Dedication Understanding of School and Coach Authority Excellent School Attendance Cheerleading is a truly rewarding experience, but it is also a serious time commitment and can be costly. The squad requires earnest efforts and sincere dedication. Be aware of these facts as you prepare to take on the responsibilities of representing Poolesville High School. Parents/Guardian: If selected to be a PHS cheerleader, there are many specific responsibilities, obligations, and behavioral expectations that your child must accept in order to qualify for and to remain a member of the squad. Parent/Guardian Responsibilities: The parent/guardian permission form must be completed and signed by a parent or legal guardian on or before the first day of clinics Monday, May 28th in order to participate. Health inventory must also be completed and handed in on Monday, May 28th. Make sure that each form has been filled out and completed correctly. All health and permission forms are available on the PHS website and outside of the main office in the forms display case. You can also obtain this form from your current middle school. If your child does not already have a valid physical on file, make an appointment now and have the forms completed. Your child can not participate in clinics or tryouts without a current physical on file. If MCPS forms are not handed in on Monday, May 28 th at the beginning of the first clinic, you will not be able to participate. You may participate the next clinic day if all necessary forms are turned in.
Parent Requirements: If your child makes the 2013/2014 cheerleading squad, a meeting will be scheduled Monday, June 4 th at 6:00 pm at John Poole Middle School in the cafeteria. At the meeting we will discuss parent and athlete expectations for the season, anticipated schedules, camp, and any other questions or concerns that you may have. You will also be expected to make a payment towards camp, practice/camp attire, poms, bows, body suits, skivies, shoes, warm up suits, and any other necessary items for the upcoming season, so please be prepared to make all required payments. New skivies are only required if you do not have the proper style, or do not have any at all. Cheerleading camp is not required but STRONGLY encouraged. This is where the girls will learn new skills, stunts, routines, and experience great team bonding. Team Member Participation Standards, Expectations, and Responsibilities: Cheerleader Expectations - Our expectations for the squad are very high. They are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at ALL times. They are representatives of the school, the team, and the coaching staff. Foul language will not be tolerated No excessive use of PDA Smoking, alcohol, and/or drug use are prohibited at ALL times. Courtesy to teammates, school staff, and all students is always expected. Notify coach of change in phone, email or address contact information. Cheerleader Responsibilities - Cheerleaders are expected to be dedicated to the team. After academics, cheerleading must take top priority over other extracurricular activities. Absences affect the team s ability to perform effectively so all tryouts must be able to commit themselves to the Poolesville High School cheerleading program, please reconsider trying out. All practices and games are mandatory. You must be on time and prepared. Excused absences must be approved by the coach. Excessive absences or tardiness, regardless of the reason, will result in disciplinary action, including suspension or removal from the team.
PHS Cheerleading Merit/Demerit System: All Cheerleaders and Parents must review the attached Poolesville High School Cheerleading Constitution and sign the document to show evidence that you understand and will support all PHS cheerleading expectations. All games and practices will be run by a consistent merit/demerit system. All rules and requirements must followed and taken seriously. Required Expenses: This is an overview of the expenses required for cheerleading squad members. Please note that this is a price estimate, actual costs will be presented prior to our first parent meeting. All parents/guardians will be notified of exact estimates as soon as possible. Camp $260 (if sleep away) or $150 (if local). The squad and parents will assist in this selection Camp attire $90 Bows $20 Skivies $20 Shoes $60 Body Suit $30 Poms $22 Warm-up Suits $100 Estimated Total Between $500 and $650 depending mostly on camp selection Directions for Returning Packets: Below are the steps to completing a successful cheerleading application. 1. Read the entire packet with your parent/guardian 2. Complete and sign the following forms: Cheerleading Squad Contact Information Sheet; Student/Parent Athletic Participation Contract; Parent Permission Form; Medical Health Inventory (Physical) form. 3. Turn in a copy of your third marking period grade report card 4. A Medical Health Inventory Form is valid for only one year from the date of the physical exam. If your physical will expire during the cheerleading sport season you must be re-examined with a new form completed so that you can continue to participate with the squad. In order to try out for the squad you must attend all three cheerleading clinic sessions. All forms are due to Coach Lynch no later than May 28, 2012.
Cheerleading Squad Contact Information: Please print the following information clearly, neatly and completely. Name: Home Phone: Your Cell Number: Your E-Mail: Parent/Guardian Name: Other Parent/Guardian name Work Phone: Work Phone: Cell Phone: Cell Phone: E-mail: E-mail: Your Shorts Size: Your T-shirt size: I, the above mentioned student, have read, understand, and agree to the material in the 2012/2013 Poolesville Falcons Cheerleading Team Tryout Packet. Sign: Date: Parents must provide consent to allow candidates to try out for Cheerleading: I, the parent/guardian of the above mentioned student, have also read, understand, and agree to the material in the 2012/2013 Poolesville Falcons Cheerleading Tryout Packet. I give permission for my child to participate fully in his/her tryout. I fully understand that the school will take every reasonable precaution to prevent accident and/or injury, but will not be held responsible if any accident and/or injury were to occur. In case of an emergency, I can be reached at the phone number indicated on this form. Parent/Guardian Signature Date Thank you for your interest in the 2012/2013 PHS cheerleading program! We expect a FUN, hardworking, and successful season. I am looking forward to seeing everyone at tryouts. Respectively, Coach Amanda Lynch and Athletic Director Ed Ross