Boerne Samuel V. Champion High School 2 0 1 Ch a r ge r Bl v d. Bo e r n e, T e x a s 7 8 0 0 6 P h o n e : 8 3 0. 3 5 7. 2 6 0 0 F a x : 8 3 0. 3 5 7. 2 6 9 9 CHEERLEADER & MASCOT HANDBOOK THE MISSION The Champion High School Cheer Program exists to support all athletic functions and to represent Champion High School to the highest degree. The role of a CHS Cheer representative goes beyond wearing the uniform. It is an honor and responsibility given to an individual who shows skill, leadership, dignity, and integrity. Ultimately, the mission and purpose is to create, promote and uphold school spirit in accordance with BISD rules and code of conduct. Membership and participation provides opportunities for successful personal growth, physical fitness, citizenship, leadership, life-long learning and performance experience. I. Purpose & Responsibilities The purpose of the CHS cheerleading program is to develop cheerleading skills in performance, demonstrate and promote school spirit along with good sportsmanship, and to support all athletic teams. Students who participate are held to a higher standard and have a responsibility to represent Boerne ISD and CHS in an appropriate manner and to conduct themselves in a manner that will bring credit to the district and its student body and staff at all times. Participation in this organization is a privilege, not a right. The program requires that members consider their position as a cheer member in their actions in and out of school. Members must work to build an image of dedicated, hard-working, honest young adults who exemplify a team. This program functions as a family filled with determination and integrity. Members will strive to improve themselves and others through positive interaction and accountability, requiring a great deal of consideration, cooperation, and effort. II. Requirements for Tryouts A. Candidates must complete all elements of the tryout procedure including: a. Attending the required pre-tryout meeting WITH a parent/legal guardian; b. Submitting required documents by the designated deadline; c. Undergoing Informal Evaluation during participation in the mandatory Clinics; d. Trying out in front of a panel of College level/professional cheerleading judges. B. Candidate must meet all UIL academic eligibility requirements and must be currently eligible under No Pass No Play in order to tryout. C. Candidates must have no record of disciplinary actions or consequences during their high school career that led to AC/BDAP, alternative hearing or expulsion. a. Candidates who have been placed in ISS or Off Campus Suspension will be considered eligible to tryout on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the coach and principal.
III. D. Candidate must not have quit the team if he or she was a Cheerleader/Mascot the previous year. E. Candidates must attend all of their classes on the day of tryouts. F. Per TEA & UIL guidelines, candidates cannot be enrolled in two athletic periods during the school day. Therefore, participation in a sport other than cheerleading will not be permitted during the school day. Participation in sports will be handled on a case-by-case basis. a. Mascots may participate in other activities approved by the coach. Selection of Cheerleaders/Mascots A. Procedures for the selection of Cheerleader/Mascots are as follows, unless otherwise designated by the coaches: Cheerleaders/Mascots will try out in front of a panel of qualified judges. Each candidate will be ranked according to the rating of the judges. When combined with informal evaluation scores, the candidates with the highest rankings will be designated as CHS cheerleaders/mascots. Cheerleader/Mascot tryouts, clinics and practices are closed to the public. IV. B. All currently enrolled freshmen, sophomores and juniors are eligible to try out for the Varsity squad. C. All currently enrolled 8 th graders and freshmen are eligible to try out for the Junior Varsity squad. D. All currently enrolled 8 th graders, freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are eligible to try out for a mascot position. E. Cheerleader tryouts will consist of each candidate learning one cheer, one chant, and one short dance. Each candidate will also be judged on their spirit/energy, jumps, and tumbling. F. The number of members on each squad (Varsity & Junior Varsity) will be determined at the discretion of cheer coaches on a year-to-year basis. G. Mascot candidates will perform a 1 to 2 minute skit to music and use props of their choice. Music & skit must be school appropriate. Uniforms A. Cheerleader/Mascots will be responsible for maintaining their uniform with accompanying accessories. In the instance that any items are lost or damaged, the member will reimburse the cheerleading account the full cost of replacing those items. B. Uniforms must be returned in the same condition they were received (or paid to replace) before you may try out for the next year s squad or in the case of seniors, before account is cleared for graduation.
C. Official school cheerleader/mascot attire and equipment must only be worn/used by the cheerleader/mascot. Attire/equipment MUST NOT be lent out to be used or worn by anyone else for any purpose. D. It is the responsibility of each member to ensure their uniform is clean, in good condition, and fits properly (especially skirt length) before each performance. E. A cheerleading uniform may not be altered without sponsor approval. If this occurs, the cheerleader may be required to pay for the uniform. F. Members may not wear any jewelry while in uniform, practicing, or performing. This includes belly button rings, nose jewelry, and any other type of body piercing. Bandage coverings or any other objects (spacer/retainer) inserted in the pierced areas will not be permitted. If a member is asked to remove the described jewelry and she refuses, the coach will assign a consequence appropriate for the actions. H. Letter jackets will be awarded based on Varsity cheer group membership and will be awarded to all eligible members of the Varsity spirit squad upon the completion of the guidelines set by Boerne ISD. V. Requirements for Maintaining Membership As a member of the cheer program, you have made a commitment to the cheer program and have made cheerleading your first priority, along with academics. All other activities must be scheduled around cheerleading. A. Must have a physical exam no later than deadline designated by the school trainer. Physicals will follow UIL guidelines and will be kept on file with the trainers. B. All members must attend summer camp and/or clinics at their own expense. C. Must attend all designated activities: a. Excused absences are allowed for the following reasons: i. Illness with a doctor s note - In case of an illness, the cheerleader (parent/guardian if unable) must notify the coach prior to the practice or performance. Any member absent from a practice or performance without notifying and receiving coach approval PRIOR to the time the function is scheduled to begin will be subject to discipline. ii. Death in the family iii. Participation in a school/academic event iv. Special circumstances with approval from the coach b. A written note from a doctor will be required upon return from an absence for illness. If an injury has occurred that impacts participation in practice, a coach must be notified in writing. c. Excused and unexcused absences will be handled on a case-by-case basis under discretion of the coach. d. Must obtain own transportation to and from school as necessary.
e. Cheerleaders and Mascots must travel to and from away games by school transportation. D. Members will be subject to academic eligibility rules under UIL s No Pass No Play Policy. F. Must be available for cheerleading/mascot activities that occur throughout the year. These will begin in March and may be before school, during school, after school, evenings, on weekends, or during summer and holiday breaks. **Cheer season does not just cover football season. Cheerleaders are expected to cheer at and attend other school events throughout the entire cheerleading season** VI. G. All cheerleaders will be required to attend tumbling classes and designated clinics. One tumbling session per week will be required of all members. H. Members and their parents must assume all necessary expenses for membership. A cheerleader incurs approximately $1000-$2000 in expenses during a year. If there are financial concerns, the Cheerleader/Mascot must work something out with the coach. G. Any Cheerleader/Mascot who removes themselves from the Cheerleading organization or is removed from the Cheerleading organization is required to pay all expenses, in full, that have been incurred up to the date of the removal. If the Cheerleader/Mascot quits, no money is refunded. H. Must participate in the fundraising activities of the team and be responsible for the money collected. Participation in these events is a requirement. The Cheerleading Activity Account is used throughout the year for a variety of expenses including, but not limited to: a. Additional uniform pieces b. Charter busses c. Professional coaching fees d. Team dinners e. Gym fees (if applicable) f. Any additional fees that help deter the charges paid by cheerleaders. I. In the event of an injury or illness, a BISD trainer or doctor s note will be required to resume cheerleading activities. Protocol for healing MUST be followed. J. Cheerleader/Mascot members and their parents/guardians will be members of the CHS Cheerleader Booster Club: a. All meetings should be attended as with all required activities. This means that each member of the team must be represented by their parent/guardian or an approved representative at every meeting; K. All cheerleaders must remain in cheer class the duration of the season. SQUAD DUTIES A. Varsity cheerleaders and mascots will cheer at varsity home and away football games as well as other athletic events requested by the coach.
B. Junior varsity cheerleaders will cheer at junior varsity and freshmen home football games as well as other athletic events requested by the coach. C. All cheerleaders and mascots must attend scheduled practices including cheerleading class. If you are not present for the cheer review of an event, you will not be included in the event. Consideration will be given for excused absences D. All cheerleaders and mascots must sit with the coach when they are not cheering for disciplinary reasons. VII. Code of Conduct A. Members must abide by all rules and regulations as stated in this Handbook, the BISD Student Handbook and the BISD Athletic Code of Conduct. Any failure to do so can result in discipline or dismissal. a. Dismissal from the team will be determined on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the coach and administration. VIII. Mascots A. Mascots are considered part of the CHS cheerleading squad and are subject to all rules and policies set forth in this handbook. IX. B. The school will provide the mascot uniform; however, the mascots are responsible for the rental fees and proper care. Veto Clause A. Since the Coaches are directly responsible to the Principal for the welfare of the cheerleading organization, they shall have the authority to make any decisions or adjustments necessary for the welfare of the organization. B. Any action that needs to be taken concerning a situation not covered by this handbook or in opposition to stated policies would be the responsibility of the coaches with the consultation of the administration.