GHS Cheerleading Policies and Procedures New plan for this new year. TENTATIVE plan for our 2016-2017 Competitive Cheer Team: In the past, our entire cheerleading squad has played a role in competitions. We know, through these experiences, that (1) alternates are always useful and (2) many cheerleaders are more skilled for score sheet judging than others. Based on this, we have decided (based on number of team members) to designate a certain portion of our cheerleading squad as the team that will represent Greenwood High School in competitions. The selections for the competitive cheer team will be announced after cheer camp, prior to our Region Competition in the fall. The selection process will be primarily based on skill level, overall attitude, and competitiveness of the individual cheerleader. This change will NOT affect summer conditioning/practices, UCA Camp, or football/basketball games. While the competitive cheer team will have more mandatory practices, all cheerleaders are invited to play a role in routine practices since those young ladies will be designated as alternates for the competitive cheer team. It s almost definite that there will be times when these alternates are needed due to illnesses/injuries. Our overall goal for competitions is to be the best we can be. To do this, we must use our strongest tumblers and strongest bases/back-spots/flyers for those two and a half minutes on the mat. All Greenwood High School cheerleaders will not be competing (pending number of try-out participants/team members). All Greenwood High School cheerleaders WILL be on the sideline at ballgames. All Greenwood High School cheerleaders are encouraged to do their best at all times whether at practices, games, or competitions and work TOGETHER to achieve these goals! GREENWOOD CHEERLEADING RULES FOR ACADEMICS: Each cheerleader is expected to maintain passing grades. Cheerleaders must be passing at least 3 of 4 classes with C averages. Grades are checked weekly by Athletic Director and Coach/Sponsor. Should there be a failing grade at any time parents will be notified. Cheerleader will be ineligible to participate in practices/games until 3 out of 4 classes have a C average. KHSAA Grade Policy states that cheerleaders must be passing at least half of their classes at all times (2 out of 4). The above policy sets cheerleaders to a higher standard. CONSEQUENCE(S): Ineligible cheerleaders must still attend practice/games in uniform. If a cheerleader becomes ineligible for grades they will have 3 weeks to bring up the grade. At the end of the 3 weeks, if the grade is still not passing, it can result in dismissal from the squad. It is the cheerleader s responsibility to meet with teachers, be tagged for RTI, attend guided study hall, or to attend E.S.S. on Thursdays in order to bring grades up. When grades become a problem the 2nd time it will result in dismissal from squad!
Cell phone use is prohibited during practices and games and while sitting on the sidelines for injuries or ineligibilities. 2 MINUTE RULE: Cheerleaders return to the field/floor 2 minutes prior to half-time ending. Arrangements will be made for squad activities prior to the National Anthem and the game beginning. Girls are to be at all games COMPLETELY DRESSED and with the squad 45 minutes before game-time (unless told otherwise). All squad members are to assist with mats before and after games and are to stretch together. BEHAVIOR: Cheerleaders represent GHS inside and outside of school! This starts as soon as the 2016-2017 team is posted. Be a role model and a leader at all times. If a cheerleader receives ALC- consequences may include additional conditioning at practice, or sitting out a game/games. If a cheerleader receives ASP- member will be dismissed from the squad. If/when a cheerleader is dismissed or quits the squad: All GHS uniforms must be returned the next week. Unreturned uniforms will result in a financial obligations/student debt posted. Financial obligations will result in a HOLD on all academic information/release. Behaviors outside of school (including social media), reflecting negatively upon the squad, can result in dismissal from the squad. Situations will be analyzed on an individual basis by the coaches coaches discretion. ALCOHOL/DRUGS: No drinking alcohol, smoking, or other drug use. If a cheerleader is caught with alcohol it is an automatic dismissal from the squad. If a cheerleader is caught with drugs it is an automatic dismissal form the squad. Cheerleaders will be drug tested randomly throughout the season by the Athletic Department. Guilty by association. Cheerleaders should not put themselves in a position in which it is assumed drug/alcohol possession and/or use occurred. ATTITUDE: Cheerleaders must make every attempt to get along as a team! Cheerleaders must be respectful at all times. Respect coach/sponsor, squad members, parents and authority figures. Cheerleaders should help fellow squad members improve if/when they can! Cheerleaders must support their squad and all GHS athletic teams. Bad attitudes will not be tolerated if negative attitudes start interfering with the success of the TEAM, steps may be taken to dismiss involved cheerleaders. COMPETITIONS:
OTHER NOTES: These dates are TBA and may be adjusted as competition dates are set. Region = Fall 2016 Competition participants will be decided following summer cheer camp. Earrings (or other piercings) are not allowed during practices or games. This is for the girls safety. The girls all receive an All-Sports pass, free of charge. They are expected to utilize this as often as possible to attend sporting events other than just football and basketball. Soft drinks/soda will NOT be allowed at practice. Girls need to bring only hydrating beverages with them to practice. All squad members are required to join the OAR Club. This cost is $10. ATTENDANCE POLICY! Cheerleading is a TEAM SPORT. Unfortunately, cheerleading is a yearlong sport and makes for a very long season. This is why COMMITMENT is so very important. Camp is Mandatory (UCA Cheer Camp July 18-21, 2016, Lexington, KY). Practice is Mandatory. o Practices will be held at least twice a week (summer mornings, school afternoons) o Monthly practice/game calendars will be given out at the beginning of each month for schedule planning purposes. o Competition alternates will not be required to attend as many practices, but are invited to attend all of them for learning/fill-in purposes. Their altered practice schedule will be given out on a monthly basis. Football Games and Basketball Games are Mandatory for ALL cheerleaders. One person being absent affects the entire squad. It is important not to inconvenience the practice time of the entire squad by being absent. Absences should always be avoided when possible. ALL UNEXCUSED will have physical consequences (running and/or conditioning, etc.) o Absences will only be excused by a note from a doctor, unless an emergency/family situation arises. Attendance at a game or practice without proper shoes or attire will be considered an absence you will NOT be allowed to cheer. Coach or sponsor must ALWAYS be notified of absences in advance and at earliest convenience. All cheerleaders must be at all game location 45 minutes prior to game time to stretch and warm-up as a team. Being late will result in physical consequences (running and/or conditioning, etc.) Unexcused absences becoming an issue/reoccurring can result in dismissal from the squad. PENALTIES FOR ABSENCES: There will be a dead period in the summer- use this time wisely with no penalty. o 2016-2017 KHSAA Dead Period June 25-July 9 Each cheerleader from June 1 st to the second week of July will be granted ONE approved absences for trips! This should be used only if the trips cannot be rearranged.
Absences due to work schedules are unexcused. Jobs must work around the cheer team schedule. Excessive absences may result in dismissal from the team! If at any time the coaches see that the GHS Cheer Squad is not a priority, the cheerleader may be dismissed from the team. RESPONSIBILITIES: It is the cheerleader s (not the parents ) responsibility to: o Plan around the cheer schedule and make arrangements to be at all practices, games, and other team events on time. o Reference the monthly calendar/info sheets and know what uniform is to be worn for cheerleading events. o Keep up with uniforms, socks, shoes, bows, warm-ups, game day attire, etc. and make sure they re clean in time for all cheerleading events. o Notify coaches of situations that will make them late/absent to cheerleading events. o Notify coaches of any situations that could negatively impact the team. Possible Expenses: Especially at the beginning of the year, cheerleading is going to require a lot of things to be purchased/paid for. While some of these things will come from the booster account, it simply isn t feasible for the boosters to raise money for everything. The following costs are purely ESTIMATED for this school year: - Nfinity Game Day shoes -- $70 - Russell Warm-Up Outfit -- $80 - Letterman Jacket (optional) -- $250 - Under Armour Hunter Green Backpack -- $54 - Matching bows -- $5 each - Green bloomers -- $8 each - Body Liners (green and white) -- $19 each - Crew (matching) socks -- $6.50 (pack of 6) - Summer UCA Camp (Summer 2016) -- $100 deposit due by May 13 and $255 due by June 1 o $355 Total Cost o UCA Cheer Camp University of Kentucky July 18-21 - Camp Clothes -- $80 - Game Day Clothes -- $100 - Tumbling practice fee o Cheerville is not required but encouraged Monday nights 7:30-9:00 $35 (monthly automatic draft) ($40 one-time liability insurance) o We would like for all cheerleaders to schedule group/individual tumbling classes somewhere. Every cheerleader has the capability to become a stronger tumbler. - Possible competition registrations -- $200 - Possible competition transportation/lodging not certain hopefully booster/fundraiser funded
Eligibility Checklist The following terms must be met in order for participant to try-out for the GHS Cheerleading Squad: Must be enrolled in either Greenwood High School or GHS feeder school. Must be at current grade level (receiving appropriate number of credits from the previous/current school year. Must have a completed, current, KHSAA physical form on file. Must have SCHOOL SPIRIT! The following terms must be adhered to during the try-out process and tenure as a GHS Cheerleader: Must live with parent or guardian the ENTIRE tenure. Can only be a member of another sports team, competitive squad, or other extra-curricular activity if it does not consistently interfere with cheer practices and/or games (any absences due to participation with another team/organization are unexcused). Must agree to make GHS Cheer a priority! Must agree to abide by all rules, regulations and schedules set by the GHS coaches. Must maintain a positive, competitive and constructive attitude with a sincere desire to be a member of the GHS Cheerleading Squad.
GHS Varsity Cheerleading Try-Out Contract Applicant s Name: Grade (next year): Number of years of cheer experience: Parent/Guardian Name(s): Mailing Address: Cell Phone: belongs to Cell Phone: belongs to Cell Phone: belongs to Parent E-mail: Insurance Company: Date of Physical: (Must provide copy of KHSAA completed physical) I am interested in being a Varsity Cheerleader at Greenwood High School. I pledge to uphold the standards set forth for this squad. If elected, I hereby agree to conform to all rules of the squad and to take responsibility for my actions. I promise to fulfill all time commitments and obligations presented to me as a member of the squad. I promise to cooperate with all coaches and members of the squad to better myself and the team! Signature of Applicant We give our permission for our child to be a Varsity Cheerleader at Greenwood High School and understand the responsibilities if our child is selected. We, the parent(s)/guardian(s), agree to help our child meet the time and financial commitments necessary to be a member of the squad; furthermore, we will support the disciplinary actions of the coaches and help our child abide by these rules and regulations. Parent/Guardian Signature Parent/Guardian Signature Prospective cheerleader and parent should initial each statement below: I understand and agree to commit to the outlined goals for the 2016-2017 school year and the financial obligations that these may incur. I understand that the information currently presented and additional times and finances may be introduced as deemed necessary throughout the season. I understand the eligibility requirements outlined and agree that the participant meets each standard. I understand that all cheerleaders will be expected to cheer all ballgames. I understand that a selection will be made by the coaches as to who will be representing the team in competitions.