GENERAL:
Cheerleading squad members and mascot are expected to give 100% commitment and dedication to their coach, squad, and school at ALL times. Members are expected to participate in all designated performance unless they are ill or injured.
Teamwork and cooperation are essential to a successful cheerleading squad. Should internal conflict arise, members are to leave all discussion within the group rather than take the discussion to outside sources. Mediation or conflict resolution will occur with the coaches outside of practice. Communication with the coaches is necessary before resolving conflict through administrative intervention.
If a member is dismissed or resigns their position from the squad, the vacancy will not be filled.
Members will keep a monthly calendar. Each member will be expected to use it to learn time management, keep a schedule of practices, games and performances and so on. Squad duties and schoolwork should not suffer.
Each member of the squad will be issued a set uniform. If the uniform is damaged beyond repair while in possession of a squad member, the member will be required to replace it.
Squad members will abide by all rules for athletes and members of other activities set forth by Skyview High School.
Each squad in its entirety will cheer together at all games. All members of the Silver and Blue squads will travel together to away varsity games. It is mandatory that you have a parent/guardian signed note if other arrangements for transportation are made. The JV/Freshman squads will cheer at home events.
All members are expected to make spirit posters for all sports. This includes fall, winter and spring sports.
All members will be expected to have all cheer/mascot equipment with them at ALL games and performances (poms, ribbons, socks, sport bottles, cheer bag, etc.). Failure to do so will result in discipline. Members will be expected to be in uniform by warm-up time for any event. They are to return 1 minute prior to the start of second half. Discipline will be given for being late.
PRACTICES:
Squad members are expected to attend ALL practices unless they are ill or gone due to a school-related event. Practices will be organized by the coach. Members are to notify employers of practice schedules, camp dates, game/performance dates and competition dates. Work, homework, and scheduled appointments are not reasond to miss any of these events.
All members are expected to arrive to practice on time. If a member is late or misses a practice, the entire squad suffers. A MANDATORY pre-summer practice schedule will be implemented in order to prepare for camp and fall sports. There will be optional open gym/weight lifting sessions during the summer.
Proper practice clothing will be worn at all practices. T-shirts (tucked in for stunting safety), athletic shorts, cheer shoes, and hair pulled back into ponytail are appropriate attire. Nails will be kept short and no jewelry will be worn. Failure to do so, especially during a game or performance will result in discipline and/or possibly missing performances. It is the recommendation of the coaching staff that members DO NOT get any piercings during the cheer season, due to the student’s inability to remove the jewelry until a specified time. This recommendation is made in the best interest of the safety of the participants.
Missing part of practice for another club or meeting will be allowed IF PRIOR WRITTEN NOTICE IS GIVEN (at least one weeks notice). It is irresponsible and discourteous to inconvenience the rest of the Skyview High School cheerleading squad. Missing a scheduled practice the day of a game or performance will result in the individual not cheering at the game and receiving discipline.
No discipline will be given if you are ill. You must attend at least one-half day of school the day of a game/performance in order to cheer or perform at that game. A note from your parent/guardian is required to excuse your absence. If you are at school, but not feeling well enough to practice, you are still required to be at practice and sit on the side. If you are well enough to come to class, then you can sit on the sideline.
Practice time is valuable for the team. It is important for learning material as a team. This includes cheers, dances, stunts, and the formations that go along with them. if a member cannot be at practice, modifications need to bem ade in order for the team to make progress. A member who missed practice may not be ready for the next game. Therefore, if a member misses practice for any reason (even if it is excused), he/she will sit out one (1) quarter of the game for each practice missed.
GAME CONDUCT:
Do:
* Have fun!!!
* Show up on time ready to practice.
* Warm-up
* Know all material.
* Know the basic rules of the game.
* Report all infractions to the coach.
* Be attentive to the game and perform your best.
Don’t:
* Be late
* Wear jewelry
* Keep nails long
* Chew gum/eat during the game
* Practice in front of the crowd
* Leave your formation
* Quarrel with squad members, friends, or family, in front of the crowd
* Do your hair and make-up in front of the crowd or during the game
* Get “cozy” with your boyfriend/girlfriend while in uniform
* Imitate, mimic, or make fun of the opposing cheerleaders
* Start a cheer while the opposing squad is doing one
* Show up with a bad/lazy attitude
CONDUCT/DISCIPLINE
A. Derogatory remarks toward the teams they support, other members of the squad, other school teams/organizations, or officials/judges while at a school event, will not be tolerated.
B. By earning a position on the Skyview High School Cheerleading squad, the member should always exhibit utmost respect for herself/himself and the school, both at school and in their community whether in uniform or not.
C. Use of Tobacco, Drugs, and/or Alcohol and Serious Misconduct will not be tolerated. Below is the procedure for discipline of students athletes set forth by the Vancouver School District (Athletic Clearance Packet p. 4).
Tobacco Drugs/Alcohol Serious Misconduct
1st Offense Removal for 2 weeks of competition. Participation in smoking cessation program Removal for 50% of the games in the season. If the sanction cannot be fulfilled in the regular season because fewer than 50% of the games remain, including the post season play, the students athlete will be removed from the proportionate percentage of games in the next season for which the student clears, regardless of what sport comprises that season. Participation in a drug/alcohol cessation program. Removal for 50% of the games in the season. If the sanction cannot be fulfilled in the regular season because fewer than 50% of the games remain, including the post season play, the students athlete will be removed from the proportionate percentage of games in the next season for which the student clears, regardless of what sport comprises that season.
2nd Offense Removal for a remainder of current season. If less that 50% of the season remains, the student additionally will be removed from the next season (for which the student clears) for the proportionate percentage of games necessary to fulfill the sanction. Removal for a remainder of current season. If less that 50% of the season remains, the student additionally will be removed from the next season (for which the student clears) for the proportionate percentage of games necessary to fulfill the sanction. Removal for a remainder of current season. If less that 50% of the season remains, the student additionally will be removed from the next season (for which the student clears) for the proportionate percentage of games necessary to fulfill the sanction.
3rd Offense Removal for 1 calendar year from date of violation. Removal for 1 calendar year from date of violation. Removal for 1 calendar year from date of violation.
D. Proper appearance is required at all times while in uniform, with clothing appropriate to the occasion .
E. Discipline will be used to deal with minor infractions – tardiness, missing uniform items, missing poms, etc. will be established beginning with summer practices. Every effort will be made to discipline fairly and equally .
Discipline/Benchings are assigned for the following reasons:
1. Tardiness – not acceptable and will be disciplined as necessary
2. Not cheering at an assigned event/game = un-excused absence.
3. Missing a called practice without note from parent or faculty member.
4. Not paying attention in practice, or bad attitude.
5. Failure to follow instruction of coaches.
6. Wearing incorrect uniform or any part of it missing, including poms.
7. Not wearing complete spirit wear to school on game day.
8. Wearing jewelry, including belly rings, or leaving hair down while cheering.
9. Use of inappropriate language during practice or games.
10. Failure to participate in poster parties without prior notification of coach.
11. Not wearing proper practice apparel (including cheer shoes and undergarments) or leaving practice early without prior written approval.
Additional demerits or benching will also be assigned at the coach’s discretion of other minor or major disciplinary problems within the cheerleading squad.
Every attempt will be made to discipline fairly/equally, and to make consequences of actions known ahead of time. Any cheerleader that is benched must show up to the game/performance/event in full uniform, on time, sit with the coach, and yell along with the rest of the squad. Poor conduct/behavior under any of the above circumstances could result in warnings, discipline, plus suspension/removal from the squad. Inappropriate behaviors not only reflect on the individual, but can also affect the image of the entire squad. The good of the squad always comes before any one individual. If it is in the best interests of the squad that any individual not perform or that he/she be removed from the squad, this action will be taken by decision of the coach and administration.
If a member of the squad is placed on probation/suspension, the member will be expected to attend all practices, games, and functions, but will not allowed to cheer/perform with the group. If the member follows the rules of probation, the member will be able to join the squad as a full-fledged member of the squad.
Members are expected to be fully attentive to the coaches and cooperative when learning new things. Repeated disruptions, especially during the same practice, will result in warnings, discipline and possible removal from the performance. Continued problems will result in calls to parents, additional game suspension and possible removal from the squad.
SAFETY is of utmost importance. Inattentive members put themselves and their fellow squad members at risk for injury. All members are responsible for learning and carrying out all safety spotting and dismount techniques AT ALL TIMES. Failure to do so will warrant harsh discipline. Inattentive or inappropriate behavior when stunting will NOT be tolerated. Proper stunting techniques and progressions will be taught. Please know that every effort will be made to keep your son/daughter safe during practice. However, there is a high risk of injury in a cheer program that includes stunting. New stunts will be learned on a safe, matted surface and students will need to demonstrate perfection of beginning levels stunts prior to moving on to intermediate and then advanced stunts. Mats will ALWAYS be used during a stunting practice.
Constructive criticism/suggestions given in a polite manner are always welcomed. Complaining and/or rudeness to the coaches or fellow squad members are a disruption and will result in discipline.
UNIFORMS, CAMP, OTHER EXPENSES
Each female squad member will have a shell top, skirt, liner, sweater, warm-ups, briefs, bag, ribbons, shoes, etc. and each male squad member will have a shirt top, pants, warm-ups, shoes, and bag. Some of these items must be purchased by the member and the school will provide the others. Cheer uniform and shoes are not to be worn to school or anywhere other than while performing. Shoes and uniform must be kept in good shape and must be clean. All items will be ordered by the coach from a spirit fashion catalog so that the members all coordinate. Any school merchandise ruined, lost or stolen will be replaced by that member at her/his own expense. If a member is removed from the squad, they will be expected to return all district property immediately and in good, clean condition. Fines will be issued to the business office if the uniform is not turned in or is lost. The fines must be paid or the uniform returned, in good condition, or the student’s grades and/or transcript will not be released. Fines must also be taken care of with the business office in order to tryout.
Attending varsity/junior varsity/freshman cheer camp is mandatory as it helps each member learn new safety practices, stunts, cheers, dance techniques, and helps builds team unity. Camp is a wonderful experience. The coaches will try to keep camp costs as low as possible for the squad, yet provide the best possible camp instruction available. The camp fees are the responsibility of the member and his/her parents. Fees must be paid to the Skyview Business Office prior to the last day of school. Failure to do so will result in the member not being able to attend camp. The member is then responsible for any cancellation fees that may result. Camps this year will be as follows.
SEASON LENGTH
Training rules for the Vancouver School District, as outlined in the clearance packet, were revised in 2005. They indicate a student is an active athlete from the first time he/she clears for a sport/activity with the business office. Therefore, discipline measures for Tobacco and Drug/Alcohol use and Serious Misconduct apply when the student is in season, between seasons, and over the summer months.
LETTERING
A member of the Varsity squad will earn an athletic letter for cheerleading upon meeting the following requirements for each season of cheer (fall & winter):
- Follow the athletic code
- Pass chant & safety test
- Attend 85% of the practices
- Cheer at 90% of the games
- If teams go into playoffs, must attend assigned games
- Participate in 90% school support/cheerleading activities (ex: assemblies, fundraisers, BBQ, decorating, etc.)
- Follow all other Cheer Guidelines (such as)
- Turn in and maintain all necessary paperwork on time
- If you do not notify coach of an absence beforehand, you will be deducted 2 games/practices.
- Return all uniform items in good condition
- Show respect to team and coach at all times
**Lettering will occur at the end of the Cheerleading season**
CAMP DATES/COST 2008
August 3-6 at University of Oregon- Cost: $264.00