Cheerleading Handbook - Silver Lake Public Schools

2008-2009
CHEERLEADERING
HANDBOOK
Silver Lake Public Schools
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction .............................................................................. 2
Financial Responsibility ...................................................... 2
Eligibility ..................................................................................... 2
Tryouts ........................................................................................ 3
Head Cheerleader/Captain .............................................. 4
Safety ........................................................................................... 4
Attendance at Games ......................................................... 4
Pep Rallies .................................................................................. 5
Homecoming .............................................................................. 6
Pep Band & Being a Cheerleader .....................................6
Fund Raisers ..............................................................................6
Lettering ......................................................................................6
Summer Camp ..........................................................................6
Discipline Information ..........................................................7
Sponsorship ................................................................................7
Parent-Cheerleader Notification Form ..................... 8
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INTRODUCTION
Cheerleading can be one of the most fun, valuable, and rewarding
experiences of your school years. However, it will also consume a lot of
your time and energy and is a major responsibility not to be taken lightly.
You should be prepared to spend a great deal of time and effort towards
becoming the best cheerleader you can be.
You will be responsible for:
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Promoting school spirit and pride within the school and
community.
Demonstrate sportsmanship at all times.
Follow the rules as listed within the student and cheerleading
handbook.
Follow directions as given by your sponsors and/or Silver Lake
Staff.
Demonstrate a positive image to fellow students.
Be willing to work on spirit activities as assigned.
Attending all practices and meetings scheduled by the sponsor.
This handbook has been prepared to give you a general idea of the
obligations, rules and responsibilities involved in being a cheerleader. You
must read the cheerleading handbook and understand what is expected of
you.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
All efforts are made to keep the cost of being a cheerleader down to a
reasonable level so that each student in the Silver Lake High School is given
an opportunity to participate if they so wish. However, cheerleaders should
be prepared to spend between $200-$300 per year on personal
cheerleading items.
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ELIGIBILITY
Students must meet all of the eligibility requirements for participation in
school activities as listed in the school’s current handbook. Students who
are not eligible will not be allowed to try out or be a member of the
cheerleading squad.
Academic Eligibility: Not failing more than 2 class per eligibility period.
TRYOUTS
Cheerleading tryouts will be held in the spring for students in grades 8
through 11 currently attending Silver Lake Public School. Information on
practices, organization of the tryouts, and other related details: will be
handled by the cheerleading sponsor. Students must be a current full time
student and meet all eligibility requirements at Silver Lake to try out.
The following procedures will be used during the tryout period:
1) This year’s current varsity cheerleaders will help with scheduled
practices. Practices held outside of the school day, is each student’s
responsibility to arrange their transportation.
2) Judges will be asked each year from area colleges. Cost of the judges will
be paid from the cheerleading account.
3) Girls trying out for cheerleading will wear appropriate clothing as
outlined by the sponsor. Items worn shall not reflect any relationship of
being a previous cheerleader.
4) Groups shall be assigned by the sponsor by drawing names to establish
groups of 3 or 4.
5) Routines to be judged: Group cheer, group chant, individual cheer, and
school song. Jumps, cartwheels, and stunts will be evaluated at the end
of each routine.
6) Selection will be decided by the total points awarded to each candidate
by the judges.
7) Six (6) cheerleaders will be declared each year. Ties will be broken by
the judges. One (1) alternate will be selected. Results will be posted
immediately after tryouts.
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8) The alternate will fill vacancies made in the cheerleading squad prior to
the first scheduled summer cheerleading camp. Vacancies beyond the
first camp will NOT be filled.
9) Items required prior to trying out to be a cheerleader are:
a.
Current physical card or doctor’s permission.
b.
Signed parent permission slip.
c.
Cheerleading handbook read and signed by the student & their
parent.
d.
Meet all eligibility rules as listed in the SLPS Student Handbook.
HEAD CHEERLEADER/CAPTAIN
A head cheerleader/captain shall be selected each year from the current
cheerleading squad. The head cheerleader/captain shall be selected by the
sponsor based on previous year of cheerleading experience, leadership
qualities, and the ability to work positively with others. All three items will
have equal value in the selection of the head cheerleader/captain.
The head cheerleader/captain must be able to provide the necessary time to
work with the sponsor, fellow cheerleaders, community, staff, and classes
with ideas and activities on promotion school spirit and pride.
The head cheerleader/captain will be responsible for promoting harmony
among the cheerleaders and set and example for the entire squad to follow.
She will provide leadership, be positive with her duties, assist the sponsor in
calling meetings, arrange practices, and other duties as assigned by the
sponsor.
SAFETY
Silver Lake cheerleaders are NOT permitted to perform any mount or
pyramid while representing Silver Lake. or being in a Silver Lake
cheerleading uniform due to safety concerns. Stomping on bleachers or
negative chants directed towards the opposing team or player should NOT
be promoted. Cheerleaders are expected to emphasize positive cheers
towards our team.
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ATTENDANCE AT GAMES
Cheerleaders will attend and cheer at all varsity games including holiday
tournaments unless approved other wise by the sponsor or an active
participant (suited up as a team member) in the activity.
Regardless of the number of cheerleaders, if your are not a participant
(suited up with the varsity team) in the activity, you shall assume the role
as a cheerleader. Students who are student managers, reserve team
player, video or stat persons shall assume the duties as a cheerleader.
Cheerleader who are recovering from personal injury, sickness, or surgery
are expected to dress in their cheerleading uniforms and perform as many
duties as permissible depending on the particular injury. A cheerleader who
is under a physician’s care and cannot perform her duties must submit to
the sponsor a physician’s statement describing the limitations but will be
expected to be with the cheerleading squad.
Transportation shall be provided by the school district to and from all
away varsity games that are to be attended by the cheerleaders.
Cheerleaders must ride on the school’s transportation unless other
arrangements have been made according to school policy. Transportation
to home varsity games must be arranged by each cheerleader.
Arrival at home games and prepared to lead cheers is to be 20
minutes prior to the advertised starting time. An away game is
determined by the arrival of the transportation provided by the school.
Cheerleaders who are playing in a game prior to varsity games should be
present by the beginning of the 2nd quarter unless other arrangements
have been made with your dismissal.
PEP RALLIES
Cheerleaders will be provided with a schedule of all home and away athletic
events. They will meet with their sponsor and work out a schedule for pep
rallies by the start of the athletic season.
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Pep rallies may be planned by the entire squad, individual, classes, or
individual cheerleaders may take turns on planning them. Skit (student
involved, games, etc.) must be approved by the sponsor with all participants
being informed in advanced to dress appropriately.
Students who may be a cheerleader and participant in an activity shall
participate in scheduled pep rallies as a cheerleader unless approval by the
sponsor.
It is up to the cheerleader to make the necessary arrangements for
practices, props, costumes, music, (notification of the band director), etc.
Each cheerleader shall make, organize classmates, design posters, and spirit
sign throughout the school year.
HOMECOMING
Homecoming week activities are the responsibilities of the cheerleader and
sponsor. Dress up days is limited to Thursday and Friday with Friday’s
theme being Maroon & White day.
PEP BAND AND BEING A CHEERLEADER
Cheerleaders who are in band and a cheerleader must make arrangements
with both sponsors as to their particular needs. This arrangement my
require the cheerleader to perform both in the pep band and as a
cheerleader.
FUND RAISERS
Fundraisers will be required by the cheerleaders to help off set the expense
of paying for uniforms and other needs that may arise. If a cheerleader
does not participate in the fundraiser, they will be assessed a portion equal
to each share that was raised by each participant. Funds raised are to be
used for group activities and events not personal items.
All fund raisers are to have prior approval by the administration and
sponsor, and be limited to a maximum of 5 per calendar year: 2 raffle or
sales activity, 1 cheerleading camp, summer ball concessions, and
Elementary field day concessions, and homecoming week activities.
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Balance of each year’s cheerleader’s account shall be left in the account for
future cheerleader needs.
LETTERING
Each cheerleader who successfully completes the duties and obligations of a
cheerleader as listed within the cheerleader handbook shall receive an
athletic letter for that particular year.
SUMMER CAMP
A summer cheerleading camp can be the most important event for a
cheerleading squad to attend. Attendance at a cheerleading camp can set
the temp for spirit, enthusiasm, and unity for the entire year.
Cheerleaders will be expected to attend a summer camp that is decided upon
by the sponsor and administration. The camp registration fee (cost of the
day camp activities only) will be paid out of the cheerleading fund if
available. Transportation, lodging, and meals may have to be paid by the
individual cheerleaders as determined by the sponsor and funds available in
the cheerleading account.
The camp selection will be made by the sponsor. The main purpose for
attending camp is to obtain spirit ideas and working together for
cheerleading unity.
DISCIPLINE INFORMATION
Cheerleading as with any organized activity must have rules for the benefit
of everyone that shall be followed. Cheerleaders are expected to follow the
rules within the student and cheerleading handbooks.
Consequences shall be determined by the sponsor with administration
approval for all violations committee. Parents of the cheerleaders shall be
contracted when a violation (two unexcused absences shall result in
dismissal form cheerleading) occurs with the possibility of forfeiting their
privilege of being a cheerleader.
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SPONSORSHIP
The school district shall assign a sponsor for the cheerleading squad. The
sponsor shall be responsible for the day to day decisions and control of the
cheerleaders. All questions pertaining to cheerleading should be discussed
with the sponsor prior to any calls to the administration.
PARENTS shall be required to sponsor the cheerleaders throughout the
year on an equal basis at home and/or away games and report all
concerns or violations to the sponsor as soon as possible. Parents who are
sponsoring are to remain close to the cheerleaders to help with supervision.
Parents may have to drive the school van to away games when there is a
boy’s event only.
Cheerleaders who have questions or have concerns are to discuss their
concerns with the cheerleading sponsor.
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SILVER LAKE SCHOOLS
Parent-Cheerleader Notification Form
2008-2009
I have received a copy of the 2008-2009
Cheerleading Handbook, and I am fully aware of the
rules, regulations, and consequences that shall be
implemented and followed by all cheerleaders
attending Silver Lake Public Schools during the
2008-2009 School Year.
Cheerleader’s Signature:
I have read this & I know what is expected of my
daughter as a 2008-2009 cheerleader.
Parent’s Signature:
Please return this form to the cheerleading sponsor.
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