Penndale Cheerleading

Rules, Expectations and Information

Dress Code Expectations

  • What to wear to practice:

◦hair in a poytail- bows are optional

◦cheerleading sneakers (white)-

▪please have another pair of sneakers to wear for conditioning, stretching and running

◦white socks

◦positive attitude

◦smile

◦shorts and t-shirt (penndale dress code appropriate)

◦we ask that you pack

▪sweatpants

▪sweatshirt

NOTE: If you are not appropriately dressed you will be expected to stay at practice but will receive a half cut. (see cuts for more information)

  • What to wear on game days:

◦All hair in a ponytail with your Penndale bow in it. (This must be on the top of your head, if you have questions please see the coaches)

◦Cheerleading sneakers (We ask that if it is raining or snowing you wear other shoes to school and once you are in school you change into your cheer sneakers.)

◦White socks

◦Positive attitude

◦smile

◦North Penn issued cheerleading uniform

▪shell

▪skirt

▪sweatpants and jacket (if you choose but should be in your bag)

◦Your bodysuit (must be the ones that go with your uniforms)

◦Boy-cut briefs (must be the ones that match your uniforms)

Note: If you are not dressed appropriately during the school day on game days you will sit for the first half of the game, you will receive a half-cut (see cuts for more information). Also, if you do not have the proper clothing for the game you will be expected to stay for the game but will sit for the whole game, you will receive a full cut (see cuts for more information).

  • What needs to be purchased once I make the squad:

◦All cheerleaders must have the follow by the second game.

▪White socks- ankle length

▪White cheer sneakers

▪Bow- $7.61 cash

▪Boy-cut briefs- must be navy and match our uniform as best as possible.

▪Turtleneck bodysuit- must be navy and match our uniform as best as possible.

Note: Our uniforms are GTM sportswear and are navy. We recommend that the boy-cut briefs and bodysuit are bought from to match the uniform. Also, we are aware that the turtleneck bodysuit is not on the website. Your cheerleader may get the spirit flex crop top in navy, but please know that if their stomach does show they will be expected to wear their North Penn issued sweat jacket at all times, since showing your stomach is against Penndale Dress Code. There are various websites that do offer the turtleneck bodysuit in navy but we know GTM's colors will match the closest.

Lost part of the uniform?

  • The uniform is the cheerleader's responsibility from the time it is issued to them to the time they return it. If they lose any part they will need to pay for each part they lose.

How to wash your uniform:

  • All parts have white and navy in them. We ask that they are washed inside out and in cold water so the navy does not run onto the white.

Games and Practices:

Game schedule:

  • Cheerleaders are expected to attend all home games (football and boys basketball) for Penndale Middle School. (sports schedule is posted on Penndale Athletics Website)
  • Cheerleaders may be asked to attend some away games and/or “special games” and/or special events, all cheerleaders are expected at all of these game/events. The coaches will give cheerleaders and parents as much notification as possible for these.
  • Games maybe canceled or changed due to weather, coaches will notify cheerleaders and parents as soon as we can. We ask that you are flexible and understanding with this.
  • If a cheerleader needs to leave early from a game, coaches must be notified one day prior to the game by note or email from parents. If we are not notified prior to practice beginning you will receive a half-cut. (see cuts for more information)

Practice schedule:

  • Practices are after school untill 5:15 certain days a week. During the winter season we may need to have some practices go to 5:30 due to availability for stunt and half-time practice time. (coaches will notify cheerleaders and parents in advance if practices are scheduled untill 5:30 so everyone can plan accordingly.)
  • If a cheerleader needs to leave early from a practice, coaches must be notified before practice begins by note or email from parents. If we are not notified prior to practice beginning you will receive a half-cut. (see cuts for more information)
  • Since Penndale does not practice daily all cheerleaders are expected at all practices for the entire practice. We ask that all appointments are scheduled around the practices. If a cheerleader misses practices and a coach is not informed prior to practice, a cheerleader will receive a cut. (see cuts for more information).
  • If a cheerleader misses practices for any reason and they do not know the cheers, chants, stunts or anything else we went over, the cheerleader will be expected to attend the game but will sit and will receive a half-cut. (see cuts for more information)

NOTE: The only reason a cheerleader should be missing any game or practice is if they are absent from school. We understand that emergencies happen, we ask that the cheerleader and/or parent notifies the coaches as soon as possible, this could include leaving a note for the coaches in the main office.

Captain:

  • Being a captain is a large responsibility and there are high expectations. Captains are held to the highest standard of cheerleaders on the team. The captain must be a leader on and off the squad. At times you might be asked go over and above by the coaches.
  • Jobs:

◦You are expected to lead:

▪by example

▪cheers/chants

▪warm ups

▪drills

▪stretching

  • How to become a captain:

◦You must notify the coaches by the end of the first practice

◦Make the squad

◦Teacher recommendations (coaches will get)

◦Previous cheer experience (Penndale Cheer preferably)

◦Show leadership on and off the squad

◦Follow all rules and expectations of the cheerleadering squad

◦does not get detentions, suspensions or any form of disciplinary action

◦Is academically eligible through the whole season

***** Coaches will announce the captains at practice sometime between the 1st

practice and the 1st game.*****

NOTE: Just because you were captain previously does not mean you are captain again.

NOTE: Captain is given to a cheerleader that meets the above requirements. If for any reason a captain no longer meets all above requirements the coaches reserve the right to take the title of captain away and possibly put another cheerleader in the position of captain.

More important information:

Cuts:

  • If a cheerleader is at school they are expected at practice or the game. If you are not at school by 11:15 you cannot participate in an after school activity but you are still expected to attend practice or the game. If you come to school and leave for an appointment you are still expected to return to school for the practice or the game. All attendance policies violations will result in a cut.
  • If you receive a half-cut it counts towards your full cuts.
  • Each cheerleader is permitted only two full cuts.
  • Once you receive two fullcuts you will be asked to hand in your uniform and sweats and will be removed from the team.

Suspensions:

  • If you are suspended from school for any reason during the season (see seasons for more information), upon return of your suspension you are expected to turn in all parts of your uniform and will be removed from the team.

Academically ineligibility:

  • We hold our cheerleaders to a high standard and you are expected to keep your grades up. School comes first and if you need help, please get it. Just have your teacher email Coach Stonis and/or Coach Diehl to let us know you will be working with them after school. Also, as your coaches we are willing to help you, if we are able.
  • If you are getting help from a teacher this will not count against your cuts but you are expected to learn what you missed.
  • At times all athletes struggle and might become ineligible. You will have two weeks to get your grades up. If you are ineligible for two reports (counts as three weeks) you will be asked to turn your uniform and will be removed from the team.

Seasons:

  • Fall season: From fall tryouts through the Mardi Gras parade in Lansdale. (expections will be given to members of the band.)
  • Winter season: From winter tryouts through the last basketball game. Winter cheerleaders are encouraged to participate in the PSSA pep rally.
  • Competition: From fall tryouts to the last competition, this includes fall and winter season. (see competition for more information)

Stunting and tumbling:

  • Coach Stonis has her AACCA certification and this allows us to tumble and stunt. Tumbling and stunting permission slips will be given out and must be signed by a parent and/or guardian before you will be allowed to tumble or stunt at practice or a game. Stunting and tumbling are a privilege; they will only be done if rules and expectations are followed.

How do I stay informed:

Coach Stonis' Website:

  • Coach Stonis has a teacher website and it has a cheerleading link. We ask that you check it often for updated information.
  • How to get to Coach Stonis' Website:
  1. Go to
  2. In the “select a school” drop-down select Penndale Middle School.
  3. On the top right hand corner, select Teachers.
  4. Scroll down to Stonis, Jennifer
  5. Click on teachers name, this will lead you to their website.

Remind 101:

  • Each cheerleader and at least one parent and/or guardian is expected to sign up for Remind 101 messages.
  1. Is a one-way text messaging and e-mail system.
  2. It allows students and families to receive important reminders and updates about our classroom.

All personal information remains completely confidential. Your coaches will never see your phone number, nor will you ever see theirs. Visit or Mrs. Stonis' website to learn more.

How to sign up for Cheerleading Remind 101:

  • Send a text message to (484) 534-4023
  • With the message: @pennd

OR for emails:

  • Send an e-mail to:
  • Leave the Subject and body of the message blank. Press send.
  • To unsubscribe, reply with ‘unsubscribe’ in the subject line.

NOTE: Replies cannot be sent through Remind 101. If you need to get in touch with the coaches please e-mail us at our school addresses and/or .

Standard text message rates apply, you may want to have an e-mail sent instead.

You can opt-out of messages at any time by replying ‘unsubscribe@pennd’.

Competitions

Penndale Cheerleading is currently looking into and considering attending some cheerleading competitions. This is not finalized or definite. Below is information that cheerleaders and families must consider and be aware of if you cheerleader would like to be considered for the competition squad.

Attendance:

  • A cheerleader that wants to go to competitions and/or be on the competition team cannot miss any practices, games or events for any reason. (this might include extra practices specifically for competition squad) (also, as soon as we know of any event and/or game we will try to notify cheerleaders and parents so they cane make arrangements to attend)
  • They must not receive any cuts for any reason. (see cuts for more information)
  • They must not be removed from the team for any reason. (see suspensions and ineligibility for more information)
  • Competitions are on Saturdays and/or Sundays, a cheerleader must have a way to get to the competition or to Penndale, if we are leaving from there. They must also have a way to get home.

Dress code for competitions:

  • Cheerleaders must wear the hair and make-up the way they are instructed.
  • They must wear only their Penndale uniforms (including boy-cut briefs, bodysuits and bow), sweatpants and sweat jackets.
  • White sneakers
  • White socks

Other information for competition:

  • If they want to be part of competition squad the must tryout for the fall season and make the commitment to stay till competitions are over (this could be April or May). If they do a fall or winter sport, other than cheerleadering for Penndale, they cannot participate in the competition squad but they are permitted to tryout for fall and/or winter squad.
  • Cheerleaders may need to do fundraisers to be able to attend competitions and the cheerleader, as well as family members may be asked and/or expected to participate in the fundraisers.
  • Cheerleaders on the competition team must be permitted to stunt and/or tumble. If your cheerleader is not permitted to do either they can only participate in the fall and/or winter squads.
  • If a cheerleader cannot commit to all of the above we ask that they only do fall and/or winter season and no go for competition team.
  • Please also be aware that if we do not have the commitment or meet other requirements of a successful competition team we will not have or do competitions.

Doing competitions is a large commitment on everyone's part and takes a lot of work, so we ask that you discuss it as a family to determine if it something you can do.

Penndale Cheerleading

Rules, Expectations and Information Signature Page

(this page MUST be completed)

By signing this form we understand and are agreeing to everything in the cheerleading rules, expectations and information. We understand that it is our responsibility to meet all these requirements and if we do not, there will be consequences.

Cheerleader name printed (first and last): ______

Cheerleader signature: ______

Parent/ guardian signature: ______

Parent/guardian Phone number: ______

Date: ______

We, cheerleader and an adult, have already signed up for cheerleading Remind 101: ______text message ______email. (check one or both)

My cheerleader and our family ______is ______is not (check one) interested in becoming a member or the Penndale competition team, if they end up going to completion and we understand all that will be expected. We are able to commit to everything listed.