2015-2016 Maine East High School
Cheerleading Contract & Agreement
CONGRATULATIONS on becoming a member of the 2015-2016cheerleading squad for the fall football and winter basketball season at Maine East High School!
Cheerleading is a sport in which the attitude and actions of its participants reflect directly upon the school for which it represents. I understand the success of a cheerleading squad is dependent upon ALL MEMBERS of the squad being cooperative, considerate, and present at ALL EVENTS. If I am conducting myself in a manner that threatens the squad or violates the standards below, my participation can and will be restricted by the coaches or terminated as outlined by the District 207 Co-Curricular Code. I also agree to all financial commitments, and will pay all cheerleading bills on time, and in full. Financial payment plansmay be made based on a family financial agreement. Failure to make payments will result in suspension from the squad.
Please remember that school is your first priority, failure to pass twenty (25) credit hours or five (5) academic classes will result in suspension or dismissal from the squad.
Top 5 Expectations
1. Attendance:
Attendance at all practices, games, competitions, fundraisers, and community events are MANDATORY. The rule is simple- 1,2,3= OUT. A participant who misses three (3) times during the school year may be dismissed from the squad for the remainder of the season. (Work is not excused; please try not to schedule doctor appointments during practices and games.)
Excessive absences, sitting out for any reason, or missing more than two games in a season could result in removal from the program.
If a cheerleader is absent the practice before a game, they will be required to sit out the next game.
If a participant is absent from school on a practice or game day, she/he may not participate in any event. In the case of an extended illness, a parent/guardian must contact the coach. It is the responsibility of each girl/boy to report directly to her/his coach any illness or injury that would result in a missed game or practice. You must email or text all three coaches to let them know you are sick. You must attend at least 4 periods of the school day in order to be eligible to attend practice.
Schedules will be given out at the beginning of the season. However, cheerleaders will need to be flexible due to the need to add or change practices due to facilities, games, weather, competitions, pep assemblies, homecoming, and before school starts.
Any sport or activity that is not sponsored through MEHS is never excused from a MEHS cheerleading event, practice, game, camp and/or any cheerleading function.
If you want to be a Competition team member, you will have practice Thanksgiving and Winter Break. You will NOT be allowed to miss any of those practices. This is for the competitive team.
2. Attire- At all practices and games:
- No jewelry including watches, necklaces, rings, earrings, and other pierced items
- No glitter including lotions, make-up, etc. containing glitter
- No nail polish. Nails should be trimmed to an athletic length (NO ACRYLICS), not beyond the fingertips to prevent injury.
- No gum is allowed during practices or games
- No cell phones and no texting during practices, and or games
- And any additional IHSA mandated rules
3. Practices
Practices are closed.
Proper attire for practice is: T-shirt, shorts (with briefs), bow, and cheer shoes. Cheerleaders should provide their own water bottle.
All participants are expected to be in practice attire and ready to begin at the designated practice time. If a cheerleader is late to practice for academic reasons, they must bring a pass/note from their teacher.
4. Games
Proper uniform for all games is cheerleading uniform, briefs/boyshorts, cheer shoes, appropriate socks, hair bow, game face. Warm-ups should be worn to and from games during cooler weather. No uniform skirt may be worn over warm-up pants. Flip-flops, boots and non cheerleading shoes are never to be worn with the uniform. T-shirts are never to be worn over the uniform. Jewelry of any kind can never be worn. NO GUM IS ALLOWED
Each cheerleader is responsible for the proper care of his/her uniform. Each cheerleader will be fully responsible for the replacement of any uniform in his/her care that becomes damaged or lost.
5. Attitude
In order to achieve maximum success as a squad, each individual must demonstrate a good work ethic and be willing to work for the good of the squad. Respect for other squad members and the coaching staff is imperative. Negative behavior may result in suspension from participation in one or more games or dismissal from the squad.
Parent participation is appreciated. Decisions about coaching and program management are solely the responsibility of the coaching staff.
Each participant will follow Maine East High School Co-curricular Code.
Each participant will sign and adhere to the MEHS Cheerleading Expectations and Regulations
ZERO TOLERANCE RULE - Drinking of alcohol or use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated in any form of any kind. If we hear or find out that you were drinking, much less at a party where there was alcohol, you will be dismissed from the squad. Please be respectful of your squad, coaches and yourself. Participation in inappropriate activities in non-school related situations may lead to dismissal from the squad. This includes posting of improper pictures on internet websites
Athletics
Cheerleading is a demanding activity and such requires the same physical training and dedication as any other sport. MEHS cheerleaders are expected to maintain physical fitness through full participation in all warm-up and conditioning activities.
Like other sports, the possibility of injury is present in cheerleading. Any injury occurring during practice or game is to be reported to the coach or athletic trainer immediately. Parent(s)/guardian(s) will be contacted.
Expectations
Cheerleaders must have a current physical and athletic permit on record with the Athletic Office by October 1st.
During the game all squad members are required to sit together when not cheering.
The MEHS Team Code will be strictly enforced
All bills must be paid on time and in full.
This year Maine East will be hosting the Central Suburban League Conference competition. ALL CHEERLEADERS and at least one parent/guardian are required to give a minimum of one hour volunteer time to the event. For your reference, the date is Thursday January 15th. The event will begin at 7pm and typically ends around 9pm. We will need assistance from 5pm-roughly 10pm.
Expenses
The following is a list of estimated expenses. Prices may increase or decrease, but will be close to listed amount. Please note that for sideline cheer, cheerleaders may use any pair of cheer shoes. Cheer shoes and briefs/boy shorts do not need to be purchased through Maine East Cheer unless you are on/ plan to be on the competition squad.
Cheer Shoes- Everyone * $70Midriff-Girls *$25-$60 (Depends on level on)
Practice Clothes- Everyone$40Briefs/Boy Shorts-Girls *$22 per (need black and blue)
Bows-Girls $33Sweatshirt-Optional $35
Poms-Girls $26
3 day; 5 hrs/day Camp- $150 (July 16th-18th)
Tumbling-Optional $150/10 week session
Summer Camp-Optional $60.00 (paid to district 207)
If there is an * it means it is the same as last year. If you have it, you do not need to reorder it
Transportation
Cheerleaders must ride the athletic bus to and from events. They must be in full uniform or warm-up to travel in. We do not travel to any cheerleading function in street clothes. If they do not have on the proper attire, they will be sent home.
Financial Responsibilities
All bills must be paid on time and in full before any clothing can be distributed.
If a cheerleader quits, they will be responsible to pay for any pre-ordered items, re-choreography fee, and/ or outstanding balances. There are no refunds for any camps/clinics, clothing and or anything else ordered and not received. If you sign up for a camp and decide not to go, there are no refunds.
Fundraising is a part of being a cheerleader. Each participant is required to sell a specific amount. If the amount is not reached, the cheerleader will be required to pay the remaining.
Competitive Squad
The competitive squad is made up of no more than24 cheerleaders. A maximum of twenty will compete and four will make up the bench. This is an IHSA rule. This team will be co-ed.
If you are picked to be on the competition squad, you will not be allowed to go out of town over Thanksgiving and Winter Break. The Competition Squad will practice over Thanksgiving and Winter Break and the sideline squads will not. Please note, additional costs will ensue for competition members.
Tumbling
Although not mandatory, tumbling is STRONGLY encouraged. Cheerleaders with tumbling will be given preference for the competition team as tumbling has become more of a necessity in the competitive cheer world.
Payments for tumbling will be $150.00 per session and must be made directly to the Gymnastics Shop. Please note that this is a discounted fee from the normal $300.00 the facility charges. The Gymnastics Shop will allow for a slight payment plan of $75 at the beginning of the session and the remaining $75 due a few weeks later. By participating in tumbling sessions, cheerleaders will also be allowed to partake in all open gyms at the site free of charge.
The Gymnastics Shop is located at:
550 Business Center Drive
Mount Prospect, IL. 60056
847-401-9324
We all want this year to run as smooth as possible for everyone. Please make sure you have read these policies thoroughly and understand what they imply. Should dismissal (this includes quitting) from the squad occur at any time during the year, I understand that I will not be eligible for any awards (numeral, letters, Etc..) and will be responsible for all fees accrued. Please sign, date, and return this form to the first practice.
(PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY PLEASE DO NOT USE CURSIVE)
Cheerleader’s Name: ______
Acknowledgement
I have read and understand the MEHS Cheer Contract. I agree to follow these standards and policies and to cooperate fully with the other members of the cheerleading squad and the coaches. I understand that the coaches have the final say regarding anything to do with cheerleading.
______
Cheerleader’s signatureDate
I have read and understand the MEHS Cheer Contract. I agree to support these standards and policies. I understand that the coaches have the final say regarding anything to do with cheerleading.
______
Parent’s signatureDate
Phone Number of Parent/Guardian: ______
Email of Parent/Guardian: ______
Email of Student: ______
Student ID Number & Year in School: ______
Clothing Ordering Instructions
T-shirts, ¼ fleece pullover, and poms will all be ordered through GTM. All other items, (shoes, spanks, and midriffs) will be ordered through Varsity. For these items, please pay cash, check, or credit card to the MEHS bookstore. All checks should be made out to MEHS Cheer and MUST include a student ID number. Payment for Varsity orders are due by July 1st.
Please remember to change the quantity for poms to 2 as the price listed on the website represents price per pom. The store is open online already and will close on July 1st. Orders not placed by July 1st will not be processed. The link for the store is:
Tumbling Session Dates
Please remember that tumbling is optional, but STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. The fee is $150.00 per 10 week session and includes all open gyms. Payment should be made directly to the Gymnastics Shop and is due at the beginning of each session. Please speak directly to Caeli Sievert at the Gymnastics Shop with any questions:
or 847-401-9324
Session Dates are as Followed:
Summer: June 8th- August 13th
Fall:August 17th-October 25th
Fall/Winter:October 26th-Jan 3rd
Winter:Jan 4th-March 13th
Spring:March 14th-May 22nd
Maine East time slot will remain on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30. Please arrive 10 min early to stretch and ensure that you are ready to begin promptly at 6:30.