KLEIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
CHEERLEADER/MASCOT CONSTITUTION
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS
PURPOSE: Shall be to promote and uphold spirit throughout the entire school year; to develop a sense of good sportsmanship among the students; to better relationships between schools during all athletic events; and to establish and maintain the personal ideals and good character expected of an intermediate school cheerleader in the Klein School District.
A cheerleader and school mascot represent their school in many activities. If any school related extracurricular activity or outside activity should come in conflict with the activities of cheerleading or preparation for a cheerleading competition, this conflict will need to be resolved by the cheerleading sponsor.
IMPLEMENTATION: Cheerleaders and mascot are subject to the rules of this constitution, effective on the date of election to the cheerleading squad.
I. Qualifications for Trying Out for Cheerleader and School Mascot
A. General Requirements
1. At the time of the tryouts, a cheerleader/mascot candidate must currently be a resident of the attendance zone in which the school for which the student is trying out is located, or have an approved transfer from the office of school administration to attend that school for the next school year.
2. The student must have the following completed and returned to the sponsor prior to the week of cheerleading training:
a. A release form signed by parent or guardian.
b. A permission slip explaining estimated expenses and other requirements, signed by the parents and returned to the school before tryouts.
3. A student must attend the training periods set by the sponsor prior to election.
B. Skill Requirements
1. Good coordination
2. Good sense of timing and rhythms
3. Good vocal projection
4. Good physical posture
5. Good poise and stage presence
6. Knowledge of variety of stunts (at least two)
7. Knowledge of yells and routines
II. Cheerleader Tryouts
A. In the Klein ISD the permitted range for the number of cheerleaders on an intermediate school squad is a combined total of a minimum of twelve (12) and a maximum of sixteen (16). The exact number will be determined by the building principal. There will be an equal number from each of the two grade levels unless there is a tie at one grade level.
B. Cheerleader tryouts and elections will be held during the fifth or sixth six weeks of the school year. All candidates will be screened by adult judges who are not school employees selected by the principal and sponsor.
C. Students trying out in front of the judges will perform individually or in groups of two, three or four at a time.
D. Any current cheerleader trying out who is physically disabled at the time of tryouts, with a medical excuse, should consult with the sponsor and the building principal.
E. The sixth grade and seventh grade candidates with the highest scores from the judges will be cheerleaders for the following year.
F. A cheerleader is required to abide by this constitution immediately after election.
III. Expenses
A. The following equipment items will be furnished by the school and will remain school property:
1. Performance uniform
2. Megaphone
3. Pom-poms
4. Props
B. The following equipment items and expenses will be the responsibility of the cheerleader and her parent or guardian:
1. Footwear - shoes, socks
2. Bloomers
3. White unifit or equivalent
4. Additional items must be approved by the school principal in consultation with the director of school administration.
5. Cheerleader camp
C. The performance uniform and other equipment items to be used for cheerleading must be decided upon in May.
D. Students are responsible for providing practice uniforms that may be required at camp.
E. A physical and school insurance or a signed waiver will be required of each cheerleader before the summer camp practice.
IV. Cheerleading Camp
A. Because the safety of stunting is a major focus of cheerleading camp, attendance at a summer camp is strongly encouraged.
B. If cheerleaders attend camp as a school-sponsored activity, an adult sponsor approved by the building principal must attend.
V. Practice
A. Summer practice will be scheduled and attended by the sponsors but will last no longer than a two-hour period.
B. No one other than the cheerleading group will be allowed to attend these practices without special permission from the sponsor.
C. During the school year, practice will be regularly scheduled by the sponsor according to the needs of the group. This may include morning and/or afternoon practices.
VI. Pep Rallies
A. Uniforms may be worn to school on days cheerleaders are to perform.
B. Pep rallies will be held in a location to be determined by the school principal.
C. The pep rally program:
1. Must be planned and submitted in advance for approval by the administration.
2. The program will involve one novelty item such as a skit or pom-pon routine.
3. Sponsor will communicate with participating staff members as to musical numbers, pep speeches, etc. during the pep rally planning process.
4. All participants in the program must be notified before the pep rally by the sponsor or cheerleaders appointed by the sponsors.
D. Cheerleaders are required to remove all signs and to store equipment prior to leaving the location of the pep rally. They are responsible for putting signs in the stadium for home games.
VII. Games
A. Away
1. Cheerleader travel will be limited to other KISD campuses. The exact number of away games will be determined by the building principal.
2. All cheerleaders must ride to and from games in school-approved transportation.
3. Each cheerleader is responsible for knowing the correct departure time at least two days in advance.
4. Upon arrival everyone must first help put up signs and get organized. All cheerleaders will be excused to go to the restroom as a group.
5. If any errands must be done or breaks taken, permission must be obtained from the sponsor.
6. Before departure, all signs must be removed and all equipment put away.
B. Home
1. Cheerleaders must be ready to cheer 15 minutes before the game.
2. Visiting cheerleaders will be welcomed and met during the game.
3. There will be no breaks unless the sponsor gives special permission.
4. Cheerleaders must remain in front of the stands at all times except at crucial moments determined by the head cheerleader or sponsor.
5. Cheerleaders must sit together at all sports events.
6. While performing, there will be no socializing with spectators or fellow cheerleaders.
7. Before leaving, all signs must be removed and all equipment put away.
C. Cheerleaders must be present at least three periods of school prior to departure on the game day to cheer at games.
D. Cheerleaders are expected to attend classes the day following an athletic event that occurs on a weekday.
VIII. Competition
With the approval of the building principal, an intermediate cheerleading squad may participate in
two (2) area competitions.
A. Competition is optional and the annual limit shall be two competitions for each school. Videos required for divisional placement will not count as a competition or competitive advancement.
B. The competition will be restricted to Harris and adjoining counties.
C. It must be understood prior to entering that no intermediate school squad will be permitted to advance beyond the area competition even if they qualify to do so.
IX. Cheerleader Duties
A. Decorate stadium, gym and halls for all sports activities.
B. Create spirit in school on game days.
C. Help recruit students and faculty members for pep rally skits and spirit-promoting activities.
D. Attend all home football games and selected volleyball and basketball games. Cheerleaders are not permitted to lead cheers for two separate contests during the school week.
E. Know the rules and officials' signals in all sports and be able to lead an appropriate cheer corresponding with the call.
F. In cases of two games on one night, cheerleaders must attend the home game unless there is a difference in district honors.
G. Portray good sportsmanship and good citizenship at all times.
H. A cheer uniform is only to be worn at school-sponsored activities.
I. Grooming:
1. No excessive make-up
2. No jewelry
3. No gum chewing while in uniform
4. No dirty or unpressed uniforms will be worn
5. No unpolished shoes will be worn
6. Hair must be pulled back from face and eyes
J. At the conclusion of the cheerleading year, uniform pieces will be returned clean and ready to be passed on to a successor.
K. No undesirable emotional displays (anger, humiliation, etc.) while cheering. There should be no silliness unless performed in a skit.
X. Head Cheerleader Duties
A. The head cheerleader(s) will be selected by the sponsor from the 8th grade cheerleaders.
B. Responsibilities of the head cheerleader(s) will be determined by the sponsor.
XI. Sponsor Duties
A. Makes schedules for games, uniforms, practices, etc.
B. Assigns duties in all activities.
C. Is responsible for informing all cheerleaders of changes in schedule, upcoming events, etc.
D. Is responsible for giving announcements to administration.
E. Makes the final decision on choice of uniforms for games and pep rallies.
F. Screens and has the power to veto all ideas, cheers, stunts, skits, signs, etc.
G. Maintains the merit and demerit records and notifies the cheerleader, the parents and the administration if probation or suspension is necessary.
H. Is responsible for supervision of all items ordered and the collection of money.
I. Be responsible for a grade, tardy, absence and conduct check with teachers and discipline action taken by grade level principals.
J. The sponsor is responsible for seeing that no routine is used that could result in serious injury to a cheerleader. No cheerleader pyramid may be higher than two (2) students high. Whoever is being stood upon must have at least one foot on the floor.
K. The sponsor is responsible for assuring that the equipment policy for cheerleaders as outlined in the district's Equipment Policy Activities is enforced. The sponsor is responsible for issuing and collecting school purchased equipment and uniforms.
XII. Penalties for Failure to Fulfill Cheerleader Obligation
A. The principal may remove a cheerleader as a result of serious and persistant misconduct or when the principal deems necessary.
B. A cheerleader will be dismissed from the squad for the following reasons:
1. assignment to the DAEP (district alternative education program) at any time during the cheerleading year
2. expulsion from KISD any time during the cheerleading year
3. two or more “F’s” as a semester grade, within a single semester, during the cheerleading year
4. more than 20 demerits during the cheerleading year
C. Cheerleader participation will follow all UIL no pass no play guidelines. An "F" in an exempted course as defined by current state law may be waived for participation.
D. Merit/Demerit System
1. If a cheerleader does violate a rule, the sponsor, faculty or administration may report the violation. The report should immediately be presented to the sponsor, who will determine the demerits.
2. This organization is partially governed by a merit and demerit system. The system will begin with the first official meeting after tryouts and will be in effect throughout the cheerleading year. The cheerleading year is defined as tryout to tryout.
3. There are two types of demerits: Permanent and Non-Permanent.
a. Permanent demerits CANNOT be removed through merits.
b. Non-permanent demerits CAN be removed through merits.
c. Permanent demerits: unable to earn merits
1. tardiness to a game or activity(or leaving early) 3
2. unexcused absence 5
3. unexcused practice absence 3
4. "P" in conduct (Report Card) 5
5. "U” in conduct (Report Card) 11
6. In-School Detention penalty 5
7. In-School Suspension penalty 11
8. Out-of-School Suspension penalty 15
9. after school/morning detention penalty 3
10. lunch detention 3
11. failure to abide by request of head cheerleader or sponsor 5
12. undignified behavior (determined by principal) 5-10
d. Non-Permanent Demerits: able to earn merits
1. tardiness to practice(or leaving early) 3
2. late sign 2
3. failure to provide a sign 2
4. failure to put up/remove a sign 1
5. failure to wear assigned uniform 1-4
6. gum chewing at practice or in uniform 2
7. failure to store cheerleading equipment properly 2
8. failure to report and sell spirit materials 2
9. demerits for any infraction of constitution rules not listed above
will be determined by the sponsor 1-5
e. Merits: Activities related to removal of demerits are subject to sponsor and principal discretion and will be announced at the beginning of the term following the cheerleader selections. Methods of earning merits will be announced at the earliest practical date. Activities performed to earn merits may earn one merit each.
f. A cheerleader may only remove a total of 5 demerits.
4. If an infraction occurs with a combination of discipline penalties for one (1) offense, the maximum number of demerits assigned would be for the penalty requiring the greatest number of demerits. For example, a student may be assigned ISS and OSS for the same infraction. The maximum number of demerits for that offense would be 15 for the OSS assignment (not a combination of 26 demerits).
E. Absences
1. All excused absences for games or practices require notification to a sponsor prior to the event and must be verified by a written excuse, signed by a parent or guardian. These excused notes must be turned in the following day. If no excuse is turned in, the absence will be considered unexcused. Absence from any cheerleading activity is unexcused except for these circumstances listed below:
a. Personal illness or accident
b. Death in family
c. Extenuating circumstances will be addressed
2. A cheerleader who has excessive absences, excused or unexcused, from cheerleading activities may warrant a review by the principal and may be removed.
F. Cheerleader year
1. The cheerleading year is defined as tryout to tryout.
2. Any cheerleader who receives more than 10 demerits during the cheerleading year will be suspended from all cheerleading activities for three consecutive school weeks. During suspension a cheerleader will be required to attend all pep rallies, practices and games dressed in uniform but will not be allowed to participate; however, during suspension, participation in practice is allowed.