Fairhope Middle School

Cheerleading Guidelines

2015-2016

Being a cheerleader is an honor and a special privilege. Cheerleaders exist to promote good sportsmanship, good citizenship, wholesome and enthusiastic school spirit, and are first and foremost representatives of their school. Cheerleaders should exemplify both individual and group behavior suitable to their position and in accordance with the rules as stated in the FMS Student Code of Conduct. Because of these responsibilities, members of the cheerleading squad will be expected to maintain a higher standard of behavior both on and off campus and academic achievement than that of their peers.

Commitment

Candidates selected to be a member of the cheerleading squad are expected to make a commitment to the activity for the FULL year. Cheer activities must come before other extracurriculars and must be scheduled accordingly. Any cheerleader who voluntarily quits the squad before the end of the school year without the approval of the coach and/or principal will not be allowed to tryout for the next school year.

  • Football Season: Tues-Squad tumbling, Wed-Squad Practice, Thurs-Games
  • Basketball Season: Mon-Games, Tues-Tumbling, Wed-Squad Practice, Thurs-Games

Expectations

Cheerleaders are expected to be physically and mentally skilled in learning and remembering cheers. They are also expected to be able to publicly demonstrate a skill level suitable for the team position and the timing necessary for group performance. Off the field, they are to enthusiastically support all athletic teams through advertisement, personal attitude, and attendance at events chosen by the sponsors and approved by the principal.

Financial Responsibility:

  • A cheerleader and her parents/guardians will be required to pay any financial balances incurred prior to participation in camp and/or athletic events.
  • Cheerleaders and parents should be prepared to pay for expenses pertaining to cheerleading. (Summer camp, uniforms, classes, etc.)
  • Missing financial deadlines will result in demerits and possible removal from the squad.
  • The squad at FMS will be required to attend tumbling/stunting classes- payment for this class will be handled individually- not through the cheer account.

RESPONSIBLITIES:

General

  • Parents and cheerleaders should remember that cheerleading COMES FIRST before any other activities, unless they are school excused absences. However the coach still must be consulted. (Emergency situations consult the coach ASAP).
  • Cheerleaders should always check in or out with their coach before leaving school (during school hours or practice) for any reason.
  • Cheerleaders must arrive and be picked up from practices, games and related functions at the designated arrival and ending time.
  • Cheerleaders should realize the responsibilities that go along with being selected:

Decorating gym/cafetorium, Participating in pep rallies, Creating signs for all games, Making pennants for athletic teams, Fundraisers designated for the cheerleading program, Attending practices & games.

Uniforms and Appearance

  • Cheerleaders must be dressed in the assigned attire (from head to toe) at all practices, games or pep rallies. Missing uniform parts may result in sitting with the coach until the uniform is corrected.
  • Personal items (shoes, socks, ribbons, poms, warm-ups, practice uniforms, sleeves, and monogrammed items) are purchased by individual cheerleaders and are non-returnable and non-refundable. Uniforms are property of FMS and are rented.
  • It is the cheerleader’s responsibility to keep all uniforms clean and in first class condition. (All zippers, seams, buttons, hems, shoes, jackets, poms, etc… in good repair).
  • Uniforms are to be worn only in conjunction with school activities.
  • Anytime the cheerleader is in uniform – hair should be kept clean, pulled up into a straight back ponytail, with hair out of the face, and designated ribbon in. Hair must NOT be brushed in public.
  • No part of the cheerleader’s uniform shall be worn by ANYONE except a member of the squad (including warm-up clothing).
  • Jewelry, wristbands, earrings, watches, etc. may not be worn during practices or while in uniform. This is for safety reasons as well as for uniformity of appearance of the squad.
  • Fingernail polish is never allowed and fingernail length must be short – this is for safety while stunting.

Practices: Please understand cheerleading at FMS is considered a sport and involves a great deal of time. Practices will be set up on a regular basis and required. All practice sessions are MANDATORY.

  • All practices are required.
  • If a cheerleader foresees she will be late or miss a practice, she must notify the coach at least 24 hours before the practice is to begin. Demerits will be given if the coach is not notified 24 hours prior or if it is an unexcused reason. (Emergency situations should be discussed with the coach).
  • Cheerleaders MAY NOT be absent from practices prior to camp or miss camp.
  • Cheerleaders must be present at school in order to participate in after school activities such as practices or athletic events.
  • Cell Phones ARENOT allowed during practices.

Games:

  • A cheerleader MAY NOT MISS an athletic event. The only excused absence would be an illness accompanied by a valid Dr’s excuse to be returned to the coach the very next day.
  • If a cheerleader is too ill to attend school, practice or game, she is too ill to attend any other event occurring at the same time. (Ex. Other team games, dances, community events, etc,)
  • Cheerleaders should be present 15 minutes prior to the athletic event.
  • Cheerleaders are expected to sign out before being dismissed from a game.
  • There is no eating during the game. Water or Gatorade will be allowed.
  • Cell Phones ARE NOTallowed during games.
  • Before a cheerleader will be allowed to sign out, all trash must be removed from the cheer area, signs, props and banners must be returned to the bus or coach’s vehicle.
  • Travel to home games is the responsibility of the cheerleader.
  • Travel to away games will be discussed further.

Class/Grade Requirements:

For cheerleader candidates and those chosen to the squad, the NO PASS NO PLAY rule will be followed. According the rule, each cheerleader must maintain a 2.0 grade point average on each report card. This must be met in order to tryout for the squad and must be maintained to remain on the squad. In addition, receiving a D on a nine-week report card and or progress report will result in automatic probation until proof of at least a 70% average is achieved. Any F for a final semester grade will result in automatic removal from the squad, unless the coaches/ administration decide otherwise due to special circumstances.

Social Networking:

  • If you choose to participate in social networking and all other forms of technology (Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, text messages, email, etc.), you must refrain from posting pictures containing alcoholic beverages, explicit content, inappropriate behavior and dress, and derogatory comments.
  • Additionally, posting negative comments (this includes, but is not limited to, profanity, gossip, rumors, insulting language, threats, and racial slurs) about your coach, teammates, community, school, teachers, other students, administrators, etc. will result in demerits.

DISCIPLINE

A cheerleader at FMS must have no serious discipline referrals. Serious discipline referrals include behavioral infractions, suspensions, and multiple assignments to OCS.

  • Merits/demerits will be assigned as soon as the new squad is selected and include behaviors across campuses.
  • Demerits and consequences will be assigned based on the FMS Cheer Demerit System.
  • After accumulation of 20 demerits, the cheerleader will be dismissed from the squad.

**Behavior off school campus is just as IMPORTANT as behavior on school campus. You are a representative of FMS at ALL times.**

Suspension from Participation

A cheerleader suspended from participation for any reason will not be allowed to participate in scheduled squad activities (pep rallies, games, etc.), but she is required to attend all practices and is responsible for all duties – fundraisers, games, etc. The cheerleader will not be allowed to wear her uniform and must sit with the coach at all activities. Suspension from a scheduled event will be effective immediately following the assignment of the disciplinary action (including demerits). Exceptions may be made in certain circumstances to be determined by the Coach and/or Administration.

Fairhope Middle School Cheerleaders

Demerit System

The Cheerleaders of Fairhope Middle School use a standardized code of conduct. Whenever a rule is not observed, your child is given a fixed number of demerits, or negative points. Likewise, merits, or positive points, will be given for superior conduct or performance. Upon the accumulation of 20 demerits, she will be removed from the squad. Please read and understand these rules.

Merits/demerits will be assigned as soon as the new squad is selected.

Demerits Given / Offense
1 /
  • Late for a game, function, or practice.
  • Chewing gum, eating, or drinking while cheering or practicing.
  • Cell phone or electronic device use during practice or games.
  • Unnecessary conversation during practice or games with squad, crowd, or team.

3 /
  • Appearance: untidy uniform, jewelry, incorrect uniform/practice outfit, ribbon, socks, unsuitable hairstyle (Falling down, not in ponytail), fingernail polish.
  • Failing to meet deadlines-paperwork, financial, etc.

5 /
  • Inability to cooperate with squad, captain or co-captain(s), or coach(es). Lying to coach(es). Also, drama between girls or squads.
  • “Social” drama
  • Public displays of affection on campus, at school functions, or in uniform (as you are representing FMS).
  • Profanity, vulgar gestures, bad attitude.
  • Unexcused absence from practice/game/event.
  • Negative remarks from faculty/staff.
  • Inappropriate interactions (pictures/comments/status) on FaceBook, Twitter, MySpace, Instagram, etc.

5-20 / Discipline Referrals (subject to coach’s discretion).
IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL /
  • Possession or use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco.
  • Suspension from School.

*10 demerits= Suspension from participation in cheer activities (games/pep rally) for 1 week.

Cheerleader must still attend events, but will sit out with coach- out of uniform.

*15 demerits= Suspension from participation in cheer activities (games/pep rally) for 2 weeks.

Cheerleader must still attend events, but will sit out with coach- out of uniform.

*The coach(es) reserve the right to suspend a cheerleader from a game, activity, or performance for reasons at their discretion.

Merits Awarded / Achievement
1 / “A” average for grading period in any class.
1 / Noteworthy teamwork.
1 / High consistent motivation.
1 / Unsolicited exemplary remarks from faculty.

I, ______have read and fully understand the code of conduct and demerit system. I acknowledge that I have received a copy of this document on .By signing this, I take responsibility for my own actions on this squad.

______Student Signature

______Parent Signature

Attention Parents or Guardians:

After reading these rules/requirements for the cheerleading program at Fairhope Middle School, I consent and will help enforce the above rules/requirements for my child to participate on the Middle School cheerleading squad for the remainder of the 2014-2015 school year and throughout the 2015-2016 school year.

Date: ______

Cheerleading Coach: Ashley Lathan

Principal:Angie Hall

Parent/Guardian Signature:______

Cheerleader Signature: ______

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