Richland High School-Johnny Reb Constitution

Richland High School-Johnny Reb Constitution

I. Name

The name of this organization is Johnny Rebs

II. Purpose

A.  Develop positive attitude and character in the student body with support of RHS varsity groups, e.g., cheerleaders, football, basketball, volleyball

B.  Promote school spirit by actively participating in all mandatory events (Section VI.)

C.  Produce high quality performances to encourage crowd involvement and entertainment

III. Tryouts

A.  Candidates must meet these requirements (for the current school year) in order to tryout for Johnny Rebs:

·  Meet eligibility requirements #1-4 published in the “Student Handbook Requirements for Elected Office, p. 25, Extracurricular Activities- Election Policy/Selected Positions such as Cheerleader/Mascot, Student Council, Class Officers, Clubs/Organizations Officers, Pep Squad/Spirit Groups, Drill Team Members, and Officers in Auxiliary Groups” (attached)

·  Have grades that meet or exceed the academic standards set forth by the school district. Must not have any semester failures.)

·  Attend school full-time at RHS for at least 3 of the 4 preceding 6-week grading periods immediately prior to tryouts, one of which must be the 6-week grading period immediately preceding tryouts

o  (Students who are new to RHS due to actual change of residence from outside the district, or who live in the district and are transferring from a private school are eligible, providing all other eligibility standards are met.)

·  Be able to provide the required apparel (jumpsuits, shoes, shirts, hoodies, etc.)

·  Have no U’s in conduct

·  Have no more than two assignments to detention (by referral) or Saturday school

·  Have no expulsions, suspensions, or assignments to DAEP

B.  Eligible Johnny Reb hopefuls will tryout in the spring semester of their sophomore or junior year.

C.  Approximately 30 applicants will be selected by judges from video applications. From this group the Johnny Rebs will be chosen by a panel score (made up of personal interviews and skit day performances) in addition to a citizenship score (based upon disciplinary, attendance, and conduct records from the first through fourth six-weeks of this school year; teacher evaluations; and questionnaire answers). Candidates with the highest scores will be chosen.

D.  Johnny Rebs, chosen their sophomore year, will try out again before their senior year if they want to participate for a second term.

IV. Maintaining Eligibility

A.  Once selected, Johnny Rebs must satisfy the following eligibility requirements.

·  Maintain a 70 or higher, non-weighted, or the equivalent of a 70, weighted, in each class for each 6-week grading period and for the semester, as per UIL rules

·  Receive full credit (no NC’s or I’s) for each class, each semester

·  Receive no U’s and no more than 2 N’s in conduct in a 6-week grading period

B.  Failure to comply with requirements will immediately result in a three-week probation, which prohibits the following:

·  Performances

·  Wearing uniforms/shirts/shoes/etc.

·  Johnny Reb related activities

C.  Johnny Rebs on academic probation must meet eligibility by the end of the probationary period. If the student has not met the eligibility requirements by the end of the three-week period, s/he will lose his/her Johnny Reb position.

D.  The Assistant Principal will investigate allegations of behavioral situations warranting dismissal from team (Merits/Demerits do not apply to these severe issues.):

·  Assignment to a district alternative program for discipline (DAEP)

·  Possession of or use of drugs (including alcohol or nicotine) at any time, under any circumstances

·  Severe behavioral or other problem on/off campus which may/may not lead to at-home suspension or expulsion

·  Three assignments to detention or Saturday school

E.  Any student dismissed from Johnny Rebs has three days to return flag and any equipment or apparel purchased by the organization.

F.  Johnny Rebs must maintain requirements #1-4 published in the “Student Handbook Requirements for Elected Office, p. 25, Extracurricular Activities- Election Policy/Selected Positions such as Cheerleader/Mascot, Student Council, Class Officers, Clubs/Organizations Officers, Pep Squad/Spirit Groups, Drill Team Members, and Officers in Auxiliary Groups” (attached)

G.  Johnny Rebs meeting all eligibility requirements and fulfilling a one-year commitment are eligible for a letter jacket/letter, rewarded during his/her senior year.

H.  It is strongly recommended that members of the Johnny Rebs organization do not participate in any romantic fraternization, as this can cause division in the group.

V. Attendance

A. Excused absences will be granted only for illness, death in the family, or name on the Absentee Summary sheet.

·  The sponsor must receive a written excuse or phone call within 24 hours of the absence.

B. Absences as a result of UIL/school-related activities or other extenuating circumstances must be approved at least one week before the mandatory event by the sponsor in order for them to be considered unexcused.

·  If the mandatory event is announced “last-minute,” the approval must take place before 5th period (noon) the day of the event.

C.  A member who is able to come to school, but is unable to participate in any event should bring a note from his/her parent.

·  This note will be honored for one day only.

·  Two or more days will require a doctor’s excuse for non-participation.

D. Any member who is absent from school on the day of a mandatory event cannot participate in the event. Merits/demerits will only come into play if the sponsor is not notified by 5th period on that day.

E. More than 3 excused absences will be reviewed by the sponsor and assistant principal to determine status, unless the absences are a part of a prearranged UIL/school related commitment.

F. The member will dress out in required uniform at all mandatory events.

G. Jobs will not be considered an excuse for being tardy to or missing events.

VI. Responsibilities

A.  Loyalty to Richland High School and its athletic teams (including cheer and drill teams), administrators, teachers, Johnny Reb sponsor, and fellow Johnny Rebs

B.  Adherence to Johnny Reb constitution

C.  Punctual attendance at all mandatory events:

·  Paint Week

·  Leadership/Team Building Weekend

·  Varsity Football, Basketball, Volleyball, and all Play-off games

·  Weekly meetings and practice

·  Pep rallies

·  Any other event deemed necessary by sponsor or administration

D.  Good judgment and avoidance of compromising situations.

E.  Good academic standing and citizenship (V.A.)

F.  Respectable appearance

·  neat and well-groomed,

·  honoring dress code at all school related events

G.  Maintaining good repair of uniform and flag

·  flag or uniform must not be loaned to any non-member

H.  Dress-up day check-in- Members must check in with sponsor before 5th period any school day when certain apparel is required.

I.  Report card check-in- Members have one week to present report cards to sponsor for appropriate merit/demerit assignments. E-mailed reports directly from skyward are acceptable. (see Merit/Demerits).

J.  Service projects and helping other varsity groups with things such as the following:

·  painting, hanging, and taking down posters and banners

·  painting, policing, and holding buster posters

·  cleaning up after pep rallies, including breaking down sound equipment

·  cleaning up after games

·  bonfire-if approved by administrators (seniors only)

·  student registration and other school events

·  Spirit Banquet planning and preparation

·  Johnny Reb fundraisers

VII. Merits/Demerits

A.  As a highly visible organization, both in the community and on campus, it is necessary to maintain high standards. Our merit/demerit “account” is the means by which we uphold those standards, both on and off campus.

B.  Merits/Demerits are accumulated or lost from the time a member is selected until the next tryout process is completed.

C.  Each selected Johnny Reb begins the year with a “balance” of 15 merits in two separate accounts. The second account will only be used if s/he has to serve behavioral 6-week probation.

D.  Merits will be deposited into a Johnny Reb’s account for the following reasons (up to 4 per 6-week grading period):

·  Academic success.

o  4 pts – All A’s with no tardies and no unexcused absences.

o  3 pts – All A’s & B’s with no tardies and no unexcused absences.

o  2 pts – no more than one C with no tardies and no unexcused absences.

o  1 pt – no more than one C with one tardy and no unexcused absences.

·  Attendance at and participation in any sponsor-offered merit activity.

E.  Demerits are withdrawals from a Johnny Reb’s account and will occur according to the following parameters:

·  6 demerits

o  Any unexcused absence from mandatory event (V. A,B)

o  Discussing Johnny Reb matters outside of Johnny Reb organization

o  Lying to sponsor or captains

o  Second assignment to detention (by referral) or Saturday School

o  Disrespect to the sponsor or captains, or any other coach or teacher

o  Bickering or questioning (in an unkind way) the decisions of the sponsor

o  Conference with a principal concerning Johnny Rebs

o  Failure to give lesser demerits before the end of an event

o  Other circumstances, as per sponsor’s discretion

·  3 demerits

o  Failure to cooperate fully with responsibilities (clean up, hang posters, wearing correct uniform, check in for dress up days by 5th period, fundraising projects, bringing things needed for performance, etc.)

o  Assignment to detention (by referral) or Saturday School

o  Public use of profanity or obscene language

o  Other circumstances, as per sponsor’s discretion

·  1 demerit

o  Late arrival to an event or at specified time during half-time

o  Excused absence, not due to illness, family death, or school business

o  Unclean, torn, or unzipped uniform

o  Flag or megaphone brought to an event in disrepair

o  Failure complete assigned tasks on time

o  Receiving demerits ungraciously

o  Personal conversations causing failure to pay attention at games

o  Lack of cooperation with captains or sponsor

o  Inappropriate behavior or unsportsmanlike conduct

o  Eating or drinking in view of crowd at games

o  Other circumstances, as per sponsor’s discretion

F.  A Johnny Reb’s account must stay above 0 at all times. As the balance reaches certain numbers, disciplinary actions are applied as follows:

·  When the account decreases to 9 merits, the Johnny Reb will not be allowed to participate in the next game.

·  When his/her account decreases to 5 merits, s/he will be placed on probation for one full week. (During football season this will affect one game, and possibly, one pep rally.)

·  The first time his/her account decreases to 0 merits, the Johnny Reb will be placed on probation for six weeks. A meeting with the sponsor and the assistant principal will be required, and the parents will be notified. After probationary period ends, the Johnny Reb will use his/her “back-up account” of 15 merits.

·  A Johnny Reb will be dismissed from the squad for remainder of year the second time s/he reaches a 0 balance in his/her account.

G.  Probationary periods are non-negotiable.

·  If probationary period includes Spirit Banquet, the assistant principal and sponsor will determine whether or not the student can attend.

·  Disciplinary measures will be applied during the school year only, so if demerits are earned during the summer, probation will begin on the first day of school.

H.  The person authorized to give or take merits is the Johnny Reb sponsor.

I.  Merits/demerits are guidelines. Other serious infractions could cause a Johnny Reb to lose any number of merits.

J.  Merit/demerit balance is cleared at the end of the next tryout process.

K.  Any Johnny Reb dismissed for behavioral reasons, but meets all other eligibility requirements, is allowed to participate in the tryout process again the following spring.

L.  Disciplinary appeals must be made in writing according to the following protocol:

·  written appeal to sponsor

·  written appeal to assistant principal

·  written appeal to principal

·  written appeal to BISD central administration