STRACK
CHEERLEADER
HANDBOOK
2017-2018
Congratulations… you’re a Strack Cheerleader! It is a position that will allow you to use your skills to support your school, meet new friends, and have a lot of fun along the way. Since you are all “Strack” Cheerleaders now, it is important that you all work together as a squad to learn and execute the Strack Cheers and traditions that have been in place for many years.
**Remember: Strack cheer is a year-long commitment and Strack cheer takes priority over competitive cheer/dance. However, consideration will be made for other school activities. Please communicate promptly with your sponsor when conflicts arise.
This handbook is intended to give you a short overview of some rules, traditions, events, etc. It is by no means all inclusive, so remember, if in doubt, always ask for help or read the KISD Cheerleading Constitution. Your sponsor is always ready and willing to help answer your questions. Enjoy your year as a Strack Cheerleader!
Contacts:
Remember to always contact your sponsor with any questions or concerns.
Melissa McKeever……………………………………… 832-72-6438
WHAT DOES THE SCHOOL PROVIDE?
Cheer uniform(s)
A warm-up jacket and pants
2 sets of pompoms (school colors and pink for October Breast Cancer awareness month)
Megaphones (8)
WHAT DO PARENTS HAVE TO PAY FOR? (With a $550 cap for expenses)
School spirit shirt
Camp attire
Jersey
Cheer shoes-your choice
2 pairs of Red Spanx
Cheer Bows
Sports bras
Water jug for games
Summer Camp
OPTIONAL:
Hoodie
Yard Sign
Car Decal
Cheer Backpack
Parent jersey
Other Spirit items
UNIFORMS:
Your uniforms are the property of KISD so please care for them well. Uniforms may be altered for proper fitting, but NEVER cut. They must be used for several years so please take proper care of them. Your skirt length must be at least 3” below your bottom. Any damage done to the school issued uniform will result in the parent or guardian paying for the item or items.
Most of you are familiar with how to launder them, but the washing instructions are:
· Wash uniforms in cold water on the hand wash or gentle cycle and hang to dry.
· Do not use a dryer sheet or fabric softener; it causes the colors to fade.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can I wear jewelry with my uniform?
NO JEWELRY may be worn while in uniform. This includes game days and at the games themselves.
Can I wear my uniform in public when not at school or games?
You are allowed to wear your uniform after a game to dinner, as long as a parent or adult is with you. You may NOT wear your uniform at any other time…parties, shopping, etc. No other person can wear ANY part of your uniform, including your warm-up suit, or practice clothes.
Can I wear any sweatshirt, jacket, or cover-up during school with my uniform?
The only jacket that can be worn with your uniform is a Strack Sweatshirt or the Strack Warm Up Jacket. No exceptions.
Should I wear the warm-up jacket or hoodie to the games?
When the weather is cooler, the squad may need to use the Warm Up jacket to keep warm. The entire squad must be wearing the same thing. This cannot be on an individual basis and the entire squad must match. If one girl forgets her Warm Up jacket, then the whole squad will do without.
When do we wear the warm-up pants?
The entire squad needs to bring the warm up pants and jacket to the games when the weather is cooler, and we will decide as to when to put them on. Again, the squad must do this entirely, not individually.
For school, the sponsor may decide to allow the girls to wear the warm up pants with a Strack shirt, but this must be as a squad and the sponsor will inform you of when this is allowed. Do not individually wear your warm up pants to school with a shirt, or under your cheer skirt.
How should I wear my hair to school and while cheering at the games?
Hair is always in a high ponytail out of the face and eyes with the bow assigned by the sponsor. This applies to school as well as the games. If there is any change to this, perhaps pigtail braids, your sponsor will let you know when you will be required to wear your hair differently.
Do I have to wear a sports bra?
It is recommended but not required. However, no bra straps may be showing.
Do I have to have a physical?
Yes, every cheerleader needs to have a physical on file for the 2017-2018 school year, prior to Camp.
BEHAVIOR
Whether in uniform or normal school clothes, other students, teachers, administrators and the community identify the cheerleaders and mascot as representatives of Strack. Therefore, along with grade and conduct requirements, Strack cheerleaders and mascot will maintain proper moral standards at all times.
Any actions involving misconduct is hurtful to the entire cheerleading organization and the school as well. Make sure you read and understand the rules and guidelines in your Klein ISD cheerleading Constitution. In this Constitution is a list of demerits and their point values (including but not limited to demerits for In-school detention and or Suspension, Out-of-school suspension, after school or morning detention as well as lunch detention and others). It is important that you read these and understand the consequences of earning demerits. We also have a Merit system in which the Cheerleader can earn Merits throughout the Cheerleading year. These Merits can be used to remove the “removable” demerits they earned throughout the Cheerleading year. Only a total of 5 Merits can be used to remove these demerits per the KISD Cheerleading Constitution. A list of activities will be provided by the Sponsor as to how to earn the Merits throughout the school year.
While in uniform, it is imperative that you are on your best behavior AT ALL TIMES…NO EXCEPTIONS. Be a role model for good behavior and provide the best reputation as a representative for our school.
Some suggestions are:
· Always be properly groomed for practices and games; hair pulled back in a high ponytail out of the face and eyes, uniform and shoes clean.
· No gum chewing during practice or games.
· Never be involved in displays of public affection with boys or girls; even holding hands is not allowed in school and or at games and functions.
· Be here for classes, practices and games; do not have excessive absences or tardies from school or games.
· Be respectful of your sponsor and teachers. They are always willing to work with you on ideas, schedules, conflicts, etc.
· Use your 8th grade cheerleaders – ask questions, offer suggestions and work as a team.
GRADES/Conduct on Report cards:
Cheerleader participation will follow all UIL no pass no play guidelines.
Two or more “F’s” as a semester grade, within a single semester, during the cheerleading year will result in the dismissal of the cheerleader from the cheer squad. “P’s” and “U’s” on Progress Reports and Report cards will result in Permanent Demerits. See KISD Constitution for all Rules concerning grades and conduct.
PRACTICES:
TBD
ABSENCES/LATE:
Always let your sponsor know in advance about any absences or if you are going to be late to a cheer function. It is your responsibility to do this. Remember, demerits apply for unexcused absences, being late or not calling ahead of time to report an absence or late arrival (see constitution for more details). Cheerleaders must also be present at least 3 periods (6th-8th period) of school on the game day to cheer at games.
FRIDAY DRESS-CODE:
Every Friday the cheerleaders will wear jeans or jean capri's and the spirit shirt to school. We will alternate between the Name shirt, the Jersey and the spirit shirt. Each “head cheerleader” team for that week will decide what they want to wear Friday.
POSTERS AND BANNERS:
Each cheerleader will be responsible for making one poster for each football game. The poster for the next week’s game is due and is to be hung up the Friday before the game. We will meet at 8:10am to hang them in various places around the school.
SPORTING EVENTS:
All games are cheered at home, unless specified by the cheer calendar or sponsor. Girls are to be at all events at the specified time and completing their duties or stretching. A calendar will be provided with the schedule of games monthly. During basketball season, 7th graders will cheer at the 7th grade home games (girls and/or boys) and 8th graders will cheer at the 8th grade home games (girls and/or boys). Cheerleaders must also be present at least 3 periods of school prior to departure on the game day to cheer at games.
DINNER BEFORE GAMES:
It has been a tradition at Strack that the squad all eats together in the sponsor room before the games. Each week 2 Parents will be assigned dinner, one brings the main dish (Chicken nuggets, sandwiches, etc), and the other brings the side dishes (fruit, chips, etc.) drinks and dessert (cookies, brownies).
Please remember to bring plates, napkins and any silverware needed for the meal. A calendar will be made each month to show which parents are signed up. It is up to the parents assigned to communicate what each other is bringing. Dinners do not have to be elaborate, as our time is limited before games.
CAMP:
All cheerleaders will attend cheer camp July 30 – August 3, 2017. More details to follow.
FUNDRAISERS:
Our biggest fundraiser will be the sale of the Strack spirit shirts and hoodies. All orders will be taken online. We will also work with football again to run the concessions stand at the games. ALL parents will work at least 3 shifts during the season. We will utilize an online sign up.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Back to school Night is ______from ______. Both of these days will require the cheerleaders to come to Strack to help new students get familiar with the school. Parents are asked to attend to sell spirit shirts as one of our fundraisers.
COMMUNICATION:
Email is used consistently as a communication tool between sponsors, squad members and parents. I also plan on setting up a Group Me app as well.