Sweet Water High School
Cheerleader and Bulldog Mascot Constitution
2012-2013
I. PURPOSE
A. Shall be to promote and uphold school spirit, to develop a sense of good sportsmanship among the students, and to build better relationships between schools during all athletic events.
II. MEMBERSHIP
A. There will be one varsity squad and a “Bulldog” mascot.
B. There will be one junior high squad.
C. There will be one captain and one co-captain per squad selected by the judges’ scores, the sponsor’s vote, peer vote, teacher evaluation score, and office record.
D. The size of each squad and the number of mascots will be determined by the cheer coach depending upon the number of applicants.
III. PHYSICAL FITNESS
A. Each cheerleader must be physically able to participate in long periods of vigorous activity without undue fatigue.
B. Each cheerleader will have a physical exam completed by her family physician before participating.
IV. CAPTAIN’S DUTIES
A. Be at practice before starting time and have practices start on time.
B. Take over practice entirely in the absence of the regular sponsor.
C. Call additional practices if they are necessary.
D. Know cheers to be used, never hesitating as to which cheer to use next. Use appropriate cheer for a situation. If booing starts, use a chant.
E. Show no partiality.
F. Be sure of game time and make sure all cheerleaders are present and on time.
G. Co-captain assumes the same responsibilities as above in the absence of the captain. The co-captain will work closely with the captain during practices and games.
V. UNIFORMS AND APPEARANCE
A. Purchase of uniforms is the responsibility of each individual cheerleader. Payment must be made in full before items can be picked up. A deposit of $100.00 must be paid on the day of the VARSITY uniform fitting(the beginning of March). We cannot order uniforms on credit, but must pay in full upon receipt. All uniform and camp wear bills are payable before Friday, May 11, 2012.
B. Care must be “excellent” at all times. They should be cleaned immediately after a game so they will be ready at a moment’s notice. FOLLOW WASHING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!
C. They are not worn except for game and pep rallies unless the sponsor gives permission. This includes cheer shoes and windsuits. Jackets are uniforms, but may be worn as long as “GREAT” care is taken to protect the garment. If it is damaged, you will be required to purchase another one.
D. Hair should be out of the face at all times. No primping allowed. Ribbons are a part of the uniform and must be worn correctly. No other hair items may be used without the sponsor’s approval. Hair color may not be colored unusual shades such as orange, purple, green, etc. Hair must be off the shoulders for any cheer activity .
E. NO jewelry of any kind may be worn during practices or while in uniform.
F. Make-up must be minimal. No colored nail polish.
G. Everyone is expected to wear uniforms properly. No midriff will be exposed. No sock layering, no visible undergarments, correct skirt and top length, etc.
H. Nail length should follow AHSCA guidelines. They should not be visible beyond the tips of your fingers when viewed from the palm side of the hand.
I. All uniform items should be brought with you to sporting events.
J. Uniforms including jackets are to be worn by cheerleaders ONLY. Cheerleaders should not allow anyone to wear their jacket/coat at any time.
K. Tryout uniforms and camp wear should be considered a part of your uniforms and should be properly taken care of. There will be occasions to wear these throughout the year and cheerleaders are expected to have these available.
VI. TRIPS
A. Cheerleaders are responsible for their own transportation to and from games, practices, and other events pertaining to your responsibilities as a cheerleader.
B. If transportation is to be with someone other than your parent, the parent must give verbal or written permission to the sponsor.
C. Each Varsity cheerleader and Mascot must attend summer camp.
VII. PRACTICES
A. The captain is your leader. Everyone must follow her instructions.
B. Practices shall be orderly at all times.
C. Practices are scheduled during the summer to prepare for summer clinic, ballgames, and pep rallies. These are not optional. Varsity and junior high squads report to fall preparation practice during the first week of August in 2010, which begins August 2nd.
D. Cheerleaders are required to attend, dress out, and be on time to all practices unless excused by the sponsor. If you are ill and cannot attend a practice or a game, you are required to notify the sponsor beforehand and then provide a note from your doctor within two days of returning.
E. Some weekend practices may be required.
F. Tardiness and failure to attend practices for unexcused reasons will result in demerits.
G. Cheerleaders must be present at school on the day of a practice. If you do not attend school, you cannot practice and this will be counted as a missed practice.
H. Practices and games (especially basketball) may be called on the spur of the moment and each cheerleader will be required to attend. Every effort will be made to avoid this, but sometimes a day’s notice is not possible.
I. It is the responsibility of the cheerleader to see the sponsor and get information given at any missed practices.
J. Any injury, no matter how minor, must be checked by the supervising sponsor immediately.
K. Injuries that prevent participation must be checked by a doctor. A written release for clearance to return to activity will be required. If an injured or ill cheerleader has returned to school, they are required to attend practices and games and meet all other requirements until they are cleared to participate.
VIII. REQUIREMENTS
A. Maturity and sound judgment.
B. All cheerleaders must maintain a “C” average.
C. Must have attended Sweet Water High School the semester before tryouts.
D. All 6th grade cheerleader tryout participants must have an overall “C” average at the end of the 1st semester to be eligible to tryout for cheerleader for the following year. They must also have a passing grade in all required academic subjects. (English and Math).
E. All 7th and 8th grade participants must have an overall “C” average at the end of the 1st semester with the averaging of the top five (5) highest grades to be eligible to tryout for cheerleader for the following year.
F. All 9th, 10th, and 11th grade participants must have an overall “C” average at the end of the 1st semester with the averaging of all grades to be eligible to tryout for cheerleader for the following year.
G. Completion of the AHSAA STAR Sportsmanship Program
H. No “unsatisfactory” in conduct is allowed.
I. Each cheerleader must maintain desirable attitudes and a spirit of cooperation in all classes.
J. Each cheerleader must realize the commitments she makes to the school and student body to be a representative and leader when she is elected cheerleader.
K. Pleasing personality.
L. Each cheerleader is required to meet the minimum requirements asked of them during fund raising activities.
M. All cheerleaders are required to cheer for football season and basketball season (March-March). Any girl who does not fulfill this requirement will be ineligible to participate as a cheerleader the following scholastic year at SWHS.
N. Cheerleaders are required to attend school on the day of the game in order to cheer that night.
O. Each cheerleader is required to meet requirements for spirit boosters. (Examples, pennants, posters, etc.) Junior High and Varsity.
P. If a cheerleader has been dismissed from the squad, she will not be eligible to tryout again.
Q. If a cheerleader is hurt or injured, she still must attend all sporting events and complete all responsibilities required with the exception of being able to sit - not stand - to cheer.
R. Cheerleaders (Jr. High and Varsity) may be required to cheer for Jr. High OR Varsity athletics. Example: Jr. High cheerleaders may be asked to cheer for a Varsity basketball game or Varsity football game.
IX. CONDUCT
A. Cheerleaders shall conduct themselves properly at all times. They are official representatives of the school.
B. Cheerleaders shall not display bad habits such as smoking, drinking, using drugs, or improper language. These will warrant their dismissal from the squad.
C. Cheerleaders should not display undesirable emotions such as crying, anger or rage at any time.
D. Cheerleaders should display good sportsmanship at all times.
E. Cheerleaders should never be loud and boisterous.
F. Conduct on dates or at parties should be above reproach.
G. Conduct in the classroom should set a good example to other students.
X. THE NOS OF CHEERLEADING
A. No gum chewing at practices or games.
B. No talking to spectators during games. (fence talk)
C. No eating food during a sporting event. (eat before or after)
XI. DISMISSAL
A. Smoking
B. Drinking
C. Using Drugs
D. Profanity in public
E. Unbecoming conduct that reflects upon the reputation of the school.
F. Not following the rules and regulations set up for cheerleaders. (Form signed by parents before tryouts)
G. The accumulation of 25 demerits.
H. Marriage or pregnancy mandates dismissal.
I. Intentional physical injury or verbal communication of intentional physical
injury to another cheerleader mandates immediate dismissal.
J. Missing an athletic event(or other required cheerleader event) at SWHS to attending another schools event(athletic or not).
XII. DEMERITS
A CHEERLEADER WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE SQUAD IF SHE ACCUMULATES 25 DEMERITS. PARENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF ANY VIOLATIONS TO THIS CONSTITUTION, WHICH RESULTS IN DEMERITS BEING ISSUED.
A. Unexcused absence from practice. (10 demerits)
B. Unexcused absence from each game or sporting event. (10 demerits)
C. Tardiness after 10 minutes to or from practice. (5 demerits)
D. Tardiness after 10 minutes to or from athletic events. (5 demerits)
E. Rudeness or inappropriate behavior to other cheerleaders or sponsor.
(5 demerits)
F. Jewelry (5 demerits)
G. Gum chewing while practicing or game cheering. (5 demerits)
H. Unexcused absence from any classes during school. (10 demerits)
I. Each office visit for disciplinary reasons. (10 demerits)
The cheerleader must report each office visit to the sponsor within two days of the visit.
J. Other minor violations of the cheerleader constitution. (5 demerits)
XIV. GAME SUSPENSION
A. You are allowed to miss (3) practices during the year you are a cheerleader. These must be cleared in advance by the sponsor. If you miss more than the allowed absences, you will be benched for the next athletic event. Lack of transportation is not an excused absence.
B. If you are suspended from school or sent to the alternative school, you will receive demerits and be suspended from the squad, for the next athletic event.
C. Each cheerleader must attend all athletic contests in lieu of a medical excuse from her doctor. Sponsor must be contacted in advance. These excuses must be turned in to the sponsor within two days upon your return to school.
D. Game suspension will be used at the discretion of the sponsor and the principal to address violations to the cheerleader constitution.
XV. MISCELLANEOUS
A. Each cheerleader will be required to help with homecoming and football banquet decorations. Cheerleaders are NOT excused from this obligation for hair/nail/etc. appointments
B. Senior cheerleaders will be eligible to be in the leadout at the homecoming dance.
I have thoroughly read the Sweet Water High School Cheerleader Constitution and I understand completely and fully the requirements and obligations that are expected of me should I make SWHS cheerleader.
Cheerleader’s Signature______DATE______
I have thoroughly read the Sweet Water High School Cheerleader Constitution and I understand completely and fully the requirements and obligations that are expected of my child should she make SWHS cheerleader.
I also understand that I have an obligation to assist my child in every way possible to assure that she adheres to the SWHS Constitution.
Parent’s Signature______DATE ______