GPJHS CHEERLEADING TRYOUT INFORMATION PACKET

Dear Parents and Prospective Cheerleader,

You have expressed interest in joining cheerleading at Gregory Portland Jr. High School. We would like for you to be aware of the responsibilities and expectations of a cheerleader.

Students desiring to be on the Cheerleading squad should take into consideration that, although this is a position of honor, it is also a very demanding and challenging job. Much time, effort, and some expense are required of the members. Only those who feel they can meet the rigorous demands AND keep up with their academic school work should join.

PLEASE NOTE: Anyone who wishes to try out for 7th or 8th grade Cheerleader MUST meet all the requirements prior to trying out for G.P. Jr. High Cheerleader!! Some requirements include: following dress code, following the student code of conduct, no more than 2 referrals during the previous GRADE YEAR, and no more than 1 day of ISS during the previous GRADE YEAR.

Other requirements can be found on page 2 under section II. Eligibility

REMEMBER: Cheerleaders are responsible for…

1.  Promoting and supporting all athletic functions by encouraging student and community attendance.

2.  Leading the community as well as the student body in appropriate cheers and activities

3.  Supporting school policies by PRECEPT AND EXAMPLE

4.  Exhibiting cooperation and respect towards teachers, coaches, and administrators.

5.  Maintaining a grade average in each class of 70 or above

6.  Full payment of all fees, estimated between $800-$1200, before the end of the last class day of the previous school year. This price includes summer cheer camp fee and clothes, shoes, uniform, megaphone, poms, etc. Returing cheerleaders may not have to purchase some of these items based on the current year’s choices or the condition of the previous year’s items.

CHEERLEADERS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE SQUAD:

1.  If payment is not received on time

2.  If the cheerleader does not participate in all practices and/or games

3.  If the cheerleader receives more than 2 office referrals or more than 1 complete day of ISS

4.  If the cheerleader does not cooperate with the squad and/or the coach(es)

5.  For a variety of other reasons as listed in, but not limited to, section VI and other sections of the Cheerleader Constitution.

Gregory-Portland Jr. High

Cheerleader Constitution

I. Purpose

It will be the purpose of the cheerleading squad to promote and uphold school spirit, to develop a sense of good sportsmanship, and to strive to improve the relationships in our school, our community, and the schools with whom we compete.

II. Eligibility (required before tryouts and during cheerleading career)

Cheerleaders MAY be removed from the squad for any of (but not limited to) the following reasons.

A. Have and uphold an average of 70 or above in each subject.

B. Fall Semester grades will be used for eligibility requirements

C. Meet GPISD attendance requirements.

D. Turn in a GPISD Physical Evaluation form (have one on file)

E. Have no more than 2 office referrals; including Office Detentions for behavior and no more than one complete day in ISS,

or one complete day of suspension from school.

F. Conduct is important, therefore any candidate with 3 or more

conduct grades of “N” or “U” will not be eligible to stay

on , or join the squad.

G. Turn in all required paperwork ON TIME. Late paperwork will NOT be accepted

H. Parents/Guardians must pay for Cheerleading clothing and accessories ALL PAYMENT DUE BY ______May 19, 2017______

I. Attend all cheerleader practices (unless involved in another GP event, AND has worked out scheduling with the cheerleading coach)

J. If a member does not meet all of these requirements at any given

time, the member may be discharged from the squad.

K. Cheerleaders who make the squad must still uphold all requirements in the cheer constitution, or they will be removed and replaced up until the end of the school year in which tryouts are held. Cheerleaders who are removed from the squad after cheer camp will not be replaced.

L. If a cheerleader is removed from the squad, there will be no alternates or cheerleader replacements

III. Duties and Responsibilities

A. cheerleaders must:

1. Be at all practices (unless approved by sponsor)

2. Be at all designated functions with the squad.

3. Help with pep rallies

4. Participate in sign painting, decorating, fund raising, etc.

5. Comply with the GPISD Extracurricular Code of Conduct

6. Comply with sponsor directions

7. Cheerleader will be expected to compete in local cheerleading competitions. If a cheerleader is a member of an all-star squad or any other type of cheerleading squad other than the school’s cheerleading squad and/or outside club sports; cheerleader’s first obligations will be to the school’s cheerleading squad. This includes competitions, practices and any other cheerleading duties.

B. Game requirements:

1. Cheerleaders must attend school on game day all day,

every class period in order to cheer during the game

2. Cheerleaders must arrive at the scheduled time

3. Cheerleaders must attend a brief meeting after

all games and pep rallies with sponsor

C. Absences

1. A cheerleader may be excused from activities if

he/she has notified the sponsor with a legitimate excuse.

Examples:

·  Illness

·  another G.P. activity that occurs at the same time

·  family emergencies

·  other as deemed appropriate by sponsor(s)

2. Absences without notice are considered unexcused (skipping) and

may be grounds for disciplinary actions.

Examples of discipline

·  running exercises

·  restriction from cheering during a game

D. Sponsor

1. Schedules all practices

2. Makes all final decisions

3. Monitors cheerleader compliance with duties, responsibilities, conduct, attendance, and grades.

IV. Maintaining Membership

A. Grades

1. The cheerleader must pass all subjects each nine weeks with a grade average of 70 or above. Grades will be checked on U.I.L. grade check dates. If not, the cheerleader member will be placed on probation.

2. While on probation, members are required to practice at all scheduled

practices and attend all cheer events (sit with sponsor)

3. After 3 weeks, grades will be checked and if the member is passing all classes, the probation is over. If any grade is failing, the probation continues to the end of the six weeks.

B. Conduct

1. Cheerleaders are leaders in and out of the school setting and should strive to continually set the highest possible standards and examples for fellow students. They should conduct themselves at all times in such a manner that they will be a credit to themselves, their families, and G.P.J.H.S. At all times, their attitudes are expected to be wholesome and their morals ideal.

2. A cheerleader may be disciplined or removed from the squad for conduct unbecoming of a cheerleader. This includes, but is not limited to:

·  Insubordination

·  Unexcused cheer absences

·  Violation of school rules/ District Code of Conduct.

·  Failure to abide by Cheerleader Rules and Guidelines

·  Other good cause as determined by the sponsor and/or principal

V. Suspension

A member may be suspended from cheerleading participation (except practices) for any of the reasons listed below in section VI, the “Removal” section. The length of suspension will be decided by the sponsor and/or principal depending on the situation and the seriousness of the misconduct.

VI. Removal

A member may be removed from Cheerleading for any of the following reasons including, but not limited to:

1.  Insubordination (not following directions)

2.  Unexcused cheer absences

3.  Violation of school rules/ District Student Code of Conduct.

4.  Failure to abide by Cheerleader Rules and Guidelines

5.  Other good cause as determined by the sponsor and/or principal

6.  Two suspensions from the squad.

7.  More than one full day of ISS

8.  More than two discipline referrals

9.  Any suspension from school

10.  Inappropriate conduct of a serious nature such as, but not limited to:

  1. Theft
  2. Tobacco and/or drugs and/or alcohol possession and/or use
  3. Any misconduct defined in the STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
  4. Persistent misbehavior or conduct will result in:
  5. Conference with sponsor
  6. Conference with Principal
  7. Conference with sponsor, principal, and parent(s) and subject to removal if no co-operation

Disciplinary action taken by the sponsor as a result in serious violations of school rules or persistent misbehavior will be in compliance with the GPISD Student Code of Conduct for Extra Curricular Activities.

VII. Appearance

A.  Appropriate dress and grooming are expected at school and school activities.

B.  Cheerleaders must be in compliance with student dress code while at school and/ or school events

C.  Temporary hair gels or colorants which are a distraction may not be used

D.  Performance and workouts:

  1. NO JEWELRY IS ALLOWED per UIL standards
  2. NO gum is allowed at practices, workouts, and games
  3. Hair must be worn up when length makes it possible. It must also be out of the face.
  4. No visible body piercing. INCLUDING EAR RINGS! The district will not be held responsible for injury due to a body piercing.
  5. No long real or artificial (acrylic) nails allowed per UIL standards.

VIII. Health and Safety

A.  An annual physical exam signed by a physician or physical exam upon entry into cheerleading, and in intervening years shall be required.

B.  Proper shoes and clothing will be worn during workouts.

C.  The same rules about jewelry and hair found under “Appearance” will be followed for workouts, games and performances.

D.  Pre-game and work out stretches are mandatory and the responsibility of each cheerleader.

IX. Uniforms

A.  Game Uniforms

  1. Uniforms must be kept clean and maintained. Damages and losses will be the cheerleader’s financial responsibility

B.  Camp Clothes are maintained by each member and will be worn ONLY when the sponsor requests or agrees.

C.  Game Day shirts are to be used as spirit boosters for school events. Extra workouts may be assigned if proper clothing is not worn when it is assigned to be worn.

D.  No uniform is to be worn at any time other than that time chosen by the sponsor. Uniforms are not to be loaned out to anyone unless cleared through the sponsor. *All clothing is considered part of uniforms. If anything issued is seen worn when not assigned, extra workouts may occur, and repeat offenses will bring about suspensions.

E.  If a member appears at a game, pep rally, etc. without the assigned uniform and accessories, they will be subject to sitting out with the sponsor.

X. Fundraising

Each cheerleader is required to participate in yearly fundraising activities. The numbers may vary according to needs and expenses to cover activity funds, competitions, etc.

XI. Transportation

Cheerleaders will be required to provide their own transportation to and from home games and workouts. They must provide written permission (attached on page 6) from their own parent in order to ride home with another cheerleader’s parent. * Members CAN NOT ride home with a student driver.

The Cheerleaders will be responsible for cheering during the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter of home football games. Cheerleaders will get a break between B games and A games. The Cheerleaders will also perform at pep rallies.

Cheerleaders may not be on their Phones during practice or during games.

What to wear to Try-outs!!

Applicants with hair long enough to be pulled back, should wear a ponytail with a white ribbon. Applicants with hair too short to be pulled back must make sure all hair will be away from their face during the tryout.

Applicants need to wear a white shirt (t-shirt only, NO spaghetti straps, tank tops, or halter tops). The t-shirt needs to fit the applicant appropriately. This means the shirt can not be tied to fit the applicant. The shirt may not have any words or logos visible on the outside.

Applicants need to wear navy blue or royal blue shorts. Cotton knit (t shirt material) shorts work the best. The shorts may not have any words or logos visible on the outside.

Applicants must wear plain white socks (no words or logos), and white tennis shoes. The shoes are the only part of the outfit that may have a logo on them.

If an applicant wears something that is not allowed, the judges, coaches, or administrators may disqualify the applicant from try-outs.

Tryout Clinic: April 6 & 7 after school at the High School turf room 4-6 p.m.

Mock Tryouts April 11 & 12 after school at the High School turf room 4-6 p.m.

Final Tryouts April 13th, 2017 times to be announced

First meeting/ uniform fitting April 17th at the junior high in room D104 or cheer room

Practices will be after school at the junior high Mondays and Fridays

Summer Camp June 26-June 29

Judge score sheet

Candidate #_____

Dance (40 points possible)

Smile and enthusiasm (0-10) ______

Knowledge of dance (0-10) ______

Motions (0-10) ______

Energy and rhythm (0-10) ______

Individual cheer (30 points possible)

Entrance (0-10) ______

Voice and expression (0-10) ______

Motions (0-10) ______

Group Cheer (10 points possible) ______

Jumps (10 points possible)

Jump of their choice (0-5) ______

Toe touch (0-5) ______

Total: ______

Tumbling (10 points possible)

Cartwheel (0-4) ______

Round off (0-4)______

Tumble of choice (0-2)______

Comments:

Judge signature: ______(End packet #1)

All of the papers in this packet must be filled out, signed and returned to the sponsor

Financial Responsibilities

Listed below are the estimated prices of the Cheerleaders’ accessories. Final prices will be available when this year’s new cheerleading catalog is received.

Camp------______

Varsity U-choose clothing Pack------______

Poms------______

Megaphones (excludes 8th grade returnees)------______

Shoes, under armor, & bag packet------______

Jackets & warm-ups set ------______

Accessories------______

(socks, ribbons, etc.)

Supplies------______

(poster boards, paint, ribbon, etc.)

Estimated total ------______