• Cheerleader Constitution

    2020-2021

    Purpose

    The purpose of cheerleaders in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District is to promote school spirit and a positive school climate by performing for athletic events, special events, and cheerleading competitions as deemed appropriate by the campus administration and Cheerleader Coach. Cheerleaders are expected to be positive role models, serving as supportive high school ambassadors at school, in the district, and community.

     

    Tryouts for Team Membership

    Candidates must meet all extracurricular participation criteria in academics, citizenship, and attendance up to the end of the 3rd or 4th six-weeks, depending on tryout date.

    The following requirements are determined from tryout date 2020 to tryout date 2021:

    • Failing grades for no more than one six weeks
    • No more than one U in citizenship (3 N’s are equivalent to one U)
    • Must be in good standing with attendance - no makeup hours
    • No more than one suspension or placement in ADC, OOS, ISS
    • Cannot have been expelled
    • An incoming 9th-grade student who is currently attending a middle school on an approved transfer shall select one high school campus in which to participate in their cheerleading tryouts. The student can either select his/her home zoned high school campus or a high school campus that is open for transfer request applications. A cheerleader, drill team member, or fine arts member who wants to participate in athletics must attend his/her home zone campus per Board Policy FDA and FDB (Local) and other applicable UIL and district regulations. https://www.emsisd.com/Page/193
    • A high school student, current 9th and above, may only tryout at the school for which they are enrolled and have submitted the corresponding tryout packet
    • A student must be enrolled in the EMS ISD school system to tryout
    • A student may only participate at the school for which tried, if selected
    • A cheerleader who has been on the campus high school cheer program for three consecutive years and meets all other tryout requirements will automatically be placed on the varsity team.

    The constitution must be read and the contract signed by both parents/guardians and by the candidate and returned to the coach by given deadline. Extenuating circumstances will be determined by the campus administration if necessary.

    Parents must be fully aware of the time commitment and expense of cheerleading and willing to meet all financial obligations; including fundraisers.

    Any student involved in the activity of cheerleading must have a current physical on file with the campus trainer. This includes tryouts, practices, competitions, and any cheer event that requires attendance.

    Tryouts will be closed to the public. Only judges and Administrators will be allowed to attend. Cheer coaches will not be in the tryout room during the tryouts.

    The campus administrator will arrange for qualified judges to conduct the tryouts. Tryouts will be judged by a 3 person panel formed by qualified judges from outside the EMS ISD. Criteria to be judged will be determined by the coach. Judges’ scoring selection is final. A scoring rubric for the audition will be posted prior to tryouts. 9th / JV 40 points, Varsity 50 minimum score.

    Candidates for cheerleader must post a minimum score to be eligible for selection. The minimum score will be posted prior to tryouts. Scores that exceed the minimum score will then be placed in rank order. Once the team reaches capacity the team will be formed. It could be possible that a candidate who reaches the minimum score is not selected due to the max number of cheerleaders being fulfilled. It is also possible that a team may not reach capacity if participants do not meet the minimum score and the number who do meet the criteria are fewer than the max allowed.

    In the event that a prospective cheerleader is injured or unable to perform a portion of the tryout, medical documentation must be submitted that indicates for which part of the tryout the candidate is limited for participation. A letter from a medical professional shall be dated within 3 weeks of the tryout. The following limited use of video may be used for a candidate meeting the previous criteria: video will be used from a previous team recorded practice from the campus.8th-grade students or a student who transfers without a campus provided video will be able to provide video taken from within the last 3 months from a non-spring floor. Video is limited to the areas of the tryout stated by medical documentation.

    Members must tryout each year for a place on the team. Exception: 3-year members of the campus squad will be automatically placed on the varsity team. Members who have resigned or been dismissed from the team for any reason during the year may tryout only upon permission from the coach and approval of the principal.  Vacancies created after tryouts may be filled up to two weeks past the tryout date, at the coach’s discretion.

    Once resignation or dismissal from the cheer squad occurs, for reasons other than academic, reinstatement will not be allowed during the current school year.  Future tryout eligibility will be established only at the discretion of the cheer coach and administration and will incur the acceptance of strict guidelines.  A student granted reinstatement is subject to a period of probation if he/ she makes the cheer squad for the upcoming year.

    The team will be made up of three squads with up to:

    20 Freshmen Cheerleaders

    20 Junior Varsity Cheerleaders - sophomores and juniors

    24 Varsity Cheerleaders - sophomores, juniors, and seniors                

    The cheer year begins immediately after tryouts and ends the day prior to tryouts. Example: March 8, 2020 - March 12, 2020

    Auditions for Captains

    Captains will be:

    Varsity – Captain

    Junior Varsity – Captain

    Freshmen – Captain

    Candidates will be scored based on their cheer tryout scores, the coach, and team members. Criteria to be judged will be determined by the coach.

    There could be ONE spirit captain per squad elected by each squad.

    Captains’ Responsibilities 

    A captain is responsible for setting an example for other cheerleaders to follow. The captain should be positive, cooperative, helpful, and dedicated.

    A captain is responsible for the particular squad of members. The captain is to provide individual help in learning and perfecting cheers and routines, checking attendance, inspecting uniforms and equipment, and any additional duties involving the squad and makes sure routines are ready for performances.

    Captains must be willing to spend extra practice time to organize activities, learn material, and perform additional duties.

    The coach may remove a captain from the position at any time if the responsibilities and duties of the position are not being fulfilled. If a captain removal takes place the coach will determine if the role will be filled.

    Special duties of the spirit captains, if elected, will be:

    • Arrange gifts for other activities
    • Make thank-you notes, cards, sign-up sheets, lists, etc?
    • Plan squad and team parties
    • Help with banquet preparation
    • Help coach with organizational responsibilities

    Attendance

    Cheerleaders must attend and pay for summer camp as designated by the coach. Mandatory practices, including summer practices, will be held to prepare for camp and for football season.

    All practices, performances, appearances, and meetings are mandatory. Each member is required to attend all scheduled events.

    Schedules for summer camp, all practices, performances, appearances, and meetings will be provided to each member in advance. Practices will begin immediately following tryouts to prepare for camp. Everyday practices may begin as early as the month of July up to the beginning of school. There are 3 to 4 before or after school practices per week during football season and competition season. The 8-hour UIL rule for practice will be followed.  Some weekend practices may be needed.

    An absence will be excused only if approved by the coach in advance.

    Reasons for an excused absence include:

    • Personal illness or accident
    • Funeral or death in the family
    • Other school activities with special permission from the coach in advance
    • Special circumstances excused by the coach in advance

    Unexcused absences include but are not limited to:

    • Appointments
    • Vacations
    • Work – Work cannot interfere with any cheerleading activity. It is not an excuse to be absent, late, or leave early.
    • Outside team practice or performance.

    Any unexcused absence will be brought before the coach for discipline or possible dismissal.

    Unexcused absences may not exceed 3 for the year. Parent contact required per unexcused absence.

    1st Offense = cut from the next performance, one demerit, and a warning

    2nd Offense = cut from the next performance, two demerits, and a warning

    3rd Offense = Removal from the squad-upon conference with parent and administrator

    Members will arrive on time and stay until dismissed by the coach. To be counted present and on time, a member must be in rank at the designated location and time. Tardiness results in an automatic demerit.

    No student who is absent for more than the district policy’s definition of a half school day may participate in any extracurricular performance that day unless special permission is given by the coach and principal.

    Cheerleaders will be allowed to participate in activities that generally do not conflict with cheerleading activities. Involvement in other extra-curricular activities that conflict with cheerleading on a regular, recurring basis such as non-school related activities may result in removal from the squad. Exceptions may be made for isolated conflicts at the discretion of the coach.

    Any member suffering from illness or injury will be excused from workouts/performances only by a parent contact with the coach. If absent from school due to illness or injury the cheerleader will not attend practice that day. If absent from practice, more than 3 days a doctor’s note is required, as well as communication from the parent.

    Discipline & Grade Probation

    Any member expelled, suspended, placed in the ADC, or assigned SAC/ ISS may be immediately dismissed from the team. The dismissal may be for any period of time, as decided by the coach and the campus principal. The campus principal will have the final say concerning disciplinary action.

    All cheerleaders will comply with the drug-testing program of EMS ISD and are subject to all rules and procedures associated with the program. Violation of the Student Code of Conduct related to smoking, drug use, and alcohol will result in immediate dismissal from the team.

    Members must meet all current state educational requirements.

    Members who receive a failing grade in any class for a grading period will be placed on grade probation following the restrictions, limitations, and time period set by the state. The principal may remove this suspension if the class is identified as pre-ap or advanced placement class in accordance with district policy.

    Members who fail for two successive grading periods will be dismissed.

    Dismissal involves the loss of membership from the cheerleading organization. All school-issued equipment and uniforms must be returned and all financial obligations must be cleared within one week of dismissal.  Once a member has been dismissed, he/she loses all privileges of the cheerleading organization. Students may not wear any part of the HS cheerleading uniform.

     

    Resignation shall be defined as a choice made by the individual member that he/she no longer desires participation in the cheerleading organization. Resignation procedures involve a conference with the cheer coach and a letter of resignation from the resigning member, signed and dated with the parent/guardian signature. All uniforms, clothing, and equipment must be turned in and financial obligations must be cleared at the time of resignation. Students may not wear any part of the HS cheerleading uniform. The cheerleader will be held financially responsible for any balance due. No refunds will be made.

    The Merit/Demerit System

    A merit system shall be established to offer opportunities for cheerleaders to remove demerits. Opportunities to work off demerits shall happen periodically at the discretion of the coach. Merits will be able to be earned during 3 periods of the cheer year. A member will only be able to earn 5 merits per period. For merit purposes, the first period shall begin immediately after tryouts and end prior to the first day of school. The second period shall begin on the first day of school and conclude at the end of the football/volleyball season. The third period shall begin the first day after the football/volleyball season and end the day before tryouts.

    A total of 3 demerits in one week will automatically suspend a member from the next performance. The member must still attend the performance in uniform.

    A total of 7 demerits for a period will result in 3-week probation and a warning for possible removal will be given.

    A total of 10 demerits for a period will result in a disciplinary hearing with possible dismissal from the team.

    Members may have demerits removed from their records by accumulating merits as long as they have not reached 10 demerits. Merits are given for performing duties above what is required – for example, fundraising, or making straight A’s on a report card, perfect attendance / 6 weeks, AB honor roll, school service as determined by the coach.

    The coach has discretion as to the number of demerits are assigned for egregious violations. Assignment of more than 3 demerits for a single violation must be approved by the assistant principal that oversees cheerleading.

    The following violations will receive demerits:

    • Poor citizenship grades
    • Forgetting or failing to wear any part of the uniform or equipment
    • Wearing any jewelry, colored nail polish, or unapproved hair accessory during a performance or appearance
    • Uniform or equipment not clean or in bad condition
    • Arriving late for any activity
    • Failure to turn in specified items or money by the deadline given
    • Refusing to follow directions set forth by coach or captains
    • Showing disrespect or lying to coach, captains, or fellow members
    • Talking when coach or captains are instructing or speaking
    • Vulgarity at any time, either in speech, actions or social media, ie: Facebook, etc.
    • Showing a lack of spirit or a negative attitude
    • Allowing someone other than a member to wear part of the uniform or practice attire or team issued equipment.
    • Chewing gum, wearing jewelry, or having fingernails at an unsafe length in any cheerleading activity
    • Any other infraction of the rules as determined by the coach.

    Probation Rules

    Attend games/pep rallies/practices per coach’s discretion.

    (Not allowed to participate in other team functions during or after school.)

    Must follow directions set forth by the coach.

    Will not attend away games.

    **Probation will affect a cheerleader’s ability to participate in the Cheerleader Banquet and any other trip or activities. Probation also affects any down payment or money already spent on a trip or function. The money will not be reimbursed if the District is unable to have the money reimbursed.

    Performance Cuts

    For events other than games there will be a cut judged by the coach. A member unable to meet the standards set for that performance will not be allowed to perform.

    Any member absent on the day of cuts, whether excused or unexcused, will be cut from the performance.

    A member missing any workout will be subject to replacement upon the discretion of the coach.

    The coach reserves the right to replace or dismiss any member from a performance if the member is not meeting acceptable standards for that performance. This can occur at any time prior to the performance.

    A member who is cut from a performance must still attend the performance in uniform and assume responsibilities as usual.

    Competition Squad

    The competition team will be chosen from all eligible cheerleaders based on a series of skill evaluations.

    Standard skill requirements will be determined by the coach based on the skills required in the competition routine.  A cheerleader unable to meet the standard skills set for the competition routine will not be placed on the competition team.

    Skill evaluations will be conducted and judged by the coach.

    Competitions attended will be at the discretion of the coach with the approval from the campus principal.

    More practices, times, and money are required for this competitive team.

    Uniforms & Supplies

    Part of the cheerleading uniform and equipment will be purchased by the member and will remain the property of the member. This financial obligation must be met to remain a member of the team.

    Part of the uniform and equipment will be provided by the school. These will be issued to the member at the beginning of the season and returned to the school at the end of the season.  The member will pay to replace any lost or damaged articles.

    Each part of the uniform, whether school or privately owned, must have the uniform number or member’s name on it and must be kept clean at all times.

    Any altering of the uniform, whether school or privately owned, must have coach approval.

    All cheerleading uniforms will be worn by members only, including issued team gear.

    Fundraising

    Each member will be given the opportunity to participate in general fundraising activities.

    Members will be required to turn in fundraising money on particular dates set by the coach. Failure to do so will result in one demerit for each day the money is late.

    Trips

    Members must ride the bus to and from all out of town games, competitions, or other events. Only parental permission, communicated by that parent, will release the cheerleader to ride home with that parent only. Special permission must be granted in writing to the coach.

    Members are responsible for their equipment for the duration of the trip.

    Members must conduct themselves appropriately and responsibly on all trips as representatives of EMS ISD. Members must adhere to the student code of conduct.

    Changes

    Revision of the constitution after initial annual approval shall follow the steps outlined in the Administrative Guideline for Student Organization Constitutions. The constitution is reviewed each year prior to tryouts and goes into effect upon tryouts for the upcoming year.

    Faculty Coaches

    The high school principal assigns coaches for each cheer squad on a yearly basis. 

    Plans for Usage of Facilities

    The principal will assign facilities as needed for all practices and meetings.

    Membership Dues

    There are no dues associated with membership.

    EMS ISD

    CHEERLEADER CONSTITUTION

    CONTRACT

     

    I have read and fully understood the rules and regulations presented in the EMS ISD Cheerleader Constitution.

     

    I understand that these rules are necessary to ensure that the cheerleading team will be run in an organized and fair manner and that the performances and appearances will always be of the highest quality.

     

    I understand that I will serve as cheerleader from the time of election until tryouts of the next school year.

     

    I understand that there are fees associated with cheerleading and agree to fulfill the payment of such fees.

     

    I hereby agree to abide by the rules of this constitution as long as I am associated with the EMS ISD Cheerleading Program.

     

     

    Cheerleader Signature

     

    _______________________________ Date__________________

     

     

    Parent/Guardian 1 Signature

     

     

    _______________________________ Date__________________

     

     

    Parent/Guardian 2 Signature

     

    _______________________________ Date__________________