ASHLEY RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL SWAMPFOX CHEERLEADING TRYOUT PACKET 2019-2020 VARSITY AND JUNIOR VARSITY CHEERLEADING SEASONS

Thank you for your interest in trying out for cheerleading. In this packet, you will find the following: tryout information with a list of important dates, an information sheet, 3 teacher recommendation sheets, the 2019-2020 Rules for Cheerleading, and the Statement of Permission and Agreement. You will also need to complete and turn in a Physical Form and Proof of Eligibility through PlanetHS. These forms can be found on the ARHS athletic website and at ARHS front desk. Please read and understand all the enclosed information before tryouts.

Cheerleading Tryout Dates:

● Cheer Tryouts will be held the week of April 23rd-26th. Tryout material will be taught during this time (PAPER WORK MUST BE TURNED IN BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN ANY CLINICS)

● Official tryouts will take place on April 26th. Sideline teams (JV/Varsity) will be decided upon that evening.

Eligibility:

To be eligible in the fall/spring of 2019-2020 for cheerleading, a student must have:

● Passing classes taken the previous semester

● Achieved a 2.0 grade point average for the previous semester

● 3 Teacher Recommendations

The following MUST BE turned in BEFORE you can participate in clinics or tryouts:

● High School Physical uploaded into PlanetHS

● Parent and Athlete Concussion information sheet

● A hard copy of your Birth Certificate (if not in high school yet)

● Completed Information Sheet ● 3 Teacher Recommendations

● Statement of Parent Permission and Agreement (found in tryout packet)

● A copy of your semester report card; please do not send the original.

Note: The deadline for turning in this paperwork is APRIL 26th; however, the earlier you can get this paperwork in, the better. Participation in cheer try-out clinics will be prohibited if any of the forms are missing or incomplete.

Selection of the cheerleaders will be based on the following:

● A cheer and dance that will be taught to you during the clinic.

● Jumps (A toe touch, a pike, and a front hurdler are required- descriptions and pictures of these jumps can be found on the UCA website.)

● Tumbling (at least a back handspring is preferable for Varsity sideline but not required)

● Athleticism and physical fitness to include flexibility and tumbling abilities

● Scholastic achievement and eligibility

● Conduct

● Attitude, initiative, teamwork, leadership, work ethic, enthusiasm, and coachability

What do you wear to tryouts?

 During clinic days, please wear comfortable, length appropriate shorts and a t-shirt in Ashley Ridge colors. Dress as if you would dress for cheerleading practice. Sports bras must be worn. No basketball shorts or pajamas. No denim shorts, jewelry, or artificial nails. Your hair should also be off your shoulders.  On official try-out day, you will need to wear black shorts and a solid white t-shirt. Absolutely no former AR cheer wear!!! Your hair should be off your shoulders, and no jewelry or artificial nails should be worn.

For those who make the squad:

The meeting for all cheerleaders, and their parents, who have made a team is April 30, 2019 at 6:30pm (Parent Meeting) in C145.

The practice schedule will be given out after tryouts when teams have been made. Practices/ conditioning will begin after tryouts going into the summer and will continue through the school year. These practices are mandatory; work schedules, vacation, extracurricular activities, etc. should be arranged so the cheerleaders are at practice each day. These practices are important and attendance is necessary. This includes both football and basketball seasons! Each cheerleader will be given 2 unexcused absences to use at your discretion. Please note that after your 2nd unexcused absences, you will be placed on probation as notification and may result in removal from the team. This attendance policy has been put into effect to insure that all cheerleaders participate with the same amount of commitment level.

Estimated Costs

We realize that cheerleading is an expensive sport; however, we try to cut the cost down as much as possible through fundraising and utlizing of what we have. There are, however, certain items that cannot be passed down from squad to squad and have to be purchased by the individual. In addition, wear and tear requires replacement of uniforms, warm-ups, etc. We will be ordering them through Varsity, the leading cheer apparel company, and the cheerleader will be responsible for paying 1/3 of their bill by May 10, 2019. While we can’t give you an exact amount, we can give you an estimate that should be fairly close. An updated itemized list will be given out at the Parent meeting on April 30, 2019. Prices may change!

Items Price Pom Poms $30.00 T-shirts & Shorts $65.00 Sideline Shoes $56.00 Bag $60.00 Water Resistant Jacket/Pants $80.00 Bloomers $14.00 Total: $305.00

All money is due by the May 10, 2019. This is an approximation. Please be prepared to have this amount of money in the event that you make the team. With that being said, if you were on the team last year, some of these items are the same, so you will not to get repeats of those items. At fittings, those items will be specified. We will be doing multiple fundraisers to help alleviate some of the costs.

Again, all paperwork must be in by April 23rd.You can either drop the paperwork off at Ashley Ridge or send it to me at Ashley Ridge High School. Coach Graber and I look forward to seeing you at tryouts! If you have any questions, please contact Casey Anne Attaway at [email protected] or Cassandra Graber at [email protected]

Information Sheet

Please complete the following information. Please write LEGIBLY.

Student Name: Email:

Current Grade Level: School you attended 18-19:

Home Address:

Home Phone: Cell phone:

Email address: Birthday:

Parent/Guardian Name:

Home address (if different from above)

Parent/Guardian Phone number:

Mother’s Work Phone: Mother’s Cell Phone: Mother’s Email:

Father’s Work Phone: Father’s Cell Phone: Fathers Email:

Emergency Contact Name: Relationship to you:

Emergency Work Phone: Emergency Cell Phone:

Known Allergies: ______Medications taken regularly: ______Family Physician and Contact Information:______Health Insurance (Company and Policy are required): ______Date of recent sports physical: ______

Known Physical limitations/concerns: ______Were you involved in any behavior infractions (ISS or OSS) during the 2018-2019 school year? If yes, please explain on a separate sheet of paper.

2019 - 2020 Rules for Cheerleading

Purpose

The objective of the Ashley Ridge High School cheerleading squad is to effectively execute a school spirit program that supports the athletic teams and promotes the school itself. Cheerleaders will serve as positive role models and leaders for ARHS and should promote sportsmanship within our school and among other schools. The highest priority should be to display and encourage spirit and pride for ARHS.

Squad Members and Practices

● Members will be chosen at a formal tryout session.

● The JV squad will consist of up to 24, 7th graders, 8th graders, freshman, sophomores and possibly juniors who will cheer at JV football games and participate in competitions.

● The Varsity squad will consist of up to 24 sophomores, juniors, and seniors who will cheer at all Varsity football games, competitions, pep rally events and home basketball games. Freshmen and middle school students typically do not make a Varsity squad; however, exceptions can be made at the coach’s discretion.

● If a member of a squad is removed from a position, a replacement will be determined by the coach, Athletic Director and Principal.

Practices and Games

● Squads will have practices each week. A tentative schedule will be given out at the beginning of each month. All practices are mandatory and other schedules should revolve around cheerleading practices and games. Additional practices may be added when needed.

● During football season, games are usually held on Thursdays for JV and Fridays for Varsity. You will also be given a schedule at the beginning of the season and cheerleaders will be expected to be present at all games, including playoff games. On occasion games may be moved due to inclement weather.

● During basketball season, games are normally held on Tuesdays and Fridays. Occasionally, games may be held on other days of the week (especially during inclement weather when games must be pushed to the next night). The team is EXPECTED to be at ALL home games (including playoffs and state).

Attendance Requirements

● ABSENCES CAN BE THE DOWNFALL OF A GREAT CHEERLEADING SQUAD! If one or more squad members are absent from a practice or game, the other members are forced to make last minute changes. This can be both stressful and dangerous to other squad members. ● You will be expected to be at all games and practices. Jobs, club activities, extracurricular activities, doctor’s appointments, etc. must not interfere with cheerleading.

● If you commit to cheerleading you are committing to attend every game. Unexcused absences are those caused by anything other than illness or family emergencies. In addition, just because a cheerleader asks to be excused doesn’t mean that the excuse will be granted.

● If you are ill or have a family emergency, the coach needs to be notified by a parent or guardian in order for this absence to be excused. Please notify the coach before the absence or as soon after as possible; only under extreme circumstances will prior notice not be expected. Please email either Coach Attaway or Coach Graber or call Ashley Ridge High School at (843)-695-4900 to notify the coaches of any excused absences and leave a message if necessary.

● As stated in the Guidelines for Ashley Ridge Athletes, students must be present half the school day to be eligible for practices and games scheduled for that day.

● If a student is assigned to ISS, the student may not participate in any scheduled event for the time the athlete is assigned to ISS. In addition, the athlete will be benched for ISS counseled and/or dismissed from the squad for OSS.

Grades

● A minimum of 2.0 GPA must be maintained throughout the cheering season.

● Because cheerleaders are students first and athletes second, monthly progress reports will be turned in so the coach can monitor academic progress.

● If at any time you are failing a class, you will be required to attend tutoring and failure to attend tutoring will result in benching.

● From the time the F is written on the progress report, you have two weeks to pull the F up before a more severe consequence is given.

Tutoring

● Cheerleaders are encouraged to attend tutoring on all off days.

Uniforms

● Uniforms are issued by the school and are property of the ARHS Athletic Department. If for at any reason a cheerleader quits or is dismissed, he/she is expected to return all uniforms/equipment within five days of the termination and the uniforms must be cleaned.

● Washing instructions will be provided when uniforms are distributed. At the end of basketball season, uniforms are to be turned in cleaned.

● All altered uniforms must be restored to their original size before being turned in at the end of the cheering season.

● Damaged or lost uniforms will be replaced by the cheerleader.

● A cheerleader may not represent another sport (soccer, track, baseball, etc) while in uniform.

Fundraising

● Every cheerleader will be expected to support all fundraising events which support the team.

● Program Ads is a major fundraiser for cheerleading and is REQUIRED for each cheerleader to sell at least $300 of program ads/banners. This money goes toward buying uniforms, competitions costs, materials, etc. 20% of your ads sold will be taken off of the individual cheerleader’s bill, if the minimum of $300 of ads are sold. All ads need to be sold by JULY 19TH, 2019.

● Failure to raise the minimum of $300 in ads, will result in a financial obligation!

● We will discuss future fundraisers at the parent meeting to help pay for materials that the girls will need for the coming season! All money raised will go DIRECTLY to cheerleader to help costs!

● We will also host a kids camp where the cheerleaders will be able to also help with costs of materials and camp. They will sponsor individual kids and for every child they have signed up they receive half of the registration towards costs.

●Failure to participate and meet your quota of fundraising can result in dismissal from the squad.

● Turning in fundraising money after the due date will result in being benched.

Transportation

● It is highly preferred the cheerleaders ride the bus to and from events. If a parent is going to pick up their cheerleader at an away game, they must speak with the coach prior to game day. If the coach is unaware of a change in transportation, a cheerleader may get left behind because the coach assumes the parent will be there and will not account for her on the bus ride back. The coach cannot go searching through the parking lot for parents. They must come and see the coach before you leave with them. If the parents do not speak to the coach, you are expected to ride the activity bus back to ARHS.

● Your parent is the only one you are allowed to leave a game with, not friends.

● Cheering is not allowed on the bus. It distracts the driver, coaches, and other team members.

Expected Behavior

● All Dorchester District two guidelines must be followed at all times.

● Consequences will be issued for misbehavior or poor conduct.

● Promote a positive image for the school community—your peers, parents, teachers, and community members.

● While representing ARHS, cheerleaders must not:

☹ Drink alcoholic beverages ☹ Use controlled substances ☹ Use tobacco products ☹ Show unsportsmanlike conduct ☹ Use profanity ☹ Fighting/hitting ☹ Show displays of affection ☹Be academically dishonest

● Cheerleaders must wear the designated uniform/t-shirt to school on game days. ● You must attend all practices and games.

● Your attitude and ability to work with other different personalities must be exceptional.

● Lying or fabricating the truth will not be tolerated and can result in immediate termination from the squad.

● Part of a coach’s job is to know where you are at all times during practices, games and special events. Consequences will be issued for failure to follow the coach’s direction or to stay in assigned areas during events.

● While safety is our number one goal, please understand that you should expect bumps, bruises, and other occasional minor injuries. This is all part of cheerleading.

● Cheerleaders can not wear or loan ARHS cheerleading uniforms/outfits when attending non- cheerleading activities.

● All official cheerleading decisions and activities will be made by the coaching staff. All coaches and captains are to be given respect and cooperation by cheerleaders and parents at all times. Lack of respect will not be tolerated and can be grounds for dismissal!

*Being in correct uniform means wearing the appropriate uniform—sports bra, bloomers, hair ribbon, socks, shoes, hair style. Complete uniform also means wearing no jewelry, having no chewing gum or fingernail polish. Your nails must be trimmed short and no acrylic nails or tips will be worn. Girls will be asked to take out jewelry and/or cut nails at any point and time.

Coaches reserve the right to make changes/additions to the rules as needed. In addition, if you have any questions or concerns, please respect the following chain of command: Squad Coach, Athletic Director, School Principal.

Statement of Permission and Agreement

If you make the cheerleading squad, realize that you are making a commitment to Ashley Ridge High School, your coaches, your teammates, and yourself for the complete season (full year). The decision to tryout should not be taken lightly. You will be expected to put cheerleading as one of your top priorities. Furthermore, as a representative of Ashley Ridge, you must maintain proper behavior at all times. You must follow the cheerleading guidelines set forth in the Ashley Ridge High School Cheerleading Constitution. Students who break the rules will be disciplined. By making this commitment to the Ashley Ridge High School Cheerleading program, you will receive many valuable and rewarding educational experiences that you will remember long after you graduate from high school. These activities will not only channel your enthusiasm and spirit in a constructive and beneficial manner but will give you a sense of pride and accomplishment in being a part of a strong and spirited group of young women of Summerville, South Carolina.

Student Agreement

I, ______, have read and understand the 2019-2020 RULES FOR CHEERLEADING. I agree to abide by the policies described if I am chosen as a member of the squad. I am agreeing to the information in the packet and understand that failure to adhere to these rules policies could result in dismissal from the squad.

______

Student Signature

______

Date

Parent/Guardian Agreement

I, ______, the parent or legal guardian of ______, have read and understand the 2019-2020 RULES FOR CHEERLEADING and the 2019-2020 TRYOUT INFORMATION. I agree to abide by the policies described if my child is chosen as a member of the squad. I also agree to the financial obligations as they are described in the information provided. I understand that failure by me or my child to adhere to these policies could result in dismissal from the squad.

______

Parent Signature

______

Date

Coach’s Use Only □ PlanetHS □Report Card (3rd nine weeks) □Teacher Recommendations 2019-2020 SwampFox Cheerleading Tryouts Recommendation Form

Student Name: ______School: ______Grade: _____ Teacher: ______Subject: ______

Do you think this student is a good representative of the school and community and is someone you would choose to serve on YOUR team? YES or NO Please rate the student on the following: 1-Poor 2-Below Average 3-Average 4-Above Average 5-Excellent Attitude 1 2 3 4 5 Dependability 1 2 3 4 5 School Spirit 1 2 3 4 5 Cooperation with Others 1 2 3 4 5 Leadership Qualities 1 2 3 4 5 Behavior in Classroom 1 2 3 4 5 Do you have any reason why this student should or should not be an ARHS cheerleader? ______Teacher Signature: ______ALL INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL PLEASE RETURN TO PERSON BELOW/DO NOT GIVE BACK TO STUDENT ARHS-Please place form in Attaway’s box or email it to [email protected] All other schools please send via district mail to ARHS Attn: Casey Anne Attaway 2019-2020 SwampFox Cheerleading Tryouts Recommendation Form

Student Name: ______School: ______Grade: _____ Teacher: ______Subject: ______

Do you think this student is a good representative of the school and community and is someone you would choose to serve on YOUR team? YES or NO Please rate the student on the following: 1-Poor 2-Below Average 3-Average 4-Above Average 5-Excellent Attitude 1 2 3 4 5 Dependability 1 2 3 4 5 School Spirit 1 2 3 4 5 Cooperation with Others 1 2 3 4 5 Leadership Qualities 1 2 3 4 5 Behavior in Classroom 1 2 3 4 5 Do you have any reason why this student should or should not be an ARHS cheerleader? ______Teacher Signature: ______ALL INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL PLEASE RETURN TO PERSON BELOW/DO NOT GIVE BACK TO STUDENT ARHS-Please place form in Attaway’s box or email it to [email protected] All other schools please send via district mail to ARHS Attn: Casey Anne Attaway 2019-2020 SwampFox Cheerleading Tryouts Recommendation Form

Student Name: ______School: ______Grade: _____ Teacher: ______Subject: ______

Do you think this student is a good representative of the school and community and is someone you would choose to serve on YOUR team? YES or NO Please rate the student on the following: 1-Poor 2-Below Average 3-Average 4-Above Average 5-Excellent Attitude 1 2 3 4 5 Dependability 1 2 3 4 5 School Spirit 1 2 3 4 5 Cooperation with Others 1 2 3 4 5 Leadership Qualities 1 2 3 4 5 Behavior in Classroom 1 2 3 4 5 Do you have any reason why this student should or should not be an ARHS cheerleader? ______Teacher Signature: ______ALL INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL PLEASE RETURN TO PERSON BELOW/DO NOT GIVE BACK TO STUDENT ARHS-Please place form in Attaway’s box or email it to [email protected] All other schools please send via district mail to ARHS Attn: Casey Anne Attaway