Bhs Cheerleader Constitution

BELTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT CHEERLEADER CONSTITUTION

PURPOSE

IT SHALL BE THE PURPOSE OF THE CHEERLEADER/MASCOT TO PROMOTE AND UPHOLD SCHOOL SPIRIT, DEVELOP A SENSE OF GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AND BETTER THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN OUR SCHOOL AND OUR COMPETITORS. THE CHEERLEADER/MASCOT WILL SHOW EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP, A POSITIVE ATTITUDE, AND BE AN EXCELLENT ROLE MODEL AT ALL TIMES.

TRYOUTS

A. Cheerleader/Mascot tryouts will be open to anyone who has filled out an application properly and returned the signed application by the deadline. A photocopy of the candidate's most recent report card and a signed Cheerleading Constitution Permission and Pledge page wi ll be submitted with the application. To be eligible for tryouts the candidate must meet U.I.L. eligibility standards at the time of tryouts. All candidates will be evaluated by teachers and administrators based on attitude, responsibility, follows class rules & procedures, organi zational skills, respectful to teachers & peers, and class participation/attentiveness. An overall average of 4.0 (on a 5.0 scale) will be nec essary to tryout. B. Cheerleader tryouts will consist of each candidate learning one cheer, one chant, and one short dance. Each candidate will also be judged on their entrance, jumps, and tumbling. C. In the event of an injury preventing a candidate from performing a skill, the candidate must provide current doctor’s documentation identifying the injury. With proper documentation, the candidate will be allowed to tryout performing all skills he/she can perform safely with their injury. For all skills the candidate is unable to perform, the previous year’s scores and/or tryout video (HS) will be used. Previous scores and/or tryout video (HS) can only be used one time. D. A cheerleader candidate will be judged on spirit/enthusiasm, motions, sharpness, voice/projection, rhythm, toe-touch, jump #2, jump #3, tumbling, and appearance/overall impression. A yell leader candidate will be judged on appearance, spirit/enthusiasm, motions/sharpness, voice/projection, jump #1, jump #2, tumbling, and overall impression. A mascot candidate will be judged on a skit to include creativity, originality, music/props, enthusiasm, and a clear understanding of the skit, in addition they will be judged on cheer assistance and an impromptu. E. A report card/progress report showing that each candidate meets U.I.L. eligibility standards will be required at the time of the cheerleader/mascot clinic. F. Candidates must attend all of their classes the day of tryouts. G. If a candidate has ever been a cheerleader/mascot in BISD and elected to quit prior to fulfilling their duties/commitment on their campus, they are ineligible to tryout on their campus. H. If a candidate has ever been a cheerleader/mascot in BISD and has been dismissed from the squad by the administration, they are ineligible to tryout on their campus. I. December graduates are ineligible to tryout for the upcoming varsity squad. (HS) J. If a candidate has ever been assigned to DAEP they are ineligible to tryout. K. If a candidate has been assigned to LTISS during the current school year, they are ineligible to tryout. L. If a candidate has been assigned to ISS during the current school year, they may be ineligible to tryout. M. If a candidate has ever violated the BISD Extra-Curricular Code of Conduct, it may be reviewed. N. Candidates must be enrolled in a Belton public school at the beginning of the spring semester prior to application. Exception: In accordance with the District’s partnership with the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) students of active military parents who have been assigned new orders to Fort Hood for the upcoming school year and who can attend tryouts and all associated activities will be eligible to apply. O. Per TEA & UIL guidelines, candidates cannot be enrolled in two athletic periods during the school day. Therefore, participation in a sport other than cheerleading will not be permitted during the school day

REQUIREMENTS

A. Each cheerleader/mascot must meet U.I.L. eligibility guidelines for grades. B. Each cheerleader/mascot must pass a doctor's physical examination. C. Each cheerleader/mascot must carry school insurance or sign a waiver form. D. Each cheerleader/mascot must attend a summer camp and mandatory week of practice prior to the start of the school year, which will be selected by the cheerleader coaches and principal. E. If a cheerleader/mascot is absent from school the day of an activity, he/she may not be allowed to participate. MEMBERSHIP

A. In the spring, a Varsity squad of l5 will be selected from the existing sophomore and junior classes. Candidates must earn a total minimum score from the three judges of 210 to be considered for membership. From the candidates earning the minimum 210 points, the top 15 members will be selected. Judges scores are final. B. Tigo (mascot) will be selected from the existing sophomore and junior classes. (HS) C. In the spring, a Junior Varsity squad of 15 will be selected from the existing freshman and eighth-grade classes. Candidates must earn a total minimum score from the three judges of 210 to be considered for membership. From the candidates earning the minimum 210 points, the top 15 members will be selected. Judges scores are final. (HS) D. In the spring, 7th and 8th grade squads of up to 10 members each will be selected from the current 6th and 7th grade classes. (MS) E. For safety purposes, candidates’ scores must fall within a similar range for that squad; any scores significantly lower will not be considered. It is not mandatory to fill all available positions on any squad. (MS) F. Call backs may occur at the discretion of the judges and the administration. Should a call back situation occur, the judges will determine what portion of the tryout process will be repeated. G. Any male yell leader candidate selected would be an additional position on the squad. Yell leaders will obtain a minimum score to be determined by the judges. H. In the event that anyone elected cannot fulfill the duties of a cheerleader, the position will remain open (there will not be an alternate). I. Judge’s score sheets may be reviewed in an administrator’s office by appointment only, for those that did not achieve the minimum score. Viewing the scores should take place within ten school days following tryouts. J. K. The tryout process is videotaped for the judges and administrative use only. (HS)

UNIFORMS

A. Uniforms bought by the school belong to and will be kept by the school. Uniforms bought by cheerleaders belong to and will be kept by cheerleaders.

B. Care of uniforms is to be excellent at all times. A uniform care sheet will be provided to each cheerleader/mascot.

C. Length of skirts will be approved by the cheerleader coach.

D. Uniforms will be selected by the squad and the cheerleader coach. There will be a pre-determined number of uniforms, agreed upon by the coach and squad.

E. Uniforms or any part of a uniform are only to be worn during games unless, permission is granted by the cheerleading coach for other events.

SQUAD DUTIES

A. Varsity cheerleaders/mascot will cheer at all varsity girls and boys athletic events requested by the coach. (HS) B. Junior Varsity cheerleaders will cheer at Junior Varsity/Freshmen home football games and Junior Varsity/Freshmen girls and boys athletic events as requested by the cheerleader coach. (HS) Middle School cheerleaders will cheer at all home football games and other basketball home games as requested by the coach. (MS) C. All cheerleaders/mascot must attend scheduled practices including cheerleading class. If you are not present for the cheer review for an event, you will not be included in the cheer. Consideration will be given for excused medical illnesses. D. All cheerleaders/mascot must sit with the cheerleader coach when they are not cheering for disciplinary reasons. E. All cheerleaders/mascot shall be ready to cheer at all times. F. All cheerleaders/mascot must do their share of the spirit work, such as making signs, hanging signs, etc. G. All cheerleaders/mascot may be required to perform at least 2 hours of approved community service, if requested by the coach. (HS) AWAY GAMES A. Cheerleaders/mascot must travel to and from away games by school transportation. If no transportation is provided, other arrangements will be made by the cheerleader coach and principal, with parental permission slips turned in the day before an away game. (HS)

B. Cheerleaders shall be in full uniform prior to departure unless otherwise specified by the cheerleader coach.(HS)

CONDUCT A. Cheerleader/mascot shall conduct themselves properly at ALL times, during and outside of school. They are official representatives of the school.

B. Insubordination, use of tobacco, non-prescription drugs, alcohol, and fighting, in or out of uniform may result in dismissal; will result in game suspension and probation.

C. Any inappropriate use of electronic media may result in dismissal; will result in game suspension and probation.

D. Cheerleader/mascot will adhere to the BISD Extra-Curricular Code of Conduct.

E. Cheerleader/mascot will not display undesirable emotions, such as anger, loudness, rage, public display of affection while in uniform, etc., at any time.

F. Cheerleader/mascot will display good sportsmanship at all times.

G. Cheerleader/mascot will set the example in the classroom. Their conduct shall be of a caliber that gives a good example to the other stud ents.

H. Cheerleader/mascot will not shout at the game officials at any time, in any manner, nor make derogatory remarks to or about other team players and fans.

I. There will be no gum chewing or jewelry worn while in uniform, or at practice.

J. On the day of the game every cheerleader will wear the complete uniform to a pep rally, unless otherwise specified by the cheerleader coach. Every cheerleader/mascot will wear a specified cheerleading t-shirt/wind suit to school on the day of a game.

K. Cheerleaders are not allowed to break formation to follow the game or cheer beside any other cheerleader. DEMERITS A. Demerits may be given for the following actions, but is not limited to this list: 5 Inappropriate conduct while representing a BISD cheerleader 5 Profanity 5 Not showing up to a cheer leading function (unexcused) 5 Showing disrespect or poor attitude to coach or peers 5 Leaving class or practice without permission 5 Failure to dress out for class 5 Failure to have proper shoes for class 3 Failure to wear all pieces of the correct uniform (top, skirt, socks, shoes, sports bra color, bloomers, & hair accessories) 3 Eating/drinking without permission at a cheerleading function 3 Public display of affection while in uniform 3 Poor conduct on busses 2 Excessive talking during practice or a game 2 Dirty uniform or shoes/Rips or tears in uniform 2 Tardy to practice or an assigned function (1 lap per minute up to 5 minutes; after 5 minutes--2 demerits for every 5 minutes.) 1 Failure to turn in money without just cause (per day) 1 Chewing gum while at practice or in uniform 1 Wearing nail polish while in uniform other than red, white, or clear 1 Wearing lipstick while in uniform other than red or neutral 1 Wearing jewelry while at practice or in uniform 1 Hair not up while at practice or in uniform B. Up to five merits may be earned through community service. One merit is earned for every 2 hours of community service pre-approved by the cheerleader coach. One merit may replace one demerit. C. Demerits will decrease a cheerleaders/mascot grade by two (2) points per demerit. D. An accumulation of 10 demerits will result in a next cheerleader function suspension.

GAME SUSPENSION

A. Suspension is defined as: Cheerleader/mascot is suspended from games, pep rallies, and performances (demerits may also be given); but will participate in practices and fund raisers. The suspension period will be determined by the cheerleader coach and principal. Suspension may occur for the following reasons (but is not limited to):

1. An unexcused or unsatisfactory absence from a cheerleading function.

2. Missing a cheerleader activity without the cheerleading coach's permission.

3. Placed in ISS or LTISS will be a one week suspension.

4. Placed in ISS or LTISS a second time during the school year may result in suspension and/or dismissal for the remainder of the year.

5. Any repetitive undesirable action.

PRE-SUSPENSION

A. A cheerleader/mascot may be placed on a pre-suspension contract for violation of any part of the constitution, demerit system, misconduct, or any repetitive undesirable action.

B. If a cheerleader/mascot does not successfully complete the pre-suspension contract it may result in suspension or possible dismissal.

DISMISSAL

A. Dismissal may occur for the following actions, but is not limited to this list:

1. Placed in DAEP.

2. Misconduct resulting in a second pre-suspension.

3. Excessive unexcused absences from school or cheerleading practices/activities.

4. Refusal to participate in cheerleading activities.

5. Failure to perform duties and evident loss of interest.

6. Fighting at any time

7. Conduct or behavior in violation of school and extracurricular policies.

8. Accumulation of 30 demerits

VETO CLAUSE

A. The cheerleading coach is directly responsible to the principal for the welfare of this organization. This being the case, it is expressly understood that all student's rights herein set forth are delegated by the coach and may be revoked at any time or overridden at any time.

B. This constitution may be amended only with the approval of the cheerleading coach and the principal.

Belton I.S.D. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, or age in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies, contact: Executive Director of Human Resources, (254) 215-2015; or Director of Elementary Curriculum & Instruction, (254) 215-2037, 400 N. Wall St., Belton, Texas 76513.

BELTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISCTRICT CHEERLEADER

Pre-Suspension Contract

______has been placed on probation effective

______for the following violation(s):

The pre-suspension period will continue until:

______Cheerleader Signature

______Parent Signature

______Coach Signature BELTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT CHEERLEADING PERMISSION AND PLEDGE

I, ______, WILL ADHERE TO ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS

SPECIFIED BY THE CHEERLEADING COACH AND THIS CONSTITUTION. I UNDERSTAND THE DEMERIT/MERIT SYSTEM

AND THE CONSEQUENCES. I ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BEING A CHEERLEADER/MASCOT AND REPRESENTING

BELTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.

______STUDENT SIGNATURE DATE

I GRANT PERMISSION FOR MY CHILD TO PARTICIPATE AS A 2012-2013 BELTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

CHEERLEADER/MASCOT. I ACCEPT THE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND UNDERSTAND THE RULES, WHICH GOVERN

MY CHILD.

______PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE DATE

AFTER READING THE ENTIRE CONSTITUTION, PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS PAGE ONLY WITH YOUR APPLICATION.