Hershey High School Cheerleading Constitution

Hershey High School Cheerleading Constitution 2012-2013

I. Organization A. This Constitution has been written and adopted for the Hershey High School Cheerleaders. B. The purpose of the Hershey High School Cheerleaders is to 1. Create school spirit, pride, and loyalty. 2. Promote interest in school activities and perform at school games. 3. Develop responsibility, teach self-respect, encourage honest effort, strive for perfection and develop character. 4. Teach teamwork and pride in a quality performance through maintaining high standards. 5. Enjoy cheering!!! C. The cheer season will consist of Fall and/or Winter season. Each cheerleader will be expected to cheer the Fall season and will be asked to make a commitment at tryouts about cheering the Winter season. If a cheerleader does not fulfill this obligation, the individual will forfeit any letters, gifts, or awards for the year. II. Eligibility A. Each member must maintain passing 4.5 credits per week. If the student fails to do so, the student is ineligible the following Sunday-Saturday. B. Each member must submit a completed Application Form, Parental Consent/Medical Release form and this Constitution before the annual tryouts take place. 1. The form must be signed by the student. 2. The form must be signed by the parent/guardian. C. Previous membership on any squad does not guarantee membership the following year. III. Attendance A. All students who participate in school activities/practice must be in regular full- day attendance (as defined by the school) the day the activity is scheduled. Participation will not be allowed if: 1. Illegally absent from school. 2. Tardy with arrival after 10 a.m. 3. Leaves school due to illness. 4. Suspension from class or school. B. If a member is ill and misses ANY activity, he/she must be at HOME or seeking medical attention. The member must text or call the coach immediately if he/she did not attend school or left school early because of sickness. C. Attendance at practices/activities is mandatory unless the student receives prior permission from the Head Coach to be late or absent. a. This includes any after school activities such as drivers ed, making up tests, appts...etc. Please make arrangements to do this at another time. It will be an unexcused absence. D. If a member misses an activity, the following must be followed: (Absences can be the downfall of a great cheerleading squad.) 2

1. Communication to the Head Coach before the missed activity. 2. A written note from the member’s parent/guardian detailing the missed activity. 3. It is up to the Coach’s discretion to accept the absence as an excused or an unexcused miss. An unexcused miss will result in 1 demerit. 4. Work is not considered an excuse for missing any activity. E. In order to attend camp, payment must be made in full 1 month prior to camp. F. In the event of an absence, the cheerleader is responsible to learn the material that was taught before the next event and or pursue any handout or announcement that may have been missed. If the cheerleader is not prepared for the event, he/she will be asked to sit. G. Games/Events-Cheerleaders are required to ride the bus to and from all cheer activities. If a special occasion occurs, you may with prior approval (at least 24 hrs prior) ride with a parent. It will never be allowed to ride with a friend or boyfriend, even with parental permission. IV. Uniform A. Each member will be purchasing practice uniforms which must be worn during scheduled practices. 1. A schedule of attire will be sent home prior to mandatory practices. 2. Any financial issues should be discussed with the Coach and will be kept private. We do not want financial hurdles to hinder a student from the ability of following the constitution with respect to attire. B. Uniforms will be provided through the team and will be the property of the Hershey High School Cheerleading Squad. 1. Each member will be required to maintain good condition and cleanliness of his/her uniform on a regular basis. 2. If repairs or alterations are needed, the cheerleader should immediately bring the uniform to the coach for professional alteration. 3. At the end of the season when the cheer uniform is turned in, if it is not in the same condition as when it was issued, the cheerleader will pay full price to replace the uniform. 4. Newest cheer shoes should be reserved and worn at each game. This is a non-negotiable. Cheer shoes should be worn at all practices. An old pair of cheer shoes from a previous cheer season is automatically approved for practices only. All other cheer shoes must be approved by the coach. 5. Hair is to be worn in one high ponytail with no bangs. Bangs shorter than eyebrow level are permissible, however, bangs longer than eyebrow level must be pinned straight back. They may not be left hanging down, pushed behind ears, twisted or braided. 6. NO JEWELRY OF ANY KIND. 7. No piercing zone-as of June 1st for the upcoming season. No new piercings will be allowed to stay in during practice. This is a non- negotiable. 8. Fingernails will be worn short, only clear polish permitted. Acrylic nails are prohibited. This will be enforced for all games and public appearances. 9. White low no show socks to be worn with uniform. 10. No temporary tattoos or real tattoos can show while in uniform. 11. No paint, tie-dye, marker or any similar material type stains/graffiti allowed on exposed skin while in uniform. 3

C. Only Hershey Cheerleading apparel will be worn to and from a Cheerleading activity. Do not wear any other apparel. Winter coat is an exception. V. Drugs and Alcohol A. Drugs and Alcohol will not be tolerated. The school district’s drug and alcohol policy will be enforced. The use, possession, and/or distribution of tobacco, drugs, alcohol and/or related paraphernalia is forbidden anytime, any place, during the season of the activity. You are representing the cheerleading squad on and off the field/court or practice area. VI. Medical A. Each member must have a complete physical exam by the date given by the Head Coach. If the physical form is not turned in by the due date, the individual may not participate until the form has been turned in and approved by the trainer. The cheerleader may/may not be included in the choreography being worked on at that time. This will be up to the discretion of the head coach. The cheerleader will receive one warning and then demerits will be issued for each practice missed due to not having a completed physical. B. Each member must also have a completed medical emergency form on file with the Head Coach at all times. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the Head Coach of any changes. This Emergency Medical Card must be current at all times. 1. The Head Coach or Assistant Coach will have these forms in her possession at all times. 2. If a cheerleader is uncertain whether or not they have an injury, the cheerleader should seek medical attention from the athletic trainer before proceeding in practice or a game. 3. If a cheerleader is injured, he/she is still required to attend practices and games as an observer and must remain attentive to learn choreography.

VII. Character/Behavior A. Team members should be leaders within the school and set a good example at all times. B. Team members should maintain good personal appearance and habits. 1. Smoking, drinking and/or drug use are grounds for suspension or dismissal. 2. No profanity. C. Each member must be courteous to all other team members as well as the student body. D. Each member must be courteous to other teams and visitors. E. Each member must respect the Head Coach and Assistant Coach at all times. F. Cheerleaders may not wander around any building before or after practice. They should come directly to the practice area. Cheerleaders should be dressed and ready to begin at the scheduled time. G. Cheerleaders may not leave any game or practice area until it is clean and all equipment has been put where it belongs. H. Team members must always represent Hershey Cheerleading in a positive way while engaged in or away from a cheerleading activity. I. During games-Cheerleaders may only talk to others who are not on the cheerleading squad during half-time. J. Cheerleaders may not talk to each other during the game. K. If you miss a cheerleading event and are present at another school activity, unless prior authorization was granted, you will be dismissed from the squad. 4

VIII. Communication to Coach A. Communication method 1. If a concern arises, first method of communication is to call the Head coach and set up a time to discuss the matter at hand. A parent will not be allowed to show up to a practice or game and discuss a situation without a prior appointment set. This is not fair to the cheerleaders to interrupt the practice/game or to the coach to have to stay after practice/game if it was not previously scheduled. 2. Email communication/text will not be recognized when it regards a problem or concern about cheerleading. It is too easy to express things that are not truly intended through email. You must use live communication and call the Head Coach directly. 3. If the Coach and the parent can not agree on a resolution, then the Coach will contact the Athletic Director for a meeting between the three parties. A parent should never contact the Athletic Director first. 4. The constitution is black and white. If you have signed this constitution, then you may not argue with a rule specifically listed. 5. Communication boundaries will be set for all cheerleaders.

Demerits There will be a demerit system for all violations, which is outlined for you. The demerit list is NOT LIMITED TO demerits that are listed, and they may be given out for special incidents that arise. 1/2 demerit=Warning 1 demerits=Benched 1/2 game 2 demerits=Benched 1 game 3 demerits=Suspension from the squad for 1 week and parental contact. 4 demerits=Removal from Squad Infraction Number of Demerits Late for Practice or Game (unexcused) 0-5 minutes –*2 warnings, then offenses ½ demerit issued 5 or more minutes-1 demerit (1 warning then demerit will be issued) Leaving early 5 or more minutes-1/2 demerit. (Exceptions can occur with authorization of head coach.) Missing a Piece of Mandatory Uniform= 1 demerit For uniform, this includes shell, bodyliner, skirt, briefs, no show white socks, bow, and pom poms or any other item specifically requested to be worn. Profanity= 1 demerit Not in correct practice attire= *2 warnings issued before demerits are initiated, then ½ demerit issued. Attitude-disrespect= 1 demerit Public Displays of Affection=1 demerit Unexcused absence from practice=1 demerit Unexcused absence from game=2 demerit Failure to follow school rules=1 demerit Not representing the cheer squad properly-at coach discretion-1 demerit Detention or School Suspension-2 demerits Not participating in mandatory fundraiser-1 demerit Drinking alcoholic beverages or use of tobacco while in uniform or illegal drug use while in uniform will result in immediate dismissal from the squad. At any time, at the coach’s discretion, the cheerleader may be removed from the squad before he/she has reached the 4 demerits. Student: I______have read and acknowledge the 2012-2013 Hershey High School Cheer Constitution (5 pages). 5

If selected to be a member of the Hershey High School JV or Varsity Cheer Squad, I ______hereby agree to adhere to all the above rules and regulations of the Hershey High School Cheerleading Constitution. I realize that all above details may be changed or altered by the Coaching Staff of the Hershey High School Cheer program in order to better the program as a whole. Student Signature for all of the above statements

X______Date______

Parent/Guardian: I, ______, parent/guardian of ______have reviewed this Constitution with my child and acknowledge all of the above rules and regulations. I understand that if my child becomes a member of the Hershey High School Cheer squad, all of these rules and regulations need to be followed by my child. By signing, I allow my child to make this commitment under this Constitution for the entire Cheer Season.

X______Date______