Villa Joseph Marie Cheerleading Constitution 2013-2014

Villa Joseph Marie Cheerleading Constitution 2013-2014 I. Purpose of Cheerleading Squad a. Develop responsibility, respect, honest effort, dedication & character. b. Promote interest in school activities, team bonding and fund-raising. c. Perform at games and competitions. c. Teach teamwork and pride in a quality performance, while maintaining high standards and following the AACCA & NFHS standard high school cheerleading rules. d. Respect the opinions of coaches, captains, team members and all those affiliated with the team and school. Please understand that all decisions will be made in the best interest of the team.

II. Eligibility a. Each cheerleader must maintain the required grades. I. Students who fail to keep their grades above a 70 may be put on probation. b. Each member must submit the required forms. I. Each member must have a complete physical exam before August 12, 2013. ii. The 2013 PIAA Physical, $200 Sports fee, parental and participant commitment forms, and concussion testing must be turned into Mr. Joe Levins the Athletic Director by August 12, 2013. The forms can be found at vjmhs.org under athletics tab. Information about Fall athlete meeting and requirements will be mailed home and are required for all cheerleaders. c. Each member is required to participate in ALL fund-raising, camps, competitions, practices, games, and any other school/cheerleading event.

III. Uniforms & Financial Obligations a. See Financial Obligations for items to be purchased and financial commitments for the season. I. Additional Fund-raising can be done to reduce the burden of financial obligations with parent involvement and support! b. Members will be expected to keep all gear & uniforms for entire season. All items should be kept in good condition and clean, INLCUDING BOWS, BLOOMERS & CAMP GEAR! c. Practice attire includes shorts, t-shirts, socks, bloomers, and cheer sneakers. d. No JEWELERY AND GUM! e. Competition and game attire includes Top, skirt, bows, practice uniform, sports bra, warm-up, bloomers, cheer sneaker & poms.

IV. Captains a. Captain selections are determined by coaches. b. Selection will be based on honor, dependability, leadership and showmanship. c. Captain is a privilege and should not be taken for granted. e. Interviews and applications will be provided and used during the captain selection process. f. Responsibilities will be outlined in captain application form. g. If at any time a captain is not acting in appropriate manner or putting forth the teams need they may be demoted.

V. Commitment a. This is considered a fall & winter sport: August-March. I. Monthly calendars will be provided on cheer website. All information and updates will be posted to cheer website. It is cheerleaders’ responsibility to be aware of schedule, updates, changes and all information! ii. Text messages, emails and in-school announcements will be given for immediate updates and/or cancellations. b. If a cheerleader misses practice she must inform a coach prior. Given advance notice is common courtesy to your coaches and teammates. It is expected and required. I. If absences do occur it is also at the coaches discretion to deem the absences excused. Excused absences may be illness, injury, doctors note provided. Non-excused absences can result in suspension from the squad or possible dismal. iv. Various additional practices can be scheduled. It is at the coaches’ discretion to add practices especially during the competition season Dec-March. Missing practices during this time of the season can result in suspension, removal from “mat” or dismal. c. Illness & Injury I. If a cheerleader is ill and/ or injured and misses any activity (practice, games, competitions, fund-raising) she must be at home or seeking medical attention. ii. Cheerleaders who are injured and/or ill are still required to attend practices unless otherwise noted by a medical profession. iii. If a cheerleader does not attend school due to an illness and/or injury she will not be allowed to attend any practices, games or competitions. This includes weekend activities. iii. All appointments and commitments should be scheduled, so that they do not interfere with practices, games, or competitions.

VI. Character a. Team members should be leaders and role models within the school. b. Members are prohibited from smoking, drinking, drug use or illegal activities. c. Must abide by all standards set by the coaches and the VJM Handbook. d. Negativity and attitudes will not be tolerated. I. Negative attitudes to a coach, captain or team member can lead to a member sent home, in addition to receiving dermit(s), and/or suspension, dismal from team. f. Each cheerleader ensures a full attention to detail throughout the entire season. Any personal problems should be discussed directly with a coach. Cell phone use will be prohibited during games, performances, stunting & tumbling.

Dermit Policy: If a cheerleader receives more than 10 dermits they will be removed from the squad. Cheerleaders will be notified when a dermit is given. Some Reasons for Receiving a Dermit:  Missing a practice  Arriving Late or leaving early  Attitude & Tone, Unwilling or not participating  Not wearing appropriate uniform or practice attire  Coming unprepared to a practice, event, game or competition  Using cell phone--especially during tumbling or stunting  Not informing a coach of an absence or late arrival  Not informing coach of transportation changes-- If a cheerleader is riding home with a parent, friend or other teammate, after riding the bus, they must notify a coach prior.  Not fulfilling any of the above mentioned expectations and/or obligations ------Please sign and return the following page------Signed Constitution Form

______Elects to take part in the Villa Joseph Marie High School Cheerleading Program.

We acknowledge that this is an extracurricular activity in which our child is participating in voluntarily and understand that there may be some risks involved in connection with the activity itself and transportation to and from the activity. In consideration of our child being permitted to participate in the activity, we hereby assume all of these risks and waive any possible claim that we might have against Villa Joseph Marie High School, the coaching staff, employees, agents, or students in conjunction with our participation in this activity.

Name of Cheerleader ______Grade ______

Parents Names ______

______(Cheerleader Signature) and ______(Parent/Guardian Signature) have read the Villa Joseph Marie Cheerleading Constitution and agree to the following. ______(Date of Signature)

Dermit Policy:

Number of Dermits Date Distributed Reason for Dermit