John T. Magee Middle School

John T. Magee Middle School Cougar Cheerleading 2015-2016

Informational Packet

Tryout clinics 3:30-6:00pm: Tues, May 26th Weds, May 27th

Tryouts 3:30pm-until finished: Fri, May 29th

***Clinics and tryouts will be held in the JTMMS cafeteria. All students trying out MUST have an up- to-date physical on file in the office and a permission slip turned in!*** Thank you for your interest in cheering for the Cougars! We are always hoping to continue to raise the bar and set high standards as role models and spirit leaders of John T. Magee Middle School.

Cheerleading is more than a uniform and loud voice. There are high expectations of a JTMMS cheerleader. We learn and live the values of leadership, teamwork, acceptance, and of course spirit. We set positive examples for our peers, model respectful, appropriate behavior, and work hard to achieve academic success. While it may seem overwhelming at first to the girls, it easily becomes daily practice!

Cheerleading requires a strong effort and commitment. They will have practices after school and eventually on Saturdays. They are required to attend a professional cheer camp as a team. Cheerleaders are expected to fundraise, walk in the Homecoming parade, cheer for all home basketball games, and at the end of the season participate in local middle school competitions. This is a team sport, therefore the time commitment is crucial to the progress and safety of the entire team. If one person is chronically absent from practices or games it will affect everyone!

Cheerleaders ARE athletes, and have to demonstrate this at all times. Cheerleaders must be physically fit and willing to work on their health and strength. A physical and permission slip MUST be on file in order to try out.

Our ultimate goal as an athletic program is to prepare the girls for the high school Varsity squad by teaching them, at the very least, the basic fundamentals of cheerleading. I am excited to see the relationships and skills built within the new squad. It is a wonderful opportunity for our 6th-8th graders, and I look forward to what promises to be an exciting season!

Please check out our website, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Good luck to all of the girls!

Sincerely,

Felicia Fischer Tryout expectations

During tryouts, the girls will perform a series of skills for a panel of judges, not including myself. All judges have cheerleading expertise and experience. Candidates will demonstrate the following:

o 1 floor cheer

o 1 sideline cheer

o 1 dance

o Jumps -Toe Touch -One jump of their choice

o Spirit/Presentation -Facial expressions, smiles, enthusiasm, strong voices, vocal expression, sharp movements/motions, neatly put together

o Grades, Discipline and Teacher Recommendation -Your teachers will be asked about your grades, overall behavior, and if they feel you would be able to uphold the expectations of a Cougar cheerleader Clinic and Tryout Requirements

o Hair should be tied back in a ponytail with bangs out of the face. o For tryouts, candidates should wear shorts and a PLAIN, solid color t-shirt (no print of any kind on the shirt). No tank tops, pants of any kind, or shirts which are too baggy! Any type of t-shirt and shorts are ok for clinics.

o Candidates shall wear cheerleading or gym shoes at all times. Remember to wear socks!

o There is to be no gum at any time!

o Absolutely NO jewelry or glitter.

o Cell phones must be turned off or on silent and left in school bags until clinics/tryouts are over.

o Staying hydrated is imperative. Bring a water bottle each day!

o HAVE FUN! Frequently asked questions

Do you stunt? Yes! Cheerleaders are properly trained during practices and also by a professional instructor when we attend cheer camp. Stunts do not exceed their physical capabilities!

Is it possible for my student to cheer for both JTMMS and a rec league team? Yes it is, and it has been done! JTMMS cheer and the Spartans have worked together the last few years to ensure that cheerleaders don’t miss out on opportunities for both teams. In addition, there have been girls in the past who have played softball and soccer while cheerleading. We work this out as well.

Who cheers for basketball games? IESA only allows 12 girls on the sideline at a time. If there are no discipline, injury, or eligibility issues, girls will rotate in and out each game, but all eligible cheerleaders will perform for halftime and in between quarters.

When do Saturday practices begin? Saturday practices are only for competition. They begin the first weekend of November and carry on each weekend until our final competition. Attendance is required.

How often does the team practice? Before basketball season starts we practice once a week during school. Once the season begins, we are cheering 5 days a week, either in practice or at games, until Saturday practices begin. This is subject to change, but rarely does.

How can I stay on top of the schedule of practices and events for the team, or any important information? Letters are always sent home, but sometimes they “forget” or lose them. There will also be a calendar sent home in the beginning of the season and on my website.

What can cause a cheerleader to be dismissed from the team? Here are the 3 biggies: JTMMS has strict eligibility rules in order to maintain academics. If a cheerleader is regularly ineligible, or has been ineligible too many times, they can be dismissed. In addition, we have a detailed constitution with expected behaviors. If a cheerleader cannot live up to the behavioral expectations they can be dismissed. The constitution outlines all of the grounds for dismissal, and is given to those who make the team at the first meeting. Excessive absences will also result in dismissal. Physical

***PLEASE BRING THIS WITH YOU ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLINICS! YOU CANNOT PARTICIPATE WITHOUT IT! Sports physicals can be obtained at Walgreens or Walmart.***

Have your school’s Health Assistant (school nurse) fill this out for you.

Student’s name ______

Grade ______School ______

Date of physical ______

I can confirm that the student named above has a current physical on file at our school.

______Health Assistant’s signature Date Permission Slip for Cheerleading Tryouts

I give my daughter, ______, permission to participate in the JTMMS cheerleading clinics and tryouts. I have read all of the included information and fully understand all of the activities in which my daughter will be participating.

I am also aware that if there are any issues, such as injury, physical/vocal disruption, or lack of following the expectations provided in this packet, my daughter can be excused from the remainder of the clinic by the coach and will need to be picked up immediately (upon receipt of a phone call). This can also result in refusal to participate in future clinics at JTMMS, which is the coach’s discretion.

______(Parent Signature) (Date)

______(Student Signature) (Date)

CONTACT INFORMATION

Student Name ______Grade ______

School ______Parent/Guardian name ______

Phone number (hm or cell) ______

Email ______

Does the student have any allergies? If yes, please list them ______

______

Does the student have any medical conditions? If yes, please list them ______Tryout checklist To help you keep track of your preparation for tryouts, check off the following as you complete them.

____ Have the Health Assistant fill out physical form

____ Fill out the permission slip

____ Check to make sure you have all of the appropriate clothing for clinics and tryouts.

____ Attend clinics on Tues. May 26th and Weds. May 27th 3:30-6pm

____Bring both the permission slip and physical form to clinics on Tuesday Good luck! ***The team will be posted the day after tryouts, after school. You will find the list outside the office at your school, and it will only show the tryout numbers. There will be a brief meeting after school for the new team shortly after tryouts! Girls make sure you listen carefully to announcements for that day and time, or check the website!