Fall 2012 George Mason Cheerleading Dear Parents and Students, Your son/daughter has expressed an interest in becoming a member of the George Mason High School cheerleading squad for the fall 2012 season. It is very important that you and your student share the responsibility. Cheerleading is a sport that requires extensive time and dedication and all members are expected to commit fully. If together you feel it is too much to ask, encourage your student not to try out. However, if you feel the commitment can be made, please support and encourage them in every way ☺ If your student is selected for the GMHS cheerleading squad, his/her work schedules, doctor appointments, vacations, etc., MUST be coordinated so that they do NOT interfere with our scheduled events. It is vital that your student attend all practices, camps, games, etc. Cheerleading is a team activity and the absence of a team member does not only affect your student, but the team as a whole. Please consider this before you allow you son/daughter to try out for the team. My goal as a coach is to encourage the following qualities in every cheerleader: good sportsmanship, good manners, mature and responsible behavior, cooperative attitude and an awareness of fulfilling one’s obligations. I hold VERY HIGH EXPECTATIONS of our cheerleaders and expect them to be model students, as they are being chosen to represent George Mason High School. You and the student will need to read through this packet and complete the following for clinics/tryouts: • VHSL Physical • Online Application at www.surveymonkey.com/s/GMCheerFall12 • Tryout Permission Slip • Impact Testing Permission Slip o Due to the summer schedule, all participants will complete the Impact Test the week of clinics/tryouts. Scheduling of each students Impact test will take place at clinics and will carry over to the 12-13 school year. Being a member of the George Mason High School cheer program has many rewards and is a valuable experience that we hope you will remember for a lifetime. Additionally, you will provide school spirit and enthusiastic support to our school, peers, fans, alumni and community through your participation. I am thrilled with your interest and look forward to a successful season. Good luck to everyone trying out! Coach Beth Ann Bird Head Cheerleading Coach George Mason High School GEORGE MASON HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING CLINICS AND TRYOUTS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sideline cheerleading tryout dates are shown below. All participants should arrive early to warm-up and be ready to begin promptly at the start time. All the necessary paperwork is due before clinics begin (online application not due until 7:00 am the day of tryouts). Bring plenty of water with you, wear the appropriate attire and have your hair pulled back. You MUST have a current physical on file to participate in the clinics/ tryouts. NO EXCEPTIONS. A separate exam is required for each school year; dated on or after May 1, 2011. TRYOUT CLINICS Dates: May 15th, 16th and 17th (T – TH) Times: 6:30 – 8:00 pm Location: GM Main Gym Turn-in: Tryout and Impact Testing Permission Slips, VHSL Physical (early turn-in recommended) TRYOUT Date: Monday, May 21st Time: 3:45 pm until completion Location: GM Main Gym Required Dress: Solid black shorts, plain white t-shirt, cheer shoes, no jewelry, hair back Turn-in: Online application due by 7 am that morning (completing earlier recommended), Creative Spirit item by 3:45 pm (NOT allowed to be turned in prior) Tryout Process: Tryout order and groups will be determined at the final clinic. You will be performing all requirements while with your assigned group. Spirit items are due upon your arrival. After your group is done, you may go home. Results: Available for pick up Tuesday, May 22nd at 9:45 am in Coach Bird’s office Acceptance: If you are offered a position on a squad, you will need to accept or decline that offer based on the details included in your packet. This offer and the packet contents are due to Coach Bird no later than Friday, May 25th at 3:15 pm. If this is not received by the deadline, your squad position may be withdrawn or offered to another student. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - WE ARE LOOKING FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE THE ABILITY TO: • Stay out of DRAMA! • Be an outstanding representative of George Mason • Be part of a TEAM and be respectful of ALL who and role model to those around you are a part of that team • Accept constructive criticism • Make cheerleading an extracurricular priority • Constantly strive for self-improvement • Commit to program guidelines and accept • Handle academics and athletics at the same time penalties maturely when they are violated • Follow school rules and maintain good standing GEORGE MASON HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING CLINIC AND TRYOUT PERMISSION SLIP Student Name: _____________________________________________ has permission to participate in the cheer clinics and tryout for the George Mason High School cheerleading squad. I understand that the coach and judges will evaluate me/my student and the coach will use those evaluations to aid in the decision-making process. I understand that if I/my student miss(es) a clinic night for ANY reason, I/he/she is responsible for acquiring and learning the missed material. I understand that score sheets and tryout notes are confidential and will only be viewed by the judges, coaches and GMHS administrative personnel. I agree to abide by and not question the decision of the coach and UNDERSTAND THAT THE DECISION OF THE COACH IS FINAL. I understand that if offered a position on a squad, I/my student will be required to accept or decline the position based on squad and school rules and expectations, financial requirements and commitment to schedule. I understand that if this packet is not received by the deadline of Friday, May 25th at 3:15 pm, the student’s squad position may be withdrawn or offered to another student. PRINTED Name & SIGNATURE of Athlete / Date PRINTED Name & SIGNATURE of Parent (or Guardian) / Date ONLINE TRYOUT APPLICATION Proceed to www.surveymonkey.com/s/GMCheerFall12 to complete the required online application. This MUST be completed by 7:00 am the day of tryouts (Monday, May 21st). If you do not have access to the online application, you may request a hard copy of the application from Coach Bird. I understand that this application is PART OF THE TRYOUT PROCESS and if not completed, I/my child will not be offered a position on any squad. PRINTED Name & SIGNATURE of Athlete / Date PRINTED Name & SIGNATURE of Parent (or Guardian) / Date ASON ATHLETICS MANDATORY CONCUSSION TRAINING for Parents, and Athletes Date Posted: Monday Jul 25, 2011 ALL Parents and ALL Athletes MUST complete a concussion education training session prior to participation in any extracurricular athletic activity! A newly passed Virginia law (Virginia Code 22.1-271.5) mandates concussion education for all parents and student athletes. FCCPS School Board Policy 9.63 was adopted in June 2011 and reads; III. Distribution of Training Materials to Student-Athletes and Parent/Guardian: a. Prior to participating in any extracurricular physical activity, each student-athlete and the student-athlete's parent or guardian shall review concussion training materials developed by the CMT and sign a statement acknowledging receipt of such information. The concussion training materials shall describe the short-and long-term health effects of concussions. b. The signed statements acknowledging the receipt of concussion training materials shall be valid for one calendar year and will satisfy the concussion training requirements for all of a student-athlete’s extracurricular physical activities for a calendar year. Effective immediately, all student athletes and their parents or guardians will be required to view a Concussion in Sports online training video provided free of charge by the National Federation of High Schools. Completion of the course, by both the parent and athlete, is required before a student will be allowed to try out for any sport. You can access the course here: http://nfhslearn.com/index.aspx Upon completing the course, SIGN THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM (next page) and RETURN TO YOUR COACH to keep on file with the GMHS Athletic Dept. This form must be returned prior to any extracurricular athletic participation. We encourage you to print the completion certificate at the end of the course to retain for your records. Acknowledgement of the Health Effects of Concussions Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement I have received, reviewed and understand the concussion information presented in the “Concussion in Sports” course. I promise to seek help from an appropriate licensed healthcare provider if I suspect that my child has sustained a concussion or is showing signs or symptoms of a concussion. ________________________________________________ ______________ Parent/Guardian Signature Date Student-Athlete Acknowledgement I have received, reviewed and understand the concussion information presented in the “Concussion in Sports” course. I promise to seek help from an appropriate licensed healthcare provider if I suspect that I have sustained a concussion or am showing signs or symptoms of a concussion. _______________________________________________ _______________ Student-Athlete Signature Date _______________________________________________ Student-Athlete Name Printed George Mason High School |7124 Leesburg Pike |Falls Church, Virginia 22043 703-248-5598 |www.masonathletics.org |Tom Horn, CAA - Director of Athletics Vicki Galliher, ACSM George Mason High School Office 703-248-5500 x 5583 Sports Medicine Director 7124 Leesburg Pike Fax 703-248-5539 ASON [email protected] Falls Church, Virginia 22043 Cell 571-722-6331 SPORTS MEDICINE OFFICE In our continuing efforts to provide the most comprehensive care and safety for our athletes, George Mason High School is about to begin utilizing an innovative sports medicine program.