Scott Community High School
Cheerleading Constitution
The purpose of SCHS cheerleading is to promote and
uphold school spirit, to develop good sportsmanship
among the students, to support athletic programs and
to promote SCHS in a positive manner to our
community and to the communities of our opponents.
Duty of Squads:
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The cheerleaders shall promote and uphold school spirit and serve as leaders
of the student body.
They shall be loyal to their school and team regardless of the outcome of the
game.
Members of the Cheer Squad shall set an example of good behavior and
sportsmanship at all time (whether in uniform or not)
Members of the Cheer Squad will promote friendship with each other and
with school with whom we compete, perform and go to camp.
Cheerleaders will follow the rules and regulations set up for athletes
pertaining to attendance on the day of an event.
Each cheerleader should be present a minimum of 30 minutes before an event
begins, and be ready to cheer two minutes before the team is on the field or
court. Unless time has been changed by the coach.
Be active in and promote community service.
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Communications:
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Practices/Games will be posted on usd466.com and a schedule given to each
Cheerleader at the beginning of each season.
If a Cheerleader is to be absent or tardy to a Practice/Game the coach must be
notified in advanced.
If possible, Cheerleaders will be notified at least 24 hours in advance of any
practice or special event.
Any practices held on school property must have a coach present.
There will be no stunting by the squad unless a coach is present and supervising.
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Transportation:
1. Cheerleaders will ride in school transportations both to and from the athletic
events, unless the member has parent’s written consent to ride home with the
parents. Specific forms are available.
2. On an overnight stay – squad members will stay with the squad.
3. At the discretion of the coach, squad members may be able to ride to the game
with their parent.
4. Squad members are never permitted to drive to the game independently or with
friends or non-parental adults.
Requirements to be on the Squad:
1. Membership is open to eight graders through juniors the year tryouts are held.
2. The Cheerleading seasons will be broken down to consist of the fall season
(football) and winter season (basketball & Wrestling).
3. 8 Cheerleaders will be selected for the Fall season. 8 Basketball & 4 Wrestling
Cheerleaders will be selected for the Winter season.
4. Individuals chosen to be on the cheer squad must attend summer camp with the
rest of the squad.
5. Squad Members are also expected to attend summer weights and conditioning as
per the specific Cheer schedule. We will also have practices leading up to and
following camp to make us better prepared for the 09/10 cheer seasons.
6. Must have a physical examination on file in the office. Must be physically able to
participate in all areas of cheerleading (cheers, jumps, stunting, dancing).
7. Must maintain eligibility as set up by the Kansas State High School Activities
Association and the USD 466 Board of Education.
Absences from Cheerleading:
Cheerleaders make a commitment to be in attendance to support their school and
they are expected to honor that commitments. For this reason cheerleaders should
be well aware when they are committed to cheer and then possible personal
conflicts can be worked out in advanced.
Excused Absences:
1. Illness
2. Death in the family
3. Serious illness in the family
4. Injury(sprained ankle, pulled muscle, broken bones)
5. Family emergency
6. Extenuating circumstances
If a cheerleader is absent from school on a games day they will not be allowed to
cheer that night. (Doctor and Dental appointments, etc. are exceptions but you must
notify the coach in advance) you must be at school all day to participate that night.
If a cheerleader attended school and then becomes too ill to attend or cheer at a ball
games or match, the parent or student must notify the coach.
The following are examples of unexcused absences:
Work, jobs, baby-sitting, dates, birthday parties, plans with friends, hair appt. etc.
Are Not Excused.
Lettering:
1. Cheer at 100% of varsity events as assigned by the advisor and/or principal
unless excused by the advisor and/or principal
2. Cheerleaders will follow all rules and regulations that any SCHS athlete must
follow (including training rules) and KSHSAA rules.
3. Cheerleaders who have been disciplined for bullying, harassment or
intimidation, tobacco use or use of alcohol, or other forms of inappropriate conduct
will not letter and will be dismissed from the squad.
4. Cheerleaders who have more than one unexcused absence from a practice,
activity, or games will not letter.
Conduct and Responsibility:
1. A cheerleader will cooperate with the captain/co captain
(if applicable), the advisor, coaches, AD Director, and the game officials.
2. During a game, a cheerleader should be peppy, well groomed, and in
command of situations.
3. A cheerleader shall not sit in the stands or leave the squad until the end of the
game. Restroom breaks can be taken at halftime.
4. Cheerleaders are responsible for helping control the attitudes of the crowd as
much as possible.
5. The advisor shall have the power to suspend, bench or drop any cheerleader
for the following:
a)Undesirable behavior
b) Sloppy appearance or habits
c) Undesirable language or gestures
d) Failure to perform duties as outlined in the constitution
e)Violation of the rules and regulations
f) Any act that harms the reputation of the school
g)Failure to learn cheers or work for the squad
6. A cheerleader shall be on time for all practices and events
7. A cheerleader shall attend all designated events unless excused by the
advisor. Excused absences include illness and family emergencies.
8. A cheerleader must make every attempt to understand the sport – and to pay
attention to the event so that they are always aware of the appropriate cheer.
Regulations and Standards:
1. First Offense cheerleader will be given a
verbal/written
warning.
2. Second offence cheerleader will be benched from game.
3. Third offense cheerleader will be dismissed from squad
for violating the following regulations and standards.
Uniforms or team-designated outfit must be worn to school on game days.
Skirts and warm-up pants are never to be worn together.
When traveling to events, all squad members must be dressed alike - typically in
cheer warm-ups. .
Hair will be pulled back and off the shoulders at all times. Long hair must be up for
safe stunting. Bangs must not cover the eyes.
No glitter on face, clothes or hair.
No jewelry or pins. They are dangerous when cheering and can not be worn.
Skirt length shall be worn as specified by the advisor. You will not cut off any skirt
length. Member must wear designated uniform when called for.
Must have sufficient knowledge of the chants, cheers, & band songs. You may
NOT cheer at games until the coach determines you are able to perform the cheers,
chants, & band songs sufficiently.
Yell for the team, not against the other team. Never loose your cool during a
game.
Yells with suggestive words or motions should never be used. Will be benches from
game
No talking or yelling during foul shots or clapping when opponents miss foul shots.
Do not leave the game early without permission from the advisor.
Members may leave the group only at half time and between games.
Squad members must be on the field/court with 2 minutes on the clock prior to the
2nd half of the competition.
Members are to actively participate in all spirit-raising events.
Members are expected to follow the rules set by the coaches on any bus to an event.
If injured, squad members are still expected to be part of the squad and attend
practices and games. You are also expected to be dressed as part of the squad.
Consequences:
1.
Unexcused tardies to games/departures for game 1st violation - sit out for a quarter or part of the game based on the discretion
of the coach.
2nd violation - benched from game.
3rd violation - dismissal from squad.
2.
Unexcused tardies and absences to practices 1st violation- sit out for a quarter or part of the game based on the discretion
of the coach.
2nd violation-benched from game.
3rd violation- dismissal from squad.
3.
Unexcused absence from game –
1st violation- benched from game.
2nd violation - dismissal from the squad.
4.
Wrong/incomplete uniform at the game (includes not having poms)–
1st violation - sit out for a quarter or part of the game based on the discretion
of the coach.
2nd violation - benched from game.
3rd violation -dismissal from squad.
5.
Cell phone use at practice or games –
1st violation - sit out for a quarter or part of the game based on the discretion
of the coach.
2nd violation - benched from game
3rd violation- dismissal from squad.
6.
Extra Conditioning may also be required for violations.
7.
Other issues may arise that the coach will use their discretion for
consequences.
8.
During a season things may happen that are not listed in these rules.
Generally the coach will tell squad members to change a particular behavior.
That will be considered the warning. If the request from the coach is not
followed, the squad member will be benched from game for not following a
direct request from the coach. .
9.
Violations of extra curricular guidelines (ie drinking, tobacco use, discredit to
the team) 10.
Consequences as per guidelines
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AND
12.
1st offense benched from 2 games
2nd offense - dismissed from squad
Jewelry at practice or game –
1st violation - sit out for a quarter or part of the game based on the discretion of the
coach.
2nd violation – benched from game.
3rd violation - dismissal from squad.
Bullying - Harassment – Intimidation:
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Bullying, Harassment and or intimidation are unacceptable behaviors for
members of the SCHS Cheer Squad.
The SCHS Cheer Squad will follow the USD 466 policy in regards to these
types of behaviors.
If an individual on the squad feels they are being targeted in any way, they
are to report the behavior to the coaching staff as soon as possible. If you are
uncomfortable speaking to us, you may use email to make the contact.
Any individual who has been a witness to a student or squad member being
bullied must also report the incident. Failure to do so is also subject to
disciplinary action.
Once the coaching staff receives the complaint or email they will discuss
the issue with the target as well as report the incident to the Administration.
Following that discussion, the coaching staff will meet with individuals
who are exhibiting the bullying or intimidating behavior to allow that person
to understand how their behavior has been perceived and that the behavior
must stop. The parents of all students involved will be contacted by the
coaching staff and or administration.
Benched from one game for 1st offense, 2nd violation dismissal from squad.
If the behavior continues, the target must inform the coaching staff.
At this point, the administration will be notified and the individual who has
been exhibiting the bullying behavior will be removed from the squad.
Tryouts:
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•The squads will be selected in the spring for the following year.
•Tryouts will be held and will be closed to spectators.
•All candidates must attend 2/3 of the pre-tryout training sessions.
•All candidates must return a signed Parental Permission form, Sign Up
form and Teacher Evaluation before day of try-outs.
•Each candidate will compete in the mandatory cheer, chant, dance, jump, &
be physically able to participate in stunting.
• Judges will be selected to come to score the tryouts. These
judges will be from a high school or college that is not associated
with SCHS in order to have a fair and unbiased selection.
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8.
•The judges will have a rubric by which to select the cheerleaders.
•Teacher Evaluations, Grades, and Attendance records will all be part of the
tryout as well. The judge’s scores will be half of the tryout with the
evaluations, and grades/attendance/and teacher evaluations making up the
other half.
Financial Responsibilities:
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•Uniforms are required for participation on the spirit squad.
•Uniforms are to be kept in good condition and clean at all times. Any repairs
or alterations are the responsibility of the individual. If there are problems
with the uniform, not due to regular wear and tear, individuals must contact
the coach to see if there is any recourse with the supplier.
•Camp attendance is mandatory in order to participate on the Cheer Squad.
Camp fees are the responsibility of the cheer squad member.
•Deposits made for cheer clothes, shoes, and/or camps are non-refundable.
•Additional expenses such as hair ties, camp clothes, and team warm-ups are
the responsibility of the squad and team member.
•Fundraising opportunities are available; however, it is the individual’s
responsibility to pay all expenses.
•All Cheer expenses must be paid prior to the beginning of the school year. If
the commitments are not taken care of, the member will sit out until all
expenses are paid.
•If a member of the squad chooses to quit or is dismissed, they are still
responsible for these fees. Grades and transcripts will be held until they are
paid.