clairemont 2010 2011 cheer dues

CLAIREMONT HIGH SCHOOL 2010-2011 Cheer Contract

Being a cheerleader is an honor and privilege that comes with many responsibilities. It is a

YEARLONG commitment and extremely important that you and your parents understand what will be expected of you should you be selected to be a part of the squad. Cheerleaders are highly visible in all aspects of school life. They are leaders and role models both inside and outside of the classroom. People look to you to create spirit and harmony at CHS. You will have a lot of fun being involved in campus and community activities, but you will also be heavily scrutinized. Therefore, be very cognizant of what you wear, how you act, and what comes out of your mouth.

As with any contract, it is very important that you and your parent/guardian carefully read every section of this document. Many sections of the contract have changed since last year. Those who are selected to become a member of the Clairemont Cheerleading Squad will immediately be subject to the policies and procedures outlined below.

TRYOUT ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible to tryout on Thursday, April 8, you must:

Be enrolled or have a sibling enrolled at Marston Middle School or Clairemont High School, currently

go to one of the qualifying Charter schools (see Ms. Shin) and live in the community. “Choice” students are eligible to tryout only if they are currently enrolled and going to Clairemont High

or Marston during the time of tryouts. For a “choice” student to remain a cheerleader on the squad, they must continue to be enrolled at CHS for the duration of being a cheerleader.

Tryout on Thursday, April 8. Have earned at least an UNWEIGHTED 2.0 average in academics and citizenship on your last

progress report or report card. Have cleared your school debt and Saturday Schools. Turn in a completed CHS Cheerleading Application form on the Tuesday, April 6. have the following to me by 3:45 on Thursday, April 8 – NO EXCEPTIONS:

(1) the last pages (2 total) of the “Cheer Contract” and “Summer Contract” form signed by you and a parent/guardian;

(2) the “Teacher Evaluation” form signed by all of your current teachers; (3) the back-to-back Participation Consent and Transportation form signed by a

parent/guardian; (4) the “Payment Schedule” form signed by a parent/ guardian and; (5) a copy of your last PROGRESS NOTICE or REPORT CARD (no pink slips).

JUDGING:

The panel of judges will consist of Ms. Shin (advisor), Nicole Goodrich (coach), and two or three other experienced coaches and/or leaders. The cheer candidates will be judged based on the mastery of skills that are demonstrated during the official tryouts on Thursday, April 8. ATTENDANCE AND BEHAVIORAL RECORDS WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AS WELL. The names will be posted in the front office window on Saturday morning at 8:00 am. SCORING:

You will be scored on the following during the official tryouts:

Entrance: o Presence/Poise/Spirit/Enthusiasm (5) o Tumbling (10)

Jumps: o Motion Technique (5) o Actual Jumps (10)


Cheer: o Voice Projection/Memory/Showmanship (5) o Motion Technique/Sharpness (10)

Dance: o Rhythm & Timing/Memory/Showmanship (5) o Motion Technique/Sharpness (10)

CHEER COUNCIL:

The cheerleaders shall nominate individuals for the cheer council, but the decision will ultimately fall on Coach Nicole and Ms. Shin. The cheer council consists of a Varsity Captain and Assistant Captain (determined in July) and a JV Captain and Assistant Captain (determined before camp). The Varsity Captain and Assistant Captain have been in good standing on the CHS Varsity squad last year. The Junior Varsity Captain and Assistant Captain can be a sophomore or junior and have been in good standing on the CHS Junior Varsity squad last year. ADVISOR:

It is the advisor’s first and foremost priority to maintain the integrity of the cheer program. She is ultimately responsible for upholding the policies set forth by the school and this contract. If need be, she will enforce them with consequences that she alone will determine is fit and fair. She will exercise HER best judgment in matters involving the program and will address each issue individually with the careful consideration and concern that is unique and necessary to each situation that arises.

The advisor’s other job is to manage the CHS cheer squad at all Spirit Cheer events. Some of these duties include: promoting and organizing Spirit Cheer events, supervising the cheer squad at all JV and Varsity Football and Basketball games, planning and organizing Spirit Cheer fundraisers, planning camp dates, ordering uniforms and camp clothes, collecting Spirit Cheer money and keeping a financial record of every cheerleader, having emergency contact information on hand at all Spirit Cheer activities, checking and enforcing rules concerning GPA’s, sending home Spirit Cheer parent updates and calendars, and making sure that every cheerleader demonstrates excellent sportsmanship, leadership, citizenship, and teamwork. SPIRIT CHEER:

It is mandatory that ALL cheerleaders participate in Spirit Cheer. This includes cheering at football games and basketball games and attending all pep rallies, camp days, and practices. The main purpose of Spirit Cheer is to promote spirit and sportsmanship at CHS. Spirit Cheer is managed, organized, and supervised by the advisor, Ms. Shin. COMPETITION CHEER: The Competition Cheer Squad will be determined by early December. It includes Varsity Cheerleaders and the coach will select JV girls to participate in Competition Cheer, at which point they may opt to decline. With that said, it is optional that cheerleaders participate in Competition Cheer, which includes traveling during the winter and spring months to various cheer competitions. It does require extra money (approximately an extra $250-$350) responsibilities, and gym practices in El Cajon. Typically, cheerleaders do not compete during their first year of cheering. Competition Cheer is in addition to Spirit Cheer.

Spirit Cheer always comes first. A cheerleader MUST be in good standing on the Spirit Cheer squad to be selected to compete and maintain their position on the Competition Cheer Squad. If a cheerleader is not eligible to do Spirit Cheer, they cannot do Competition Cheer. Cheerleaders are allowed to wear the Clairemont “Chiefs” uniform to competitions to save on the cost of buying a new uniform. Cheerleaders are also allowed to practice on campus for Competition Cheer with AAU insurance purchased in advance. A parent advisory group and/or coach organizes fundraisers, manages the finances for competitions and coaching fees, and helps select the competitions.


Cheerleaders must abide by all cheer rules and school rules at both Spirit Cheer and Competition Cheer

events. Failure to do so WILL result in consequences (i.e. benching, suspension, or dismissal) that is to be determined solely by the advisor or coach. MASCOT:

The CHS mascot, “Charlie Chieftain,” works with cheer and ASB to promote entertainment at school functions. The mascot attends a mascot camp during the summer and has some of the financial and participatory responsibilities as the cheerleaders. RULES AND CONSEQUENCES:

To ensure the highest level of safety, cheerleaders must follow the school rules and cheer rules. Cheerleaders are expected to arrive at all cheer events early, with ample time to stretch and prepare. SHOWING UP LATE TO AN EVENT IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE AND WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN A CONSEQUENCE (such as laps, benching, or suspension). “GETTING LOST” IS NOT AN EXCUSE; PLAN TO BE THERE EARLY! No gum chewing, eating, drinking, or cell phones will be permitted at practices, games, or events, except during designated breaks. Cheerleaders must attend four periods of school the day of an event to participate in scheduled events that day. Squads must remain together while attending events, unless given permission by the ADVISOR or COACH to leave the designated area. All cheerleaders shall abide by the advisor, coaches, or captains’ decisions concerning cheers and routines. Any changes to a cheer or dance including the organization of stunt groups must be approved by Ms. Shin or Coach Nicole in advance.

Cheerleaders are expected to follow all school rules and regulations and conduct themselves with propriety. Any violation of school rules and regulations may result in benching and/or dismissal from the squad (e.g. use of profanity, fighting, suspension from school, ditching classes, use/possession of illegal drugs, consistent poor attitude, etc). The advisor or coach may use any disciplinary action, such as benching, as they see fit. PRACTICES AND ATTENDANCE:

To prevent injuries, cheerleaders must be dressed out to participate in practices. Being dressed out includes workout clothes, hair that is completely tied back, and closed toed tennis shoes. You will be asked to sit and watch if you are wearing flip-flops, jeans, etc. SPORTS BRAS may only be worn with a t-shirt over them. All warm-up/practice clothing MUST cover the stomach. Jewelry is not permitted to be worn during any cheer activities.

Cheerleaders MUST attend summer practices. We will know the times as soon as we figure out what's going on with summer school, but please plan for the following:

*Monday, July 12 - Thursday, August 6: Two hours a day; eight hours a week. *Monday, August 9 & Tuesday, August 10: Double practices in preparation for camp. Four

hours per day. There will be double practices before camp (August 13 - 16). Practices during the summer include learning spirit cheers for games, half-time dances, camp cheers and stunting. The four weeks off during the beginning of summer is to allow families to vacation during the beginning of summer.

Cheerleaders also MUST attend fall and winter practices (starting from the first week of school until the last week of February) for four hours a week. Days and times will be announced at the end of the


summer. Practices during the fall and winter include learning competition dances, stunting, pep rally dances, and perfecting spirit cheers and dances.

It is important for a cheerleader to attend practices for choreographing and to safely cheer at games and pep rallies. Being a part of the cheer squad is a huge time commitment. A cheerleader can have two EXCUSED absences (this applies to practices and games) per season (summer, fall, or winter). If a cheerleader misses her third event, she may be dismissed from the squad if that is the consequence determined by Ms. Shin or Coach Nicole. An excused absence includes: (1) EXTREME illness and missing school that day; (2) family emergency; (3) religious holiday; (4) or funeral attendance. Missing practice due to any other reason is NOT EXCUSED (this includes routine medical or dental appointments). Any UNEXCUSED absence will result in benching at the next game or pep rally as a warning, and the next time may result in dismissal from the squad. Ms. Shin or Nicole must be notified and only they can CLEAR and AUTHORIZE an excused absence from practice. Even if a cheerleader is injured, sick, and cannot participate, they must still show up at practices and watch.

There will be periodic meetings scheduled through the season. It is imperative that all cheerleaders and

their parents attend. Important information will be discussed and paperwork will be distributed. Therefore, they attendance is mandatory and there will be a sign-in sheet at every meeting to keep track of those who do and do not attend. Those who have prior commitments are expected to notify Ms. Shin or Coach Nicole. They will still be held responsible for the information presented. Individuals who do not attend without an acceptable excuse may be subjected to a consequence that will be determined by the advisor or coach. CHEER DUES: (See “Payment Schedule” handout) Participating in the cheer program is a huge financial commitment. In order to cover all of the necessary costs, payments will be collected on a Friday in the middle of each month. Checks may be made out to “CHS” or “Clairemont High School.” It is important to understand that prices stated on the “Payment Schedule” handout are estimates and are subject to change as a result of unforeseen costs by vendors and other financial institutions. Please plan accordingly. GAMES AND PEP RALLIES:

Cheerleaders must attend all games and pep rallies unless they have an excused absence. Report time for football games is one hour before the start of the game. Report time for basketball games is 30 minutes before game time. They will also perform every Friday in the Quad at lunchtime to promote upcoming football games and/or basketball games. An unexcused absence results in benching at the next game or pep rally. The next unexcused absence may lead to dismissal from the squad. Consequences will be determined by Ms. Shin or Coach Nicole. The advisor or coach must be notified in person or email and be confirmed WELL IN ADVANCE (at least three days) if you are absent from or late to a cheer activity. Even if a cheerleader is injured and cannot participate, she must still show up to games and pep rallies and sit with the advisor. Cheerleaders may miss up to two events per season for VALID reasons before they are dismissed (determined by Ms. Shin and Nicole). Two unexcused absences may ultimately result in immediate dismissal. Parents and the cheerleaders themselves and responsible for arranging or providing transportation to and from cheer events and games. They may not ride on the school busses with the athletic teams. UNIFORM:

Cheerleaders must be in complete uniform to participate in cheer events. The uniform consists of a shell (no undershirts), skirt, ankle length socks, and regulation shoes. The warm-up pants, warm-up jacket, and body liner are considered part of the uniform if EVERYONE is wearing them. Cheerleaders must be covered from head-to-toe in their uniform (no other shoes, pants, sweatshirts, etc may be used in substitution) or they will be penalized for violating the dress code. They must bring every piece of their uniform to all cheer events, especially games, so they are prepared. Any of the above combination of uniform must be worn to


school on all football game days and all Friday basketball game days. Blue and Orange must be worn throughout the entire school day on non-game Fridays and on basketball game days other than Friday. They will also be expected to dress up for Clairemont Spirit Weeks to exhibit their school spirit and pride and to perform a cheer during lunch to encourage attendance at football and/or basketball games.

Jewelry (including studs) and body piercings are NEVER to be worn at practices, games, pep rallies, or other cheer events. This includes earrings (dangling or studs), bracelets, necklaces, nose rings, etc. Enforcement of this rule is crucial and rests with the advisor/coach. CAMP:

All cheerleaders MUST attend a summer cheer camp. Failure to attend camp will result in IMMEDIATE dismissal form the squad. You will learn about safe stunting and cheering. This year we will be going to the NCA camp hosted at UCSD. It is a four-day camp that goes from August 13-16. Parents of cheerleaders are responsible for arranging or providing transportation to and from camp, not the advisor or coach.

***NO ONE MAY MISS PRACTICE THE WEEK BEFORE CAMP (AUG. 2-5) OR THE WEEK OF CAMP (AUG 9 & 10). ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS. Coach Nicole cannot prepare a team for camp when she does not have a full team. ALTERNATES: There will be a list of alternates posted with the tryout results. Should there become an opening before the first week of summer practice, then it is likely that you will be contacted to become a part of the cheer squad. When you are a part of the team, you will be expected to pay the same amount of cheer dues that the rest of the squad pays. YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO BE UP TO DATE ON PAYMENTS SO PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY. Alternates must attend a uniform meeting on Tuesday, May 11 in Room B-8 so that measurements are put on file before summer practices begin. ELIGIBILITY:

You are technically considered a “cheerleader” from the day you tryout until the last week of February. Therefore, the advisor will uphold eligibility requirements for the entire duration of this period (April to February).

Cheerleaders must maintain at least an UNWEIGHTED 2.0 GPA in academics and citizenship on

all progress and semester report cards and pass a minimum of four classes. If a cheerleader falls below a 2.0 in academics or citizenship, or does not pass a minimum of four classes on an official report card, they will be ineligible to participate in any cheer activities and put on academic probation until the next official report card comes out (NO EXCEPTIONS!). If a cheerleader is on academic probation, they are required to abide by all of the rules in the cheer contract, except participate at practice, games, pep rallies, etc. They must “sit on the bench” next to the advisor or coach at games, pep rallies, and competitions. Cheerleaders that are ineligible to participate must still attend all practices, games, competitions, and activities in the required attire. If a cheerleader fails to make a 2.0 in academics or citizenship and/or does not pass a minimum of four classes twice throughout the year, they will automatically be dismissed from the squad. GIRLS WHO ARE DISMISSED WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY REFUNDS.

DISMISSED OR QUIT:

Should a cheerleader quit or be dismissed from the squad, the money that he/she has paid for his/her uniform, cheer camp, deposits, competition cheer, and coaching fees is nonrefundable. Any money he/she has raised in cheer fundraisers will be incorporated into the squad group fund for the benefit of the entire team. Cheerleaders who quit the squad due to non-legitimate reasons, or who are dismissed from the


squad may not tryout the following year, participate in the Aloha pep rally, or attend the end of the year banquet. SPRING SPORTS:

Cheerleaders are heavily involved in activities until the first half of the spring semester. Because of this, cheerleaders may not participate in fall or winter sports. Cheerleaders may play spring sports, but they are still expected to participate in any cheerleading activities that may occur during the spring. WORK AND DRAMA CLASS:

Cheerleaders can have after school jobs, as long as it does not affect their participation in cheer practices and activities. Cheerleaders may NOT be signed up to participate in CHS drama productions or Advanced Drama class. Immediate dismissal from the squad will result if this rule is not followed. TRANSPORTATION: (see the last page of the “Athletic Participation Form”)

Parents and/or student carpool drivers can usually provide transportation to and from games and practices. Faculty drivers may be available sometimes. Ultimately, each cheerleader and his/her parent are responsible for providing transportation TO AND FROM all cheer events. Riding on school busses to and from the event with the Clairemont athletic teams is absolutely not an option. CONTACT INFORMATION: I hope that this packet answers many of your questions about CHS Cheer. There are many policy changes from last year so it is important to make note of them. Feel free to contact Ms. Shin at [email protected] or Nicole at (619) 504-1307; [email protected] with any further questions.


(RETURN THIS PAGE TO MS. SHIN BY THURSDAY, APRIL 8)

CHEERLEADER: I have read the Clairemont High School 2010-2011 Cheer Contract and will adhere to its terms and conditions if I am selected for the 2010-2011 squad. ______________________________________ _______________ Student Signature Date PARENT/GUARDIAN: I have read the Clairemont High School 2010-2011 Cheer Contract and will adhere to its terms and conditions if my child is selected for the 2010-2011 squad. _____________________________________ _______________ Parent/Guardian Signature Date

clairemont 2010 2011 cheer dues

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