Cheerleading Tryout Packet

Squad Selection

Name _______________________________

Current Grade: 8th 9th 10th 11th

Tryout Level: All levels defined at the Mandatory February 29th

meeting. CIRCLE THE DESIRED LEVEL.

Varsity Only Varsity/Junior Varsity

(12th, 11th & 10th grade only)

Junior Varsity Freshmen (11th & 10th grade only) (9th grade only)

Return the Following Forms:

______ Squad Selection ______ Eligibility Form ______ Candidate Information Sheet ______ Tryout Permission Form (2 pages) ______ Constitution Contract ______ Copy of Last Report Card

EM-S ISD Cheerleader Eligibility

This sheet must be signed by an Administrator and the Athletic Trainer. Attach the following:

A copy of the last six weeks report card

A copy of a current physical and email receipt of completion of the districts online medical paperwork (http://www.rankonesport.com). -or- An athletic trainer’s signature (coach’s signature for middle school applicants) verifying that a copy of the physical, medical history, and online paperwork is on file at an EM-S ISD school.

Candidate’s Name___________________________ Suspension________________ ADC___________ ATTENDANCE______________________________ Administrator signature______________________________ Date______________ Current copy of medical paperwork on file at EM-S ISD -Signature from Athletic Trainer (Coach if middle school applicant) Signature___________________________________ Date_______________

IMPORTANT: All physicals expire at the end of the school year. ALL INCOMING 9TH & 11TH GRADERS MUST HAVE A PHYSICAL DATED AFTER MAY 1, 2016. Incoming 10th and 12th grader may also need a new physical depending on their medical history. Please plan accordingly.

Candidate Information Sheet Name: _____________________________________________ Student ID#: _______________

Date of Birth: ___________________ Current grade: 8th 9th 10th 11th

Address: (street)_____________________________________________

(city, state, zip)______________________________________

Phone: (home) ____________________ (cell) ___________________

e-mail _____________________________________________

Parent/Guardian: ___________________________________________________

Phone: (cell) _____________________ (work) ____________________

e-mail _____________________________

Address: (street)_____________________________________________

(city, state, zip)______________________________________

Parent/Guardian: ___________________________________________________

Phone: (cell) _____________________ (work) ____________________

e-mail ______________________________

Tryout Permission Form We are honored that your child has expressed an interest in trying out for a high school cheerleading squad in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw I.S.D. school district and we hope this extracurricular choice proves to be a wonderful experience for each participant. The following information should be taken into consideration when making the decision to give your child permission to try out for the Saginaw High School Cheerleading Team:

Expenses are based on initial fees, competition fees, and miscellaneous expenses incurred throughout the year. Initial expenses include, but are not limited to, summer camp, practice clothes, shoes, warm-ups uniform(s), tote bag, megaphone, and accessories. Competition fees include, but are not limited to, travel expenses which may include hotel, transportation, meals, entry fees, and entertainment. Miscellaneous expenses include, but are not limited to, spirit sticks, decorations, pep rally outfits, meals, and special events. (Costs may be offset by fundraising, which begins shortly after tryouts).

o Estimate of Initial Cheerleading Expenses $500.00 - $1400.00

Time Commitment is a requirement for an EM-S ISD Cheerleader. Mandatory practices begin about a week after tryouts and continue through summer camp. Cheerleaders practice two to four days a week after school until summer camp. Summer practices will be scheduled as deemed necessary by coordinator. Back to school practices begin in early August and will include two a day practices. Cheerleaders are required to attend all football games, home basketball games, competitions, and any other function required by the coordinators or sponsors.

Physical injury is a personal risk that every cheerleader and their parent must consider. These risks include, but are not limited to muscle pulls, dislocation, broken bones, and catastrophic injuries such as paralysis or even death.

Drug testing is a requirement for all Cheerleaders at EM-S ISD.

Rules and regulations are stated in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw I.S.D. Cheerleading Constitution. An EM-S ISD Cheerleader is required to abide by those requirements stated within as long as he/she is a member of the team.

We _____________________________ (parent/guardian) and _____________________________ (candidate) have read and fully understand the information above and are aware of the financial obligation, time commitment, drug testing policies, personal risk, and the requirement to follow the rules and regulations involved with being an EM-S ISD High School Cheerleader.

Parent signature ____________________________________ Date _________________ Student signature ___________________________________ Date_________________ In addition, understanding the risks involved in cheerleading, I _____________________________ (parent/guardian) will not hold Saginaw High School, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw I.S.D. nor any of its personnel responsible in the case of accident or injury at any time.

Parent signature ____________________________________ Date _________________ Parent signature ____________________________________ Date _________________

Tryout Permission Form By signing below, you as parent or guardian give permission for your child to try out for the Saginaw High School Cheerleading Team. You agree to meet the financial obligations of the Saginaw High School Cheerleading Team stated previously, provide transportation needs, and agree that your child will abide by the policies outlined in this contract and the Eagle Mountain –Saginaw I.S.D. Cheerleading Constitution. Parent/guardian signature_______________________________ Date_______________ Parent/guardian signature_______________________________ Date_______________ Candidate’s name______________________________________ Date ______________

Trans portat i on Rel e as e:

In rare cases, an event might occur that would require your student to ride in the personal vehicle of a school employee, fellow cheerleader, and / or parent chaperone. School transportation will be provided as much as possible, and the need for students to be transported in any other fashion must be made by the cheer coach, and only after the following form is initialed and signed by a parent / guardian. I give permission for my student to ride with, and release from liability the following persons: (Please initial any and all individuals authorized to transport your cheerleader.) _____ School Personnel (Coaches, Administrators, and Staff)

_____ Parents

_____ Licensed Varsity Cheerleaders

Publ i c i ty Rel eas e:

_____ I hereby GRANT permission for my student to be photographed for publicity (all print and electronic media) purposed by and for Eagle-Mountain Saginaw- ISD, and their respective cheerleading organizations. _____I hereby DO NOT GRANT permission for my student to be photographed for publicity (all print and electronic media) purposed by and for Eagle-Mountain Saginaw ISD, and their respective cheerleading organizations.

Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD CHEERLEADER CONSTITUTION

CONTRACT

I have read and fully understood the rules and regulations presented in the EM-SISD Cheerleader Constitution. I understand that these rules are necessary to ensure that the cheerleading team will be run in an organized and fair manner and that the performances and appearances will always be of the highest quality. I understand that I will serve as cheerleader from the time of election until tryouts of the next school year. I hereby agree to abide by the rules of this constitution as long as I am associated with the EM-SISD Cheerleaders.

Cheerleader signature

_______________________________ Date__________________

Parent/Guardian 1 Signature _______________________________ Date__________________

Parent/Guardian 2 Signature _______________________________ Date__________________

For Future Reference:

Attend the tryout clinics

Saginaw High School Cheerleading Tryouts

Friends and family are NOT allowed inside the building during the clinic or tryouts.

Uniform Fitting on Thursday, March 10th at 4:30 PM – SHS Cheer Gym

Made It Meeting on Tuesday, March 22nd at 6PM in the SHS Lecture Hall

B115

$400 DUE at Made It Meeting: Cash or Money Order ONLY (portion of camp, shoes, and spring show shirt)

Spring Show on Friday, May 6th & Saturday, May 7th

Cheer Camp from Tuesday, June 7th — Friday, June 10th at UTA

DATE: Thursday, March 3rd –Monday, March 7th

TIME: 4:30 – 6:30PM *Closed practice *

PLACE: Saginaw High School Cheer Gym

BRING:

Bottled water, solid colored t-shirt, solid colored shorts, spanx, pony tail, and tennis shoes, and all required paperwork (physical, Participant Contract, Release Form) *No cheer shirts allowed, must have on shorts not just spanx or Nike pros

FOCUS:

Learning the tryout material the 1st day. Get acclimated with tryout process, expectations and review material on the following days.

DATE: Tuesday, March 8th

TIME: 4:30 pm until dismissed *closed tryouts*

PLACE: Saginaw High School cheer gym

BRING:

Bottled water, snack, and appropriate tryout attire (Solid White T-shirt, black/white sports bra, black spanx, tennis shoes, pony tail, bow), no cell phones permitted – any candidate caught with cell phone will immediately be dismissed. *Candidates must have completed all previous requirements to attend*

CHEER

FOCUS:

Spirited entrance, 3 jump combination (toe-touch and 2 other connecting jumps of candidate choice), Small Group Dance from DVD, & Cheer from DVD

Cheerleading Tryouts

Score Sheet

Candidate # _____

Category Possible Points Points

Tumbling 25 _____ (skill level, technique)

Jumps 25 _____ (form, height)

Cheer Motions/Voice 25 _____ (sharpness, arm levels)

Dance Motions/Ability 25 _____ (energy, placement)

TOTAL __________

Judge # _____ Signature _________________________________

CHEERLEADER CONSTITUTION 2016-2017

I. Auditions for Team Membership A. Candidates must meet all extracurricular participation criteria in academics, citizenship, and attendance up to the end of the 3rd or 4th six-weeks, depending on tryout date. The following criteria are determined from tryout date 2015 to tryout date 2016:

1. Failing grades for no more than 1 six weeks 2. No more than 1 U in citizenship (3 N’s are equivalent to 1 U) 3. Must be in good standing with attendance. 4. No more than 1 suspension or placement in ADC 5. Cannot have been expelled. 6. A student may only tryout for the campus for which they are zoned to attend. 7. A student must be enrolled in the EMS ISD school system to tryout.

B. The constitution must be read and the contract signed by both parents/guardians and by the candidate and returned to the coach by given deadline. C. Parents must be fully aware of the time commitment and expense of cheerleading and willing to meet all financial obligations; including fundraisers. D. Any student involved in the activity of cheerleading must have a current physical on file with the campus trainer. This includes tryouts, practices, competitions, and any cheer event that requires attendance. E. Auditions will be closed to the public. Only judges and Administrators will be allowed to attend. F. Auditions will be judged by a 3 person panel formed by qualified judges from outside the

EMS ISD. Criteria to be judged will be determined by the coach. Judges’ selection is final. A scoring rubric for the audition will be posted prior to tryouts.

G. Members must tryout each year for a place on the team. Members who have resigned

or been dismissed from the team for any reason during the year may tryout only upon

permission from the coach and approval of the principal. Vacancies created during the school year will not be filled. Vacancies created during the summer will be filled by the next highest score.

H. Once resignation or dismissal from the cheer squad occurs, for reasons other than academic, reinstatement will not be allowed during the current school year. Future tryout eligibility will be established only at the discretion of the cheer coach and administration and will incur the acceptance of strict guidelines. A student granted reinstatement is subject to a period of probation if he/ she make the cheer squad for the upcoming year. I. The team will be made up of three squads with up to: 1. 20 Freshmen Cheerleaders 2. 20 Junior Varsity Cheerleaders -- sophomores & juniors 3. 24 Varsity Cheerleaders – sophomores, juniors & seniors.

II. Auditions for Captains A. Captains will be: 1. Varsity – Captain 2. Junior Varsity – Captain 3. Freshmen – Captain B. Candidates will be scored based on their tryout scores, the coach, and team members.

Criteria to be judged will be determined by the coach. C. There could be ONE spirit captain per squad elected by each squad.

III. Captains’ Duties A. A captain is responsible for setting an example for other cheerleaders to follow. The captain should be positive, cooperative, helpful, and dedicated. B. A captain is responsible for the particular squad of members. The captain is to provide individual help in learning and perfecting cheers and routines, checking attendance, inspecting uniforms and equipment, and any additional duties involving the squad and makes sure routines are ready for performances. C. Captains must be willing to spend extra practice time to organize activities, learn material, and perform additional duties. D. The coach may remove a captain from the position at any time if the responsibilities and

duties of the position are not being fulfilled. If a captain removal takes place the coach will determine if the role will be filled.

E. Special duties of the spirit captains, if elected, will be: 1. Arrange gifts for other activities

2. Make thank you notes, cards, sign-up sheets, lists, etc? 3. Plan squad and team parties 4. Help with banquet preparation 5. Help coach with organizational responsibilities

IV. Attendance A. Cheerleaders must attend and pay for summer camp as designated by the coach. Mandatory practices, including summer practices, will be held to prepare for camp and for football season. B. All practices, performances, appearances, and meetings are mandatory. Each member is required to attend all scheduled events. C. Schedules for summer camp, all practices, performances, appearances, and meetings will be provided to each member in advance. Practices will begin immediately following tryouts to prepare for camp. Every day practices may begin as early as the month of July up to the beginning of school. There are 3 to 4 before or after school practices per week during football season and competition season. The 8 hour UIL rule for practice will be followed. Some weekend practices may be needed. D. An absence will be excused only if approved by the coach in advance. E. Reasons for an excused absence include:

1. Personal illness or accident 2. Funeral or death in the family 3. Other school activities with special permission from the coach in advance

4. Special circumstances excused by the coach in advance F. Unexcused absences include but are not limited to:

1. Appointments 2. Vacations 3. Work – Work cannot interfere with any cheerleading activity. It is not an excuse to be absent, late, or leave early. 4. Outside team practice or performance.

G. Any unexcused absence will be brought before the coach for discipline or possible dismissal. Unexcused absence

1st Offense = cut from the performance, 1 demerit, and a warning 2nd Offense = cut from the performance, 2 demerits, and a warning 3rd Offense = Removal from the squad

H. Members will arrive on time and stay until dismissed by the coach. To be counted present and on time, a member must be in rank at the designated location and time. Tardiness results in an automatic demerit.

I. No student who is absent for more than the district policy’s definition of a half school day, may participate in any extracurricular performance that day unless special permission is given by the coach and principal. J. Cheerleaders will be allowed to participate in activities that generally do not conflict with

cheerleading activities. Involvement in other extra-curricular activities that conflict with cheerleading on a regular, recurring basis such as non-school related activities may result in removal from the squad. Exceptions may be made for isolated conflicts at the discretion of the coach.

K. Any member suffering from illness or injury will be excused from workouts/performances only by a parental conference with the coach. If absent from school due to illness or injury the cheerleader will not attend practice that day.

V. Discipline & Grade Probation A. Any member expelled, suspended, placed in the ADC, or assigned SAC/ ISS may be immediately dismissed from the team. The dismissal may be for any period of time, as decided by the coach and the campus principal. The campus principal will have the final say concerning disciplinary action. B. All cheerleaders will comply with the drug-testing program of EM-SISD and are subject to all rules and procedures associated with the program. Violation of the Student Code of Conduct related to smoking, drug use and alcohol will result in immediate dismissal from the team. C. Members must meet all current state educational requirements. D. Members who receive a failing grade in any class for a grading period will be placed on grade probation following the restrictions, limitations, and time period set by the state. The principal may remove this suspension if the class is identified as pre-ap or advanced placement class in accordance with district policy. E. Members who fail for two grading periods will be dismissed. F. Dismissal involves the loss of membership from the cheerleading organization. All school-

Issued equipment and uniforms must be returned and all financial obligations must be cleared within one week of dismissal. Once a member has been dismissed, he/she loses all privileges of the cheerleading organization. Students may not wear any part of the HS cheerleading uniform.

G. Resignation shall be defined as a choice made by the individual member that he/she no longer desires participation in the cheerleading organization. Resignation procedures involve a conference with the cheer coach and a letter of resignation from the resigning member, signed and dated with the parent/guardian signature. All uniforms, clothing and equipment must be turned in and financial obligations must be cleared at the time of resignation. Students may not wear any part of the HS cheerleading uniform. The cheerleader will be held financially responsible for any balance due. No refunds will be made

VI. The Merit/ Demerit System

A merit system shall be established to offer opportunities for cheerleaders to remove demerits. Opportunities to work off demerits shall happen periodically at the discretion of the coach. A member will only be able to earn 5 merits per semester. For merit purposes the first semester shall begin immediately after tryouts and end at the conclusion of the varsity football season. The second semester shall commence after varsity football season and end one week prior to tryouts for the next year. A. A total of 3 demerits in one week will automatically suspend a member from the following week’s performance. The member must still attend the performance in uniform. B. A total of 7 demerits for a season will result in a 3 week probation and a warning for possible removal will be given. C. A total of 10 demerits for a season will result in a disciplinary hearing with possible dismissal from the team. D. Members may have demerits removed from their records by accumulating merits as long as they have not reached 10 demerits. Merits are given for performing duties above what is required – for example, selling more fundraising items than the minimum required or making straight A’s on a report card. E. The following violations will receive demerits: The coach has discretion as to the

number of demerits are assigned for egregious violations. Assignment of more than 3 demerits for a single violation must be approved by the assistant principal that oversees cheerleading.

1. Poor citizenship grades 2. Forgetting or failing to wear any part of the uniform or equipment 3. Wearing any jewelry, colored nail polish, or hair ornament during a performance or appearance 4. Uniform or equipment not clean or in bad condition 5. Arriving late for any activity 6. Failure to turn in specified items or money by deadline given 7. Refusing to follow directions set forth by coach or captains 8. Showing disrespect or lying to coach, captains, or fellow members 9. Talking when coach or captains are instructing or speaking

10. Vulgarity at any time, either in speech, actions or social media, ie: Facebook, etc. 11. Showing lack of spirit or a negative attitude 12. Allowing someone other than a member to wear part of the uniform or practice attire. 13. Chewing gum, wearing jewelry, or having fingernails at an unsafe length in any cheerleading activity 14. Any other infraction of the rules as determined by the coach.

F. Probation Rules

1. Attend games/pep rallies/practices per coach’s discretion. (Not allowed to participate in other team functions during or after school.) 2. Must follow directions set forth by the coach. 3. Will not attend away games.

**Probation will affect a cheerleader’s ability to participate in the Cheerleader Banquet and any other trip or activities. Probation also affects any down payment or money already spent on a trip or function. The money will not be reimbursed if the District is unable to have the money reimbursed.

VII. Performance Cuts A. For special performances there will be a cut judged by the coach. A member unable to meet the standards set for that performance will not be allowed to perform. B. Any member absent on the day of cuts, whether excused or unexcused, will be cut from the performance. C. A member missing any workout will be subject to replacement upon the discretion of the coach. D. The coach reserves the right to replace or dismiss any member from a performance if the member is not meeting acceptable standards for that performance. This can occur at any time prior to the performance. E. A member who is cut from a performance must still attend the performance in uniform and assume responsibilities as usual.

VIII. Competition Squad A. The competition team will be chosen from all eligible cheerleaders based on a series of skill evaluations. B. Standard skill requirements will be determined by the coach based on the skills required in the competition routine. A cheerleader unable to meet the standard skills set for the competition routine will not be placed on the competition team.

C. Skill evaluations will be conducted and judged by the coach. D. Competitions attended will be at the discretion of the coach with the approval from the campus principal. E. More practices, times, and money are required for this competitive team.

IX. Uniforms & Supplies A. Part of the cheerleading uniform and equipment will be purchased by the member and will remain the property of the member. This financial obligation must be met to remain a member of the team. B. Part of the uniform and equipment will be provided by the school. These will be issued to the member at the beginning of the season and returned to the school at the end of the season. The member will pay to replace any lost or damaged articles. C. Each part of the uniform, whether school or privately owned, must have the uniform number or member’s name on it and must be kept clean at all times. D. Any altering of the uniform, whether school or privately owned, must have coach approval. E. All cheerleading uniforms will be worn by members only.

X. Fundraising A. Each member will be expected to participate fully in general fundraising activities. During sales projects, a specified number of articles will be determined as the minimum requirement. This minimum requirement is expected to be met by all members. Members participating in the trip are expected to participate fully in all trip fundraiser activities. B. Members will be required to turn in fundraising money on particular dates set by the coach. Failure to do so will result in one demerit for each day the money is late.

XI. Trips A. Members must ride the bus to and from all out of town games, competitions, or other

events. Only parental permission, communicated by that parent, will release the cheerleader to ride home with that parent only. Special permission must be granted in writing to the coach.

B. Members are responsible for their equipment for the duration of the trip.

C. Members must conduct themselves appropriately and responsibly on all trips as representatives of EMS ISD. Members must adhere to the student code of conduct.

XII. Changes Revision of the constitution after initial annual approval shall follow the steps outlined in the Administrative Guideline for Student Organization Constitutions.

EMS ISD HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADER CONSTITUTION

2009-2010 ADDENDUM

Purpose The purpose of cheerleaders in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District is to promote school spirit and a positive school climate by performing for athletic events, special events, and cheerleading competitions as deemed appropriate by the campus administration and Cheerleader Coach. Cheerleaders are expected to be positive role models, serving as supportive high school ambassadors at school, in the district, and community.

Membership Dues Membership dues are not applicable.

Faculty Coaches The high school principal assigns coaches for each cheer squad on a yearly basis.

Plans for Usage of Facilities The principal will assign facilities as needed for all practices and meetings.