Students who are selected to represent the school are expected to conform to a more rigid code of behavior than the general student population. Participation in activities, which represent the school, is considered a privilege, is subject to regulation, and is not an inherent right.
Being a Middle School cheerleader in the Fort Mill School District implies that you are part of an elite group. You are looked upon as a leader. This being so; you have certain responsibilities and loyalties to your school. Your behavior and attitude in this school should only reflect your position as a leader. Therefore, this handbook is to ensure that you, as a cheerleader will put your best side forward.
Qualifications: The following are qualifications for trying-out.
1. Candidates must obtain, complete and return the Cheerleader try-out form, Emergency release form and teacher recommendation forms on or before the October 30th. NO EXCEPTIONS!
2. Candidates CANNOT be failing any classes on their 1st semester and 3rd 9 week report cards.
3. Candidates must attend all practices in order to tryout.
4. Candidates will be expected to abide by the South Carolina High School League rules and Fort Mill School District #4 rules.
Tryouts: The following rules will be observed during tryouts.
1. Coaches will determine what dance and/or cheer will be used and instructed for tryouts.
2. Candidates must wear appropriate clothes and shoes for tryouts and practice. Tennis shoes, socks, shorts and t-shirt are appropriate. (Nothing that shows you were a cheerleader in previous years).
3. We are going to take the top 16 students to our combined 7th and 8th grade team; female and/or male candidates receiving the best scores will be placed on the squad.
4. All forms must be turned in prior to the first day of try-outs.
5. You MUST attend all days of try-outs, in order to be considered.
Cheerleading Squads: The following rules will apply to all cheerleaders and managers.
1. Cheerleaders who fail 1 class in a 9-week period will be placed on 2-week probation. This is to ensure the Cheerleader will have no further grade problems. If more grade problems persist they will be handled individually. School comes first!!
2. Cheerleaders must report grades to coach within 2 days at the end of every 9 weeks and midterm.
3. All absences must be approved through your Coach. Do not tell someone else, tell your coaches. If you are home sick parents should e-mail or call coaches.
4. 3 unexcused absences (practices or games) are cause for dismissal from squad.
5. Missing practices for non-emergencies are unexcused (This includes hair appointments, other team practices, vacations, visits with family or non-emergency doctors’ appointments).
6. The coaches and/or squad will select captains.
7. Cheerleaders must be willing to work individually and as a group with the coaches, captain and other cheerleaders.
8. All parts of the uniform will be selected by the coaches and are provided by the school. Camp, camp outfits, shoes, socks, hair bows, bags, and any other required purchases are the responsibility of the cheerleader.
9. Uniforms MUST be kept clean at all times. It is the responsibility of each cheerleader to keep their uniforms in good condition. If uniform is beyond repair the cheerleader must pay for replacement.
10. Cheerleaders must be on time to all activities and stay for the required amount of time. Only the coach may allow early dismissals.
11. During practices the following rules apply:
§ Follow all FMSD rules.
§ Wear appointed practice outfit.
§ Wear sneakers.
§ Hair must be up and out of the face. In a PONYTAIL and clips used to keep hair out of your face.
§ No jewelry will be worn. Safety is our first priority.
§ No eating or phones during practice.
§ Be in practice area within 15 minutes of final school bell.
§ Every cheerleader is responsible for contributing his or her share.
§ No one leaves until area is clean.
§ If you miss a practice before a scheduled game, excused or unexcused, you will not be allowed to cheer at the game. Please schedule all doctors’ appointments, hair appointments, trips, non-emergency appointments around the schedule.
12. All cheerleaders are required to attend Stunt Clinic, Cheer Camp and summer practices; they will take place in one of the Fort Mill School District gyms. NO EXCEPTIONS!
13. Cheer schedules of practices and events will be provided prior to each season. No practices will take place without a coach present.
14. Due to the limited amount of players on other school teams, cheerleaders are asked not to participate in Volleyball or Basketball.
Officers: Captains
1. Will be selected by the coaches and/or squads prior to the season.
2. Should be role models for the squad and are responsible for keeping up the morale of the team.
3. Responsible for starting practices on time and will lead warm-ups.
4. Use the phone tree when information needs to be distributed through to the squad.
5. Should decide which cheers and half-time show will be used during the game, prior to practice time and give a written list to coach before the game.
6. To call cheers at a good rate.
7. Report any problems to their coach, so they may be dealt with in the best possible manner.
8. Failure to perform these duties or 5 Demerits may result in dismissal of duties.
Games:
1. All games are mandatory and you must stay for the entire game. Please be advised that ALL games are double headers.
2. Cheerleaders must know all the cheers and routines for the game. Sitting out is unacceptable.
3. Cheerleaders are required to dress in full uniform.
4. Hair must be up and out of the face. PONYTAIL!
5. Hair bows must be uniform. No wild hairstyles.
6. NO jewelry will be worn in uniform.
7. NO body art (drawing on oneself)
8. NO nail polish is allowed in uniform. Nails need to be athletic length.
9. Neither chewing gum nor eating is allowed during the game.
Dismissal from squad:
1. Not paying for required purchases on or before scheduled date.
2. Suspension from school. (OSS)
3. ISS is at coaches’ discretion.
4. Failure to comply with school and cheerleading rules and regulations.
5. Lack of interest.
6. Failure to cooperate with other cheerleaders and/or coaches.
7. An act, which would cast a reflection on the person’s ability to be a leader and to be respected by fellow students.
8. 3 unexcused absences
9. 10 demerits.
10. Any cheerleader who is removed or quits the squad will be prohibited from trying-out the next year.
**NOTE: If there is a problem within the squad, see the coach. Cooperation is expected at all times. At practice, the coaches or captains are in charge and must be respected at all times. Demerits will be issued for failure to comply with the rules. Negative attitudes will not be tolerated.
General Rules:
Merit / Demerit System:
Merits: List of some ways to earn merits.
Demerits: List of some Demerits.
Being a Middle School cheerleader in the Fort Mill School District implies that you are part of an elite group. You are looked upon as a leader. This being so; you have certain responsibilities and loyalties to your school. Your behavior and attitude in this school should only reflect your position as a leader. Therefore, this handbook is to ensure that you, as a cheerleader will put your best side forward.
Qualifications: The following are qualifications for trying-out.
1. Candidates must obtain, complete and return the Cheerleader try-out form, Emergency release form and teacher recommendation forms on or before the October 30th. NO EXCEPTIONS!
2. Candidates CANNOT be failing any classes on their 1st semester and 3rd 9 week report cards.
3. Candidates must attend all practices in order to tryout.
4. Candidates will be expected to abide by the South Carolina High School League rules and Fort Mill School District #4 rules.
Tryouts: The following rules will be observed during tryouts.
1. Coaches will determine what dance and/or cheer will be used and instructed for tryouts.
2. Candidates must wear appropriate clothes and shoes for tryouts and practice. Tennis shoes, socks, shorts and t-shirt are appropriate. (Nothing that shows you were a cheerleader in previous years).
3. We are going to take the top 16 students to our combined 7th and 8th grade team; female and/or male candidates receiving the best scores will be placed on the squad.
4. All forms must be turned in prior to the first day of try-outs.
5. You MUST attend all days of try-outs, in order to be considered.
Cheerleading Squads: The following rules will apply to all cheerleaders and managers.
1. Cheerleaders who fail 1 class in a 9-week period will be placed on 2-week probation. This is to ensure the Cheerleader will have no further grade problems. If more grade problems persist they will be handled individually. School comes first!!
2. Cheerleaders must report grades to coach within 2 days at the end of every 9 weeks and midterm.
3. All absences must be approved through your Coach. Do not tell someone else, tell your coaches. If you are home sick parents should e-mail or call coaches.
4. 3 unexcused absences (practices or games) are cause for dismissal from squad.
5. Missing practices for non-emergencies are unexcused (This includes hair appointments, other team practices, vacations, visits with family or non-emergency doctors’ appointments).
6. The coaches and/or squad will select captains.
7. Cheerleaders must be willing to work individually and as a group with the coaches, captain and other cheerleaders.
8. All parts of the uniform will be selected by the coaches and are provided by the school. Camp, camp outfits, shoes, socks, hair bows, bags, and any other required purchases are the responsibility of the cheerleader.
9. Uniforms MUST be kept clean at all times. It is the responsibility of each cheerleader to keep their uniforms in good condition. If uniform is beyond repair the cheerleader must pay for replacement.
10. Cheerleaders must be on time to all activities and stay for the required amount of time. Only the coach may allow early dismissals.
11. During practices the following rules apply:
§ Follow all FMSD rules.
§ Wear appointed practice outfit.
§ Wear sneakers.
§ Hair must be up and out of the face. In a PONYTAIL and clips used to keep hair out of your face.
§ No jewelry will be worn. Safety is our first priority.
§ No eating or phones during practice.
§ Be in practice area within 15 minutes of final school bell.
§ Every cheerleader is responsible for contributing his or her share.
§ No one leaves until area is clean.
§ If you miss a practice before a scheduled game, excused or unexcused, you will not be allowed to cheer at the game. Please schedule all doctors’ appointments, hair appointments, trips, non-emergency appointments around the schedule.
12. All cheerleaders are required to attend Stunt Clinic, Cheer Camp and summer practices; they will take place in one of the Fort Mill School District gyms. NO EXCEPTIONS!
13. Cheer schedules of practices and events will be provided prior to each season. No practices will take place without a coach present.
14. Due to the limited amount of players on other school teams, cheerleaders are asked not to participate in Volleyball or Basketball.
Officers: Captains
1. Will be selected by the coaches and/or squads prior to the season.
2. Should be role models for the squad and are responsible for keeping up the morale of the team.
3. Responsible for starting practices on time and will lead warm-ups.
4. Use the phone tree when information needs to be distributed through to the squad.
5. Should decide which cheers and half-time show will be used during the game, prior to practice time and give a written list to coach before the game.
6. To call cheers at a good rate.
7. Report any problems to their coach, so they may be dealt with in the best possible manner.
8. Failure to perform these duties or 5 Demerits may result in dismissal of duties.
Games:
1. All games are mandatory and you must stay for the entire game. Please be advised that ALL games are double headers.
2. Cheerleaders must know all the cheers and routines for the game. Sitting out is unacceptable.
3. Cheerleaders are required to dress in full uniform.
4. Hair must be up and out of the face. PONYTAIL!
5. Hair bows must be uniform. No wild hairstyles.
6. NO jewelry will be worn in uniform.
7. NO body art (drawing on oneself)
8. NO nail polish is allowed in uniform. Nails need to be athletic length.
9. Neither chewing gum nor eating is allowed during the game.
Dismissal from squad:
1. Not paying for required purchases on or before scheduled date.
2. Suspension from school. (OSS)
3. ISS is at coaches’ discretion.
4. Failure to comply with school and cheerleading rules and regulations.
5. Lack of interest.
6. Failure to cooperate with other cheerleaders and/or coaches.
7. An act, which would cast a reflection on the person’s ability to be a leader and to be respected by fellow students.
8. 3 unexcused absences
9. 10 demerits.
10. Any cheerleader who is removed or quits the squad will be prohibited from trying-out the next year.
**NOTE: If there is a problem within the squad, see the coach. Cooperation is expected at all times. At practice, the coaches or captains are in charge and must be respected at all times. Demerits will be issued for failure to comply with the rules. Negative attitudes will not be tolerated.
General Rules:
- It is the responsibility of the parents to provide transportation to & from school, before & after a game or practice. If a cheerleader is not picked up within 15 minutes of pick-up time, he/she will not be allowed to cheer the following game.
- Coach must have written permission if you are allowing your child to walk off the school grounds after a game or practice.
- Cheerleaders will cheer at all home football and basketball games and possibly some away games.
- Fort Mill School District Cheerleaders will travel and cheer during basketball tournament games.
Merit / Demerit System:
- Merits are given to cheerleaders for actions performed above the normal duties.
- Demerits are given to cheerleaders for not doing what is normally required.
- Merits and demerits are determined by the coaches and given out by the coaches.
- Once a cheerleader receives 5 demerits a letter will be sent to their parents
- 7 demerits will result in 1 week probation.
- 9 demerits will result in 2 week probation.
- 10 demerits will result in dismissal.
Merits: List of some ways to earn merits.
- Helping others 1
- Praise from faculty 1
- Attending other after school functions 1
- Making up a new cheer 1
- Tutoring another cheerleader (on own) 1
- Working off demerit: 10 running laps 1
Demerits: List of some Demerits.
- Dirty uniform (any part) 1
- Out of uniform (any part including hair) 1
- Missed practice unexcused 1
- Failure to sign-out after a game 1
- Talking to spectators at a game 1
- Eating or chewing gum at a game 1
- Leaving early from practice or game 1
- Jewelry or nail polish while in uniform 1
- Negative comments from teachers 1
- Skirt not taken off after game 1
- Late to practice or game 2
- Primping in public in uniform 2
- Arguing with another cheerleader 2
- Disrespectful toward coaches, captains or others 2
- Silent lunch/Detention 2
- Missed game unexcused 3
- Public displays of affection 3
- ISS 3
- Suspension 10
- Failure to dress properly for practice/game 10 jumps
- No ponytail (hair in face) at a practice/game 10 Jumps