Dear Parents and Try-Out Participant:

Springville High School is pleased with the interest your child has shown in trying out for this squad. There are  a few items that you need to be aware of concerning the time commitment and the finances involved with cheerleading. Please review the following material carefully. Cheerleading is very time demanding! If adherence to  these rules and the time commitment, and financial commitment involved do not meet your approval, please do  not try-out. The success of the squad depends on every member.

Being on a cheerleading squad is a great honor and privilege for any high school student.

Opportunity for personal growth, leadership, and participation in many different activities

await the members of the cheer squad.  Lifetime memories are formed and shared. Good

luck to everyone trying out!

Thank you,  

SHS Cheer Coaches

SPRINGVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

CHEERLEADING RULES & PROCEDURES

2023-2024 

MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership shall be determined by a coach evaluation, teacher evaluation and a  closed tryout conducted in front of at least two qualified judges not from the SHS  coaching staff. (If you are transferring from another school, we also require a previous coach’s evaluation.)
2. The membership application, a physical, and a grade verification, (3.0 cumulative  gpa and 3.0 3rd term gpa) must be signed by an administrator or counselor, and a parent prior to cheer tryouts.  
3. I understand that talent alone does not secure my position on the SHS cheer squad.  No individual is automatically guaranteed a position on the squad. Previous cheer  experience at SHS or any other school, DOES NOT IN ANY WAY guarantee a position on the team. I understand that outside judges will be brought in for the talent/ skill portion; however as with any sport, the final decision is left to the coaches/advisors. Once the squad has been decided upon, the coaches will not talk to any parents about scores.  

• All cheerleaders will treat fellow students and SHS Staff members with the utmost respect and kindness. No insubordination of ANY KIND will be permitted.
• No swearing or crude language.
• No jewelry or accessories at practice, games or at any time when cheering. - No disruptive behavior at practices, games or other events.
• Participation is mandatory, including practice, games, competitions, etc.

• Absolutely no gum at practices or games.
• Full and correct uniform and or day outfits must be worn when designated by a  coach or head cheerleader.
• Hair must be in a ponytail with bangs pulled back during games and practices.  - Cheerleaders must be in complete uniform when entering any sports venue. It is  not appropriate to dress/undress (including warm-ups, shoes, fixing bra-straps,  hair, make-up, etc.) in the presence of spectators. This must be taken care of out  of the public’s eye.  
• Cheerleaders must bring all apparel items that could be worn that evening with  them. This includes: a uniform, warm ups, shoes, team hair bow, etc.
• No suggestive and or inappropriate music or movements will be used.  - Nails must be kept at a length appropriate for cheering and stunting. Acrylic  nails are never permitted.
• No Cell phones/text messaging at practice, games, in block, or at squad activities.

They must be put away at all times.

• Appropriate behavior must also be maintained in the community and on the internet 

(Facebook, Instagram, VSCO, Twitter, blogs, tiktok, etc).

• All district and school policies must be followed.
• Unnatural hair color to include custom spray will not be tolerated
• Public display of affection is not permitted, ESPECIALLY while in uniform.
• Disrespecting coaches, school staff, teammates, competitors, peers and community members  will NOT be tolerated.
• Violation of any of these will result in a demerit or probation depending on severity. Once you’ve reached 3 demerits you’ll be on probation until they are  made up.

4. Membership begins upon selection of a new team at tryouts and extends through the  end of next year. The cheerleaders will support SHS athletic activities. They will  cheer at football, volleyball, boys and girls basketball, and wrestling. They will be  required to attend all other sports as directed by the administration.  
5. All members will attend summer camp which will be June 19-21.

CHEERLEADER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Cheerleaders are the one organization in the school in charge of unity and positive  support. Cheerleaders are an athletic team, and are just like any other athletic group.  Members are expected to behave like a team. Practices are not optional and neither  is game attendance. Positive attitudes, respect, and kindness will be expected at all  times.  
2. Cheerleaders as leaders of the school are expected to uphold high standards, and will  follow and adhere to all of the student hand book rules. Failure to uphold these standards will result in automatic elimination from the squad. (Because of these responsibilities we, as members of the cheerleading squad, will be held to a higher standard  of academic achievement and behavior, both on and off campus.)
3. Cheerleaders will be given a grade for their spring/summer participation as well as  during the school year. We will have a demerit system which means that each time a  cheerleader is late, disrespectful, misses practice, games, or any other team function,  doesn't wear full/correct uniform, wears jewelry to cheer, or any other reason the  coaches see fit, they will get a demerit. With each demerit given, the cheerleader will  get a grade drop. (A to an  A-) and any demerits after that will continue to drop the  cheerleaders grade. If a cheerleader is getting an excessive amount of demerits they  will be put on probation or dismissed from the team. The cheerleaders will be given  many opportunities to make up demerits throughout each term, but it is up to them to  take the responsibility to get them made up before each term ends. All grades will be  final.
4. Attendance is mandatory for all games. Missing an assigned game or practice for  any reason other than medical or family emergencies, will affect the student’s grade  for that term. Employment, driver’s ed., dance, or other commitments do not excuse  a cheerleader from attending games or practice. Cheer is a year round sport with  many games, practices, and events each week, because of this the squad members  cannot do other sports or hobbies that would interfere with any of the cheers practices or  games. Excused absences include severe illness, family emergency, funerals, family  weddings, and approved school duty functions. Excessive absences will result in  automatic elimination. (Excessive absences=having 3 unexcused absences per term.)
5. Cheerleaders are to attend every class on performance and game days. If a  cheerleader fails to attend all of her classes on the day of a game, she will be ineligible to cheer at that game. She will attend the game in full uniform and will cheer in  the stands. When a cheerleader is ineligible to cheer or injured, there is no phones,  food, or sitting by friends. Calendars will be provided to inform them of their cheer  commitments. Schedule appointments (doctor, dentist, etc.) for times other than  game days, cheer class, or practice times. Attendance is important for academic  success.  
6. Cheerleaders must be on time to assigned practices, games, and activities. It is also  your responsibility to put forth your best effort while you are there. Jobs and other  sports/hobbies must not interfere with cheer practices or games. The coach must be  contacted prior to practice if a cheerleader has a problem. All summer practices  will be required. Regular practice will be held Monday thru Thursday from 7:00 am  to 9:30 am. We will have 5 scheduled practices at the Hive this Summer. Dates will  be announced at a later time. Family vacations should be scheduled during times  when we are not practicing.
7. Summer practice is extremely important. Summer practices will include conditioning, stunting, and learning material. It is required that all cheerleaders attend a  one day safety clinic in May as well as cheer camp.  
8. Fundraising is an important part that benefits the entire squad. All squad members/ parents are expected to participate willingly in fundraising. Fundraisers will include  the mini cheer clinic, sucker sales, potatoes, and concessions. Other fundraisers will  be announced throughout the year.  
9. Cheerleaders must ride the bus to and from all cheerleading activities.

PROBATION AND ELIMINATION 

1. Any student who represents SHS should possess and demonstrate the qualities of a  good citizen. Occurrences in school such as theft, vandalism, sluffing, and reoccurring disciplinary problems all make a cheerleader ineligible. Alcohol and drug offenses will be handled by the SHS coaches and administration. Bad attitudes and or  talking badly about their team will result in a warning. If it doesn’t change immediately, the student may be dismissed.  
2. In case of dismissal from the cheer team, none of the cost will be refunded. The  remaining balance for the year must be paid in full.
3. Cheerleaders must keep a 3.0 gpa Failure to uphold a 3.0 gpa will result in elimination from the squad, and removal from the cheer class immediately. They must also  stay below 10 detention hours at all times in order to be eligible to cheer each week.
4. If a cheerleader chooses to leave the squad or is dismissed she may not return to the  SHS cheer squad for the year.  
5. Cheerleaders are expected and required to stay with the squad at all away functions.  Failure to do so will result in probation. If the team ever stays overnight somewhere  either at nationals, retreats, or any other reason, they are required to stay at the hotel  in their assigned room at night or they will be dismissed from the team.
6. Cheerleaders will have interviews at the beginning of the year as well as mid season.  We will go over this contract as well as what the cheerleaders are doing well at and  what can be improved on. We will set goals and go over how we can best help them  reach those goals and keep them on track.  

UNIFORM AND APPEARANCE

1. The cost for the year will be $1200. This covers the cost of uniforms and gear, as  well as the participation fee. Camp, and Nationals are separate costs. This amount  must be paid in full by an assigned date given by the coaches. Until this amount is  paid, game participation is not permitted.  
2. Summer camp cost is $250, We will be doing the mini cheer clinic to help offset this  cost. Cheer camp is mandatory.
3. Girls are responsible for keeping uniforms, including shoes, clean at all times. Uni forms will be worn to all designated events without any kind of alteration. Camp  wear, uniforms, and shoes, shall not be worn to non cheering activities.  Any gear that is lost will be the cheerleaders financial responsibility and will need to  be reordered. Do not let anybody borrow any of your cheer gear!
4. Cheerleaders are expected to support SHS’s dress code during regular school hours.  No piercing except for the ears will be allowed.  

SQUAD ADVISORS/OFFICERS

The team captains will be decided upon by giving a speech to fellow team mates, and  squad vote. These captains will help enforce all the rules and procedures. Captains are responsible for game action leadership, and informing squad members of events. They are expected to be  a great leader, respectable, responsible, and be able to take charge and make decisions. Captains  are NOT coaches, all final decisions will always be made by coaches.  

COMPETITION

1. Competition is a big part of the SHS cheer squad. During the year there will be  required extra practices and competitions. If you are not fully committed (time wise and  financially) to the squad and being a dedicated SHS cheerleader PLEASE DO NOT TRY  OUT. There will be times the cheerleaders will have to miss family functions, concerts,  vacations, birthdays, etc. for competition practice and competitions.
2. The competition team will include ALL squad members however, some will be ALTERNATES. Competition team will be chosen at tryouts. If you are chosen as an alternate,  you will have till the first week of August to gain or improve skills needed to be on the  team. After Choreography has been done, any alternates will only move up in case of  injury or someone is eliminated from the squad. Alternates that move up will be chosen  by the coaches based on skill and position needed. Alternates can still attend competition practices and competitions including nationals.  
3. Competition requires a lot of time from each girl. Vacations in the months of November  thru February are unacceptable. Missing competition practice will affect the cheerleaders grade as well as they could lose their position in stunts, formations, etc. Absolutely  NO missing practice the week of a competition.
4. The goal of competition is to compete in the High School Nationals, which are held in  California or Florida. The cost of Nationals is usually between $1200-1350. We offset  this cost with fundraisers throughout the year.
5. In order to prepare for competition the girls will be conditioning and running every practice throughout the year. Flexibility is also very important as well as tumbling. It is highly recommended that the cheerleaders are in a tumbling class.

I have received, read, and agree with the standards, rules, and financial commitment that comes  with being an SHS cheerleader.

___________________________________________             _________________________  Student Signature                                                                 Date

___________________________________________            __________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature                                                         Date