Strath Haven High School Cheerleading Handbook

2024-2025

Our Contact Information/Social Network Sites:

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Email: havencheer@gmail.com

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Band App:

https://band.us/n/a9a48eofM6e4E

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Website: https://sites.google.com/site/havencheer

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Facebook: Haven Cheer

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Instagram: haven.cheer

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Twitter: @Haven_Cheer

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Coaching Staff

Head Coach:

• Heather Burns

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Assistant Coach:

• Carlie Flanagan
• Skylar Borkowski

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Tumbling Instructor:

• Staff from Talent Training Center

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Open Gym

Tryout Clinic

Parent Meeting

• MANDATORY Parent Meeting
• Thursday, May 16th at 7:00 PM in the �SHMS Gym.
• Required for all new AND returning parents.
• Detailed breakdown of important information, personalized payment information, fundraisers, parent volunteers, etc.

Open Gyms are an opportunity for skill growth and to prepare for tryouts.

• All Open Gym’s are from 5-7 PM in SHMS Gym
• Wed., April 3rd
• Mon., April 8th
• Wed., April 17th

• Mon., April 22nd
• Mon., April 29th
• Thurs., May 9th
• Thurs., May 16th

All tryout dates are MANDATORY.

• Monday, May 20th (5-7 PM) SHMS Gym
• Tuesday, May 21st (5-7 PM) SHHS Gym
• Wednesday, May 22nd (5-6 PM) SHMS Gym

Tryout Clinic Outfits:

Please wear the assigned outfits below during the clinic days. T-shirts should be tucked in. Please wear sneakers and all jewelry should be removed.

Monday:

• Wear: Black Shirt (Haven if you have it) & Black Shorts/Pants
• Hair: Hair pulled back in a clean low or mid-ponytail parted with a bow or ribbon

Tuesday:

• Wear: Grey Shirt (Have if you have it) & Black Shorts/Pants
• Hair: Hair pulled back in a clean high-ponytail with a bow or ribbon

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Stunting

Tryout Attire

Formal Tryouts

• Stunting ability is a HUGE factor in this sport, especially at the competition level, so it is very important that the cheerleaders work hard during the Tryout Clinics and are open to learning new skills and positions if necessary.

Tryout appearance should be “Game Day Ready”

• White “Haven” or plain shirt (tucked in)
• Black athletic shorts, capris, or pants
• White socks
• Athletic sneakers (preferably cheerleading sneakers)
• Hair pulled back in a clean low or mid-ponytail parted with a bow or ribbon
• Natural makeup
• No Jewelry!! Please remove all piercings, including nose rings and belly button rings!

• Wednesday, May 22nd (6-8 PM) SHMS Gym

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• Cheerleaders will sign up for a time slot during the Tryout Clinics.
• Cheerleaders will tryout in groups of 2-5 with their stunt groups, that will be chosen by the coaching staff.

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Judging

Team Selection

• Each athlete will receive their team placement on Tuesday, May 28th from 5-7 PM.
• Coaches will individually discuss the strengths and areas of improvement with the cheerleaders and provide them with an individualized growth plan that outlines how they can become a stronger cheerleader.
• Cheerleaders will receive a placement, but will also have the summer to continue to develop their skills based on their growth plans and participation in summer skills.
• Growth and dedication will be taken into consideration when selecting cheerleaders who will be on mat in the fall.

We bring in qualified outside judges to evaluate each cheerleader individually on the skills listed below. The judges’ scores will be combined with the stunt evaluation score to determine the team placements.

• Knowledge of material
• Motion sharpness & placement
• Crowd leading ability
• Jumps
• Tumbling
• Stunts

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Varsity Traditional Team

• Competes at Local, District, State, Regional, National and League Competitions
• Cheers at Varsity Football & Basketball Games
• Participates in Community Events & Fundraisers
• Standing & Running Tumbling Required
• Elite Stunts Required (spins, inversions, one-leg stunts with body positions)
• Attends UCA Camp & Stunt Clinics
• Attends 8-week tumbling
• UCA Choreographer
• Can be on Varsity or JV Game Day Team & Sparkle Team too
• Big commitment (both time & financial)
• Practices 3 times per week for about 1.5-2 hours each

• 15-20 spots available on mat
• The 15-20 cheerleaders will be chosen based on tryout scores, but could change throughout the season based on attendance, dedication, and skill progression.
• In the event an alternate is needed throughout the season, an athlete who is an alternate will be selected based on the position and skills needed at that time.
• Requirements:
• Tumbling: Standing Back Handspring & Round-Off Back Handspring
• (If you do not have a handspring, you must be working towards one and max out the scoresheet for the other categories.)
• Stunting: Clean Solid Liberty, Working on Full-Ups
• Coed: Walk in/toss hands

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Varsity Game Day Team

• Competes at Local, Regional, National and League Competitions
• Cheers at Varsity Football & Basketball Games
• Participates in Community Events & Fundraisers
• Standing Tumbling Required
• Attends UCA Camp & Stunt Clinics
• Attends 8-week tumbling
• UCA Choreographer
• Can be on Varsity Traditional Team & Sparkle Team too
• Big commitment (both time & financial)
• Practices 3 times per week for about 1.5-2 hours each

• 15-20 spots available on mat
• The 15-20 cheerleaders will be chosen based on tryout scores, but could change throughout the season based on attendance, dedication, and skill progression.
• In the event an alternate is needed throughout the season, an athlete will be moved from JV Game Day Team based on the position and skills needed at that time.
• Requirements:
• Tumbling: Standing Back Handspring
• Motions: Motion placement & sharpness are HUGE aspects in this division.
• Spirit & Energy: Crowd-leading ability is crucial, along with spirit and energy.
• Coed: Walk in/toss hands

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JV Game Day Team

• Competes at Local, Regional, National and League Competitions
• Cheers at Varsity Football & Basketball Games
• Participates in Community Events & Fundraisers
• No Tumbling Required
• No Experience Needed
• Attends UCA Camp & Stunt Clinics
• Attends 8-week tumbling
• Coaches Choreography
• Can be on Varsity Traditional Team & Sparkle Team too
• Still a big commitment, but less than Varsity (both time & financial)
• Practices 2 times per week for about 1.5-2 hours each

• 15-30 spots available on mat
• The 15-30 cheerleaders will be chosen based on tryout scores, but could change throughout the season based on attendance, dedication, and skill progression.
• Requirements:
• Tumbling: No tumbling requirements; however, we encourage you to work on your tumbling skills to advance to the Varsity level team.
• Motions: Motion placement & sharpness are HUGE aspects in this division.
• Spirit & Energy: Crowd-leading ability is crucial, along with spirit and energy.
• Stunting: Clean & Solid Preps, showing progression towards extensions.
• Positive Attitude: Willingness to learn, try new things & apply feedback

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Sparkle Team

• Haven’s 1st Unified Cheer Team
• Competes at Some Local and League Competitions
• Cheers at Varsity Football & Basketball Games
• Participates in Community Events & Fundraisers
• No Tumbling Required
• No Experience Needed
• Coaches Choreography
• Low cost team
• Practice 1 time per week for about 30 minutes
• Can be on Varsity Traditional and/or �Varsity or JV Game Day
• Closest to Sideline Only Team

• 8-35 spots available on mat
• Tryouts are Evaluation Only
• Everyone makes the team!
• Evaluations give coaches an idea of the skills we have so we can begin choreography.

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Mascot

• Competes at Local, Regional, National and League Competitions as the Panther Mascot in the Game Day Routine
• Cheers at Varsity Football & Basketball Games as the Panther Mascot
• Participates in Community Events & Fundraisers as the Panther Mascot
• No tumbling or experience required
• UCA Camp Mandatory
• Choreography Mandatory
• Practice 3 times per week for about 1.5-2 hours each with the Game Day Team
• Can also compete on Varsity Traditional and Sparkle

• 1 spot available on mat for Varsity & JV (1 alternate)
• Tryouts will be needed if more than 1 athlete interested.

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Multiple Sports, School Clubs & Band

Eligible for Tryouts

• In order to be eligible to tryout, participants may not have an outstanding monetary balance or owed equipment from a previous season.

• As we strive to continue our program to the next level, it is essential that all cheerleaders be present at ALL practices, events, and competitions.
• We recognize that athletes are involved in many sports, clubs, and band.
• Cheerleading is a team sport and relies on the full team to be in attendance to execute stunts and pyramid.
• Haven Cheer comes before other sports, activities & outside cheer or sport programs.
• If you plan to be involved in another school sport, club, or band in or outside of school, please meet with the coaches prior to tryouts to see if it will work and talk about the best team options.

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Academics

Time Management

• Each team member must maintain academic eligibility as defined by the SHHS Athletic Handbook.
• If a cheerleader fails to maintain these grade requirements, he/she will be placed on a probationary period.
• If you are placed on the ineligible list 2 or more times you may be dismissed from the team.
• If you are placed on the ineligibility list at the end of 4th quarter, you will be ineligible for the first 3 weeks in the Fall.
• This could affect your position on mat since this falls during Varsity Choreography.

• Time management is important so that assignments, projects, and studying for assessments are not left until the last minute.
• Cheerleading practices, games, and events may not be missed due to school work.
• Should this circumstance occur, your position on the team may be jeopardized as this is an indication you cannot balance academics and activities.

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Attendance

Latenesses

• If a cheerleader accrues 3 unexcused absences in either the fall or winter season, he/she may be dismissed from the team.
• Apart from documented personal illness, death in the immediate family and religious obligations, all other absences are unexcused.
• Graduations, family parties, babysitting, work, homework, social events (school and personal), vacations, and other celebrations are not excused absences. Weddings may be excused with 30 days’ notice given. The coaches will determine if an absence is excused or not.

• Athletes are expected to show up on time! At least 15 minutes prior to scheduled practice/event times.
• This gives cheerleaders time to put on their indoor shoes and any braces they may need, so we can start on time!
• Athletes should plan to be picked up no later than 15 minutes after practice/events ends.
• The number of minutes an athlete is late or leaves early from an event will be totaled. �120 minutes = 1 absence.

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Schedule

Practices

Regular Season

• The schedule is available on the Band app throughout the season.
• Weekly posts will be made in the Band app as a reminder for upcoming events that week, along with major changes to the calendar.
• Strath Haven Cheerleading takes precedence over other activities and all-star practices.
• Practices, games, competitions, and events will be added as determined.
• Dates are based on last year’s events and are subject to change.
• Calendar will be updated as more details are provided.
• It is the responsibility of the cheerleader and parents to check the calendar before scheduling other events.

• Cheerleaders are expected to stay at the end of practice until all mats are rolled up and put away and the gym space is clear of all trash and personal belongings.
• All cheerleaders are expected to help with mats and equipment at the beginning and end of practices.

• The season schedule for fall and winter has been planned and will be released on Band.
• All practice times are subject to change throughout the season depending on the availability of the gym.

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Fundraising Events

Competitions

• Fundraising events are essential to support the goals and activities of the cheerleading program.
• Individual and team fundraisers are designed to reduce the overall expenses that would otherwise be the responsibility of cheerleaders and their families.
• Full participation is expected and required of all cheerleaders and parents.

• Attendance at all competitions is mandatory.
• The competition schedule will be determined by August.
• Competitions usually begin the first weekend in November and end the second weekend in February.
• When the schedule comes out, please keep the whole competition day open. Most competition performance schedules are not published until the week before the competition.

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Cheer Camp

Choreography

Community Service Events

• All Varsity & JV cheerleaders and alternates are required to attend cheer camp in August.
• This is a requirement in order to attend a Regionals competition for the hope to earn a bid to Nationals.

• All cheerleaders are required to attend choreography.
• If a cheerleader does not attend choreography, he/she will be an alternate.
• The Varsity Routines will be choreographed by a UCA Choreographer.
• The JV and Sparkle Routines will be choreographed by the coaches.

• Another important focus of the cheerleading program is to support Strath Haven and the surrounding community by volunteering throughout the year at parades, walks/runs, and charity events.
• These events are mandatory for all participants of the SHHS Cheerleading program.

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Appearance

• NO GUM is allowed during practices, games, or competitions.
• Makeup should be natural looking for games. We will discuss makeup and lipstick color for competition prior to a competition.
• Spiritwear in coordination with the student section MUST be approved with coaches. Face paint is NOT allowed as it could get on the uniforms.
• White cheer shoes of your choice must be worn for all games.
• New competition sneakers will only be worn at indoor practices and competitions only.

• Athletes should be completely dressed in correct uniform/practice clothes and have all jewelry out when they arrive to practice.
• Hair must be back in either a ponytail, or half-up/down, with proper bow (coaches will decide). No fly-aways!!
• PIAA requires no jewelry and it’s strictly enforced.
• Please refrain from getting new piercings throughout the season. PIAA does not allow you to put bandaids over piercings. You will not be permitted to stunt until all jewelry is taken off.
• Nails should be short due to injuries. NO nail polish allowed for competitions.
• Athletes will be grounded from stunts until their nails are cut short.

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Uniforms & Equipment

Spirit/Game Days

Transportation

• Uniforms should be kept clean and neat at all times.
• Please wash them according to directions and hang to dry.
• DO NOT put them in the dryer.
• Any damage to uniforms will result in SHHS charging athletes to replace them.
• You will be responsible for replacing any of these items if they get lost or destroyed. None of these items should be worn by anyone except you.
• Female cheerleaders will be given a set of poms for the season to use at events.
• Male cheerleaders will use megaphones at events to engage the crowd.
• Poms and megaphones must be returned in the same condition they were given.

• On spirit days/game days, cheerleaders will wear either their uniform, Sweatshirt/sweatpants, warm ups, or outfit designated by coaches.
• ALL athletes are expected to be in whatever is required that day.
• Not dressing as a team may result in sitting out of the game.

• Athletes are required to travel to away games, competitions and other events with the team (unless an approved alternate transportation form is executed prior to the event).

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Attitude

• A positive and respectful attitude is required at ALL times!
• All cheerleaders are to be supportive of each other and their coaches.
• Conflicts between squad members should not be brought to practice, games, events.
• Coaches will have the final say about decisions!

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High Moral Standards

Participation

• All cheerleaders are expected to maintain high moral standards and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.
• Pride and good sportsmanship are to be demonstrated at all times (especially when wearing any and all Strath Haven High School apparel).
• You are an ambassador of Strath Haven High School and should always strive to set a good example.

• Cheerleaders are expected to participate in fundraising and community events.
• We only ask that each cheerleader do their best to raise funds for the program.
• Fundraising projects we have done in the past are: Egg My Yard, Lottery Baskets, Raffle Baskets, Football Mania, Cheer Clinic, Pretzel Sales, Car Wash, Beef & Beer, Sponsors, Restaurant Spirit Nights, etc.

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Discipline, Respect & Cooperation

Homework & Other Activities

• Homework, activities outside of SHHS Cheerleading, work, babysitting, birthday dinners/parties, doctors visits, etc. are NOT considered excused absences from practice, games, or events.
• We provide our schedule in advance and request that cheerleaders manage their time accordingly and remain flexible to necessary changes.
• As a student-athlete, it is important that you manage your school work.
• Many of you have chosen to obtain part-time jobs. If you choose to work, please arrange your work schedule so it does not conflict with your cheerleading schedule.

• Discipline, Respect, and Cooperation are mandatory in such a large program.
• You will be expected to work as a TEAM at all times, respect each other and your coaches.
• Listening to other people’s points of view and taking constructive criticism is an important aspect of cheerleading.
• We are all working towards success and need each other to get there.
• Always remember, the team comes first and your coaches have the final word on all matters.

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Cell Phones

Conditioning & Tumbling

• You will be expected to participate in any and all conditioning and training exercises.
• We ask that if there is a medical reason that you are unable to perform a certain skill, exercise, or have any health restrictions, that this be brought to our attention immediately.
• A signed doctor note detailing the injury or restriction must be presented to the coaches.
• We want to promote a healthy lifestyle and instill healthy habits that your athlete can take with them on and off the mat.
• There is a lot of cardio and strength required to correctly and safely run through a routine.

• Cell phones are not to be used during practice, games, or events.
• If there is an emergency and you need to reach a cheerleader, please contact one of the coaches.

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Social Networking

Bullying

• Strath Haven Cheerleading DOES NOT CONDONE any type of bullying (both on or off of social media) of teammates, other teams, or anyone else in the school or community.
• Anyone caught participating in any form of bullying on or off of social media will be immediately dismissed from the team.

• Social networking continues to grow year after year, and we know that many cheerleaders are part of these websites.
• Please remember if you make a squad you are a representative of Strath Haven High School and what you do is reflected on the whole team.
• Please act with integrity and respect for yourself and each other at all times!
• We also post a lot of praise for our teams on our social media platforms, as well as information for upcoming events.
• We like to be able to recognize all of our cheerleaders.

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Drinking & Drugs

• Any cheerleaders caught drinking, vaping, or using drugs will be referred to school administration for disciplinary actions.
• We hope that you will respect yourself, your family, and your teammates enough to show good judgment when faced with these circumstances.
• Please note that we will follow the school rules for any in season instances.

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Communication

• All communications from the coaches will be posted on the Band app.
• Cheerleaders and parents should download the free Band app so you can remain up-to-date with the communication from the cheer coaches.

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Have Fun!

You are here to cheer because you love doing so! Enjoy your time at the games, events, and even at practice! Your enjoyment is reflected in how you cheer and your years cheering in high school will fly by!

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