CHEERLEADING AND DANCE

Cheerleading Sponsors:

 

7th grade: Teresa Seifers

8th grade: Hilary Shafer

 

Dance Sponsor: Kayla Stocker

Batchelor Middle School

Cheerleading and Dance Team Handbook

 

I)                     Philosophy & Purpose:

 

The purpose of these spirit organizations shall be to dedicate ourselves to work together within our teams. We will strive to boost school spirit, promote good sportsmanship, encourage crowd involvement and perform or entertain to the best of our abilities. We will respect others and act as positive role models for the student body.

 

II)            Rules and Guidelines for participants:

 

A)      Participation Determined by Grades

1.        The Batchelor extracurricular academic progress report as outlined in the student handbook will be used.

2.        An F for the final grading period will result in the member being dismissed from the team.

3.       Monitoring times are every three weeks during the season. Members MUST turn in their own progress reports in order to cheer or dance.  

4.        An F or a D at the monitoring times will result in communication with coach, parents, teacher and possibly athletic director to determine eligibility.

 

B)      Participation Determined by Conduct

1.        The Batchelor athletic handbook policy and code of conduct must be followed.

2.        By accepting the privilege/honor of wearing a uniform, a member accepts the fact that her actions are more prominent than those not associated with such an activity. Inappropriate behaviors not only reflect poorly on the individual, but also on the entire team and school. The good of the team always comes first. This is extremely important at games.

3.        Public Displays of Affection (PDAs) are never considered appropriate, especially in uniform.

4.        Discipline for inappropriate conduct

1st = verbal warning from coach

2nd = contact parents/ possibly benched for one game

3rd = letter of dismissal

5.        Discipline problems during the school day will not be tolerated. This includes spending any period of time in ISD, even for tardies.

1st = benched from game or next event; cannot wear team uniform to school

2nd = benched from 2 games or events; cannot wear team uniform to school

3rd = letter of dismissal

 

C)      Participation Determined by Attendance

1.        Good attendance and on time arrivals are vital to a well prepared, well organized, successful team.

2.        Excused absences are defined as such:

                                                               i.      Personal/family illness

                                                              ii.      Death in the family

                                                            iii.      Medical injury

The coach must be notified at least one week before the practice, game or event. For planned absences, (vacation, etc…) the coach must be notified ASAP.

Only two excused absences are allowed per season (2 during football, 2 during basketball). Absences beyond the 2 per season may be counted as Unexcused.

3.       Unexcused absences are defined as such:

                                                               i.      “Ditching”

                                                             ii.      Missing for homework (see #9.)

Unexcused absence policy

1st = benched from the next game or performance event, parents contacted

2nd = letter of dismissal

4.     An absence (excused, or unexcused) from a practice immediately before a performance will result in the ineligibility to participate at the performance. This will be up to the coaches’ discretion.

5.   All dentist and doctor appointments must be scheduled on other days. Volunteering for any activity that conflicts with dance or cheer will not be allowed.

6.        Conflicting commitments to other Batchelor athletic or academic teams will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. We will develop a plan for the entire season at the earliest possible time. Middle School is a good time to begin to develop time management skills, and lessons about over-committing oneself.

 

7.        Special performances (i.e. dancing at IU Basketball games, parades, etc) require special dedication, and no missed practices.

 

8.        For game conflicts, team members must attend the entire game or not at all.

 

9.        No games or practices for homework, or project work are to be missed. Team members must be responsible and organized.

 

D)      Conduct at Practice

1.        Refer to team calendars for dates and times

2.        Be on time and dress appropriately – sneakers and socks must be warn at all times

3.        If practice is missed, the team member is responsible for information/choreography given. See the coach, or meet with another member to learn steps or changes.

4.        No gum, candy, soda or jewelry

5.        Members are expected to be attentive or cooperative with a positive attitude

6.        Members must stay for the entire practice, unless prior arrangements have been made. Missed parts of practices will be added up and attendance policies will be in effect.

7.        Do not build stunts without a coach present

8.        Warming up is not optional

9.        Hair must be pulled away from face

 

E)       Conduct at Games

1.        Attend home football games (also in-county games for cheerleaders)

2.        Attend your grade’s Boys’ home basketball games (also in-county games for cheerleaders)

3.        Participate in special community performances/service

4.        Do not leave games until dismissed by your coach.

5.        Members are at games to perform and support the team; members are not there to be with friends.

6.        Dancers should know the cheers, and be our cheerleader’s #1 fans, cheering along with all cheers. (in other words, CHEER!)

7.        Cheerleaders will support the dancers during their halftime or other performances.

 

F)       Following an Injury

1.   If a student is injured during practice or a game and requires a doctor’s care,   the student will not be permitted to participate without clearance from a certified physician.

2.   If a student is absent five or more consecutive days due to illness or injury, that student must present to the athletic director written verification from a licensed physician stating that the student may resume participation.

3.        If at any time, a member falls, or is otherwise injured, DO NOT MOVE THEM.

EMERGENCY PLAN:

1.        The coach will stay with the injured member

2.        The coach will designate a person to call 911 – give your exact location and basic information and tell the ambulance service where to enter the building.

3.        The coach will send someone to meet the ambulance and direct it to the location of injured member

4.        The coach will instruct someone to call the member’s parent. Give the parent as much information as possible. Parents need to tell us if they are going to school or directly to the hospital. Wait for an answer from the parent. Tell the coach immediately what the parent is doing.

5.        For those members not involved, do not practice until coach gives permission.

6.        Parents: it is very important that you notify coach of any changes in contact numbers

 

 

 

 

G)      Equipment [Uniforms and Appearance]

1.        Uniforms (and dance team poms) are property of the school

2.        Members will be required to maintain clean uniforms

3.        Any damaged or lost part of your uniform will require reimbursement.

4.        Jewelry of any kind is not permitted in any athletics as this can lead to injury. This is an IHSAA rule. This includes all body piercing, necklaces, bracelets, watches and rings. No jewelry at practice.

5.        While in uniform, team members are to refrain from wearing other garments that are not part of the designated BMS uniform.

6.        At practices:

                                                               i.      Do not roll your shorts down.

                                                              ii.      Do not tie your T-shirts up.

                                                            iii.      Do not wear spaghetti strap tank tops.

                                                            iv.      Do not wear just a sports bra.

 

H)      Gossip

1.        Gossip is not permitted

2.        Gossip or cliques among team members will not be tolerated

3.        Intervention/mediation will take place if there are any disputes between team members.

4.        Continual gossip/disrespect toward other members may lead to

                                                               i.      Suspension (not benching)

                                                              ii.      Letter of dismissal

5.        Relational Aggression training will take place and team members are expected to participate.

 

I)        Summer practice and camp

1.        Summer practice will be held at Batchelor, or at the home of a member

2.        The coach will always be present at camp.

3.        Camp is expected.

 

J)       Expenses and Fundraisers

1.        Spirit teams will not take part in fundraising. Our “fundraiser” is to work at the concessions at certain Batchelor athletic events. This way, our work will contribute to the athletic fund, and we will be able to use that money.

2.        Team members will be given supplies when payment is received. Parents who anticipate problems paying for supplies should notify the coach before ordering.

3.        Team members will not be benched, suspended or dismissed for inability to make a payment. We will work together to find a payment solution. 

4.        Any donations must be approved by the principal.

 

PURCHASES/PARTICIPATION FEES

 

Although participation in most Batchelor extracurricular activities is without cost, money for camps, equipment, or spirit related paraphernalia may occasionally be collected by the teacher, sponsor, or coach. Any school sanctioned request must be signed by the principal on school letterhead stationery. An example follows:

 

The                                                          (name of organization) sponsored by                                               (name of coach or sponsor) is collecting                                                  (amount of money to be collected) for                                                             (purpose of collection).

 

Checks should be made payable to Batchelor Middle School.

 

If you have any questions, please contact                                                       (name of sponsor or coach) at                                                           (phone or email address).

 

                                                                                                                               

Peggy Chambers,                                                                 Date

Principal

 

 

K)      Miscellaneous

1.        Coaches’ permission is required for all communication to team members (example: distribution of note, memo, letter or school announcement, or invitation)

2.        Parent help is essential to a successful team and is greatly appreciated; however, parents may not organize fundraisers

3.        The Batchelor Middle School name, and team uniforms or poms may not be used in connection with any outside groups, performances, or competitions.

4.        Physicals must be after May 1 and completed by try-outs

5.        The coach shall have the authority to suspend a member. The suspension will continue until there is a meeting with the coach, parent and member to decide further action.                      

6.        Members will be required to make signs for athletic events

7.        When a member is benched, she is expected to arrive to the game on time, in uniform, sit on the bench and support her team members.

 

PROOF OF PHYSICAL ELIGIBILITY

 

Participation will be permitted only after the student has a physical examination from a licensed physician on file in the athletic director’s office. If a student who had a physical in another school transfers into Batchelor, he/she will not be permitted to participate until it can be determined that a physical (covering the current year) was on file in the former school and a copy is being mailed or faxed to Batchelor. Physical examinations must be completed each year after May 1 to be valid for the next school year.

 

PARTICIPATION IN MORE THAN ONE SPORT OR MORE THAN ONE TEAM

 

A student cannot participate in a practice or an athletic contest on any other similar team during the same season in which the athlete represents his/her school in that sport. 

 

However, a waiver application may be submitted to the building principal for approval to participate in a non-school sponsored practice or competition during the same season in which the athlete represents his/her school in that sport. A student-athlete must follow the waiver application process and may receive a maximum of two waivers during a contest season to participate in non-school competition or practice.

 

All waivers must be completed and forwarded to the building principal seven (7) days prior to the event.

 

However, a student may participate on more than one Batchelor athletic team during the same period of time when seasons unavoidably overlap. The following guidelines apply:

 

·         The student may not quit a team after the first contest and participate in another sport during that season unless all coaches concerned give their consent.

 

·         The first team a student is selected for has priority over practice and game commitments.

 

·         A student should not participate in practice or contests in both sports during the same day.

 

·         A student’s participation on a team during the season takes priority over a preseason practice.

 

·         Coaches and sponsors will work together in cooperation with the principal and the athletic director for the good of the student if a conflict develops between athletics and academic competition.

 

·         Students who participate in two sports at Batchelor which overlap will be under constant review by the athletic director and the principal in order to retain this privilege.

 

PARTICIPATION DETERMINED BY AGE

 

A student athlete may not participate in a sport if as an 8th grader, he/she is 16 years old by the date of the last event of the sport; or if as a 7th grader, he/she is 15 years old by the date of the last event of the sport in which he/she is participating.

 

PARTICIPATION DETERMINED BY GRADES

 

Grades will be checked by the guidance counselor and/or athletic director at the end of each six weeks grading period the day report cards are issued. A student must be passing all of his/her classes in order to retain full athletic eligibility. Any student who is failing one or more classes may not participate in an athletic contest. If a student is a member of a team and receives a failing grade on a report card, he/she will not be allowed to participate in any game or performance for a period of three weeks. At the end of the three-week period the athletic director will recheck the student’s grades. If the student on probation has all passing grades at the end of the three weeks, he/she will regain full athletic eligibility. A student on probation who is not passing all classes at the end of the three weeks may be removed from the team. If a student is failing a class at the time of tryouts, the athlete may tryout but can not participate in competition until grades are checked again (three week grade check or six week grades) and the athlete is passing all his/her classes. Eligibility for the first six weeks of the 8th grade year will be determined by the grades from the last six week grading period of the 7th grade year.

 

 

COMMUNICATION WITH COACHES

 

Appropriate Concerns to Discuss with Coaches:

 

·         The treatment of your child mentally and physically.

·         Ways to help your child improve.

·         Concerns about your child’s behavior.

 

It is very difficult to accept your child’s not playing as much as you may hope. Coaches are professionals. They make judgement decisions based on what they believe to be the best for all students involved. As you have seen from the list above, certain things can and should be discussed with your child’s coach. Other things, such as those that follow, must be left to the discretion of the coach.

 

Issues Not Appropriate to Discuss with Coaches:

 

·         Playing time

·         Team strategy

·         Play calling

·         Other student-athletes

 

 

 

ATHLETE/PARENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM

To the Athlete:

 

I hereby acknowledge that I have read the Batchelor Middle School Cheerleading and Dance Team Handbook and agree to adhere to these policies.

 

I understand that if I violate any part of these policies, I may forfeit my right to take part in the Batchelor Cheer/Dance Program.

 

 

                                                                       

            Printed Name of Athlete

 

                                                                                                           

            Date                            Grade              Signature of Participant

 

To the parent and guardian:

 

I hereby acknowledge that I have read the Cheer/DanceHandbook and approve of my child’s participation in the Batchelor Cheer/Dance Program. I also agree to endorse my child’s adherence to these policies.

 

                                                                                                           

            Date                            Signature of Parent or Guardian