Business Technology Essentials

PURPOSE

MEMBERSHIP

1. There will be one middle school squad consisting of 7^th and 8^th grade students. The number of qualified candidates for the cheerleading squad varies from year to year. However, the sponsor has established that there will be a minimum of at least twelve qualified candidates.
2. Membership will be chosen by a panel of judges selected from an approved list issued by the Jefferson County Board of Education.
3. The decision of the judges is FINAL. No scores will be announced or reviewed with parents or participants.
4. Newly elected cheerleaders become subject immediately to all provisions and regulations of this constitution.
5. Candidates selected for group membership will be considered to be full-fledged members of the group immediately upon their selection.
6. Priorities of members should be as follows: ACADEMICS-CHEERLEADING-OTHER ACTIVITIES. Athletic events and practices may be considered "inconvenient" by parents and/or cheerleaders; however, members are required to be present at all practices and events. If a candidate does not believe he/she can manage these priorities in this order, he/she should not try out.
7. Selection will be based on appearance, coordination, dance, jumps, group cheer, spirit, tumbling, and individual chant.

SELECTION OF CHEERLEADERS

1. The student must be a Rudd Middle School student in the 6^th or 7^th grade at the time of tryouts.
2. The student must meet academic requirements as defined in the Jefferson County Board of Education No Pass/No Play regulations.
3. Must fill out an application that has been signed by both the parents and the student.
4. A candidate must have a physical by a licensed Alabama physician. A signed copy of the doctor's form for the physical must be turned into the sponsor before a candidate will be allowed to participate in the clinic or tryouts. This physical will/must be valid for one year.
5. The student must tryout again even though he/she has been a member the previous year.
6. The student must attend clinic everyday prior to tryouts unless excused by the sponsor or administration. During the week of clinic you must be present at school the entire day to participate. You may not check in or check out.
7. A candidate must attend mock tryouts in order to try out (unless excused by an administrator). The student must be in school all day and may not check in or check out on the day of mock tryouts unless excused in advance by an administrator.
8. No former cheerleader may try out unless ALL outstanding debts have been paid.
9. Each candidate wishing to try out for cheerleading shall be passing, during the current year in attendance, at least five new subjects with a minimum composite numerical average of "70" in those five subjects. A new subject is one that has not previously been passed. This average must be held the entire cheerleading season. Sixth grade students trying out for middle school cheerleader must be passing those subjects necessary for promotion. This composite average of "70" will be checked for eligibility purposes for the first semester of the current year. You must have a composite of "70" the 1^st semester to qualify as a candidate and if chosen as a cheerleader, a composite yearly average of "70" the current school year. The cheerleader must still hold the composite average of "70" on the first day of the following school year. Once you have made the squad, if you get an "F" on your report card you will receive demerits and you will not be allowed to cheer until you receive your progress report the next nine weeks to clarify that your grade has been brought up.
10. All candidates trying out must have demonstrated satisfactory conduct as defined by the local school board throughout the semester in which tryouts are held. This mean that a candidate can have no Class II or Class III discipline referrals (see Jefferson County Code of Conduct Parent/Student Handbook for a listing of Class II and Class III infractions). All candidates selected for cheerleading must maintain satisfactory conduct at all times.
11. In case of a tie, trying candidates plus two others will be called back for re-judging. However, the judges will only score the trying candidates. None of the candidates will know who tied.
12. Performance requirements for tryouts:

PRACTICE OF CANDIDATES

1. Candidates will practice according to a schedule set by the sponsor.
2. Tryouts will be held the next day following a 5-day clinic. Each candidate must attend each day of the clinic or obtain a doctor's excuse for any day(s) missed.
3. Parents must provide the transportation to arrive and depart any event on time. For each minute that your child arrives late to practice and for each minute that they are late to an event they will have to do that many pushups and will also receive a demerit. .
4. All candidates must be at school the entire day on clinic days and on the day of mock tryouts and tryouts unless excused by a doctor or other emergency approved by the principal.
5. Clinic will be held during a week in February or March. Clinic will start at 3:15 sharp and end at 5:30.
6. Practices and tryouts are closed to all parents and spectators. Mock Tryouts will be open to spectators- cost $3.00. Mock Tryouts will start at 3:45 in the gym.
7. Tryouts will start at _______ in the gym. No one is allowed to speak to or see any candidate for any reason.
8. After the judges have made their final decisions the list of cheerleaders selected will be posted. The list will not be posted until everyone is off campus. The trying candidates will be notified of the time they can return before they leave tryouts.
9. Candidates must wear a white T-shirt (no logo) and black shorts (no logo), white socks, and plain white tennis shoes (no logo) at tryouts. NO JEWERLY (EARRINGS, RINGS, BRACLETS, NECKLACES, OR BELLY BUTTON RINGS), LONG OR FAKE NAILS, OR GLITTER IS TO BE WORN AT CLINIC OR TRYOUTS. LONG HAIR MUST BE SECURED ABOVE THE SHOULDERS.

BEHAVIOR AND RESPONSIBILITES:

1. Follow all school rules as defined in the Jefferson County Code of Conduct. Commission of Class II or Class III as defined by the Jefferson County Code of Conduct can be cause for dismissal. Class II offenses that do not result in dismissal can result in a period of suspension from the team. The sponsors in conjunction with the administration will determine the length of the suspension.
2. Exhibit good sportsmanship.
3. Cooperate with and show respect to the sponsors and squad leaders.
4. Maintain privacy of all squad information meant for the squad only.
5. Must be able to accept constructive criticism from the sponsor, squad members, faculty and staff, and students.
6. Be respectful to all teachers and staff at Rudd Middle School.
7. Not display undesirable emotions such as rage or anger.
8. Be honest and truthful at all times.
9. Turn in all forms and monies on time.
10. Not carry on personal conservation with spectators or other cheerleaders during a cheering session.
11. Be in position and ready to cheer 45 minutes before the beginning on an event.
12. Be back in position 2 minutes prior to the end of halftime activities.
13. Personally see the sponsor before leaving an event
14. Inform the sponsor if you are not going to be at practice or at a cheering event.

PRACTICES/ATTENDANCE

1. Practices will be held regularly as planned by the sponsor.
2. Each cheerleader must attend practices unless a doctor's excuse is presented or if there is a death in the family.
3. Each cheerleader shall be allowed three personal leave days per 1 year for other circumstances approved by the sponsor three days prior to the activity to be missed. Personal leave is intended for situations in which there is conflict between a cheering activity and a special or unavoidable occasion that the cheerleader must attend. Personal leave will be granted at the sponsor's discretion. If you have to schedule doctor's or dentist appointment for your child please try to schedule them around cheerleading. It is very difficult to have a good practice when squad members are absent from practice.
4. Each squad member must attend all summer camps and practices planned for the squad. The sponsor will decide the time and location of camp. Failure to attend will result in dismissal from the squad.
5. Cheerleaders should be dressed and in the designated stretching area by the starting time of practice which is 3:00 on Mondays and 3:15 Tuesday-Friday.
6. A cheerleader must stay the entire length of a practice session. Missed practices or leaving early will result in demerits.
7. Cheerleaders must practice to cheer at games. NO PRACTICE –NO CHEERING. Unless your absence is excused by a doctor you will not cheer at the next game after a missed practice. However, you must attend the game in uniform and sit by the sponsor.
8. Outfits will be assigned for practice days. If you are not in the correct uniform demerits will be assigned.
9. Any squad member may also participate in other sports or activities. However, the RMS squad must remain the first priority over any other sport or extracurricular activity.

APPERANCE/UNIFORMS

1. Design and selection of the uniforms will be made by the sponsor and the administration.
2. The cheerleader will purchase a maximum of two uniforms.
3. All uniform parts will be neat and clean for every performance. Uniforms will be worn properly at all times. If you are missing any part of your uniform at a game/event you will receive demerits and will not be able to perform or participate. You will sit by the sponsor during the game/event.
4. To prevent injury, hair that is shoulder length or longer should be put up neatly off their face and shoulders during practice and games.
5. No jewelry will be worn at games, practices, or cheerleading events. This includes: belly button rings, tongue rings, studs, cartilage, rings, necklaces, ankle bracelets, chokers, and any other items as specified by the sponsor. If you are told to take off any jewelry you will be given demerits. If you refuse to take off the jewelry you will not be allowed to participate whether it is a game or practice.
6. Nail length is only to be to the tip of the finger. No nail polish or acrylic nails will be allowed during practice or events.
7. To prevent accidents, cheerleaders will not be allowed to wear lotion during practice, games, or events.
8. If there is a male on the squad he shall wear no makeup, fingernail polish, or jewelry.

ATTITUDE

1. Each cheerleader must maintain a desirable attitude and a spirit of cooperation in ALL CLASSES and with ALL TEACHERS AND FACULTY.
2. Each cheerleader must realize the commitment he/she makes to be a school representative when he/she is elected.
3. Each cheerleader must maintain privacy of all squad information meant for the squad only.
4. Each cheerleader must be able to accept constructive criticism from the sponsor and squad members.
5. Each cheerleader is expected to maintain friendships with all squad members.
6. A cheerleader should exhibit leadership qualities at all times.
7. Good training is important to your health as it is to any other athlete. Each cheerleader must practice regularly. Not showing up for practice is as serious as not showing up for a game.
8. Each cheerleader is expected to be a good cheerleader and therefore willing to put in the work and time for the team and school.

SUMMER CAMP AND PERFORMANCES

1. Cheerleaders will be required to attend a four-day cheerleading camp as selected by the sponsor. Summer camp will take place at the University of Alabama or Auburn University. It will be at the end of May or the beginning of June.
2. Cheerleaders will be required to attend all practices deemed necessary by the sponsor prior to camp and preceding camp.
3. Parents are allowed to attend the first night of camp to watch the dance competition and the final day of camp to see the final competition.

GAMES, PEP RALLIES, TRIPS, ATHLETIC EVENTS

1. Cheerleaders shall perform at all pep rallies and games, both home and away that are deemed appropriate by the sponsor.
2. Transportation is according the Jefferson County Board of Education policy.
3. A cheerleader will not be allowed to leave his/her position at the game/event without permission from the sponsor.
4. All cheerleaders must arrive 45 minutes prior to the game/event starting to allow for time to warm-up and prepare for the game. Tardiness will result in demerits.
5. A cheerleader may not chew gum or eat candy during cheerleading events or games.
6. A cheerleader will not be allowed to carry on personal conservation with spectators or other cheerleaders during a cheering session.
7. All cheerleaders must be in position; ready to cheer when the event begins. They must also be back in their position 2 minutes prior to the end of halftime activities.
8. Cheerleaders will not be allowed to cheer if absent from school or if he/she checks out before 11:30 or checks in after 11:30 the day of the game/event.

FINANCES AND FUNDRAISING

1. All members must participate in fundraising events. A fair percentage of the fundraiser may be donated rather than selling items. Monies must be turned in on time.
2. All projects sponsored and conducted by the cheerleaders will go toward camp and squad supplies. Fundraisers will not pay for uniforms.
3. Fundraisers only pay for cheerleaders. They will not pay for family expenses to any event.
4. Each cheerleader will support all fundraiser and projects. Each cheerleader must raise the predetermined fair-share amount or pay the difference.
5. If a cheerleader is deemed ineligible or is dismissed from the squad for any reason, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to fulfill any outstanding financial obligations. Monies collected prior to dismissal or resignation WILL NOT BE REFUNDED.
6. Estimated cost for cheerleading:

RULES, REGULATIONS, AND RESPONSIBILITES

RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS