DHS WILDCATSCheerleading Constitution

Being a Cheerleader is a highly esteemed position at Duluth. As DHS Cheerleaders you are the most visible representatives for the high school. For this reason, you are held to a higher standard than other students. You are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship while at Duluth as well as while away from school. The primary purpose of the DHS cheerleading program is to promote school pride and unity. Cheerleaders are expected to lead the student body in demonstrating spirit and support for ALL DHS teams in appropriate ways in accordance to GHSA rules and guidelines. In turn, all athletes should treat all administrators, teachers, coaches, as well as individuals who participate in DHS athletics with the utmost respect remembering that others follow by their example. Finally, it is also the duty of our cheerleaders to compete and cheer with the spirit of good sportsmanship.

Cheerleaders are expected to be a positive influence on the school and athletic program. The rules and regulations of this constitution will serve as a personal guide to help you successfully meet the responsibilities of being a Duluth High School cheerleader. Failure to adhere to these rules will create accumulation of demerits or may result in immediate dismissal from the whole program.

A. Financial Responsibilities Cheerleaders and their parents are responsible for all costs involved in the maintenance of

the cheerleading program. It is highly encouraged that ALL parents attend the parent meetings in order to be aware of all financial obligations and to keep these obligations in order.

Cheerleaders are responsible for the replacement cost of any school property that is lost, stolen, or damaged. Failure to meet financial obligations may result in being placed on the school’s fines list (which may prohibit a student from graduation, taking exams, and registering for classes) and other cheerleading related consequences.

Cheerleaders are responsible for the proper care and cleaning of all uniform items. If any part of the uniform is less than satisfactory, athletes won’t be allowed to cheer (uniform, bloomers, shoes, socks, bow). There may be fines associated with any dirty or damaged cheer program items as well as a monetary penalty for late turn in.

Opportunities are available for every cheerleader to offset their player contributions through fundraising. This is not mandatory but is encouraged. Participation is mandatory for Fundraising events that will be announced at a later time.

All player contributions must be paid in full before Cheerleading Camp in the summer. Failure to do so will result in non-participation in camp and/or removal from the program.

No refunds will be provided in any amount for any reason. There is a 5% discount for those that pay their full balance by May 1st. Any cheerleader with outstanding debt at the end of the year will not be able to participate

at the end of year banquet.

B. Cheerleading Conduct Cheerleaders are considered school leaders whose conduct is observed closely.

Inappropriate conduct in school will not be accepted. Cheerleaders who receive ISS or OSS will receive the appropriate disciplinary actions per the discipline contract. The athlete may be removed from the squad upon the next disciplinary issue (either squad or school related).

All cheerleaders are expected to display positive attitudes at practices and games; this includes a willingness to work during practices. Disagreements may arise between members of the squad or with the coach; these should be discussed with the coach and settled. Once an agreement is reached, all negative comments should cease; SQUAD UNITY IS THE PRIMARY GOAL!!!! If a cheerleader becomes argumentative with a coach or squad member, then this athlete may be asked to leave and this may result in an unexcused absence from that practice or game or dismissal from the program per the coach’s discretion.

Please be familiar with the Duluth Handbook (Agenda). Cheerleaders will follow and obey these guidelines daily. Failure to do so will result in consequences. This includes school dress code, attendance policy (including tardies), and academic eligibility.

If a cheerleader is on multiple squads and is removed from one squad for any reason, she/he is removed from all squads automatically.

Not knowing the cheers and/or dances by August 1st will result in being seated until familiarized with the material and disciplinary actions will be taken.

All cheerleaders must have exceptional moral conduct and display good citizenship. Duluth High School is unique in that it is a school of the community. A cheerleader’s behavior in the community must also be impeccable. Smoking, use of profanity, fighting, drinking alcoholic beverages, the use of drugs, unacceptable behavior displayed on social media, or any activity that misrepresents Duluth may result in immediate dismissal.

Exemplary conduct is expected in each classroom and at all school functions. A cheerleader is expected to comply with all school rules as outlined in the Student Handbook (agenda). Consequences may be attached to any disobedience.

Individual members of the cheering squad must support each other in order for the squad to be successful. Personal arguments, likes and dislikes, will take second place to the unity of the entire squad. Cheerleaders who continually create disunity will be subject to disciplinary measures by the coach and may result in dismissal.

Consequences imposed by coaches may include physical conditioning, benching, suspension, and/or dismissal. A clearly defined discipline contract is included that outlines consequences for specific instances. This discipline contract will be used program wide

Removal from a squad, either due to grades or discipline or due to a cheerleader quitting, will result in the participant having to sit one full year before he/she can tryout for the sport again.

C. Practices All coaches may determine individual squad practice schedules. All practices are

mandatory, and as result, your coach must be notified with a reasonable excuse (coach’s discretion) if you are unable to attend before the day of the absence.

Missing practices for clubs, jobs, and/or extra-curricular activities is NOT considered excused. However, students with academic obligations (academic field trips) will not be penalized, but documentation must be provided to their coach prior to the absence.

Cheerleaders are expected to notify their coach in advance, if they anticipate being tardy. Failure to notify your coach will result in the tardy being unexcused. Unexcused tardies will result in consequences per the discipline contract.

Every effort should be made to avoid missing practices; doctor’s and dentist’s

appointments should be scheduled for non-practice days. Written doctor's notices must be presented to excuse this type of absence.

Cheerleaders will assume responsibility for any information given at a missed practice or meeting and should take it upon themselves to get this information from their coach or other squad members. This is NOT the duty of your coach or team mom to seek you out.

All cheers and dances will be approved by the coach before being performed. Detentions or other forms of discipline referrals are NOT tolerated and will

automatically result in a disciplinary actions and demerits. An accumulation of demerits may result in a behavioral contract and possible dismissal from the squad per the discipline contract.

Practices must be called and supervised by a coach. Athletes are not allowed to practice without the supervision and consent of a coach.

D. Game Days & Competitions Cheerleaders must be counted present for the academic school day in order to cheer

and participate in after school activities. This means that the athlete must be present for at least half of the school day (four periods) to participate.

If there is an activity (game or competition) on a Saturday, cheerleaders MUST be counted present the Friday before the activity.

According to the coaches’ discretion, all cheerleaders must be in full uniform for school and for the game in order to cheer and participate that day.

All squad members are responsible for bringing appropriate equipment and uniforms to each game (pom-poms, hoodies, warm ups, hair ribbons, etc), Failure to do so will result in disciplinary actions.

There should be no talking during the game unless it has to do with cheering. There is NO shouting to parents or friends in the stands. Doing so may result in sitting out the game. There will be no shouting to refs, players, or other cheerleaders during the game or breaks.

Cheerleaders are expected to travel to away games on the bus. There are no exceptions. A GUARDIAN is the only authorized person who can take a cheerleader home from away games; otherwise, everyone must ride the bus back to the school from away games. They must sign out the cheerleader before leaving the game.

Cheerleaders are expected to arrive to a game/competition dressed and ready Not knowing the cheers and/or dances by August 1st or not knowing them to the best of

athlete’s ability will result in being seated until familiarized with the material and disciplinary actions will be taken.

Charging phones on the sidelines will NOT be permitted. It is the athlete’s responsibility to charge personal items prior to games/events.

You will promptly arrive at the designated time per coach’s request. If there is an issue with timeliness, you must contact the coach directly. Do not send word through another cheerleader.

During the game, you will remain in your designated spot on the line, standing at attention, waiting for the next cheer to be called.

There will be no negative communication, either on social media, verbal, physical or through eye contact, with cheerleaders from the other team before, during, or after the

game.

E. Transportation For all home games, practices, competitions, and events held at Duluth, cheerleaders are to

provide their own transportation to the school and from DHS. Transportation arrangements MUST be made so that the athlete is picked up ON TIME. Failure to do so may result in consequences (demerits) for the child.

Athletes must remain with a coach until practice ends and then go straight home. Athletes must be picked up in front of the 600 building and off campus no more than 30 minutes after an activity ends.

Cheerleaders MUST travel on the bus to and from all away games unless signed out by parent or legal guardian once the game is completed. Be prepared to show photo ID when signing a cheerleader out.

Coaches and team moms are NOT to provide transportation for your child.

F. Mandatory Attendance Requirements All cheerleading events are mandatory unless otherwise specified by the coach. Attendance

means being prepared to begin at the designated time and remain through the entire event. All cheerleaders are expected to cheer their full seasons. Letters and awards will not be

awarded to any cheerleader who does not complete the entire season. Any cheerleader who quits or is removed for any reason before their season is complete will

not be eligible for tryouts for a calendar year (12 months). Summer Camp is mandatory for all cheerleaders. Vacation is NOT an excuse. Failure to

attend will impact participation in season performances. Competitions are mandatory for all competition cheerleaders (including alternates). If a cheerleader feels they must miss an event, the proper procedure is as follows:

1. Go to www.duluthcheerleading.weebly.com2. Go to “Calendar”3. Click “Absence”4. Click on appropriate month of absence5. Go to the appropriate date column next to your name and state your reason for

missing6. Contact your coach about absence7. Contact a captain/manager (this does not replace the requirement to contact your

coach)8. The coach will decide if it is an excused or unexcused absence

G. Grades and Eligibility All cheerleaders must pass five out of six subjects and be on track for graduation and to

meet eligibility requirements of the Georgia High School Association. Grades will be checked periodically and freely by coaches. A cheerleader must stay academically eligible to continue to cheer if chosen to be on a squad

A cheerleader must be enrolled as a full-time student in school to participate on a squad. Cheerleaders are required to either take the 24-hour coverage of the school’s insurance

policy or have comparable family insurance in order to be on the cheerleading squad. Cheerleaders must have a current physical on file with the Athletic Director. When securing

a physical it should be made clear to the physician that cheerleading activities include

distance running, sprinting, interval running, strenuous jumping, tumbling, and stunting, as well as other conditioning. No activities will be restricted unless an acute injury occurs. All chronic illnesses must be reported on the physical and the coach prior to participation in tryouts or clinics.

Cheerleaders will be expected to have a B or higher for varsity, and a C or higher for JV or 9 th

grade squads in all classes in order to cheer. Cheerleaders will send appropriate coach a screenshot of CURRENT grades by 6 pm the evening before EVERY game/competition. A demerit will be administered if athlete fails to provide grades by 6pm. A reminder will not be given.

H. Attire Each cheerleader must wear proper apparel to each event (practice, games, competitions,

school, etc.). You will be game ready when you arrive to events; This includes clean cheerleading shoes, no jewelry, nails at an appropriate length, hair up with bow, only white ankle socks, current DHS warm-up.

Blankets, bonnets, non-cheer shoes (slippers, boots, crocs, sneakers, etc.), jewelry, non-DHS cheer jackets/hoodies/pants, gum ARE ALL BANNED FROM ALL CHEER ACTIVITIES. Neglecting this rule and causing a coach to ask you to remove listed items will result in a demerit.

All practice wear, bows, uniforms, shoes, etc. are expected to be maintained and cleaned by athletes and will need to be replaced by athletes if not up to par for games, practices, and events.

I. Demerits A cheerleader can accumulate up to 20 demerits for the entirety of the year (April 1st-

banquet). Upon the 20th demerit, the cheerleader will be removed from all squads and not able to tryout the following year.

One demerit can be removed with the action of a two our community service with a cheerleading coach. Athletes must get the “Record of Community Service” filled out by coach and turned into head coach, Laurel Murphy.

One demerit will be administered for each of the following violations of the cheerleading constitution:

1. Arriving late to practice/ game/competition/meeting/fundraiser After arriving late, 1 demerit given For every 15 minute period thereafter, 1 demerit will be given

2. Late transportation from practice/meeting/game/etc After 15 minutes of waiting, 1 demerit For every 15 minute period thereafter, will be given until transportation arrives. If your ride is 30 minutes or more late within a season 3 times, you will be

removed from the squad. 3. Leave early from practice/meeting/game 4. Not arriving in uniform/practice clothes and ready to participate

Uniform infringement - no/wrong bow, jewelry, slippers/boots/shoes Another demerit will be administered and athlete will have to sit if they are not

in full uniform after being asked by a coach. 5. Failure to complete job or duty at events

6. Missed event – even if “excused” demerit—will be issued if you have not followed the procedure listed under the “Attendance” section of the cheerleading constitution (this includes games, practices, competitions, community service, etc.)

7. A demerit will be administered if athlete fails to provide grades by 6pm the evening before a game/competition.

8. Administrative Punishment including detention, Wednesday School, ISS, OSS. Demerits issued based on the coaches’ discretion based on severity of offence.

9. Confrontation/Conduct/Cussing – This includes with another squad members, students, coaches, opposing team members, teachers, referees, any adult, etc.

10. Failure to meet the DHS Athletic Department Guidelines

While the Duluth High School cheerleading program provides flexibility concerning family needs, college trips, and academic enrichment opportunities, it should be understood that game participation will be limited when practices are missed. Cheerleaders are considered athletes and will be treated as such. This means being committed to your school, coach, squad, and yourself. Cheerleaders are encouraged to communicate with their coach as soon as possible when learning of special family or academic needs that will bring about a conflict.

DULUTH HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING PARENT PERMISSION FORM

I give permission for _____________________________ to try out for cheerleading at Duluth High (print student name) School. I understand that the coaches choose their teams and I will support their decision.I have read the Cheerleading Constitution and will help my child obey all these rules and guidelines and face any consequences that he/she may receive if he/she does not do so. If the coaches determine that removal from the program is required, I will support them in this decision. I have read and studied the financial projections for the school year and will meet the financial and personal responsibilities for participating in the cheerleading program. I realize that failure to do so may result in consequences as severe as dismissal. I also understand that the cheerleading season begins April 1st and ends at the end of the year banquet. I understand that should my child be removed from the squad for any reason, there is no refund. If my player contributions are not paid before Cheerleading Camp in the summer, I understand that my child is not allowed to participate and may be removed from the squad as a result. I understand that there will be a $35.00 fee for any returned checks I may write. I understand that if I am not present at a meeting to make a payment, I should contact the head cheerleading coach to arrange to make my payment early. I understand that the uniform fee is a rental fee. All DHS property must be returned at the end of the season or my child’s name will go on the fines list with DHS. I agree that no alterations will be made to the uniforms unless approved by a coach.

I understand that all of my player contributions are due up front and I may offset part or all of the money by participating in the fundraising opportunities that are made available to me. I understand that when school transportation is provided it is mandatory for my child to ride to games on the bus. Otherwise, I will provide transportation for my child to and from all scheduled events. I hereby relieve the school and cheerleading coaches of any liability as a result of an accident incurred while serving in this capacity and know of no restrictions that should be placed upon my child due to past injury or illness.

If I have further questions or concerns regarding the tryout process or the cheerleading program, I will contact Laurel Murphy at Laurel_Murphy@gwinnett.k12.ga.us

Parent Signature______________________________________________Date______________

DULUTH HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING PARENT PERMISSION FORM

I understand the rules and guidelines listed in the cheerleading contract. I agree to uphold said constitution and if I fail to do so, I accept the disciplinary consequences as determined by the coaches. I understand that I can be removed from the program including all squads, and not be able to tryout for a full calendar year if I violate the constitution and accrue to 20 demerits.

Athlete Signature______________________________________________Date______________