Kell Junior Cheerleading
Constitution
Article I. Purpose
Kell Longhorn Junior Cheerleaders will be held to a high
standard of sportsmanship, dedication, and character. They will maintain school spirit at all
athletic events and represent the Kell Junior Program in a positive
manner. Cheerleaders will promote good
sportsmanship and cooperation among all opponents and opposing fans. They will set good examples of conduct and
leadership and represent their school and program on the field, in the classroom,
and in the community.
Article II. Eligibility, Selection and Squad Make-up
Candidates for tryouts must reside in the
Article III. Grade Requirements
Each cheerleader must maintain an “academic average” of 74
or better with no failing grade in any subject.
“Academic average” is defined as total grade points divided by the
number of academic subjects. Report
cards must be brought to the first scheduled practice or game following each
grading period to be checked by the liaison.
It is the responsibility of the parents to inform the liaison if their
cheerleader has a failing grade. Also,
no cheerleader will be permitted to receive an “N” in conduct on their report
card. At the end of each grading period,
any cheerleader who has not maintained her academic grades and/or conduct will
be considered ineligible to cheer until next grading period or until the next
official progress report can be obtained and shown to the a liaison. During this time, she will attend practices
as usual, and will be required to attend the games in uniform and sit out with
the liaison, not parents or friends.
Article IV. Liaisons or Co-Liaisons
Qualifications:
This position should have some familiarity with cheerleading
and have time to commit to being at all practices, games, booster club and
board meetings. The liaisons should have
the personality to work with the cheerleaders and their parents but be able to
enforce the rules for each cheerleader set forth by the Constitution.
Responsibilities:
The liaisons are in charge of all areas of the cheerleaders. He/She will assign demerits. He/She will be in charge of each practice,
game or any event and will be responsible for the girls while there. Liaisons may delegate responsibilities to
other parent per the tryout agreement.
An adult will stay at all practices and games until girls are picked up
by a parent or an approved adult.
Liaisons will select captains for each game or per year as needed. In addition, the Liaison or his/her designee
will coordinate all functions of each team such as fundraising, making banners
and goody bags, team treasurer, communication, social events and any other
functions deemed appropriate.
Article V. Uniforms and Appearance
Uniforms will be selected by the Kell Junior Cheerleading Executive
Board. Each girl and her parents will be
financially responsible for all items needed.
There will be absolutely no necklaces, rings, bracelets, watches, or
earrings worn with the uniform. All
cheerleaders are expected to keep a neat personal appearance at all times. Hairstyles are to be neat and worn out of the
face at all times. Nails should be
short, clean, free of tips, and only clear nail polish is permissible with
uniforms. No excessive make-up is
acceptable, including, but not limited to, bright lipstick, eye shadow, blush
and glitter. No body piercing or tattoos
are permitted. Cheerleaders must arrive
and leave in full uniform (including hairstyle and ribbon) ready to cheer.
Article VI. Code of Conduct
Each member of the squad is to exemplify the highest
standards of conduct and good moral character at all times, especially at
school functions and when in uniform.
Cheerleaders are reminded that cheerleading is a privilege, not a right,
and that failure to abide by the rules in this constitution will result in the
loss of the privilege. The liaison will
have the authority to suspend temporarily or permanently any cheerleader for
any of the following:
1. Suspension from
school
2. Any act that harms
the reputation of the school or squad
3. Unsportsmanlike
conduct
4. Uncooperative
behavior or undesirable language
5. Smoking, drinking,
or use of drugs
6. Failure to attend
scheduled practices, games or events
7. Refusal to execute
skills
8. Uncooperative
attitude or actions by the parent(s)
The liaisons will use the following merit system. Each cheerleader will be given 20 credits
upon making the squad. Credits will be
deducted by the liaison for any of the following.
Credits will be deducted for: Number of
Credits
1. Unexcused absence
from a game 5
2. Unexcused absence
from practice 3
3. Tardy to events
(game, practice or other scheduled events) 1
***Late more
than 15 minutes
4. Failure to
participate in spirit activities 3
5. Improper dress to
school on game day 1
6. Improper dress to
practice (to include mandatory squad uniform,
Hair-up and out
of the face, no jewelry, cheer shoes) 1
7. Improper dress of
uniform at games (to include uniform, cheer
shoes, socks,
ribbon, pom pons, and no nail polish) 2
8. Failure to attend
scheduled event such as pep rallies 2
9. Undesirable
behavior or language 5
10. Eating or drinking in cheer area 2
11. Failure to perform cheer duties 2
12. Uncooperative attitude 5
13. Chewing gum while in uniform 1
14. Unnecessary conversation with crowd or team 1
15. Leaving early during a game or practice (unexcused) 2
16. Late to chant line beginning game or quarter 1
17. Not being picked
up on time at the end of practice 2
Excused absences are granted only for illness, medical
emergencies, death in the family, important religious occasions, and special
school functions. Scheduled family trips
must be given to the liaison in advance of scheduled dates. It is the parent’s responsibility to contact
a liaison prior to any absence from a game, practice, or other event. Non-notification may result in credits being
deducted.
Consequences for loss of credits:
*Lose 5 points: Sit
out two quarters of game in uniform with liaison not talking to friends or
parents.
*Lose 10 points: Sit
out one full game in full uniform with liaison not talking to friends or
parents.
*Lose 15 points: Sit
out one full game in full uniform with liaison not talking to friends or
parents.
*Lose 20 points:
DISMISSAL from the program for the remainder of the season: the season includes both football and
basketball
Merits:
Goals:
Ø
To motivate increased team spirit
Ø
To promote good sportsmanship
Ø
To promote excellent attendance/dress code at
practice
Ø
To encourage academic excellence
Ø
To encourage teamwork
Ø
To support leadership development
Strategies:
Ø
Frequent recognition of individual team spirit
Ø
Recognize model cheerleader behavior
Ø
Recognition from peers and authorities
Program:
Weekly recognition of “Most
Spirit” demonstrated at practice
Action: Peer
voting to nominate squad cheerleader to use special “Metallic Pom Pons” at next
game; however, final authority with liaison to ensure no behavioral issues for
the girl elected that week.
Program: End
of Season (Football/Basketball/Competition) recognition of Model Behavior
Action: Liaisons
award end of season for Best Record (least demerits: promptness, dressed,
attentive) with Certificate and $25 gift certificate
Program: End
of Year Recognition at Cheerleading Banquet by Squad
Action: Presentation
of plaques or trophies at Cheerleading Banquet
-
Coach’s Award (the cheerleader who is best all around
in spirit, leadership, academics, assisting their fellow teammates, etc.)
-
Most Spirited (the cheerleader who leads the crowd and
team with their spirit and supports the Longhorns)
-
Academic Excellence (Must maintained a “B” average or
above for the year with no failing grade at any time during the year and
conduct of at least a “S” throughout the year).
-
Most Likely to Help a Cheerleader (cheerleader who
provides support to their teammates; helping them to learn the cheers, stunts,
routine, etc.)
-
Most Improved (the cheerleader who has improved from
start to finish in cheers, chants, dance, stunting and tumbling)
- Leadership Excellence (cheerleader who demonstrates leadership qualities; good example to their peers)
Article VII. Transportation
Parents are responsible for providing the
transportation. The time and place will
be determined by the liaisons. If your
parent has been assigned to drive and is unable, the parent is responsible for
finding a replacement. Arrival time
before games or other events will be set by the liaison and will usually be 30
minutes to one hour before the game or event begins. If a parent is 15 minutes late to pick up a
carpool, only the cheerleader whose parent is the driver will receive the two
demerits.
Article VIII. Practices
Practices will be held regularly as planned by the
liaison. Appropriate clothing will be
worn including cheerleading shoes. A
notebook may be required for practice.
No one other than cheerleaders, liaisons will be permitted at practices.
Article IX. Attendance
Cheerleaders must make the squad their first priority over
any other sport or team. Any cheerleader
who chooses to cheer for an All-Star team must avoid conflict with practices
and games. Any practices that come-up on
the days of KJC practice will be considered unexcused. The only exemptions may be competitions which
are still at the discretion of the liaisons.
All-Star Cheerleaders will be treated no differently than other
cheerleaders. Cheerleaders must be
present during the school day of a game in order to cheer that night or the
following day. (That is, must be present
on Friday to cheer at a Saturday event.)
Cheerleaders must be present at school the day following a night game
unless they have an excused absence. Cheerleaders
should not expect special concessions from their teachers for checking out of
school early, checking into school late the day following a game, or checking
out of regularly scheduled classes for the purpose of working on cheerleading
items.
Article X. Parent Responsibilities
The parents’ responsibilities are to support their
cheerleader and encourage cooperation and team spirit, not only among the
cheerleaders, but among themselves as parents and as required members of the
Keel Junior Cheerleading Booster Club.
Middle School sports are
XI. Finances
There are many financial obligations each family must meet
which will include, but are not limited to:
uniform cost, shoes, camp/practice clothes, summer camp, gym fees,
booster club dues, high school coaching fees, banquet costs, squad fees, and
any other cost that may arise in the course of the year. Financial obligations of each family are
determined by the Kell Junior Cheerleading Executive Board each year. A payment schedule is developed and provided
at the time of tryouts so parents are aware of their financial
obligations. All scheduled payments will
be received in the form of post-dated checks for all payments at the first Kell
Junior Cheerleading Booster Club meeting in May. Failure to make these payments will result in
the cheerleader not receiving the required uniform; therefore, not being
eligible to cheer or being ineligible for tryouts for the program in future
years. Any fees paid are non-refundable.
Article XII. Tryouts
It is the responsibility of the Kell Junior Booster Executive
Board, a tryout committee and the assistance of the Kell High School Head Coach
to conduct tryouts for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade
cheerleaders. The Kell Junior
Cheerleading Executive Board will select the coaches, gym and high school
cheerleader for practice for the coming year.
These decisions will be selected based upon prior cheerleading
experience, time availability, and willingness to assume responsibility.
Article XIII. General Board and Executive Board
General Board
The Kell Junior Cheerleading General Board will be made up
of the Executive Board and the liaison or co-liaisons of each cheerleading
Squad.
Executive Board
The Kell Junior Cheerleading Executive Board will be made up
of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary
Article XIV. Responsibilities of Officers
President
Qualifications: This
position shall be an eighth grade parent willing to commit time to the program
and who has had previous experience on the Executive Board.
Responsibilities: The
President is responsible for the overall management of the Kell Junior
Cheerleading. The President shall
preside over all Executive Board, General Board and Booster Club meetings. In addition, this position will be
responsible for working with the Kell Junior Football and Basketball program
directors to ensure schedules of games and/or other activities are obtained to
provide to the Liaisons. Further, this
position will serve as the outgoing Nominating Chairperson to assist with the
selection of the incoming Board.
Vice President
Qualifications: This
position should have previous experience on the Executive Board who is willing
to commit time to the program.
Responsibilities: The
Vice President is responsible for assisting the President with the Kell Junior
Cheerleading program. He/She assumes the
position of President should the President resign. In addition, the Vice President is responsible
for the coordination and ordering of all required clothing items for the
cheerleaders working closely with the President and Treasurer.
Secretary
Qualifications: This
position should have knowledge of managing agendas and taking minutes either
from his/her work experience or through other volunteer organizations and who
is willing to commit time to the program.
Responsibilities: The
Secretary is responsible for developing agendas for all Kell Junior
Cheerleading Board, Executive Board and Booster Club meetings working with the
President. All minutes and agendas will
be maintained by the Secretary as well as any other documents distributed at
the meetings.
Treasurer
Qualifications: This
position should have knowledge of budget preparation, A/R and A/P, accounting
procedures, familiar with excel spreadsheets and who is willing to commit time
to the program.
Responsibilities: The
Treasurer is responsible for developing and maintaining the Kell Junior
Cheerleading budget, maintaining accurate accounts receivable and accounts
payable records, invoicing members if applicable and working with the Vice
President on all cheerleading clothing orders to ensure available funds. In addition, the Treasurer is accountable to
the Executive Board and Booster Club for all financial records. On a monthly basis, the Treasurer will
produce financial statements for the Kell Junior Cheerleading Executive Board.
Article XV: Nominating
Committee
The outgoing President will serve as the Nominating
Committee Chairperson. The Nominating
Committee will be made of at least three other members appointed by the
President. The Committee will meet before the first Booster Club meeting in May
but not before tryouts for the upcoming season.
The Committee will select a slate of officers and liaisons that will be
presented to the booster club meeting for recommended approval. Other nominations can be made from the floor
during the meeting for consideration. If
possible, the Committee or President should speak to every person nominated to
ensure willingness to serve prior to Booster Club approval.
Article XVI. Resignation or Removal of Officers or
Liaisons
Removal of Officers may be initiated by a petition of an
active Booster member in writing to the General Board. An adverse recommendation must be approved by
two-thirds vote of all Booster members.
Removal of Liaisons may be initiated by a petition of an
active Booster member in writing to the Executive Board. An adverse recommendation must be approved by
two-thirds vote of the Squad which the Liaison represents and by two-thirds
vote of the Executive Board.
Article XVII. Changes/Additions to the Cheerleading
Constitution
Additions/Changes/Deletions to the Cheerleading Constitution
may be modified from time to time as necessary.
Proposals for changes may be submitted by any member of the Kell Junior
Cheerleading Booster Club in writing to the Kell Junior Cheerleading Executive
Board. The Board will determine if
proposed changes are necessary, and if so, seek majority vote for approval by
Kell Junior Cheerleading Booster Club.
Revised: