2019 20 NHHS CHEER TRYOUT MEETING WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY

2019 -20 NHHS CHEER TRYOUT MEETING WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 27 TH 2: 30 PM

NHHS CHEER PHILOSOPHY Nathan Hale Cheerleaders are honorable, thinking, skillful citizens who participate in both community and school events throughout the school year. Nathan Hale Cheerleaders provide leadership at school academic events, sports events and community events, along with pursuing their personal passions. Through cheer, all squad members learn the value of commitment, dedication, organization, sportsmanship and leadership as they balance their social, athletic and academic responsibilities.

HONORABLE

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CHEERLEADER AT NHHS? What does it mean to be a cheerleader at NHHS? • Inclusive, spirited LEADERS of the community • Support all aspects of the Hale community (Sports, unified and extracurricular activities) • Be positive representatives of Hale in the community (community service, parades, social media, internet, etc. ) • STUDENT-athletes (maintaining good grades and respectful, attentive behavior in the classroom, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, following athletic code of conduct and so forth) • Exhibit a high level of responsibility, sportsmanship, time management and enthusiasm • Working, respecting and cooperating with a team of individuals who may range from personality, gender, ethnicity, academic level and/or abilities

EXPENSES • Cheer camp in Ellensburg $453 • Uniform Cost (new member) $550 -600 (returning member) $200 -$350 • Varied events and items throughout the season, usually totaling under $150 • The squad will provide 10+ items throughout the season through fundraising and donations to try to offset the cost of being a member of the NHHS cheer squad • There are scholarships available through Sports Boosters, NHHS and the counselors. Individuals are responsible for applying for these scholarships. While many scholarship opportunities are available, it is not likely that 100% can be covered. Payment plans can be created to help individual families cover the expenses of cheer.

UNIFORM AND ATTIRE • Upon making the team, you will sign a uniform and gear contract. • Uniform Rules and Requirements include: –If you are placed on academic/athletic suspension or if you choose to leave the team before the season has been completed, you may NOT wear any cheer gear to ANY NHHS sponsored events. –If you have a remaining balance when you depart the team, you must return unpaid for items immediately.

COMMITMENTS AND CALENDAR NHHS Cheer is a LARGE time commitment that impacts not just individuals but their family’s as well. PLEASE CLOSELY REVIEW THE SCHEDULE WITH YOUR FAMILY.

COMMITMENTS AND CALENDAR • Mandatory events: – 2019 -20 New Squad Parent Night – Uniform Fitting – Rock n Roll Marathon – Cheer camp in Ellensburg – Raider Day – Attending practices: Practices may be before or after school and you are responsible for your own transportation. Prior to performances/camp/competition: Practice increases to every day and sometimes 2 X a day (before and after school) • Games: All football games are MANDATORY. Basketball games in the winter are 3 days a week but a schedule will be created where cheerleaders cheer between 1 -3 days of the week. We work to create carpools or provide bus transportation from school for away games. You are responsible for your own transportation for home games. • Various bonding events take place throughout the season. These are not mandatory, but encouraged ��

SUMMER • Practices 3 -5 days per week from mid -July until school starts • Learning the majority of the cheers, stunting and material for the season

CAMP! • Camp is mandatory! • We learn at camp… – Safety skills – LOADS of materials – How to be the best leaders we can be – How to work together as a team

CAMP!

NHHS CHEER CODE OF CONDUCT • Attendance: Being present is mandatory. Cheerleading does not have a first or second string and absent team members may result in a chain reaction for the whole team. Failure to comply with attendance policy may result in disciplinary actions. • Attitude: Attitude is an integral part to being on a team. A positive and respectful attitude is required from each cheerleader at each practice, game, performance and event towards the coach, teammates, opposing players and cheerleaders, and any other attendees. • Bullying: Please do not let any of the following forms of bullying ever be an issue. NO FORMS OF BULLYING WILL BE TOLERATED. If evidence of bullying surfaces, they will be reported to the school and disciplinary actions will be taken. • Drugs, alcohol and illegal substances: As a student-athlete, you will abide by the SPS athletic code of conduct. You are NOT to consume any drugs, alcohol or illegal substances nor may you be around it (ie underage parties). Inability to follow these rules can result in suspension and expulsion from the team. • School Leaders: As a school leader, you are expected to not only lead by example but to help others achieve success by making smart choices. This includes respect towards adults and students, respect towards school environment and presence in class. You are expected to show enthusiasm and support for all assemblies, spirit weeks and other school sponsored events. • Self-Reliance/Initiative: It is the responsibility of each team member to take initiative for their own success within the squad. Entitlement is not tolerated. Being a member of the Nathan Hale Cheer Team does not guarantee stunting or any other privilege. Nothing is holding you back from being the best dancer, spotter or jumper on the team. It is your responsibility to carve out your role on the team. • Social Media: As a leader, your presence on social media reflects upon the group as a whole. Any vulgar, inappropriate, offensive and/or threatening interactions/posts/etc. will not be tolerated.

THINKING

ACADEMICS • Cheer takes up alot of each individuals time, so creating positive and successful student habits before joining the team is crucial. Cheerleaders are expected to maintain positive classroom engagement and set a positive example but remaining in class (not roaming the halls). In order to be academically eligible to for cheer, you must: • Uphold a GPA of 2. 5 each quarter you are on cheer (a minimum of 2. 5 to tryout) – If trying out with a GPA below 2. 5, you must write an academic letter to Dr. Hudson. See Coach Magic for details • Be enrolled in and passing 5 Full Credit classes • Attend all classes on the day of a performance/game • Be aware that failure to meet grade checks or the grade requirements will result in required study tables, academic success plans and/or academic suspension from the team, games and performances • Running start: Athletes are welcome to take part in running start classes while being part of the squad. You must, however, make every effort to ensure that your classes do not impede on practice time. This means that your classes should start no earlier than 8: 30 and should not take place directly after school (during common practices time

SKILLFUL

PERFORMANCE AND ATHLETIC ABILITY We are a team that competes and involvement is mandatory (unless you are in a winter sport). Each individual is in charge of taking care of their bodies as well as utilizing resources to help improve their skills. We are a team that stunts. You are expected to be able to fill at least two roles and these roles are subject to change by season. Not everyone can be a top girl, nor will anybody solely be a top girl. Please do not have this expectation. Stunting requires vigorous athletic training and the safety and cooperation from the entire team. Stunting is a privilege and not something we take lightly. Everyone is expected to take part.

STUNTING

TIME MANAGEMENT • Cheerleaders are expected to learn and practice time management strategies. They are to plan in advance for expected absences and manage their time in a way that allows them to keep up with their school, athletic and family commitments. Cheerleaders are expected to utilize schedules and tools given by the coach and prepare to respond flexibly to sudden changes. They must keep up with announcements and schedule changes via text message, email, BAND app or any other form of communication. • Extracurricular activities fall into the category of time management, as it is each individual’s responsibility to manage their schedule and keep up with their commitments to cheer. You are welcome to take part in the school plays, musicals, etc. but you must be prepared to have a busy and flexible schedule.

NHHS ATHLETICS AND CHEER • Fall school sports: If you take part in a fall school sport, you will not be eligible to participate in cheer during the fall (practice, games, assemblies, events, etc. ) with the exception of Raider Day, Mini Raider Cheer Camp and other leadership events. • Winter school sports: If you take part in a winter school sport, you will not be eligible to participate in cheer during the winter (practice, games, assemblies, events, competitions, etc. ) • Spring school sports: if you take part in a spring sport, you will be expected to meet all of the cheer requirements (practice, assemblies, events etc. ) • Taking on multiple activities is left to the discretion of each individual and their family. However, be aware that cheer is a HUGE commitment and is not something to take lightly. There will be days where you have practice for both sports in a row or weeks with little free time. You will be expected to

SPS ATHLETIC HANDBOOK • Cheerleaders are held to the standards and expectations of the NHHS Cheer, NHHS Athletics and SPS Athletic handbook. It is your responsibility as a student athlete to become familiar with your rights and responsibilities. • Example of a violation and consequence. Violation: Possessing, using, or being under the Influence of Alcoholic Beverages Consequence: First Violation o E-130 SPS sanction • Immediate ineligibility for interscholastic competition for 20% of the sports season contests. • If less than 20% of the contests remain, the sanctions will be carried over into the next sports season or school year. • During the 20% exclusion period, the student may continue to practice,

THE TRYOUT PROCESS

HOW WILL TRYOUTS GO • Two weeks of learning material & working on it • Interviews take place after school the 2 nd week of tryouts • Mock tryouts on Friday March 29 th • Final tryouts on Saturday March 30 th

SCHEDULE UNG- Upper North Gym. USG- Upper South Gym Interviews will be scheduled for the 2 nd week of tryouts. You must sign up for an interview time. Week 2: Week 1: Monday March 25 th 5: 30 -7: 00 pm UNG th Monday March 18 5: 30 -7: 00 pm UNG Tuesday March 26 th 7 am-8: 20 am UNG th Tuesday March 19 7 am-8: 20 am UNG th 5: 30 -7: 00 pm UNG Wednesday March 27 Wednesday March 20 th 5: 30 -7: 00 pm UNG Thursday March 28 th 7 am- 8: 20 am USG st Thursday March 21 7 am- 8: 20 am UNG Friday March 29 th 5: 30 -7: 00 pm Mock Friday March 22 nd 5: 30 pm-7 pm UNG Tryouts USG. FINAL TRYOUT Saturday March 30 th 10: 00 am-1 pm. Return 3 pm for results.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN • Fight song • Cheer • Dance • Jumps and kicks • Rallying • Motions

SCORE BREAKDOWN • Final Tryout: 55% • Teacher recs/grades/quiz: 20% • Attendance/Attitude/Intervie w: 20%

WHAT YOU WILL DO AT FINAL TRYOUTS • Fight song • Cheer • Dance • Jumps (toe touch, jump of choice and double jump) • Any tumbling skills you have

HOW TO COME TO TRYOUTS EACH DAY • Early is on time, on time is late and late is unacceptable! BE PROMPT! • With athletic attire AND proper athletic shoes • Hair COMPLETELY UP and off your shoulders • NO JEWELRY AT ANY TIME • Having eaten, gone the bathroom, filled up your water bottle and with a GOOD

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREPARE BETWEEN NOW AND TRYOUTS? • Stretch every day **work on splits!** • Work on your cardio stamina • Check out the links on our website to learn basic motions, jumps, etc. to get a head start and lessen the stress during tryouts • Get your packet completed and turned in! • Create your spirit poster • Complete your physical and turn into the main office (if you need to) • Create a schedule and to-do list to help you manage your other commitments during tryouts • Work on catching up in classes and keeping up so school isn’t stressful during tryouts • Get your teacher recommendations out to your teachers • COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR PARENTS REGARDING TRYOUTS!

QUESTIONS? CONCERNS? ASK AWAY!