Randolph High School Cheerleading
Constitution
Listed below are the rules and expectations of becoming a Randolph High
School cheerleader.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Purpose and Goal
Our goal is to represent, promote, and uphold school spirit. We will work
together as a TEAM to develop a sense of good sportsmanship among
students and fans. We will also work to better the relationship among the
various schools during all athletic events.
Being a part of a team is not just wearing the uniform! It is a package
deal that consists of fundraising, practices, performances, representing
team, school, and community!
Cheerleaders
Team participation is a privilege, not a right, and can be taken away or
suspended at any time.
As a selected cheerleader, each girl will be expected to conduct herself as
a respectable young adult, whether in or out of uniform. Each girl is
accountable for her own actions. The coach is here to help in whatever
ways she can, but ultimately it is up to each girl to be where she is
supposed to be, when she is supposed to be, doing what she is supposed
to be doing.
Any pertinent information will be equally distributed to all girls – in the
form of a handout, phone call, announcement, email, text, or an update
to the website. Each girl is responsible for being accountable for the
information and it is suggested they check the website and their email
daily for any updates/changes.
Grades must be passing and will follow the RFISD “No Pass No Play”
Guidelines.
The RHS Cheerleading coaching staff holds each athlete to a high
standard and expects all team members to conduct themselves in a legal
and responsible way. Behavior that is deemed disruptive or detrimental
to the team/school can bring consequences ranging from diminished
cheer time to dismissal from the squad. The Coach reserves the right to
disciple cheerleaders for actions detrimental to the squad/athletic
program/school.
School Attendance
• We follow the school attendance guidelines that are set by RFISD.
Please see the RHS Student Handbook.
Attire
• Practice - Cheerleaders must wear appropriate athletic attire and cheer
shoes to ALL practices. Hair must be up and tightly pulled back
away from the face and neck. Failure to arrive in proper attire will
result in inability to practice and removal from performance and
stunts planned at practice.
• On Game Days - Cheerleaders must ride the bus as a squad to all
away games and be in proper designated uniform. For home
games, cheerleaders must be at the game by the designated time.
If cheerleaders are late they will not be allowed to cheer for that
part or all of that game.
• To School - Each girl is expected to wear the designated clothing on
spirit/game days as designated by the coach – All RHS dress code
policies will be followed. Specific guidelines will be determined on a
game-to-game basis.
Practices
• We will be practicing during 3rd period this year. Cheerleading will be a
class. Cheerleaders must be dressed out, ready to practice 3
minutes after the bell. Being late is not acceptable!
• First Tardy – Cheerleader will run for 10 minutes
• Second Tardy – Cheerleader will be ineligible to cheer for part or all of
the next game.
• Extra Practices will be conducted as deemed necessary by the coach.
• All practices are mandatory from beginning to end as established by
the coaching staff and everyone is expected to arrive on time.
• Communication with the coaching staff is mandatory if there are any
deviations from the schedule. The coach must be advised by a
phone call or text at least 1 hour prior to the practice. Failure to
communicate with a coach for a missed practice will result in an
unexcused absence and consequence deemed appropriate by the
coach
• The coaching staff will not tolerate excessive absences, including late
arrivals and early departures. Consequences will be given
accordingly, which could result in removal from the squad.
• It is the cheerleader’s responsibility to arrange transportation to and
from practices that are after school, the coaching staff is not
permitted to give rides to student athletes.
Games
• The Fall Football season typically involves one Friday night game per
week. The Winter Basketball Season has a more differentiated
game schedule and will fluctuate as needed. All games are
mandatory from beginning to end, including overtime or delays.
• All games are at the mercy of being rescheduled and every cheerleader
will be expected to make arrangements to be at the rescheduled
game as if it were part of the regular season.
• Participation and performance readiness will be determined by the
coaching staff. Any cheerleader may be deemed ineligible to cheer
in a portion or for a whole game if it is determined they are not
performance ready.
• If a cheerleader is required to sit out of any portion of a game, they are
expected to sit with the coach in the stands in full uniform. No
cheerleader will be allowed to use a cell phone, use the restroom,
or visit with friends during this time.
• Any cheerleader not participating in the last practice before a game
(excused or unexcused) may be required to sit out a portion of the
next game at the coaches’ discretion.
• Communication with the coaching staff is mandatory if there are any
deviations from the schedule, which means a phone call or text to
the coach at least 1 hour prior to the game arrival time. Failure to
communicate with a coach for a missed game will result in an
unexcused absence and potential removal from the squad.
• All cheerleaders are required to ride the RHS assigned bus to and from
all away games. If an exception is needed, written documentation
must be provided at least 24 hours in advance to the coach, before
alternative arrangements will be allowed.
• It is the cheerleaders’ responsibility to arrange transportation to and
from games; the coaching staff is not permitted to give rides to
student athletes.
Safety Regulations
• Safety guidelines will be adhered to.
• If any cheerleader is found to be intentionally disobeying the safety
rules and guidelines, they may be immediately removed from the
squad at the coach’s discretion
• Stunts may not be preformed without coach approval.
• Only stunts that are deemed “game ready” will be performed on game
night.
• It is important to stay hydrated at practices and games. It is the
cheerleader’s responsibility to bring water with them to events.
Illness and Injury
• If any cheerleader is injured in any way at a practice, game, or other
scheduled event, they are required to immediately let a coach or
athletic trainer know.
• If any cheerleader has an injury or illness that results in nonperformance at a practice or game, they are still expected to attend
the practice or game with the team (unless the illness is contagious
or injury prevents the same)
• If any cheerleader is going to miss a practice or game because of any
injury or illness, they are required to contact the coach by phone or
email at least 1 hour prior to the scheduled event.
Cell Phones
• WILL NOT BE TOLERATED at any game, practice, or other scheduled
event until permission is given by the coach. It is unprofessional
for a cheerleader to be checking her phone or texting during
practices and games and it will not be tolerated.
• Jewelry
• Absolutely NO jewelry is allowed, which includes spacers, fishing line,
and attempting to cover the piercing with a band-aid
• This is a serious safety issue.
•
Nails
• Fingernails must be kept at an appropriate length (short, at the end of
the fingertips)
• NO acrylic nails are allowed. Conservative nail colors only.
•
Hair
• Every girl’s hair will be neatly and tightly pulled back, away from face
and neck
• Specific hairstyles and expectations will be determined on a game-togame basis.
• Hair must be secured in such a way that it stays in place for the
duration of practices and games.
• The assigned hair bow must be in every girl’s hair prior to arrival at a
game/event.
• If barrettes or clip are needed to hold hair back, they must be minimal
and discrete
Employment
• If any cheerleader in employed throughout the season, the cheerleading
squad must take priority as each girl is a part of a team.
• It is the cheerleader’s responsibility to inform their employer about
practices, games, and any other scheduled event throughout the
season along with the rescheduling of games.
• There are NO exceptions to this rule! Working is not an excuse for
missing any event and consequences will be awarded accordingly,
which could result in removal from the squad.
Uniform
• All athletes are required to comply 100% with what the coaching staff
has communicated in regards to uniform and appearance.
• Every part of the uniform (including warm-ups, socks, bows) must be
clean and neat – if you have a problem with any piece of your
uniform, please see your coach with advance notice to resolve the
problem (at least 1 hour prior to arrival time to a game). Uniforms
need to be washed according to tags.
• Each girl must have all pieces of their uniform (spanx, bow, hair, socks,
shoes, poms, uniform, and warm-up) at every game or event and
must be fully ready, in uniform, prior to the assigned arrival time.
Failure to do so will result in non performance.
• Each girl is expected to wear the designated clothing on spirit/game
days – per the RHS handbook. Specific guidelines will be
determined on a game-to-game basis.
• Uniforms must be turned in immediately following the last game. The
uniform should be CLEAN and DRY.
Expected Behavior and Standards
• When you are selected as a cheerleader, you now need to realize you
represent RHS in and out of uniform for the ENTIRE school year.
This includes ALL social media outlets.
• Every girl is expected to comply with all cheerleading, school, and
district rules and regulations
• Keep in mind, someone is watching you at all times and will not
hesitate to report you if you are doing something inappropriate –
this includes on the INTERNET and all SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS!
• Any behavior that discredits any Randolph team, its coaching staff,
administration, or school will result in disciplinary action to be
proportional to the offense. The coaching staff and administration
staff reserves the right to determine the severity of punishment,
which could range from reprimand to dismissal from the squad.
• The coach is here to coach, teach, build the team, and support the
girls. We WILL NOT TOLERATE disrespectful behavior.
• Behaviors or actions that in any way represent hazing WILL NOT be
tolerated and will result in non-performance.
• All members of the squad are expected to contribute to making
posters, decorating, and other means of promoting school spirit.
Communication
• All pertinent information will be equally distributed to all the
cheerleaders
• Announcements and information will be handed out in many different
ways including: announcements at games and practices, handouts,
phone calls, updates to the website, and emails.
• Most communication comes in the form of email; it suggested that each
girl check her email daily for any updates to the schedule.
• A calendar is handed out at the beginning of the season listing all
practices and games. The schedule is TENATIVE and can change
with last minute notice, including the day of an event!
• Each cheerleader is responsible and accountable for ALL information!
Captains
• If a captain is assigned at any point to any squad throughout the
season, it is an earned position and is not permanent. Captains
may change throughout the season and we do not have to have
captains.
• Captains are selected by the Coach.
• Captains can be removed at the coach’s discretion for failure to comply
100% with the constitution.
• Captains are expected to set positive examples for younger team
members.
• In order to be considered for the position of captain, cheerleaders need
to: consistently demonstrate a positive attitude, have strong
leadership skills, perform well during tryouts, and have a plan for
promoting school/team spirit.
• Captains are expected have a plan for games – quarters/halftime, timeouts, pregame, etc. Captains need to arrive to games 15 minutes
early to ensure squad is prepared and meets standards. The coach
will determine the athletes that will practice and perform the
stunts. Stunts will not be performed without the coach’s approval.
• Captains are expected to call chants throughout the game.
REWARDS AND CONSEQUENCES
These are designed to promote expected behaviors and to hold every girl
accountable for her actions throughout the season. Each girl is
responsible for her own actions!
These are in addition to RHS athlete guidelines and are not all-inclusive.
Any coach, the athletic director, and administration reserve the right to
remove any girl from a team if they see fit.
Rewards
• The coach will keep record of the girls who show outstanding
commitment, focus, and teamwork throughout the season. These
awards are given out at the end of season banquet.
• Other rewards may be considered for attendance, community service,
most improved, and for being an outstanding scholastic athlete.
• The rewards range from simple recognition to a gift certificate, trophy,
t-shirt, or other acknowledgement to be determined by the
coaching staff.
• One of the greatest rewards you can receive is seeing all your hard work
pay off at a game!
Consequences
• Remember that you are part of a team. By joining the RHS squad you
are promising to be there for your team throughout the entire
season; including practices, games, rescheduled games, and
postseason games.
• Keep in mind that the coaching staff, athletic director, and
administration reserve the right to remove your from a portion of a
game, the entire game, or the squad.
• Consequences for infractions will be selected deemed appropriate by
the coaching staff – including limiting stunting privileges, sitting
out a portion or entire game, and removal from the squad.
Excused Absences = illness, school functions, religious service (not
weekly youth group), death in the family
Our goal is not to punish you! Please remember that your team is
counting on you at every practice and game (including rescheduled
games, rescheduled or additional practices, and postseason practices and
games). It is your responsibility to be there!
By participating in Cheerleading you are a role model for the rest of your
school and the community as a whole. Your actions reflect back upon the
squad and Randolph High School,
•
Constitution Agreement Form
RANDOLPH HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING COMMITMENT
I, _________________________________________, have read and agree to the
terms set forth in the Randolph High School Cheerleader rules and
regulations. I hold no one else responsible for my cheerleading career
but myself. I am ultimately responsible for being at practices, game, and
other events on time. I understand what is expected of me as a
representative of RHS and that as a RHS Cheerleader I am a member of a
well-respected team. I understand that cheerleading is a dangerous
sport and that I must be serious when practicing and performing. I
understand that if I choose not to follow the rules set forth in the
regulations that I may be removed from the squad. I will maintain high
standards of conduct academically, athletically, and socially as a RHS
cheerleader and will represent RHS in an honorable and respectful
manner from the time I make the squad until the end of the school year.
___________________________________ Cheerleader’s signature
_____________ Date
I, _______________________________________, have read and understand the
standards to which my daughter is expected to adhere. I fully understand
that my daughter may be dismissed from the squad for failing to adhere
to the rules and regulations policies. I understand that cheerleading is an
extremely time consuming, disciplined, and demanding sport in which
there is no second string. Therefore, it is necessary for my child to be
present at all functions in which RHS Cheerleaders participate. I will do
my best to support my child in his/her participation in the Randolph High
School Cheerleading program.
___________________________________ Parent/Guardian signature
_____________ Date