East Ridge High School
Cheerleading Code of Conduct
2010-2011
GOALS
The East Ridge High School Knights Cheerleading Squad is a part of the East Ridge High School Athletic Program.
ERHS Knights Cheerleading is both an athletic endeavor designed to build strong minds and healthy bodies in a
cooperative environment; as well as a spirit-building program to support our ERHS Knights sports teams, cheering
them on to victory and supporting them in defeat.
ERHS Knights Cheerleaders are school-leaders and are expected to maintain the highest standard of academic
excellence and personal behavior. Participation on the ERHS Knights Cheerleader Squad is a privilege, not a right.
ERHS Cheerleaders must exemplify ERHS values every day with academic excellence, positive attitudes, hard work
and determination.
ERHS Knights Cheerleaders must reflect “traditional” attitudes, values and behaviors. ERHS Knights Cheerleaders
must behave as ladies and gentlemen and demonstrate refined manners and attitudes both on and off the field,
displaying good sportsmanship and team spirit at all times. ERHS Knights Cheerleaders must exemplify the school
motto of “Character, Honor and Pride.”
ELGIBILITY
East Ridge High School freshman, sophomores, juniors and eighth grade students enrolled at either Windy Hill
Middle School, Clermont Middle School or East Ridge Middle School who reside in the ERHS attendance zone – in
good standing in both attendance and academics, and without discipline issues or outstanding fines owed to East
Ridge High School, will be eligible to be considered as a candidate for one of the ERHS Cheerleading Squads.
Placement on squads will be determined by overall scores, teacher recommendations, grade level, stunting positions
and abilities.
ACADEMICS
Academic excellence is always the first priority for all ERHS Cheerleaders and a high standard of academic
excellence is expected to be maintained.
All cheerleader candidates must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 to participate in ERHS Cheerleader tryouts. Once selected for participation, all ERHS Cheerleaders, including upcoming freshman still enrolled at Windy
Hill or Clermont Middle School, must maintain a grade point average of 2.5 or higher to maintain their position.
ERHS Cheerleader coaches will review grade point averages of all ERHS Cheerleaders each semester to ensure
continued compliance. Failure to maintain a 2.5 average but above a 2.0 average will result in the member being
placed on academic probation for one semester. Failure to improve to a 2.5 after the probationary period will result in
the dismissal of the member from the squad. Any cheerleader who drops below a 2.0 average will be immediately
dismissed from the squad.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance at all practices, games, events, and gatherings is mandatory for ERHS Cheerleaders.
Absences will only be excused for legitimate illness. In the event of illness, the cheerleader or parent must
personally notify the coach. A note from the attending doctor must also be submitted to the coach to excuse the
absence.
Absences for any other reason will not be excused. Schedules are posted in advance so all personal appointments
must be scheduled around practice, event, and game schedules. The only allowable exceptions are emergency
room visits due to injury.
DRESS CODE
ERHS Cheerleaders must comply at all time with the dress code set forth in the Lake County School Board, the
ERHS Student Code of Conduct, and the ERHS Cheerleader Code of Conduct.
No extreme styles in hair or makeup are allowed. Hair styles should be in natural colors, remain neat and clean, and
must be pulled away from the face while in uniform. No jewelry is allowed of any kind while at practice or in uniform.
In accordance with the National Spirit Association, fingernail length is ¼” maximum. Nail polish is limited to clear
polish or natural flesh colors. Any nails visible from the palm of your hand are too long.
Visible tattoos are not permitted.
For both safety and appearance, chewing gum is not allowed at anytime when a cheerleader is in uniform or at any
time during practice or games.
UNIFORMS
The official ERHS Cheerleader uniform for female cheerleaders includes a shell, skirt, briefs, anklets, and approved
shoes. Briefs with appropriate undergarments must be worn at both practice and at games. No variations from or
alternations to the approved uniform all permitted.
The official ERHS Cheerleader uniform for male cheerleaders includes a knit polo or uniform top and black or Vegas
gold cheer pants with socks and approved shoes. No variations from or alternations to the approved uniform all
permitted.
ERHS Cheerleader uniform pieces owned by the school and are on loan for the exclusive use of the ERHS
Cheerleader squad member for the duration of the season or until such time as the cheerleader relinquishes his or
her position on the squad. Uniforms must be returned clean and in good condition. Under no circumstances is the
ERHS Cheerleader uniform to be loaned to or worn by an individual not currently a member of the squad.
SELECTION PROCESS
ERHS Cheerleaders will be selected each spring on the basis of demonstrated skills and positive attitudes exhibited
during a three day clinic process. Squad sizes are at the discretion of the coaches based on skills, abilities, needs,
etc.
All cheerleaders, regardless of previous experience on the ERHS Cheerleader Squad are required to try-out
annually. There are no guaranteed positions. Candidates are required to be in attendance at all clinics, practices
and final judging for consideration as a member of the ERHS Cheerleading Squad.
Selection of ERHS Cheerleader Squad members will be made based on a scoring system that includes final judging
scores and teacher evaluations. The decisions are final and irrevocable. Cheerleading is a recognized sport in the
state of Florida therefore all judging will take place by the current coaches and a possible third party.
During the three day clinic, Senior Graduating Cheerleaders, will teach new material (cheer, chant and dance routine)
to all candidates for try-outs. Cheer coaches (Varsity, JV and one outside coach) will score all candidates on a
variety of skills, included, but not limited to, spirit, motions, timing, execution of chant, cheer and dance routines,
tumbling and jumps.
ALTERNATES
ERHS Cheerleader coaches will maintain, on file, a score ranking of all candidates for the cheerleading squad,
including squad members selected during the spring tryouts and alternates earning the minimum eligible score.
In the event an ERHS Cheerleader chooses to resign or relinquish their position on the squad, or is dismissed for just
cause, an alternate squad member may be placed on the squad at the discretion of the coaches, without
consultation, recourse or redress on the part of the resigning or dismissed cheerleader.
Should a squad position be vacated through resignation or dismissal for just cause after the conclusion of the
mandatory UCA Summer Cheer Camp, the ERHS Cheerleader coaches may choose not to fill that open position for
safety considerations. Decisions from the coaches are final.
SUMMER CAMP
ERHS Cheerleading Squad Members must be available to attend, at personal expense, the mandatory UCA Summer
Cheer Camp for teambuilding, stunt and safety training. The ERHS Cheerleader coaches will schedule and
announce the dates of the annual summer cheer camp prior to tryouts each spring. Payments may be made in
installments as needed, but all fees must be paid in full prior to camp.
ALL-STAR STATUS
All captains and seniors on the ERHS Cheerleading Squad are eligible to participate in the All-Star Tryouts at the
UCA Summer Cheer Camp. Additional competitors allowed by UCA may be determined at the discretion of the
coaches.
ERHS Cheerleaders selected as UCA All-Star Cheerleaders are eligible to participate, at personal expense, with the
UCA All-Star Cheerleader holiday parade participants in New York City, London and other locations.
It is the sole responsibility of the cheerleader to complete and submit all required paperwork any pay required fees by
UCA deadlines in order to participate in the program.
COMPETITION
All members of the Varsity Cheerleading Squad will be required to be a part of the ERHS Competition Squad. There
will be an additional fee of $150 included with camp fees, clothes, and materials to assist in covering the expense of
an additional choreography camp. The two day choreography camp will take place sometime during the last two
weeks of July. The actual date will be announced as soon as it is confirmed so that plans can be made.
Choreography camp is mandatory.
ERHS Competition Squad members will participate in a minimum of two competitions each school year. Attempts
will be made to cover the majority of costs associated with competitions through fundraising. However, from time to
time, ERHS Competition Squad members may be called upon to assist personally in expenses.
FUNDRAISING
ERHS Cheerleaders will be required to participate in fundraising activities including, but not limited to, car washes,
bake sales, spirit items and other events to help build financial reserves to fund spirit building activities and/or to
purchase new ERHS Cheerleader uniforms or other school owned cheerleader related items. Proceeds from
fundraisers will be placed into an internal school cheerleader account for future use by the entire team.
Every effort will be made to give advanced notice for fundraisers. Participation is required and is not optional. It is
imperative that we operate as a team to provide the best atmosphere and experience for all.
TRANSPORTATION
ERHS Cheerleaders must accompany the squad and ride the cheerleader bus to all games and events scheduled
away from ERHS. ERHS Cheerleaders are expected to report to the student parking lot at least 15 minutes prior to
bus departure for all away games and events. It is also preferred that cheerleaders return to ERHS on the bus with
the squad.
Parents attending away games may transport their cheerleader home from the game only if personal contact is made
with the coach and the parent signs a liability release form. Under no circumstances will a cheerleader be allowed to
leave any event with anyone other than a parent or legal guardian who has signed the liability release.
ERHS Cheerleaders and their parents are responsible for the transportation of the cheerleader to and from events
scheduled at ERHS. Parents not attending the ERHS home events must pick up their cheerleader within 15 minutes
of the conclusion of the event.
RESPONSIBILITY
ERHS Cheerleaders must maintain a sense of responsibility towards their squad, their school and their community.
Work and other extra-curricular activities must be secondary and scheduled around ERHS Cheerleader practices,
events and games.
LEADERSHIP
Squad members in good standing are eligible, at the discretion of the ERHS Cheerleader coaches, for selection as
one of the squad captains. Captains must maintain academic excellence and demonstrate leadership ability,
dependability and responsibility. Captains will be selected annually by and at the discretion of the coaches.
AWARDS
ERHS Varsity Cheerleaders who complete the full football season and basketball season in good standing both
academically and athletically will be eligible to receive and ERHS Varsity Letter. Once a letter is earned members
will be able to earn bars for their successful season completions.
In the Spring of each year, an awards banquet will take place to recognize the conclusion of the cheerleading season
and to honor the participation of all members.
EXPENSES
ERHS Cheerleaders must be available to attend the mandatory UCA Summer Cheer Camp. Varsity Cheerleaders
must be available to attend the mandatory UCA Summer Choreography Camp. ERHS Cheerleaders are responsible
for any and all expenses incurred to attend camps, for camp wear purchases and for any damages incurred as a
result of their negligence at camp. Installment payments will be allowed as need but all fees must be paid in full prior
to camp.
ERHS Cheerleaders are also responsible for the care and maintenance of school issued uniforms. Washing
instructions are provided and should be followed explicitly. ERHS Cheerleaders will be held financially responsible
for any damage or loss to the school issue uniform, including shrinkage or discoloration due to poor maintenance.
RESIGNATION
Resignation from the squad is final and irrevocable and any and all fees and/or payments previously made for
purchases or expenses incurred as a part of the cheerleader’s participation in the ERHS Cheerleading program are
non-refundable.
DISMISSAL
Violations of any of the rules and regulations set forth in the ERHS Cheerleader Code of Conduct will jeopardize a
cheerleader’s continued participation on the ERHS Cheerleading Squad and may result in dismissal from the squad.
Dismissal from the squad is final and irrevocable and any and all fees and/or payments previously made for
purchases or expenses incurred as a part of the cheerleader’s participation in the ERHS Cheerleading program are
non-refundable.