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MILTON HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING CONSTITUTION
Please understand, being a Milton High Cheerleader is a privilege that is earned upon
completion of the tryout process. This is what sets our cheerleaders apart at the school and in
the community. With this privilege comes responsibility. Upon making the team the guidelines in
this constitution must be followed. You should understand and agree to this before trying out for
the team. If the policies outlined in the constitution are not followed, a cheerleader may be
removed from the team.
Purpose: Shall be to promote and uphold school spirit, to develop a sense of good sportsmanship
among students at Milton High toward the athletic program, and to build better relationships
between schools during all athletic events. Cheerleaders will participate actively in football and
basketball (girls and boys). Cheerleading is a privilege and not a right. This constitution is
required of a cheerleader at Milton High School. As situations arise, the sponsors and
administrators will formulate additional guidelines. Upon making the team, each
cheerleader will receive a copy of this constitution and is required to return a signed
contract by the parent/guardian and cheerleader before they may participate.
I.
Membership:
A. The varsity cheerleading squad will come from grades 11 and 12
B. The junior varsity will come from grades 10 and 11
C. The ninth grade squad will come from grade 9
II.
Uniforms :
A. Uniforms and shoes should be kept in excellent condition at all times. Uniforms
should be cleaned immediately after each use so they will be ready for any spur of the
moment activities.
B. Uniforms MAY NOT be altered in any way without first having discussed it with the
coach and getting permission. If a cheerleader loses, stains, or tears a garment, she
will be required to replace it.
C. Uniforms, shoes, or hair bows are not to be worn except for games and pep rallies
unless the advisor gives permission. At home basketball games, uniforms may be
worn to the ball games that come before and after your own game. At away games,
uniforms must be worn to all three games.
D. Any and all of your uniform pieces, including warm up suit, may not be worn by
anyone other than MHS Cheerleaders.
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E. Uniforms are chosen by the sponsors, but are purchased by the individual
cheerleaders. Some sponsors may opt to purchase a new uniform(s) yearly for their
squads. Uniforms will not be issued to the cheerleader until they have paid for them
completely by either fundraising or personal funds. School records will be tagged for
uniforms, etc. which have not been paid for. Cheerleaders may not participate in
football season until individual accounts are paid in full by either fundraising
opportunities or personal funds.
1. Varsity uniforms cost approximately $700.00 with letterman jacket costing
approximately $275.00. Letterman jackets with a varsity letter are earned upon the
completion of football season at the varsity level. Warm Up approximately
$188.00. Hair ribbons, sleeves, briefs, shoes, socks, poms approx. $250. Camp
wear approx. 150.00.
2. Junior varsity uniforms will cost approximately $550.00. Wind suit approximately
$175.00. Hair ribbons, sleeves, briefs, shoes, socks, poms approx. $150. Camp
wear approx. 100.00.
3. Ninth grade uniforms will cost approximately $550.00. Wind suit approximately
$175.00. Hair ribbons, sleeves, briefs, shoes, socks, poms approx. $150. Camp
wear approx. 100.00.
F. If the cheerleader wishes to sell her uniforms to another cheerleader, the uniforms
shall be washed and pressed before returning them to your sponsor by the designated
uniform sizing date. Any uniform pieces will be purchased directly from the
cheerleader who is selling them, not Milton High School. Coaches must approve of
the fit of any uniform pieces before they may be purchased. Uniforms may not be
purchased from another cheerleader until the used uniform sale date scheduled by the
sponsor.
G. No Jewelry--no earrings (this includes body piercing), no necklaces, no watches, no
rings or belly button rings while cheering or practicing. According to the FHSAA
and NFHS Rules book, not even small plastic spacers may be worn in hole
piercings. NO EXCEPTIONS!! If you plan on getting a piercing either belly or
ear we suggest that you look at your cheer calendar in order to find the time for
it to heal. YOU WILL NOT CHEER OR PRACTICE IF IT IS IN, THUS AN
UNEXCUSED ABSENCE FROM CHEERING = DEMERITS
H. No excessive make-up or hairdos. If you are in uniform you will be required to wear
natural color make-up. Hair should be plain and simple and off the face and neck;
Hair must be worn in the center of the head and high enough to see the ribbon from
the front; ribbons and barrettes must be the color of the uniform.
I. No tattoos or body art of any kind may be added to your body while you are a
cheerleader. Pre-existing body art must be covered while in uniform.
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J. No food directly before or during your game. (This includes half-time) Exceptions
are made for away games during basketball season when cheerleaders must stay for
several games. This exception is outlined in the basketball rules that are covered at
the beginning of basketball season.
K. No fingernail polish in uniform. (Clear polish only). Fingernails will be kept at a
short and reasonable length. No acrylic nails for the safety as outlined in FHSAA
Rules.
L. NO GUM in uniform - NO EXCEPTIONS!!
M. If your uniform no longer fits, you will be required to have it altered if possible or
purchase a new one.
N. All cheerleaders will be required to have a butterfly clip for their bra straps,
cheerleaders should have a solid black and a solid white bra, preferably a sports bra.
III.
Practice:
A. Cheerleaders must attend all scheduled practices unless there is a valid reason
approved by the sponsor. *ALL PRACTICES* If a cheerleader misses the last
practice before a game or pep rally, she will not be able to cheer at that game or pep
rally. Only exceptions - last minute EMERGENCIES such as death in the family.
Scheduled appointments are NOT emergencies.
B. Practice will be during 6th period class for the Varsity Team, and after school for
Varsity, JV and 9th grade. On game days we may come early to practice a specific
cheer, etc. The times for these practices will be set by the sponsor. Practices for
special performances may be scheduled on Saturdays if needed.
C. SUMMER:
(1) All groups of cheerleaders will have mandatory practices before they attend
summer cheerleading camp. Summer school practice times will be decided by
each sponsor. Additional practices will be scheduled during the summer. All
cheerleaders are required to attend cheerleading camp in the summer as well as
all mandatory practices.
Summer School: $100
(2) Each cheerleader will be required to purchase camp wear, 9th & JV Approx $100
Varsity Approx. $150.
(3) All cheerleaders are required to pay a $100 summer school fee (outlined above).
IV. Requirements:
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A. Maturity and Sound Judgment
B. Leadership
C. Emotional Stability
D. All cheerleaders are expected to raise money to help toward the expenses of camp,
football and basketball season. If a cheerleader opts not to sell, it is her responsibility
to provide her own personal funds for the particular item or activity for which the
funds will be utilized.
V.
Special requirements:
A. All cheerleader candidates must have a current physical by a doctor without
limitations that would interfere with cheerleading activities.
B. Cheerleaders must have 24 hour insurance coverage or school insurance and have that
information on record with the sponsor.
C. If a cheerleader opts to take dual enrollment/early enrollment classes at
Pensacola State College, she is required to be enrolled in at least four
courses on campus at MHS, as well as be on campus for all required cheer
activities. Please be aware times/events that possibly conflict when scheduling classes.
Before scheduling any off campus classes (day or evening) sponsors should be
consulted.
VI.
School/Game Attendance:
A. If a cheerleader is counted absent for any class period during the school day, (any
part, including signing in late) when a game is scheduled that night, without a one
(1) day advanced approval by the sponsor, she will be unable to take part as a
cheerleader. Only exceptions - last minute EMERGENCIES such as death in the
family. Scheduled appointments are NOT emergencies. Saturday games are included
here unless sponsor plans a set practice. Generally there will be one day consistently
where there is no after school practice. This day should be used to schedule
appointments.
B. Cheerleaders must tell sponsor in person if they check in late or check out for any
reason. This is the responsibility of the cheerleader.
C. If a cheerleader misses 5 or more days (ANY PART - THIS INCLUDES SIGNING
IN LATE OR SIGNING OUT EARLY) FOR ANY CLASS during a 9 week grading
period, she will be benched for 1 week. This includes excused absences.
D. If a cheerleader has 3 unexcused tardies in a single class, she will be assigned
punishment laps/demerits.
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E. Cheerleaders should not be absent from games. When a cheerleader is absent from
a game, it puts the entire team at a disadvantage. Cheerleaders may miss a total of 2
games (the entire football and basketball seasons). Any absences after this will result
in consequences. For each game missed after the initial 2, the cheerleader will be
benched for one week and 8 demerits might be given depending on the reason for the
game absences. Only exceptions made for these extra absences will be in the case of
severe illness with a doctor’s note or death in the family. DO NOT plan family
vacations that will conflict with football and basketball season games. Game absences
should be used only when in emergencies or illness. They ARE NOT intended to be
used for planned absences!
VII.
General Conduct:
A. Cheerleaders shall conduct themselves properly at all times, for they are official
student representatives of the school.
B. Conduct in the classroom should be of a caliber that gives a good example to other
students.
C. Cheerleaders should display good sportsmanship at all times.
D. Cheerleaders should not display bad habits such as drinking, smoking, or using drugs.
According to school board policy, cheerleaders who test positive for drugs will be
suspended from the squad for 4 weeks, they must go for counseling at their own
expense, and at the end of the suspension, test again to make sure they are clean. A
2nd infraction will result in automatic dismissal from the squad.
E. Cheerleaders should not use improper language, cheat, or skip school. Demerits will
be issued and/or may result in the cheerleader being benched.
F. Cheerleaders should have no physical contact with the opposite sex while in
uniform. During school hours or at school functions, the school PDA policy will be
enforced. Repeated violations will warrant demerits and bleachers.
G. Cheerleaders’ schedules must be flexible; they must be able to change plans at a
moment’s notice. EXAMPLE: calling extra practice, cheering at a game left off the
schedule, having to practice longer, etc. This includes being able to change your work
schedule if you have a job. Practices will not be planned around cheerleader work
schedules.
H. Cheerleaders will sit on the Milton side in the cheering section during football
games. During home basketball games, the cheerleader will sit on the Milton side in
the cheering section. The upstairs part of the gymnasium is OFF LIMITS. At away
games, all cheerleaders must sit with the group in uniform.
I. GOSSIP OR NEGATIVE COMMENTS ABOUT FELLOW CHEERLEADERS,
COACHES OR MHS ATHLETIC TEAMS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND
WILL BE DEALT WITH!
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Cheerleaders who participate in gossip and/or other inappropriate comments or
behaviors towards fellow cheerleaders, coaches or MHS athletic teams will result in
disciplinary actions as deemed necessary by the coach and/or administration. This
includes gossip and actions that affect the cheer team’s performance and individual
cheerleader performance. Disciplinary actions that may be taken, but are not limited
to: bleachers, demerits, benching, removal from the team.
J. Cell phones should not be out in the open and being used during any MHS function. If
you need to use the phone, please tell the coach and go to the restroom to use it. Ipods
and other electronic devices may be taken on the bus for away trips, but are not to be
listened to in the stands. You are there to support the team.
VIII.
Trips:
Cheerleaders must travel by transportation to the designated school from MHS and back
to MHS. Cheerleaders will no longer be able to ride back home with parents in order to
create shared responsibility of the cheerleaders for clean up after games.
IX.
Probation, dismissal, and benching:
A. The power of dismissal shall be considered the decision of the sponsor and the
principal or administrative designee.
B. After receiving 10 demerits, the cheerleader will be benched for two weeks, but must
participate in all other cheerleading activities. The cheerleader must dress out and sit
by the sponsor during the entire game.
C.
Twenty demerits will result in expulsion from the squad. Demerits are cumulative for
the year and may not be worked off. If you QUIT the squad you are not eligible to try
out the next year. If you are expelled from the squad, depending on circumstances,
you will be informed at a later date if you will be eligible to tryout the next year.
Teachers, coaches and administration will be contacted to find out if the expulsion
behavior etc. has improved.
D. A cheerleader may be suspended from the squad by the sponsor when the sponsor
feels there has been serious misconduct committed by the cheerleader.
X.
Grades:
A. To cheer during any grading period, a cheerleader must have a passing grade in each
of the six unit subjects. If a student makes a failing grade, she will be required to go
to tutoring and receive bleachers. Each cheerleader must maintain a 2.0
(unweighted) GPA for the grading period just closed. Cheerleaders that do not
maintain a 2.0 GPA will assigned bleachers and be required to show a weekly
progress report until the grading period is complete. If you receive a zero for any
assignment you will be assigned 10 bleachers ---there is no excuse for having a
zero.
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B. If the GPA is below 2.0 (unweighted) for two consecutive nine-week periods, the
cheerleader will automatically be dismissed.
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