Magruder High School
2010-2011
JV & Varsity Cheerleading Tryouts
Athletic Director - Mr. Karl Heimbach
Coaches - Ms. Cindy Graham and Mrs. Kim Fitts
See our website at Magruderathletics.org
Checklist of forms to bring to the first clinic
______
current physical form (must be within the last year)
(form can also be downloaded from MCPS and Magruder athletics webpages)
Current cheerleaders must have a physical scheduled BEFORE August 14th.
The appointment date must be submitted at tryouts.
______
Personal information sheet
______
Magruder student–parent handbook forms (white medical card and
participation contract
______
3 teacher recommendations
______
1 administrator recommendation
______
current grade verification form
Dear candidate and parents,
The following information has been prepared to acquaint you with the Magruder High School
cheerleading program. As you and your child consider becoming involved with cheerleading it is
VERY IMPORTANT that you both become completely familiar with the tryout procedures, the
expectations and obligations, and the physical demands of being a member of the cheerleading squad.
Please give serious attention to all aspects of the Magruder cheerleading program and the individual
commitment BEFORE signing the attached parent permission slip. It is important that you understand
exactly what is expected if you are selected as a member. Please do not tryout if you cannot willingly
abide by each of the items discussed.
Cheerleading has many values to offer. Well-trained cheerleaders have a tremendous influence
on the school spirit and sportsmanship of a school. We are glad that you are interested in becoming a
part of the Magruder cheerleaders. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Good luck
to everyone trying out!
Sincerely,
Varsity coach: Ms. Cindy Graham
c) 240-731-2055
cheer4mhs@hotmail.com
JV coach:
Mrs. Kim Fitts
c) 240-388-0973
PARENT MEETING
Wednesday, May 19
7pm
CLINICS
Males
Wed. and Thurs. 5/19 and 5/20 5:30-7:00
Females
Monday, May 17
Tuesday, May 18
Wednesday, May 19
Thursday, May 20
Friday, May 21
TRYOUTS: Monday, May 24
5:00 – 7:00 (dance)
5:00 – 7:00 (cheer & jumps)
5:00 – 7:00 (chants and review)
5:00 – 7:00 (mock tryouts, first cuts)
no clinic
Begin at 4:00
Forms and Permission Slips
All forms will be turned into the athletic director after tryouts. Those students who do not make the
cheerleading squads will be able to use these forms again if they tryout for poms or another athletic team
in the fall. Medical cards and transportation release forms will be distributed to those students who
make the junior varsity or varsity squads.
Clinics and Tryouts
*
Clinics are not mandatory, but show a commitment and desire to be on the team. You are
responsible for knowing all the required material at tryouts. Listen to all instructions of the
instructors and coaches. This is a time to learn, not socialize. Please take clinics and tryouts
seriously,
*
All applicants are expected to be prompt and dressed appropriately for clinics as well as for
tryouts. At tryouts it is suggested that you wear blue shorts and a white shirt. Jewelry should be
removed, hair is up and nails should be sport short. Neatness counts!!!
*
Attendance is mandatory on the day of tryouts. You must attend the entire day of school in order
to tryout. If you are in a physical education class, you must continue to participate in PE classes
during the week of clinics and tryouts. If you do not participate in PE class and/or are absent
from school on the day of tryouts, you will not be allowed to participate in cheerleading either.
Schedule
*
In order to cheer for the fall season, you must be present at 9 of the 12 days of summer
practices, which begin Aug. 14. The first day of school is Monday, August 30th.
*
Please note the enclosed example of practice/game schedules. The cheerleaders support a lot of
activities and you will be expected to be at all practices and sporting events.
Academics
School academics come first! All athletes must maintain their academic eligibility at all times. Please
consider your ability to keep up with grades, homework, etc. while maintaining the demanding and
time-consuming schedule associated with cheerleading. In order to comply with gender equity
requirements, our cheerleaders must cover several sports in each season; plus varsity cheerleaders
must also cover play-off games and state tournaments. Be sure you will be able to handle the
numerous hours involved in the cheerleading program without jeopardizing academic standing.
Other Extra-Curricular Activities
Magruder cheerleading must have FIRST PRIORITY in your extra-curricular activity schedule. If you
have obligations such as outside employment, music or dance lessons, other athletic practices, or club
practices, etc., Magruder practices and performances must be scheduled first. Driver Ed., SAT Prep
classes and other school activities must be scheduled after practices and games.
Commitment
Dedication to cheerleading is extremely important. We are looking for respectful and respected
students who demonstrate their loyalty to the team and to Magruder by their actions on and off the
playing field. Once the squad is selected, a cheerleader must cheer for the season(s) committed to. If
a cheerleader quits before the end of the season, he/she will not be allowed to try out for any spirit
group the next school year.
Financial Obligations
*
Financial demands must be considered before trying out for cheerleading. We are not permitted
to use money from fundraisers for any personal items.
*
No one will be excluded because of financial problems as long as the squad member actively
participates in fundraisers. If a financial problem does arise, it will be strictly confidential. A
payment plan can be worked out. School policy does not allow students to tryout for
cheerleading if an outstanding balance is owed for activities participated in during the previous
year.
*
Possible expenses are listed on the attached sheet.
Criteria for Competition and earning a varsity letter
*
VARSITY CHEERLEADERS ONLY: The competition squad will be determined in the fall.
Ability as well as dedication to the squad will determine who is on the competition squad. In
order to compete in the county competition, you must be on the fall varsity cheerleading squad.
The county cheerleading competition will be held on Saturday, November 13th.
*
Those varsity cheerleaders who complete the season(s) that are determined at tryouts will be
eligible to receive a varsity letter. The varsity cheerleader must follow all MCPS and Magruder
High School rules, participate in a majority of the events that the squad cheers for and be
academically eligible during the entire cheerleading season.
Determination of the squads
*
The coaches will decide the number of members on each squad. Freshmen cannot tryout for the
varsity squad.
*
You have the option of trying out for each season for example, if you are interested in playing a
winter sport (like basketball), you may sign up to cheer only in the fall and spring. Season
preferences will be established the week of clinics.
JUDGING SYSTEM
The following system is the basis on which each applicant will be judged.
* Each applicant will be judged on a scale of 1 thru 5 with 5 being the highest rating.
*Judges will be knowledgeable cheerleading judges.
*During the tryouts, applicants will be judged on the standards of the score sheet. There will also
be points given for teacher recommendations, clinic attitude and overall attitude.
NOTE: According to MCPS regulations, the coach has final approval of the selection of the
squad. The confidential scores of the judges are considered a recommendation. Therefore, the
coaches reserve the right to consider teacher references, impression of candidate’s work ethic,
and overall disposition during clinics and previous cheer seasons when making the final
selection. Regardless of the judges' scores, the coaches will make the final decision.
Tryout Tips
☺
SMILE! It's the easiest way to get points.
☺
BE ENTHUSIASTIC! You should look like you are having fun.
☺
HAVE CONFIDENCE! You have as good of a chance as anyone else.
☺
ATTEMPT EVERYTHING! You won't receive any points for an unattempted
dance or skill; just trying will earn some points.
☺
DRESS PROPERLY! Wear tennis shoes, socks, shorts and T-shirt. For safety
reasons, be sure to tie long hair back and please do not wear jewelry.
☺
GOOD LUCK! Keep a good attitude. If you don't succeed at first, try again.
POSSIBLE EXPENSES ’10 -‘11
The following is a list of cheerleading supplies that you will be responsible for purchasing if you make
the cheerleading squad. Next to each item is a rough estimate of the cost of each one. A final cost will
be given to each cheerleader at the time of purchasing each item. This list is not fully comprehensive,
but just a quick overview of what you can expect. Timelines and actual prices will be distributed before
ordering.
* = mandatory item
Cheer Supply
Amount
Shoes*
Poms*
Boycut briefs*
Bodysuits (one white, one navy)*
Yoga pants (for under skirts)*
Windbreaker jacket (purchased by jv)*
Nylon warm up suit (purchased by varsity)*
Competition bodysuit (purchased by varsity)*
Ankle socks
Cheer bag
Team cheer camp (overnight)
Shorts/t-shirts for camp and practice
Varsity letter jacket
$52
$40
$12
$23 each
$22
$65
$85
$50
$8.25
$34
$289 ($50 deposit due May 28, $239 due July 1)
$30/outfit
$170
Dates to Remember
If you are selected to be a cheerleader, the following are a preliminary list of dates that you may want to
keep open.
Friday, May 28
July 20 – 23
Saturday, Aug. 14
general meeting and practice, $50 camp deposit due
NCA overnight camp at UMBC
(We will have practice before we go.)
mandatory practice begins
Sample schedule - both jv and varsity teams are busy!
October 2009
varsity cheer schedule
Tuesday
Monday
Sunday
Thursday
Wednesday
1
4:30 – 6:30
4
11
18
25
10
16
No school and no
practice ☺
17
FB vs Springbrook
Lv MHS at 12:30
gray
24
soccer vs
13
Wootton
1’s 6:45
2’s 4:45
Big M
14
15
4-6
4-7
20
21
23 Be at G’burg
at 5:30
4-6
4-6
22
VB vs G’burg
6:15
jerseys
30 SENIOR NIGHT!
5:15
FB vs PB
New competition
12
19
No practice
9
5:15
FB vs. Churchill
Blue Magruder
8
6
4-6
3
7
Concussion study
3:30
Practice 4-6
5
FH 3:30
Green tees
4-6
4-6
26
27
28
29
4-6
4-6
4-6
4-6
Saturday
Friday
2
Homecoming vs
5:15
WM
New competition
FB at G’burg
Old competition
31
Practice 9-11
Personal Information Sheet
***Due on or before Wednesday, May 19th***
Please fill out all of the following information clearly and completely.
We MUST be able to read your writing. Thank you.
Cheerleader name:
Home phone:
Cheerleader cell phone:
e-mail:
Father’s name:
Mother’s name:
Contact # and e-mail:
Contact # and e-mail:
Squad trying out for:
jv
varsity
both
Current grade level:
8
9
Previous cheer experience:
GPA from most recent report card
Tryout partner:
School you currently attend:
10
11
I, _____________________________________, have read and understand
the material in the 2010-2011 Magruder High School cheerleading packet.
Sign: __________________________________ date: ________________
Parental consent
I, the parent/guardian of the above mentioned student, have also read the material in the
20010-2011 Magruder High School cheerleading tryout packet. I give permission for my
child to participate fully in this tryout. I understand that the school and coaches will take
every reasonable precaution to prevent accidents, but that MCPS, Magruder High School
administration and anyone in the Magruder athletic department will not be responsible if
any accident occurs.
In case of emergency, I can be reached at ______________________________________
Sign: __________________________________ date: ________________
Teacher Recommendation #1
Dear Fellow Teacher,
Your student, _____________________________, is trying out for the cheerleading squad at
Magruder. In order to be a positive member of a spirit group one must display enthusiasm, selfdiscipline, cooperation, reliability and respect for peers and adults. We are looking for respectful and
respected students to represent Magruder on the cheerleading squads. Please sign at the bottom of
this form and feel free to make any remarks you feel we need to know. Your comments will be kept
confidential. Your recommendation is important and will be taken into consideration when the squad is
selected. You may return this either by way of the student, put it in the cheerleading mailbox at
Magruder or send it via the Pony to Cindy Graham at Candlewood Elem. by Thursday, May 20. Thank
you!
Sincerely,
Cindy Graham and Kim Fitts
Subject you teach this student: ________________________________
I support the student's interest and feel that she/he will be an asset to the squad.
_________________________________
Teacher Recommendation #2
Dear Fellow Teacher,
Your student, _____________________________, is trying out for the cheerleading squad at
Magruder. In order to be a positive member of a spirit group one must display enthusiasm, selfdiscipline, cooperation, reliability and respect for peers and adults. We are looking for respectful and
respected students to represent Magruder on the cheerleading squads. Please sign at the bottom of
this form and feel free to make any remarks you feel we need to know. Your comments will be kept
confidential. Your recommendation is important and will be taken into consideration when the squad is
selected. You may return this either by way of the student, put it in the cheerleading mailbox at
Magruder or send it via the Pony to Cindy Graham at Candlewood Elem. by Thursday, May 20. Thank
you!
Sincerely,
Cindy Graham and Kim Fitts
Subject you teach this student: ________________________________
I support the student's interest and feel that she/he will be an asset to the squad.
_________________________________
Teacher Recommendation #3
Dear Fellow Teacher,
Your student, _____________________________, is trying out for the cheerleading squad at
Magruder. In order to be a positive member of a spirit group one must display enthusiasm, selfdiscipline, cooperation, reliability and respect for peers and adults. We are looking for respectful and
respected students to represent Magruder on the cheerleading squads. Please sign at the bottom of
this form and feel free to make any remarks you feel we need to know. Your comments will be kept
confidential. Your recommendation is important and will be taken into consideration when the squad is
selected. You may return this either by way of the student, put it in the cheerleading mailbox at
Magruder or send it via the Pony to Cindy Graham at Candlewood Elem. by Thursday, May 20. Thank
you!
Sincerely,
Cindy Graham and Kim Fitts
Subject you teach this student: ________________________________
I support the student's interest and feel that she/he will be an asset to the squad.
_________________________________
Administrative Recommendation
Student name:
_______________
grade:_________________________
This student is trying out to become a member of the Magruder Cheerleading program. If selected, this
student will represent Magruder in and out of uniform. Therefore we wish to be aware of any
administrative disciplinary action that has taken place in the past year regarding this student. Thank you
for your cooperation in this matter.
No disciplinary action
Disciplinary action/date: _______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Administrator signature
date