Forte Junior

High Cheerleader / Mascot /

Manager

Constitution

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORTE JR HIGH CHEERLEADER AND MASCOT

CONSTITUTION

Table of Contents FOWARD .................................................................................................................................................................. 4

Article I .......................................................................................................................................................... 4

PURPOSE .................................................................................................................................................................. 4

Article II ......................................................................................................................................................... 4

Eligibility Requirements ............................................................................................................................................ 4

Article III ....................................................................................................................................................... 5

SQUAD TRYOUTS: ................................................................................................................................................. 5

METHOD OF SELECTION: .................................................................................................................................... 6

Article IV ....................................................................................................................................................... 6

MEMBERSHIP: ........................................................................................................................................................ 6

Article V ........................................................................................................................................................ 7

ATTENDANCE AND PERFORMANCE: ............................................................................................................... 7

Article VI ....................................................................................................................................................... 8

UNIFORMS: ............................................................................................................................................................. 8

Article VII ...................................................................................................................................................... 9

ACADEMIC GRADING: ......................................................................................................................................... 9

Article VIII ................................................................................................................................................... 10

Forte Cheerleader Tryout Information ...................................................................................................... 11

Try-out Tabulation Procedures .................................................................................................................. 12

Cheerleader Judging Score Sheet............................................................................................................... 13

Check List for Candidates .............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

PERMISSION SLIP AND RELEASE ................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Parent Code of Conduct ................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

Assistant Principal’s Clearance Form ............................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

Cheerleader/ Mascot/ Manager

Constitution

Forte Junior High School

FOWARD

The State Board of Education considers Cheerleading to be an extracurricular activity.

Membership in an extracurricular activity is considered a privilege rather than a right. In order to

participate in this program, students must meet and comply with specific requirements that are

set forth in this Constitution. The Director of District Operations along with the junior high

school principal and cheer coach(es) are responsible for the successful implementation of this

program. Coach(es) will be employed to manage the day to day operations of the program and

competitions.

Article I

PURPOSE

The Azle Independent School District coach(es) Cheerleaders and the mascot to promote:

1. spirit and support within the student body for all extracurricular sports

2. good sportsmanship

3. better relations with rival schools

4. better public relations within the community

The Cheerleaders and the mascot are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which meets

the purposes of the Constitution. Throughout this document, any reference to “cheerleader” will

also include “mascot”.

Article II

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to try out for a Cheerleader or mascot position, students (candidates) must meet

the following criteria:

A. Grade requirement: A candidate must be eligible according to the “No Pass – No Play”

standards prior to tryouts in all subjects or a minimum average grade of 65 in advanced

placement courses as designated for class ranking procedures adopted by the District

(Dual Credit does not count for eligibility).

B. Past cheerleader participation membership: A candidate who was either dismissed due to

DAEP placement or resigned from a position on a cheerleading squad or as the mascot in

the current school year is ineligible to try out to serve as cheerleader or mascot for the

following school year.

C. Discipline: A candidate is ineligible from consideration if any of the following conditions

have occurred during the current school year

a. An assignment to the Alternative Education Program (DAEP)

b. A suspension from school as a result of a violation of the Student Code of

Conduct.

D. Parent Meeting: At least one parent of the candidate must attend a mandatory parent

meeting. If a situation prohibits them from attending a group meeting, the parent must

schedule a meeting with the coach(es).

E. Documents: A candidate must have the following documents on file and properly

executed before he/she will be allowed to try out:

a. Tryout permission form/ Participation Contract/ Constitution Agreement

b. Assistant Principal Clearance

c. Copy of Current Report Card

F. Agreement: By reading the Constitution and signing the contract, all parties (parents,

candidates and coach(es) agree to follow all provisions of the Constitution and the

contract.

Article III

SQUAD TRYOUTS:

A. Practice sessions will be held before the tryout date. Sessions may be conducted by senior

cheerleaders and coach(es). Candidates must attend all practice sessions and be on time.

Candidates should wear a T-shirt, shorts, socks and shoes. Hair should be pulled back and

all jewelry must be removed, including body piercing jewelry. Universal Cheerleaders

Association (“UCA”) guidelines will be followed. During the pre-tryout practice/training

sessions, all candidates will be taught a cheer/chant, jump sequence, and a short dance.

B. Squads:

a. 8th

Grade: Sixteen (16) members will be selected to the 8th

grade squad. The top

16 candidates to have the highest score according to the judges score sheets will

be on the squad. In case of a tie for the 16th

position, each candidate tied for the

16th

position will make the squad.

b. 7th

Grade: All candidates who complete and fulfill the requirements for Forte Jr

High Cheer will be eligible for membership on the 7th

grade squad.

C. Dress for Tryouts: Candidates must wear a plain, white T-shirt, black shorts and white

socks and shoes.

METHOD OF SELECTION:

A. All candidates will draw numbers to determine the order for the tryout.

B. The tumbling and spiriting, and jump sequence will be performed individually.

C. The cheer/chant and short dance will be performed in a small group.

D. Tryouts will be closed. Judges, administrators and/or vote counters (persons not

affiliated with the program) will be present.

E. Scores will be based on the judges’ assessments according to the procedures and criteria

described in the Cheerleading Tabulation Procedures.

F. Sealed letters containing score and results will be given to each candidate when the

score tabulations are completed.

G. The Judges’ decisions and scores are final and are not grounds for the grievance process.

Article IV

MEMBERSHIP:

A. Cheerleaders will participate in all activities in which the organization (squad) is involved

and will exhibit and maintain a cooperative attitude toward school policies and

regulations.

B. Cheerleaders will abide by the AZLE ISD junior high handbook and the AZLE ISD

athletic code of conduct. (see AZLE ISD athletic parent/student handbook)

C. Cheerleading Members are required to attend cheerleading camp. If a cheerleader cannot

attend camp, he or she will forfeit his or her position and an alternate will replace the

position. No cheerleader may leave camp for any reason other than personal illness,

injury, death in family or other reasons acceptable to the coach(es) or Director of District

Operations. The cheerleader may only leave with a person designated by the parent.

D. Cheerleaders must have all fees paid in full two weeks prior to camp.

E. The official term of service for a cheerleader will be from the announcement of the

winners of the cheerleading tryouts and end with the same announcement the following

year.

F. Dismissal

a) Hazing of other members

b) Members may be dismissed from the squad for failure to fulfill the duties of a

cheerleader

c) Members may be dismissed for being academically ineligible two times during the

school year. (1 time= 3 weeks, 2 times= six weeks. For example 2 times would

include: Six week’s failure and then at the three week reevaluation grading period or

2 six week’s grading periods but eligible at the 3 week reevaluation period each time)

d) Members may be dismissed for conduct unbecoming for a cheerleader/teammate

e) Members will be dismissed for receiving DAEP or suspension due to discipline

outlined in the Junior High Student and Athletic Code of Conduct and Handbook

f) Members will be dismissed for 2 unexcused absences at required performances or

required activities

g) Any member dismissed from the squad, for any reason, will have the right to appeal

utilizing AISD Board Policy FNG (Local) which can be found on the district website

or picked-up at the administration building

h) 3rd

SAC offense

h) Drug violation: Members who are arrested and charged with selling, giving or delivering

to another person or possessing, using or being under the influence of drugs (including

steroids) whether on or off campus, will be automatically suspended from the

cheerleading program until guilt or innocence is determined. Cheerleaders found guilty of

an alleged offense will be removed from the team and will not be allowed to try-out the

following year.

G. This guide to our discipline system is not meant to be inclusive of every, or exclusive of

any, situation.

H. The guide may be adapted during the year by the coach(es)es as needed.

I. If a coach(es) deems an offense severe enough, a student may be placed directly on a

behavior contract or removed from the squad at the sole discretion of the coach(es).

Article V

ATTENDANCE AND PERFORMANCE:

A. Members must be on time and participating in all practice sessions, games, camp, pep

rallies and other squad activities. Only excuses approved by the coach(es) will be valid.

Members must notify the coach(es) prior to the absence or tardy taking place. Each

situation will be evaluated individually based on the circumstances such as personal

illness or emergencies beyond the cheerleader’s control. The coach(es) will also

determine eligibility for performance. Practices may be scheduled either before or after

school. Cheerleaders will be required to dress for practice in clothes appropriate for

workouts and that conform to UCA rules.

B. Cheerleaders will lead cheers and perform routines at all scheduled events and pep rallies.

Members will attend and participate in all required events in all sports, playoffs, district

and city performances, squad pictures and fundraisers.

C. Before school, after school and pre-camp practice sessions are required. Time

specifications for these will be established when camp dates and other school schedules

become available.

a. Summer practice IS MANDATORY. Summer practices will begin July 31st.

These are mandatory sessions and absences will not be excused for vacations or

work schedules.

D. Attendance at all required games will be monitored by the coach(es). A cheerleader must

be able to perform all physical activities required of a cheerleader. The UIL standard

physical will be required from all members. Physical forms will be checked.

E. If absenteeism from school becomes a consistent problem, the cheerleader and a parent

will be notified and a conference scheduled to try to correct the problem.

F. Cheerleaders must be present at least half the day on game days in order to participate.

Exception: same day health care and field trips.

G. The coach(es) will have final approval of any cheers, skits and signs. Those that are

considered inappropriate based on Board Policy will not be allowed. Cheerleaders will

submit and ADHERE to an agenda for pep rallies and the coach(es) must approve this

agenda.

H. SAC: 1st Offense- 1 game suspension

2nd

Offense- 2 game suspension

3rd

Offense- Removal from the team

Article VI

UNIFORMS:

A. The school district will buy the basic cheer uniform. Members will purchase any required

clothing that is not provided by the district. A breakdown of the cost will be provided by

the District.

B. Expenditures by the school district:

a. Uniforms could include: skirts, tops, undershirts and pom-poms.

b. Cheerleaders are required to participate in fundraisers that help cover the cost of

camp, camp clothes, camp extras, additional clothing and end of the year banquet.

C. The cheerleader must provide the appropriate undergarments as identified by the

coach(es).

D. Cheerleaders assume 100% responsibility for the care and return of uniforms and

equipment purchased by the school district. School issued uniforms are only to be worn

on game days and only as complete uniforms.

a. Uniforms worn during the instructional day must meet dress code.

E. While in uniform, cheerleaders will put hair up and wear no jewelry, including body-

piercing jewelry. Pictures are the only exception. If a Cheerleader has a tattoo it must be

covered with a Band-Aid during practice and/or performances.

Article VII

ACADEMIC GRADING:

A. A cheerleader must maintain a grade of 70 or better in each class as reported each six

weeks on the report card with the exception of a grade of 65 in advanced placement

classes identified for No Pass, No Play exemption by AISD Board Policy. Failure to

maintain the acceptable grade will place a member on immediate probation for a three-

week period and could result in dismissal. If the cheerleader is academically ineligible,

they are still required to attend and participate in practices. At the end of the three-week

period, failing grades will be reevaluated. If the classroom teacher certifies that the grade

is above a 70, the cheerleader will be reinstated. All other UIL regulations pertaining to

grades will be followed.

B. The coach(es) will check grades during each six weeks period.

C. The coach(es) maintains the authority to make decisions concerning the performance of

the cheerleading squads.

Article VIII

All other duties, responsibilities, and decisions not discussed in the Constitution will be

left to the judgment of the coach(es)(s). The Administration will have the authority to

review and revise this Constitution as necessary.

Forte Cheerleader Tryout Information

1. A Mandatory Parent & Candidate Meeting will be held in the Forte Junior High Wednesday,

Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. Parents and candidates must be present. If a

situation forbids them from attending, they must contact the coach(es) PRIOR to the meeting

to make alternate arrangements.

2. Cheerleader Tryouts will be Friday, March 10th

, 2017 at 3:00 p.m., beginning with 7th

grade.

Times for each squad to report will be announced during practice week when we have an

approximate count of how many candidates will be trying out.

3. Mandatory Cheer practice dates will be March 6th

, 7th

, and 8th

from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Mock try-outs will be Thursday, March 9th

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tryouts March 10th

starting at 3:00pm. The cheer and short dance will be taught by the 2016-2017

seniors/coach(es).

4. Candidates need to report to practice on time and should wear clothes appropriate for

cheering. (see constitution)

5. All candidates must have required forms and permission slip (see constitution) with

copy of most current report card turned in by 3:00 pm on Thursday March 2nd. Each

candidate is responsible for seeing that each form is given to the appropriate person,

completed and turned in. Do not procrastinate.

6. Camp dates, practice times, and other important information will be announced in the

welcome letter.

7. Any outstanding debts from the 2016-2017 season regarding uniforms and equipment need to

be settled before the tryout date. Failure to do so will result in the candidate being ineligible

to tryout.

Try-out Tabulation Procedures

The candidates will assemble in the breezeway outside the indoor facility at their assigned time,

in numerical order.

There will be 3 judges and 1 tabulator; a school administrator will also be present.

The judges will rate the Cheer candidates in each category: Jumps, tumbling, cheer/chant, and

dance. The judges can call candidates to repeat the cheer or dance in groups so that they can see

everybody for the 3rd

and last time. They cannot call in candidates individually.

When they are finished with the scoring sheets, they will pass the sheets to the tabulator(s). The

tabulator(s) for the judges will total each individual score. When the individual scores have been

totaled from each judge, the tabulators will initial and pass to the school administrator for them

to verify totals for each candidate by judge.

The tabulators will then enter the judges’ scores by candidate number on the cumulative score

spreadsheet. The computer will then total the scores and rank each candidate.

The tabulators will give the results to the cheerleading coach(es) or administrator. They

will match numbers to the names and each candidate will be presented with a sealed

letter stating whether or not they made the squad and their score.

In the 8th

grade squad, the top 16 scores will be members of the 2017-2018 Forte

Cheerleaders

In the 7th

grade squad the candidates that fulfill ALL tryout requirements and process will

be members of the 2017-2018 Forte Cheerleaders.

Cheerleader Judging Score Sheet

Category Possible Points Points

Crowd Leading Skills Voice,

facial expression, confidence,

ability to use spirit raising

props effectively

10

________

Motion Technique Arm levels,

motion sharpness,

motion placement

10

________

Tumbling Skills Difficulty

of skill, execution

10

________

Jumps Height, arm placement,

leg placement, pointed toes

10

________

Dance Technique Motion

sharpness, motion placement,

confidence, rhythm

10

________

TOTAL _______