POLICY

COYLE AND CASSIDY HIGH SCHOOL
  1. PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES:
  2. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
  3. GAME AND PRACTICE APPEARANCE:
  4. PRACTICE AND GAME ATTENDENCE:
  5. INJURY:
  6. CONDUCT:
  7. BENCHING AND PROBATION:
  8. SUMMER CAMP:
  9. TUMBLING CLASSES:
  10. FINANCES:



PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES:

The cheerleading program at CCHS is a part of the athletic 
department. As student athletes, they will have the opportunity 
to further develop as responsible, mature and independent 
adults.  Specifically, the program is a means to improving the 
student’s mental and physical well-being.  Student athletes, 
coaches, and parents are called upon to work together in a true 
spirit of sportsmanship to assist in creating an environment in 
which values can be revealed, tested and proven relevant to 
participants an the entire school community.

The main function of the cheerleading program is to support 
interscholastic sports and to promote school spirit.  This places 
team members in a leadership role, therefore it is each 
individual’s responsibility to uphold, reflect and project the 
goals and ideas of CCHS. Team members will be expected to 
participate in conditioning, stunting, cheering, dancing and 
tumbling.

To be an effective member of this team it takes a great deal of 
commitment and responsibility.  Your dedication and enthusiasm 
are just as important as the physical skills involved.
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RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

1.	Attend all MEETINGS, PRACTICES, and GAMES on time!!!
2.	Lead the crowd in cheers and promote school spirit.
3.	Welcome the visiting cheerleaders and their teams.
4.	Support and promote activities as CCHS.
5.	Team members are REQUIRED to ride the bus to and from all 
        away games.  A team member must notify Coyle�s Athletic 
        Director 24 hours in advance in writing, if a parent 
        or another adult will be providing 
        a ride.  Members will be forced to ride the bus home if 
        prior approval from the Athletic Director is not given.
6.	Cheerleaders will be prepared to function at any capacity 
        on the squad.  All members are expected to learn all 
        roles in stunts, cheers and dances.  Each member is 
        expected to help and cooperate with each other in the 
        learning of new material.
7.	Practices, game performances, competitions, etc. have 
        priority over other team sports, social plans, and jobs.
8.	STUNTS WILL NEVER BE PRACTICED OR PERFORMED WITHOUT THE 
        PRESENCE OF A COACH.
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GAME AND PRACTICE APPEARANCE:

1.	PRACTICE UNIFORMS will be REQUIRED at all practices. Team 
        members will wear camp gear specified for that particular 
        day.  Sneakers MUST be worn at all times, properly laced 
        and worn with socks.  If you are not wearing proper 
        clothes and shoes at practice, you will be requested to 
        change and in some cases will not be allowed to 
        participate. NO SKIRTS, DRESSES, TIGHT PANTS, JEANS OR 
        HALF TOPS ALLOWED.  NO BAREFEET will be allowed.
2.	GAME UNFORMS will be REQUIRED at all games and 
        competitions.  Uniform must be complete and sneakers 
        clean in order to cheer.  If a member is missing any part 
        of the uniform, they may be benched at the discretion of 
        the coach.
3.	Hair must be neat, clean, and TIGHTLY secured in a high 
        ponytail with cheer ribbon or up with cheer curls when 
        instructed.
4.	Only moderate makeup is to be worn.
5.	NO jewelry of any kind. DO NOT get anything pierced 
        during the season that cannot be removed at practices or 
        games.  All earrings, belly rings, etc. must be removed 
        for ALL PRACTICES and GAMES.
6.	Nails are to be neat, clean, and trimmed short.  
7.	Members will not chew gum at any time during practice, 
        rallies, games and performances, or at any time while in 
        uniform.
8.	Members will not eat or drink during reporting time, 
        performances or games, except during the time and manner 
        specified by the coach.  Only water or sports drinks are 
        allowed on the sidelines.
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PRACTICE AND GAME ATTENDENCE:

PRACTICES and GAMES will be listed on monthly calendars and 
posted on the website.

TENTATIVE PRACTICE SCHEDULES:
The season’s calendar is available.  Since we share the gym with 
other teams, the schedule is subject to change.  Please be 
flexible.  Upon any changes, we will give the girls as much 
notice as possible and will be more understanding of missed 
practices (except for competition team) if it coincides with 
other things such as work, CCD, dance classes, etc.

	VARSITY & JV:  See calendar

All PRACTICES and GAMES are MANDATORY.  Absences or being tardy 
to practice seriously impact the team’s ability to completely 
prepare for game performances and affect the safety of stunting 
groups.  Excessive tardiness or absences will result in benching 
for games and/or dismissal from the squad.

Since academic performance is always a priority, members are 
encouraged to attend any EXTRA HELP after school with a teacher 
as needed during the season.  Members will be required to hand-in 
an Extra Help Form signed, dated, and timed when arriving to 
practice late for any after school practices.  This is an EXCUSED 
TARDY and will not be counted against anyone.
  
DO NOT make appointments, schedule work, etc, during the season 
without checking with the calendar.  Practices and games are 
scheduled prior to the season, however be prepared for games to 
change to Saturdays in the case of EEE, snow days, etc. as well 
as extra practices added two weeks prior to any competitions.  
Doctor appointments are NOT excused absences unless needed to 
return to cheering after an illness and/or injury.

PRACTICES will be MANDATORY during both CHRISTMAS and FEBRUARY 
vacations for those trying out for Basketball season.  Members 
will be removed from the competition team if they are unable to 
attend practices during this time.

If a member is going to miss a practice/game, she must notify one 
of the coaches AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (with a note or phone call 
from parent) prior to the practice/game.
 
Missing one game/practice, without informing the coach prior to 
the game/practice with a valid excuse will result in being 
benched for the next game.  

Missing 2 games/practices, without informing the coach prior to 
the games/practices with a valid excuse will result in benching 
and probation.  

These UNEXCUSED ABSENCES could result in dismissal from the squad.

Failure to attend or excessive tardiness (3 or more) may result 
in not being allowed to perform.  If a member is at practice but 
is not participating or prepared to “go on” at practice, this 
will be considered an absence and the member may be pulled from 
any performance at the discretion of the coach.

Only the coaches will make changes in reporting times, call or 
cancel practices or arrange squad meetings.
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INJURY:

If a member is INJURED during practice/game, the coach must be 
notified immediately.  In case of serious or questionable injury, 
parents will also be notified in order to seek additional medical 
attention.  Coaches may also transport members to the hospital if 
needed.  Members will also be encouraged to see Coyle’s trainer 
in the event of minor problems.

No member will be allowed to PRACTICE or CHEER at games/practices 
if under any form of RESTRICTION from a doctor.  Members will 
still be required to attend all practices/games, but will NOT be 
allowed to do any form of physical activity.  These days will be 
considered EXCUSED ABSENCES and a member will not be removed from 
the cheering team, however removal from the competition team will 
be at coaches’ discretion depending on the impact the missing 
member may cause the team. 
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CONDUCT:

A SUCCESSFUL CHEERLEADING SQUAD WILL RESULT IN A POSITIVE 
ATTITUDE TOWARD DISCIPLINE.  Our function is to support our 
athletic teams and promote school spirit.  In order to do this 
successfully, it is imperative that discipline is an integral 
part of the cheer team. We understand that spirit leading is not 
all glory but is hard work.
  
1.  Unsatisfactory conduct at practice and games representing 
    CCHS may result in benching, probation, or removal from the
    squad.  Unsatisfactory behavior includes displaying public
    affection, name-calling, racial slurs, disrespect towards 
    coaches/instructors, the opposing team or squad members and 
    uncooperative behavior.
2.  You will be on probation or removed from the squad for 
    not maintaining a 2.0 GPA.
3.  NO drugs, alcohol, or smoking is allowed at any time.  
4.  Members will not display undesirable emotions such as 
    crying, anger, pouting or rage at anytime during a game,
    practice or performance.
5.  If a member quits a squad, she will seriously impact her 
    ability to be selected to the squad in the future.
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BENCHING AND PROBATION:

Benching for a performance or game will be used as a discipline 
for member’s failure to comply with the rules and duties.  When a 
member is benched, she must still attend the event, arrive at 
reporting time in uniform, sit in the area designated by the 
coach and is responsible for following all rules.  Failure to 
comply with the above will result in the member being placed on 
probation.

Probation will be used as discipline for a members continued 
failure to comply with the rules and duties.  The Athletic 
Director and coaches will determine the period of probation with 
the member.  Once placed in probation, if a member continues to 
ignore the rules and duties, she will be dismissed from the squad.
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SUMMER CAMP:

Girls can ELECT to attend summer cheerleading camp with members 
of the team.  Girls are required to pay for the camp and camp 
gear.  Coaches will make the final decision on which girls are 
allowed to attend.  Any girl who does NOT attend summer camp will 
still be required to purchase camp gear since this will be the 
practice uniform for the season.

With the exception to summer camp, there are NO summer 
practices.  MSSAA and Coyle & Cassidy do not sanction, encourage, 
or condone any captains’ practices!!!
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TUMBLING CLASSES:

In addition to games and practices girls are also ENCOURAGED to 
attend additional tumbling classes throughout the year at any 
area gym.  A list of area gyms will be provided.
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FINANCES:

Once a student athlete makes a squad and uniforms are ordered 
they will be responsible to fulfill financial obligations 
regardless of potential outcome.  This includes quitting or being 
removed from a team.  Below is an estimated list of the cost.  
Please see the coaches if there is any form of financial 
hardship.  We will handle these cases with utmost discretion.

Estimated price list
Camp 		$175 (Football season only)
Practice gear 	$125-150 
Skirt 		$70-80
Sneakers	$50-60
Socks		$5-7
Bodyliner	$50-$75 (Varsity) $20-30 (JV)
Briefs		$10-20
Bow		$10-20
Hairpiece	$30-40 (Varsity only)
Warm-ups 	$100 – $150
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