CHEER RULES
BOTH cheerleader AND parent/guardian must sign the rules annually below by typing their names. No uniforms will be released unless the rules are signed. Please read the rules carefully and thoroughly.
Cheerleader/Parent Sign Here to acknowledge the rules after reading
BOTH cheerleader AND parent/guardian must sign the rules annually below by typing their names. No uniforms will be released unless the rules are signed. Please read the rules carefully and thoroughly.
Cheerleader/Parent Sign Here to acknowledge the rules after reading
Note: The term EVENTS refers to any practices, competitions, games, outings etc the program may do
Uniform Care: Uniforms must be treated with special care. They are very expensive items that are entrusted to the cheerleader for the season. Please note you will be charged for uniform items that are not returned at the end of the season and/or that are returned damaged (due to incorrect washing or otherwise). We will not be extending dates for uniform turn in. Any uniform(s) not in by the turn in deadline will be counted toward your final bill.
- Athletes will be included/taken out of events at the discretion of the coach based on performance factors, reliability, attitude, etc. All decisions made will be based on the good of the program. Cheerleader must adhere to any additional consequences set by the cheer coaches.
- All team members are to be ready for practice BEFORE the designated time. They may NOT practice without a coach. Special practices could be set at various times during the season. (Extra competition practices, tumbling, team outings, etc.) Everyone must wear proper attire for events as deemed by the coach. This includes tennis shoes. Hair must be pulled back and out of face, and ALL jewelry must be REMOVED before events, as applicable.
- At practices, phones will be placed in a designated area and will remain there until the end of practice. Same will apply to camps and other events.
- According to the school policy, the athlete MUST be present for half of the day to attend events (unless excused by the athletic department). Missing classes on game/competition day will result in not being able to participate per athletic department policies in place.
- If the cheerleader will be late for an event, the coaches MUST be notified in ADVANCE (by 12 pm on a practice day), or consequential action could be taken at the discretion of the coach. Anything known by the cheerleader in advance must be communicated to the coach before the day of. Contacting the coaches does NOT mean that there will not be consequences for the missed event; it just gives communication that the coach’s plan may need to be altered.
- Events missed for reasons such as baby-sitting, homework, WORK, birthday, lack of a ride to or from practice, etc. will not be excused. If a test needs to be retaken resulting in being late for practice, a note from the teacher is required stating this is the only time the TEACHER was available for this make up. Otherwise this should be done before school or on lunch. Doctor, Dentist, etc. appointments should be scheduled on days other than practice days. Unexcused absences will result in sitting a quarter of a game, according to instance. For example, first instance = 1 quarter, 2nd = 2 quarters... 4th instance will result in removal from the team. (Coaches Discretion)
- All team members must be in attendance at the allotted time before the bus leaves for away events. For home events, arrival time will be set by the team at the prior practice.
- Cheer team members MUST RIDE THE TEAM BUS FOR ALL AWAY EVENTS, unless a written permission slip is presented and approved by the Athletic Department or Coach PRIOR to the day of the event.
- All team members will be responsible for the care and maintenance of their uniform and cheer property during the time that it is in their possession. They are expected to come prepared with all items for events. Team members may be responsible to purchase team equipment. Any items in poor condition when returned may be charged to the cheerleader/parents.
- Cheer Team Members must abide by the rules set forth in the Jenison Athletic Handbook.
- All Cheer Team Members MUST attend all mandatory EVENTS put on & sponsored by the Jenison Cheer Program. Failure to do so may result in removal from games, rounds and/or the team. Inability to attend competitions/games during the season may result in inability to participate or other consequence deemed by the coach.
- All Cheer Team Members are responsible for the conduct in which they carry themselves. NO excessive conversations with friends while in uniform. Athletes are asked to sit with the TEAM during all events, rather than friends/family. No friends, boyfriends or otherwise at practice. Parents/siblings should not be approaching the cheerleader/team during events so the cheerleader can stay focused and with the team.
- NO FOOD AT PRACTICE. You may have water at practices (bring your own). NO POP!! Please be sure to pack an appropriate snack, if needed, to eat before practice.
- Lack of communication regarding injuries and/or inability to attend/compete in an event without significant notice is unacceptable (does not apply to injuries the day of). Will result in removal from rounds and/or the team. If it hurts enough not to participate, a doctor’s note may be required. Injured cheerleaders are still expected to attend all events with the team if physically able to (coaches/physician discretion).
- Any team member who is not present at the practice(s) prior to an event (game, competition, clinic, etc.) will possibly not be eligible to participate in that event and/or certain performances. (Coaches Discretion)
- Team members will not participate in any parties that have or could have drinking/drugs involved. Failure to follow this policy will result in being pulled from events for the remainder of the season and possible removal from the team.
- The athlete within the cheer program will conduct herself with due regard to public decorum and morals. She shall not commit any act that indicates dishonesty or moral degradation or that otherwise could injure the student, program, or school’s reputation. Includes social media- TWITTER, FACEBOOK, TIKTOK, and other sites.
- Insults, disrespectful behavior, or dishonesty toward a teammate or coach in any way will not be tolerated from any member of the program. Consequences will be determined by the coaches.
- During the season, girls representing Jenison Cheer will NOT attend any venue that is 18 and over where alcohol is the primary source of income (without parent/guardian present).
- Cheerleaders suspended from a game or portion of a game or competition will sit in uniform on the sidelines with the coach. Failure to comply with this will result in dismissal from the team.
- Cheerleaders are required to attend practice unless physically unable to do so. If you are sick and must miss more than one practice, workout, gymnastics, game, or competition, etc. you may need to provide a doctor's note. You need to go no later than the day after the missed event.
- Anything given to cheerleader that they did not pay for during the season will be requested back if they quit or are removed before the season ends. This includes funds that are supplied in advance for camp commitments and other events.
- Once money (cash, personal checks, fundraising monies) has been deposited into the internal fund it cannot be refunded. Fundraising money will go to the general fund at the discretion of the coach. Payment will still be owed once commitment to camps is submitted by cheerleader. If the program has paid for the cheerleader, the cheerleader will still owe for that event if they later change their mind/quit/etc.
- Any cheerleader who participates in a "walk out" of practice chooses to remove themselves from the team.
- On game/competition days, the athletes will dress in a manner pre-determined by the team and/or coach. They must have no nail polish on, nails must be cut, jewelry should be out (even if in a spot that is not visible), and there should be no markings visible on the skin. A discussion with a coach must occur before any extreme changes to hair color take place (pink, orange, purple, blue, etc).
- Cheerleaders should not be wearing nail polish in the practice prior to a competition day.
- It is an expectation of the program that cheerleaders are responsible enough to communicate directly with the coaches. Cheerleaders should be informing coaches of any issues/concerns, missed practices, if they will be late, etc, NOT the parent. Further, any complaints/issues should be presented by the cheerleader to the coach(es) FIRST before parent involvement. Coaches reserve the right to wait up to 24 hours before responding to concerns as they have families, full-time jobs, and other commitments.
- Grades are going to be looked at and addressed as needed. It is NOT ok to be almost failing. Any cheerleader that is close to ineligible will be talked with and may lose their spot in events. A plan will be put in place to show improvement in grades.
- Positive attitudes are important when working with a group. The coaching staff reserves the right to discipline, in the event that a team member chooses to display, what the coach sees as uncooperative, unpleasant, or non-caring attitude. Attitude problems will NOT be tolerated and could result in suspension/termination from the team.
Uniform Care: Uniforms must be treated with special care. They are very expensive items that are entrusted to the cheerleader for the season. Please note you will be charged for uniform items that are not returned at the end of the season and/or that are returned damaged (due to incorrect washing or otherwise). We will not be extending dates for uniform turn in. Any uniform(s) not in by the turn in deadline will be counted toward your final bill.
- Wash with cold water at full water level on permanent press cycle
- Each garment should be washed separately (i.e. wash shell by itself, then skirt, etc)
- Use a mild detergent, without fabric softener. Tide is recommended. Do NOT use bleach
- Hang to dry (do NOT use machine)
- Do NOT dry clean
- Do NOT iron