2017-2018 BSH Spirit Squad Expectations
The following regulations will be in effect during the 2017-2018 Spirit Squad season. Please read them carefully and discuss with your parents. Your signature, as well as that of a parent, will indicate your understanding and willingness to abide by the rules and regulations of the program.
Cheer website: bshcheer.weebly.com
Dance website: seniorstorm.weebly.com
Summer Practice & Commitments:
Spirit Squad Assignments:
Conduct:
NFHS, MHSA, & BPS Non-Negotiables:
There are several national, state, and district rules that we must abide by...these are not optional!
From BPS:
National Rules:
Practices:
Practices are vital to the success of the BSH Spirit Squad, and are not to be considered optional. They are used to prepare for our performances. We are a team, therefore each member of the team is expected to not only attend each practice, but use them for growth and improvement.
Attendance Policies:
Calendars will be posted on the website well in advance. Please be sure to locate and use them ahead of time.
Uniforms:
State Tournaments:
Letter Requirements:
The BSH Spirit Squad does not receive a budget from the district. Therefore, it is each member’s responsibility to participate in fundraising activities as decided on by the team and coach. Each team member will be responsible for raising a specified amount of money. Possible fundraisers:
Parent committees are a vital part of the success of our program. The expectations of the BSH Spirit Squad are definitely demanding, and we rely on parents and guardians to help out as often as possible.
AS A MEMBER OF THE BSH SPIRIT SQUAD, I AGREE TO MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
Participant Signature: ____________________________________ Date: _______
Parent Signature: ________________________________________ Date: _______
The following regulations will be in effect during the 2017-2018 Spirit Squad season. Please read them carefully and discuss with your parents. Your signature, as well as that of a parent, will indicate your understanding and willingness to abide by the rules and regulations of the program.
Cheer website: bshcheer.weebly.com
Dance website: seniorstorm.weebly.com
Summer Practice & Commitments:
- Summer Practices:
- Camp Aug 9-11
- Full week Aug 21-25
- Regular fall practices (Tues/Thurs) begin Aug 28
- Dance Mandatory Practices begin end of July. Time TBA
- Camp Aug 9-11
- Dance Practice Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:30-5:30 pm
- Game Schedules: posted on websites as soon as we receive them
Dance website: seniorstorm.weebly.com - Practices start promptly at 3:30pm (dance). This means you need to be ready to participate: appropriate clothing/shoes, hair up, jewelry off.
- Practices are mandatory. You must stay the entire duration of each practice in order to participate in upcoming events.
- School events & college visits will not count against you. School is your priority, but when possible, you need to schedule makeup work & tests before school. If you need to take a test after school, please bring a note from your teacher explaining it is the only time to make the work up.
- Jobs are unexcused absences. Your practice schedule will remain the same throughout the season. You need to arrange work around the practice and game schedules.
- Dance, music, and other private/non-school-related classes & activities are unexcused absences. Again, your practice schedule will remain the same throughout the entire season. Please plan accordingly.
- Telling a friend to tell me is considered a no show.
- School events & college visits will not count against you. School is your priority, but when possible, you need to schedule makeup work & tests before school. If you need to take a test after school, please bring a note from your teacher explaining it is the only time to make the work up.
- You will arrive at each event at the scheduled time, in complete uniform and ready to participate unless we schedule time before. If you need to have hair or makeup done or if you need to visit the trainers for taping, take care it of prior to our warm up time. Generally we arrive at least 30-60 minutes prior to the start of a game.
Spirit Squad Assignments:
- One you are assigned to a squad, you are expected to fulfill your commitment through the entire season.
- Personal plans, dance/gymnastics, non-school classes/activities, drivers’ ed, and jobs do not take precedence over your team obligations. If you have too many commitments, let your coach know so someone else can take your spot on the squad.
- If you choose not to continue with your commitment, you understand that it will impact future involvement with the BSH Spirit Squad.
- Personal plans, dance/gymnastics, non-school classes/activities, drivers’ ed, and jobs do not take precedence over your team obligations. If you have too many commitments, let your coach know so someone else can take your spot on the squad.
- Performance assignments and times may vary. You are required to stay for the duration of an event. Failure to do so will result in consequences consistent with an unexcused absence.
- Seasons:
- Fall members will not be able to participate in other school-related activities during their season (cross country, golf, volleyball, or football).
- Winter members will not be able to participate in other school-related activities during their season (swimming, basketball, wrestling, forensics).
- Spring activities are encouraged for all spirit squad members! (Track, tennis, and softball are great ways to continue to stay involved and stay in shape for the upcoming season.)
- Fall members will not be able to participate in other school-related activities during their season (cross country, golf, volleyball, or football).
Conduct:
- Always keep in mind that you are a member of the BSH Spirit Squad and that the community can judge you (and your team) from the way you behave. You represent not just your team, but Senior High School, the Bronc Nation community, and Billings Public Schools.
- Clothing, makeup, conduct language, and behavior are expected to be conservative at all times.
- This includes behavior in the hallways and behavior directed toward teachers, administrators, and others.
- Your social media footprint is also expected to be conservative
- Bullying, inappropriate comments and behaviors will not be tolerated.
- Clothing, makeup, conduct language, and behavior are expected to be conservative at all times.
- Any type of defiant or noncompliant behavior can result in benching or dismissal from an activity. Your attitude and behavior reflect the entire Spirit Squad. Your coaches and teammates are counting on your to reflect a positive image and to be a team player!
- You are expected to demonstrate respect for others at all times. This applies to the treatment of teammates, coaches, and all persons you may encounter. The “Golden Rule” of treating others with the same amount of respect and dignity as you would wish them to treat you must be your philosophy.
- Cell phones: never appropriate at practice or games. Your job is to be ready to support your team, you can contact your friends later. This applies to both performing and benched members.
- Only BSH Spirit Squad members allowed in the cheer and dance rooms.
- Proof of drug use, drinking, smoking will be treated according to SD2’s Chemical Use Policy.
- If you are suspended from school for any reason, you will be benched for that week.
- MHSA guidelines state that you need to pass at least four courses in order to participate in cheer or dance. As per BPS policy, grades will be checked at six-week terms to determine eligibility. (You are students first, then dancers.) You will be notified if you are not passing all classes, and will need to bring up grades before participating again. At the end of the fall semester, there is a one-week suspension for courses you are not passing.
- All injuries need to be reported to coach(es) immediately!
- If you have an issue with another teammate or coach(es), discuss with the coach(es).
- Parents will not be talked to until the coach(es) have been confronted by the individual with the problem.
- It is your responsibility to advocate for yourself.
- Parents will not be talked to until the coach(es) have been confronted by the individual with the problem.
- ONLY the coach(es) will call team meetings or practices. Do not take it upon yourself to do so.
NFHS, MHSA, & BPS Non-Negotiables:
There are several national, state, and district rules that we must abide by...these are not optional!
From BPS:
- Dancers can perform at all regular season home games.
- State:
- Dance travel to tournaments is allowed through the ECA budget for all transportation & lodging
- Dance travel to tournaments is allowed through the ECA budget for all transportation & lodging
- Dancers are subject to all rules and regulations of the BPS Activities Department, including the Code of Conduct, Activities Participation Agreement, having a physical, signing concussion form (and taking test)
- Performance schedule should reflect equity in terms of the number of boys and girls games
National Rules:
- Jewelry: “Jewelry of any kind is prohibited except for the following: A religious medal without a chain is allowed and must be taped and worn under the uniform. A medical-alert medal must be taped and may be visible.” (Rule 2, Section 3, Article 1)
- Nails: “Fingernails, including artificial nails, must be kept short, near the end of the fingers.” (Rule 2, Section 3, Article 2)
- Hair: “Hair must be worn in a manner that is appropriate for the activity involved. (Rule 2, Section 3, Article 3). Additionally, hair must be worn in a manner that does not interfere with the safe execution of stunting or tumbling.
- Glitter: “Glitter that does not readily adhere on the hair, face, body, uniform, or costume is illegal. Glitter may be used on signs, props, or backdrops, only if laminated or sealed.” (Rule 2, Section 3, Article 7)
- Gum/Candy: “Participants must not chew gum or have candy in their mouths during practice or performance.” (Rule 2, Section 1, Article 7)
- A CERTIFIED STUNTING COACH MUST BE PRESENT ANY TIME STUNTING IS DONE. DO NOT STUNT WITHOUT APPROPRIATE SUPERVISION. DOING SO WILL FIND THE SQUAD GROUNDED.
- If you are absent from school for more than three periods on game day, you will not be able to perform, as per district policy.
Practices:
Practices are vital to the success of the BSH Spirit Squad, and are not to be considered optional. They are used to prepare for our performances. We are a team, therefore each member of the team is expected to not only attend each practice, but use them for growth and improvement.
- If practices are not being utilized and teams are not ready to perform, stunting, dancing, etc will not occur.
- Mastery will need to be demonstrated before performances.
- A dancer who cannot demonstrate mastery will not perform.
- Mastery will need to be demonstrated before performances.
- Inappropriate or practice-inhibitive behaviors at practice will not be allowed and may result in benching. Our limited practice time is precious and will be used constructively.
- Stunting: In order to stunt at an event, every stunt must be practiced and shown mastery prior to that event. Stunting is at the coaches’ discretion. STUNTING WITHOUT A CERTIFIED COACH PRESENT WILL FIND THE TEAM GROUNDED.
Attendance Policies:
Calendars will be posted on the website well in advance. Please be sure to locate and use them ahead of time.
- Tardies: You are expected to arrive at the determined location game-ready, and in a timely manner.
- Game-ready means that you are in the designated meeting area, ready to warm up.
- You will be considered tardy if you arrive after the specified start time, up to 10 minutes. (After 10 minutes=unexcused)
- No one will be allowed to practice or perform without the proper warm-up and stretch, so be on time! BE RESPONSIBLE! Be aware of weather and road conditions; you will be allowed ONE weather-related safe harbor.
- Game-ready means that you are in the designated meeting area, ready to warm up.
- Absences: Practices are used to prepare for upcoming events. This means that each team needs to be prepared to perform prior to the day of an event.
- Excused absences may result in not performing during that week’s events, but they do not warrant the penalties associated with unexcused absences.
- In other words, absences from practices (and games) should be rare, please, attendance is extremely important in performance preparation! Your team depends on you!
- Excused absences may result in not performing during that week’s events, but they do not warrant the penalties associated with unexcused absences.
- Excused Absences:
- Practices:
- Absolutely NO excuses or early leaves from practices.
- An absence will only be excused if coaches are notified by parent/guardian ahead of time.
- We do not know when you are absent from school, ill or otherwise, so communication is the key.
- Illnesses: If you are too sick for practice, you should absolutely stay home to rest and recover! But, if you are too ill to practice, you are likely too ill to perform, as well.
- Travel with family will be excused, with at least two weeks’ notice.
- School-sponsored extracurricular activities will be excused with two week’s notice (play, music festival, choir, etc).
- Family emergencies warrant special consideration.
- We do not know when you are absent from school, ill or otherwise, so communication is the key.
- Makeup work or tests should be taken care of outside of practice time, whenever possible. (Late-out Wednesdays, before school, and lunch are the best options.) If a teacher requires makeup during practice time, you will need to bring us a note from the teacher (or email) at least one day prior to missing practice saying it is the only time work can be made up. Missing practice for makeup/tests may impact your role in that week’s performance(s).
- Absolutely NO excuses or early leaves from practices.
- Games/Events: An absence will only be excused from a game or event if it is cleared through the two-week process. Family emergencies, of course, will be considered excused with notice.
- Practices:
- Unexcused Absences:
- Unexcused absences include: jobs, non-school-related activities (including music, dance, lessons), appointments, etc. Please be aware of the importance of our limited practice time!
- Recitals and performances may be excused for a game day with at least two weeks’ notice.
- Unexcused absences include: jobs, non-school-related activities (including music, dance, lessons), appointments, etc. Please be aware of the importance of our limited practice time!
- No- shows
- A no-show is just how it sounds. I don’t personally hear from you or or guardian. I have email, voicemail, texting, messenger, and remind. If you can get ahold of your friends - you can get ahold of me.
- A no-show is just how it sounds. I don’t personally hear from you or or guardian. I have email, voicemail, texting, messenger, and remind. If you can get ahold of your friends - you can get ahold of me.
- All tardy and absence policies apply for volunteer and fundraising activities. If you will not be present, you are responsible for finding a replacement (in some cases a parent replacement would work!).
- Tardies: all tardies have same penalties...after 10 minutes, a tardy turns into an unexcused absence.
- For every minute of tardiness at practice that is how many burpees you will do
- For every minute of tardiness at a game that is how many minutes you will run
- For every minute of tardiness at practice that is how many burpees you will do
- Unexcused Absences:
- 1: Benching for the week
- 2: Benching for two weeks
- 3: Benched for remainder of season (You are still required to be present and participate in all practices, events, and activities to remain on the squad.)
- 1: Benching for the week
- No Shows:
- The first no-show no-hear is a game penalty
- The second no-show no-hear will be ground for benching for the season
- The first no-show no-hear is a game penalty
- Preparedness Issues (wearing jewelry, not having appropriate clothing)
- 1st: Warning
- 2nd: Email
- 3rd: Parent conference
- 1st: Warning
- Additional Concerns:
- Social Media Issues: inappropriate or dangerous use
- Parent conference
- Benching for one week
- Parent conference
- Behavioral Issues this will include disrespect to teammates, coach(es), etc.
- 1st: Conference with coach
- 2ndd: Conference with parents & coach, benching for performance
- 3rdh: Benched for a week
- 4th: Removal from team
- 1st: Conference with coach
- Social Media Issues: inappropriate or dangerous use
- Benched individuals still need to participate in all practices, games, fundraisers, and events to remain a part of the squad.
- Benching means showing up on time, wearing proper day or game uniform, and sitting with the coac for the entirety of the event. (Not on phone!)
- Failing to abide by these specifications will result in an unexcused absence and further consequences.
- Benching means showing up on time, wearing proper day or game uniform, and sitting with the coac for the entirety of the event. (Not on phone!)
Uniforms:
- Do not lend your uniforms to anyone for any reason. Uniforms are checked out to each individual, and you are responsible for that specific uniform for the duration of your season.
- A lost or damaged uniform will result in the cost of replacement from the cheerleader/dancer ($100 or more).
- Uniforms may not be altered permanently in any way. If you need to adjust your uniform it may be altered ONLY in the waist and needs to be completed by a professional seamstress and needs to be removed at the end of your season.
State Tournaments:
- The only out-of-town travel is to a state tournament.
- Attending a tournament is subject to the approval of parents, administration, coach, and teachers.
- No dancer may ride in a private car other than the chaperone’s without the Alternative Travel Waiver.
- Curfew is set at the discretion of the coach. Breaking curfew, inappropriate conduct, disciplinary problems, alcohol, etc will result in the suspension of the participant. Parents will be notified immediately and will be expected to remove the cheerleader/dancer immediately.
- Tournaments take precedence over formals, dates, etc.
- If rules are broken at a tournament, the parents will need to pick up the cheerleader/dancer.
Letter Requirements:
- Dancers will only letter if they attend all performances.
- Dancers may earn a Varsity letter if they fulfill all commitments stated in this contract regarding volunteer activities, personal conduct, and general rules.
- Other Varsity letter recipients may be determined at the coaches’ discretion.
The BSH Spirit Squad does not receive a budget from the district. Therefore, it is each member’s responsibility to participate in fundraising activities as decided on by the team and coach. Each team member will be responsible for raising a specified amount of money. Possible fundraisers:
- Dance: SPONSORS, Saturday Live, sales during year, concessions
Parent committees are a vital part of the success of our program. The expectations of the BSH Spirit Squad are definitely demanding, and we rely on parents and guardians to help out as often as possible.
- Parent Advisory Team: A leadership-style committee for the Spirit Squad, comprised of cheer and dance parents who are willing and able to help out.
- Saturday Live: We will have both a committee for cheer and dance, as we have different booths at this event. Our ECA accounts will remain separate, therefore we will actively fundraise for both. :)
- Concessions: The dance team will have opportunities for concessions throughout the year. They are great fundraisers! This committee will be responsible for setting up workers for the dates.
- Locker Decorations/Spirit Baskets: Our dancers love locker decorations! As coaches, we just don’t have time to provide this for the team members. This committee will help organize the dates for decorations and spirit baskets.
- Senior Night: Our Senior Night celebration dates are chosen by the Activities Director. This committee will help organize the displays (if we have them) and coordinate with coaches for planning.
- End-of-Year Banquet: This committee is responsible for planning, advertising, etc for the end-of-year celebration.
AS A MEMBER OF THE BSH SPIRIT SQUAD, I AGREE TO MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
- I WILL FOLLOW ANY AND ALL SAFETY GUIDELINES SET FORTH BY THE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION, MONTANA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION, AND BILLINGS PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR CHEERLEADERS AND/OR DANCERS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS SOME RISK INVOLVED IN PARTICIPATION IN ANY ACTIVITY AND FOLLOWING ALL OF THE SAFETY GUIDELINES AND TAKING ALL PRECAUTIONS MAY NOT PREVENT ALL INJURIES.
- I HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND, AND AGREE TO FOLLOW ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS SET FORTH BY THE COACHES.
- I UNDERSTAND CHEERLEADING IS A MAJOR COMMITMENT, AND WILL NOT BE PLACED SECOND TO ANY EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY OR JOB.
- I UNDERSTAND THAT I MUST BE PASSING EACH OF MY CLASSES TO REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR THE BSH SPIRIT SQUAD.
- I HAVE NO HEALTH OR PHYSICAL PROBLEMS THAT WOULD HINDER MY ABILITY TO PERFORM. I WILL REPORT ANY AND ALL INJURIES OR PROBLEMS TO MY COACH IMMEDIATELY. A DOCTOR’S RELEASE MAY BE REQUIRED TO RESUME PARTICIPATION AFTER AN INJURY.
- I WILL HAVE IN PLACE MY PHYSICAL, HONOR CODE, AND CONCUSSION FORMS BY THE DEADLINE SET BY THE COACHES.
- I WILL PAY ALL FEES NECESSARY FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE BSH SPIRIT SQUAD.
Participant Signature: ____________________________________ Date: _______
Parent Signature: ________________________________________ Date: _______