:: NHS CHEERS :: Attitude ! Teamwork ! Dedication ! Practice !

                                   RULES & GUIDELINES

         NHS CHEEERLEADING ROLES AND GAME GUIDELINES
The Role of a NHS Cheerleader is:
-To promote spirit and sportsmanship throughout the school & community.
-To promote and encourage positive involvement among Newton High School
Students regarding athletic programs and toward the athletic opponents
-To provide the necessary leadership and supervision to enhance spectators�
appreciation of athletic events.
-To provide equitable support and encouragement to the coaches, team
members, and managers of all athletic activities.
-To lead students and NHS fans in support of our athletic squads. The major
function of cheerleaders is to LEAD CHEERS.

Game Guidelines & Behaviors
-During games and sports events cheerleaders will stand at cheer ready or
    cheer relaxed position between cheers and performances.
-Cheerleaders will not be conversing with fans and/or friends and family
    at any time except during quarter breaks and halftimes.
-There will be no talking on cell phones during events and performances.
-Cheerleaders are to be following all ICCA and NFIHS guidelines for hair,
     jewelry, gum etc. at all times during games and practices. NO EXCEPTIONS!
-Cheerleaders will represent themselves and the school in a positive manner at    all times whether in or out of uniform. Cheerleaders will not use any foul language while in uniform or at any cheer events. NO EXCUSES!
-Game behaviors and guidelines can be reviewed and updated at coach
   discretion. It is the cheerleaders� responsibility to be aware of any and all
changes made and act accordingly.

Additional Responsibilities and Information

Football Cheering-There will be 16 varsity, 12 sophomore, and 8 freshmen cheerleaders. Varsity & sophomore cheerleaders will cheer at all games, home and away. Freshmen cheerleaders will cheer at all freshmen home games and home JV games.
**Freshmen football cheerleaders will be responsible for programs sales at 10/V home         games.

Basketball Cheering-There will be 6 varsity at each home game, and 6 at each away game. 6 sophomores and 6 freshmen basketball cheerleaders will cheer at home games only.

Wrestling Cheering- 6 Varsity, 3 JV, and 3 Freshmen Cheerleaders will cheer all meets and tournaments, home and away.

Fundraising-Will be done yearly by all squad members. Funds raised will go to the cheer account to be distributed as needed for squad activities, events, uniforms, etc. There will be opportunity to apply funds raised for individual needs as to be determined by coach discretion. Coach and activities director must agree upon funding use.

Locker Signs-Varsity squads will make signs for all games, home and away. Sophomore squads will make signs for home and away games during football season and only home games during basketball season. Freshmen squads will make signs for home games only.

                           NHS Cheerleading Rules and Guidelines
                                               Revised May 12, 2003

                      The following guidelines and rules will be followed by
                                       ALL squad members at all times.

1. Use of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol:
o school policies and punishments will be followed.

2. In or out of school suspension:
o Individuals will be ineligible to participate during the suspension period.

3. Ineligibility:
o all school policies will be followed

4. *Unexcused absence from an event**:
o 1st Offense � Sit out � event in uniform with coach/chaperone.
o 2nd Offense � 1 event suspension.
o 3rd Offense � 3 events suspension.
o 4th Offense � Dismissal from squad.

5. *Tardy to an event**:
o 1st Offense � Sit out � event in uniform with coach/chaperone.
o 2nd Offense � 1 event suspension.
o 3rd Offense � 3 events suspension.
o 4th Offense � Dismissal from squad.

6. *Leaving an event** early:
o 1st Offense � Sit out � event in uniform with coach/chaperone.
o 2nd Offense � 1 event suspension.
o 3rd Offense � 3 events suspension.
o 4th Offense � Dismissal from squad.

7. *Unexcused absence from practice:
o 1st Offense � Sit out � event in uniform with coach/chaperone.
o 2nd Offense � 1 event suspension.
o 3rd Offense � 3 events suspension.
o 4th Offense � Dismissal from squad.

8. *Tardy to practice:
o 0 to 5 minutes late � 25 V sit ups and 10 toe touch jumps
o 6 to 10 minutes late � 2 laps, 25 V sit ups, 15 toe touch jumps
o 11 minutes or more � 1 mile, 25 V sit ups, 20 toe touch jumps
o Repeated offenses can result in event suspensions and or dismissal
     from the squad at coach�s discretion.

9. ICCA/NFIHS rules:
6 No gum or candy
7 Hair must be away from face and off of shoulders
8 Fingernails should not been seen from palm side
9 No jewelry, all holes must be empty (including belly buttons), not even friendship bracelets.
10 No glitter (hair, body, uniform, etc)

Failure to follow these rules at practices, games, performances, meets, and/or tournaments will result in the following consequences:
o No cheering or practicing until guidelines are being followed.
o 1st Offense � Sit out � event in uniform with coach/chaperone.
o 2nd Offense � 1 event suspension.
o 3rd Offense � 3 events suspension.
o 4th Offense � Dismissal from squad.
o If an injury is the result of failure to follow the guidelines other punishments may be applied at coach�s discretion including dismissal from the squad.

10. Additional punishments/suspensions may be imposed at coach�s discretion for other minor or major disciplinary problems within cheerleading, school, or the community. Examples: disrespecting coach/chaperones, lying to coach/chaperones, intentionally causing injury, or problems with other squad members.

Only the following reasons will be considered excused with a written and signed note from parent/guardian. The coach must be notified as soon as possible:

1. Death in the family
2. Illness with doctor�s note or fever above normal
3. Extreme emergencies

The following reasons will be considered unexcused with NO EXCEPTIONS!
1. Work
2. Classes or lessons outside of school (i.e. dance, music, DMACC, etc.)
3. Appointments of any kind
4. Practices for other activities without prior notification
5. Car troubles, no ride, or missing the bus.
6. Detention
7. No practice clothes or uniform

*If an absence reason is not listed here you need to contact the coach to discuss whether or not it will be excused.

**Coach must know at least 48 hours prior to any planned absences, tardiness, or leaving early by signed note from parent/guardian.

***Events are: games, meets, tournaments, pep assemblies, performances, shows, and fundraisers.

                      NHS Competition Squad Rules & Guidelines
                                                      Revised 5/13/03
The following rules and guidelines will be followed by all NHS competition squad members at all times in addition to NHS cheer rules and guidelines.

1. *Tardy to practice:
o 0 to 5 minutes late � 25 V sit ups and 10 toe touch jumps
o 6 to 10 minutes late � 2 laps, 25 V sit ups, 15 toe touch jumps
o 11 minutes or more � 1 mile, 25 V sit ups, 20 toe touch jumps
o Repeated offenses will result in event suspensions and or dismissal
     from the squad at coach�s discretion.

2. *Unexcused absence from practice:
o 1st Offense � 15 laps around the gym or 6 laps around the track.
o 2nd Offense � 25 sit ups, 15 laps in the gym/or 6 laps around the track
o 3rd Offense � Dismissal from competition squad.

3. *Excused Absences:
o 3 excused absences are allowed for reasons listed below.
o After 3 excused absences you will be warned 1 more absence will result in removal from the upcoming competition.
o Absences after being removed from upcoming competition will result in dismissal from the squad.

4. Additional punishments/suspensions may be imposed at coach�s discretion for other minor or major disciplinary problems within cheerleading, school, or the community. Examples: disrespecting coach/chaperones, lying to coach/chaperones, intentionally causing injury, or problems with other squad members.

Only the following reasons will be considered excused with a written and signed note from parent/guardian. The coach must be notified as soon as possible:

1. Death in the family
2. Illness with doctor�s note or fever above normal
3. Extreme emergencies

The following reasons will be considered unexcused with NO EXCEPTIONS!
1. Work
2. Classes or lessons outside of school (i.e. dance, music, DMACC, etc.)
3. Appointments of any kind
4. Practices for other activities without prior notification
5. Car troubles, no ride, or missing the bus.
6. Detention
7. No practice clothes or uniform
*If an absence reason is not listed here you need to contact the coach to discuss whether or not it will be excused.

**Coach must know at least 48 hours prior to any planned absences, tardiness, or leaving early by signed note from parent/guardian.

***Events are: games, meets, tournaments, pep assemblies, performances, shows, and fund

            Newton High School Cheerleading Constitution

As a member of the Newton High School cheerleading program, I will:

1. Come to practices, meets, tournaments, and performances on time, with a positive attitude, ready and willing to work hard, and put forth my best effort.

2. Promote and follow all safety rules and guidelines set forth by my coach, the school, and the ICCA/NFHS at all times.

3. Respect my squad members and coaches for their hard work and determination.

4. Put family and academics before cheerleading.

5. Take good care of squad uniforms, props, and other cheer materials given to me and return them in the condition that they were provided to me, or make arrangements accordingly.

6. Always remember that I am a role model and leader of my peers and will act accordingly whether that is in or out of school and/or school functions.

7. Give and take criticism in a manner which is helpful and not hurtful.

8. Always provide the crowd with a smile and promote school spirit during and after games.

9. Take responsibility for my actions and behaviors and uphold and follow all Newton Community School District rules, the good conduct rule, and the acceptable use policy.

I agree to uphold and follow the NHS cheerleading constitution at all times and acknowledge that failure to follow the rules and guidelines of the Newton Community School District, including the good conduct rule and acceptable use policy can lead to predetermined punishments, suspension, or removal from the NHS cheerleading program.

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