CHEERLEADING CONSTITUTION

2016-2017
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Lithonia Middle School Cheerleading is to promote school spirit and good
sportsmanship, to participate in the athletic activity known as cheerleading by performing motions,
partner stunts, gymnastics, pyramids, and dance movements, and to serve a leader for the student body
by upholding the goals and ideas of Lithonia Middle School. The primary purpose of athletics is to educate
girls and boys through competition. Other purposes include providing educational experiences outside the
classroom setting; developing a climate for enhancement of knowledge, physical skills, and emotional
patterns; and contributing to the development of better citizens. Participation in interscholastic athletics
is a privilege to be granted to those students who meet the minimum standards of eligibility. Participation
at the secondary level is different from any other level of competition. The middle school athletic program
exists solely to meet the needs of secondary school students.

1.

To provide opportunities for mental and physical growth by developing:

a. coordination, endurance, and muscular strength and flexibility
b. the ability to think through problems to feasible solutions
c. situations that require rapid thought

2. To provide for development of desirable social growth and adjustment by:

a. building self-reliance and emotional maturity
b. affording opportunities for development of leadership and group cooperation
c. attaining enjoyment from participation
d. emphasizing sportsmanship as an immediate and long-range goal
TRYOUTS
Please see the Lithonia Middle School Cheerleader Information Packet for specific information pertaining
to the selection process. All Cheerleader Tryouts will be held according to the 2015-2016 DeKalb County
guidelines. There will be a panel of judges. Cheerleaders will be evaluated daily by cheerleading coaches
and cuts are subject to occur. Evaluations will occur throughout the entire scheduled time. The
decisions of the coaches will be final.
ELIGIBILTY
All cheerleaders must be a student in good standing; currently enrolled at Lithonia Middle School. In
order to participate on the LMS Cheerleading Team, students are to:
1.

Have a copy of their insurance card or a signed wavier form on file.

2. Have a yearly physical on file.

3. Understand that selection to the squad does not guarantee all privileges and full participation in
all performances. The right to perform, as a part of the squad must be earned.

4. Abide by the rules and guidelines set forth in the LMS Cheerleading Constitution.
5.

A candidate must meet the eligibility requirements set forth by the Georgia High School
Association by passing three out of four classes and remaining on track.

6. Each candidate must turn in a parental permission form.

All cheerleaders who did not meet their financial obligations for the previous year, or who did not
complete their season for any reason other than medical leave will not be allowed to try out for that
season. (No Expectations)

1.

TRANSPORTATION
Cheerleaders will not be excused to leave a game.

2. Away Games- All cheerleaders will travel to and from away games and or competition with the
squad and supervising coach on a Dekalb County School System ATTENDANCE POLICY
1.

All cheerleaders are required to perform at football games (home and away), parades, meetings,
practices, pep rallies, performances or any event at which the coach or athletic director deems
necessary.

2. Summer camp- all cheerleaders are expected to attend summer camp to practice the
fundamentals of cheerleading and teamwork.
3. All cheerleaders and parents are expected to participate with fundraising activities.
4. One-day clinics- called as needed with mandatory attendance.
5.

Excessive absences will not be tolerated. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken at the
discretion of the coach.

6. Cheerleaders must be in school for at least three full periods everyday or he/she will not be
allowed to participate in any cheerleading activities scheduled for that day. ( Including game
days) If a game falls on a Saturday, cheerleaders must be in school on the previous day at least
three full periods.
PRACTICE RULES
These guidelines are in place to ensure that our team will always present themselves as the best in
appearance, attitude, and performance. Please note the following rules are for practice and games.
1.

Practice starts promptly at 3:30 pm and will last until 5:00 pm; unless otherwise indicated by the
coaching staff.

2. All cheerleaders are expected to arrive on time.

3. Cheerleaders who miss the practice before a game, excused or unexcused, must run at the next
practice.
4. Cheerleaders missing more that five days of practice will be assumed to have DISMISSED
themselves for the team.
5.

Cheerleaders missing more than three games will be assumed to have DISMISSED themselves
from the team.

6. Must wear school colors to every practice. (Black/ Gold/ Gray/ White)

1.

UNIFORMS
Uniforms are to be replaced if stolen or damaged while in the care of the cheerleader.

2. Uniforms are to be worn at games only.

3. Tennis shoes and uniform must be clean.
4. Must wear clean socks and sports bra to every game and practice.

1.

APPEARANCE / ATTIRE
Nails must be length of finger tips (Nails should not be seen when hand is held up & No polish)

2. No belly rings, tongue rings, nose rings, excessive ear piercings, no noticeable tattoos.
3. Natural hair coloring.
4. All cheerleaders must be groomed properly, including shaven legs, underarms, etc.
5.

A cheerleader should look his/her best at all times. Maintaining proper physical fitness will keep a
cheerleaders performance at its best. (Hair/ Make-up)

DISCIPLINE
1.

Athlete must adhere to all rules listed in the student handbook.

2. Inappropriate behavior of any sort will resort in disciplinary action at the discretion of the
coaches.
3. Parents have every right to remove their child from the squad, but their absences are still
unexcused if they miss more than the number of days allowed they will be automatically
dismissed from the team.
4. Any cheerleader, who quits, withdraws form school, or who is removed form the squad for any
reason will no longer be considered a part of the LMS Cheerleading Program. This means that you
are no longer a member of the squad and will not be invited to any banquets or awards programs;
additionally you forfeit any trophies, letters or plaque for which you may have been recognized.
5.

Any cheerleader who receives three demerits for any disciplinary action will assumed to have
DISMISSED themselves from the tram.

1.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILTY
The cheerleader and his/her parents are responsible for purchasing all items necessary to
participate on the team, as agreed upon by the coaching staff, and the administration of LMS
(i.e. uniforms, shoes, warm- ups, undergarments, etc.) Cheerleaders may incur additional
expenses such as the cost of camp, trips, and extra uniform items.

2. All monies paid are nonrefundable.

3. If you have DISMISSED yourself from the team you will not receive any items that have already
been ordered until the end of the season. All other funds will become donations in your name to
the team.

4. All financial obligations must be cleared before the cheerleaders will be allowed to participate at a
schedule event with the team (NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE). No uniforms, cheer
apparel, and/or equipment will be issued until all financial obligations have been cleared and
balance paid in full.
5.

All financial obligations to the CHEERLEADING TEAM, ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT, AND

SCHOOL must be cleared in order for any student to graduate.
DUTIES OF SQUAD OFFICERS (i.e. Captains)

A. The officers will be responsible for the following:

1. Setting an example for the rest of the squad by following all rules and regulations for the
cheerleaders. An officer will set an example by always being willing to do his/her share.
2. Working closely with all squad members.
3. Being at practice early and starting practice on time.
4. Leading warm-up activities.
5. Being responsible for having all necessary supplies ready for practice (CD player, music, etc.)
6. Being responsible for contacting all cheerleaders to notify them of practice changes (changes in
calendars, etc.)
7. Selecting cheers and chants for games and pep rallies with prior approval of coach. First the
officers should take suggestions from the squad.
8. Being responsible for greeting visiting cheerleaders before a game and informing them of
refreshment procedures and rotations during basketball games.
9. Acting as a peacemaker.
10. Coordinating painting and hanging of signs.
11. Selecting uniforms to be worn at all cheer events.
12. Organizing pep rallies with coach, band director, and administration.
13. Coordinating spirit-raising activities, with coach approval.
14. Keeping the crowd cheering positively during the game. Discouraging booing and negative
cheering by starting a positive cheer designed to get the crowd involved.
15. Keeping the cheerleaders in proper formation during the games.
16. Showing no partiality within the squad.
17. Bringing problems that are not resolvable to the coach.
18. Issuing demerits along with the coach. Keep cheerleaders updated with their demerits.
B. In the event that the captain is not able to perform his/her duties, the co-captain will take over
until the captain is able to return.

GAME OR RALLY SUSPENSION

A. Grades Cheerleader receiving a D or F on a progress report must attend tutoring until grade
improves.
B. Suspension from school If a cheerleader is suspended from school for an infraction of school
rules, she/he will not participate in any cheerleading functions, during the suspended time.
C. Miscellaneous reasons A cheerleader may be suspended from participating in games, pep rallies
or any other activity for any of the following reasons:
1. Four absences from practices. When a cheerleader misses four practices, he/she will be
benched.
2. Excessive tardiness to practice or leaving early (two tardies or early departures equal one
absent).
3. Failure to complete assigned duties.
4. Failure to abide by cheerleading rules.
5. Failure to cooperate with squad, coach or administration.
6. Blatant disrespect towards captain, coach or another teacher.
7. Failure to turn in fund raising activity money.
DISMISSAL
Offenses that result in dismissal:
1. Accumulation of disciplinary problems.
2. Conduct unbecoming of a cheerleader which reflects upon the reputation of the school and
squad.
3. The second F on report card during the year.
4. Repeated insubordination toward coaches captains or school personnel.
5. Arrest-If a law enforcement official arrest a cheerleader for any reason, she/he will be
dismissed.
6. If you are benched twice for absences, you will be dismissed.

GUIDELINES FOR CHEERLEADERS

SQUAD RULES
1. Be an asset to the squad.
2. Do not talk negatively about fellow cheerleaders or behave in any manner that promotes disunity on the
squad.
3. Be able to take constructive criticism from the squad and/or coaches.
4. Uniforms are to be worn for games, pep rallies and competitions only. No uniform should be worn out
in the community without a covering, and no one other than cheerleaders should wear any part of a
cheerleader uniform, warm-up, or other official clothing.
5. In case of cold weather, cheerleading jackets and warm-ups are the ONLY covering for the uniforms.
6. On game days, cheerleaders must look uniform at all times.
7. When benched you are to sit with and support your squad.
GAME RULES
These guidelines are in place to insure that our squad will always be the best in appearance, attitude, and
performance. When one cheerleader fails to abide by the guidelines, the entire squad suffers. Therefore,
consequences will be administrated for behavior which does not comply with our guidelines. Some of
these consequences may include the following:

extra conditioning

taking the run-through off the poles at football games

painting extra signs

cleaning paint brushes

taping the run-through

being benched

being suspended

being dismissed