Philosophy and Functions
It is our desire to have a squad of well-trained and disciplined students to carry out the functions of the spirit program for Garces Memorial High School and our community. It is our goal that during their years spent in our programs each student develops skills that will help them in their life during and after school.
Our program will focus on two functions. First, the primary responsibility is to provide positive leadership for the student body and community by developing and promoting school spirit and pride at ALL athletic events and student activities. Secondly, we would like to provide each squad member with a vehicle for developing personal poise, physical strength, stamina, coordination, competitiveness, and showmanship.
Cheerleader Qualities
The individual qualities and group qualities that the Cheerleaders of Garces Memorial High School possess are a vital part of making a cohesive, unified squad that everyone is proud of. These qualities include:
• A positive attitude and genuine willingness to work within a group is mandatory.
• Individual dedication to the group is very important in order for the group to accomplish their goals.
• Respecting yourself, your squad members, your squad leadership, and your advisors is expected.
• All cheerleaders will be an example for their peers at GMHS by being supportive of all in-school and out-of-school events and activities.
• The ability to effectively communicate concerns in a constructive and mature way when necessary.
**Remember, cheerleaders are in the public eye and are an important representative of Garces Memorial High School. Cheerleaders are expected to have good school attendance, a pleasant personality, good scholastic record, and be an all-around good citizen of the school and community.**
Grades
Collaboration is MANDATORY!! A written notification of attendance must be provided at the start of practice/ games or when requested by individual coach.
Grade checks will be required periodically to improve academic performance. If at grading period you fall below a 2.0 GPA, you school eligibility rules will be enforced.
Communication
A successful program comes with constant communication. If any conflicts or problems you may incur during the season arrive, please notify coaches immediately. The best forms of communication are school phone, email, or in person. If you fail to communicate with the captain or coaches then a consequence may be issued.
Your captains and coaches need the following information from you current at all times:
Email address
Be sure to check your email and cheer website daily for any updates or changes to your schedules.
General Rules, Regulations and Responsibilities:
THIS SQUAD HAS PRIORITY OVER ANY OTHER SPORT/SQUAD OF WHICH YOU ARE A PART OF.
Jobs, outside of Garces club activities, extracurricular activities and doctor’s appointments must not interfere with cheerleading. Any conflicts must be cleared with the coach first.
All absence must be cleared with your coach prior to the date.
Practice Schedules:
• Athletic packet must be completed and turned on or before THE FIRST PRACTICE.
• If practice is missed before a game you may or may not cheer a portion of the game (depending on the reason). Make-ups will be at the coach’s discretion.
• If you become ill, call/text your coach/captain and inform them of your absence.
• YOU ARE REQUIRED TO LEARN ANY MATERIAL YOU MISSED AT PRACTICE!
Games:
• Each squad member must bring all uniform pieces to every game
• You must arrive in complete uniform to every game, failure to do so will result in consequences at the coach’s discretion.
• No jewelry can be worn at anytime in uniform.
• Arrive 30 minutes before each game unless instructed otherwise.
• Participate in set up and take down
*Keep in mind that Varsity games can sometimes go until 10:30 at night and you may not leave early, so please plan rides accordingly
Playoffs – All Squad members are required to participate in Varsity playoffs
Assertive Discipline Steps
In order to do this successfully, and be fair to all members, it is imperative that discipline should be directed in the following manner:
Individual team coach
Moderator
Dean of Students (Michelle Jackman)
Principal (Kathleen Bears)
Summer Practice/Cheer Camp
Summer practice and cheer camp is MANDATORY for all squad members. Each is the continuing process for team building and learning for the remainder of the year. Dates TBA
Financial Commitment
Each cheerleader will be expected to meet the financial contract prior to ordering any uniform. Once the financial contract has been signed, parents and squad members are responsible for all items purchased, regardless if they remain in the spirit program.
A $250.00 deposit is due at the uniform fitting and the remaining balance is due when the entire uniform arrives. Please see cheer coach for any payment questions. All checks are to be made payable to Garces and turned in to the Cheer Moderator or Finance Office for record keeping purposes.