Rules

Roosevelt High School Cheerleading Rules and Regulations:

Purpose:

The purpose of the Roosevelt High School cheerleading squads is to LEAD THE CROWD with school spirit, display pride, encourage good sportsmanship, and represent Roosevelt with a positive image. A high level of commitment will be expected for the Roosevelt High School cheerleading program.

School/SDHSAA Guidelines:

Scholastic Policy: Cheerleaders will abide by the Roosevelt High School academic eligibility rules as established by the SDHSAA. They must also follow the RHS extra-curricular Scholastic/Academic eligibility rules.

Drug/Alcohol Activity Rules: Cheerleaders must not violate the Drug/Alcohol Activity Rules and will be enforced throughout the year, including summer months, regardless of whether or not the student is participating in the activity at the time.

Code of Conduct:

The Roosevelt High School Cheerleading Program Code of Conduct establishes behavioral expectations. The Code is designed to guide the choices, actions, and practices of our diverse community of students, staff, parents, and guests. The Code of Conduct will help maintain a safe, quality learning environment, which will foster high achievement and excellence in our program as well as in our community. The Roosevelt High School Cheerleading Program strives for excellence at all levels: school, home, work, practice, games, and competitions. It is expected that the Code of Conduct be upheld at all times.

• Honesty: Be truthful, trustworthy, keep promises, and never lie, cheat, or steal.

• Responsibility: Respect oneself, others (teammates, coaches, staff, adults, peers), and property; give best effort; take ownership.

• Fairness: Treat others equally, create an inclusive environment, be open-minded, and appreciate differences.

• Professionalism: Demonstrate good judgement, skill, and polite behavior at ALL times. Be on time to all practices, games, competitions, and other activity events. Communicate effectively with coaches, teammates, adults, and peers.

Social Media Policy:

As a Roosevelt Cheerleader, behavior on social media platforms must adhere to the Code of Conduct. Violations will result in consequences determined by coaches. 

Rules and Guidelines:

Cheerleaders must follow the Absence from School Guidelines:

• If a student is in SAS, they will not be allowed to practice or compete on the day(s) of the suspension.

• Participants must be present in school three consecutive academic periods (not including lunch) prior to dismissal to practice or compete.

• Skipping any school period results in inability to participate in the next game/competition.

*Each cheerleader is expected to participate in all activities in which that squad participates. It is important to realize that when one person is absent, it affects their entire team. Excessive absenteeism will result in suspension, including summer activities and practices.

*If full participation is not physically possible, due to injury or illness, attendance is still required.

Competitive Attendance Policy:

• Late to Practice: Burpees/Bear Crawls/Ladders (Coaches discretion).

• Unexcused Absence/Unexcused Missed Practice: Cheerleader will sit out the next competition.

• Missed Competition/Second Unexcused Absence: Removal from squad.

Sideline Attendance Policy:

• Late to a Practice/Game:  Cheerleader will sit out first half game.

• Unexcused Absence/Unexcused Missed Practice: Cheerleader will sit out next game. 

• Missed Game/Second Unexcused Absence/Second Late to a Game: Removal from squad.

*The cheerleader will be expected to attend the game or competition in uniform, sit the bench, and cheer along with your squad.

Excused and Unexcused Absences:

• Excused Absences Include: illness, family illness, death in the family, doctors and dentist appointments (with note).

• Unexcused Absences Include: family vacations, work, church camps, etc.

*A phone call from a parent/guardian to the coach is required 24 hours in advance for any absence. If the coaching staff is not notified, it will be considered an unexcused absence and the attendance policy rules will apply.

*ALL attendance to practices, games, competitions, and special school related functions are MANDATORY unless excused by the coach in advance.

Practice Expectations:

• Be stretched and ready BEFORE practice starts. (will be counted as late and the attendance policy rules will apply)

• Wear appropriate practice clothing. Hair must be away from the face and above shoulders.

• No jewelry, long nails, or gum allowed.

*If any of these safety guidelines are not followed, you will not be allowed to practice and it will be considered an unexcused absence.

*Cheerleaders will be given warnings for broken rules, not participating, negative attitude, etc. Two warnings will be given and the cheerleader may be removed from the squad after a third warning.

Uniform Expectations:

Uniforms are the property of Roosevelt High School. Each member is responsible for any piece of Roosevelt High School equipment that is issued to him/her for the season. At the end of the season, each cheerleader is responsible for turning in all issued equipment prior to tryouts. If a cheerleader chooses not to finish the year, all issued equipment must be turned in IMMEDIATELY. Care must be taken to insure clothing, uniforms, and equipment is in clean and presentable  condition. Each squad member shall safeguard his/her clothing, uniforms, and equipment and shall be personally liable for its replacement, loss, or damage. 

*Uniforms shall only be worn when the team is performing. Uniforms must be washed in advance of turn-in or a washing fee will be issued.

All Practice & Game Day Appearance Rules (applies to all cheering, any sport):

• Fingernails, including artificial nails must be kept at a length appropriate for safe participation. The appropriate length means the fingernails are not visible over the fingertips when viewed from the palm side of hands. This applies during all practices and games/competitions. Cheerleaders will sit out of practice/game/competition if this is not complied with.

• NO JEWELRY - All body piercings must be removed prior to all practices and games/competitions (this includes clear jewelry/clear plugs). If you were not born with it, it is considered jewelry and you cannot wear it while cheering. Only religious or medical medals may be taped to the body (no chains). Cheerleaders will sit out of practice/game/competition if this is not complied with.

• No gum chewing or candy in the mouth during practice or activity.

*These rules are for the athletes personal safety and enforced by the SDHSAA. These rules can be found on the SDHSAA - Cheer Rules & Regulations website.

Competitive Game Appearance:

• Hair devices that are safe and secure are required. Hair must be completely off the shoulders and secured in a bun. All fly-a-ways must be pinned and hair sprayed back.

• Competitive Cheerleaders are required to wear cardinal colored spandex under their uniform, regardless if there are built in spandex!!

*Those not in compliance with the game day appearance rules will not be allowed to cheer and it will be considered an unexcused absence.

Sideline Game Appearance

• Hair must be worn away from the face; half-up, half-down hairstyles allowed if safe for stunting. (Coaches will determine if hair is safe and appropriate for stunting.)

• It is an expectation that you wear all pieces of the uniform including the white crop top, uniform shell, uniform skirt, hair bow, and cardinal spandex. 

• Glitter that does not readily adhere on the face, uniform, or the body is illegal. Glitter may be used on signs, props, or backdrops if laminated or sealed. The use of glitter hairspray is prohibited. 

*Those not in compliance with the game day appearance rules will not be allowed to cheer and it will be considered an unexcused absence.

Game Day Dress for ALL Cheerleaders (during school):

• Cheerleaders must have their hair up, bow in, and wear their cheer jackets. Cheerleaders may also choose to dress up. This will be determined on a squad-by-squad basis.

Games/Competitions:

Cheerleaders must travel to and from away (out-of-town) games and competitions as a squad when transportation is provided. A cheerleader may ride home with his/her parent/guardian provided the parent has given a written note three days prior to the Athletic Principal.

Under no circumstances will a cheerleader leave the grounds while attending an event unless permission is granted by the coach or acting coach.

Cell Phone use is NOT permitted during practices/games. Cell phones should be silent and put away.

Disciplinary Actions:

Failure to abide by the policies and regulation established for the RHS cheerleaders or failure to accept responsibilities as cheerleaders may result in disciplinary action and possible dismissal from the squad. Appropriate disciplinary action will be determined by the coach and/or school administration according to the severity of each violation.

Additional Notes:

**If you voluntarily quit or are removed from the Roosevelt High School cheerleading program at any time during the season, you forfeit your right to tryout for the cheer program the next year.

**There is a 24 hour NO CONTACT period after all games, competitions, and practices. Calls to coaches should only be placed in case of an emergency. 

*The cheerleader will be expected to attend the game or competition in uniform, sit the bench, and cheer along with your squad.