Dear Parents,

     Welcome to North Allegheny Cheerleading.  It is important that you, as parents, are aware of certain information and costs so that both you and your child can have an enjoyable season.  This book was compiled to provide information and promote discussion among the Boosters, the Athletic Office, the coaches, parents, and potential cheerleaders.  It is by no means all-inclusive of everything a parent needs to know about high school cheerleading, but gives an overview of some of the most frequently asked questions.

     Please review the information in this booklet with your daughter.  Keep it handy for future reference.

Sincerely,

The North Allegheny Cheerleading Boosters.

MISSION STATEMENT FROM THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

     Participation in extracurricular activities such as interscholastic athletics is an essential component of the educational experience.  Our purpose is to provide a dynamic program of student activities whereby our students may fulfill their individual potential.  The intent of the athletic program at North Allegheny is to meet the emotional, social, and mental needs of our students as well as improve our students’ physical development.  The opportunities provided by our student extracurricular program enables our district to challenge the physically as well as the intellectually talented pupil in their pursuit of excellence.

     Student participants in activity programs should be served by the following principles:

We believe students have the right to:

     1.  Participate in activities.

     2.  Have an opportunity to strive for success.

     3.  Participate at a level commensurate with each student’s maturity and ability.

     4.  Have qualified and sufficient adult leadership.

     5.  Have proper and thorough preparation prior to participating in events.

     6.  Participate in safe and healthy conditions and facilities.

     7.  Share in the leadership and decision-making at their chosen activity.

     8.  Be treated with dignity and respect at all times.

Eligibility Requirements

Freshman squad will consist of students entering 9^th grade only.

Junior Varsity will consist of students entering 10^th and 11^th grades.

Varsity will consist of students entering 10^th, 11^th, or 12^th grades.

Candidates for the squads must submit a written permission form from their parents as well as a medical form prior to the start of the season.

Academic Eligibility

     All candidates must meet the PIAA academic requirements as follows:

1.  The student athlete must pursue a curriculum defined and approved by the principal as a full-time curriculum.

2.  The student athlete must be passing at least four full credit subjects or the equivalent thereof as of each Friday during a grading period.  Failure to meet this requirement will result in the loss of a student’s athletic eligibility for the following week.

3.  The student athlete must have passed at least four full-credit subjects or the equivalent thereof during the previous grading period.  Eligibility for the first grading period is based on final grades for the preceding year.  Failure to meet this requirement will result in a loss of athletic eligibility for the first twenty school days of the next grading period. 

How much time does cheerleading take?

     Cheerleading is a big commitment, not only of time, but also of spirit.  Varsity cheerleading has the biggest commitment of time at approximately 15-20 hours per week between practice time and time spent at the games.  Cheerleading begins immediately after try-outs in May and ends in late March/early April, following basketball and competitions.  During the summer all cheerleaders must make every effort to attend all practices.  Cheerleaders must attend all mini-camp practices and mini-camp, which is the week following the last week of school.  Cheerleaders must also attend a summer camp.  The official season begins the middle of August.  During the school year the cheerleaders will practice, pending coach’s schedule, at least twice a week (4+ hours) or more during the competition season.  The Varsity squad cheers for all football games, all boys’ basketball games, girls’ home basketball games, boys’ and girls; home soccer games, and occasionally wrestling.  This includes regular season games and ALL playoff games.  Their attendance at these events is at the discretion of the cheerleading coaches and the Athletic Director in cases where the sports’ schedules conflict.  In addition, they will also perform upon request at pep rallies and charitable functions to represent the school.  Other weekly responsibilities include sign making and locker room/cafeteria decorating prior to game day.  Some of the listed activities/games may have full squad or half-squad attendance requirements.

     The Junior Varsity will attend all home J.V. football, soccer, and boys’ and girls’ basketball games.  The J.V. squad may be asked to fill in at Varsity events should conflicts arise in the Varsity schedule.

     The Freshman cheerleaders will attend all Freshman squad home football games, all home soccer games, all home basketball games, and wrestling.  Some away games may be added to the schedule at the coach’s discretion.

All scheduled appearances of the Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Freshman cheerleaders are strictly up to the coaches’ discretion, not the Booster organization.

Attendance

     All cheerleaders are required to attend a summer cheerleading camp.  The camp attended and the dates of the camp will be decided by the coaches.  Camps will consist of learning cheers, conditioning, tumbling, and learning a competition routine. 

     Other expectations include:

            *Each cheerleader will be on time, dressed and ready to begin at the appointed hour.

            *Cheerleaders will participate fully in all practice activities.

            *Cheerleaders must be in school by 10:30 a.m. to participate in practices or at games.

            *Cheerleaders must arrive 1 hour before the start of each game, or at a time decided by the coach.

            *Absences for medical reasons, vacations, family weddings, or death in the family will be communicated to the coach.

*Cheerleaders are permitted only one excused absence from either a practice or a game per athletic season.  This “emergency day” is designed only for college visits and/or family trips.  These are not “personal” days that you may miss for any reason.  Seniors wishing to view colleges in the fall must obtain permission from the Athletic Office.  The coach and Athletic Office must know at least 2 weeks ahead of the scheduled “emergency day”.  No “emergency day” will be recognized for competitions—cheerleaders are required to be present at all competitions.

            *Doctor, dentist, and non-medical (hair, nail) appointments are not to be made during cheerleading practice times or game times.

            *Frequent absences from practice will not be tolerated, and all cheerleaders must be prompt at all practices and games.  Failure to do so will result in being benched for a portion of the next event they are cheering at.

*Cheerleaders will pay attention to and follow the directions of their coach/captains.

            *Cheerleaders will work together as a team for the good of the squad.

            *If there is a conflict between cheerleading and another outside activity, the cheerleader is expected to attend our event.

            *Every cheerleader represents North Allegheny to the community.  Appearance and behavior should reflect positively on the school district when the cheerleader is in uniform.

            If an injury occurs during the season, a doctor’s note must be presented to the coaching staff with specific directions as to what the cheerleader can and cannot do.  When the cheerleader has recovered from the injury, the coaches must have a medical clearance note to return to active participation.  Even when injured, the cheerleader is expected to attend practices, games, and competitions with the squad.

Expectations of the Parents

            *Arrange to have your child to practice on time and picked up promptly at the end of practice.

            *Arrange to have your child to games on time.

            *All parents are expected to be members of the Cheerleading Booster organization, participate in fundraising activities, and pay all expenses promptly.

            *Parents must understand that injuries are always a possibility in the sport of cheerleading, although the safety of the girls is always the first consideration of the coaches.

            *All parents are expected to follow the chain of command for complaints.

Grievances

            If you have a complaint about the squad, take it to the coach.  If you have complaints with the Booster organization, take them to the Booster president.  If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact the Cheerleading Coordinator or the Athletic Office.  Constructive criticism, expressed to the right people, makes the team better.  Griping to everyone but those who should hear the complaint demoralizes the squad.

     Please discuss problems or concerns with your coach before or after practice, not during practice sessions or a game.

Coaches’ Responsibilities

            *The squad expects that coaches will provide instruction and practice so that each girl can improve her cheerleading skills.  Also the coaches will correct mistakes in a positive and productive manner.

*The coaches will monitor attendance and participation at practice and games.

            *Coaches will be available to answer questions and discuss any concerns expressed by cheerleaders and/or parents at a scheduled time.

Cheerleaders’ Responsibilities

            *Cheerleaders will wear proper attire and proper jewelry at school on school days and games.

            *They are responsible for being on the field/court on time at the beginning of the game and at half-time intermission.

            *Cheerleaders must demonstrate respectful attention during the National Anthem.  They should be standing in a proper formation that the coach approves.  No laughing or talking will be permitted during the National Anthem or school anthem.

*Cell phones are prohibited during practices and games.

            *Gum chewing is prohibited at games and practices.

            *Use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco products are prohibited.

            *Eating or drinking on the track during football or soccer games, or on the bench during basketball, is prohibited.

            *Visiting with friends at the fence or during a basketball game is prohibited.

            *Attendance and tardiness at games and at school will be monitored.

Failure to follow these rules will result in disciplinary action being taken by the coaches or the Athletic Department.  Other issues may arise during the school year that this booklet does not address, and rules may be added at the coaches’ discretion.

Uniforms

            The school provides the following uniform items that are free of charge to the cheerleaders for their use during the year.  Replacement charges will be charged to the individual cheerleader for lost or damaged uniform items.  Damaged uniform items can include but are not limited to unauthorized alterations, permanent stains, burns, tears, foul odor, or theft.  The charges listed are based on last year’s costs and so may vary.  They also do not include a 6% shipping cost from the manufacturer.:

            Pom-poms                $10.50

            Megaphone*                 $23.00

            Poncho*                      $21.00

            Sweater                                   $102.00

            16 pleated skirt*            $57.95

            Original vest*                $72.00

            3 pleated skirt                  $63.00

            New vest                  $81.00

            Warm-up jacket*            $45.00

            Warm-up pants*            $26.00

Bag                              $35.00

            Wool Jacket*             $125.00

*indicates Varsity squad items only

The uniforms will be sized to the cheerleaders prior to the start of the season.  Any alterations made to the uniform without the consent of the Athletic Director will result in the parent being required to reimburse the school for the full amount of the uniform.  All uniforms should be machine-washed only.  (Dry cleaning the uniforms takes out the VISA treatment.)  Only the wool jackets require dry cleaning.

How much does cheerleading cost?

1.  Booster Fees

Parents are expected to be members of the Cheerleading Boosters.  The cost of belonging to the Boosters for the 2003-3004 year was $50.00.  This cost can vary year to year based on squad needs and at the discretion of the Cheerleading Booster Board.  Please see the “Boosters” section of this booklet for a further description of the goals of the Booster organization.

2.  Competition Fees

     Each squad will be expected to compete.  Squads are projected to compete in several local competitions throughout their season.  The Varsity squad should expect to attend a national competition.  Competitions can be expensive, but each Booster member can reduce the cost by participating in fundraising activities.  If you do not wish to participate in fundraising for competition expenses, you will be asked to pay directly for your competition fees.  The choice of the National attended will be at the sole discretion of the coaches with the approval of the Athletic Director.  For the 2003-2004  season, each varsity cheerleader paid for local competitions and for the national competition.  Each J.V. squad member paid about          in competition expenses, and each Freshman squad member had about         in competition expenses.

3.  Summer camps

     Each squad will participate in a summer camp to improve their cheerleading skills.  The Varsity and J.V. squads had separate home camps for 2-3 days in June where they learned stunting and began to learn their competition routine for the coming year.  The Freshman camp is usually in August and covers cheers and required skills.  The Freshman may begin to learn their competition routine in August as well.  Attendance at camp is MANDATORY because placement for cheers, stunt groups, and competition routines will be made at this time.  Although the exact dates have not been set by the coaches yet, you will be informed as soon as that decision is made.

The total cost for the 2003-04 Varsity squad’s camp was approximately $182.00, that included competition routine/choreography, year long maintenance of the routine, and stunting.  This cost was deferred by 50% by those cheerleaders that worked all 5 days at mini-camp.  The actual cost to the cheerleader, therefore, was about $91.00.  Weekly tumbling instruction for the year was an additional $45.00.  The J.V. and Freshman squad charges were similar—specific costs can be provided upon request.

4.  Clothing

Each cheerleader will incur clothing costs related to uniform requirements.  These costs per squad for 2003-04 year were as follows:

Varsity:

     New Tiger Shorts               $12.00

     *White Paw Shorts               $12.00

     *Gold Paw Shorts               $12.00

     *Sleeveless V-Neck            $10.00

                                                $46.00 Mini-Camp

     Shoes 2 pair @ 45 each            $90.00

     *Spankies                            $  8.00

     *Socks                                 $  6.25

     *Crop Bodysuit                       $18.00

     *Leggings                            $18.00

     *Black Fleece              $40.00

                                                $180.25 Uniform

     *Black L/S Tee                  $18.00

     Gold Tie-Dye                  $12.00

     White L/S Tee                  $  9.00

     Black Zip Hoodie              $29.00

     Black Sweatpants                   $16.00

                                                $84.00 Other

J.V/Freshman Clothing:

            Mini-camp:  same as varsity

            Uniform Items:  JV--$132.55 (same items as varsity except they only purchased one pair of shoes at $45.00.  Freshman--$95.25; did not purchase the fleece—they used their middle school jackets)

            Other:  $51.00:  (same last 3 items as Varsity—no black L/S or gold tie-dye)

Cheerleading Boosters

     Without every parent contributing to the Booster organization, it would not be a success.  The Cheerleading Boosters in the past have provided money for choreography, mini-camp expenses, tumbling mats, school uniform expenses, UBO donations, post-prom party donations, and a senior cheerleading scholarship, to name a few.  Boosters pay for 50% of summer camp expenses, a tape player, the end-of-the-year banquet with gifts for all the cheerleaders and their coaches, and other expenses as they arise.  It is expected that we all help to make this program a great one.

1.  Fundraisers

     Mini-camp is the largest fundraiser for the Boosters.  Every cheerleader will be required to attend.  The money raised by each cheerleader at mini-camp pays for a majority of the expenses of summer camp.  Fundraising activities fall into two categories.  The first type of fundraiser benefits the Booster organization—i.e., mini-camp.  This money goes towards a pre-determined goal:  summer camp, banquet, etc.  These fundraisers require the participation of all Booster members.  The other type of fundraiser benefits the individual cheerleader’s escrow account for competition-related expenses.  Participation in this type of fundraiser is voluntary and includes such things as cookie dough sales and working at a NA Cheerleading Booster’s local competition.  Please note:  As per North Allegheny Athletic Department policy, fundraising money into individual escrow accounts can only be used towards competition or competition-related expenses—not towards clothing.

2.  Mini-Camp

     Minicamp is our largest fundraiser; therefore, it is imperative that we have the support of all parents.  For one week, the NA cheerleaders instruct children entering grades 1-8 in cheerleading, stunting, and dance.  Each varsity cheerleader will be responsible for choreographing a routine appropriate for the skill level of the 10-20 girls in her group, to be performed at the end-of-the-week show.  J.V. and Freshman cheerleaders with assist the varsity cheerleaders with their groups.  Parents will be asked to volunteer by operating a concession stand or doing other assorted jobs.  We must fill at least 100 volunteer positions.  This fundraiser is our most important because it defers a great majority of the costs of camp.