bonham independent school district 2020-2021 … · h. to strive to uphold the highest personal and...

BISD Cheerleader Constitution Approved 02/16/2020 of 11

BONHAM INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

2020-2021 CHEERLEADER CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I - Organization

This organization has four divisions: Varsity Cheerleaders

Junior Varsity (JV) Cheerleaders

8th Grade Cheerleaders

7th Grade Cheerleaders

ARTICLE II - Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be:

A. To promote school spirit.

B. To encourage good sportsmanship among students.

C. To develop good relations between schools during all athletic events.

D. To promote physical fitness and leadership skills.

E. To perform at and/or support all athletic events.

F. To represent BISD at all times in a positive manner.

G. To represent the community and encourage strong community and educational ties.

H. To strive to uphold the highest personal and cheerleader standards.

I. To encourage school attendance and high scholastic achievement by team members.

J. To be a support group for members of all cheer squads.

K. To support other representatives of BISD (drill team, band, etc.).

L. To refrain from detrimental personal or group conduct, in or out of school, which would

bring reproach to the squad from the school system, other BISD cheer squads, or the

community.

ARTICLE III - Colors

The official colors of BISD and this organization are purple and white. Black may be used as an

accent color only.

ARTICLE IV - Squad Description

Squad members will be selected by a panel of independent, qualified judges.

Varsity: Up to 10 members* (from grades 9, 10, 11, 12)

JV: Up to 10 members* (from grades 9, 10, 11, 12)

8th Grade: Up to 12 members (from grade 8)

7th Grade: Up to 12 members (from grade 7)

*unless squads are combined


ARTICLE V - Membership

SECTION I – Eligibility for Membership

A. Basis for Selection

Prospective members of the BISD cheerleading squads shall be selected on the basis of

attendance, discipline, grades, and ability.

B. Grades

The grading policy governing cheerleading membership in BISD is designed to give as

many candidates as possible the opportunity to serve their school, while encouraging the

maintenance of high academic standards. Candidates must be enrolled in Bonham ISD in

order to try out for a squad. Candidates must be passing all classes, according to UIL

rules/requirements, at the grading period set by coaches.

C. Appearance

1) Each member must have good personal habits and be neat in appearance.

2) Uniforms must be clean and kept in good repair.

3) Briefs must be solid purple ONLY.

D. Release Forms

Various forms concerning parental permission, medical and cheer guidelines will be

given to each candidate and must be returned properly completed and signed by

parent/guardian and prospective cheerleader in advance of learning try out material.

E. Schedule Conflicts

Jobs or other after-school activities may not interfere with scheduled practices. Coaches

will set any after-school practices around as many conflicts as possible but cheerleaders

must be flexible also with their schedules.

F. Head Cheerleader(s) – VARSITY Squad Only

1) Varsity Head Cheerleader(s) will be selected by the coach/sponsor.

2) Incoming seniors who have been selected to the Varsity Cheer squad at Bonham

High School three consecutive years and fulfilled that commitment without any

major disciplinary actions will not have to try out for senior year. Head

cheerleader(s) will be selected from these seniors.


SECTION II – Tryouts

Tryouts are CLOSED and judged by qualified, independent judges approved by the campus

administrator. Candidates will be given a blank score sheet in advance of try outs so he/she will

understand what is being judged. Judges’ scores will be tabulated and results will be verified by

BISD administrators.

A. Scores will be based on the following:

1) 70 points from Judges’ Scores

a) Sample judges’ score sheet in Exhibit A (70 possible points)

b) Each candidate must earn a minimum score from the judges to be eligible for a

squad.

Varsity: 50 out of 70 possible points

JV: 45 out of 70 possible points

8th Gr: 35 out of 70 possible points

7th Gr: 30 out of 70 possible points

2) 30 points from Attendance, Grades and Discipline (Sample calculation form in Exhibit B)

a) Attendance from Fall semester records-10 points

b) Grades from Fall semester records-10 points

c) Discipline up until the day of tryouts-10 points (includes office referrals,

ISS/OSS, DAEP, etc.)

3) IMPORTANT: The 30 points portion will not be added to the judges’ score portion

unless the candidate meets the minimum score for the squad.

B. In the event of a tie, scores will be tallied to two (2) places past the decimal. If the

candidates are still tied for a position, both prospective members will be chosen.

C. Candidates must complete and turn in all required forms prior to learning try-out

material. If forms are not turned in before the tryout material clinic, applicants will not

be allowed to learn material until all forms are returned.

D. Selection for membership will be posted on the district website on the evening of tryouts.

E. Candidates who are not selected for the cheer squad may schedule a time with the

building administrator to view tryout scores. This must be done within the first week of

school following tryouts.


SECTION III – Maintenance of Membership

A. Grade Requirements

1) Grades will be checked periodically to affirm that every cheerleader is

maintaining the required average to continue performance with the team.

2) If a cheerleader loses eligibility more than once during the cheer year (March to

March), he/she may be removed from the squad.

B. Conduct

1) Cheerleaders are expected to conduct themselves in a way that is above

reproach.

2) If a cheerleader fails to uphold the high standards of the organization, he/she

will be held accountable under the BISD Student Code of Conduct, the BISD

Extracurricular Code of Conduct and he/she may face immediate dismissal from

the squad. (Examples include but are not limited to: possession or use of

tobacco, vaping, drugs, or alcohol; inappropriate pictures and/or social media

postings of cheerleader, etc.).

C. Financial Responsibility

1) Each member will have a financial responsibility to maintain membership on a

cheer squad. Members will be responsible for payment of cheer camp, camp

wear, shoes, briefs, socks, bows, megaphones, and poms. All financial

responsibilities must be met on due date.

2) Cheerleaders will have the opportunity to participate in fundraising activities to

help offset financial responsibilities. Failure to meet financial responsibility on

due date will require a meeting with campus principal prior to deadline. Failure

to attend set meeting may result in dismissal from the squad.

SECTION IV – Loss of Membership

A. If a member fails to maintain the standards of scholarship, conduct, character, and/or

performance required of the members of the BISD cheer squads, it will demonstrate

cause for dismissal from the group.

B. A member who is terminated from their position is ineligible to participate in any spirit-

related organization for the remainder of the cheer year (March – March).

1) For BHS students, that includes not being allowed to participate in the cheer

section of the Athletic Banquet.

C. If a cheerleader quits the squad, he/she will not be allowed to return for a full calendar

year from date of quitting the squad.

D. During any period of probation, a member may not wear cheer clothing that is owned by

the squad or school-issued. This includes game day and pep rallies.


E. If a cheerleader loses eligibility for a second or subsequent time, he/she may be removed

from the squad.

F. If a cheerleader fails to uphold the high standards of the organization, he/she will be

held accountable under the BISD Student Code of Conduct, the BISD Extracurricular

Code of Conduct and he/she may face immediate dismissal from the squad. (Examples

include but are not limited to: possession or use of tobacco, vaping, drugs, or alcohol;

inappropriate pictures and/or social media postings of cheerleader, etc.).

G. Missing a scheduled event results in missing the next event (1 for 1). If a cheerleader

misses 3 scheduled events (pep rallies, games, required community service, etc.) for an

unexcused reason, he/she may face immediate dismissal from the squad.

SECTION V – Duties and Responsibilities of Membership

A. Attendance

1) Jobs and and/or non-school-related activities after school may NOT interfere with

the SET practice schedule. If practice is set to end at 4:30, members may not leave

early.

2) Cheerleaders are expected to attend all scheduled events. (See Section IV-G)

3) It is the responsibility of each cheerleader to notify the COACH of an absence

BEFORE the practice session or scheduled event. A text message is not acceptable.

Face-to-face or voice-to-voice are the only acceptable forms of notification.

4) A member who is absent from school on the day of a performance may not have

the privilege of performing.

5) Absences for illness and death in the immediate family will be excused. All other

absences will be reviewed by the coach on a case by case basis.

6) If any sports team is in the playoffs during the holidays or on weekends, members

are expected to attend practices and games.

B. Practice / Preparation

1) All squad members shall practice during the assigned cheer class and any

before/after school practices set by the coach.

i. A Varsity member missing three or more practices during a week for any

reason will not be allowed to perform any dance or cheer that is new at the

game or pep rally.

ii. A JV member missing two or more practices during a week for any reason

will not be allowed to perform at halftime of the game that week if material is

new.

iii. A 7th or 8th grade member missing two or more practices during a week for

any reason will not be allowed to perform at halftime of the game that week if

the material is new.


2) Cheerleaders may not have a called practice on school grounds without the

presence of the coach.

3) Members will arrive on time for practice and stay until dismissed by the coach.

4) Cheer camp will be held each summer on designated dates and attendance is

mandatory.

5) Practice may be required on school holidays or weekends and are mandatory

C. Duties

1) Games

i. Varsity Cheerleaders will cheer at all Varsity football games and all home

district varsity basketball games.

ii. JV Cheerleaders will cheer at all JV football games and all home district

varsity basketball games.

iii. 8th grade and 7th grade Cheerleaders will cheer at all football games.

iv. Seniors may opt out of cheering during basketball season. ONce the decision

to cheer or not has been made, senior cheerleaders must uphold their

decision.

2) Varsity Cheerleaders will cheer/show support for all playoff games.

3) All Cheerleaders will participate in fundraisers, community activities and other

activities deemed important by the coach/sponsor.

4) Varsity/JV cheerleaders will plan and assist with cheerleader clinic, if held.

5) All BHS Cheerleaders must participate in UIL competitions and any other

competitions selected by the coach.

i. During competition season, a cheerleader may be removed from the cheer

squad at the discretion of the cheer coach(es) if he/she fails to uphold the

requirements of the cheer position.

ii. Competition season will require extra practices, extra time, and additional

rigor. Cheerleaders may be asked to fill roles as the cheer coach(es) see fit

for the benefit of the whole team.

ARTICLE VI - Uniforms

SECTION I – School Attire

A. Cheerleaders will wear school-appropriate attire to school. No cheer uniform will be

worn to class.

B. Cheer shoes will be worn to school on game days with outfit. No flip-flops or sandals

will be allowed.


SECTION II – Uniforms

A. Members will be issued school-owned uniforms that must be clean and in good repair.

B. No uniform or part of a uniform may be worn or loaned out at any time unless prior

permission is received from the coach.

C. No uniform may be altered without prior permission from coach. All alterations are the

responsibility of the cheerleader and cheer parent.

D. Uniforms must be returned clean and in good shape. Failure to return in good condition

will result in missing tryouts for the next year.

E. Cheer shoes are considered part of the uniform and must be kept in good, clean condition.

Cheer shoes are purchased by cheerleader.

F. Only solid purple briefs will be worn with uniforms. No logos, print, or other “fads” will

be allowed.

G. Matching bows will be worn as part of uniform.

H. Failure to be in complete, correct uniform from bow to shoes may result in missing event

until correct attire is achieved.

SECTION III – Camp Clothes/Practice Clothes

A. Members will purchase all camp clothes and appropriate practice clothes.

B. Only cheer shoes will be worn for practice.

SECTION IV – Squad Appearance

A. Hair must ALWAYS be neat and in a ponytail while in uniform or during practice.

Seniors only will be allowed to wear their hair half up/half down on the last game of

the football season.

B. Only stud earrings may be worn with uniforms – NO OTHER JEWELRY. No

piercings (other than ears) or visible tattoos will be allowed.

C. No candy or gum chewing will be allowed during performances.


ARTICLE VII - Appearances/Performances

SECTION I – Behavior

A. The cheer squads will promote spirit and acceptable behavior at all athletic events and

other appearances.

B. When on the track at a game, cheerleaders will stand at their megaphones and lead the

crowd. No huddling in groups will be allowed.

C. No outsiders may join the cheerleaders on the track. Cheerleaders will keep

conversations with crowd members to halftime or before/after game.

D. There will be no eating during the game. Bottled drinks only will be allowed at

cheerleader’s megaphone.

E. Cell phones and other technological devices are prohibited during games or

performances. This will also extend to practices unless used for music purposes.

F. Cheerleaders will exhibit good sportsmanship to fans, visiting teams, and each other.

G. Permission to leave an event will be given only for extreme emergencies, such as

illness, and then ONLY when accompanied by a parent.

SECTION II – Transportation

A. Bus/school vehicle transportation will be provided for out of town activities.

B. All BHS Cheerleaders must ride to and from the activity as a team unless PRIOR

approval is received from the coach.

1) Prior approval means before the end of the school day, not on the way to the event,

during the event, or after the event.

2) The only exception to this is for athletes who have a game before the cheer event

and are riding with the athletic team.

C. All 7th and 8th grade Cheerleaders must ride to the out of town activity as a team.

1) They may ride home from an out of town activity with their parent/guardian if:

i. The coach is notified before the activity.

ii. The parent/guardian signs the cheerleader out from the coach which indicates

he/she takes responsibility for the cheerleader.


SECTION III – Inspection

A. Inspection for proper dress, hair, jewelry, etc. will be held prior to performance/game.

B. Every member must meet requirements of the inspection at the designated time.

C. Uniform changes may be made only by the sponsor.

D. All uniforms must be performance ready at all times.

E. Any member not in proper uniform, or ready at time of inspection, may not be allowed to

participate in an event until correct attire is achieved.

ARTICLE VIII – Governance

SECTION I

A. Members are expected to following all guidelines contained in the BISD Student Code

of Conduct, the BISD Extracurricular Code of Conduct and this Cheerleader

Constitution.

B. The coach may enforce other rules both verbal and written as they become necessary

during the school year.

C. The Constitution is subject to change at any time due to Texas Education Agency

(TEA) or the local school district rule changes.

D. The interpretation of this constitution is the sole right of the coach and campus

administrator.

E. Any amendments made to the whole constitution will be done so in the best interest of

the organization as a whole.

F. This Constitution is by no means a complete listing of all rules and regulations of the

cheerleading program at BISD. It is meant to be a guideline and set of examples to be

followed.

G. It is the responsibility of each cheerleader to uphold and follow all BISD dress code and

discipline guidelines.


EXHIBIT A – Sample Judges’ Score Sheet


EXHIBIT B – Sample Attendance, Grades and Discipline Calculation Form

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