BISD Cheerleader Constitution Approved 02/16/2020 Page 1 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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EXHIBIT A – Sample Judges’ Score Sheet
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EXHIBIT B – Sample Attendance, Grades and Discipline Calculation Form