Attendance

We have had quite the influx of cheerleaders missing games lately and more arriving late to practice.  I just wanted to give a refresher of our attendance policy as stated in our constitution.  All hair appointments should be made during times when cheerleading is not scheduled.  You should not accept a babysitting responsibility if you know you already have a game that day. I do understand that certain activities may permit a cheerleader to miss a game.  However, please communicate with me!  Please call me IN ADVANCE to get the okay for excusal.  Any game that is missed without my prior knowledge will be considered an unexcused absence, which results in the benching of a game.  Thank you everyone for your cooperation!

ARTICLE II.   ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

A. TARDIES: A cheerleader is required to be present and on time for all assigned games, meetings, practices, fundraisers, and other commitments. Excuses will ONLY be accepted for tardies in emergency situations or if cleared with the coach in advance. Cheerleaders must be in appropriate attire (uniforms, shoes, etc, and practice clothing for practice) for all activities prior to the start of the activity. If this is not done, a tardy will be given. Three tardies will result in benching of one game. 

B. ABSENCES: Excused absences are illness, required school related activities, and family emergencies such as funerals. If you will not be at any practice, meeting, or game you must contact your coach BEFORE the practice, meeting, or game. Once these events begin the absence will be treated as unexcused. If you cannot attend practice, the coaching staff must be notified at least 15 minutes PRIOR to the beginning of that practice or game. Should the coach not receive word until after activity has begun, the cheerleader will be issued an unexcused absence. If you are sick, you are still required to attend practice and watch. The only excuses to miss are the stomach flu or strep throat, which requires a doctors or parent note. If you are at school you are expected to be at practices, meetings, or games. If you are sick and not in school, do NOT assume your coach knows that. Do NOT tell a member of the team to relay the message to a coach, that member cannot give approval. When a cheerleader is absent from cheerleading due to illness, a parent note or parent phone call is REQUIRED. The first unexcused absence will result in the benching of one game. If it occurs a second time, a letter will be sent home to parents warning of the risk of dismissal. A third unexcused absence results in immediate dismissal from the team.

C. INJURY: Should a cheerleader be injured in, or outside of cheerleading, a doctors note is required to excuse that cheerleader from active participation. A release date MUST be included on the doctors note so coaching staff knows when to allow the cheerleader to return. Despite injury, cheerleaders are still required to arrive on time and continue to attend all cheerleading events. (Some injuries, such as concussions, permit a cheerleader to stay home)

 D. PRACTICES: Summer practice will be held throughout the summer months. These practice are not mandatory, but each member is encouraged to attend. Practice during the school year will be regularly scheduled and approved by school administrators. Practice must be attended by all cheerleaders. If a practice canceled, it is done so by the coach. Leaving practice early is considered an absence. Make all routine doctor and dental appointments around scheduled practices and games.