1. Irons Jr. High Cheerleader Try-Outs 2015-2016

2. Important Dates
February 20th Packet forms & Current Grades due by 4:00 p.m.
to front office of Irons or Vogel
March 9th-11th Tryout Clinic 4:30—6:00 p.m. ~ Irons Gym 1
March 12th Tryouts 4:30 p.m. ~ Irons Gym 1

3. Important Dates (continued)
March 13th Results posted on IJH Cheer Website
April 2nd Uniform Fitting, Vendor Night, Fundraiser Kick-Off
March 31st Parent Meeting for new cheerleaders at 5:30 p.m.

4. Try-Out Clinic When: March 9th - 11th 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
(Monday-Wednesday)
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Where: Irons Gym 1

5. Trying IJH
Student needs to be zoned to attend Irons Junior High in the school year. All transfer requests must be approved prior to cheerleading clinic.
If you know you are moving, PLEASE DO NOT TRYOUT!

6. What Do I Turn In?
Irons Acknowledgement Form, Tryout Application, CISD Medical Release, Cheer Participation & Release Form, and current grades need to be turned in to the front office of Vogel or Irons by 4:00 p.m. no later than February 20th!!
LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!

7. What Do I Wear To The Clinic?
White T-shirt tucked into red gym shorts
Athletic shoes and socks
Hair pulled back into high ponytail with red bow or ribbon
NO jewelry (this includes earrings)
Fingernails MUST NOT be longer than fingertips – no polish or fake nails
Absolutely NO logos of any kind

8. What Goes On At The Clinic?
Monday: The candidates will be taught a cheer and dance. Music will be uploaded to the IJH Cheer Website so the candidates can practice at home.
Tuesday: The candidates will be taught a chant, review material, practice jumps and tumbling techniques, and be given numbers for tryouts.
Wednesday: The candidates will review what they have learned and have mock tryouts.
*These practice sessions are mandatory & are closed to the public. This includes tryouts!

9. Pick-Up and Drop-Off
Cheerleader candidates need to be dropped off by 4:25pm and picked up at 6:00pm in the car line near the gym doors.
Cheerleader candidates need to wait in the gym hall or outside the gym doors until called into the gym.

10. Tryouts March 12, 2015
Tryouts begin at 4:30 for incoming 7th graders. Tryouts for incoming 8th graders will begin promptly after the 7th grade tryouts.
Please be aware that tryouts may last until 8:30 p.m. or later. Please send a sack lunch / snack and water with your child.

11. What Do I Wear For Tryouts?
CLINIC WEEK (Monday-Wednesday)
The candidates must wear a plain, white
t-shirt tucked in (long enough so that the stomach is not showing at any time).
must not display any cheerleading or dance logo at any time during tryout week.
solid white with no emblem or imprint of any kind. If there is a logo, the candidate will be sent home.

12. What Do I Wear For Tryouts? continued...
Red gym shorts
Shorts should NOT be rolled at the top more than once.
Short white socks with gym shoes.
No Jewelry!!!
Red bow or ribbon
Hair pulled back and out of face.
(High ponytail—no French braids or side ponytail).

13. What Do I Wear For Tryouts? continued...
TRYOUT DAY (Thursday)
Same as clinic!

14. Trying Out
Enter gym - candidates will perform jumps, demonstrate tumbling skills, spirit and the cheer (with standing tumbling or toe touch) individually.
Next, the candidates will perform the chant and the dance in front of the judges in groups (3-4).

15. Individual Tryouts
When the girls enter the gym, they will start off with their tumbling pass. If the candidate is unable to tumble, they will spirit to the center of the gym. Tumblers must spirit at some point as well.
Next, the candidate will be asked to do their toe touch, pike, and hurdler. Then candidate will perform the cheer, and exit the gymnasium.
Finally, the candidates will enter the gym in groups to perform the chant - then the dance, and then exit the gymnasium.

16. Individual Tryouts
After all candidates for the 7th grade squad are finished, they will be dismissed and required to leave the building. At that time, we will begin 8th grade tryouts.
Tryouts are closed to the public. Only candidates and those running the tryouts will be allowed in the school building.

17. Tryout Form District-wide tryout form
Reflective of skills and talent level exhibited by IJH Cheerleaders
Tumbling
Jumps
Enthusiasm
Tryouts will be on the same surface which we perform on during pep rallies
Evaluated by three outside independent judges

18. Spirit/Enthusiasm/Smiles
Tryout Judging Form
Cheer
Chant
Dance
Tumbling
Jumps
Motions
Memory
Voice/Expression
Spirit/Enthusiasm/Smiles

19. Clinic Presentation Score
Coaches will be observing all candidates in the three-day tryout clinic.
Timeliness
Participation
Cooperation, enthusiasm/positive attitude
Willingness to follow directions
Teamwork skills

20. Clinic Presentation Score, continued
Leadership
Because being a cheerleader requires more than physical skills, each candidate will be evaluated for leadership and other qualities that cheerleaders must exhibit (Positive attitude!).

21. Squads There will be a 7th and 8th grade squad & one Mascot for IJH.
The number of girls will be determined by a “natural break” in the score tabulations. Each squad will have separate tabulations!
Scores are given by outside judges and are tabulated and verified by the attending principal.
It does not matter if a candidate was previously a cheerleader. Scores from the tryout day will determine the squads for next year.

22. RESULTS
The results will be posted on the IJH Cheer website the Friday following tryouts.
Please do not Coach Neal to determine if a candidate has made the squad.

23. Medical Release and Physicals
In order to tryout, you must have an updated medical release form on file.
If you make the squad, you will be required to get a physical for the school year. Physicals must be dated after April 15, 2015.

24. Projected Expenses Camp Clothes/Practice Wear $80 Hair bows $9
Warm-Ups $50
Sports Bra $13
Briefs $13
Cheer Bag $40

25. Projected Expenses All prices subject to change Summer camp $175
Shoes $70
Game Day Jersey $25
All prices subject to change

26. Projected Expenses Additional Expenses
Big/Lil Sister gifts, holiday party event, end of year celebrations, extra items for pep rallies.
*All costs are subject to change and are due on given due dates.
Projected total for the year $480.00
PLEASE REVIEW EXPENSES PRIOR TO TRYOUTS!

27. If you make the squad: Varsity Uniform and Camp Wear fitting is TBA
There will be a parent meeting on Tuesday, March 31st at 5:30pm in the Irons LGI. We will discuss expectations for the year, expenses, camp practices and camp dates.
Camp practices and camp dates are TENTATIVE!

28. Summer Camp
Camp will be August 3rd - 6th at Texas Cheer. Camp practices will begin Tuesday, July 29th
The above dates are TENTATIVE!
Camp and camp practices are mandatory for all cheerleaders.
Mandatory practices
Spring Practices will begin in April / May
Summer practices will begin July 29th until school begins. All practices are mandatory.

29. Practice
Practice will be held during cheer class in the school year and from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in April and May.
Cheerleaders are required to be at practice if they are at school.
Unexcused absences result in cheerleaders being benched for a major event and possible dismissal.
Doctor’s notes are required from your child’s physician.

30. Practice
All practices and events are subject to change due to other organizations and their practices, inclement weather, and unforeseen circumstances. We will always inform the members and parents of any changes as soon as possible.

31. Cheerleader Expectations
Cheerleaders who make the squad are expected to represent our school and squad with the utmost values and character.
It is kind of like being a principal, preacher, or teacher. Wherever you are, once you are a cheerleader, you are identified as an Irons Junior High School cheerleader. Your actions are under a microscope at all times.

32. Expectations
Your child has elected to become involved the IJH Cheer program. With that choice there are greater expectations of her as they are now part of our organization, and she represents the entire program. IJH Cheerleaders fall under the regular student code of conduct, but also fall under our expectations as stated in the district guidelines. These expectations are clearly articulated. With this expectation, teachers will routinely come to coaches/sponsors with feedback, encouragement, concerns, etc. Please be aware of this prior to enrolling your son/daughter in our organization.

33. Expectations
Consider if your child has a social media account, such as Facebook, or a phone with picture taking abilities.
This needs to be actively monitored! Inappropriate uses of these accounts or devices may result in dismissal from the team.

34. Expectations
Practice: cheerleaders are expected to be at every practice in the correct practice outfit.
Doctor’s and dentist appointments are to be scheduled around cheerleading class & practice.
You must have a doctor’s note for injuries!!

35. Expectations
Other commitments (cheer, dance, extracurricular) do not supersede Irons cheerleading. *NO EXCEPTIONS*
Your priority will be cheerleading for the entire school year. You will need to be there at all required times. This means all practices, camp, games, and other events.
If a cheerleader has an unexcused absence from practice, she will sit out for the next major performance.

36. Expectations
Our cheerleading program is a full year commitment. It requires more work and responsibility than that of the average student. If you cannot fully commit and be willing to follow the guidelines, please do not tryout and possibly take the spot from others who are willing to fully participate!

37. Grade Expectations
With the time commitment of cheerleading, it is crucial that students do not lose sight of his/her first priority at school, academics.
If a student does not meet UIL eligibility grade requirements, he/she will be ineligible to cheer at games or participate in pep rallies for a period specified by UIL regulations.
Consider this before changing classes.
Please refer to the Irons Athletics website for a calendar of UIL grade check dates.
All courses count toward eligibility.

38. Cheerleader Parent Expectations
Encourage positive relationships among the entire cheerleading group
Provide transportation to and from summer practices and camp
Provide transportation to and from practices and games at the times specified
Follow, support, and respect guidelines (do not schedule appts. during cheer class or practice)

39. Cheerleader Parent Expectations
Stay updated via and the cheerleading website on upcoming events
Support your child academically so that she/he may stay eligible
Set a positive example with your actions, words, and communications with each other both in and out of Irons Junior High events

40. Expectations
Please read and review the District Cheerleading Guidelines provided in your tryout packet PRIOR to completing any forms or turning in any paperwork. It is imperative you understand the expectations, commitment, and effort this program entails. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Coach Neal.

41. Thank you so much for coming to the tryout meeting for
Irons Jr. High Cheerleading!
I look forward to meeting your student & working with them during the course of the tryouts.
Coach Neal