2. Meet the Coaches! Mrs. Skinner – outgoing coach Mrs. Burt – outgoing coach Mrs. Carranza – 7 th & 8 th grade coach for next year! Mr. Buck – Cheer Administrator

3. Required Paperwork Must have ALL required information turned in by February 22 nd, 2016. Signed general form Copy of report card showing first semester grades (can get from home access) Physical** $5 tryout fee

4. Physical In order to participate in tryouts (practice or tryout), you must have a physical on file. The physical MUST be completed on the current district form. This form can be found on the district athletics website, and on our cheer website. By using the 2016-2017 form, your physical covers you for next school year as well as this tryout/summer.

5. Practices Monday – Wednesday, Feb 29 – Mar 2 4:00 – 6:00 pm Tryouts: Thursday, March 3 AND Friday, March 6: 4:00 – Finished. Candidates MUST be at all practices and tryouts for the entire duration.

6. Tryout Regulations You must be on time to practice. Roll call will be taken at 4:15. If you are late you will be disqualified. Inappropriate behavior (as determined by the sponsors) will result in disqualification. There should be no limitation on the required activities; you must be in good physical condition.

7. What do I wear to tryout practices? Shorts T-shirt Tennis Shoes NO Jewlery! There is NO specific dress for practices – you can wear your PE/Athletic clothes if you prefer.

8. Tryout Dress Regulations You must try out in a plain white t-shirt (no sleeveless or tank tops). You must try out in black shorts (no PE or athletic shorts). You must try out in socks and tennis shoes, cheer shoes are NOT required. Hair must be pulled back into a pony tail, bangs pinned back. You may not wear jewelry of any kind.

9. What are soffee shorts? Cotton shorts Elastic waist Available at Walmart, Target, Academy, Kohls, JC Penny, Sports Authority, etc. DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SOFFEE BRAND!!!

10. Total Scoring Your scores for the two days of tryouts will be averaged. This number is then added to the principal evaluation score for a “final score”. A copy of the judging sheet is found in your packet.

11. Judges & Results Who are the judges? There are 3: They are varsity high school coaches How many students make it? Min 12 and Max 18 per squad (dependent upon score range) How do I find out if I made it? Candidate numbers will be posted on the cheer website once all tryouts are complete How many girls try out? It varies. For the last three years, we had 60-90 girls.

12. Tryout Procedure We will have a lottery drawing for their candidate number to be assigned. Candidates will try out in numerical order on Thursday and reverse order on Friday.

13. Tryout Procedure Cheer is performed INDIVIDUALLY. Spirit or tumble in Series of 3 different style jumps (choose your 3 best, toe touch required) Spirit to the center of basketball court Perform cheer taught during Mandatory Practices Spirit out Dance will be performed in groups of 3.

14. MASCOT Tryouts Mascots will perform a “mock” of the cheer taught in practices, and a 2 minute skit of their own design. They will use the mascot costume for the tryout An outgoing 8 th grade cheerleader will perform the cheer with you while you try out. The mascot commitment is not to be undertaken lightly, the costume is hot, and it is a grueling task.

15. Tryout Results Candidates will perform their cheer, then wait in the hallway for the next two to complete the cheer portion. They will then reenter the gym in groups of three to perform the dance. Once a candidate is finished with the cheer and dance, s/he must leave campus and may not return. Once all calculations are finished, the list of candidates who make the squad will be posted online, using their candidate number.

16. Meeting Dates For all students who make the squad: MANDATORY student/parent meeting & sizing for uniforms: Tuesday, March 8th

17. Camp Dates For candidates who make the squad: We will attend a district home camp this year. Camp is scheduled for July 25 – 28 th. Your student MUST attend camp. Family vacation is not an excused absence.

18. Time Commitment Cheer is a “year-round” commitment. In the fall we go to football games (7th grade Monday night, 8th grade Tuesday night). It is also possible we will cheer at volleyball games. In the spring we go to basketball games. We only perform one night a week, per UIL rules. Cheer is a team sport. Without you, your stunt group can’t perform. No outside activities will be excused, you will receive demerits for missing or leaving early due to competitive cheer/gym/swim/soccer/etc.

19. Attendance Attendance is mandatory at ALL practices, football, volleyball, and basketball games. Cheerleading is a team sport! Illness or (pre-approved) participation in another TMS activity are the ONLY absences that are considered excused. All other absences will be subject to demerits. Leaving early or arriving late without prior approval from Coach will also earn cheerleaders demerits. Three demerits are given for each missed game due to an unexcused absence. One demerit is given for each unexcused late arrival, TWO demerits for early departure. Cheerleaders go to the review board at ten demerits.

20. Transportation Cheerleaders must ride the bus to games that are off campus (football). You have the option to bring your cheerleader home from events, provided the sign out forms are complete.

21. Handbook Overview Each student was given a copy of the handbook – please make sure you read it THOROUGHLY with your student! Your student will be held accountable to all parts within.

22. PLEASE REMEMBER! As TMS athletes, cheerleaders are held to a higher standard. We strictly follow the TMS Cheerleader Code of Conduct. Discipline and academic success are stressed! As a cheerleader, you are to represent your school in an honorable fashion AT ALL TIMES!

23. Approximate Costs Uniforms & Accessories: 7 th Grade Cheerleaders (2013 – 2014): $800.00 8 th Grade Cheerleaders (2013 – 2014): $900.00* *Cost will be less for returning cheerleaders as they are not required to purchase a new backpack, sweater, poms, spanky(s), or bow(s). Camp Cost: $275.00 *** We have not received final cost from district on the home camp cost – this is an estimate.

24. Payment Your camp payment is due Friday, March 25. This can be paid online, or with cash/check. ALL money is due no later than Friday, April 22 nd. Failure to have all money turned in by the deadline will result in your child’s order being canceled. This means it is possible your child’s uniform will not arrive in time for the first events.