Irons Jr. High Irons Jr. High CheerleaderCheerleader

Try-OutsTry-Outs2015-20162015-2016

Important DatesImportant Dates

February 20February 20thth Packet forms & Current Grades due by 4:00 Packet forms & Current Grades due by 4:00 p.m.p.m.

to front office of Irons or Vogelto front office of Irons or Vogel

March 9March 9thth-11-11thth Tryout Clinic 4:30—6:00 p.m. ~ Irons Gym 1 Tryout Clinic 4:30—6:00 p.m. ~ Irons Gym 1

March 12March 12thth Tryouts 4:30 p.m. ~ Irons Gym 1Tryouts 4:30 p.m. ~ Irons Gym 1

Important DatesImportant Dates(continued)(continued)

March 13March 13thth Results posted on IJH Cheer Website Results posted on IJH Cheer Website

April 2April 2ndnd Uniform Fitting, Vendor Night, Fundraiser Kick-Off Uniform Fitting, Vendor Night, Fundraiser Kick-Off

March 31March 31stst Parent Meeting for new cheerleaders at 5:30 p.m.Parent Meeting for new cheerleaders at 5:30 p.m.

Try-Out ClinicTry-Out Clinic

When: March 9th - 11th (Monday-Wednesday)

4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Where: Irons Gym 1

Trying Out @ IJHTrying Out @ IJH•Student needs to be zoned to

attend Irons Junior High in the 2015-2016 school year. All transfer requests must be approved prior to cheerleading clinic.

•If you know you are moving, PLEASE DO NOT TRYOUT!

What Do I Turn In?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!

What Do I Wear To The What Do I Wear To The Clinic?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

What Goes On At The What Goes On At The Clinic?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!

Pick-Up and Drop-OffPick-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.

TryoutsTryoutsMarch 12, 2015March 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.

What Do I Wear For What Do I Wear For Tryouts?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.

What Do I Wear For What Do I Wear For Tryouts? continued...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).

What Do I Wear For What Do I Wear For Tryouts? continued...Tryouts? continued...TRYOUT DAY (Thursday)

Same as clinic!

Trying OutTrying 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).

Individual TryoutsIndividual 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.

• 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.

Individual TryoutsIndividual Tryouts

Tryout FormTryout 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

Cheer

Chant

Dance

Tumbling

Jumps

Motions

Memory

Voice/Expression

Spirit/Enthusiasm/Smiles

Tryout Judging FormTryout Judging Form

Clinic Presentation ScoreClinic 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

Clinic Presentation Score, Clinic Presentation Score, continuedcontinued

• LeadershipLeadership–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!).

SquadsSquads• 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.

RESULTSRESULTS

The results will be posted on the IJH Cheer website the Friday following tryouts.

Please do not email Coach Neal to determine if a candidate has made the squad.

Medical Release and Medical Release and PhysicalsPhysicals

• 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 2015-2016 school year. Physicals must be dated after April 15, 2015.

Projected ExpensesProjected Expenses

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

Projected ExpensesProjected Expenses

• Summer camp $175• Shoes $70• Game Day Jersey $25

• All prices subject to change

Projected ExpensesProjected ExpensesAdditional ExpensesBig/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!

If you make the If you make the squad: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!

Summer CampSummer 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.

Practice 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.

PracticePractice

•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.

Cheerleader Cheerleader Expectations 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.

ExpectationsExpectations

• 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.

ExpectationsExpectations

• 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.

ExpectationsExpectations

• 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!!

ExpectationsExpectations

• 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.

ExpectationsExpectations

• 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!

Grade ExpectationsGrade 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.

Cheerleader Parent Cheerleader Parent ExpectationsExpectations

• 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)

Cheerleader Parent Cheerleader Parent ExpectationsExpectations

• Stay updated via email 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

ExpectationsExpectations

• 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.

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

kneal@conroeisd.net