Oakville High School Cheerleading

1. Oakville High SchoolCheerleading Varsity: Coach Burkemper& Coach Mathews JV: Coach Crow Freshman: TBD

2. What is High School Cheerleading? • Cheerleading is an athletic activity that requires skill, technique, hard work, dedication, trust and a positive attitude. • Cheerleading is very physical whether tumbling, cheering, or stunting is taking place. • As with all high school athletic activities, there is a risk of injuries. It is for this reason we make safety a top priority in all aspects of cheerleading.

3. Merits and Demerits • The merit/demerit point system is in place for reward as well as disciplinary purposes. • This system provides cheerleaders a guideline as to our expectations of them. • Merits and demerits are given at the discretion of the coaches. • Please review the policy in the handout you received.

4. TRYOUTS! • Attendance is mandatory*- • Attendance is required for all at clinics (Tuesday and Wednesday, April 1st-2nd) and at tryouts (Friday, April 4th) • Varsity Tryouts will begin at 4:30 (this is a change from 5) • Optional Open Gym, Thursday, April 3rd • Evaluations • All participants will be evaluated throughout the clinic/tryout session on attitude and appearance. • Each participant who makes a squad will be held during the season to what they do at tryouts (technique, skill level, etc.). • Evaluations will be based on what is done at tryouts, not what has been done in the past or what the participant will be able to do in the future.

5. TRYOUTS! (continued) • Score sheet (provided) • Dance (to be learned before clinics/tryouts) • Link posted on OHSTigers.com the week following Spring Break • Confidential staff evaluations worth 40% of tryout score • Attire- (no jewelry at any time during clinics/tryouts) • Clinics- • Comfortable clothing appropriate for cheerleading movement including dancing, cheering, stretching, jumping, tumbling, and stunting • Tryouts- • No logos, no writing • White traditional t-shirt, black shorts, cheer shoes or tennis shoes • High ponytail (cheer hair!), bows are acceptable • We do this because we LOVE it! Cuts at tryouts aren’t just hurtful for the participants, but for us too!

6. Communication Expectations • Self-advocacy is taught at the high school level • If a cheerleader has a concern, she needs to bring it to her coach first, either on her own or with a friend. • At home, ask your daughter if she has spoken with her coach before before bringing us concerns. • If there is still unrest about how the coach has handled a concern with your daughter, talk to us! Do not go first to the board or a principal with a concern they are unfamiliar with- talk to your coach!

7. Parent-Directed Tasks • Buzz Book- Immediately after squads are posted • Bookkeeper • Summer Forced Fun Days (Pool Party, Forced Fun #2) • Jr. Cheer camp snacks (donations) (several parents needed) • Homecoming- truck, trailer, house (for each squad) • Homecoming dinner (fall), Coaches vs. Cancer dinner (winter) • Senior football game dinners (Varsity only) • Senior Night (Varsity only) • Booster Fundraiser (Trivia Night?) • Banquet (Slide show, scrapbook, event liaison) • Fundraiser for individual cheerleader expenses (camp/clothes)

8. Important Dates for Parents • Mandatory All-Squad parent meeting Monday, April 14 from 6-7. • This is when parents will sign up for jobs, we’ll discuss fundraisers, and organize upcoming events. Please bring your calendar. • Cheer Gear order date: Monday, April 28 (V @ 3, JV/Freshies @ 3:45 ($250 min. deposit) • Second Payment: May 12($250 min. deposit) • Final payment: May 23 (balance paid in full)

9. Important Squad Events Dates • March 12: Last day to turn in application materials • April 1-4: Clinics/Tryouts • NCA Camp (all): July 7-10 • Tiny Tigers camp (JV): July 22-24 • Jr. Tigers camp (V): July 28-31 • October 3: Homecoming

10. Questions, Comments, Concerns