Shepard High School Representatives
Cheerleaders, both in and out of uniform, represent Shepard High School at all times. We enforce a zero-tolerance policy for misbehavior, including online. Any negative use of 'Shepard Cheerleading' on the internet, including social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, is strictly prohibited. We expect all cheerleaders to refrain from using vulgar language on social media and to avoid posting negative content about the program or its members.
Parents of Shepard High School cheerleaders are also representatives of Shepard Cheerleading and are expected to display exemplary sportsmanship at all times. Parents should avoid using profanity at Shepard cheer events or while wearing Shepard cheerleading attire. They represent Shepard High School, Shepard cheerleading, the coaching staff, and the athletes.
Academics and Eligibility as a Student Athlete
As a student athlete academics will always be your first priority, you are a student first and an athlete second. Cheer members are expected to maintain eligibility throughout their season and treat their grades as a high priority. Team members are strongly encouraged to seek extra help from their teacher(s) or the coach if they are struggling with a particular class before it affects their eligibility.
Eligibility requirements are set by the CHSD 218 Board of Education and IHSA.
Students must be passing 5 classes to maintain eligibility.
If an athlete is ineligible, they will be required to sit for all games and any other team performances until they have regained eligibility. Eligibility is pulled every Monday morning.
Ineligible athletes will attend study tables during practices.
. If an athlete is ineligible for three or more events, the athlete could possibly be removed from the program to focus on academics.
Athletes need to be responsible for their own grades.
Attendance
Attendance at all practices, games, competition, fundraisers and community events are mandatory.
Cheerleaders will need to be flexible due to added or changed practice due to facilities, games, weather, competitions, pep assemblies etc.
For the entire season (Fall and Winter are Separate) a cheerleader has THREE (3) absences. From August until October they have three absences. And from October to March they have three absences. (Only a doctor’s note will be exempt from this rule).
Excessive absences, sitting out for any reason (other than medical-with a note), or missing more than two games in a season could result in removal from the program.
In the case of extended illness, a parent/guardian must contact the coach. It is the responsibility of each cheerleader to report directly to their coach any illness or injury that would result in a missed practice or game.
Any personal commitments, such as vacations, group trips, work, or participating in a club sport during the season are not considered as an excuse for missing practice. Excuses such as a family dinner, party, or going on a trip are not considered an excused absence.
Consequences for missing AFTER the (3) three excused absences: (consequences may change and are determined by the coach).
Missing 1 practice/game= LAPS - 1 mile or 20 minute conditioning after next practice,
Missing 2 practices/games= LAPS - 2 miles or 40 minute conditioning after practice
Missing 3 Practices/games= LAPS - 3 miles or 60 minutes conditioning after practice & conference with cheerleader about commitments will happen, possible removal from floor spot and/or program depending on circumstances
No call/No show: Conference with parent/guardian and athlete.
Please try and plan doctors appointments on days/times that we do not have cheerleading. The coaching staff understands that this is not always an option, however we appreciate you trying!
Communication
If a cheerleader is sick or absent for any reason, they must contact their coach ASAP. Letting the coach know an hour before the game or practice is NOT acceptable.
Any cheerleader involved in another school activity must inform the Head Coach.
All parent concerns should be directed to the Head Coach.
Attire
AT ALL PRACTICES, GAMES AND COMPETITIONS:
NO JEWELRY: NFHS Spirit rule 2, section 3.1 states, “A participant is wearing (a) watch; (b) post earrings covered by tape; (c) a religious medal on a chain; (d) a navel ring: (e) fish line or a spacer through a piercing; (g) a dermal piercing with or without the jewelry adornment removed.
NO GLITTER: No glitter including lotions, make-up etc. containing glitter CANT BE WORN AT AN IHSA EVENT
NO NAIL POLISH FOR COMPETITIONS: Nails should be trimmed to an athletic length. Nail polish is not permitted during a competition.. NFHS Spirit rule 2, section 3.2 states, “Fingernails, including artificial nails, must be kept short, near the end of the fingers.”
NO GUM: Gum is not allowed during practice, games or competitions.
NO CELL PHONES AND NO TEXTING DURING PRACTICE, GAMES AND TEAM TIME AT A COMPETITION: Cheerleaders will be given permission to use their phones at appointed times. If a parent needs to get ahold of their child immediately, please text/call their coach.
HAIR: Hair must be pulled back and secured with a ponytail and a cheer bow at all games and competitions, Bangs and side pieces that are short MUST be pulled back. NFHS Spirit rule 2, section 3.3 states, “Hair must be worn in a manner that is appropriate for the activity involved. “
Hair devices and accessories must be secured in a ponytail. Half-up/half-down hair is not permitted.
…and any additional IHSA mandated rules
After games or competitions, cheerleading MUST change out of their uniforms.
Practices and Games
Practices are closed. Parents cannot be at practice.
Being late to practice has consequences that will be decided by the coach.
Proper attire for practice is: T-shirt, shorts, and cheer shoes. Girls must have their hair pulled up and out of their face. Bows are not mandatory at practice, unless specified.
All participants are expected to be in practice attire and ready to begin at the designated practice time. If a cheerleader is late due to an academic reason they need to bring a pass from their teacher, and let their coach know before the end of the school day. Academic reasons are the only reason an athlete should be late to a practice.
Proper uniform for all games is: Cheerleading uniform, cheer shoes, appropriate socks, and correct color hair bow. Girls must have their hair up and off their face. Hair cannot be half up-half down. Warm-ups should be worn to and from games in cooler weather, if current warm-ups are NOT worn, consequences will be issued. Gloves and hats can be worn. Extra sweaters/pants can be worn under warm-ups.
Attitude
In order to achieve maximum success as a team, each individual must demonstrate a good work ethic and be willing to work for the good of the team. Respect for other team members and coaching staff is imperative. The same is asked of parents towards other kids on the team, coaching staff and other parents. Negative behavior may result in suspension from participation in one or more games/competitions or dismissal from the team.
Parent participation is appreciated. Decisions about coaching and program management are solely the responsibility of the coaching staff. We ask that the parents support and adhere to the decisions made by the coaching staff. If you have a concern please contact the head coach.
All athletes with a concern should be the first person to contact their coach. The coaching staff will always address issues and concerns with the athlete first, and parent second.
Athletes' attitudes should be positive at practices, games, and competitions. Athletes need to remember that a team is a family, we win together and we lose together. Team members need to encourage growth on their team and in their program. Any internal competition, or angst against another teammate will be addressed by the coaching staff, and possibly the athlete's parents.
If attitudes do not change after the athlete was talked to by the coaching staff/parent they could be asked to either take a break from the team, be removed from the team, and/or sent to the school counselor for social/emotional tools and tricks to use at practice, games or competitions.
Athletics
Cheerleading is a demanding activity and requires the same physical training and dedication as any other sport. Shepard Cheerleaders are expected to fully participate in all warm-up and conditioning activities.
Like other sports, the possibility of injury is present in cheerleading. Any injury occurring during practice or game is to be reported to the coach and/or athletic trainer immediately. When necessary, parent(s)/guardian(s) will be contacted by the coach or the trainer.
Athletes are expected to notify their coaches when/if an injury occurs. Coaches cannot help an athlete if the injury is not reported.
Transportation
Cheerleaders are not allowed to ride with parents and/or friends to away competitions, games or events without a signed consent form.
A cheerleader CANNOT go home with a friend or with a friend’s parent, no exceptions.
Allstar Cheer
The IHSA states that a cheerleader is not permitted to participate on an all-star team, or compete on an all-star team during the competitive cheerleading season. Cheerleaders may participate on an all-star team in the pre or post season. This is an IHSA mandated rule.
Teams
A cheerleader MAY be moved FROM VARSITY TO JV OR FROM JV TO VARSITY at the coaching staff’s discretion.
Alternates
Both teams require alternates. Alternates are chosen at the time of choreography. However, alternates can change at any time. (Even if you previously had a spot on the competition floor). All alternates are expected to attend and participate at all practices and games. It is expected that alternates not only maintain but build skills during the season.
As an alternate you might not compete on the competition floor, but if injury or eligibility becomes an issue during the season, you may be asked to learn a specific part of the routine and compete.