Program Overview

• Seasons:

  • Fall (Football Season): Aug–Oct (~7 games)

  • Winter (Basketball Season): Nov–Early Feb (~25 games)

• Students must attend Spring Tryouts (held the previous school year)

Eligibility Requirements

Academics, Attendance, Behavior, & Teacher Recommendations

• Cannot try out with (current or last semester) Fs or more than one D

• Must maintain C or better at all times

• Weekly grade checks; low grades may result in removal even after tryouts or during season

• Attendance below 90% may result in probation or cuts

• Must demonstrate positive role‑model behavior

• ISS/OSS, repeated infractions, or serious misconduct may disqualify a student

• Three teacher recommendation letters required

Practices & Commitment

• Summer practices may be held (encouraged, not required)

• Required Fall practices begin the first of August, Winter practices begin in November

• 14 practices required to perform in first game

• Practices typically 3–5 PM, ~4 days per week

Dual Sport Policy

• Students generally may not participate in another sport during the same season

• Exception: 8th graders with prior CMS cheer experience

• Dual‑sport athletes are not eligible for performances

Fundraising & Fees

• CMS Cheer is a self‑funded program

• All cheerleaders must participate in fundraising during the season

• $100 Fill‑the‑Bow summer fundraiser required to keep a spot on the squad

• School sports fee due at enrollment of next school year

• Families responsible for damaged or unreturned uniform items

Uniforms & Gear Required During Season

• All‑white cheer shoes (cheer‑specific)

• Black spandex shorts (no pockets/buttons/zippers)

• White racerback sports bra

• White no‑show socks (no logos)

• Basketball season: white turtleneck cheer crop top

Communication

• At least one guardian must join the SportsYou group during the season

• Cheerleaders with devices are encouraged to join

Tryout Communication - SportsYou group code: HSE5-63UN

Tryouts - Cheerleader Google Classroom: a2hzef3f

Facebook: CMS Cheerleading / @CMScheer4cards

Tryouts

Who Can Try Out?

• Current 6th & 7th grade Students interested in Fall and/or Winter Cheer for the 2026-27 school year

• Must meet academic, attendance, and behavior requirements

Required Before Tryouts

• Current physical on file with the school district (valid for 2 years)

• 3 teacher recommendation letters (teachers must have previously taught the student for at least one semester)

• Guardian must join the CMS Cheer Tryout SportsYou group: HSE5-63UN

• Potential Cheerleader joined Google Classroom: a2hzef3f

Clinics

Intro Clinic (Optional – Recommended for New CMS Cheerleaders)

• Learn cheer basics: motion names, jump names and counts, and be ready for tryouts

• Tuesday, Feb 3 | 3:15–4:30 | CMS Cafeteria

Learn‑It Clinic (Required)

• Learn all tryout material

• Feb 9, 10, 11 | 3:15–5:00 | CMS Gym

Tryout Day

• Friday, Feb 13 (after school)

• By appointment only

• Tryouts are closed (judges, coaches, and participants only)

• Missed time = removal from consideration

What You Will Perform

• Required cheer

• Required dance

• Toe‑touch jump

• Jump of choice

• Tumbling skills (optional)

Dress Code for Tryouts

• Athletic clothing

• Hair secured off face and shoulders

• Tennis shoes required

• No jewelry, gum, or long nails

After Tryouts

• Results posted on CMS Cheer Facebook page and school announcements

• Parent meeting held for paperwork and questions before the end of the year

Ready to Try Out? Next Steps

1. Get a physical and submit it

2. Join the Cheer Google Classroom (Code:email Coach Green) kgreen@clintoncardinals.org 

3. Guardian joins SportsYou (Code:email Coach Green) kgreen@clintoncardinals.org 

4. Submit teacher recommendations before February

5. Attend clinics and practice, practice, practice!

6. Sign up for a tryout time, and give it your all