1. All cheer team members must possess a minimum grade point average of 2.0 for each grading period, including during team tryouts.  Academic probation may be granted for students who fall below a 2.0 GPA. The term of probation generally lasts six weeks, until the next grading period.  Any cheer team member on academic probation must attend practices, games, and other cheer team events, but is ineligible to cheer at the games or perform at events. The purpose of the probation period is to allow the student to improve his/her grades.  Any cheer team member receiving a GPA below a 2.0 for or a second occurrence (on either a progress, or semester report card) may be removed from the team.

2. Every team member must have a parent and student-signed contract on file. . 

3. The cheerleading season runs from May (immediately after sideline tryouts are complete and teams are formed) through the end of basketball season in February of the following school year.  

4. You must have a completed doctor's “Physical” form on file each year.  The current school year Leigh Athletic Physical Examination Form must be turned in by mid- August in order to continue practice with the team.

1. Team members represent Leigh cheer on and off campus and must act accordingly. Team members are expected to communicate with the coaching staff should social or behavioral issues arise that could affect contractual obligations. 

2. Cheerleaders shall comply with all school rules and behavioral expectations. Referrals (tardies, gum, behavior, etc.) or disobedience on campus will not be tolerated. All forms of bullying behavior are unacceptable. Put-downs or insults towards classmates, teammates, or other teams are not allowed. Suspension from school may result in expulsion from the team.

3. Cheerleaders will not be involved with smoking/vaping, alcohol, illegal drugs, vandalism, theft, or other types of illicit, provocative behavior that is judged by the coaching staff to be detrimental to the well-being or safety of self and/or others.

4. Athletes should refrain from posting inappropriate photos, comments, status updates, or the appearance of impropriety in any social media outlet. This includes inappropriate language, posting/promoting the use of Alcohol or Illegal substances. 

Attendance at all practices and events is required. Absences and tardy arrivals affect the entire team.  Cheerleaders are expected to arrive 10 minutes prior to the official start time of any event/practice, ready to begin.  This means wearing uniform or designated attire, hair styled appropriately, makeup applied, appropriate shoes on and tied, and bringing any additional items required at the event (e.g., poms, warm-ups, water bottle, etc.)

Excused absences include:

1. • Illness – cheerleaders should still attend practice unless it’s a serious illness requiring antibiotics, or with a high fever.   Inform the head coach and participation will be limited based on the illness.

   • Family emergency.  Notify the head coach as soon as possible. 

Unexcused absences include:

1. • Work, parties, shopping, hair/nail appointments

   • Homework and/or studying. 

   • “Grounding” is not an excused absence, At home punishment should not affect commitment to Leigh High Sports.

2. Unexcused tardies and/or absences may result in removal from Games.  Reinstatement is at the coaching staff’s discretion.

If you are 15+ minutes late to practice, (without prior approval of an excused reason) this will result in being benched the following game.

ABSENCES DURING THE WEEK MAY RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM GAME, RALLIES AND ALL PERFORMANCES THAT WEEK.

All scheduled games are mandatory.  Cheerleaders are expected to:

1. 1. Know all of the cheers, dances, and routines prior to the beginning of the game. If you do not know the material you will be benched until you learn it.

   2. Dress in full uniform on game days.  Hair to be worn in the designated style; no jewelry; short, natural nails (clear polish or “French” tips are acceptable, but nails must be no longer than fingertip length).

   3. Do not chew gum or eat during the game.

   4. Do not socialize with friends while the game is in progress.

   5. Sit directly in front of your team and participate if you are benched or unable to perform.  You will be subject to the same standards as those who are performing.

Team members must be able to effectively balance extracurriculars and academics. Cheerleaders have been involved in multiple sports, language/stem classes, etc., so it is possible, but the UMS cheer program is highly demanding. By joining this program, athletes are agreeing to make cheer their first priority. Other schedules or intentions to try out for additional teams during the cheer season need to be communicated with the coaching staff. 

If you choose to leave the team, or you are dismissed from the team for behavioral reasons, you may not be allowed to try out the following year.  The team is counting on everyone throughout the year and it is a great disappointment to lose a teammate at any time.

1. Please keep an active email address on file with the coaching staff .

2. Athletes will be using the BAND app for direct communication from coaches, this App allows Coaches to post calendar reminders, Game day expectations, meet times, videos from games or practices, files, etc. 

3. Parents also need to join the Parent BAND app for updates on meetings, fundrasiers, etc.

Should you (cheerleader and/or a parent) have an issue or concern about any aspect of the spirit team, please follow the described protocol:

STEP 1: Athletes – IF there are any issues with team members or questions regarding anything cheer related, please speak with your coaches one on one to resolve any concerns at hand. 

STEP 2: Parents – Please contact the Cheer Advisor, Leighcheeradvisor@gmail.com.

Just as we expect our athletes to uphold the principles of the Leigh Spirit Program, we ask parents to do the same. This means that as parents of cheerleaders in our program, you:

1. Agree to abide by the rules and regulations listed in this contract, and to support the coaches and admin when/if these rules may need to be enforced, including suspension (benching) and/or removal from a team. 

2. Agree to abide by the social media policy with regards to negative comments or posts about the Leigh Spirit program, it’s coaching staff, or Leigh High School or its teaching or admin staff, as this can reflect badly on your cheerleader as a school representative.

3. Support the cheer program and follow the chain of command (athletes speak with coaches, parents email advisor, etc) with any concerns that you may have throughout the season that your child is participating in the program.

4. Ensure that your cheerleader sticks to their commitment to the team 100% throughout the entire season.

5. For all parent questions and concerns please contact the Cheer Advisor, Leighcheeradvisor@gmail.com