Cheerleading is a unique activity that combines athletic activity with spirit building. Therefore, all Wyoming cheerleaders will be expected to participate fully in both athletic events as well as school spirit planning.

A cheerleader's responsibilities include:

· attending all cheerleading events including practices, games and other cheerleading functions

· promoting school spirit and all interscholastic sports

· maintaining good academic standards

· cooperating with all coaches, squad members, game officials, teachers and all school officials and employees

· demonstrating school spirit as well as upholding the goals and ideals of the school and community

· participating fully in all fundraisers

· remaining drug and alcohol free

Excused absences: Absences that are excused must be approved 24 hours in advance by the team coach.

Unexcused absences: Failure to receive a coach's approval for a missed practice or game will result in an unexcused absence. Excessive absences will result in suspension from the team. Failure to report to a game or other cheerleading function will result in suspension or dismissal from the team.

Summer practice: Required for both football cheerleaders and optional (but strongly recommended) for basketball-only cheerleaders. Morning practices will run Monday -Friday, 8:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Please see the calendar page for the scheduled practices in August 2001.

School practice: Required for cheerleaders during their season. Practice will begin promptly at 3:30 p.m. and will end at 5:30 p.m. on scheduled days. An additional tumbling practice (one evening / week) will be added, time and day TBA. Sign making, team dinners and other spirit activities will take place outside of practice time.

All team members are expected to ride the arranged transportation to and from all games. Only in extreme extenuating circumstances will cheerleaders be able to go home with parents after a game. NO cheerleader will be allowed to provide her/his own transportation or to ride with another student to and from away games. Written permission from a parent must be given if their daughter/son needs to make other transportation arrangements. This must be approved by one of the coaches at least one day in advance.

The coaching staff will choose captains after camp.

Practice: gym shoes, shorts and T - shirts. Small post earrings may be worn, but no other jewelry is allowed. Hair must be pulled back away from the face. Any cheerleader who is not properly attired must sit, unexcused, for practice.

School: Only a watch and small post earrings (pearls, megaphones, etc.) will be allowed. No hoops of any kind may be worn. Uniforms worn during school will be determined by the coach and / or team members.

Games: No jewelry of any kind will be allowed. Nail polish must be neutral colored or clear. Piercings that cannot be removed must be covered with a Band-Aid. For effective tumbling and jumps, sports bras must be worn. Hair must be secure and in a team bow. All squad members must wear a uniform hair style. Uniform should be clean and neatly pressed, including plain white crew socks and clean cheerleading shoes.

Water bottles: Water bottles should be considered part of one's uniform. Each team member should bring a water bottle to every practice and game, as no other drinks (pop, Kool-Aid, etc.) will be allowed.

Duffel bags: Each cheerleader should keep her/his belongings neatly put away in a team duffel bag during practice and at games. All bags must be under the bleachers at both home and away games.

Bee sting pens and rescue inhalers: Girls who have prescription bee sting pens and inhalers must provide these items for the team medical kit at first practice. Coaches must have immediate access to these at every practice and game.

Over-the-counter pain medication: Advil, Tylenol, etc. will not be distributed to team members by a coach. If a cheerleader wishes to have this available to her/him, she/he must provide a ziplock bag that includes an ample supply of the medicine and an official school permission form signed and dated by parents and a physician. All medication must be in an original bottle and should be of small size. No loose pills will be accepted.

All other medications (cold medicine, allergy medicine, etc.): All other medications must be distributed at home or after school by the school nurse or trainer.

Hypoglycemia: Any cheerleader who is hypoglycemic must provide the coaching staff with an appropriate remedy for the medical kit (i.e. a can of Ensure or fruit juice). Parents of girls with hypoglycemia need to contact the coaching staff to discuss safety precautions.

revised: 6/01/01