Gregory-Portland middle school cheer/mascot, 2019-2020 Tryout meeting Gregory-Portland middle school cheer/mascot, 2019-2020

Welcome! Coach angela McMahan Coach alex whitaker

What we’re looking for Candidates who are… Energetic Athletic Of good character School-spirited Positive Academically successful Determined Loyal Dedicated Kind committed Respectful

Before you tryout… consider Time commitment Other costs may incur throughout the year You are expected to be at every practice, pep rally, game, and appearance Purpose Why do you want to be a cheerleader? Academic issues Do you view cheerleading as a sport? Can you make grades every time? Will you be at all events with a positive attitude? “no pass, no play” applies to cheer as well All events = more than just football games Expenses New cheerleader costs are approx. $800- $1200

Mascots - Before you tryout… consider Time commitment Purpose You are expected to be at one practice a week, every pep rally, every game, and every appearance Why do you want to be the mascot? Do you view cheerleading as a sport? Will you be at all events with a positive attitude? Academic issues All events = more than just football games Can you make grades every time? “no pass, no play” applies Expenses costs may incur throughout the year

The year ahead March August April/may The school year June July Tryouts New member meeting Poster making April/may Schedule pickup The school year Cheer fittings Physical Football games Spring practices volleyball games June Homecoming parade Pep rallies Summer practices Basketball games Stunt clinic Christmas parade camp competition July Vacation! If you do not believe that you can commit to ALL of these events, please do not tryout. We need cheerleaders who will be able to give 100% to our program.

Sports we cheer for Primarily football – Tuesdays from 4:45 – 9pm volleyball games – Mondays from 5-6 Basketball - TBD Football – all games. Volleyball – 1-2 games. Basketball – 1-2 games.

competition 2018 competition was held in corpus Christi on December 9th, 2018 We competed in the sideline divisions – cheer, dance, and fight song We placed 1st in all three! This year, we intend to compete again, but will travel to another major Texas city. Competition will likely be in November or December in san marcos or Houston. Will compete in a UCA Game Day competition, likely in San Antonio. Dates will be released later. Competition may be anytime between December and February.

Important dates February 26th - Paperwork due March 1st, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th - tryouts March 19th – new member meeting March 21st – uniform fitting MANDATORY

Important dates March 26th, practice, 4-6pm April 25th, Tumbling team practice, tags, 8-9 March 28th, practice, 4-6pm April 30th, practice, 4-6pm First payment due, march 29th Second payment due, april 30th April 11th, practice, 4-6pm April 18th, practice, 4-6pm April 23rd, practice, 4-6pm

Important dates May 2nd, practice, 4-6pm may 30th, Tumbling team practice, tags, 8-9 May 7th, practice, 4-6pm May 9th, practice, 4-6pm May 11th, Stunt clinic May 21st, practice, 4-6pm May 23rd, final payment due

Important dates June 4th, practice, 4-6pm June 20th, tumbling team practice, tags, 8-9 June 6th, practice, 4-6pm June 25th, practice, 4-6pm June 11th, practice, 4-6pm June 27th – 29th, camp June 13th, practice, 4-6pm June 18th, practice, 4-6pm

Important dates - mascots February 26th - Paperwork due March 7th – mock tryout. Mascot applicants will be able to practice with costume/pep rally material for tryout March 1st – tryout clinic March 8th - tryouts March 19th – new member meeting MANDATORY

Important dates - mascots February 26th - Paperwork due March 7th – mock tryout. Mascot applicants will be able to practice with costume/pep rally material for tryout March 1st – tryout clinic March 8th - tryouts March 19th – new member meeting MANDATORY

Important dates - mascots Practice, Thursdays, 4-6 March 28th April 11th April 18th may 2nd may 9th June 6th June 13th MANDATORY

Paperwork – due February 26th Cheerleader handbook confirmation Gregory-Portland isd athletic code Parent approval for joining cheerleading Medical treatment authorization and liability release Gregory-Portland isd student health emergency information Read over the handbook and sign the confirmation. Read over the abbreviated Athletic Code given to you, and the full 21 page online if necessary, then sign the confirmation. Medical information and approval as well.

Paperwork – due by tryouts Physical All 6 completed teacher recommendation forms No physical, no tryout. Teacher recommendation forms should be given to your teachers NOW to allow an ample amount of them for their completion. Teachers are busy – we know. Let’s be courteous to them.

Financial responsibilities Camp Megaphones Camp clothing Shoes Bow socks Compression shorts (bloomers) Jacket Sports bra Poster supplies Leggings Uca stunt clinic Breast cancer socks Competition fee Bag tags Tumbling classes Returning 8th graders will not need a new megaphone. We will cut cost this year by having camp clothing made locally rather than paying Varsity. We will attempt to fundraise the money needed to cover these fees.

Financial responsibilities Cheerleaders will be removed from the squad if the total expenses are not paid for by may 23rd. First payment due – march 29th Second payment due – april 30th Third/final payment due – may 23rd All cheerleading expenses/fees are non-refundable. We are looking into fundraising options.

Financial responsibilities - mascot Competition fee Poster supplies

Tryout clinic and expectations Friday, March 1st – learn material, 4-6pm Monday, march 4th - learn material , 4-6pm Tuesday, march 5th - Review material, 4-6pm Thursday, march 7th – mock tryouts, may take several hours Friday, march 8th - tryouts, may take several hours Dress – blue soffe shorts, white shirt, and white bow – no logos

Mock tryouts and tryouts Mock tryouts are formatted just like tryouts. Candidates will be given a tryout number, which will be attached to their shirt. Those waiting to tryout will wait in the brown gym as tryouts are held in the blue gym. Music will be playing and candidates will have the opportunity to practice. Mock tryouts will be judged by teachers/guests from the community. Tryouts will be judged by Nca/uca instructors/judges from outside of the community. We have insured that the judges are not staff members or choreographers for local gyms/studios.

Day of tryouts 6th & 7th graders will be dismissed at 1:00 Students will check out at front desk, then walk to the Brown Gym to get dressed (unless checked out by parent to get dressed at home) No students are allowed to be checked out of school earlier than the time indicated above.

Tryout scoresheet 300 points total Coaches’ evaluation – 25% of tryout score judges’ evaluation – 75% of tryout score

Citizenship and Coaches’ evaluation – 25% Teacher recommendations – 60 points possible Each recommendation (one per class) 0-10 Behavior at clinic – 40 points possible Positive attitude 0-10 Willingness to learn 0-10 Ability to get along with other applicants/coaches 0-10 Overall impression 0-10

Citizenship and coaches’ evaluation – 25% Tryout behavior is rated using the following system Superior 10 Above average 7.5 Average 5 Below average 2.5 Unacceptable 0 Rationale Coaches determine their teams based on talent, ability, level, and these outside factors outlined above All other sports choose their teams without the requirement of outside judges

Judges’ evaluation – 75% (300 POINTS TOTAL, 100 POINTS PER JUDGE SHEET)​ Individual cheer – 30 points possible Dance – 30 points possible Smile and enthusiasm 0-10 Motions 0-10 Motions and voice 0-10 Energy and rhythm 0-10 Knowledge of cheer 0-10 Jumps – 10 points possible Knowledge of dance 0-10 Jump of choice 0-5 Group cheer – Toe touch 0-5 20 points possible Tumbling – 10 points possible Standing tumbling 0-5 Running tumbling 0-5 Different from previous years. Tryout format different as well.

Score tabulation and team selection An administrator will calculate and enter judges’ score sheets The largest natural break (that provides a squad with an adequate number of cheerleaders) will be used to determine membership. The highest two mascot applicant scores will determine membership. THERE IS NO SET NUMBER THAT WE ARE TAKING. We will determine squad size solely by the closest natural break to one of these numbers.

Mascot tryout Mascots will be given a pep rally theme for their skit, as well as a variety of props. They must then present that skit to the judges. Theme will be given on the first day of clinics. Previously we had two tryouts. We anticipate doing the same this year.

Judges’ evaluation – 75% - mascot Creativity (props, skit, music, etc.) Crowd effective material 0-10 Character definition 0-10 Pantomime (placement of hands, expressions, etc.) Animation 0-20 Proper use of props 0-20 Overall presence (performance preparedness) Crowd appeal 0-20 Enthusiasm 0-20

results Will be posted on the Gregory-Portland middle school cheerleading website. This powerpoint will also be posted on the website.

Frequently asked questions Do I have to tumble to make cheerleader? since the break is determined by a comparison of scores, whether or not tumbling is “required” depends on the skill level of the other candidates. The score sheet reflects standing and running tumbling as a requirement. Any skill performed at tryouts is expected to be performed on demand at camp, games, and any other events. While it is important that you execute your best tumbling pass at tryouts, you should not attempt an un-mastered skill.

Frequently asked questions Are spring practices mandatory? Yes. Spring practices are very important to the development of a new team. We will be working on stunts, jumps, tumbling, cheers, and choreography. Excused absences will be at coach discretion.

Frequently asked questions I have a family vacation, church camp, other camp, etc… scheduled during cheerleading camp. What should I do? No cheerleader will be excused from cheer camp. If you cannot attend camp, you should not try out. I have a family vacation, church camp, other camp, etc… scheduled during summer practices. What should I do? These are unexcused absences from practice. Cheerleaders will be benched one event for each practice they miss.

So… now what? If you like what you have heard... Show up to tryout clinics in march with a positive attitude, ready to work! If you are unsure of what you’ve heard… Please read the guidelines given to you and discuss your goals and priorities for the coming year. Consider the time and effort required.

Thank you, and good luck! Completed packets are due February 26th– no exceptions Questions? amcmahan@g-pisd.org awhitaker@g-pisd.org