John T. Magee Middle School Cougar Cheerleading 2019-2020 Informational Packet Required Tryout Clinics 3:30-6:00pm: Mon, May 13 th Tues, May 14th
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John T. Magee Middle School
Cougar Cheerleading
2019-2020
Informational Packet
Required Tryout Clinics
3:30-6:00pm: Mon, May 13th
Tues, May 14th
Optional day Weds, May 15th
2:55-4 or 4-4:45 (for 5th graders only)**
*** This is an optional day and no new material will be taught
Tryouts 3:30pm-until finished:
Thurs, May 16th
***Clinics and tryouts will be held in the JTMMS cafeteria.
All students trying out MUST have an up-to-date physical
on file in the office and a permission slip turned in!***Thank you for your interest in cheering for the Cougars! We are
always hoping to continue to raise the bar and set high standards as role
models and spirit leaders of John T. Magee Middle School.
Cheerleading is more than a uniform and loud voice. There are high
expectations of a JTMMS cheerleader. We learn and live the values of
leadership, teamwork, acceptance, and of course spirit. We set positive
examples for our peers, model respectful, appropriate behavior, and work
hard to achieve academic success. While it may seem overwhelming at
first to the girls, it easily becomes daily practice!
Cheerleading requires a strong effort and commitment. They will
have practices after school and eventually on Saturdays. They are required
to attend a professional cheer camp as a team. Cheerleaders are expected
to fundraise, walk in the Homecoming parade, cheer for all home
basketball games, and at the end of the season participate in local middle
school competitions. This is a team sport, therefore the time commitment
is crucial to the progress and safety of the entire team. If one person is
chronically absent from practices or games it will affect everyone!
Cheerleaders ARE athletes, and have to demonstrate this at all times.
Cheerleaders must be physically fit and willing to work on their health and
strength. A physical and permission slip MUST be on file in order to try
out.
Our ultimate goal as an athletic program is to prepare the girls for the
high school Varsity squad by teaching them, at the very least, the basic
fundamentals of cheerleading. I am excited to see the relationships and
skills built within the new squad. It is a wonderful opportunity for our
6th-8th graders, and I look forward to what promises to be an exciting
season!
Please check out our website, and feel free to contact me if you have
any questions. Good luck to all of the girls!
Sincerely,
Felicia FischerTryout expectations
During tryouts, the girls will perform a series of skills for a
panel of judges, not including myself. All judges have
cheerleading expertise and experience. Candidates will
demonstrate the following:
o 1 floor cheer
o 1 sideline cheer
o 1 dance
o Jumps
-Toe Touch
-One jump of their choice
o Spirit/Presentation
-Facial expressions, smiles, enthusiasm, strong voices, vocal
expression, sharp movements/motions, neatly put together
o Grades, Discipline and Teacher Recommendation
-Your teachers will be asked about your grades, overall behavior,
and if they feel you would be able to uphold the expectations of a
Cougar cheerleader
Expected costs
(PAYMENT PLAN AVAILABLE)
● UCA Stunt Camp $55
● T-shirt, pair of shorts, and shoes to be used at camp and thru-out season
$60
● At least 2 sessions of gymnastics $30 each
● Athletic Fee $15
● Uniform items (All items the girls keep): Briefs, Bodysuit (can use
previous year’s if you were on team), bow $40
● Sweatshirt - same as last year $25Clinic and Tryout Requirements o Hair should be tied back in a ponytail with bangs out of the face. o For tryouts, candidates should wear shorts and a PLAIN, solid color t-shirt (no print of any kind on the shirt). No tank tops or shirts which are too baggy! Any type of t-shirt and shorts are ok for clinics. NO JEANS! o Candidates shall wear cheerleading or gym shoes at all times. Remember to wear socks! o There is to be no gum at any time! o Absolutely NO jewelry or glitter. o Cell phones must be turned off or on silent and left in school bags until clinics/tryouts are over. o Staying hydrated is imperative. Bring a water bottle each day! o HAVE FUN!
Frequently asked questions Do you stunt? Yes! Cheerleaders are properly trained during practices and also by a professional instructor when we attend cheer camp. Stunts do not exceed their physical capabilities! Is it possible for my student to cheer for both JTMMS and a rec league team? Yes it is, and it has been done! JTMMS cheer and the Spartans have worked together the last few years to ensure that cheerleaders don’t miss out on opportunities for both teams. In addition, there have been girls in the past who have played softball and soccer while cheerleading. We work this out as well. Who cheers for basketball games? IESA only allows 12 girls on the sideline at a time. If there are no discipline, injury, or eligibility issues, girls will rotate in and out each game, but all eligible cheerleaders will perform for halftime and in between quarters. When do Saturday practices begin? Saturday practices are only for competition. They begin the first weekend of November and carry on each weekend until our final competition. Attendance is required. How often does the team practice? Before basketball season starts we practice once a week during school. Once the season begins, we are cheering 5 days a week, either in practice or at games, until Saturday practices begin. This is subject to change, but rarely does. How can I stay on top of the schedule of practices and events for the team, or any important information? Letters are always sent home, but sometimes they “forget” or lose them. There will also be a calendar sent home in the beginning of the season and on my website. Email me with questions or emergencies. Sign up for the free remind app to stay up to date about changes/info What can cause a cheerleader to be dismissed from the team? Here are the 3 biggies: JTMMS has strict eligibility rules in order to maintain academics. If a cheerleader is regularly ineligible, or has been ineligible too many times, they can be dismissed. In addition, we have a detailed constitution with expected behaviors. If a cheerleader cannot live up to the behavioral expectations they can be dismissed. The constitution outlines all of the grounds for dismissal, and is given to those who make the team at the first meeting. Excessive absences will also result in dismissal.
Physical
***PLEASE BRING THIS WITH YOU ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLINICS! YOU
CANNOT PARTICIPATE WITHOUT IT! Sports physicals can be obtained at
Walgreens or Walmart.***
Have your school’s Health Assistant (school nurse) fill this out for you.
Student’s name ________________________________________
Grade ________________ School ____________________________
Date of physical ________________________________
I can confirm that the student named above has a current physical on file at our
school.
_____________________________________ ________________
Health Assistant’s signature DateTryout checklist
To help you keep track of your preparation for
tryouts, check off the following as you complete them.
____ Have the Health Assistant fill out physical
form
____ Fill out the permission slip (school and packet)
____ Check to make sure you have all of the
appropriate clothing for clinics and tryouts.
____ Attend clinics on Mon. May 13th and Tues.
May 15th 3:30-6:00pm
____Bring both the permission slip and physical
form to clinics on Monday
Good luck!
***The team will be posted the day after tryouts, after school. You will find
the list outside the office at your school, and it will only show the tryout
numbers. There will be a brief meeting after school for the new team
shortly after tryouts! Girls make sure you listen carefully to
announcements for that day and time, or check the website!You can also read
