LIONS YOUTH CHEERLEADING
Attendance Policy

Below is our strict attendance policy that all cheerleaders, parents and coaches must follow.  Please read carefully and acknowledge acceptance of our policy.

ABSENCES:  

Every cheerleader must be present at all practices unless it is an excused absence approved by a coach. This applies to ANY cheerleading event (practice, game, competition, fundraisers etc.) All absences should be communicated at least 48 hours prior to the event so each coach is given ample amount of time to choreograph or fill in a substitute for the upcoming event.  In the event of an illness, notify your coaches as soon as reasonably possible.  Two types of absences exist: excused and unexcused.  

• Excused absences: funeral or death in the family, required school or church activities, religious holidays, sickness, and family vacations.

*After September 1st, vacations will not be an excused absence unless it was planned and booked prior to the start of the season and board approval was granted.

• Unexcused absences: sleepovers, playdates, homework, school events that are not required, birthday parties, being tired or any absence that was not received and approved by your coaches. 

Three unexcused absences, could result in removal from the team which will be reviewed and decided by the Lions Youth Cheerleading Board. Excessive absences overall may be subject to removal from a stunt or specific spot in the routine as deemed necessary by a coach or the Board.  In order for your child's team to perform at their best, every member must be in attendance to all of our events. If your child is not prioritizing cheer or willing to commit, it is only fair that after 3 unexcused absences the Board may remove the child from the team and if applicable, may replace the child with someone on the waitlist.

LIONS YOUTH CHEERLEADING
         Parent/Cheerleader Code of Conduct

Hello! On behalf of the Lions Youth Cheerleading organization, we like to welcome you and tell you how excited we are to have you part of this wonderful program. With your hard work and dedication to this organization, we will work together this season to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience for cheerleaders, parents, and coaches. In order to get our children to learn the fundamentals of cheer, while teaching them the importance of commitment, and sportsmanship like conduct, we need all of the parents and or guardians helping us to do so.  Below is a code of conduct guideline that has very important information to keep each team successful this season. Please read all the information carefully. 

1. CONDUCT: A team member must be a strong representative of the Lions Youth Cheerleading program at all times. Abusive or irresponsible behavior in or out of uniform will not be tolerated.  Bullying, or mean girl behavior will not be tolerated.  Criticizing another member on your team will not be tolerated. Laughing/making fun of another member on the team will not be tolerated. Each child is to be treated as family, and all members should respect their peers.  Accordingly, all parents and family member spectators shall also follow this conduct in regards to aggressive or abusive behavior towards a coach, another team member's parent or other spectators at any cheerleading event.   

2.  ATTIRE: Cheerleaders MUST come to practice with their hair pulled back, no jewelry, no gum, no long fingernails, and APPROPRIATE practice clothes. Appropriate practice clothes consist of cheer sneakers, socks, shorts/pants, t-shirt, tank top, sports bra. No regular bras are acceptable, and overly large t-shirts are not allowed as both serve as a safety concern.

3. CELL PHONES: Cheerleaders will be asked to turn off or silence their cell phones before practice begins.  If a cheerleader is caught checking their phone during practice, the phone will be taken away and given back at the end of practice. Cell phones will only be allowed if a child needs to contact their parent for a ride before or after practice.

4. GUESTS: All practices will be closed.  This means without permission from your coaches, no parent, friends or visitors are allowed to attend any practice.

5. UNIFORMS: you are required to purchase a uniform. Each member must take proper care of their uniforms.  If you cannot find your uniform, or the uniform's condition is not suitable, it will be your responsibility to purchase another uniform at full price.  If a child outgrows a uniform, then you must purchase another uniform, however, you are more than welcome to sell the old uniform to someone else who might need that size. In addition, purchasing a used uniform from another member is an option.

6. PAYMENTS: All payments must be paid by their due dates. Uniform, registration, fundraisers etc. will be your responsibility.  A roster spot will not be reserved for a cheerleader without payment, and a uniform will not be ordered without payment.

7. COMPLAINTS: All complaints should be brought to a coach/board member's attention. NEVER should a parent argue with a coach or a child in front of any other members and a parent should never discuss a complaint with other members of the team.  If you have a concern, we please ask that you give 24 hours to address the issue with your coach. If you feel an issue does not get resolved, or are not satisfied with the way it was handled by your coach, please bring it to a board member's attention for further review. Please understand that your child’s coaches are offering their free time to help your child grow, learn, and succeed, which is a huge commitment and big responsibility to take on.  Please respect your coaches and all members that are part of your program.

In understanding the commitment in being a Lions Youth Cheerleader, I hereby understand that if all of the above are not met, I will be subjected to the following disciplinary process:

Cheerleader Disciplinary Process:

Every child’s behavior is expected to be cooperative and conducive to a positive practice environment.  In part of teaching your child, coaches may have to speak to or address a minor concern during the practice.

For more serious issues, including but not limited to those described above, a 3 strike policy will be implemented as follows:

1st Occurance: Notify parent and Lions Youth Cheerleading Board

2nd Occurance: Suspension from upcoming event

3rd Occurance: Removal from the team

Parent Disciplinary Process:

Parents are expected to follow the Lions Youth Cheerleading Code of Conduct at all times.  Please always lead by example for your child.

In the event of non-compliance with this policy, a 3 strike policy will be implemented as follows:

1st Occurance: Verbal warning from Coach to Parent and written notification to the Lions Youth Cheerleading Board

2nd Occurance: Suspension from 1 event (ie competition)

3rd Occurance: Banned from all remaining events (a child will never be penalized for the behavior of their parent)