Amity Pop Warner Cheer Parent and Athlete Handbook * 2019 · Amity Pop Warner Cheer Parent Handbook...

Amity Pop Warner Cheer Parent and Athlete Handbook

* 2019 *

Table of Contents: Be a Team: pg. 2

Proper Attire: pg. 2

Uniforms: pg. 2

Uniform Care Instructions: pg. 3

Practices: pg. 4

Games: pg. 4

Competitions: pg. 4

Photographs and Videos: pg. 5

Attendance: pg. 5

Absence Request Form: pg. 6

Expenses (estimated): pg. 7

Cheer Cost Breakdown: pg. 8

Acknowledgment of Commitment: pg. 9

Amity Pop Warner Cheer Parent Handbook

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Be a Team We are a team. We win together and we lose together. Everyone works hard and supports each other, or the

team falls apart. We do what is best for the team.

Respect is given to everyone, in and out of practice. We have a zero tolerance policy for bullying. When we are at

cheer, we are ready to work.

When we aren’t focused we can’t learn, and that is not only frustrating but it is a safety concern.

Proper Attire At Practice: shorts, t-shirt or tank top, socks and cheer sneakers. Hair in a high ponytail.

Spaghetti strap tank tops and denim are NOT allowed. Also anything with zippers and baggy pants

is prohibited.

Sneakers purchased through APW are to be worn for INDOOR practices only. They are to be put

on in the GYM!

At games: game day uniform: skirt, shell, long sleeve liner when it gets colder; black spankies, white no show

socks, game day bow. As weather gets colder, you can wear your team jacket and black leggings or warm up pants.

At competitions: two piece competition uniform (exception: TM/ MM use game day uniform). White no show

socks. Make sure bra and underwear are not brightly colored and do not show! Competition bow.

Always:

ABSOLUTELY NO JEWLERY!!! Even if it is unseen (i.e. Belly Rings). If a medical ID bracelet is required it

must be taped securely to the body. Again, this is a safety concern!

No nail polish or fake nails, make sure nails are trimmed at all times.

No glitter or make-up.

No Extreme Hair Dye (i.e. blue, green, pink, etc. highlighted or full color) or hair wraps.

NO CELL PHONES!!!!!!! If there is an emergency we, the coaches, will contact the parents, or we will ask

your athlete to do so.

Uniforms: At the start of the season your child will be sized for 2 uniforms, a 3 piece game-day and a 2 piece competition

uniform mentioned. Athletes are not permitted to have greasy/messy foods or colored beverages while in uniform

for preservation purposes. Uniforms must be kept clean all season long and washed before they are returned. DO

NOT put uniforms in the dryer. A collection date will be arranged once teams have competed in their final

competition of the season. You will be charged a fee for damaged or unreturned uniforms!

Game-day Uniform Replacement Fee: $175

Competition Uniform Replacement Fee: $215


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AFTER CARE OF YOUR REBEL GARMENTS

We want your garment to love you back for as long as you desire, so please take good care of it!

HAND WASH ONLY IN COLD WATER WITH CARE

DO NOT DRY CLEAN

WATER TEMPERATURE WARNING

The most critical element to the care of your uniform is the water temperature. Your uniform should be washed in cold water, which is water that will not you to keep your hand in it for more than 60 seconds without being uncomfortable. If the water coming out of your tap is not cold enough, fill your sink and add ice until the temperature lowers.

WASHING INSTRUCTIONS 1. Use a clear, gentle PH balanced detergent. We recommend Dreft Detergent.

2. If any stains are present, we recommend pre-treating with Dreft Stain Spray.

3. Fill laundry sink with cold water (see above).

4. Turn uniform inside out.

5. Quickly submerge and hand-wash for 60 seconds. Do not rub fabrics together.

6. Drain sink and refill with cold water to rinse.

7. Gently squeeze out excess water, taking care not to wring dark and lighter colours together.

8. Turn uniform right side out and lay flat on a towel to dry. You may want to insert a towel in the body of the uniform to speed drying and avoid any possibility of color transference while the garment is wet.

PLEASE NOTE: Perspiration, deodorant, hairspray, glitter spray, sunless tanning products and lotions may affect the color

of your garment. Take precautions to avoid transference.

Washing before wear may help prevent color-bleeding due to perspiration. REBEL ATHLETIC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR GRAMENTS THAT ARE LAUNDERED INCORRECTLY, OR FOR CRYSTAL

LOSS FROM REPEATED USE/WEAR OR INCORRECT LAUNDERING.


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Practices Championships are won at practice!

Until Labor Day: From August 1st-August 23rd practice will be at Amity Middle School Orange, unless otherwise

notified by your coach; then it will move to a location TBA. Practices will fall between 5:30-8:15pm, and vary by

team.

After Labor Day: TBD. Practice will be 3X per week, and games are on Sunday (usually).

Attendance is MANDATORY! However, we know emergencies happen and if you know your cheerleader

is going to be late or have to leave early, a coach MUST be notified at least 1 hour before practice.

Be prompt. 10 minutes late to practice (either to arrive or to depart) three times = one unexcused

absence.

Safety comes first. No stunting, tumbling, etc. without permission/supervision from a coach.

Come to practice ready. (Hair up, shoes on, jewelry off) If you show up to practice in inappropriate attire,

you will NOT be able to participate. This is a safety concern! That will count as an unexcused absence.

Practices are closed. Parents are distracting, and when we are learning new stunts and skills, distractions

are dangerous.

Games Games are mandatory! The first priority of a Pop Warner cheerleader is to support our Pop Warner football

program at all of their games. A cheerleader who misses more than 2 games in a season will not be allowed to

compete per Pop Warner rules.

The first game this year will be on Sunday September 1st. There are 8 games in the regular season, and

then post-season play. If the team plays, we cheer (no matter the distance of the game).

Cheerleaders are to arrive at the field 1 hour before game time, unless otherwise stated by the coach.

If games are cancelled due to weather, we will notify you via phone/text.

We need volunteers to work the concessions/ tickets/ set-up/ clean up at some of the home games. Once we

know the game schedule we will work out the details.

Competitions Competitions, and the 5 practices prior to competition, are mandatory. If you know that you will not be able to

attend, please let the coaches know immediately (and prior to August 20th). We will welcome your daughter to

participate in game day cheer, but they will not be eligible to be in the competition routine.

Definite competition dates:

SCPW Cheer Competition – October 5th, 2019 at the New Haven Field House

States Competition – October 12th, 2019 at the New Haven Field House

Possible competition dates (participation in the following depends on placement at the SCPW competition):

New England Regional Finals – November 2nd or 3rd (specific day TBA) at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, MA

o Mandatory parent meeting prior to Regionals (date TBA) to discuss possibility of Nationals

National Championships – December 8th-13th (specific dates TBA) at the ESPN Wide World of Sports

Complex at Walt Disney World, Orlando FL


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Photographs and Videos Please do not share or post photographs or videos of the team to any public social media site. There are two

reasons:

1. We do not want other teams to see what we will be doing. Choreography has been stolen! A big part of

a winning routine is the choreography. Amity has won Highest Choreography Score (and Highest Stunts,

and Highest Overall Score/JV/ V/B PW2) at Nationals in the past, which means other teams are looking

out for us!

2. There are strict copyright laws for the use of music. We have to pay a license fee to use our music at the

competitions, but we are prohibited from posting it anywhere else. We don’t want to get fined/sued!

Attendance Attendance will be taken at every practice and every game. In order to safely teach our teams their stunts and

transitions it is important to have all athletes present. One athlete missing from a practice affects the whole team:

their stunt group can’t stunt; the whole pyramid can’t function, and transitions and formations during the routines

are going to be off. We ask that you make every attempt to attend all practices and games.

Only one week will be allotted during the summer for vacation.

Notify coach if practice/game is going to be missed as soon as possible, so that we can plan our practice/

game accordingly. Please use the “Absence request form” so that we have it in writing.

Sometimes they get tired and feel under the weather. We understand, but we appreciate their

attendance anyway. They can sit and watch to see what we learn, or they can mark the routine, as

appropriate.

School work is a priority but please use the cheer schedule as an opportunity to develop good study skills,

and encourage your athlete to study or complete assignments in a timely manner so as not to affect cheer!

If your cheerleader misses 2 or more practices in one week for the same medical reason, a doctor’s note

will be required in order to return.

An unexcused absence is:

o one where your cheerleader is a no show without prior notice, or

o Is late enough to miss more than half the practice (unless there is a reasonable explanation).

o If your athlete misses practice and then we find out (since most of them can’t resist posting to

social media or texting friends) that they were at the mall shopping (or some similar thing). (Yes,

this has happened in the past). This is disrespectful to the rest of the team.

o If you are more than 10 minutes late to practice (either to arrive or to depart) three times (without

prior notice) that will be equivalent to 1 unexcused absence.

o If a cheerleader is asked to leave practice due to inappropriate or disrespectful behavior.

Penalties for unexcused absences:

o 1st unexcused absence: Cheerleader will not be allowed to participate in halftime routine at the

next game (but must be present and in uniform at the game)

o 2nd unexcused absence: Cheerleader must sit out next game (but must be present and in uniform

at the game)

o 3rd unexcused absence: Cheerleader will be asked to turn in competition uniform and will be

considered off the competition squad.


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AMITY POP WARNER CHEER

ABSENCE REQUEST FORM

Athlete Name: ________________________________________________________________

Date(s) Absence Requested: _____________________________________________________

Reason for Absence: ___________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Parent Signature: _____________________________________ Date: ____________

Coach Signature: ______________________________________ Date: ____________

(BOXES FOR COACHES USE ONLY)

Requested Absence Excused Requested Absence Not Excused

It is mandatory to submit this form directly to your coach at least 2 weeks prior to the expected absence(s).

Please note that your absence is not automatically excused by submitting this form.


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Expenses: (estimated) Miscellaneous expenses:

$90 for cheer sneakers and bow

$50 ad book sponsorship

$50 raffle tickets (at the end of football season Awards Ceremony)

Photo Disk (for SCPW and State) - $10.00 per athlete per competition

$85 Amity Pop Warner Cheerleading jacket (if you do not already have one)

You must purchase black spankies to wear under game day uniforms, and white no show socks to wear

with your cheer sneakers.

Other expenses may pop up as the season progresses

Local Competition Fees

SCPW Championship Admission Fee (cheerleaders are free)- $12.00-$15.00 per person

State Championship Admission Fee (cheerleaders are free)- $12.00-$15.00 per person

We are required by SCPW to provide two volunteers per session (morning & afternoon) per competition.

Volunteers get free admission and will still get to watch Amity Cheer perform. Speak to your head coach

or team mom if you are interested.

Regional Competition (if we make it here)

Admission Fee- $20.00-$25.00 per person

Parking- $7.00-$10.00

Snack Money- $10.00

Overnight Hotel Stay- approx. $120 per night (plus taxes and fees). Booked as a team through New

England Pop Warner.

o Required if we compete in the morning session.

o If we compete in the afternoon session, we will meet and carpool up the morning of the

competition.

National Competition (if we make it here) all prices are estimated.

Requires (by Pop Warner) a 3 night minimum stay for the athletes and rostered coaches or staff. Day 1: Arrive.

Day 2: we practice in the morning, have a team lunch, and then visit Magic Kingdom for a few hours (as a team).

Day 3: compete. You are welcome to extend your stay beyond that should you so desire. You are responsible for

booking your own flights; rooms are booked with the team through Pop Warner. The minimum expenses are

approximated below for a single athlete plus one parent, assuming you share a room (rooms are quadruple

occupancy).

Airfare- $500.00

3 Night Package including 3 day Park Hopper pass- $1,060

Food and Spending Money- $150.00-$200 per day (Disney Dining plan also available)

Fundraising There will be many opportunities for you to participate in fundraising. Attendance is taken at fundraising events.

Some of the funds are used for team expenses; the majority is given back to families to help with travel expenses

to Nationals. If you choose not to participate in fundraising, you will not get a portion of the money raised.


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AMITY POP WARNER CHEER

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COMMITMENT

Before signing this contract, please be certain your child-athlete is committed to participating at this level of competition and is willing to give the time and effort at practices, games, and competitions throughout the entire season. This form MUST be turned in no later than Friday, August 9th, 2019. By signing this agreement I acknowledge that I have read through the Amity Pop Warner Cheer Parent Handbook and:

I understand the policies regarding attendance at practices, games and competitions.

I am aware of the financial obligations of participation, including potential travel expenses, and am prepared to meet those obligations.

I understand that Pop Warner is a volunteer organization and I will do my part when asked to volunteer my time at games or events.

I understand that Cheer is a team sport, and that the coaches will use the girls in the safest, most effective manner for the good of the team.

I agree that I will not post videos or photographs of the team publically or in social media apps.

Furthermore, I understand that if I have questions or concerns I can approach the head coach by email or in person at the end of practice, but will not disturb practice or events. I will keep a positive attitude and remember that we all have the same goal in mind: the success of the Amity Pop Warner cheer team and program.

Athlete Name:

Parent Name:

Parent Signature:

Date:

Amity Pop Warner Cheer Parent and Athlete Handbook * 2019 · Amity Pop Warner Cheer Parent Handbook...

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