Absences In following the three strikes policy, cheerleaders may not have more than 4 unexcused absences in a season.  A fifth unexcused absence is grounds for dismissal from the team.  The head coach has ultimate decision making authority for whether an absence is excused or unexcused and will make decisions based on what is in the best interest of the cheerleader and the team.  If a cheerleader accumulates what is deemed to be too many excused absences in a season, an absence may be deemed unexcused.  Similarly, if less than two weeks notice is given, an absence may be deemed unexcused.

Regular season rules regarding absences pertain to August 1^st through March 31^st.  Examples of classifications of absences are as follows:

Excused with as much notification as possible*

Contagious illness

Other illness with doctor’s note

Funeral

Excused with at least two weeks written notice**

Required school activity (for a grade)

Religious function

Family wedding

Other sports competition***

Other extenuating circumstances at the head coach’s discretion

Unexcused

Excessive tardiness (more than 10 minutes late)

Non-required school activity

Family celebrations

Birthday parties

Vacations

Homework/test

Other sports practice

Non-contagious illness or injury (you can still watch!)

*Direct contact with the head coach via phone or email must be made in order to verify that the information has been received so adjustments to the schedule can be made.  The head coach will return voicemails or emails as soon as possible to verify receipt.  It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure receipt of a message.

**Written notice may be in the form of an email to the head coach or a hand written note from the parent handed directly to the head coach

***No more than 2 absences will be excused for another sports competition

If a cheerleader misses a practice the week before a competition for any reason, she will not be in that competition.  The only exception may be contagious illness (with a doctor’s note) or death in the family.

Summer Absences Summer practices are mandatory for all cheerleaders.  Absence policies remain in place for the summer (April 1^st through July 31^st), with the addition of family vacations, required events for other extra-curricular activities and other sports competitions being excused with no limitations.  Notification procedures are amended as follows: all absences except for contagious illness, other illness with doctor’s note and funeral require one week written notification.

Competition and Camps If a cheerleader chooses to miss a competition, stunt camp or choreography camp for any reason other than contagious illness or death in the family, or a pre-arranged absence such as a religious obligation (i.e. First Communion), she will relinquish her spot on the team. The head coach must be informed of the religious obligation at least 3 months prior to the obligation occurring.  Because it is impossible to predict every situation, it is up to the coaches to address situations as they arise and make decisions, as they feel appropriate and in the best interest of the team.

Injury Injuries that cause a cheerleader to not participate in practice require a doctor’s note before returning to practice. Time missed due to injuries or long-term illness will not count as unexcused absences. Injured cheerleaders are still required to attend practices dressed according to policy and participate to the extent they can (i.e. running music, helping coaches).

 
Attendance Privacy Policy

Status of excused and unexcused absences and strikes are strictly between the family and the coaches.  In order to ensure that each cheerleader’s situation is treated fairly and respectfully, the head coach will not share any information regarding an absence with anyone outside of the relevant cheerleader’s family, including parent managers, unless given express permission by the cheerleader and her parent.  Any questions regarding absences and policies should be directed to the head coach in a respectful and timely manner.