Hello there,
I have a couple of reminders for all parents and cheerleaders. Please have your daughter read this e-mail ASAP as well.
I realize you may get many cheer e-mails please make sure you read EVERY e-mail sent from me as I am the Advisor and may have important announcements for you.
I would like to remind everyone that all important dates are set in stone, and that deadlines for monies due are not suggested dates. I have set all due dates because I have to also make due dates for camp, and uniforms, and everything else we pay for. I set last weeks due date for camp deposits in March, in the packet each of you read and signed before try outs, and made it one day earlier for Debbie to be able to deposit our money and get me a check which I absolutely had to have to camp by Friday. Tuesday, when the deposit was due, I was missing so many checks that I was sure we were not going to be able to make the deadline and be charged a late fee. Debbie collected money at her home all week and at all hours of the evening, which she should certainly not be made to do, and I dropped money off to her 3 days in a row, instead of just once. I’m not sure many of you realize the hours that are spent behind the scenes for this program. Without parents like Debbie, I know I would not be able to do my job. I had to overnight a check to camp on Thursday because the deposit date was not adhered to.
I would like to make sure we are all on the same page for our next due date.
This situation CAN NOT and WILL NOT happen again. I try very hard to be as organized as possible and am subject to due dates as well. I will not allow Debbie to be as inconvenienced as she was last week. There will be no grace period given, and no make up date to accept money. I am sorry to have to give such an ultimatum but it is necessary for the program, and quite frankly for my ability to do my job well. That being said, the following dates must be written on your calendar:
This situation CAN NOT and WILL NOT happen again. I try very hard to be as organized as possible and am subject to due dates as well. I will not allow Debbie to be as inconvenienced as she was last week. There will be no grace period given, and no make up date to accept money. I am sorry to have to give such an ultimatum but it is necessary for the program, and quite frankly for my ability to do my job well. That being said, the following dates must be written on your calendar:
Uniform fittings May 31st
The time for uniform fittings has been set for May 31st. I have attached the spreadsheet again. If a name is in Yellow it means I anticipate the purchase of a new uniform and more measurements will be taken. If you are returning to the same team I anticipate only ordering shoes, socks, and a bow, unless you need replacement items. If you are not present for your time, you may not have a make-up. Please be prompt and ready with payment at that time. If you do not have your order paid in full at the time of order, your order will not be processed.
Camp Remainder due June 10th
The remainder camp money of $450 is due on June 10th. It was originally due June 13th, which is the Monday after school is out. I am not willing to have myself or Debbie give up a weekend collecting money so this will be the due date. I realize the last day of school is June 9th. I will be on campus June 10th and can collect money after a morning meeting as I will be in my room all day getting ready for summer. If I do not have the $450 in my possession by 3 pm on June 10th your daughter will not be going to camp, and will thus be removed from the team. I will accept payment BEFORE the due date as well. Please do not wait until the last minute if you anticipate not being off work, or being out of town. I am available to collect money any time before or after school. Please note sometimes I go home when I do not have previously scheduled meetings to accept money. Please let me know when I can expect a check if this is the case. I eat lunch in another room on campus, and according to my contract should have a duty free lunch, so if I can expect to accept something during that time please let me know. I had many rude comments from cheerleaders blaming me for not being in my room at lunch. Just as I would schedule a parent meeting with a concerned parent of one of my students, I should be given the respect to know to anticipate a visit from a cheerleader dropping off money. I spend many hours working above and beyond on this program, which I enjoy wholeheartedly or I would not devote my time and energy to it. Please help me to still enjoy doing this by aiding me in teaching the girls to be responsible for their deadlines.
Cheerleader Binders-
This year I will be making sure the girls are held as responsible as their parents for this information. This week I will be giving out a packet of information to them that they will NEED to keep in a binder (they will need to get a binder to use for this, or can use one they already have.)This is not optional. They will need to keep this binder with them and bring it to every game and practice. They will put each handout they get in it, and have all information that you have. I want these girls to gain responsibility through their years in this program. Much like I expect my English students to turn in their research paper on time, and be responsible for information, these girls will need to also be responsible. They chose to be in the program and participate, some of you did not choose this, but are kind enough to support them in their endeavors. Therefore, they MUST take responsibility for their own activity. I have noticed over the last year that many of them never knew things were due, chose to blame their actions on their parents, or have complete disregard for the work others put in for them to have a successful year. As a Coach and Educator I feel I have failed them in not making it clear that this is unacceptable behavior. Each year I try to make positive changes to the program to increase organization, and communication, as well as to make a positive influence on the cheerleaders. The girls will need to be responsible for their own events, due dates, and behavior, and will be held to higher expectations in these areas.
Again, I have created a blog for us at http://www.lqhscheer.blogspot.com/ Please have your daughter check this regularly as I will update it with each e-mail I send, and important information.
I would like to close by saying I go out of my way to maintain a well organized program, spending hours of my own time dedicated to making improvements and making each year as great as it can be. Sometimes, like last weeks incident with the camp deposit, it affects my personal life at home, and even causes me to become ill from stress and anxiety. I do not have an easy job, and I expect some stress form coaching 44 girls, but there is no reason it should not be fun for me to participate and do my job. For the first time in 3 years I seriously questioned my role as Advisor last week, and I know I will not be able to continue if I do not have ultimate adherence to due dates, and policy. Please know I care about these girls much more than they know, and spend more time with them than I do at home. I understand what an undertaking this job is, and I do not anticipate having this dilemma again.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing you soon!
