Monday, January 2, 2012

Happy New Year!

Hello all!

Happy New Year! I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday and are enjoying the beginning of 2012! I am struggling with the idea of waking up before 9, and returning to the real world, but am excited for the new year!

I wanted to let you know what is coming up for the girls this next season. I know basketball season can be very demanding and time consuming, so please know it is VERY IMPORTANT to communicate with me when there is a conflict with a game. I know the first few weeks in January are those which we will have the most conflicts since finals are quickly approaching. Please have your daughter plan accordingly with her school work to limit the conflicts with games. Games are only about 2 hours, and I expect the girls to attend all games they are supposed to cheer. I understand that many of the girls have academically challenging schedules, however; I also know most teachers do not assign large assignments the night before they are do. That means the girls must plan to work on assignments well before they are do, and not procrastinate in hopes they will be excused from a game. Please understand I KNOW academics come first, but the girls need to learn to balance their commitments accordingly now so that they may be successful in college and in their careers later in life. Please know I am here to help. If anyone needs help with an assignment, or more specifically an essay, I can help, and am more than willing to do so! Let me know! 

I have attached many schedules, and each is labeled. Both JV and Varsity A and B Team. They will cheer only one Basketball game a week, as reflected on the schedule. They are also responsible for cheering one home Wrestling match, one home boys soccer, and girls water polo- which they have either signed up for or I have assigned. When I have these finalized I will send them to you so you know where your daughter should be when. This is a GREAT thing for the girls and the other sports on campus that have not been given as much attention as our basketball and football teams. Many of the athletes of these other sports have already told me how thrilled they are to be recognized by the girls. 

Also coming up are some community service projects we are involved in. I do not have the final date for the Special Olympics, but know it is in March. The girls cheer for each event for the athletes, and last year raised money for each athlete to have a shirt and pom pom. It was one of the MOST amazing days for the girls. They really enjoy the event and it is SO important to give back. Also our whole school participates in The Relay For Life. Though not required by the girls, I will be chaperoning the event again, and Cheer will have a team. The event will also be in March and on a weekend where we hold a BBQ and Sadie Hawkins Dance in memorial for Mike Gates. Any cheerleader and cheer parent is welcome to sign up to walk. I can chaperone 10 girls to spend the night. If more than that want to stay over I will need another chaperone to help out, but I won't say no to those who want to give back! Start thinking about it! It truly is a moving experience! Also March 3rd is the Memory Walk to End Alzheimer's. I have had a few girls ask if they can participate in this walk which I do every year in memory of both of my grandmothers who passed because of this disease. I have been in contact with the organizer and I hope the team can come and support this worthy cause as well. Please put it on the calendar now. 

Also you will see we also have the kids camp coming up at the end of January. We have the girls host a camp where they teach a routine to youth in the community. It is a great program and fundraiser. Look for more information and the flyer to hand out soon! The girls will be responsible for signing up for a day to teach the routine and also for being at the Varsity game on the day of performance. 

I am looking forward to these many events and hope to see all of you soon in the new year! 

Wishing you the BEST New Year!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

CV Football Game

Hello all!!

I am proud that we made it through Homecoming. You can tell I am still feeling the aftermath, it is late Thursday and I am just now getting to writing to you! No rest for the weary Cheer Coach!

Thank you to all of the parents who made the festivities of last week possible! The banquet and the flowers were amazing! I know how much all of that means to the girls and it really means so much to me that I have fabulous parents to make all of that possible. Last Friday is the LONGEST day of my school year, and it is the same for the girls. They all managed to stay upbeat and enjoy their Homecoming.

To my 11 Seniors- I hope it was the BEST Homecoming to date! I can't wait to see all of you on the field giving me a big hug when you come back to visit! You all are so dedicated and such great role models for your team! May your spirit live on after you graduate! LOVE YA!

Today is a JV Game. I am letting Coach Shantae let the girls know what to wear and such now, so she informed them yesterday.

Tomorrow we are playing CV at CV.
Wear to school- Jersey, skort, and Toms or cheer shoes. Hair is to be in a pony or half up half down WITH PINK BOW!
Wear to the game- uniform, hair in high pony braided with pink bow, cheer shoes. Bring liner, and jacket, and poms. (it's been getting cold! HOORAY!)
Report to the bus at 5. Game starts at 7.

I am having some issues with the girls being on time, and wearing the correct thing. Please help remind them that they are a part of a team, and their behavior reflects on their team members as much as it does on themselves. I have let them know that they will sit out a quarter of the game if they are wearing the wrong thing to school. I do not tolerate defiance.

Many of the girls have been unwell lately. I would like to clarify a few things. Girls will not get demerits for being sick. I DO NEED to be notified before the practice that they will be missing practice, or else they will get demerits. This is no different than when they will have a job and need to call in sick. I do not need them to attend practice when horribly sick. I cannot have them at practice with a fever, or something like Strep Throat that is highly contagious. Sickness spreads really fast! They need to be resting. If you feel they are well enough to practice they can come, provided they are not contagious or with fever. They also need to let me know when they need to sit down, take a break, or are hurting. Sometimes they don't, and it is hard for me to keep track of all of them. Please make sure they are resting when ill.

Academics come first. I have had many of the girls need to go to tutoring or stay after school to take a test. Please know that this is their priority at LQHS. They need to come to me and let me know when they need to do these things. I can also help them with their work, or talk to their teachers to work things out as well. Please let me know so I can help! Quarter grades are coming out and I do check them, as well as attendance. They need to be in class! It is so important that they are doing well academically. I remember what it was like to balance cheer and hours of homework. It was not fun, and I feel for them. So please make sure they are communicating with me. I may be only a cheer coach to them, but I am an English teacher as well.

Dress code is becoming an issue. I would like to inform you that tube tops, even with a bra under which is trying to be straps, are not allowed. A see through shirt with a bando or a bra under is not allowed. The girls must wear an actual shirt under these tops. Please help me to make sure that they are following dress code. The shorts seem to be getting shorter in general these days. Trust me! I see more than I need to in class daily. I cannot see what each girls is wearing every day, so please help me by making sure they are dressed appropriately. They are ambassadors for LQHS and they are known. They should be setting an example for the rest of the school.

Thank you for your attention to these matters, and I hope to see many of you tomorrow at the game! I apologize for the late note, I have had a few personal mishaps this week that has not allowed me the time to write until now.

Take care and GO HAWKS!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

HOMECOMING!

Happy Homecoming Week!!!


With as much work as this week is for all of us to put on, I am proud to say we are almost half way there and ready to rock on Friday!

Before I get started congratulations to Natalie C. on JV and Shelby McNicol on Varsity for being Cheerleader of the Game!

Friday is a very long and involved day for the girls and it is very exciting for them.

Friday's events-

Wear to school- BOTH TEAMS-
Uniform, cheer shoes ALL DAY, Hair with braid, pony, and pink bow ALL MORNING until after the rally. After the rally, hair can be in pony, or half up half down with bow only.
Below is the schedule for the day-
La Quinta High School
Homecoming Parade Schedule
 Period 1                 7:42 – 8:34             (52 min.)

Period 2                 8:40 – 9:25             (45 min.)

Period 3                 9:31 – 10:16           (45 min.)

Period 4                 10:22 – 11:07         (45 min.)
(instructional time)

To Parade              11:07 – 11:15         (8 min.)
Parade                   11:15 – 12:04         (49 min.)
Back to Class         12:04 – 12:12         (8 min.)

Lunch                    12:12 – 12:52         (40 min.)

Period 5                 12:58 – 1:43           (45 min.)

Period 6                 1:49 – 2:34             (45 min.)
The rally will start at-11:15 Parents welcome to come and sit on the visitor side. I think you will need to check in in the office though... I am not sure.
You will be dismissed from all of fourth period. Period 4 starts at 10:22. Be on the field ready to warm up then. Jewelry must be out at this point! As soon as I get there we will warm up. Coach Tae will be there too! I am so thankful for this, it will make everything run much more smoothly.

We will perform our routines for your school and then I will see you again after school.

For the game-
Be in the staff lounge upstairs in the main office at 4. We will have food provided by the Booster, and catered by Rubios. This is where you will get ready for the game, hair, make-up and so on as a team. You will get your flowers then as well.

Come in uniform, cheer shoes, Varsity- you will have a poof and hair down (Bring a pony holder for the game for stunts please or no one will stunt!) You will need at least 4 bobby pins for your wreath and 4 for your poof. Plan accordingly.

JV- Wear your hair as told to you by Coach Tae. You must have a pony tail holder in your hair for half up half down. You may not have it held by bobby pins only.

Remove all nail polish.

At 5:45 we will go to my classroom to retrieve the balloon banner that we have been working on already. (We still need help at lunch in my room all week.)

6:00 we will be on the field to get boxes out, show JV where to stand, warm-up and stretch.
Before the game JV and Varsity will stand in a line for the National Anthem, and welcome the team to the field with the dance team.

JV will cheer with Varsity for the first half, then can go into the stands to be with their friends.

We should have some left over waters for the girls from the banquet but in case we don't I will need 1 case (24) waters on the field from each team. Varsity- Brianna DeLariva. JV- I will talk with you tomorrow. We have goody bags being made for the dance team, and the other team we are playing already. I don't think snack is needed because everyone will have just eaten an hour before.

Game starts at 7. ( I don't know about you, but I am already tired typing, and we are only at kick off! Whew!)

The Booster has purchased a pink bracelet and pink football for every football player, and enough for each girl to be able to throw into the stands for the fans in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We are also putting pink balloons in the banner, and having pink ribbons on the Varsity girls' head wreaths. This has been so awesome, and I would like to thank them for their support in allowing us to become involved in such a worthy cause. Many of the football players are wearing pink socks, and laces,  and gloves to help support the girls as well. It is really neat to see everyone coming together for the cause!

I sure hope I managed to get it all out... I am exhausted! Thanks for reading this long and tedious e-mail... I appreciate all you do for the girls and TO THE GIRLS- SIU! I LOVE YA!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Football week 7

Hello again!

We are in football week 7 now!

This week-

Thursday- JV Home at 5 vs. Cat City
Report to the field at 4
Wear to school uniform and new pink cheer bow, either half up half down or all the way up in a pony tail. Toms or cheer shoes.
Wear uniform, new bow and cheer shoes to the game hair braided and up.

As a super cool way to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month we have had pink bows made for the girls to wear to school and at games. Booster has paid for these and I will be handing them out today and tomorrow. They are so cute! I am so thankful for the suggestion from the Booster parents and their support in this awesome way to show support for a cause that affects so many women.

Friday- Varsity away at Cat City at 7
Bus leaves LQ at 5
If you need to pick up your daughter at Cat City you can get a signed form from Armstrong and hand it to me when you take your daughter on Friday. Just have your daughter let me know that you are planning on not riding the bus back to LQ.
Wear to school- uniform, cheer shoes, toms, new pink bow with hair half up half down or in a pony.
Wear to the game- uniform, cheer shoes, hair half up half down with the front braided like usual with your new pink bow. Bring poms, liner, jacket…pants shouldn’t be needed.

TONIGHT- RED ROBIN at 6 PM is our raffle and family night out! Please come and join us with the attached flyer to help us earn money. Cheer will get 20% of all food purchases. All girls need to be there unless I have cleared them personally. Have them wear their uniform, Toms or cheer shoes, and hair as they like.

Next week is Homecoming! Get ready for a busy busy week! We will be having a Homecoming Pep rally Friday at school. There will be the traditional banquet just for cheer at 4 in the staff lounge that is catered by Rubios, and put on by the Booster parents. All of the girls get flowers to wear for the game, Varsity gets flower crowns, and JV gets a boutonniere. The girls and I also make a huge run-through banner as well. Booster is able to fund all of these important traditions if there is participation in fundraisers. I encourage you to think about this when our next fundraiser comes along. A big thanks to ALL parents involved in helping with next weeks’ Homecoming festivities.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Week 4 update- VIP!!

Hello again,

I was just told today that the frosh game that was supposed to be on Thursday has moved to Friday.

JV PARENTS AND CHEERLEADERS-

Please note the new report time is 3:30 FRIDAY. The game starts at 4. Please understand this was out of my control and I apologize for any inconvenience it may cause. I know Haley, Bailey, and Justine have conflicts and will not be punished for not being at the game. All of the other girls did not cite a conflict and should be there on time.

VARSITY PARENTS AND CHEERLEADERS-

We are in need of someone who can pick up 5cheer boxes and deliver them to the bin around 5:30 on Friday. They will need to be picked up before Hawks closes, I believe at 5, and brought to school Friday when the girls are all getting their boxes out of the bin. All of the parents who have been helping to transport are unavailable. WE NEED another volunteer to help. If you can please let me know ASAP! Te boxes needing pick up are those belonging to Marquee, Mackenzie, Kyrie, Jessica Smith or Brandy. It would be really awesome if one of those parents can pick up the boxes. We have done so much work thus far to get them all ready and are in need of help. Thank you in advance for volunteering for this task. 

See you all soon!

Football week 4

Hello Cheer Parents!

I would like to say that I honestly cannot believe we are already in week 4 of the 2011-2012 football season!

Once again week three was a complete success!

The JV Cheerleader of the game was Maryfer for her dedication to being the best she can be on the sideline.

The Varsity Cheerleader of the game was Maria for her continued confidence and willingness to be a great leader for her team.

This week’s events-

THANK GOODNESS WE ARE HOME AND ON OUR OWN FIELD!
(If I ever see another yellow bus it will be too soon!)

Thursday Frosh cheered by JV Cheer- Home Vs. Arlington at LQHS.
Game starts at 5
Girls report to the field at 4 in uniform, cheer shoes, white socks, hair braided with bow in a high pony.
Wear to school- Uniform, cheer shoes or Toms, hair as you like.

Friday Varsity Home vs. Arlington
Game starts at 7
Girls report to bin at 5:50 to get box then on the field with box at 6:00
Wear to school- Cheer shoes, or Toms, uniform, hair as you like.
Wear to Game- cheer shoes, all white socks, uniform, hair braided with high pony and bow.  HAVE IT ALL DONE WHEN YOU GET THERE! No make-up or glitter on the sidelines. EVER!

We will be selling seat cushions at both games, Thursday at 5 and Friday at 7. The Booster Board is requesting that some JV parents help sell at the Frosh game on Thursday, and Varsity moms selling at the Varsity game Friday. I also need some girls to sell at the other teams game. If a parent or cheerleader helps the cheerleader will get 3 merits. Please confirm with me if you or your daughter plan to help sell so I can make a master list and let the Booster know. Thanks for your support and help!

I would like to send a big thank you out to Art Lambrose for helping with box repairs, a REALLY big thank you to the Van Winkle Family, and McNicol Family for helping to build 4 new boxes, and Lupe Leonesio, and Julie Kalman for their help in facilitating box repair. Without these parents, and the entire Board, we would not have cheer boxes this week! They really made it happen! A big thanks to the Board for facilitating fundraisers to pay for these expenses as well! THANK YOU ALL!!!

Please remind your daughters that I will be checking grades and attendance at each quarter. Progress reports are coming up already! If anyone falls below a 2.0 GPA they will be on Academic Probation from cheer. If anyone has an attendance issue I will speak with them individually as attending class should be their first priority. Also, many of the girls are wearing very short shorts. Can you, as parents, help me make sure they are following the dress code? Tube tops are not allowed either. Any infraction of the dress code will result in demerits.

Thank you for all you do, and I can’t wait to see all of you on OUR field this week!

GO HAWKS!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Hello there!

We have been working to get the Varsity cheer boxes ready for the first TRUE home game 9/23.

First I would like to send out a BIG thanks to the Booster Board for helping to expidite this process. Also, to Art Lambrose who is meeting me today and tomorrow to make repaires to the boxes, and to Val and Tony Van Winkle who volunteered to make 4 new boxes from scratch! THANK YOU ALL!!! I know it means the world to the girls to have their boxes ready for this game. We were anticipating the first home game being 10/21 and this is almost a month early!

We really need some parents to volunteer to come to the cheer bin, behind school on the basketball courts by the field closest to the field, after school on Thursday. We need parents to help facilitate the paint touch up, assessment of boxes, and to help Art Lambrose in any way we can to get the boxes done that day and ready to go to Hawks to have stickers replaced and such.

We REALLY need parents with a truck or trailer to help take boxes to HAWKS on Thursday 9/8. We should be done touching up by 4-4:30. If you have a truck or trailer and can transport please let me know ASAP how many boxes you can take and if you can help. If we can't get all the boxes that need to be fixed therei in this way then each girl/parent will be responsible for their own box.

The girls will get merits if you can come help. Thank you for your consideration in helping in this undertaking! Please get back to me ASAP!