HLT PARENT INFORMATION

Welcome to the 2020 season of Howland Little Tigers. Our mission statement is to not only teach the game of football and skill of cheerleading, but to instill confidence, sportsmanship, pride, discipline, and to have fun.

Please visit our website at www.howlandlittletigers.com, like our Facebook page Howland Little Tigers Football and Cheer, and download our Team app (Search for Howland Little Tigers). We will continually update, post important information, schedules, and pictures.

We are a proud member of the Steel Valley Youth Conference (SVYC). Children that play for HLT must either go to Howland schools, including JFK, or live in Howland. If your child is open enrolled, we need a copy of their open enrollment paperwork. Children that live outside Howland and are not open enrolled in Howland schools are ineligible to play for HLT unless we are below 18 players on July 9. All players will need to show proof of residency of custodial parent and a copy of the players birth certificate is required.

                  Our team break downs are as follows:

100# ages 5-8                          125# ages 9-10                        145# ages 11-12

Child’s age is computed as of May 1, 2020

CHEERLEADERS CAN BE MOVED TO OLDER AGE GROUP.

ALL REGISTRATION MONEY MUST BE PAID BEFORE/AT THE 1^ST PRACTICE 

HOG RAFFLE TICKET MONEY MUST BE TURNED IN BEFORE A UNIFORM WILL BE ISSUED

                                    Fundraisers

• Hog Raffle Tickets- This year HLT will be doing a Hog Raffle in place of Diamond Card Sales. Each child will be responsible for selling 10 tickets at $10 each. If you wish to not participate in the fundraiser, you may opt-out, and pay the full registration cost of $200.
• Program book. Books will be available at home games and at the end of year banquet for $5.00. Please consider supporting our book. We have sponsor forms. See a trustee for more details.
• Spirit wear, tumblers, flags, and other items will also be available to purchase throughout the season. 

  Rules for football players and cheerleaders:

• Must attend practices and be on time (if you do have to miss practice, please inform your coach. Be advised that missing too many practices may result in loss of playing/cheering time, even if they are excused)
• Must respect the referees, fellow players, opponents, coaches, and trustees.
• Must show up on time for the pre-game
• Varsity players should stay to support JV games
• Must respect and take care of your equipment
• All parents and players must sign the zero tolerance policy and adhere to it. Please read the consequences.
• Must adhere to all deadlines

Practices are tentative to begin Monday, July 6^th. First week is helmet only. Normal practices will be Mon-Thurs at Howland Glen Elementary from 6-8. Once school starts the schedule will be revised. If you are injured, you are still expected to attend practice. You will not participate in practice, but will observe from the sidelines. We have practice plans to ensure our players learn the game and skills safely and progress so that we can meet our potential as a team. We will spend an inordinate amount of time teaching the basics such as blocking, tackling, and the basic plays in football and jumps/arm positions and standard cheers for cheerleaders. 

                  Our practice and game facilities are part of the Howland school system It is important to treat these facilities with respect as Howland schools can revoke our ability to practices and scrimmages there at any time. As a result, our zero tolerance policy must be adhered to at all times. All players and parents must insure that any water bottles and /or trash are disposed of properly after every practice and scrimmage.

                  If you stay to watch your child’s practice, please park in designated areas only--without blocking entries, exits, or fire zones. Please be courteous to the coaches, as they are donating their time. Drama and remarks during practice will not be tolerated. We are all one team. Parents will be asked to leave if they are a disruption. Siblings are not to be dropped off and left unattended during practices, scrimmages, or games. 

                  If you choose to drop your child off, please pick them up on time and keep a phone on you at all times in case of emergencies.

                  There will be times where weather stops practice. If any lightning is seen from the field, practice will be over. There is not shelter at the school. As a result, it is important that you return to the field immediately if bad weather is in the area. If the weather is bad, we don’t usually cancel until 5:30PM. It will be cancelled through our social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and Team App.

                  Howland schools are smoke -free areas.

                  The head coach is responsible for all playing time decisions. The players performing the best at any particular position during practice will start. The kids are played in the positions best suited for them and the team based on their ability, not necessarily what they want to play. A player may play 2-3 different positions, both offense and defense and may even change positions during the game. In close games, some kids may not get a chance to play. Encourage your child no matter how much he/she plays or what position he/she plays to always give 100%.

If you are not happy with an outcome during the season, please talk with your coach. They will be accessible before, or after practices to discuss any problems or concerns. Please discuss these subjects with the coaches outside the presence of the players. Coaches are not to be disturbed during practice or a game. Posting comments and negativity on social media will also not be tolerated! 

                  All kids involved with HLT are invited to participate in the 4^th of July parade. Kids should wear orange and black or a previous jersey/uniform. Please arrive at Hunters Square Plaza, in front of Salvatore’s at 9:30AM. Parade starts at 10am. Please bring a bag of candy to throw. Volunteers are needed for the parade. 

                  Please consider volunteering your time in some capacity this season. We are in need of team moms, a chain crew for each game, running the scoreboard, help with raffle tickets, helpers to pass out game day snacks, field set up and tear down and various other activities. Please see a trustee if interested. Thank you in advance for your help.

                  We would also like to have a volunteer: a nurse, a doctor, or paramedic, or any other medical professional that would be interested in attending to any minor injuries that occur at practices and games. If anyone is interested, please contact me to discuss this item further. 

                  Cheer: HLT will provide a cheerleading top, and skirt that cheerleaders will keep. Additional items may be required, and will be determined before practices begin.

If you purchased the below items last year, they can be reused this year if in good shape.

• Pompoms 
• Briefs
• Long sleeved crop top under shirt

• Bow
• Socks
• Warm-up jacket and pants- (OPTIONAL)
• Headwarmer (Optional)

  Purchased from store are:

• White tennis shoes (Laced no Velcro)-Prices vary

                  Football: Equipment will be distributed to the football players on Saturday, July 11^th at Life Storage on Elm Rd.

Football equipment provided by HLT and MUST be returned includes:

Helmet, Shoulder pads, rib protector, practice jersey. Players will keep their game jersey.

Additional items that parents must purchase:

• Plastic cleats (metal or hard screws in plastic are not permitted) -prices vary
• Integrated pants- prices vary typically $30
• Orange socks (optional)

Please respect all HLT equipment.  If something does not fit or is broken, talk to a coach or equipment manager. Parents are responsible for any damage (beyond normal wear and tear), as well as lost or stolen equipment. ALL equipment issued MUST be returned at the end of the season. These items have a replacement cost associated with them. Any items not returned to the HLT, at the end of the season, will be charged to the parent in the amount of the cost to replace that item. Please be prompt in returning your equipment once the season is over. 

                  If you and your child decide to no longer participate in HLT, a refund will be given until July 20^th. Refunds WILL NOT be issued after this date. We sincerely hope that you all stay and allow us to develop your children into better football players and cheerleaders. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask.

We are looking forward to another great season!

Jackie Parks                                                                                                                                                                             [email protected]