THOMAS JEFFERSON YOUTH CHEER ASSOCIATION (TJYCA)
Parent & Athlete Handbook
🖤💛 Welcome to TJYCA Cheer! 🐾📣
We are so excited to welcome your family to the Thomas Jefferson Youth Cheer Association (TJYCA). Our program continues to grow each year, and we are proud to offer a fun, safe, team-focused cheerleading experience for our athletes.
This handbook is designed to help families understand how our program works, what to expect throughout the season, and how we can all work together to give the girls the best possible experience.
Please read through this handbook carefully. By registering, families acknowledge and agree to follow the guidelines outlined below.
OUR PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
Cheerleading at TJYCA is:
• 🐾 A team sport
• 🖤 Built on commitment, effort, and respect
• 💛 Focused on fun, safety, and confidence
• 📣 Designed for development, not perfection
Every cheerleader matters. No single athlete is more important than the team, and no one “stands out” above the group. We cheer together — on the sidelines, at halftime, and in our community.
SEASON OVERVIEW
• Season Length: July – November
• Cheer Camp: Late July (mandatory)
• Practices: Late July through football season
• Games: Saturdays (schedule set by South Hills Youth Football League)
• Community Events: Community Day, parade, special appearances
• End-of-Season Banquet: Typically Black Friday (location TBD)
ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION
Cheerleading is a team sport. Every stunt group, formation, and routine depends on consistent attendance and preparation. When athletes are missing, it impacts safety and the entire team.
Attendance expectations are guided by TJYCA’s official Attendance & Halftime Participation Policy and are applied consistently across all squads.
CHEER CAMP (MANDATORY)
Cheer Camp is a required and essential part of the season for all registered cheerleaders.
What to expect:
• Typically Monday–Friday in the evening
• About 1.5 hours per day
• Focus on safety, stunting fundamentals, timing, formations, and routines
Cheer camp lays the foundation for safe stunting, timing, formations, and halftime routines. Because so much of the season builds from this week, attendance is mandatory.
Cheerleaders who do not attend camp may:
• Be restricted from stunting
• Be restricted from halftime routines
• Still participate in sideline cheers
Approved absences are limited to:
• Illness or injury
• Religious events
• Funeral/viewing
• Board-approved exceptions submitted in advance
Any request for an exception must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors in advance and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
PRACTICES 📅
Summer (Late July–August)
• Typically 2 practices per week
• Commonly Tuesdays & Thursdays
• Usually about 2 hours
• Held at GBU Park
Summer practices are where our squads begin to bond, build skills, and prepare for the season ahead. While we understand summer includes vacations and other commitments, regular attendance helps ensure safe stunting, clean routines, and confident halftime performances.
Cheerleading is a team sport. Each athlete plays an important role, and consistent participation allows the entire squad to grow together.
If your family has a planned absence, please notify your head coach in advance so they can plan accordingly.
After two unexcused absences, the cheerleader will sit one halftime routine. Additional participation decisions are determined thereafter by the Head Coach and coaching staff, with Board notification to ensure consistency.
Cheerleaders are responsible for catching up missed material.
School Year
• Typically 1 practice per week
• Either Tuesday or Thursday
• Practice length may shorten as daylight decreases
Once school begins and games are underway, practice becomes especially important for safety, timing, and halftime preparation. These practices focus on polishing routines and maintaining stunt readiness.
After one unexcused absence, the cheerleader will sit one halftime routine. Further participation decisions are determined by the Head Coach and coaching staff, with Board notification.
Consistent attendance during the school year helps ensure every cheerleader feels prepared and confident on game day.
PRACTICE DROP-OFF & PICK-UP 🚗
Due to limited parking and large squad sizes:
• Practices operate on a rolling drop-off and pick-up
• Please arrive on time, not early
• Early arrivals create traffic and overlap with other squads
Cheerleaders must be picked up promptly at the end of practice.
GAME DAYS 🏈📣
• Games are played on Saturdays
• Locations and schedules are determined by the South Hills Youth Football League (SHYFL)
• TJYCA does not control game locations or fifth/sixth quarter rules
Game Days are the highlight of the season! They require preparation, teamwork, and focus from everyone - athletes and families alike.
Arrival Time
Cheerleaders are expected to arrive approximately 1 hour before game time for:
• Warm-ups and Stretching
• Organization
• Halftime preparation
SIDELINE CHEERS & HALFTIME ROUTINES
• Sideline cheers: Everyone participates — no one is pulled
• Halftime routines: Require consistent practice attendance
Halftime routines are fixed group performances built around assigned stunt groups.
• Routines cannot be restructured week-to-week
• Stunt groups cannot be modified on game day
• Coaches may remove any athlete from a stunt or routine at any time due to lack of preparedness or safety concerns.
Our goal is safety and rewarding consistent effort - not punishment.
Illness Exception
In rare illness-related cases, a coach may allow halftime participation only if:
• Attendance has otherwise been consistent
• The cheerleader already knows the routine
• Safety is not compromised
UNIFORMS & APPEARANCE🎀
• Only TJYCA-approved uniforms and accessories may be worn
• Uniform pieces are specific to each season
• Families may purchase through the program or resale
Uniform Assistance
• Fundraising opportunities are available to help offset uniform costs
Hair & Appearance
• Coaches determine hairstyle for games (up, down, ponytail, etc.)
• Hair bows are purchased through uniform ordering and must match
• For safety reasons: No jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets)
• Hair must be secured properly for stunting
FUNDRAISING 💛
Fundraising is optional but encouraged.
Families pay for uniforms upfront. Fundraising credits are applied toward uniform costs and are capped at the total amount paid for the uniform.
Example:
If your uniform cost is $200 and you raise $400, up to $200 may be credited back. Additional funds are used to support TJYCA program expenses such as equipment, music, insurance, permits, and team events.
All fundraising totals are tracked and reconciled by the Treasurer.
END-OF-SEASON BANQUET 🎉
The TJYCA Banquet is a special celebration for our cheerleaders:
• Athlete gifts
• Team recognition
• Season highlights
• Memories made 🖤💛
• Cheerleader ticket is included in registration
• Parent tickets may be purchased
• Fundraising credits may be used toward parent tickets
• Typically held Black Friday
• Location TBD each year
The cheerleader ticket is included in registration. Parent tickets may be purchased or offset with fundraising.
Banquet costs are part of the overall program and are non-refundable.
COMMUNITY EVENTS & PARADE 🐾
• TJYCA participates in community events organized by local boroughs
• Community Day and parade participation is encouraged but not mandatory
• Dates and times are determined by the hosting municipality
SAFETY, MEDICAL & INJURIES 🩹
Families must disclose allergies, medical conditions, and medications once registered.
If a cheerleader is injured, they must sit out until cleared. A doctor's note may be required for returning to stunting or full participation.
Safety is always our top priority.
TEAM CULTURE & ANTI-BULLYING 🖤
We are committed to:
• Kindness
• Inclusion
• Encouragement
• Respect
Bullying, exclusion, or negative behavior toward teammates, coaches, officials, or other teams will not be tolerated.
PARENT & SPECTATOR EXPECTATIONS 📣
We ask all families to:
• Cheer positively for all athletes
• Avoid negative comments toward football, cheer, referees, or leagues
• Remember: little ears are always listening
Parents and spectators are expected to demonstrate positive sportsmanship in person and online. Online posts or comments that are harmful, divisive, or disrespectful may be addressed by the Board.
SOCIAL MEDIA 📱
• Families are welcome to take photos and share memories
• Please respect the privacy of others
• Coaches are held to stricter guidelines regarding posting and supervision
COMMUNICATION 📬
• Official communication is sent via SportsConnect
• Practice schedules come from the Head Coach
• Questions or concerns:
• Parents → Vice President ([email protected])
• Coaches → President ([email protected])
VOLUNTEERS 💛🐾
TJYCA is run entirely by volunteers. You do not need to do everything. Even a little help makes a huge difference. Your time and effort directly improve the experience for the girls — and it truly means the world to our coaches and board.
REGISTRATION & REFUNDS
Registration is non-refundable. Fees include program costs and cheerleader banquet ticket.
In rare circumstances, refunds may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis
FINAL THOUGHTS 🖤💛
Cheerleading is a commitment — but it’s also supposed to be fun.
If your family can make time for practices, support the team, and embrace the spirit of TJYCA, we promise a season filled with:
• Confidence
• Friendships
• Growth
• Pride
• And lots of Jaguar spirit 🐆🐾📣
We’re so glad you’re here.
CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION
This Handbook of the Thomas Jefferson Youth Cheer Association (TJYCA) was adopted by a two thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors on February 9, 2026, and supersede and replace all prior governing documents of the Association. This Parent & Athlete Handbook shall take effect immediately upon adoption.