A Proud Bully-Free Zone – Fostering Respect, Growth, and Excellence
At Louisiana Heat All Star Cheer, we are unwavering in our commitment to providing a safe, positive, and empowering environment for all our athletes. This is why we proudly operate as a Bully-Free Zone, a philosophy that permeates every aspect of our program, from our coaching staff to our athletes and their families.
Our Commitment to a Safe and Respectful Environment:
- No Bullying, No Belittling: We have a strict zero-tolerance policy for bullying, belittling, or any form of verbal abuse towards any child. Our coaches are professionals who are here to guide, mentor, and inspire, never to tear down or curse out an athlete.
- Professional Conduct from Coaches: All Louisiana Heat coaches adhere strictly to the USASF Code of Conduct. This means maintaining the highest level of professionalism from start to finish, ensuring a respectful and constructive learning environment for every athlete.
- Accountability for All: We believe in holding everyone accountable for their behavior – athletes, parents, and staff alike. Disrespect towards coaches or parents by athletes will be addressed with appropriate measures, such as strength work, designed to reinforce discipline and self-control. We understand that practices can be challenging, but we empower our athletes, as growing young women, to manage their emotions and conduct themselves with maturity.
Fostering Discipline and Growth:
- Behavioral Expectations: Every athlete at Louisiana Heat is responsible for their behavior. We believe that instilling discipline and self-control is crucial for both athletic success and personal growth.
- Life Lessons Through Cheer: The intensity of competitive cheerleading often presents opportunities to learn how to manage emotions under pressure. We use these moments to teach invaluable life lessons about resilience, self-regulation, and maintaining composure, even when things get "rough."
Parental Partnership and Communication:
We believe in a strong partnership between our staff and our parents to ensure a cohesive and supportive environment.
- Account Inquiries: For any questions regarding your account, Miss Christine in the office is your dedicated point of contact and is available to assist you at any time.
- Parent Portal: Parent portal links will be securely sent out via email. It is the parent's responsibility to regularly check all parent communications and monitor their accounts for important updates and information.
- Competition and Performance Day Questions: For questions regarding competition days or performance schedules, please direct your inquiries to your Team Moms. In case of an emergency, your Gym Mom is available to assist.
Upholding Our Bully-Free Zone: Expectations for Parents:
The principles of our Bully-Free Zone extend to our entire Louisiana Heat family, including parents. We expect all parents to uphold the same standards of respect and professionalism.
- Respectful Conduct: Parents will not disrespect coaches, staff, or team moms. Disrespect can manifest in various forms, and we want to be clear about the types of behavior that are unacceptable and can lead to serious consequences, including dismissal from Louisiana Heat training or All Stars.
- Behaviors Leading to Dismissal: The following actions by athletes or parents are strictly prohibited and may result in dismissal from the program (this list is not exhaustive):
- Cursing towards teammates, coaches, or staff members.
- Gossip or slander directed at the program or its owners.
- Fighting or threatening to fight.
- Possession or use of drugs or vaping products at the gym.
- Talking to judges at competition (this is a serious violation of competition rules).
- Being late on competition day (demonstrates a lack of commitment to the team).
- Slander on social media directed at the program, staff, or other members.
At Louisiana Heat, we are building more than just cheerleaders; we are building strong, respectful, and resilient young women. By upholding our Bully-Free Zone policy, we ensure that every member of our family feels safe, supported, and empowered to reach their fullest potential. Thank you for being a part of the Louisiana Heat family!
CODE OF CONDUCT - for Parents and Athletes
PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS
Our attendance policy is strict. Athletes are allowed 2 unexcused absences & 3 excused throughout the competitive season. Once they have passed this limit, they will be taken out of sections & if they continue to miss, they will be dismissed from the program.
Punctuality is important to us. Please arrive on time to practices, competitions, or any scheduled event.
Once practice wear arrives, we have a set dress code for practices & specific attire for competitions. It is your responsibility to wear the appropriate attire.
Hair color must remain a natural color during the competition season - no red, blue, purple, pink, etc. Jewelry is not allowed during practices or competitions. Please refrain from getting a new piercing during the competition season.
During practices, personal items should be left with parents or near the cubbies. Please do not leave items at the gym. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Practice times can be changed or added through out the season.
ATHLETE CONDUCT
Being a part of our program requires athletes & parents to show good sportsmanship, polite manners, kindness, & respect at practices, competitions, and in our lobby. Gossip, drama, or continued bad behavior will lead to dismissal from our program. Social Media posts that are a poor representation of Louisiana Heat training may result in suspension or dismissal from our program.
TEAM COMMITMENT
All Star cheerleading is a sport that requires a high level of team commitment from the athletes, coaches, and parents involved. Unlike other sports, All Star cheerleading teams need all members present at practices and at performances to function properly.
There are no “bench players” or “replacement athletes” on immediate standby with when someone is missing. When an athlete is unable to practice or perform, other athletes on the team are affected (i.e. stunt groups are not able to practice when one athlete is missing, pyramids have gaps, etc.).
For this reason, All Star cheerleading helps teach its athletes many other great character qualities beyond cheerleading that they will take with them through life. Qualities such as dependability, working hard together, and putting others before “self” are just a few things taught from this exciting TEAM sport.
Each All-star Tier offered requires a little more commitment, a little higher intensity and a little more toughness from its members.
PARENT CONDUCT AND RESPONSIBILITY
Only Athletes & Coaches are allowed in the gym area. Parents should stay in the lobby unless invited into the gym.
It is the parent’s responsibility to know what is going on with the team. Please check BAND or team mom.
Parents, relatives, and athletes are not allowed to speak with competition officials for any reason. Competition Conduct/Etiquette – As a program, we strive to instill the values of good sportsmanship in our athletes. In order to achieve this, we have to ensure that our parents and supporters exhibit good sportsmanship as well.
At competitions, all parents are expected to conduct themselves with exceptional sportsmanship and courtesy for all athletes, spectators & production staff at the event. This includes, but is not limited to: remaining seated while all teams are performing to not block the view of others, not talking negatively about any athlete/team, congratulating all teams on their performance/placements, and keeping a positive attitude throughout the duration of the event.
Payment Responsibilities – All fees (tuition, participation fees, uniform fees, etc.) to Louisiana Heat All Stars must be kept up to date. Failure to make payments by due dates will result in late fees, suspended participation in practice and/or removal from the team.
Please understand the financial commitment involved with this activity by viewing the information sheets provided for each Program Tier.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the following chain of communication:
1. Team Parent (these will be named at team reveal )
2. Coach
3. Owner
Please feel free to come to us with any issue or concern using the chain of communication listed above - your team parent will direct you to a coach or owner if the situation requires it. Remember to only approach coaches at an appropriate time (this time should usually be scheduled) - During classes or practices is not an appropriate time.
Athlete or Parent violation of the Code of Conduct can result in athlete dismissal from practice and/or dismissal from The Team Program for the season or indefinitely.