I HATE drama. I just do. I do not have many close girl friends for that reason. This school year has been wonderful, and I think its mostly because my classes are 74% boys. Boys do not like drama.  Sixth grade girls are pretty dramatic. Cheerleaders are even more dramatic.  Put that all together and its a nightmare at times.

This past cheerleading season, I did not have much drama where cheerleaders are concerned.  I had little tiffs over who was going out with whom but the relationships never lasted longer than a day, so no biggy. My girls last year got their first kisses during football season (most by the same two guys – can we say playa?). All had straight As and Bs, I think only two Cs this school year!  It was a coach’s dream!

Which brings us to this year.  Tryouts were last Friday. I do not get to choose my squad. I have to hire judges to choose the squad, which means character has nothing to do who makes the team.  If it was me, I would choose totally on character.  I’m that good of a coach that we can still win competitions with a squad with less talent.  Since Friday, I have had reports of new squad members failing tests (and classes) and major conduct issues.  In addition I’ve had one say she was going to tryout for volleyball and if she makes it quit cheerleading and I’m a racist. I have a full email box with parents asking questions or defending their girls.  I had teachers tell me of sexting (yes in 6th & 7th grade!), them making out (beyond kissing) with guys in the parking lot, and we won’t even get into their facebook walls.

I am clueless where to start.  The girls had to sign a contract before trying out for squad that stated their conduct would be “above reproach.” I have a demerit system in place that allows for punishments for actions.  So yeah I can punish, but what good does it do?

As a coach (and yes I COACH cheerleading not sponsor) I feel somewhat responsible for teaching ethics and behavior.  I am with the girls in a less structured environment than a classroom teacher.  I think citizenship and sports (YES cheerleading is a sport) go hand and hand.

I just do not know where to start with these girls.  I do not know what to do.  I had a talk with two of them today (didn’t have much choice they were kicked out of class and instead of office he sent them to stand outside my room) and I really do not think they “get it.”  I do not think they understand that there are consequences for their actions nor the importance of choosing correct behavior.

I do not know the purpose really of writing this blog entry.  It is just something I am dealing with.  I HATE drama and I am buried pretty deep in it.  Maybe I just need advice.   It is easy to say, this is their parent’s job.  But for some reason once they are on my squad I feel like they are mine – part of my life in a large way.

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