High School TRYOUT HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 Hewitt-Trussville High School TRYOUT HANDBOOK for COLOR GUARD and HIGHSTEPPERS 1

2 Auxiliary Handbook Committee Mr. Tim Salem Principal HTHS Mrs. Stephanie Ezell Assistant Band Director HTHS Mr. Scott Waid Band Director HTHS 2

3 Forward Band auxiliary units are among the most popular and valuable participants in the extracurricular activities of our school. These students are expected to maintain balance between their extracurricular activities and their scholarship. They are also expected to show responsibility in the areas of leadership, school spirit, public relations and student relations. Because of their high visibility, they should strive to be positive reflections on their school and good examples for their peers. Due to the large number of students who have a great desire to serve in these groups a selection process that is fair and objective must be maintained. It is imperative to our school system and all employees that this process be above reproach and as consistent as possible. The purpose of this document is to set forth standards which will help band directors, auxiliary sponsors and principals select and maintain groups in accordance with the principles outlined above. The contents may not cover every circumstance, but should provide considerable assistance. In resolving issues not covered, it is recommended that those involved rely on principles of fairness, common sense and advice from the Central Office. STANDARDS FOR SELECTION OF BAND AUXILIARY UNITS These standards are intended to lend uniformity, objectivity, and fairness to procedures for the selection of members of the groups designated above. However, this document is not a contract and does not create or recognize a right to, or legally protected interest in, trying out for, being selected to, or maintaining eligibility for continued participation in or on any of the groups governed by these standards. 3

4 I. Eligibility of Candidates A. All students trying out for group membership must meet the standards set forth in Trussville City Schools Board of Education No Pass/No Play Regulations. B. If a student is eligible at the beginning of the school year, she/he will be eligible for the entire school year. If she/he is ineligible, the student will be allowed to tryout in the 2 nd semester with the following stipulations: 1. The student has demonstrated satisfactory progress toward meeting eligibility requirements. The student s progress will be based on first semester grades. She/he must have passed five subjects on the 7 period per day schedule with a composite numerical average of at least The student and parent must sign an agreement stating that all parties understand that if eligibility standards are not met for the upcoming school year, the student will not be allowed to participate. All financial costs that have been incurred will be the sole responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s). C. In order to be eligible to try out for Highstepper at HTHS, one must first tryout and be selected for Color Guard at HTHS. D. Additional nonacademic pre-requisites may be allowed pending the approval of the Trussville City School Board of Education. E. At the time of tryouts, a student must be enrolled at HTHS or HTMS, with the following exception: 1. A student may be allowed to tryout who is not enrolled at HTHS or HTMS, if the student presents proof that she/he will be attending Hewitt-Trussville High School in the fall. Proof would be constituted by an approved Trussville City Schools Board of Education transfer, evidence of parents /guardians buying a house within the zone of HTHS, a court document verifying a change of custody to parent/guardian living in the zone of Hewitt-Trussville High School, or other proofs of comparable significance. The candidate must agree not to try out at her/his current school and must meet the attendance requirements of the Trussville City School s training session. 4

5 II. Information for Candidates A. Tryouts will be announced at least four weeks prior to training and should be made a part of the school calendar. B. Each applicant will be given a copy of the TCBOE standards and any other information pertinent to the tryouts on or before the first day of the training program. The student must return a statement of receipt for these documents signed by both the student and the parent/guardian on or before the second day of the training program. C. Copies of this document will be furnished to all tryout participants no later than the beginning of the training program. D. Veteran squad members must tryout in subsequent years. E. The Band Auxiliary Constitution must not conflict with TCBOE Policy and must be approved by the principal. F. The school, by its own constitution, may declare any student ineligible who has been dismissed for disciplinary reasons in any previous year or does not fulfill responsibilities for the entire term of membership. This includes any squad covered by this handbook. G. The band director or sponsor is allowed to check conduct grades. H. Candidates are responsible for bringing their own silk (flag), pole, stoppers, and bolts to training clinic. I. Tryouts and mock tryouts will be closed to spectators. No cameras or video equipment will be allowed during mock tryouts or tryouts. J. The decision of the judges is FINAL. No scores will be announced or reviewed with participants or parents. K. Each auxiliary will consist of no definite number from year to year. The number of qualified candidates varies. L. Selection will be based on physical fitness, neat appearance, showmanship, coordination, performance of flag manuals, body movement, ability to take commands, routine performance, and internal timing. *Highsteppers will be judged on kicks and dance routines. 5

6 III. Physical/Mental Fitness A. All candidates trying out must have a physical examination by a physician. Arrangements for the physical examination and any cost incurred are the responsibility of the candidate s parent/guardian. B. A signed statement/certificate by the physician, stating the student is capable of full participation in this activity, must be turned in to the school by the first day of tryout clinic for the student to be eligible to participate in the tryout clinic. C. With band director, sponsor and administrative approval, a veteran member of Hewitt- Trussville High School Color Guard or Highstepper, who is injured, at the time of tryouts, can provide doctor s orders stating that the candidate s injury is too severe to allow them to participate in tryouts. That candidate could be granted the opportunity to be evaluated for participation on Color Guard or Highstepper by the band directors, sponsors, and an administrator at a later date. It will be the responsibility of the candidate to provide doctor s orders releasing them to fully participate in the evaluation process. In order to be eligible for this opportunity, one must be a veteran member of Color Guard or Highstepper. A candidate would be evaluated on the same skills that were required during tryouts. Veteran Color Guard and Highstepper members would be eligible to be evaluated for Color Guard membership and only veteran Highsteppers could be evaluated for Highstepper membership. If a candidate goes through the tryout process the outcome of tryouts will be the final decision. ** If a death occurs in candidate s immediate family, a candidate may request the same re-evaluation process as a candidate who is too injured to tryout. Obituary must be provided. 6

7 Training of Candidates C. HTHS will set up a procedure for training prospective group members, without regard to race, gender, or national origin. D. A minimum of four school days training will be provided prior to tryouts. E. All training must take place outside of regular school hours, and participants will be responsible for their own transportation to and from after school training sessions. F. Band directors or sponsors will use routines not used by the squad at any time during the three years prior to tryouts. IV. Selection of Judges for Tryouts A. Each school will select a minimum of three qualified adult judges to determine the group members. B. Judges must reside outside of the TCBOE attendance zone and must not be related to any tryout participant or employee of the Trussville City Schools. C. If there are racial minority participants, there will be at least one racial minority judge. V. Tryout Procedures A. Judges must be seated a minimum distance of six feet from other persons and from each other. B. The judges will evaluate only what the contestants perform on the day of the tryout or audition. No video recordings will be viewed or scored by the judges. No reference may be made to the contestant s previous experience. C. Band directors and sponsors will score the candidate s ability to perform flag basics. Candidates will perform the flag basics portion during mock tryouts only. Each candidates basics score will be based on the quality of the skill performed. The flag basics scores will be added to the tryout routine scores. Flag basic scores will not be revealed to the judging panel prior to the performance of the tryout routine. 7

8 D. Score sheets shall be completed by the judges and tallied by the designee(s) of the principal. E. If a judge changes a candidate s score sheet, the change must be initialed by that judge at the time the change is made. F. Results will be determined and announced the same day as tryouts. Letters, phone messages, recordings, and posted lists are all acceptable alternatives to an announcement in front of the entire groups. No individual scores will be announced; no individual scores or score sheets will subsequently be revealed to individual students or parents. G. Score sheets shall be retained by the principal or his/her designee for a period of one year from the date of judging. H. Any deviations from the standards for selection must have prior approval from the Superintendent or his/her designee. 8

9 TRYOUT CHECKLIST Activity Date(s) of Judging 1. Eligibility of candidates All requirements of the section have been met. 2. Tryout information for candidates. 3. Physical fitness of candidates 4. Training of Candidates 5. Selection of judges for tryouts 6. Tryout procedures Approved: Principal Date Approved Note: This verification form must be on file in the principal s office no later than five school days following the completion of judging. 9