Constitution Purpose The purpose of the Dance Team is to promote school spirit within the student body and to develop a sense of good sportsmanship and friendship amongst the dancers and between other schools during athletic events. All team members are representatives of the Fort Mill School District and should display behaviors that will reflect favorably on their team, their school and themselves at all times, in uniform or not. Try-Outs All forms must be turned in to the coaches by Tuesday, April10 th A clinic will be held on Tuesday, April 10 th and Thursday, April 12 th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm in the Nation Ford High School Practice Gym for candidates to learn a routine on which they will be judged during try-outs. Note Thursday will be part clinic and part try-out Try-outs will be held on Thursday, April 12 th and Friday, April 13 th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm in the Nation Ford High School Practice Gym. No one is allowed to watch try-outs, including parents. Note that Thursday will be part clinic and part try-out. A panel of at least four qualified judges will evaluate the candidates each day using a score sheet. The dancers will be judged on: turns, leaps, performance, showmanship, kicks, knowledge of routine, pom skills, and flexibility. 1
Judging Criteria: o 10% Interview o 10% Athletic Conditioning o 40% Routine/Choreography o 20% Technique o 20% Sidelines o Candidates will perform in groups of 5, approximately. Each group will perform the routine at least two times. A list of the new team members will be posted by try-out number on the Fort Mill Athletic site: www.fortmillathletics.com > NFHS > Dance Team Results Posted by 9:00am Saturday, April 14 th. Parent Meeting will be Thursday, April 19 th 4:30 pm at Encore Studios (821 Crossroads Plz. Ft. Mill 29708) to discuss all further details. A packet will be emailed out immediately upon making the team. Being on the dance team a prior year DOES NOT guarantee placement on the team the following year 2
Requirements for Dancer Candidates must be a rising 9 th, 10 th, 11 th or 12 th grader. Any grade is eligible for the Varsity Dance Team. Academic eligibility must be met for each grading period in the final grading term of the try-out academic year as well as each grading period during the season. Candidates must maintain a 70% average of ALL classes in order to participate in team practices/events AND may NOT be failing (lower than 60%) in more than one class. The coaches will check midterms and report cards the day that they are issued. Last Semester Report Cards from 2017-18 school year will be collected to determine academic eligibility to participate through the Summer. o Failing (lower than 60%) in more than one class results in academic probation o Lower than a 70% average in all classes results in academic probation o Teacher Recommendation Form will be given if the student has become ineligible. Dancers are required to return this form with approval from both their parent and teacher in order to become academically eligible. Students with major discipline problems will NOT be allowed to participate in try-outs. The Coaches and Administration retain the right to evaluate any questionable situations. Dancer must exhibit maturity, sound judgment, leadership and demonstrate a cooperative attitude. Dancers will conduct themselves properly at all times, as official representatives of their school. Dancers must be insured through the school or by an individual family policy. 3
Each dancer will be responsible for certain FEES (to be discussed at Parent Meeting). Dancers/Parents will be expected to assist with fundraisers. Games and Practices The dance team season runs in two seasons football (June-November) and basketball (November-February) A calendar of performances and events will be provided to each dancer at the beginning of each season. Note: Dates are subject to change, but dancers will be notified in ample time. Dress Code: School Color Top with black bottoms o 1. Hair pulled back and out of the face (prevent distractions from the dancer). o 2. Tank tops are allowed ONLY with a sports bra (no regular bras). o 3. NO shorts above the knee unless it has built in underwear, spandex shorts underneath, or tights underneath. Spandex shorts ALONE are NOT allowed unless tights are worn underneath. Note: Spandex shorts upon spandex short ISN T acceptable. The goal is to avoid distractions and seeing unnecessary skin! Absolutely NO CHEWING GUM during try-outs, practice, games, or competitions UDA Camp is a mandatory event based on the amount of material and team bonding that happens at camp. This year it will be held at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem NC from Wednesday, July 25 th thru Saturday, July 28 th. Choreography Camp is a mandatory event where we learn the choreography for the duration of our season. It s crucial for the dancers to be there and learn from the choreographer. This year our camp is Friday, June 15 th in Fort Mill. There will be practices throughout the Summer Schedule TBA 4
Dancers who work, participate in clubs or school activities, or have outside commitments must see that their schedule does NOT conflict in any way with performances or practice. o If there is a conflict the dancer MUST inform the coaches of the conflict within 2 weeks of OUR schedule being distributed in order to consider it an excused absence. Practice will be orderly and always closed to the public. The coaches have the right to call any extra practices if they feel it is needed. Doctor appointments are requested to be made around the dance schedule. They will be excused with NO demerits but may prevent a dancer from performing if absent from one of the last 2 practices prior to a performance. Any dancer who quits the team or is dismissed from the team by the coach will forfeit all awards and participation the next school year. Dancers MUST be at school on game DAY and at practice the WEEK of a performance (last 2 practices) in order to perform. This applies to all performances. o Missed Tuesday practice (2 nd practice prior to performance) with an excused absence will automatically be pulled from the routine. They may be added back in if they prove knowledge of the routine and any changes made at Tuesdays practice on Thursday o Missed Thursday practice for any reason they will automatically be pulled from the routine. Transportation to and from try-outs, practices, performances and other events is the responsibility of the participant. All excused absences require a doctor s note. Excused absences follow the school guidelines and include personal illness or death in the family. Even though absences may be excused, if the absences affect the dancer s ability to successfully learn the routine for a performance, the coaches will determine if participation in the event is allowed. o NOTE: Family vacation, extra curricular activities, clubs, school activities (play, pageant, choir, sports, etc.) are UNEXCUSED 5
absences unless a conflict is noted within 2 weeks of distributing our schedule. Conduct Dancers conduct in the classroom should be of a caliber, which sets a good example to other students and the faculty. Dancers should always conduct themselves properly. Behavior that is unbecoming at anytime regardless of whether they are in uniform or at a school event or not, consisting of things such as: smoking, drinking, using abusive language, making obscene gestures, and public display of affection. Disciplinary action or dismissal from the team may occur. Keep this in mind in Social Media posts/online interactions as well. The coaches have the authority to suspend or drop permanently any dancer for any of the following reasons: o Unsportsmanlike behavior o Blatant disrespect to a coach or fellow dancer o Breach of conduct 6
Uniforms Dancers are responsible for their costumes/uniforms. Costumes/Uniforms must stay in proper condition with no tears, stains, rips, or noticeable blemishes. If costume/uniform is not taken care of a replacement will need to be issued or purchased. Only dance team members may wear uniforms. At all performances, dancers are to be dressed in full uniform including hair and make-up as instructed by the captain or coaches. Dancers who are not dressed correctly will NOT be allowed to perform. Disciplinary Action The coach, athletic director, and principal will evaluate situations that arise that are not covered by existing rules or demerit system. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken according to the circumstance at hand. Offenses that will result in automatic dismissal from the dance team: o Drinking or having alcohol at school, dance team event, or in uniform. o Smoking or the use of illegal drugs o Contact fighting o Profanity o Blatant disrespect to coaches or school faculty o Behavior that may affect the reputation of the team or cause dissent among the team. 7
Contact Information Name: Grade 18-19 School Year: Cell Phone: Home Phone: Email: DOB: Home Address: Parent s Name: Parent Phone(s) Parent Email(s): Medical Information (including previous injuries): Dance Experience: My son/daughter has signified a desire to become a member of a dance team in the Fort Mill School District. If selected, there are certain responsibilities and obligations that he/she must assume in order to remain on the team. I have read the rules and regulations set forth in the Constitution and agree to help my child abide by them. I will contact the dance coaches whenever questions arise for clarification of the matter. Signature of Parent/Guardian Date 8
Emergency Release I hereby give (candidate s name) permission to try-out and take part in the dance team activities, including try-out photography. I will NOT hold the Fort Mill School District, individual schools, or the coaches responsible for any injury that occurs during try-outs or as a member of the team, should he/she be chosen. Please sign and return this permission form no later than Tuesday, April 10 th, 2018. Candidates cannot try-out if these required forms have not been received by the date specified. No verbal consents or late forms will be accepted. Signature of Parent/Guardian Date Address: City: State: Zip: Emergency Phone: Alt. Phone: Primary Insurance: Policy Number: Name on Insurance: Secondary Insurance: Policy Number: Does your son/daughter have school insurance? Yes No 9