1 KMS DANCE TEAM CONTRACT It shall be the purpose of this organization to promote and uphold school spirit, to develop good sportsmanship among students, to support the athletic program, and to develop better relationships between schools during athletic events. This organization s goal is to work in harmony with the administration, faculty, athletic teams, and all other school organizations. Eligibility Requirements A. No student shall be eligible to participate if she becomes 15 on or before September 1 st. B. Candidates must have an overall academic average of C or better to be eligible for tryouts. This average is required to be maintained throughout the season. You will need to turn in a copy of your Most Recent report card, by Monday April 10th C. Candidates must have the attached Sports Medical Form filled out by a medical doctor stating she has passed a physical examination. This must be given to the sponsor by Monday April 10 th, in order to tryout. Most drugstores do a sports physical also. D. Each candidate and parent must have the KMS Dance Contract signed and returned by April 10th. Tryout Schedule and Information: A. All Dance skills necessary to tryout, will be taught during the before school clinic on Tuesday, April 11th Thursday the 13th. This clinic will be from 7:00 AM - 8:20AM each morning. All 5 th grade participants should understand they will be tardy for school on those three mornings. For quicker pick-up, parents of these participants should collect their child from the teacher parking lot when transporting to school. B. The actual tryout and team selection will take place in one day. All students will tryout on Thursday afternoon, April 13th, beginning at 4:00 P.M. until approximately 5:30. There could be some wait depending on number of candidates. C. Candidates may change in large bathroom across from Library for tryouts and must be ready by 3:55.
2 D. Clinic and Tryouts are closed to everyone, other than the judges and school personnel. No parents, students, or friends are allowed to watch. E. ALL candidates are expected to be on time and present for all 3 clinic days and tryouts. F. Dancers are chosen by the score they receive from the judges. Judges are from the University of Tennessee, Dance Team. The sponsor and coach have no input as to who is chosen. G. The (12 to 18) members selected for the 2017-2018 team will be posted by the participants tryout number, on the front door of the building no sooner than 8:00 P.M. on the day of tryouts. H. The decision of the judges is FINAL. Harassment of judges, sponsor, teachers, administrators, and/or dancers selected, demonstrates poor sportsmanship, sets a bad example, and will not be tolerated. Financial Responsibility A. A fee of $750.00 will be charged to cover some of the costs and collected in 3 payments of $250.00. This amount covers part of the costs incurred for, camp, camp wear, uniforms, poms, shoes, jackets/sweatshirts, ribbons, Banquet, awards, etc. This is an estimated breakdown of expenses: Camp - $170.00 Camp Wear/Turners - $311.00 Dance Bag- $46.00 Uniforms/Poms - $276.00 Jackets, Sweat Shirts or Hoodies - $80.00 Shoes - $55.00 Ribbons - $10.00 Miscellaneous - $15.00 Shipping/Handling - $30.00 Total=$993 (Dances and Concessions hopefully make up the difference of $243 per Dancer) B. Knox County Employees cannot fundraise in the summer. Parents are welcome to raise funds to help defray costs. In the past Parents have held (car-washes, road blocks, yard sales, pancake breakfast, etc.) Volunteers Welcome! C. Funds raised during the school year by sponsor and team is deposited to school dance account. These funds help pay for, camp, props and uniform items not covered in fees (that will remain at school following the season), insurance, supplies such as C.D. s, updating audio equipment, banquet awards and gifts, Banquet Meal, Holiday meal and celebration, competition fees, etc. D. Dancers are required to participate in the Knox County Schools athletic insurance program. It is a mandatory athletic secondary insurance. It begins in the fall and only covers while at supervised dance practice at the school and while performing at ballgames. The cost is estimated at $30.00 per athlete. E. In case of dismissal from the team, any paid money is not refundable. F. Middle School Dance sponsors are not paid by Knox County. A Charge of $50.00 to cover time spent working with the girls, will be scheduled for every 8 th practice session. A payment will be made to the sponsor. The sponsor will then
3 pay the choreographer for their time. If a practice is cancelled, we will make up time lost at future practices or through functions attended such as running concession fundraisers, etc. Please note; Changes in payment dates are possible due to extra time spent, (camp, competition, concession, working on music mixes, general office and billing work, time at Fantasy of Trees, etc.). Your payments cover more then just practice time. If a question arises about payments, please contact me with the question. G. All costs accrued for returned checks will be the responsibility of the Parent. Parental Expectations and Responsibilities A. Parents are responsible for all costs incurred by their child s participation on the Dance Team. B. Parents should be supportive and not speak unkindly of another dancer, the Choreographer, Sponsor, or KMS and its Staff. Parents and Dancers must avoid negative discussion on social media, this always filters back to the Sponsor and may be cause for dismissal of the dancer. Please be supportive of this team! If you have a question, ask the sponsor! C. Parents should not interfere with the sponsor or the dancers at any time during (practice, games, or competition). Dancers should give full attention to coaches and the event. D. Parents are asked to contribute to concessions when sponsored by the Dance Team. All funds go directly back to the school Dance Team account to be used as needed to complete payment of the before mentioned costs. Attendance Requirements A. Dancers must be present at LEAST half a day of school on the day of a game in order to perform. B. The sponsor must approve absences from games. A written note must be given to the sponsor. C. Dancers must attend all practices. This includes practices in the summer. Only the sponsor has the authority to excuse a dancer from practice. Neither parents, nor dancers, shall question coach s decision on another dancer s absence. D. In order for the squad to be ready to perform at camp in July, I am allowing 4 absences to be excused, with a parent note during summer practices. This is equivalent to approximately 2 weeks. I believe this to be very generous and hope this will allow plenty of family time. If a 5 th absence is necessary, the dancer will receive 3 demerits per practice missed. If the dancer misses over the allotted amount, she must make up the practice time missed by taking privates with our choreographer. This is at your expense and the demerits will be eliminated. This ensures the Dancer, nor the squad, will suffer. E. Excessive absences, (including leaving early), not made up with privates, may be cause for dismissal! Transportation A. The dancer is responsible for securing transportation to and from all functions.
4 B. Parents must pick up the dancer on time from school, practices and ballgames and any other function. Appearance A. Uniforms- Uniforms and shoes will be kept clean at all times. Uniforms must be Wrinkle free and without need of repair. (Please follow care instructions closely and keep white items white.) B. Jewelry- No jewelry is allowed. All rings, watches, earrings, and necklaces must be removed before games and performances unless authorized by coaches. C. Make-up-Make-up is acceptable, but not to an extreme, for the games. More make-up is usually acceptable for competitions. Clear or French manicure is acceptable. D. Hair- All dancers will wear their hair the same way. The sponsor will determine how the girls wear their hair. Dancers will be expected to wear the correct bow or ribbon. *Please note that some of the above-mentioned rules are for safety reasons as well as appearance. Behavior A dancer is a school representative and must uphold the standards set by KMS. It should NEVER become necessary for a dancer to be suspended or to have disciplinary action brought against her. Should this happen, appropriate action will be taken at the discretion of the sponsor and the administration. Sportsmanship A. Dancers must exhibit and promote good sportsmanship at all times, especially during games. B. Poor sportsmanship includes booing, extraneous noise during opponent s foul shots, and any other bad behavior seen by game officials or school personnel. C. Negative remarks towards other dance teams or cheerleading squads is not acceptable. Discipline In order to assure that the Dancer s responsibilities are equally shared, a DEMERIT SYSTEM will be used for absences from scheduled and called practices, failure to fulfill assigned duties, unbecoming behavior at practices and games, and failure to participate in special activities. A Dancer s behavior should be an example for others to follow, and must therefore be above reproach. Each Dancer is expected to adhere to the rules of the school, as well as the Dance Team s rules and responsibilities. Behavior Consequences A. Any Dancer receiving OSS (Out of School Suspension) may be dismissed from the team for the remainder of the season.
5 B. ISS (In School Suspension) First Offense: 1 game suspension, Second Offense: 2 game suspension or dismal from the team for the remainder of the season. C. Any Dance Team member who fails to conduct herself in an appropriate manner will be immediately dismissed from the team. D. A total of fifteen (15) accrued demerits will automatically result in dismissal from the team. E. Demerits may be given for offenses not mentioned, as the sponsor sees fit. The demerit system is as follows: 5 Demerits Unexcused absence from practice or ballgame results in 5 demerits and the dancer will attend, in uniform, but not be allowed to participate in any performance at the following game. (If a dancer leaves school early on the day of a practice or game, she must notify the sponsor that she will be absent, do not relay the message through another person. Remember: You cannot dance if you are counted absent on the day of the game.) Being picked up late from practice or performance 1 hour or more. This could also result in dismissal from the team. Parents must be responsible for the child s transportation. Each unsatisfactory conduct grade. This will also will result in suspension from the following game or competition. 4 Demerits Rudeness or inappropriate behavior at school or a school event. 3 Demerits Failure to wear uniform or other attire when instructed. This includes the appointed hairstyle. Leaving class early for a dance team activity (unless dismissed by sponsor or other school personnel over the intercom.) Wearing jewelry or unapproved nail polish during a performance. Being picked up late from practice or performance (30 to 45 min.). Returned checks (all costs accrued for this, will be paid by the Parent) 2 Demerits Inappropriate or sloppy uniform or other attire. Failure to dress appropriately for practices. Excessive talking, laughing, horseplay, use of cell phones without permission and general goofing-off during practices or games. Being picked up late from practice or performance (15 to 30 min.). 1 Demerit Late payment will result in 1 demerit per day following the day it is due.
6 Dancers are required to bring each academic report to the sponsor. 1 demerit will be incurred for each practice following initial distribution date. *Being on the Team is an extracurricular activity. Academics come first! If you do not agree with the above discipline policies you should not allow your child to try out. KMS DANCE TEAM TRYOUT SCHEDULE *April 10 th is the deadline to turn in KMS Dance Signed Contract, Sports Medical Form, Most Recent Report Card or Interim and $5.00 Tryout Fee. The tryout fee of $5.00, provides for judges. Please pay with cash or check made to KMS. Read all information very carefully. Tuesday, April 11th First Clinic Practice 7:00-8:20 A.M. Wednesday, April 12th Second Clinic Practice 7:00-8:20 A.M. Thursday, April 13th Third Clinic Practice 7:00-8:20 A.M. *Thursday April 13th Tryouts 4:00 -? P.M. General Information *More information concerning practice schedule, uniform fitting, and camp will be given to those making the squad, at a later date. *You need to realize that this is a year-round sport. We will practice approximately twice a week beginning the 1st week of June through Basketball season in February. *Our squad is not a COMPETITIVE SQUAD, although we may compete if funding or opportunity presents itself. *Dance Team Camp will be 7/18-7/20 at Premier Athletics. We will commute daily. Camp is mandatory. If you are not available to attend camp, DO NOT TRY OUT. *A sample score sheet will be included in this packet to help in preparation for tryouts. *It is important that Dancers and Parents understand all rules and expectations before making the decision to try out for this sport.
7 GOOD LUCK!!! We, the undersigned, understand and agree to all rules, expectations, and guidelines stated in the KMS DANCE CONTRACT. We understand that all items are due with signatures by April 10 th, and that no late forms or clinic fees will be accepted. I agree, if selected as a member of the KMS Dance Team, I will follow all rules and regulations stated in this document. Student Signature Parent Signature Date Homeroom Teacher Elementary Teacher