SKYLINE DANCE TEAM 2018-2019 PROGRAM GUIDE Table of Contents I. Introduction Letter...2 II. Program Philosophy...3 III. Program Structure and Competitive Makeup...3 IV. Tryouts...3 V. Schedule and Commitment Expectations...4 VI. Costs...5 VII. Discipline...6 VIII. Signature Page...7 1
I. Introduction Letter Dear Parents and Students: Thank you for your interest in the Skyline Dance Team. High school athletics and activities can enhance the academic experience and allow individuals to further enhance their skills, challenge themselves mentally and physically, develop leadership abilities and foster life-long friendships. The Skyline Dance Team exists to support school athletics and to accomplish the program s own athletic and competitive goals. This can make a dancer s life very busy as the student will have commitments for camp, practice, games, and competitions. Individuals trying out should seriously consider their academic load, other sports or activities, jobs or volunteer work, and family and religious commitments. Even one person missing from a dance activity can jeopardize the team s success for the day. However, while the commitment level is demanding at times, dancers feel a sense of pride and unity dancing for their school and are always amazed to see their skill level improve by the end of their season. This is my fifth year with the Skyline Dance Team and I am excited and ready to continue the journey. Throughout this year, we will continue to work with all members and will utilize the outstanding talents of industry leaders for our choreography and technique needs. Every year leads to new relationships, stronger performances, and greater work in the community. I want this to be a positive experience for dancers and families that you will look back and remember fondly. Please let me know if you have questions at any time. Lauren Baumann, Dance Team Coach Skyline High School Dance Team skylinehsdance@gmail.com 2
II. Program Philosophy We promise to stand beside our students as role models for hard work, fun and love. We will act with TEAM in mind, always. We believe that fairness is earned and deserved, and as an organization, the greater awareness we all have to the journey, the greater the impact. Important Roles of the Skyline Dance Team There are two main and important roles of the Skyline Dance Team~ SPIRIT and COMPETITION. In order to perform in school events or competitions, students will be held accountable to the school and WIAA standards, including grades, drug and alcohol policy, and behavioral expectations. In addition, each member will be held to our dance team standards. III. Program Structure & Competitive Makeup No spot is permanent; athletes may be moved between performances based on roles needing to be filled, performance, attitude, grades, and attendance. 1. All members selected to the Skyline High School Dance Team will make up our Performance Team. The Performance Team will perform at all Varsity games, assemblies and community events. 2. Performance Team members will have the opportunity to audition for our Competition Team. Dancers must audition for each competition routine and meet requirements specific to each category: Pom, Kick, Dance. IV. Tryouts (Please see tryout packet for detailed information) 1. Eligibility: Must be a current Skyline student in the Fall of 2017 Must have a current G.P.A. of 2.0 with no F s. Grade check is based on 3rd Quarter Grades All forms must be submitted and turned in the first day of tryouts Previous dance experience is strongly recommended 2. Team size is determined by the coach and based on the skill and talent of the athletes. 3. Judging Tryouts are judged by a panel of dance experts. Coaches facilitate the process and have the final input in team selection. Tryout consists of tryout dances, technique, showmanship, and overall impression. Teacher recommendation scores will also be factored in. Technique & Performance Skills Competition Team Turns: Double Pirouette (required), Triple Pirouette (recommended), a La Seconds, Fouettes Leaps: R/L Jetes, Calypsos, Russians, Switch Leaps, Toe Touch, Tilt Jump Flexibility: Splits, Front High Kicks, Leg Hold Pom & Jazz choreography (taught at tryouts) Performance Team: Turns: Single Pirouette Leaps: R/L Jetes, front high kicks Pom & Jazz choreography (taught at tryouts) All decisions by the judges and coaches are final. In case of an extreme circumstance, we may accept a video tryout. If you are not selected to the team this year, we encourage you to continue your dance training and re-audition next year. 3
V. 2018-19 Program Schedule and Time Commitments 1. Attendance and participation at the following events is mandatory i. All practices ii. All games iii. Camps and Choreography iv. Community Service and Fundraising Activities v. Bonding Nights 2. As with other teams and organizations, dance is a commitment! Inability to commit to these activities will result in dismissal. 3. Absences are only acceptable for illness or prearranged activity with the coach. Absences are not acceptable for jobs, homework, other school activities, and social occasions. Regularly scheduled doctor s appointments and dental appointments are not excusable. SUMMER: Over the summer the team will practice 1-2 times a week, times and dates TBD. Throughout normal practices over the summer, students must be at practice if they are in town. Families are allowed to go on vacation. However, if a student is in town they should attend practice. Camps: Elite Dance Camp July 6-8 th in Bellevue, WA (overnight) Jr. Spartans Dance Camp August 15 th -17 th at Skyline HS BOOT CAMP (August 6 th August 17 th ) is one of the most important two weeks of the entire season. During these two weeks, the team will have practice every day (times TBD). They will be learning all their football and competition choreography during these days. These two weeks are absolute requirements for every member on the team, as all routines for the year are learned. If a student misses any of these days, it is their responsibility to learn the choreography and a separate tryout will be arranged for admittance into the routines they were not present for. Optional Summer Camps: Tribe 99 The Tour June 26-27 th at Tumwater High School (commuter camp + optional) Allegro Dance Team Intensive July 24-26 th in Kent, WA (commuter + optional) FALL: When school begins, practice is twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. During home football games, the team will practice from right after school until the game. Saturday practices will begin in October from 9am- 12pm. WINTER: The practice schedule stays the same in the winter. Our Competition Team will begin their competition season and will travel throughout the state to compete in various competitions to qualify for districts and state competitions. Miscellaneous: Throughout the season the girls will be fundraising, participating in community service events, attending bonding events, etc. 4
VI. Financial Commitment & Fundraising - Dance Team is expensive and the coaching staff will try to make this program affordable for everyone. - The uniform is a personal piece and because of that, refund of uniform monies will not be possible at any time. - Fundraising is available and dancers can participate to the minimum level or go beyond. Dancers are required to raise $300 through events and group fundraisers. Other fundraising may be required as needed. By choosing to be a part of SHS Dance you volunteer for the minimum fundraising requirement. The costs below do not reflect the additional fundraising that is required by each member. o The team has the opportunity to attend and compete at the National Dance Championship in California or Florida. This will require an additional $700 raised per dancer in order to attend. Attendance is optional to this event. - Payments will be collected throughout the year, but much of the cost is required up front for uniforms and camp. ESTIMATED MEMBER COSTS Member Costs Performance Team Competition Team Estimated Costs Include -Uniforms - Camp/Practice Wear - Warm Ups - Shoes (tennis shoes, jazz shoes) - Poms -Guest Instructors -Football Dinners/Bondings -Team Banquet and Awards $1500-$2,000 $2,000-2,500 Competition Team Only - Competition Costume/Shoes/Tights Kick Pom Jazz -Competition Fees & Expenses -Professional Choreography -Music -Nationals (additional $700 per dancer) 5
VII. Discipline a. Tardiness and Absences Dance is a team sport and with even one member absent, the whole team suffers. In the event a dancer needs to miss an event the coach must have a parent or guardian email, phone call, or letter two weeks in advance of the absence. We will accept 24 hours in advance of the absence for emergency situations (i.e. sickness). Absences will not be excused for homework, extracurricular activities, appointments, etc. Below is the policy set in place per season (summer, winter, spring). Attendance will start fresh at the beginning of each season. 1. After the first unexcused tardy or absence, the dancer will receive a warning. 2. After 2 unexcused tardies or absences, the dancer will write a reflection on the importance of her timely attendance and what she can do to improve upon it in the future. This reflection will be shared with the team verbally and evaluated by the Coach to ensure it is approached with the right level of seriousness. 3. After 3 unexcused tardies or absences, the dancer s parents will be contacted, and the dancer will be on probation for one month. This means that her attendance will be monitored closely and an additional tardy/absence within the month will result in the dancer being held out from the next performance/competition. If the dancer is able to attain perfect attendance during this probation period, the dancer will no longer be on probation. Their next tardy will be treated with a reflection and team apology as described in #2 and then proceed to #3. b. Compliance and Attitude i. Coaches Directions 1. The coach has a specific plan for each practice and often has a vision for the methods used that the dancer may not understand, but should always follow. It is acceptable to ask questions in a respectful way. Swearing, complaining, and not cooperating are inappropriate behavior examples. This behavior will result in a parent phone call or email. 2. On the second offence, parents will be notified, the individual will be immediately dismissed from practice and sent home. 3. On the 3 rd offense, parents will be notified and the individual will be suspended from the team for two weeks. 4. On the 4 th offense, parents will be notified and the individual will be dismissed from the team. ii. Practice and Game Attire 1. At practices dancers should arrive dressed down and ready to go. Hair should be in a ponytail and absolutely no jewelry should be worn. At games the dancers should be dressed in the appropriate uniform, hair NEATLY slicked back, all make-up done. 2. On the 4 th attire violation the individual receives a parent phone call and is suspended for two weeks 3. On the 5 th attire violation the individual is dismissed from the squad c. Academic Progress i. Grade Checks 1. Athletic Office will check grades after every major grading period. 2. If a dancer s GPA is less than a 2.0 or has an F in any class, then the dancer will be on AP until the athletic office clears them to participate (2 to 3 weeks if grades improve). 3. If a dancer misses school they will not be able to participate in practice, games, or competitions that day. d. Drug and Alcohol Abuse i. Any reported and documented drug or alcohol incident will result in immediate dismissal from the team as per the student athletic handbook. 6
DETACH THE BELOW FORM AND TURN IN WITH TRYOUT PAPER WORK By signing, you are agreeing: Acknowledgement and Acceptance of SHS Dance Program Guide 2018-2019 1. That you have read and understand the responsibilities and eligibility qualifications necessary in order to audition for this team. 2. You understand that the judges decisions are FINAL and cannot be revoked or changed. 3. That a job, athletics, family events and extra activities will not interfere with dance practices and performances. 4. That you understand the financial obligation that being a team member will bring, e.g. camp, uniform, clinic costs and any additional costs. There are no refunds or returns. 5. That you understand the time commitment that this team requires, both during the summer and through the school year, and the time commitment for fundraisers. 6. That you understand that if the student is given the opportunity to be a part of the Skyline Dance Team, this does not mean they are guaranteed to compete in any or all competition routines. Please indicate your interest and commitment to fundraising $1,000 to attend Nationals: YES Maybe No Dancer: I have attended a meeting where the rules were explained to me in detail, and I ve spoken with the coach/my parents about any concerns I may have related to the terms of this agreement. I agree to abide by all terms/conditions previously described for the duration of the 2018-2019 season. Signature Date Parent/Guardian: I have read the SHS Dance rules and guidelines, and have discussed any concerns/questions with my child and the coach. I agree to support all of the terms/conditions for the 2018-2019 season set forth by these terms and guidelines. I understand that I am financially responsible for the entire dance bill and any equipment/uniform fines my child might incur. Signature Date 7