TESORO HIGH SCHOOL Song/Dance Rules & Policies

TESORO HIGH SCHOOL PEP SQUAD 2016-2017

TESORO HIGH SCHOOL Song/Dance Rules & Policies 2016-2017 PHILOSOPHY As a Member of the Tesoro High School Pep Squad you represent Tesoro High School and the Capistrano Unified School District in everything you do. It is paramount that you conduct yourself in an appropriate, respectful and polite manner at all times. It is a privilege to be a member of the Pep Squad and to be able to represent Tesoro High School. PURPOSE The purpose of the Tesoro Pep Squad is: 1. To support the THS athletic teams and to cheer at football and basketball games. 2. To positively represent THS at spirit/dance competitions both regionally and nationally. 3. To perform at pep rallies, games and special events. 4. To promote school spirit and Titan Pride at Tesoro. 5. To be a leader on campus and serve the school and community through ACTIVE participation. MEMBERSHIP Membership on Pep Squad is membership of a TEAM. As such, each Member must be available to attend ALL practices, events, games, pep rallies, competitions, etc. Without all Members, the team is incomplete. Each Member must be respectful and participate at all times with pride, respect and a positive attitude. This commitment is for one year, May to the end of April. There are four teams: Varsity Song/Dance, JV Song/Dance, Varsity Cheer, and JV Cheer. Members of Tesoro High School JV and Varsity squads may not be members of any other sports team at Tesoro High School without the written consent of their Head Coach. All-Star teams and studio competition teams are allowed ONLY if THS is the PRIORITY when schedules conflict. If competing on an All-Star team, you may only compete at one level (2 routines) during our competition season if competing at the same competitions. Ex. Only Senior Pom & Senior Jazz. If a student quits, or is removed from the Pep Squad at any time during the year, for disciplinary or other reasons, she/he relinquishes her/his standing on the Pep Squad, will be dropped from the class, will not be a part of any Pep Squad activities, including the year-end banquet and lettering, and will not be allowed to try out for the squad the following year. All Members must be enrolled in a minimum of 5 classes, one of which must be Pep Squad. All Members earn PE credit for Pep Squad. Varsity Members will be eligible for a Varsity letter upon successful completion of the year, in good standing including participation in all Varsity events and competitions. THS Pep Squad 2016-2017 Page 1 of 6

TRY-OUT PROCEDURES 1. Tryout packets are available to download at www.tesorocheer.com. The following required paperwork must be completed and submitted NO LATER THAN 3pm Friday, May 13 th, to the THS front office, ATTN: Coach Danielle- Song/Dance Tryout Packet THS Song/Dance Application with current head shot 1 Letter of Recommendation from a current dance teacher THS Pep Squad Permission Form and Medical Release Form Copy of latest report card (9-12) or Academic Advisor Grade Check Form (incoming freshmen) 2.5 min. GPA to audition THS Song/Dance Rules and Policies (this documents last page) signed by parent/guardian and Student $20 Donation (Cash or Checks made payable to Tesoro Song) THS Athletic Clearance packet with current/updated physical (turn in to THS Athletic Secretary) *Failure to submit required paperwork by Friday, May 13th at 3pm will result in not being allowed to participate in the tryout process. 2. Tryout clinics and Auditions will be held at THS. Clinics Tuesday, May 17 th, 3:45-6pm in Dance Room (check-in begins at 3:30pm) Wednesday, May 18 th, 3:30-6pm in Dance Room Thursday, May 19 th, 3:30-6pm in Dance Room Audition- Candidates must be available for call backs at the end. Friday, May 20 th ~ 3pm-6pm in the Small Gym (check-in begins at 2:45pm) What to Wear White, blue, or red tank or t-shirt (NO spaghetti straps and/or bare midriff) w/ red, blue, or black shorts/leggings, & jazz shoes. Hair should be slicked back in a high pony or bun w/ bow. Please refrain from wearing any shirts/shorts designating all-star or prior team affiliation. NO jewelry of any kind should be worn. 3. Prospective members must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be eligible to tryout and only have one unsatisfactory on previous report card/progress report. 4. Coaching staff will determine the size of each squad and its members. Results from tryouts are final. Please do not contact coaching staff regarding team placements. Professional judges will be judging at the audition in addition to the coaching staff. 5. Selected team members numbers will be posted on www.tesorocheer.com by 1pm on Sunday, May 22 nd. 6. New Teams: Fittings- Monday, May 23 rd in Dance Room- 3:30-5:30pm (depending on team) Returning Members/Current Tesoro Students- 3:30pm Incoming Students - 4pm *Uniform sizing will be done, so please wear a sport bra and briefs under your clothing. Parent/Student Meeting at 5:30pm in the Tesoro Library. Clothing/Uniforms, Camp, and Participation $ will be collected at this time. Total costs will be given to the dancer at the fitting. Please make checks payable to Tesoro Song. Credit Cards can be used in the ASB office the following day for current Tesoro students only, until 1pm (if using a cc, please add an additional 5% to the total). THS Pep Squad 2016-2017 Page 2 of 6

RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Each member is expected to follow the rules and responsibilities set by the coaching staff at all times. Disciplinary procedures are at the discretion of the Head Coach and/or Athletic Director. I. General Rules 1. Pep Squad must take priority over other co-curricular activities. Members may engage in jobs and outside activities (including participation in choir, ASB, drama or other school clubs) only if they DO NOT interfere with participation in Pep Squad activities, including ALL practices, games, competitions and events. 2. Members may not let others use their Pep Squad clothes or supplies. This includes practice clothes, shirts, poms or any part of your uniform or costume. Uniforms may only be worn by members and at Pep Squad events. 3. Rings, necklaces, earrings and/or nose rings may not be worn during any Pep Squad team performance including game days, rallies and competitions. Exception- two small post earrings may be worn to school on game days, but must be removed before performing. Costume earrings for Song/Dance may be worn when assigned by coach. 4. Hair must be in natural colors and/or highlights. No wild colors or chunky blocks of colors. No tattoos are allowed on areas of the body visible by our uniform or costumes. 5. Pep Squad Members should refrain from representing themselves on any website in association with vulgar language, reference to use of drugs and/or alcohol, or sexual innuendo. 6. Pep Squad Members will follow Tesoro High School s Athletic Code for discipline. 7. New Pep Squad Members must have a 2.5 GPA in order to be eligible to tryout. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and may only have one unsatisfactory on previous report card/progress report in order to remain a Member of Pep Squad. If she drops below a 2.5 GPA at the end of the semester, she will be put on academic probation for the next semester. Academic probation is only allowed for one semester throughout the entire four-year membership period. For purposes of determining Athletic eligibility only one PE class (Pep Squad) may count towards semester GPA. II. Game & Performance Responsibilities: 1. All Pep Squad Members are expected to attend and be on time to all practices, games and other scheduled activities. The participation of all athletes is required for safe, proper and effective performances and for the TEAM to be complete. Varsity Song/Dance: a. Home and away football games. b. Home and away boy/girl basketball games as determined by the coach. c. All CIF playoff games. THESE GAMES TAKE PLACE OVER THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY AND THE FEBRUARY PRESIDENTS WEEKEND HOLIDAY. VARSITY MEMBERS SHOULD NOT PLAN TRAVEL OVER THESE DATES. d. Pep Rallies, community events, fundraising events and outreach activities. e. Scheduled competitions. Competitions often take place on Saturday and/or Sunday. The Varsity team will travel to Orlando, Florida to compete nationally. f. Summer workouts, summer camp and all summer practices (June-August) g. Practice including those beyond class time, off campus, and weekends. JV Song/Dance: Responsibilities are the same as above with the exception of Pep Rallies, away games, & travel to Florida. III. Competition Performance Requirements 1. All teams compete. 2. All Members are expected to attend ALL competitions (even if sidelined, have injury, or alternate). 3. The coaches set competition dates. Competitions generally occur December through the end of March and often impact Presidents weekend. Competitions are held on Saturdays and Sundays. By becoming a THS Pep Squad 2016-2017 Page 3 of 6

Member of the Pep Squad you are agreeing to the dates that the coaches choose regardless of your personal schedules. Consequences will be given if any member misses a competition. 4. Only Members in good standing may compete. Good standing is defined as a Member who is not curtailed by any disciplinary action that would prohibit a Member from participating. 5. Skills that are demonstrated at tryouts are expected to remain as such or improve throughout the year. Members may be placed on the competition team, however if skills do not improve or regress, that member may be moved to an alternate status at any time throughout the season, based off the discretion of the coaches. 6. Coaches determine who competes at the JV and Varsity level and members may be moved from one team to another based on special circumstances throughout the school year. IV. Attendance: 1. Attend and be on time to all practices, games, competitions and other scheduled Pep Squad activities. 2. The coaching staff sets the summer schedule. Each Member and their family should plan activities/vacations around the Pep Squad schedule. 3. Any Member who is too sick to attend practice i.e fever, vomiting, or other severe illness, must notify the coaches by sending an email PRIOR to the beginning of practice. The ONLY acceptable reason for an unexcused absence is an emergency. If a member has a non-contagious illness, we ask the member comes to practice to sit, watch, take notes & learn. 4. Doctor/dentist appointments, driving classes, work, college trips, tests and family events are not accepted excuses for missing practices and will be counted as unexcused. Please schedule these at times/days that don t conflict with practice or games. Any Member who is out ill and misses practice may be removed from the upcoming game, pep rally, performance and/or competition depending on impact to the team. Decision will be made by the coach in a case by case situation. 5. A Member who has 3 or more absences throughout the summer or recurring absences during the school year may be removed from an upcoming performance, competition, or game at the discretion of the coach. 6. Excessive absences may be cause for suspension and/or removal from the squad. 7. Competitions may never be missed, as they require the entire TEAM in order to compete. Any member missing a competition may be removed from future competitions at the Coaches discretion. V. Injuries 1. It is the Member s responsibility to notify the coaching staff of an injury as soon as it occurs. 2. Any Member who is injured must have a doctor s note either clearing or sidelining the Member. 3. Members are responsible for following doctor s orders at all times. 4. Any injured/sidelined Member will need a doctor s written release in order to resume participation. 5. Any limitations on participation may keep the Member sidelined and he/she may be removed from the routines, and it is NOT guaranteed that he/she will be worked back into the routine. VI. Safety Rules (Taken from NFHS Spirit Rules) 1. All Members are required to follow and adhere to all safety guidelines, procedures and directions given by the coaches. 2. NO JEWELRY or GUM CHEWING is allowed during practices, games or other Pep Squad events. Only costume earrings are allowed for Song/Dance performances. 3. Hair must be tied up and secured off the face as a safety precaution. 4. Tumbling of any kind is only permitted when the coach is present. 5. Nails must be short (near the end of the fingers) for ALL MEMBERS at ALL TIMES. French or clear nail polish may only be worn for competitions. VII. Transportation 1. ALL Members will ride to and from away games on a team bus when available. 2. Anytime Members are required to travel on a team bus they must return on the team bus. 3. Members are responsible for arranging transportation to away games and competitions when a team bus is THS Pep Squad 2016-2017 Page 4 of 6

not available. VIII. $, Fundraising & Donations The Song/Dance program is funded through parents, corporate sponsorships and fundraising. These funds are necessary for the program to exist & function. Each member s participation total is $2100* (not including Camps, Clothing, Jazz Routine or Nationals in Orlando, FL). The participation amount pays for the coach salaries, choreography, competition registration fees, music editing costs, game/equipment costs, guest instructors, spirit items, local travel expenses, the banquet, etc. Fundraising opportunities are held throughout the season. Banner sales, Super Fan sales, and the Letter Campaign can go towards your participation amount. All other fundraisers go towards the general budget. Full participation is needed to help raise the appropriate funds for the season. Other fundraising events may include, but are not limited to: Freshman Pizza Party, Jr. FB Camp, Competition Hosting, Jr. Prep Dance Clinic, Selling of Spirit Items, & Restaurant Fundraising Events. IX. Grading Policy All Members begin each semester with 100 points, which is an A. It is their responsibility to maintain their grade by adhering to the above rules. In addition to other consequences, point deductions will be made for the following infractions: Tardy and/or missing part of practice/games/events (i.e. leaving early)- 2 points Out of Uniform*- 2 points Failure to bring/submit required items on date assigned- 2 points Unexcused Absence (practice/games/events) - 5 points depending on event. Non Dress/Non Participation- 5 points Defiant or disrespectful behavior- 5 points *Out of uniform= incorrect practice clothing, wearing jewelry, no poms. ** Non Dress/Non Participation= no shoes or practice wear, wrong uniform, so unable to participate at practice or game. X. Communication Members are expected to check Dance Corner www.tesorocheer.com regularly (specifically every Sunday after 7pm) for weekly updates. Members are responsible for all information posted there. If at any time the Member has an issue that needs to be addressed, please have the first point of contact be directly from the Member to the Coach. If not resolved, then we can set up a meeting with the Member, Coach, and Parent. If the Member has a question regarding report times, what to wear, etc. please text/email your team captain or check Dance Corner. Head Coach- Danielle Calta-Darwazeh- tesorosong@gmail.com, Assistant Coach- Delani Diaz XI. Practice Schedule Summer Vacation Dates: *All schedules & vacation dates will be posted on Dance Corner. June 25 th -July 10 th OFF School Year: JV Song/Dance- Monday 5 th period, Wednesday 5 th period-4pm, Friday 5 th period-3:30pm Varsity Song/Dance- Monday 6 th period-4pm, Tuesday 6 th period-4pm, Thursday 6 th period-4pm PLEASE KEEP THESE RULES & POLICIES FOR YOUR RECORDS SIGN AND RETURN LAST PAGE ONLY THS Pep Squad 2016-2017 Page 5 of 6

Please carefully read the rules, sign this page and return only this page to the Front Office with your Tryout Packet- Attn: Coach Danielle- Song/Dance, no later than 3pm on Friday, May 13 th 2016. Please keep the Rules & Policies for your records. 1. We agree and understand the above rules and the consequences of breaking these rules. 2. We understand the decision of the coaches is final and not negotiable after tryouts. 3. We understand that teams are chosen on a basis of talent, grades, attitude, and overall team needs. 4. We understand and agree that coaches make all program decisions. 5. We understand that Song/Dance team must become the 1 st priority in terms of co-curricular activities. 6. We understand that if our daughter is selected this year, she will still have to tryout again next year and her position on the squad is NOT guaranteed. Improvement, skill level, attitude, work ethic, and performance quality all play a part in whether they return. I have read and agree to abide by the Pep Squad Rules and Policies, accepting the consequences and possible dismissal from the squad for breaking any of the rules. I also sign this understanding that I, as a parent, cannot change or alter these rules and I am allowing my child to try out for this team knowing that these are the rules and I agree to the terms of the program as it stands. Student Signature Date Parent Signature Date Parent Signature Date THS Pep Squad 2016-2017 Page 6 of 6