Cudahy Junior Poms, Inc.'s is a non-profit organization whose primary goal is to provide an opportunity for students within the local community, grades first through eighth, to improve their technique and build confidence in poms and dance through performances, clinics and state and regional competitions. Through proper guidance, exemplary leadership and qualified coaching staff, Cudahy Junior Poms, Inc. assists youth in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being. Performing to the best of our ability is not our only goal, nor is it the measure of a successful program. Win or lose, building character in each of the athletes is the ultimate goal of our program because character extends beyond the field or court and into everyday life. I. OVERVIEW Cudahy Junior Poms, Inc. will consist of three/four teams for the 2016-2017 pom season: Cudahy All Star Team, Cudahy Junior Team, and Cudahy Pixie Team. Team members will be placed on teams based on their 2016 fall grade level and/or skill level. Cudahy All Star Team: Please note that the Cudahy All Star Team is a tryout team. Participation in the tryout does not guarantee a place on the team. A tryout team for girls entering into grades 5th-8th for the 2016-2017 school year. The Cudahy All Star Team's season will run May through January. The team will practice two or three times a week and will have multiple performances throughout the year. Practices and performances are mandatory. Interested students will participate in a two day tryout that will consist of a learning session(s) and an evaluation by a panel of judges. Potential team members will be evaluated on routine knowledge, energy and showmanship, skills and attitude. To be considered for selection for the All Star team, potential team members should be able to complete a single and double turn, right splits, a straddle, and a right leap. Based on the evaluation and decision of the coach, team members will be selected. The Cudahy All Star Team will participate in the 4th of July parade, a four day overnight camp, National Night Out, Showcase Evening, Midwest Invitational in Chicago (if enough points are earned at camp), two performances with the Cudahy Varsity pom team, Badgerette Kicking for a Cure, State Fair Competition, Six Flags Spooktacular, Greendale Junior Pom Classic, Badgerette Junior Clinic/Competition, and the Lakefront Dance Classic. Cudahy Junior Team: The Cudahy Junior Team will consist of members entering into grades 4th - 8th for the 2016-2017 school year. 3rd graders are able to try out for a spot on the team. The team's season will run June through November. The Cudahy Junior Pom Team coaches will provide students with the opportunity to improve their technique and build confidence in poms and dance through practices, performances, clinics and competitions. The Cudahy Junior Team will participate in a day camp, 4 th of July Parade, National Night Out, one performance with the Cudahy Varsity pom team, State Fair Comptition, Six Flags Spooktacular, Greendale Junior Pom Classic, and the Badgerette Junior Clinic/Competition. Cudahy Pixie/Pee Wee Team: The Cudahy Pixie and Pee Wee Teams will consist of members entering into grades K - 3rd for the 2016-2017 school year. The team's season will run June through October. You only need to register online or register in person to be on the team. The Cudahy Pixie and Pee Wee Team coaches will provide students with the opportunity to improve their technique and build confidence in poms and dance through practices, performances, clinics and competitions. The Cudahy Pixie Team will participate in the 4th of July parade, National Night Out, Showcase Evening, one performance with the Cudahy Varsity pom team, State Fair Competition, Six Flags Spooktacular, Greendale Junior Pom Classic.
II. RULES AND REGULATIONS The following RULES AND REGULATIONS are deemed essential to the successful operation of the Cudahy Junior Poms Program: A. Pom Pon Team members must abide by the Cudahy Junior Poms, Inc's Handbook at all times. B. The use of swearing, foul and/or disrespectful language or gestures is forbidden. C. With the exception of excused absences, Pom Pon Team members must attend all practices and performances. D. Pom Pon team members are expected to wear neat and clean uniforms and spirit wear as required by the team captains and/or coach(es). Uniforms and spirit wear are to be worn as directed by the coach(es). E. Hair is to be arranged so it does not interfere with your ability to perform, as determined by the coach(es). It is considered part of the uniform. F. Absolutely no jewelry is to be worn at camp or at competitions. G. Any team member who has missed any one of the mandatory scheduled practices prior to a competition or a camp may not be allowed to perform some or all of the scheduled routines. H. We expect all students and parents to display a positive attitude. This includes practicing good sportsmanship at all times. You represent not only the Cudahy Junior Pom Program, but also our community, your family, and most importantly yourself. Appropriate behavior is required at all times and we expect our teams to be respectful to each other, other teams, coaches and parents. Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in dismissal from the team.
IV. UNIFORMS A. Uniforms will be issued shortly after the start of the season and are the property of both Cudahy Junior Poms, Inc. Each team member is responsible for the care of all issued equipment and uniforms and will be expected to repair or replace any clothing/equipment that has been torn, stained, or abused in any way. Normal wear and tear is expected and is excluded from the above. B. Junior Team members and Pixie/Pee Wee Team member will be required to purchase a team uniform. This fee is included in fee total. C. All Pom Pon Team members are expected to wear the designated complete uniform with matching briefs, tights, shoes, etc. the day of any competitions or performances. D. The only clothing that may be worn in lieu of uniforms will be warm-ups, sweatshirts, T-shirts, pins, and decals that have been approved by the coach(es). E. Uniforms are to be cleaned and returned to coach(es) within one week after the end of the performing season or on a date designated by the coach(es). If uniforms are returned without being cleaned, the Team member will be billed for any cleaning that needs to be done. F. Pom Pon Team members are expected to purchase any accessory items to be worn with or used with the issued uniform, such as: black jazz pants, jazz shoes, matching camp clothing, T-shirts, sweatshirts, warm-ups, etc. The team members will also purchase any special performance dance clothing. Light/Dark Purple Leotard Cudahy Pixie Team Purple/Teal Leotard Cudahy Junior Team Purple/Gold Metallic Leotard Cudahy All Star Team Uniform Care Wash occasionally inside-out on a delicate cycle. Hang Dry. Wash occasionally on a delicate cycle. Hang Dry Coach Stefanie is responsible for the washing of the All Star uniforms.
V. PRACTICES A. Pom Pon Team members are expected to attend all scheduled practices. Times may be adjusted as necessary to complete routines, prepare for competitions, etc. B. Practices begin in early May for the All Stars, and June for the Juniors and Pixies/Pee Wees. Every attempt is made to avoid end of the year concerts and other activities. Once school commences, practices will range anywhere from 2:30 8:30 p.m., Sunday through Saturday, depending on the Coach(es) s work schedule. Practice may be extended (the week before camp, Midwest and winter competitions) in preparation for said competition. C. During the school year, practices will be held once or twice a week. Any practices that are designated as mandatory COMPETITION practices MUST BE ATTENDED if a Pom Pon Team member expects to be allowed to compete. Extra or make-up practices will be done at the discretion of the coach(es). D. Family vacations are excused absences from pom pon activities, but the coach(es) must be notified in writing, in advance. We recommend that family vacations be scheduled the week of June 12th or after August 22, 2016. E. Any team member who has missed any one of the mandatory scheduled practices prior to camp, Midwest, or Winter Competitions will not participate in the routine(s). Exceptions are extremely rare and are at the discretion of the coach(es). F. Each team member is expected to attend every practice unless excused by the coach(es) prior to the scheduled practice. EXCUSED ABSENCES ARE ILLNESS, PERSONAL FAMILY REASONS, FAMILY VACATIONS (this does not include vacations with friends or other relatives, as this type of vacation is optional and not excused), FUNERALS, AND WEDDINGS. G. All team members are expected to perform at all parades, special performances, and competitions that have been scheduled on the pom calendar. The only exception will be those team members who are participating in a another activity approved by the coach(es). H. Practices are expected to be controlled and organized. Cell phone use will not be permitted. If you need to get in touch with a team member due to an emergency, please contact the coach(es). I. Controlled warm-ups and stretching must be done at the start of each practice to avoid injury. J. Meetings may be incorporated into practice time as found necessary by the coach(es). K. Team members are not to ARRIVE LATE or LEAVE EARLY from a practice or performance without the prior permission of the coach(es). Three tardies or early departures will result in an unexcused absence. L. During each season: summer and fall, team members are allowed only FOUR EXCUSED ABSENT DAYS from practices. M. Students missing more than the allotted four excused absences from the Summer Season are not eligible to participate in any solos or small group performances.
VI. FINANCES A. Pom Pon Team members are expected to pay for all expenses incurred throughout the year. These costs may include, but are not limited to: Camp, undergarments, shoes, camp clothing, warm-up, bags, hotel rooms for overnight competitions, etc. B. Each girl will be given an individual account, much like a checkbook, to keep track of any money coming in and charges made. C. All payments must be received in full in order for the coach(es) to place your individual order. One order will be placed for the team. If payment is not received by the due date and/or order date, the order for that individual will not be placed. The parent or student will be responsible for ordering the item on his or her own. D. Payments to the individual account can be made by personal check, cash, money order, or through fundraisers. In the event that a personal check is bounced, payments for the rest of the year must be made through cash or money order. E. Every effort will be made to provide fundraisers to help defray the costs involved with the sport. Depending upon the nature of the fundraiser, proceeds may go towards the general pom pon account or may also be split amongst the girls and/or parents working the fundraiser and deposited into the girls individual accounts. F. Students will not be allowed to participate at any practices, games, and/or competitions unless their fees have been paid by the due date. a. For example, the camp balance is due June 20, 2016. If a student has not paid the balance due in full on or before June 20, 2016, the student cannot participate at practice. The student may come to observe. This will be counted as an absence. b. The coach(es) will not assume responsibility for any fees or use any money from the team accounts to cover any individual expenses (camp fee, shoes, etc).
Cudahy Junior Poms, Inc. HANDBOOK ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Signing off on the handbook ensures the following: I have received a copy of the Cudahy Junior Poms, Inc. Handbook. I have read the Cudahy Junior Poms, Inc. Handbook and understand the rules and regulations of the Cudahy Junior Poms, Inc Pom Program. I will support any decision made based upon the rules and regulations outlined by the Cudahy Junior Poms, Inc. Handbook. I understand that participation in the Cudahy Junior Poms, Inc. Pom Program is contingent upon receiving the signed Handbook Acknowledgement Team Member s Signature Parent Signature #1 Date Date