2015 2016 Program Handbook g The goal of the Novi Pompon Program is to develop student athletes of excellence in academics, athletics, and character. We foster a culture that develops and promotes the ideals of integrity, an indomitable spirit, humility, perseverance, dedication, and teamwork. While we seek to perform at the highest level, our principle focus is developing young adults of high caliber who represent the Novi Pompon Program, Novi High School, and the community in an exemplary manner. Coach s Note: This Handbook is subject to change. If necessary, the Coach may alter rules in the constitution according to the situation, in addition to adding amendments and revising prior to yearly Team/Officer/Try-outs. The Coach is responsible for enforcing all rules and disciplinary actions as they become necessary during the school year for the benefit of this organization. The handbook is reviewed every year before the new team is selected. The Coach will take Officer and member input into consideration, but all changes are set by the Coach with administrative approval.
Mission The purpose of the Novi Pompon Program is to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, passion, a healthy lifestyle, confidence, and school spirit. The Novi Pompon Team will promote friendship between teammates, fellow Novi athletes and students, and with the schools, which we compete. As a Novi athlete you hold the distinct honor of representing your school and your community with pride! The Novi Pompon Program aims to build leaders and young adults of character who display integrity, courtesy, humility, indomitable spirit, perseverance, and a commitment to hard work. Academics Athletes will be required to turn in copies of their progress reports and final grades by predetermined dates. Athletes on academic probation will be required to turn in weekly signed progress reports. All team members are student athletes. Your education must be your top priority. If you are struggling in any class please see your coach as well as your teacher. Your coaches and teachers cannot help support you if they do not know you are struggling. It is expected that Pompon team members are passing all classes. Attendance Attendance is crucial for a team s success. However, coaches understand there are times when absences will be unavoidable. In the event of any absence it is the responsibility of the member to contact the Coach directly at least 24 hour prior. Anything outside must be discussed with the Coach prior to the occurrence. The student athlete must inform the coach of the absence herself. Having a teammate, parent, or friend inform the coach is not acceptable. Excused absences will be held to a minimum at coaches discretion. If excused absences are excessive, demerits will apply. Note: excessive absences may result in dismissal from the program. Tardy after 15 minutes will be counted as an absence, with a demerit. If the athlete s coach does not know about an absence 24 hours in advance the absence will be unexcused, regardless of the reason. Fabricating (with deceitful intent) an excused absence will result in immediate expulsion from the team. Practice cannot be missed the two weeks before a competition!
Excused Absences: Severe Illness (documented) Emergency/Injury appointment Family emergencies School related events (no opt out) Religious Holidays Unexcused Absences: Sick but still attended school Work Poor Planning Car trouble/problems Non emergency appointments Illness and Cancellations: If the team member is not contagious it is requested that they attend practice to watch from the sideline. If school is closed due to an environmental circumstance, the coach will notify athletes about practice as information becomes available. Commitment Pompon season is from May 2014 - February 2015. Being a part of the Novi Pompon Program may prevent students from participating in other sports or activities. It is common that family vacations, trips, summer camps, etc. are scheduled around the pompon calendar of events. This is in particular reference to summer camp, the three major competitions in which we compete, and during the two weeks of practices prior to any of the aforementioned events. Novi Pompon also performs at select Novi High School football and basketball games. A schedule of these, and all other performances, will be provided as the season continues. It is incredibly important that pompon team members attend all practices. It is expected that attendance is exemplary and absences are infrequent. Absences may result in removal from the team. Each situation will be judged individually and is at the discretion of the Coach and Athletic Director. Number of practices per week and hours per day will depend on the time of year. Expectations Practice: Team members are expected to be dressed and ready for practices, games, performances, and activities, at start time. Athletic attire, including tennis shoes, is required at every practice. Practice poms should be brought to every practice. Hair must be secured. If at a performance, hair and make-up must meet the team standard set by the coaching staff. Cell phones will not be allowed during practice, games, or at competitions (demerits will apply). Parents are welcome to contact the coach in case of an emergency.
Representation: Positive attitudes are a must! Negative actions will result in disciplinary action. All athletes must respect all members of the coaching staff, teammates, Novi staff, guests, opposing teams, and officials. Any athlete who does not behave in an appropriate manner to be representing Novi High School and the community (including illegal use of alcohol or other substances, smoking, disrespectful behavior, public displays of affection, insubordination, or any other behavior deemed inappropriate) will be dismissed from the program. Public criticism (including social media) of MAPP officials, fellow and opposing team members, coaches and opposing coaches, spectators, or opposing support groups is unethical and will not be tolerated. A good athletic reputation is not established overnight; it is the result of hard work by team members, coaches, and parents. Uniforms are the property of Novi Community School District and must be maintained by each athlete. If uniforms are lost or damaged, the athlete to whom the uniform was issued must pay for the cost of replacement or repairs. Choreography and Competitions: It is ultimately the responsibility of the individual athlete to have choreography knowledge and varsity-level or junior varsity-level skills. Being a member of the Novi Pompon Program at the varsity or junior varsity level does not guarantee participation in camp, high kick, regional, or state routines. If a pompon team member does not meet the performance standard for any given competition or performance, they will be removed from the routine. Each competition routine will have a set competition tryout no later than three months prior to the event. In the event a team member does not meet the team average, they will be given a seat as an alternate. Alternates must still participate in team activities and practices and purchase uniform pieces. It is expected that this team member still attend the event in full uniform. Social Media: All members of the Novi Pompon Program and their families will abide by the Novi Pompon Social Media Policy. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action. Please refer to the Novi Pompon Program Social Media Policy for more specific information. Spring Sports: Pompon team members are encouraged to participate in spring sports. It is understood that spring athletics may conflict with camp preparation. Those athletes participating in spring athletics are expected to attend as many pompon team practices as possible. This includes coming to pompon practice after another spring practice. It is ultimately the athlete s responsibility to learn choreography with the help of the coaches, team captains, and teammates. Failure to learn choreography and perform it at a varsity or junior varsity level will result in removal from the MAPP camp competition routine.
Concerns should be brought to the appropriate coach. Do not contact Mid-American Pompon in regards to competition results. Final decisions (including practice procedures, program decisions, coaching staff s creative process, music selection, routine themes, choreography, hair styling and costume/uniform selection, performances, fundraisers, events, etc.) are to be determined by the coaching staff. Demerits Demerits are set to put order to NVP; they hold each member accountable for her commitment to our Team. Once a demerit is given it shall remain for the ENTIRE season, it CANNOT be worked off. Demerits will clear after each individual season (camp, high kick, and states). Demerits are given in realistic values, and are reviewed by the coach for accuracy. All demerits will be assigned with the knowledge of the member, Coach, Captains, and Secretary. *Coach reserves the right to change the amount of individual demerits/probation at any given time. Demerit Scale: 4 Probation and parent notification via e-mail Radio Duty** Officer notified of potential demotion (if applicable) **Denotes change 8 Probation and parent notification via phone call Not allowed to perform at a performance ** (ie football game or event) Removed from Officer position (if applicable) 12 Probation and parent conference requested Not allowed to perform at a competition performance Alternate team member status 16 Removal from Team with parent and administrator meeting Description of Demerits: Unexcused Absence 1 Tardy to practice (1 15 min late) 1 Leaving early from practice (unexcused) 1 Cell phone makes noise or use of cell phone at practice or event 1 Tardy to an event (1 15 min late) 2 Leaving any part of costume/uniform behind 1 Failure to wear required attire to performance/practice/event 1 Excessive talking/rude/inappropriate/offensive/disrespectful behavior 1 Assigned Detention 1 Failure of an Officer to fulfill duties 2 Failure of an Officer (Captains or Secretary) to assign a Demerit 2 Violation of Social Media Policy 1
Probation and Dismissal From Team Probation: Member is placed on probation after an accumulation of 4, 8, or 12 demerits, or an action needing probation as a consequence (deemed necessary by Coach). If a member is placed on probation they must attend practices, and can participated in limited performances as described in Demerit section. They must maintain in good standing during this time to be removed from probation. If member is an Officer after 8 demerits their title and duties will be taken away and they will be demoted. Removal: Accumulation of 16 demerits causes removal from team. They will forfeit all fundraising proceeds to the team and be responsible for payment on all balanced dues. There is no refund for costumes or items purchased. Officers and Duties Elections are held each year following tryouts. To be in the running for an Officer position members must be nominated by a fellow team member, which must be followed by a secondary motion. Following nominations, an election will be held by the Team via silent ballot. *Coach reserves the right to approve any and all final decisions on each position. All Officers must work with Coach to develop yearly goal and direction for Team. Serve as a role model abiding by all rules, regulations and code of conduct of Novi High School, Novi Athletics, and MHSAA. Work together and compromise ideas of Coach and fellow team members. Help motivate and POSITIVELY focus team members in practice and at events. Lead daily stretch, warm-up, and cool-down. To arrive 10 minutes early and stay after for officer meetings when designated. To assume any and all duties as specified by Coach. Senior Captain: Highest Officer. She is responsible for the entire squad, including her fellow officers. Helps Coach instruct practices in addition to keeping practice moving in a timely fashion. Monitor members activity on social media sites; uses good judgment on advising improper use of said media. Enforce the tallying of members demerits. Senior Co-Captain & Junior Captain: In the event, leads practices when Coach or Captain are not present. Monitor members activity on social media sites; uses good judgment on advising improper use of said media. Enforce the tallying of member demerits. Secretary: Record officer meeting minutes. Track member attendance, tardies, and demerits. Delivers demerit and probation notifications as requested by Coach. Treasurer: Serve as point person for collecting funds (Coach will keep funds). This includes but is not limited to: funds for spirit wear/costumes, from fundraising, for food/travel expenses.
Public Relations: Designated social media chair for NVP. Responsible for posting events and photos promoting NVP via social media sites. The face of NVP. Parent Expectations The Novi Pompon Program exists partially on the support and cooperation from the families involved. Parent support and assistance is much appreciated! At the beginning of each season parents/family members will be expected to sign up for at least one team responsibility. Failure to do so will result in a consequence. o These team responsibilities may include the following: booster participation, working a concession event, assisting with fundraisers, assisting with banquet or picnic, etc. If you have a question, conflict, or idea please follow the following steps: o Step 1: Contact your student-athlete s coach as soon as the question of conflict arises. Inappropriate times to contact coaches: Immediately before, immediately after, or during competitions or games. Immediately before, immediately after, or during practices without prior arrangements. In a public setting (such as at a Novi HS athletic event, community event, etc.) Appropriate ways to approach coaches: Phone or email coach to discuss issue or ask questions Phone or email coach to set up a time for an appointment if issue is more than a quick question Please refrain from calling the coaches after 8pm o Step 2: If you do not feel as though your issue was handled correctly at that level, please make an appointment to see the head coach of the sport (Coach Gina Catrine). o Step 3: If you do not feel as though your issue was handled correctly at that level, please make an appointment to see the athletic director, Brian Gordon. Please note, skipping steps in the chain of command will result in confusion and you will be directed to go back to the beginning. We welcome the opportunity to discuss our program with you in a positive and respectful way! By signing and returning one copy of the handbook that you received you are acknowledging that the student-athlete and her family have discussed and understand the rules/expectations associated with being a member of the Novi Pompon Program. Any questions should be addressed to Varsity Head Coach, Gina Catrine, and will be answered in a timely manner. Student Athlete Date Parent/Guardian Date