Independent School District. Middle School Drill Team Program Guidelines

1 Independent School District Middle School Drill Team Program Guidelines 2016-2017

2 INTRODUCTION Thank you for your interest in the Sunnyvale Independent School District Middle School Dance/Drill Team. This handbook was created to provide information, answer questions, and pave the way for successful involvement with the drill team program so that candidates and their parents understand responsibilities and commitments prior to becoming a member. Policies and procedures can change at any time. PURPOSE The purpose of the drill team is to exemplify and promote school spirit, pride, and sportsmanship. Drill team members enhance a positive school climate by exhibiting leadership skills, such as respect for individual differences, building consensus, academic excellence, and modeling appropriate behaviors at all times, both inside and outside of school. In addition to developing responsibility and self-respect, students will become mentally and physically fit and athletically skilled in the field of dance and performance; will demonstrate dance and performance etiquette for public appearances and private practices; will provide an atmosphere of support and cohesion essential for team building; and will support and participate in academic, athletic, and community projects. DANCE/DRILL TEAM GOALS To guide and develop leadership characteristics. To promote the importance of good sportsmanship Top provide an atmosphere essential in learning how to be a part of a team To demonstrate appropriate behaviors for public appearances To provide the opportunity for students to serve the school and the community To allow the students to take an active role in the creation of school spirit and pride To become physically and mentally skilled in learning and remembering dances To be able to publicly demonstrate the skills necessary for group performances To participate in school events and to support athletic teams at Sunnyvale Middle School

3 ELIGIBILITY A student must be enrolled in Sunnyvale ISD. Principal has discretion to determine participation for students new to district who are not enrolled by the first day of the second semester. A student must have an overall average of 70 as of the preceding semester. A student must meet state guidelines for compulsory attendance. GRADES The Dance/Drill Team program will follow the eligibility requirements as outlined by the Texas Education Agency and the University Interscholastic League. Member must maintain a passing grade in each of their subjects for each grading period in order to be eligible to participate in drill team events. A student shall be suspended from participation in any activities during the grade reporting period following the grade period in which the student receives a grade lower than 70. Once a member has been declared ineligible the student may not wear his/her uniform during the probation period. The student will be required to attend all scheduled practices with the team, but will not be allowed to participate in games or other dance activities. Academic ineligibility during any two grading periods will result in removal from the team for the remainder of the school year. A member must maintain an A or B in conduct. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the student being placed on a three-week suspension from participation in all drill team activities. MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES Dance/Drill Team members are representatives of Sunnyvale ISD and should adhere to the following standards: Follow the Dance/Drill Team rules and guidelines Follow the Sunnyvale ISD Student Code of Conduct Follow the SISD Extracurricular Code of Conduct Maintain desirable attitudes and spirit Cooperate with the director, and all members of the team Members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is becoming of the individual and the organization. Members are representatives of the Dance/Drill Team program and their school, in or out of uniform.

4 FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES It is the responsibility of the Parent/Guardians to pay as directed by the sponsor for the full financial cost of middle school dance/drill team. Tuition will be no more than $400, this cost will be offered in payment installations. Tuition is for mandatory camp attendance, uniform (including black jazz pants, black jazz shoes, performance top, practice top and hair bow), that are to be purchased by the director and approved by principal prior to purchase. Sometimes we will have additional items that are from booster club and this equipment is the property of the school district and will be returned at the end of the year. ATTENDANCE Drill team members will have a scheduled practice.. Special practices may be called by the director when necessary; however, due to UIL restrictions, the eighthour limit will apply to practice held outside of the school day per school week. Participation in the drill team program requires attendance for the drill team practices and activities designated by the director. Drill team members must adhere to the following: Attendance at all drill team activities and practices is mandatory. An unexcused absence from drill team practices receives a 10-point demerit. (Absences are excused for personal illness, death in family, illness in family that requires out-of-town travel, funeral, mandatory court appearance, and religious holidays.) Absence from practice will result in student being benched from the next performance if the director determines the student s absence hindered the ability of the team to practice efficiently for that performance. Any absence approved by the administration for other school activities including religious holidays will not be recorded as an absence. Members must call ahead if they are going to be absent. Failure to do so results in demerits. Upon return from any absence, members must bring a note from a parent or physician explaining their absence. Failure to do so results in demerits. Member must notify director of any tutoring and the member must bring a note from the teacher. Hair appointments are not an excuse to miss any part of drill team activities. Students who are absent from school on a performance day for more than half a day are ineligible to perform (exceptions are school field trips and religious holidays). Members may not leave practice, or any activity at any time unless approved by the director.

5 COMMITMENT Members of the drill team are expected to make a commitment to the activity for the full year. Any drill team member who voluntarily quits the team before the end of the school year will not be allowed to be a member of the drill team the next year unless he/she has prior approval from the principal and director. Parents are partners with the school and are expected to support the drill program, drill team members and sponsors through attending performances, meeting financial obligations in a timely manner, and assisting in fundraising, among other supportive measures. Mutual respect is imperative, and lack of civility will not be tolerated. Individuals who speak in a demanding, loud, insulting or demeaning manner, or otherwise disrupt operations, will be directed to leave the school or District property. UNIFORM AND APPERANCE The director and principal must approve uniforms and practice attire. The uniform fitting date shall be scheduled by the director. If a drill team member quits or is removed from the team, money that has already been spent for the individual will not be refunded. Once items have been ordered the student is responsible for the entire fee. If a student quits or is removed from the team before the end of the year, the student may not wear any of the items of clothing that were designated for drill team wear for the current school year. Any replacements, whether due to loss or negligence of the uniform, is at the cost of the drill team member. While performing each member shall: *Wear the designated attire as directed *The uniform is to be worn to official functions only. A member may only perform if he/she is in the complete required uniform. If the member is not in proper uniform he/she will be responsible for contacting a family member to bring the necessary uniform. The member will sit out until dressed in the appropriate attire. Proper uniform includes, but is not limited to, secured hairstyle, and hair bow. *Members are to meet grooming standards as directed by the director, including but not limited to: makeup that is natural and wholesome looking; nails that are short and well groomed, acrylic nails are strongly discouraged for safety reasons; hair should be of a natural color; no visible jewelry, including body piercings; no visible tattoos or spacers; hair should be neatly secured away from the face with hair bow. * Members are required to wear designated practice top, black jazz pants (not performance pants), and black jazz shoes to all practices.

6 CAMPS Members will participate in one summer home camp. Camp will be held July 18-20. Participation is mandatory. Failure to meet this requirement will result in an inability to participate in the first 6 drill team events for the school year; the member must also demonstrate that she has learned all material presented at camp. The sponsor is responsible for providing the camp dates as soon as they are scheduled. FUNDRAISING Each member will participate in fundraising activities as designated by the sponsor. Fundraising will be coordinated by the sponsor and approved by the principal. CONDUCT GUIDELINES Upon the completion of sign up, members will be subject to all rules, expectations and discipline consequences associated with the new team. All discipline actions will affect the members standing on the team throughout the remaining academic school year, as well as the following school year. Any member failing to abide by the rules and regulations set forth may be subject to the review of the director and principal. The guidelines for student discipline are outlined in the Sunnyvale ISD Student Code of Conduct. Additional standards of behavior for students involved in extracurricular activities at or in Sunnyvale ISD include the following: *Sunnyvale Dance/Drill Team Rules and Regulations * Sunnyvale Extracurricular Code of Conduct * TEA and UIL Side by Side STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT The Student Code of Conduct can be found in the Sunnyvale ISD Student Handbook, which is given to students each year.

DANCE/DRILL TEAM RULES & REGULATIONS 7 Rules for on campus and school related activities Members are expected to behave in a manor that is becoming to the individual, as well as the organization they represent. They should be aware that in or out of uniform they are representatives of the Sunnyvale Middle School Dance/Drill Team Program and SISD, and should act accordingly. *Members are expected to set a good example by conducting themselves in an orderly manner before classmates, school personnel and visitors, and to be of good moral character. * Members should not display affection publicly. * There shall be no arguing amongst members in public. *Members should not chew gum during drill team activities. * Members must be present at school at least one half of the school day in order to participate in an activity. * Any absence from a required event must have prior approval from the director. * Members are to stand at attention during the National Anthem and school song. * Members must be at assigned events at the time designated by the director * Conflicts between members and other school related activities should be worked out in advance with the director, coaches and administrators. *Members are expected to uphold a high standard of behavior that is necessary for the integrity and reputation of the organization. Members should be leaders in the school and should set a good example at all times. Members are expected to have and maintain a character above reproach. * Proper manners should be used at all times to address adults. Mutual respect and politeness toward fellow members within the group are basic elements that contribute to the total success of the team. *Drill team member will wear practice and performance uniforms as designated by the director. PRACTICES *Practices will be scheduled as necessary throughout the school year. *Practices are mandatory and absences should have prior approval from the director. *Non-school related activities should not interfere with practices or events. *Practice hours shall conform to TEA & UIL side-by-side guidelines. *If a member is going to be absent from practice, the parent must notify the director by calling or emailing before practice, the day of the absence. If the

8 absence is for more than three days, a doctor s note must be given to the director to resume participation. *Any absence from a practice designated for a particular performance may result in forfeiting participation in that performance. EXCUSED ABSENCES Absences are considered excused for the following reasons; all other absences are at the discretion of the director. Personal illness or accident must notify the sponsor by phone or email that day Funeral or death in the family please notify director by phone or email Special school related activities with prior permission from the director. *Notification in writing of a conflict with other school activities is required at least one week in advance. Director and administrators will evaluate the situation and make a decision. Failure to notify the director of such conflicts will result in demerits. Religious holiday please notify director by phone or email Prior notice of all other absences in writing is required two weeks in advance. Absences for reasons other than those mentioned above may result in demerits and/or other punishment at the director s discretion. Members must be present at all practices, performances, and required events unless excused by the director. INJURIES If a member has an injury that requires that he/she sit out of practice or a specific activity, for more than two days, a doctor s note is required. A doctor s note will also be necessary for the dancer to resume practicing. Be aware that if you are injured and unable to practice, you may not be able to dance at the next event. PERFORMANCES A student may only perform if he/she is in correct and complete uniform at the time of performance. Members will sit with the drill team during the entire event. Members are not allowed to leave the event without the director s permission. Cell phones are not allowed at any event. Members will remain in full uniform during the entire event.

SCHOOL DISCIPLINE 9 Any member assigned to in-school suspension or given out-of-school suspension will be temporarily suspended from the team. While on suspension, a dancer may not perform, practice or wear their uniform, while assigned to ISS or OSS, plus one school calendar day. They will also be subject to the following punishment, in addition to the above mentioned punishment: OSS placement: 1 st offense: benched 3 events per day of OSS placement, conferences with the director, and placed on probation. 2 nd offense: removal from the team ISS placement: 1 st offense: benched 1 event per day of ISS placement, conference with the director, and placed on probation 2 nd offense: benched for 2 events per day of ISS placement, conference with the director and placed on probation 3 rd offense: removal from the team Any member who is expelled form school will be removed from the team for the remainder of the school year. DEMERITS & CONSEQUENCES Demerits are the means by which the director determines if team members are not upholding their obligations as dancers. The director assigns demerits. Demerits will be documented and signed by both the director and the dancer. The third and each successive time a demerit is given for the same offense, the penalty will double. At the end of each grading period, previous demerits will be erased. Demerits obtained because of a situation out of the dancer s control may be partially worked off at the director s discretion. This is the only case in which demerits may be worked off. Some violations may result in demerits as well as other penalties. Consequences may include but are not limited to doing sit-ups or running. These are general rules and guidelines for all members of the Sunnyvale Middle SchooL Dance/Drill Team Program. Failure to comply with these rules may at times require judgment calls to be made. These decisions will be left up to the individual director. At any time a dancer s actions may result in a review by the director and principal, which may result in dismissal from the team. Demerits and consequences are assigned as follows:

ATTENDANCE & TARDIES: OFFENSE DEMERITS CONSEQUENCES Late to practice by more than 10 minutes Late to game or event by more than 10 minutes Leaving or missing practice, game or event without permission Leaving practice area or event area without permission ISS or OSS 1 demerit per 10 minutes late 1 demerit per 10 minutes late 50 sit ups 5 demerits Benched next event 5 demerits 50 sit ups See school discipline section of this document 10 See school discipline section of this document Office referrals 10 demerits Subject to director discretion PRACTICE & GAMES: OFFENSE DEMERITS CONSEQUENCES Failure to check in with director at events Not sitting with the drill team during an event 2 demerits 3 demerits Chewing gum 1 demerit Disposal of gum Using cell phone or other electronic device at an event Using cell phone or other electronic device during practice 5 demerits Must give device to director to be returned to parent at the end of game or event 5 demerits Put phone or device away 50 sit ups Excessive talking or interruptions during practice 50 sit ups

UNIFORMS: OFFENSE DEMERITS CONSEQUENCE Not wearing uniform when required Wearing uniform without permission Uniform and shoes not cleaned Wearing inappropriate jewelry Not dressing appropriately at practice, this includes shoes hair not pulled back when required 5 demerits 5 demerits Benched until cleaned Remove jewelry 50 sit ups 5 demerits 50 sit ups 5 demerits 50 sit ups 11 OTHER: OFFENSE DEMERIT CONSEQUENCE Not following the instructions of the director Missing a deadline Leaving trash or other items at practice or event Excessive, inappropriate public displays of affection Showing disrespect to teammate, director or other school personnel 5 demerits 50 sit ups 1 demerit 50 sit ups 50 sit ups per day missed 5 demerits Conference with director 10 demerits Conference with director

12 Once a dancer has 15 demerits in each quarter of the year, he/she will be benched for the entire next event. To be benched means to be present at the event, dressed in uniform and sitting in a place designated by the director without the use of cell phone or other electronic devices. If a dancer does not follow the benching guidelines, he/she will be required to serve the benching at another event. If a dancer accumulates 20 demerits they will be suspended from dance activities for the length of 3 performances. These guidelines are subject to revision by the sponsors as deemed necessary. Permanent Dismissal Reasons for permanent dismissal from the dance/drill team include, but are not limited to: *Expulsion from school * Unexcused absence from more than 2 games or events over the course of the year Approved by: Member Signature: Date: