Dear Parents, Your child is interested in becoming a member of the Liberty Middle School Dance Team for the 2019-2020 school year. If one is chosen to be a member of the team, there are specific responsibilities and obligations that they must assume in order to qualify and remain an active member of this team. Being a member of the Liberty Dance Team has many rewards and is a valuable experience. Dancers will demonstrate pride to our school and community through their participation on this team. Because of the influential position of being a member of this team, the highest standards must be met and maintained. The dance team will perform at halftime of all home football and basketball games (two each night). They will participate in pep rallies/assemblies and will compete in several competitions (4). The national competition is contingent upon placing in the top three at our summer dance camp and/or first at regional or state competition. Dance team members are required to participate in all scheduled events. Failure to comply can result in removal from the team. Attached are rules and regulations of the team, as well as known activity dates, practices, and estimated expenses. After reviewing the packet, please sign the parent/candidate agreement and return it with the remaining paperwork due for tryouts. All paperwork should be returned in a 9 x 12 catalog envelope. Music will be sent by email on Monday, April 1, 2019. Packets will be due to Liberty Middle School (attn: B.Allen) no later than Wednesday, March 27, 2019. Packets must include the following: Completed application/agreement Physical completed and signed by participant and physician. Madison City Schools Athletic Insurance Form Copy of insurance card Copy of birth certificate Three teacher evaluations (current teachers) - Google Forms AHSAA Release Form Concussion Form Demerit agreement All forms are in the forms section on the dance team page on LMS sports page. For any additional questions, please email Brittany Allen at bnallen@madisoncity.k12.al.us. There will be an information meeting for anyone interested in trying out on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 5:00 at Liberty Middle School Library. Coach and an administrator and/or athletic director will be present to answer any questions regarding tryouts and the team.
Tryouts 1. Candidate must wear appropriate dance attire for tryouts. Bra tops will not be allowed. Hot shorts with tights may only be worn on the day of tryouts. 2. No jewelry will be allowed during clinic or tryouts. 3. No gum. 4. Hair must be neat and out of dancer s face. 5. Candidates will learn and dance routine and technique sequences that will be performed on the day of tryouts. 6. Candidates will be required to choreograph the last two eight-counts of the dance routine. 7. Tryout Day Attire: black tank top or leotard, and black shorts Note: Black hot shorts must be worn with tan tights. Minimum requirements for making the Liberty Dance Team Leaps (right/left split, straddle, and calypso) Double and Triple pirouettes Turns in Second (one eight count) Splits (right/left and jump split) High kicks, leg holds 6. Tilt (right or left) Jumps (toe touch, C jump) Hip Hop tricks (Kip up, Headspring) Optional skill: Aerial cartwheel The clinic and tryouts are closed to the public. No one will be allowed in the building except for candidates, coaches, and previous dance team members. On the day of tryouts, only judges, tabulators, and previous dance team members will be allowed in the gym. A panel of unbiased and experienced individuals will judge the tryouts. Members from the previous year are not guaranteed a spot on the team. Only top scores will be awarded spots; there is no set number of dancers that will be taken. Candidates must attend the entire clinic and tryout process in order to be considered for the dance team. Spring Clinic and Tryout Dates Day 1- April 2th: Clinic 3:30-5:30 pm Day 2- April 3th: Clinic 3:30-5:30 pm Day 3- April 4th: Open Gym (not mandatory) 3:30-5:30 pm Day 4- April 5th: Tryouts 3:30 pm-6:00 pm (Could take longer) ***If your child makes the team, Parent meeting & Pom choreography will tentatively be April 13th. Times are TBD. Regular practices begin April 16th @ 3:30.
Dance Team Regulations The Liberty Middle School athletics program has developed a code of conduct which all athletes are required to abide by. In addition to the LMS code of conduct, dance team members will be expected to abide by the following: 1. Members must maintain a 70 average in all classes. 2. Members must attend all practices, games, and competitions. 3. Other activities (including studio dance) cannot interfere with dance team practices and/or performances. 4. Members may not leave early or arrive late to practice or performances unless they have a doctor s excuse. 5. Members must participate in all team fundraisers. 6. Members must attend summer dance camp. We will attend an overnight camp hosted by the Universal Dance Association. Tentative camp dates are June 1-4, 2019 and will be at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. All members must be present for all practices leading up to camp. Please plan family trips around these times. 7. Choreography camp will be the following week after camp at LMS. Choreography camp will be to learn team dances from camp as well as Hip Hop choreography (tentatively). 8. Inappropriate behavior at practice, school, performances or any other time while representing the school will not be tolerated. These behaviors include, but are not limited to: Negative attitude, laziness, and inattentiveness Serving after school detention Serving in-school suspension Display of unsportsmanlike conduct 9. Members must meet set deadlines. 10.Members must have all uniform parts for performances; uniform must be clean at all time. Members may not be able to perform if uniform pieces are missing. (Includes poms and/or other hand held props) 11.Members will be benched from performances for not having proper uniform parts, missing practices prior to performances, or insufficient knowledge of dance routines. 12.Members must wear assigned clothes to all practices. They will be provided a schedule at the beginning of each month. 13.Members will be dismissed from the team for failure to maintain grades, suspensions, pregnancy, drinking, smoking, or any other use of illegal substances.
Estimated Costs for Lionettes UDA Camp Fee - $400 Spirit Wear - $300 (You will be given a list of items that should be purchased personally) Camp/Practice Apparel (4 outfits) Game Day T-shirt Sweatshirt Game Day Warm-ups - $120 Dance Team Bag - $55 Dance Dress/Pom Costume - $175 (This will be sized to fit each dancer.) Hip-hop Costume - $150 Choreography & Music - $250 State/Regional Competition Fees - $240 National competition- $1,500+ (paid in monthly installments) Other (These items may be purchased from local dancewear stores - Bloom, The Dance Shoppe, Pointe or online - Discount Dance, Motionwear) Capezio Footed/Convertible Tights (2 pair) - $17 per pair Black Jazz Pants - Motionwear V-Waist Pants (Item #: 7163) - $40 Black Dance Skort - Motionwear Side Slit Skort (Item #: MW1035) - $37 Rhinestone Earrings and Hair Clip Racerback Sports Bras (Black, Dark Grey, White) - $8 per bra Clear Strap Bra - $26 Makeup (Specified before camp) Game Day Hair Bows - $15 Black ankle socks Shoes Bloch Super Jazz Slip-on Jazz Shoe (black & tan) (approximately $40 per pair) Hip Hop Shoes (TBD) Tennis Shoes (TBD) - approximately $60 Pom Pony Rhinestones for Uniforms Camp Fun Night Attire - Jungle Theme *Costs will vary & changes may be made at any time. *First payment (Spirit wear/dance bag) due April 18th - $355 *Second payment - new dancers only - (Camp fees) due April 30 - $400 *Third payment (Dance dress) due May 10 - $175
Liberty Lionettes Demerit System (Please keep this for your personal records) I. Purpose To help maintain discipline, promote reliability, and uphold fairness for all by setting an example of good behavior, unity, and pride. II. Guidelines 1. Only the coach can give demerits. 2. Ten demerits accumulated during the season constitute removal from the team. 3. Members on dance probation, due to demerits, are still required to attend all practices and performances. III. Penalties of Demerit System 5 demerits: Suspension from squad for two weeks and parent notification. 8 demerits: Suspension from squad for four weeks and notification to parents in writing that the dancer is in jeopardy of dismissal. 10 demerits: After administrative and coach review, there will be an automatic dismissal from the squad with written notification to parents. Coach will issue demerits OR dismissal for the following: smoking, drinking alcohol, possession of illegal drugs, stealing, and pregnancy, fighting at school or a school function. Absences that are excused and will receive no demerits include: illness with a doctor s note, death in the family, and academic responsibility (missing part of practice for a test or other approved academic reason will carry no penalty, but PRIOR approval must be obtained from the coach). IV. Demerits Removal System At the end of the quarter, for every class in which the dancer receives an A, she will receive 1/2 demerit credit back. Every community service hour removes 1 demerit. Pre-approved community service with the coach. The dancer may run one mile per demerit. Dancer must setup a time with the coach to run off demerits.
V. Demerits The following infractions will result in 1 demerit per occasion: Any tardy less than 10 minutes (practice, performance, etc). Inappropriate dress (at school, games, or performances). Failure to limit socializing at practices, games, or performances. Excessive talking can result in more than one demerit per practice. Wearing jewelry that is not approved to practice or performances. Failure to wear required make-up at a performance. Wearing colored nail polish when performing. Not participating with the team. The following infractions will result in 2 demerits per occasion: Any tardy beyond 10 minutes (practice, performance, etc). Missing practice or performance once (any reason other than excused). More than one occasion will result in additional demerits, at the coach s discretion. Leaving practice early without prior approval. Dance classes are not excused. Leaving games or other performances early without prior approval. Failure to meet deadlines for turning in uniforms, paperwork, or other assigned projects. Failure to wear the assigned outfit or uniform (includes hair and make-up). Public displays of affection while in uniform or during school functions. Failure to perform full out when asked by the coach (during practice or performance). Failure to bring in appropriate materials to practice (shoes, uniform, etc). Unnecessary scenes at practice or school functions (arguing with other dancers, parents, boyfriends, etc). Inappropriate makeup or jewelry. Untidy uniform. Profane language. Disobeys a small request by the coach. Any referral which requires formal disciplinary action. Any grades of a D or an F at interims or end of the quarter per class.
The following infractions will result in demerits up to 5 demerits per occasion: Disrespectful behavior toward the coach or other members of the team (includes gossip) Disrespectful behavior toward teachers. Disobeys a request by the coach. Unexcused absences. A dancer choosing not to perform without coach approval. Lying. Referrals concerning repeated disciplinary action. Detention. The following infractions will result in demerits up to 10 demerits per occasion. Missing a competition for any reason. Missing camp for any reason. Any suspension from classes due to referrals from faculty. This includes both in-school and out-of-school suspension. **Demerits are still earned even if parents bring forgotten item(s). IF A DANCER MISSES THE PRACTICE HELD PRIOR TO A PERFORMANCE, SHE IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO PERFORM IN THE NEXT DANCE. *This list is subject to change at the discretion of the coach.* Liberty Middle School Dance Team Application The application can be found online under the Dance Team Forms page. Or you can use the following URL: https://goo.gl/forms/d8geo3vape4v3a8g3 Teacher Evaluation Liberty Middle School Dance Team Tryouts The teacher evaluation is also found online on the Dance Team Forms page. You may send the link via email to the 3 teachers that you would have evaluations from. https://goo.gl/forms/5sp7qgb2irp10y083
Liberty Middle School Dance Team Parent/Participant Agreement I have read the rules and regulations of the Liberty Dance Team and understand that I am expected to comply if I am chosen to be a member of the team. Signature of Participant: Date: Signature of Parent/Guardian: Date: Liberty Middle School Dance Team Demerit Agreement Please only return this part of the Demerit Agreement. I have read the demerit system of the Liberty Dance Team and understand that I am expected to comply if I am chosen to be a member of the team. Signature of Participant: Date: Signature of Parent/Guardian: Date: