LAKE TRAVIS HIGH SCHOOL DANCE TEAM MEMBER HANDBOOK

LAKE TRAVIS HIGH SCHOOL DANCE TEAM MEMBER HANDBOOK 2017 2018 3324 Ranch Road 620 S Austin, Texas 78734

Welcome to the Lake Travis High School Cavalette and Red Ruby Dance Team Program! Being a part of the Cavalette or Red Ruby organization provides opportunities for many dancers and often is the first opportunity to share a common bond and a close relationship with others. Learning what it means to work very closely with other dancers and to share in accomplishments are all part of the sisterhood of Cavalettes or Red Rubies. To be chosen as a Cavalette or Red Ruby is an HONOR! Being a Cavalette or Red Ruby means being a member of a team: a team that works together, dances together, and is TOGETHER! Leadership within the Cavalettes or Red Rubies organization is important and members often have the opportunity to cultivate and demonstrate leadership abilities. When a student becomes a member of the Lake Travis Cavalettes or Red Rubies, their entire family becomes involved as supporters, spectators, and helpers. Being a Cavalette or Red Ruby makes many demands upon the family in terms of time, money, and emotional involvement. With all of these factors, we know you will find it a rewarding and enriching experience for each of you. TIME: Occasionally, family schedules will need to be adjusted to accommodate the Cavalette s or Red Ruby s commitments to the organization. This is a team activity, so each dancer must be present for rehearsal or a performance, etc. Parents are asked to give some of their time to work at activities such as fundraisers, the building of props, sewing of costumes, to cook for social events, and perhaps most importantly, to attend as many of your dancer s performances as possible. FINANCIAL COMMITMENT: Every effort is made to keep expenses reasonable, but there are considerable costs associated with being a Cavalette or Red Ruby. Generally, a first year member will incur a financial commitment of approximately $800 $1200. In an effort to ease the financial burden, the Cavalette or Red Ruby Booster Club participates in fundraising to help defray over $45,000 in team expenses. Each member and her family are asked to support these events by giving their time and talents and encouraging friends to attend. This support directly benefits each family. EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENT: Each member will have her triumphs and disappointments as a Cavalette or Red Ruby, and the love and support of family will be important to them. Celebrate the triumphs they have worked hard to earn them. Console them during the disappointments, but remember that learning to deal with frustration and pressures is part of their maturation process. Your positive attitude will influence your dancer s reactions to their experiences. You and your dancer should always address your concerns and suggestions to the directors.. Many problems arise from simple misunderstandings, and there are always improvements to be made, so communication is the only way to affect a solution. As each of you becomes a part of the Cavalette or Red Ruby family, the Cavalette or Red Ruby organization is also a member of your family. Cherish it and protect it your words and actions should reflect our family s positive image. We are a large family and we must respect each person s individuality while recognizing that we must always consider what is best for the whole. What might not be a problem for one person could be a nightmare if everyone did it, so we must all be willing to give and take for the sake of the team. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one. By working together, we will have a wonderful Cavalette or Red Ruby family and create long lasting memories. NEVER ONE THING AND SELDOM ONE PERSON CAN MAKE FOR A SUCCESS. IT TAKES A NUMBER OF THE MERGING INTO ONE PERFECT WHOLE. MARIE DRESSLER Please enjoy the handbook. It is designed to be used as a guideline to make us all the best we can be. We know that your experience in the Cavalette or Red Ruby organization will be rewarding, long lasting, and that the qualities developed will be beneficial for life. Page 2

LAKE TRAVIS CAVALETTE AND RED RUBY DANCE TEAM MEMBER HANDBOOK FOREWORD The following documents have guided administrators and staff in the development of this handbook: Lake Travis ISD Student Code of Conduct Lake Travis ISD Extracurricular Student Code of Conduct Lake Travis High School Student Handbook Lake Travis ISD Board Policies Lake Travis ISD Standards for Performing Arts Organizations UIL/TEA Side by Side In addition to this Handbook, all Members are subject to the LTISD Student Code of Conduct and LTISD Extracurricular Student Code of Conduct. P U R P O S E The purpose of the Lake Travis High School Cavalette and Red Ruby Dance/Drill Team is to promote loyal school spirit and to encourage quality performance and high academic standards through the development of dance technique, leadership, cooperation, self discipline, and sportsmanship in each individual member. We, the Lake Travis High School Cavalette and Red Ruby Dance/Drill team members hereby pledge our time, our ability, our minds, and our hearts to the purpose. We agree to abide by the rules and regulations as set forth in our member handbook. C A L E N D A R S Dance team is a year round activity. Both your schedule and your family s schedule will sometimes need to be adjusted to accommodate your commitment to the organization. The official practice schedules are emailed by the directors. From time to time, these schedules may need to be amended. We will do our best to give you as much notice as possible when changes occur. A proposed calendar for the academic school year will be available prior to summer workout dates and will include 90% of the non rehearsal activities. Practice calendars are emailed one week in advance. Cavalettes generally practice before school with an after school band practice and Red Rubies generally practice after school with some before school practices during football playoffs. T E R M O F S E R V I C E While a member s term of service is from audition to audition, all discipline records, as well as anything in the merit system are applicable to the current school year. R E Q U I R E D F O R M S All required forms will be distributed during the audition process. Additionally, LTISD may require additional forms at the start or during the year. Deadlines will be adhered to so that a member remains in good standing. Page 3

A U D I T I O N S Team Auditions December The candidate must be enrolled at Lake Travis High School. The candidate must have a clear discipline record (no OSS or DAEP placements) for the current school year. The candidate and parent/guardian must attend required audition meeting(s) and return required forms on time. The candidate must successfully pass the December audition before a panel of 5 judges. A current Cavalette or Red Ruby member who is a member in good standing will not have to re audition for their current team. (see below) All auditions and clinics are closed to the public. Cavalettes: If selected, new members can enroll in the training class in the Spring semester following auditions if their schedule allows. The Director of Fine Arts or his administrative designee will hire all judges and tabulate audition results. All team audition results are final after certification by the Director of Fine Arts or his administrative designee. Unless there is an error in tabulation, the audition results will stand. Parents/Students may request to see their member s scores after the auditions. It is recommended to make an appointment with the directors within 5 days. Member in Good Standing for December team auditions In order to be considered a member in good standing by team audition, a member must: Meet the first 3 requirements stated in the Team Auditions section above. Perform in 80% of team performances through regular football season (not playoffs). Be on time, prepared, and actively participating in practices by having an A average in dance team class through end of regular football season. Complete 20 Devo Hours by the last regular football season game. Have 25 merits by the last regular football season game. Have earned 5 or less demerits and no demerits remaining to work off by the last regular football season game. All financial statements must be at 0 by the last regular football season game. All Booster Club Obligations(fundraising) and Fees Must be Cleared by the last regular football season game. Auditioning for Dances/Performances Members must still audition for dances/performances. Once a dance has been taught, it is the member s responsibility to be prepared to audition. Director s, choreographers and line officers may be present in auditons. Auditions are based on proficiency of dance skills, memory of routine, precision, showmanship and effort in class. Call backs may occur at the Director s discretion. Decisions by the Directors are final. Members who are are absent on the day of an audition may have a pre or post audition depending on the performance date. This decision is the Director s discretion. All members not making the dance/performance will have alternate status for that dance/performance. Members must have NO demerits by performance day in order to be eligible to participate. Alternates Alternates must still attend all practices and performances and learn all routines/changes. Alternates may be placed in a routine at the director s discretion. Qualifications for Leadership Auditions (Line Officer, Social Officer and Rookie Sargent) Candidates must currently be a Cavalette Dance Team Member. Candidates must have a clear discipline record (no OSS or DAEP placements) for the current school year. Candidates must complete all requirements outlined in the audition packet. Candidates must be in good standing (as defined above) plus have completed the extra devo hours and merits below. Complete 32 Devo Hours & have 50 merits by deadline of application packet. Transfer students are not eligible. Page 4

T R A N S F E R S The candidate must be a member in good standing of their previous school s dance team. The candidate must provide a letter of reference from their previous director. The LTISD Dance Team Director will make the final decision regarding acceptance of membership which will include a skills based assessment of the candidate. If accepted, new members and parents must sign all required documents including acceptance of this membership handbook. The time of the year the student joins the team will determine their level of participation per the Dance Team Director. Fees may be prorated per the Dance Team Director. D A N C E C L A S S G R A D E S Grading Policy Grades will be issued in accordance with the Lake Travis High School Grading Policy. 60% Major grades may include actively participating in class each day. Students will be given a daily participation grade. At the beginning of each day, all students start off with a grade of 100. 40% Minor grades may include Performances, Skills Tests or Written Assignments Points will be deducted from their daily participation grade for the following infractions Late (without approved prior excuse) For every minute you are late it is 1 point (you must check in with a director as soon as you arrive) Failure to bring or wear part of your Dance Uniform or required item due that day 5 points for every missing item Oversized Jewelry in practice 5 points (refusal to take off will result in 50 points as well as ) Hair not pulled back 5 points (refusal to pull back will result in 50 points as well as ) Chewing Gum 5 points (refusal to thrown away will result in 50 points as well as ) Student Off Task 5 points Cell Phone out without permission from a director 10 points Lack of/refusal to participate or follow instructions 50 points + Disrespect to others including each other, directors and other guests in practice or performance 50 pts + 1 demerit Extra Performance deductions: Extra Jewlery 5 points (will need to remove immediately or 50 points + ) Nail Polish 10 points (refusal to remove will result in 50 points as well as ) Not every situation is listed above: Directors may use discretion for additional deductions Any student who has had 20 points or more removed from their Cavalette grade in 1 week (Monday Sunday) will be removed from a routine of the Director s choice. Unexcused Absence Zero for the day in addition to 2 demerits Outside the School Day Practices Attendance is mandatory at practices on the team calendar. Start times on the team calendar indicate when you need to be in your assigned position. Being in the building is not on time. Leaving practice early (without approved prior excuse) is considered the same as being late. In addition, there may be skills based assessments given during this time that a student will have to make up in accordance with school policy. Page 5

P E R F O R M A N C E S & A T T E N D A N C E Performance Expectations Members are performing the entire game whether it be in the stands or on the field. Do not invite others into the team area in the stands. Do not enter the student section in uniform. No gum in uniform. No cell phone use during the games unless given permission by Directors. No eating in uniform unless given permission by Director s. Please use discretion on food and drink items so you do not ruin the school property. Performance Attendence Expectations Missing a performance can result in being pulled from future performances. Members must maintain a high level of responsibility to be trusted with a performance position. If you miss more than half a day of school on the day of the performance, you may not perform per district policy. Exceptions to this are missing for other school activities. Missing a rehearsal for any reason, two days or less prior to a performance may result in a removal from performance routine based on the director s discretion of what is best for the team. Attendance Expectations Every effort is made to communicate with families ahead of time so that you can plan your calendars. As directors, we plan our practices ahead of time as well so it is critical for us to know if members will be gone so that we can adjust our plans. We understand that emergencies come up and that medical appointments are difficult to schedule. As long as you communicate with us, we can adjust plans to make sure everyone is successful for the next performance. We encourage members to attend academic tutorials. We make time in our weekly schedule for you to attend. However, if you need to attend tutorials during scheduled rehearsal times for additional help, you must bring a note from the teacher you were with that includes time of arrival and departure; otherwise, your absence will be unexcused. Medical appointments require a copy of the back to school note from the doctor s office if you miss any part of a practice/class. Excused absences will align with school policies. However, it is still the director s discretion to pull you from a dance/performance if absences occur too close to the performance day. Each performance is different and the director will decide for that situation. Students may be dismissed by the director after halftime if they are taking an ACT/SAT the following day. During playoff season, we ask, to the extent possible, that directors are notified of absences two weeks in advance to allow time to redo choreography, etc. T R A N S P O R T A T I O N Student Travel Policy FMG: Students who participate in school sponsored trips shall be required to ride in transportation provided by the school to and from the event. Exception may be made if the principal consents to the student travelling with another adult. The District shall not be liable for any injuries that occur to students riding in vehicles that are not provided by the school. Parents and/or adults, that the parents have authorized in writing, can transport students if needed. Permission in writing is required prior to the event. Page 6

M E R I T S Y S T E M Merits/Demerits Merits will be given to reward going above and beyond as a dance team member. This includes service to the school and community. Demerits are given when communicated policies/procedures are not adhered to by a member. However, members are encouraged to work off the demerits immediately to maintain member in good standing status. Four merits erase ONE demerit. Remember, you must have 25 merits and no demerits to remain in good standing by the audition window to be exempt from re auditioning. Members will be placed on probation if they receive 5 demerits total over time (even if worked off) and will be dismissed from the team upon receiving 10 demerits over time (even if worked off.) It is in the member's best interest to work off demerits as soon as possible. Merits Receiving member of the week Attending a non required school event in team attire ie: Cavaletttes attending JV Game (proof required) Attending dance related performances (proof required) Any approved activity benefiting the team Documented attendance at a tutorial outside of rehearsal time with note from teacher (2 per week max) Other activities as determined by the director Volunteer work (not available for officers) in dance studio Attendance at football playoff games Highlighting LTHS or the team in a post (social media and must tag team) (limit 1 per week) Physical Activity as deemed appropriate by the Director Individual award at a school dance contest Perfect and on time attendance for the week of practices (student requested) All A s on report card (must show Directors) All A s/b s on report card (must show Directors).5 merit 2 merits 2 merits 2 merits Demerits Demerit number may change based on severity. Locker room not cleaned (may be assigned to entire team) Missing a practice or performance (unexcused) 2 demerits *Not following major class rules *Profanity *Disrespect to staff *Disrespect to team members *Disprespect to chaperones *Leaving class without permission *Inappropriate behavior in or out of school (as determined by director) *Honor Code Violation *Violation of the LTISD Student Code of Conduct resulting in OSS placement 2 demerits REMEMBER, YOU CAN NOT HAVE ANY ACTIVE DEMERITS BY PERFORMANCE DAY OR YOU WILL BE REMOVED AT THE DIRECTOR S DISCRETION. *Subject to LTHS Disciplinary consequences in addition to the demerit Page 7

P R O B A T I O N, D I S M I S S A L & E L I G I B I L I T Y Probation A member is on probation when they have 5 demerits accumulated (even if worked off). You are still required to attend everything on the team calendar Dismissal A member will be dismissed when they have 10 demerits accumulated (even if worked off) Members will remain in a dance class subject to schedule availability to receive their credit and will have assignments in line with Dance TEKS. Assigned to DAEP Dismissed members may appeal their dismissal via Board Policy FNG (Local) if applicable. Academic Eligibility Requirements You must be academcially eligible to participate in dances/performances according to the UIL calendar During the school year we are in, If a student loses eligibility two times in 9 weeks, then the student must maintain 6 consecutive weeks of eligibility to have the opportunity to be reinstated R E S I G N A T I O N A member may resign in writing at anytime during their term of service. A letter signed by the member and their parent/guardian is required as part of the resignation. Emails are not accepted. All materials and financial matters must be settled before the resignation is accepted. No refunds will be made. The member must not wear uniforms or anything identifying them as a Cavalette/Red Ruby upon resignation. The member is NOT eligible to audition in the future. U N I F O R M S Members may not wear the uniform outside of school events unless approved by the dance staff. Members are financially liable for damages to the uniform. Members will not post inappropriate pictures on social media wearing any part of the uniform. All issued items are property of LTISD and must be replaced by the member if lost or damaged. F I N A N C E S Prior to auditions, the directors will provide candidates with anticipated expenses which will include camp expenses and rehearsal/performance attire. Expenses are estimated annually and may vary due to each member s needs. Fundraising and scholarships will be available to families who are unable to pay their entire balance if requested in writing before payment deadlines. Directors will set payment deadlines. Failure to adhere to financial responsibilities may result in not receiving required dance team items and possible exclusion from performances. If a member is dismissed or resigns, they will be financially responsible for any and all items ordered. No refund will be issued. Should the members be invited to participate in a special engagement or attend an out of town contest, each individual team member must cover the expenses. Monies for the designated activity may be earned through fundraising efforts or may be paid for by the individual member. The Cavalette Booster Club may help defray the cost, if funds allow. A D D E N D U M S & C H A N G E S Any changes to the member handbook will be communicated via Charms. This member handbook will reside in the Director s Schoology page as a link which will be the most updated version. Page 8