DANCE TEAM & CHEER SQUADS TRYOUT PACKET 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR The following pages in this packet need to be submitted on the first day of Tryouts: ü Page 1 Student information (on a separate sheet, not back-to-back with Page 2) ü Page 2 Tryout Rubric (on a separate sheet, not back-to-back with Page 1) ü Page 9 Contract Agreement (on its own separate sheet) ü Pages 3-8, 10 Please bring to read along and review on the first tryout day. This packet needs to be filled out in the standard blue or black ink pen. Please write legibly. Student Information I am trying out for (circle one): JV Cheer Varsity Cheer Dance Team First Name: Last Name: Grade in Fall 2018 (circle)? Current GPA (Grade Point Average this will be checked): 9 10 11 12 Please list 2 references (Teacher, coach, mentor, etc. These cannot be friends or family members.): Name 1: Relation: Email: and/or Phone: Name 2: Relation: Email: and/or Phone: Why do you want to be on Cheer/Dance Team? What are your experiences? Please write on the back of this sheet or attach a separate sheet if you need more space. What else are will you be involved in at SMHS in 2018-2019? Please list all other clubs, extracurricular activities, job(s), etc. Please write on the back of this sheet or attach a separate sheet if you need more space. 1
Tryout Rubric FIRST & LAST NAME: Grade in Fall 2018: 0 = Incomplete, 1 = Needs Improvement, 2 = Poor, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent Packet Is it complete? Are directions followed? Choreography Did they know it? Is it accurate? Attitude/Spirit Happy? Confident? Smiling? Energy? Execution Facials? Angles? Sharp movements when need be? Team Specific Student Choreography or Sideline Cheer 1 2 3 4 5 TOTAL: /25 Notes: 2
Dance Team & Cheer Squads 2018-2019 School Year Contract Teams There are three teams that are covered within this contract: Junior Varsity (JV) Cheer - 9 th & 10 th graders Varsity Cheer 11 th & 12 th graders Dance Team 9-12 th graders Purpose This contract is to provide detailed information, define expectations and for students, parents/guardians, coaches, San Mateo High School Administration/Faculty of the Spirit Squads at San Mateo High School. Season There are three athletic seasons at San Mateo High School: Fall, Winter, and Spring. Cheer is a Fall and Winter Sport (August-February). Cheerleaders may only participate in only Spring Sports. Tryouts for Spring Sports can only occur after Winter season is complete. Dance Team is a year-round commitment (August-May). Dancers may not participate in any other sport during these times. Grades Cheerleaders must be taking at least 5 classes, and cannot be failing more than 1 class. Dance Team members do not have a class minimum, but they cannot have below a 2.0 GPA. For all teams: Failure to also have an average of a 2.0 GPA per grading period will result in being benched from all performances. They may still attend practice, but no performing will occur. Any cheerleader/dancer that does not make the grade point average for more than 2 grading periods will be removed from the team immediately. Coaches may ask for grade print outs at any given time to check progress. Athletic Packet & Physicals Please go online to https://www.smuhsd.org/page/2376 for more information regarding physicals and athletic packets. All cheerleaders must have this filled out and cleared with the Health Office prior to practice and performances. Physicals that are expired during the season will result in the cheerleader being benched until it is updated. As soon as you make a Cheer Squad, make an appointment as soon as possible so that students can begin participating in practice. The first Cheer practice is Tuesday, July 10th. All paperwork must be submitted to the health office directly. Dance Team s first practice will be discussed after tryouts as well as a different physical and athletic packet submission. Uniforms There are a few items that are district paid and owned, and others the cheerleader/dancer will be responsible for paying. The San Mateo High School Union District contracts out with Varsity, Cheer and Dance clothing company - https://www.varsity.com. I will share the representative s contact information to those on the Dance Team and Cheer Squads only. 3
CHEER District Student Price New JV skirt, shell, liner, briefs, practice bow, game bow, bag, $300 jacket, poms, pants jersey, hoodie, shoes Returning JV JV to Varsity New Varsity Returning Varsity skirt, shell, liner, briefs, jacket, poms, pants skirt, shell, liner, briefs, jacket, poms, pants skirt, shell, liner, briefs, jacket, poms, pants skirt, shell, liner, briefs, jacket, poms, pants game bow $20 practice bow, game bow $40 practice bow, game bow, bag, jersey, hoodie, shoes $300 game bow $20 DANCE TEAM District Student Price New jacket, jersey, Pants shoes, pants, shirt, personalized $300 jersey Returning jacket, jersey, Pants shoes, pants, shirt $200 CHEER: The district will pay for new items if items need to be re-sized year to year (district items only). All student items can be re-purchased anytime during the school year (EX: if you need a new pair of shoes, you can add that to your total cost). All costs are approximate. DANCE TEAM: Shoes, pants, and shirt are decided at the end of summer/beginning of the school year. Each student will be responsible in purchasing those items on their own. All costs are approximate. Uniform Fitting Uniform fitting will be on Thursday, May 17, 2018. Location: San Mateo High School Gym Foyer. Call times are as follows: 3pm all returning JV & Varsity Cheer 3:30pm all new Varsity Cheer 4pm all new JV Cheer 5pm all returning and new Dance Team members Students may leave after being fitted. Fittings should take around 30 minutes. Returning cheerleaders and dancers will be putting on last year s uniform, then measured. Please make time to change into your uniform prior to being measured. All new cheerleaders and dancers, please wear form fitting clothing (spanks, sports bra/snug tank top) so the representative can fit you in the best size possible. All fittings are done in private with the representative and coaches only. 4
Uniform payments need to be paid in full on Friday, May 18, 2018 by 6:00pm. All late payments will delay cheerleader/dancer in receiving items, possibly into the school year. Delayed payments may also result in student having to pay additional for shipping costs. The link for credit card payment will be emailed out. Checks (made payable to Varsity ) and exact cash can be taken as well. The date, time, and location of when to drop off checks and cash will be emailed out as well. Practices Practices are extremely important to attend. Any missed practices without warning will result in being benched for that week s game/performance. Missed practices are up to the Coach s discretion if the student will be in the halftime/rally performance. Practice cancelations/changes will be emailed out as the season goes on. Cheer practices are held on the spirit lawn, football sideline, and/or gym foyer. Dance Team practices will always be in the Dance Room and/or foyer. Please be sure that prior to practices, all athletic forms are being filled out and submitted to the health office. Games All teams will be performing at halftime. Cheer Squads will be performing at all games possible, and Dance Team will vary. All cheerleaders/dancers are expected to know choreography, cheers, etc. well for every performance. Coaches can pull/bench a cheerleader/dancer at any time during the game if this expectation is not met. Transportation Transportation changes year-to-year, but usually can accommodate all away games (outside our district lines) during the football season. Basketball season usually involves opponents that are within our district, so finding/arranging rides to get to and from games in January and February will be required. Behavior All cheerleaders and Dance Team members will adhere to the utmost professional-type attitude while at school, during practice, and performances. Any issues/situations that happen at school may reflect in the participation on any team. Keeping in mind that being on any Spirit Squad requires having a thick skin - poor behavior at school, during practice, at games, or off campus while representing/wearing SMHS is strictly prohibited. This includes but is not limited to: bad mouthing opponents, drug/alcohol abuse, negative feedback from teachers, failing to do homework, not working well with others, failure to communicate, failure to respect coaches and the coach s decision(s). Failure to comply will not only result in suspension or dismissal of the team, but based on severity, further administrative disciplinary action if needed. Social Media All pictures and videos taken at practices, games, and performances by coaches may be used in marketing materials for tryouts. Pictures and videos will also be posted @bearcatspirit on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Parents and students can connect with these social media sites to view recorded performances and pictures taken at games. 5
Calendar This schedule does not reflect school rallies. Game days, times, and locations are subject to change. Please note that on game days, the first time listed is for the JV game, and the second is for Varsity. 2018 JULY MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 7/9-7/14 9-11am* 9-11am* 7/16-7/21 9-11am* 9-11am* 7/23-7/28 9-11am* 9-11am* 7/30-7/31 9-11am* - - - AUGUST MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 8/1-8/4 - - 9-11am* 8/6-8/11 4-6pm 4-6pm* 4-6pm 8/13-8/18 X X 4-6pm 4-6pm* 4-6pm 8/20-8/25 4-6pm 4-6pm* 4-6pm SM @ El Camino 8/27-8/31 4-6pm 4-6pm* 4-6pm SM @ Santa Teresa 4pm, 7pm SEPTEMBER MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 9/3-9/8 H 4-6pm 4-6pm* 4-6pm SM vs. HMB 9/10-9/15 4-6pm 4-6pm* 4-6pm SM vs. Carlmont 9/17-9/22 4-6pm 4-6pm* 4-6pm SM @ SH Prep 11am, 2pm 9/24-9/29 4-6pm 4-6pm* 4-6pm OCTOBER MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 10/1-10/6 4-6pm 4-6pm* 4-6pm SM @ King s Acad. 10/8-10/13 X 4-6pm 4-6pm* 4-6pm SM vs. South SF 10/15-10/20 4-6pm 4-6pm* 4-6pm SM vs. Sequoia 10/22-10/27 4-6pm 4-6pm* 4-6pm SM vs. Hillsdale 10/29-10/31 4-6pm 4-6pm* - - - NOVEMBER MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 11/1-11/3 - - - 4-6pm 4-6pm Little Big Game SM @ BHS-11am 11/5-11/10 NP NP 11/12-11/17 H 4-6pm 4-6pm 11/19-11/24 4-6pm 4-6pm 11/26-11/30 4-6pm 4-6pm - DECEMBER MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 12/3-12/8 4-6pm 4-6pm - 6
2019 JANUARY MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1/7-1/12 X 4-6pm 4-6pm Game TBD 1/14-1/19 4-6pm 4-6pm Game TBD 1/21-1/26 H 4-6pm 4-6pm Game TBD 1/28-1/31 4-6pm 4-6pm - - FEBRUARY MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 2/1-2/2 - - - - Game TBD 2/4-2/9 X 4-6pm 4-6pm Game TBD 2/11-2/16 (4-6pm) (4-6pm) (Game TBD) 2/18-2/23 H NP NP 2/25-2/29 NP NP - - DANCE TEAM ONLY MARCH MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 3/1-3/2 - - - - 3/4-3/8 4-6pm 4-6pm 3/11-3/15 4-6pm 4-6pm 3/18-3/22 4-6pm 4-6pm 3/25-3/29 4-6pm 4-6pm APRIL MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 4/1-4/5 SB SB SB SB SB SB 4/8-4/12 4-6pm 4-6pm 4/15-4/19 4-6pm 4-6pm 4/22-4/26 4-6pm 4-6pm 4/29-4/30 MM - - - - - MAY MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 5/1-5/3 - MM MM MM MM Key *Cheer only X No School H Holiday BYE No Game Week NP No Practice () Tentative; Last Basketball Quad TBD SB Spring Break MM - Mateo Motion Rehearsals/Performances MON 5/1, WED 5/3, THU 5/4 from 6-10pm in the PAC FRI 5/5 & SAT 5/6 Mateo Motion XV at 7:30pm. Call Time TBD. 7
Important Dates Date Item Time Location Friday, May 11 Tryouts, Day 1 4-6:30pm Dance Room Saturday, May 12 Tryouts, Day 2 4-6:30pm Dance Room Sunday, May 13 Results Posted 1pm School Website Thursday, May 17 Uniform Fitting 4-6pm Gym Foyer Friday, May 25 Uniform Payment Due 6pm Link Emailed Wednesday, August 15 School Begins 8am SMHS Captains Captains will be chosen by the coaches. Students will have the chance to run for captain at the beginning of the season, but can be stripped of their captain role if they are not fulfilling their duties. Duties of the captain will include: Reminding team members of schedule/game changes/proper attire Encouraging teammates during practices and games Maintaining a positive attitude throughout the entire season Reviewing dances/counts Be the liaison between SMHS faculty/staff and coaches Be available to catch-up any teammate if need be Be responsible for reviewing routines with teammates at practice under Coach s watch Knowing all cheers/routines Cheer only: break-away banners for football games Coaching Staff Coaches are First Aid & CPR certified, background checked and cleared by the San Mateo Union High School District. Coaching names, duties, and contact information will be given out to those who make the Dance Team and Cheer Squads. Mixes & Choreography Mixes will be created by coaches. Choreography will be made by both coaches and students. Some song choices may be chosen by students, but coaches can change the student song and choreography if it is inappropriate. Contact/Questions Please email bearcatspirit@yahoo.com, and someone will contact you directly. All information will be sent out from this email address. Due to high volumes of emails at times, please understand that it can take up to 48 hours for response. Students that do not utilize proper email professionalism will not receive a response. Parents All parents/guardians will be required to provide an email and phone number to receive updates on schedule changes and for emergency situations. 8
STUDENT (please initial): CONTRACT AGREEMENT 1. I understand that without this contract signed by Friday, May 11, 2018 by 6:30pm will result in dismissal from tryouts and will not be able to join any team. 2. I understand the tryout process the time commitment of being on any Spirit Squad. 3. I understand that my current grade point average may be looked at in some cases for final decision making. 4. I understand that I will be judged fairly and equally, and all decisions are final. 5. If I make a team, I understand that failure this contract from May 2018-May 2019 can result in dismissal from the team. First & Last Name (please print): (if in 8 th grade, list your Middle School instead of Student ID#) Signature: Date: Student ID#: Email: Number: PARENT/GUARDIAN (please initial): 1. I understand that without this contract signed with my signature by Friday, May 11, 2018 by 6:30pm, this will result in my student being dismissed from tryouts and unable to join any team. 2. I understand the time commitment of my student being on any Spirit Squad. 3. I understand that my student s current grade point average may be looked at in some cases for final decision making. 4. I understand that my student I will be judged fairly and equally, and all decisions are final. 5. I understand that failure to follow this contract from May 2018-May 2019 can result in my student being dismissed from the team at any time. Parent/Guardian 1 First & Last Name (please print): Signature: Date: Email: Number: Parent/Guardian 2 First & Last Name (please print): Signature: Date: Email: Number: 9
Tryout FAQ s What are tryouts like? What do we do? On Friday, you will learn a routine and go through this contract in detail. Saturday is the official tryout day. Depending on the volume of students trying out, students may be asked to tryout in groups of 2 or as big as 10-20 at a time. What do I wear? Please wear closed-toe dance/workout appropriate shoes, comfortable bottoms, and top. Please note that students may be working out as well, so come prepared. No jeans, clothes with bad language/inappropriate visuals will be allowed. All students must adhere to the San Mateo High School dress code: https://www.smuhsd.org/domain/873. Cheer: All hair must be up in a ponytail, all bangs back. Who can tryout? Any students entering 9-12 th grade into San Mateo High School may tryout. JV Cheer will consist of 9 th and 10 th graders. Varsity Cheer will consist of 11 th and 12 th graders. Please note that at least one year on JV Cheer is very highly encouraged in order to make Varsity Cheer. What are the tryout details? The tryout dates, times, locations for Dance Team and Cheer Squads are as follows: Friday, May 11 th from 4-6:30pm meet in the Dance Room Saturday, May 12 th from 2-6pm meet in the Dance Room Are there a certain number of students that will be taken per team? If there s five seniors graduating, does that mean there s only five spots available? No, the amount of seniors graduating does not reflect how many spot are open on any team. There is no minimum or maximum to any team. Individual students just need to score over a certain amount to be on the team. Details will be explained during tryouts. If someone is on Dance Team/Cheer right now, do they automatically make it back on the team? No, every member must re-audition every year to secure a spot on the team. Can my friends/parents/guardians stay for tryouts? No, friends/parents/guardians cannot stay for tryouts. Those not participating in the tryout process as a San Mateo High School student may not be present. Do I need dance or cheer experience to be on a team? Though preferred, you do not need any prior hip hop dance or cheer experience. Who can I contact for questions regarding Dance Team or Cheer? Please email bearcatspirit@yahoo.com. Please note that due to high volume of emails at times, it can take up to 48 hours for a reference. Thank you for your patience. 10