ELIGIBILITY Liberty High School Dance Team 2017-2018 Handbook Our rules and regulations are based on LHS, HSD, OSAA, DDCA, NFHS Policies. This packet will outline guidelines and expectations for team members. The following is from the Hillsboro School District Athletic/Activity Handbook Eligibility Requirements. Participation in athletics and activities is available to any student. The following regulations govern eligibility; including freshmen (8 th grade transcripts) for OSAA sponsored athletics and activities. Participants must: Meet OSAA and HSD eligibility requirements. Adhere to the training and citizenship rules established by the coach, athletic department and school administration. Meet physical requirements and possess some type of insurance which covers him/her for athletic/activity injuries Possess a student body card with an ASB sticker. A participant who is dropped from a squad for disciplinary reasons will not be allowed to become a member of any other program during that season. A participant may not drop from one program/squad and transfer to another without the agreement of both coaches concerned.
ACADEMIC STANDARDS Participants in athletic/activity program not meeting standard (a) are, by OSAA regulation, ineligible for the term. They may not participate or represent the school until semester/trimester grades provide for eligibility. Students may not practice if they do not meet OSAA standard unless they apply for an exception and it is approved by the principal. The principal s approval will be contingent, in part, on the student submitting a plan for how he/she will fulfill academic requirements given the time demands of athletic/activity participation. Students granted an exception and allowed to participate must meet the OSAA academic standard at the nine-week grading period. Meet the OSAA requirements of (1)_ having passed 5 subjects (2.5 credits) the previous semester or 4 subjects (2.0) the previous trimester, and (2) be enrolled and doing passing work in at least 5 subjects (2.5 credits) in the current semester or at least 4 subjects (2.0 credits) in the current trimester, and (3) making adequate yearly progress toward graduation. Pass all subjects or receive a 2.0 GPA on the previous grading period (quarter, semester, trimester). Summer school grades may be added to the previous semester/trimester Participants not satisfying standard (b) above, or incoming freshman from 8 th grade transcripts not satisfying either standard (a) or (b) shall be allowed to practice but lose privilege of representing their school until they demonstrate a positive report at 4 ½ weeks. I have read and agree to abide by all academic standards listed in this handbook: CONDUCT/BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS As a member of the Belles Dance Team, you are a reflection of not only our program, but our school. We expect the highest standards of behavior both at team functions and inside and outside of school. School rules must be followed at all times. It is expected that when an individual becomes a member of the team, they will make the team a high priority, second only to their family and homework. Boy/girlfriends and jobs come after dance team. Fighting/bullying, of any sort (verbal/physical/cyber), is not tolerated and may result in immediate dismissal from the team. There will be no use of abusive or offensive language. This includes at practice, school, public, and on social media.
LHS athletes will not use, possess, sell, be in the presence of, or provide alcohol, tobacco, or illegal/unauthorized drugs at any time. Athletes will not smoke any products (in or out of season). Public displays of affection with boy/girlfriends at performances, competitions, or while in uniform will not be tolerated. While we appreciate their support, it must be in the appropriate manner, as you represent not just yourself, but your team and school. It is very important that we, as a team, support our school, and all athletic teams; cheerleading, band, football, and all other school groups and organizations. If we expect school-wide support, we must be willing to also give our sincere support. Members posting inappropriate comments, derogatory language, or photos depicting drug or alcohol use on social media platforms may result in probation and a formal investigation. Be respectful to all school administration & staff. We communicate with them frequently regarding your progress, both academically, as well as work ethic and attitude. Excessive disrespect, negativity, or poor conduct at school, practices, games, or performances may result in removal from the team. I have read and agree to abide by all Conduct/Behavior Expectations listed in this handbook: UNIFORM & ATTIRE EXPECTATIONS As a member of the Belle s dance team, you are expected to follow the LHS dress code at all times, both during school and at practice. For practices, performances, competitions, etc. we expect the following: All practice items must be form fitting. Leotards are requested to be worn with either tight fitting jazz pants, shorts (with tights), or leggings. You must also wear jazz shoes or paws at all times. Tennis shoes must be brought to practice each day for running. Clothing must be modest and needs to cover your stomach, bottom, and chest. Be sure to have adequate coverage and support/undergarments. Hair must be pulled back and away from your face at practice. Absolutely no jewelry (including tongue, belly, ear, dermal, and facial piercings). This is an NFHS rule and it will be strictly enforced. Please be aware that if you just got a piercing and you can t take it out, you will not be allowed to participate. Failure to comply with this may result in a $200 fine from the OSAA as well as further penalties. I have read and agree to abide by all Uniform & Attire Expectations listed in this handbook:
PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS Practices are extremely important to the success of our team. We will use practices to learn new routines, practice technique, condition, stretch, etc. Your commitment to being at practice, and ready to work hard is a reflection of your commitment to your team members. Be on time. Dancers should be lined up, ready to START warm ups by the time practice begins. If you are late to 2 or more practices, you may not be allowed to perform in the next performance. If a dancer is sick, he/she can choose to attend the practice to observe. We encourage this if they feel well enough as it still allows them to absorb some material. If you need to miss a practice, the dancer must contact a coach before practice starts. If a practice is missed, the dancer is expected to learn what was missed on their own time and come to the next practice prepared and caught up. Continued conditioning outside of practice is required. Dance requires significant stamina and strength and you are expected to achieve/maintain a certain fitness level. If a team member misses any practice the week of a performance/competition, they may not be allowed to dance/compete at that performance/competition. Cell phone use will not be permitted at any dance team functions without permission from the coaches. Cell phones are to be silenced and left in a bag for the entirety of the event. If there is an emergency, parents are more than welcome to contact the coaches as we will have our phones on us. Each dancer is responsible for knowing the routines they are going to perform. For some, this may mean extra practices beyond those required. At times there may be extra practices scheduled, or some practice schedules might be changed due to space conflicts at the school. I have read and agree to abide by all Practice Expectations listed in this handbook: PERFORMANCE & COMPETITION EXPECTATIONS All away activities must be traveled to and from by bus as a team. If there is a special situation, it must be cleared with the coaches prior to the event. Each member will have a chance to perform if: they are confident in the routine and are able to exhibit their performance ability, they follow the rules and expectations outlined in the manual, they are academically eligible according to OSAA, they do not have any disciplinary referrals the week of the performance, and they have a positive attitude and put forth the effort at practices.
Please keep in mind, not all dancers will perform all routines. As dancers develop, they will be included in selected routines. Being a varsity member does not guarantee a position in a routine. Depending on their development, some dancers may not compete in any routines. Each team member is expected to attend every performance and competition in which the team participates regardless of whether or not they are actually dancing. Who performs, where they are placed, and what they do during the performance will be determined by the coaching staff. A dancer must attend at least a half day of school in order to participate in any performance or competition. Any unexcused absences on the day of performance or competition will cause the dancer to be ineligible to participate. I have read and agree to abide by all Performance & Competition Expectations listed in this handbook: Student Signature Date LETTERING REQUIREMENTS In order to receive a varsity dance team letter a team member must do the following: *Participate at the State Championships *Participate in 90% of performances, practices, and activities *Participate in the dance competition hosted by Liberty High School *Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the season I have read and understand the Lettering Requirements listed in this handbook: FUNDRAISING & FEES EXPECTATIONS Dance team is a pay to play sport, meaning we do not receive any funding from the school or district. This means that dancers are expected to pay for all of their own costs of being on the team. While dance team is not a cheap sport, if you participate in our fundraisers it is completely possible to fund your season without paying out of pocket. All fundraisers, including individual fundraisers, will have a team fundraising aspect to them. This is to help cover competition expenses, unforeseen expenses, scholarships, cash flow issues, and an emergency fund. There will be a specified amount or maximum of 15% designated for the general team account before any amount goes to the individual. This is to ensure we have enough cashflow to purchase items, allow flexibility for payment deadlines, pay for the remainder of coaching
stipends, competition expenses, etc. Once you sign our team contracts you are responsible for all expenses incurred on your dancers behalf (which includes a large sum during the summer to pay for uniforms/clothing)) All fundraised money is raised for the dance team program and will remain in the team account. If excess monies are fundraised by an individual at the end of the season, they will be applied to the dancer s account for the following season. If the dancer will no longer be a part of the team for the upcoming season, the money will remain with the team. If a dancer quits or is removed from the team during the season, their money will remain in the team account. 15% of each sponsorship will go towards home competition expenses. 85% will go towards the individual dancer. Although team members contribute to the cost of costumes and supplies, all items are property of LHS. Exceptions are your travel uniform, camp apparel, and tights. Costumes/materials will be used or sold from year to year when possible to reduce team expenses. Team owned items are expected to be returned at the completion of the season or when a member exits the team. If the items are not returned, you will be billed for the cost to replace them. Any expenses left unpaid by a dancer will place a hold on their ASB account at school and they will not receive their diploma upon graduation until expenses are paid. Any articles of clothing that are owned by the team and loaned to current members must not be worn outside of performances. Any member who loses or damages any prop, costume, or equipment of LHS dance team is responsible for the cost to replace it Dancers will fill a minimum of 20 adult volunteer hours for our home competition on March 3, 2018. We make every effort possible to reduce our fees and keep expenses as low as we can. We also do our best to forecast our fees for the season but the budget is subject to change if forecasts do not align with actuals. Please be aware that if one dancer does not keep up with their payments, it puts the entire team in jeopardy. If there are problems with our payment plan, please speak to the coaches and we will do our best to work with you. We never want finances to be a barrier to participating on our team. I have read and agree to abide by all Fundraising and Fees Expectations listed in this handbook: Student Signature Date ***The Liberty Dance Team coaches have the right to excuse any member of the team at any time for any reason. They also reserve the right to make exceptions to any rules as needed on a case by case basis, after evaluating what is in the best interest of the team and the individual.***
Liberty High School Dance Team Contract Name: As a member of this team you are obligated to your teammates, coaches, and school to be dependable and abide by the following: 1. I understand and agree that I will abide by all rules that govern dance team such as OSAA/DDCA/NFHS/HSD/LHS. I will also follow all rules set by the school, district, and state regarding grade eligibility, attendance, conduct, etc. 2. I will attend all practices unless excused by a coach PRIOR to practice, and follow attendance guidelines as outlined in the team handbook. 3. I will participate in all team fundraising events, meetings, and functions from tryouts through the end of the dance season. 4. I understand that dance team activities will take precedence over other extracurricular activities such as: work, plays, athletic events, appointments, and miscellaneous social events. Exceptions may be made for those students who have signed a Dual Sport/Activity Contract PRIOR to the start of the dance season. 5. I will obey the team handbook rules at all times. 6. I will ride to and from all team events/competitions in the transportation provided by the school/dance team. 7. I will be maintain costumes/props or any dance team property loaned to me. 8. I will pay for any garment/item lost or damaged by me. 9. I will not smoke, drink, or use drugs while I am on the LHS Dance Team or be in the presence of others who are using drugs, smoking or drinking. Failure to comply will lead to dismissal from the team. 10. In case of ineligibility, injury, etc., it is required that I participate in all practices and activities to keep in good status with the team. 11. I understand that I must commit to give 100% at all times as a member of the LHS Dance Team. 12. This contract is non-negotiable and I understand that failure to meet any standards of this contract may result in dismissal from the team. 13. I understand that quitting or being dismissed from the Dance Team at any point during the season requires me to return all team loaned items and pay the remainder of my account balance. 14. I understand the commitment level involved to be a responsible member of this team. 15. I understand that with dance there is a risk of injury regardless of the presence of a coach and the safety techniques implemented. I will report any injury immediately to my coach. 16. I understand that once I sign and return this contract I am agreeing to pay for any expenses that are incurred on my behalf while I am a member of the team. Team Member s Signature: Parent s Signature: Date: