Ultimate Athletics Special Abilities Cheer and Dance Teams WELCOME to the 2016-2017 Special Abilities cheer season! My name is Jennifer Gibori and I am excited to be the new Coordinator Director and coach for the UA Special Abilities program. I look forward to meeting families and getting to know each athlete in the upcoming weeks. This will be an amazing year with everyone! Smiles on faces and passion in their hearts is why I am here and what I hope to see in every athlete. About Me I have been involved in cheer and dance for nearly 20 years. My past and current experience includes: 4 year high school cheerleader 12 years of cheer and dance coaching at both the high school and middle school levels Cheer coach at Grayslake North High School Head cheer coach and Coordinator for Libertyville Boys Club, an officially recognized feeder program for Libertyville High School Head JV coach at Warren Township High School Certified coach through the National Federation of High Schools About the Program This program is a very special one and I am honored to be part of UA working with great families and awesome kids. I have some new and exciting ideas that I would like to incorporate into the program this year to further build upon the great program that has been here for many years. I am including a list of summer practice dates and events through July. In August, an updated monthly calendar for the entire season (including practices, special events, and competitions) will be distributed. My special education career spans the past 12 years. I hold a degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University and a Special Education degree from the University of St. Francis. I have worked with students Pre-K through high school. During the summer I am the Assistant Director for the Village of Libertyville Adler Day Camp. I am also certified in CPR and First Aid. My coaching philosophy is to provide athletes with a successful and meaningful experience while promoting team spirit, teamwork and team loyalty through involvement, dedication and respect working as a team rather than as individuals. The success of a team is due to a strong commitment from athletes, coaches and parents. I value clear and timely communication and a high level of organization. I am firm, but compassionate. And of course, fun! Outside of coaching I have two teenage daughters and live in the Northwest suburbs. Please save the date for our first event on Saturday, June 18, from 9 am to noon. Our squads, along with other UA teams, will be marching in the Libertyville Days Parade. Special Abilities parents are welcomed and encouraged to walk in the parade with us and promote our UA spirit! I will provide more details as we draw closer to the event. Please feel free to contact me by email or phone with questions about the program or anything else that may be on your mind. I look forward to meeting athletes and parents alike at our Ice Cream Social on Sunday, June 5 (flier enclosed). Sincerely, Coach Jen jen@ultimateathletics.net (847) 284-0500 (voice/text)
PAGE 10 Ultimate Athletics A Royal Family Gym SPECIAL ABILITIES Be active set goals and make friends! We are very excited to be entering our ninth season with our Special Abilities Cheer and Dance Programs. Our 2015-2016 season will run from June-March. Practices are held once a week and led by coaches specializing in the special needs population. Teams Special Abilities teams are co-ed and are comprised of athletes ages 5 and above with any type of disability. Special needs are defined as a disability characterized by impairment of skills and overall intelligence in areas such as cognition, language, motor and social abilities. We welcome athletes on the entire spectrum of their disability. Athletes in wheelchairs/walkers are also welcome. We offer three team options: n Gems All Star competitive cheer team; travel n Jewels All Star exhibition cheer team; no travel n Crystals All Star competitive dance team; no travel Buddies In the special abilities program, we utilize Buddies. Buddies are athletes from other UA teams that are assigned to special abilities athletes to assist in teaching routines. Buddies attend all Special Abilities team practices and participate in all performances and competitions. In order to qualify as a Buddy, an athlete must be 11 years of age and have the maturity to handle the added commitment. Tuition is just $30 per month, with the option to add tumbling for an additional $10 per month. For more information on becoming an athlete or Buddy, please contact: Jen Gibori, Program Manager jen@ultimateathletics.net
TEAMS Special Abilities teams are co-ed and are comprised of athletes ages 5 and above with any type of disability. Special needs are defined as a disability characterized by impairment of skills and overall intelligence in areas such as cognition, language, motor and social abilities. We welcome athletes on the entire spectrum of their disability. This is an inclusive team and we will make every effort to provide the necessary accommodations each athlete requires in order to participate. Athletes in wheelchairs/walkers are also welcome. Our season runs June through March. We offer three team options: n Gems All Star competitive cheer team Practice Sundays, 2-4 pm n Jewels All Star exhibition cheer team Practice Sundays, 4-6 pm n Crystals All Star competitive dance team Practice Fridays, 5:30-7 pm If you know of anyone who would benefit from participation on this team, please feel free to pass this packet along. BUDDIES In the special abilities program, we utilize Buddies. Buddies are athletes from other UA teams that are assigned to special abilities athletes to assist in teaching routines. Buddies attend all Special Abilities team practices and participate in all performances and competitions. In order to qualify as a Buddy, an athlete must be 11 years of age and have the maturity to handle the added commitment. Tentative Competition Schedule* Date Event Location Teams Saturday, Oct. 22 Chitown Challenge Palatine Cheer Saturday, Oct. 22 DanceFest Chicago Palatine Dance Sunday, Nov. 6 Royal Bash TBA All teams Sunday, Nov. 13 Cheer Power DeKalb Gems only Sat/Sun, Dec. 3 & 4 Holiday Classic DeKalb All teams Friday, Dec. 9 (exhibition) Warren Township HS Invite Gurnee Gems only Sunday, Jan. 22 Cheersport DeKalb Gems only Sat/Sun, Feb. 3 & 4 AC National Championship Schaumburg Cheer Sat/Sun, March 11 & 12 CSG Super Nationals Rosemont All teams Sat/Sun, March 18 & 19 American Classic Schaumburg All teams UNIFORMS n Gems will be wearing the uniform from last season. New members, and athletes that have outgrown their uniform, will need a new one. n Jewels and Crystals will be getting new uniforms. Dance uniform will be based on the choreography style. n Uniforms need to be purchased, but are yours to keep. Fundraising is available to help offset the cost. n Gems and Jewels will be receive cheer shoes courtesy of Nfinity. Shoe sizing will take place at one of our summer practices n All SN families will be able to purchase a special back pack from Nfinity at the discounted price of $50. Samples and payment will take place at one of our summer practices SUMMER SCHEDULE GEMS/JEWELS Saturday, June 18 @ 9 am - noon Libertyville Days Parade Sunday, July 10 n 1:30-2 pm Buddy meet and greet with athletes n 2-4 pm Gems choreography n 4-6 pm Jewels choreography Sunday, July 17 n 2-4 pm Gems choreography n 4-6 pm Jewels choreography Sunday, July 24 Practices begin CRYSTALS Saturday, June 18 @ 9 am - noon Libertyville Days Parade Friday, July 15 Choreography Friday, July 22 Choreography Friday, July 29 practices begin * All competitions are subject to change. For more information, please contact: Jen Gibori, Special Abilities Program Director jen@ultimateathletics.net
STAFF Jen Gibori, Special Abilities Program Director I am excited to be the new Program Director and coach for the UA Special Abilities program. In addition to being a 4 year high school cheerleader, I have over 12 years of cheer and dance coaching experience including high school coaching, middle school coaching, and I recently took on the role of Head Cheer coach and Coordinator for Libertyville Boys Club, an officially recognized feeder program for Libertyville High School. I was most recently named Head JV Coach at Warren Township High School. I have 12 years experience as a special education teacher having earned degrees at Arizona State University and University of St. Francis. During the summer I am Assistant Director for the Village of Libertyville Adler Day Camp. I am a certified coach through the National Federation of High Schools and am also CPR/First Aid certified. My coaching philosophy is to provide athletes with a successful and meaningful experience while promoting spirit and involvement, teamwork, team loyalty, commitment, dedication, and respect working as a team rather than as individuals. I believe the success of a team is due to a strong commitment from athletes, coaches, and parents. In addition to directing the special abilities program, I will also be coaching partial season teams starting in December. This program is a very special one and I am honored to be part of UA working with great families and awesome kids! Smiles on faces and passion in their hearts is why I am here and what I hope to see to see in every athlete. Christine Kurth (cheer) I have been working in Special Education for almost 15 years. I attended American Intercontinental University with a major in Business Administration. I am currently a teaching assistant at Grayslake Central High School. I have worked with Autistic, LD, ED/BD, Epileptic, Down Syndrome, wheelchair bound, and other students with various disabilities. I am very passionate about the kids I work with and believe that with the right encouragement, they will thrive in whatever they choose to do. Bianca Atilano (dance) I have been involved with dance for many years. I was part of the Grayslake Central Poms team during my four years in high school where we placed high in many competitions. I then went on to be the Assistant Coach for the Libertyville Boys Club cheerleading program, working with athletes 3rd-8th grade. For the past two years, I have taught dance classes for the Village of Libertyville. Dance specialties include hip-hop, jazz, and poms. I have a strong background in choreography and love working with kids. I currently attend The College of Lake County and spend my summers as a camp counselor for the Village of Libertyville Adler Day Camp.
Cheer & Dance Special Teams Sunday, June 5 4 to 5 pm 1210 KARL COURT WAUCONDA, IL 60084 Open to athletes with disabilities and their families. For more information, email jen@ultimateathletics.net
Special Needs Medical Information 2016-2017 Team(s): ATHLETE INFORMATION First name: Last name: Gender: M F Date of Birth: / / Age as of Aug. 31, 2016: School (if attending): Grade: FAMILY INFORMATION Parent/guardian name(s): Address: City: State: ZIP: Home phone: Cell phone: Email: Emergency Contact: Phone number: Relationship to athlete: HEALTH HISTORY/CONCERNS 1. Please tell us about your athlete s disability: Characteristics Medical involvement Other pertinent information specific to your athlete s disability 2. Does your athlete have seizures? YES NO Briefly explain type of seizures How would you like us to handle your athlete s seizures
Do coaches need to hold medication while at practice? YES NO Do coaches need to hold medications while at competitions? YES NO Do you want coaches to administer medications during seizures? YES NO I understand that 911 will be called if I am not present during a seizure and medications aren t working (INITIALS) 3. Does your athlete have diabetes? YES NO 4. Does your athlete have allergies? YES NO If yes, please list 5. Are there any food restrictions for your athlete (in case we provide a snack)? YES NO If yes, please list: 6. Does your athlete receive medications? YES NO Type: Dosage: Time administered: Purpose: 6. If Down Syndrome, has your athlete been tested for atlantoaxial instability? YES NO Does your athlete have atlantoaxial instability? YES NO Date of X-Ray 7. Does your athlete have heart problems? YES NO Type of disorder Medication(s) taken: Physical limitations/restrictions: 8. Is your athlete blind? YES NO 9. Is your athlete deaf? YES NO 10. Does your athlete have latex allergies? YES NO PHYSICAL ISSUES 1. Does your athlete use adaptive physical equipment? YES NO Wheelchair Walker Cane crutches AFO s Other 2. What is your athlete s tone? LOW HIGH MIXED 3. Does your athlete have any specific physical impairments/limitations not specified above? 4. Does your athlete have any restrictions in physical movements or activities (ie. lifting limitations)? YES NO If yes, please describe:
5. Does your athlete have restrictions that prevent them from tumbling? YES NO If yes, please describe: COMMUNICATION ISSUES 1. How does your athlete communicate? Sign language Communication board/book Verbal PECS Augmentative communication (type) BEHAVIORAL ISSUES 1. Does your athlete display unusual fears? YES NO If so, what are they? 2. Does your athlete comply with verbal requests? YES NO 3. Does your athlete have any known situations which set them off? YES NO How are these situations best handled? SENSORY ISSUES 1. Is your athlete sensitive to touch? YES NO If yes, prefers: Deep touch Light touch 2. Is your athlete sensitive to loud noises? YES NO Does your athlete use any noise canceling devices? Earplugs Headphones Other: 3. Is your athlete sensitive to light? YES NO Bright light Flashing light (strobe) 4. Does your athlete have a fear of large groups/crowds? YES NO 5. Any other sensory issues? 6. What calming techniques work best with your athlete? GENERAL ISSUES 1. Does your athlete need assistance with toileting? YES NO Are you comfortable with a same gender buddy taking your athlete to the bathroom? YES NO 2. Explain any self-care concerns or preferred routines coaches should be aware of? 3. Any helpful information about your athlete that you feel is important or will be helpful to us?