ARKANSAS CHEER DYNAMIX

ALL-STAR INFO 2015-2016 ARKANSAS CHEER DYNAMIX Issue #: [Date] Dolor Sit Amet Is ACD the place for you? There is a PLACE for everyone at ACD! We transform today s youth into strong, confident athletes! We commit ourselves to creating and maintaining a fun, caring environment that builds respect, integrity, a positive attitude, leadership and self- confidence while respecting diversity. We pride ourselves in not only teaching the skills needed for cheerleading, but essential skills for life. Everyone will experience situations throughout their life, in which they must work together with others to achieve common goals. Let us help you prepare them for the future! ACD Staff: What sets us apart? Our Staff. We have hand- selected the best coaches from the tri- state area. All coaches are backed by extensive cheer experience. We have seven former college cheerleaders, five of which were Division One Captains, six former UCA staff members., four former NCA staff members and one level ten gymnast. We are privileged to have one of the most experienced and knowledgeable groups of coaches in the country. Because of our talented staff, we are able to help each student learn individual skills quickly while teaching the value of teamwork. All of our coaches are excited to create the best competition experience for you re child! All about ACD: Our USASF certified All- Star program was started at a small gym in Springdale, AR in 2005. From the very first practice, ACD has always strived to provide the best quality cheer instruction in a fun environment. Our coaches are, by far, the most qualified, devoted and caring group of individuals you will ever encounter! Our coaches work to develop the athlete as a whole, mentally, emotionally and physically. We specialize in training ALL skill levels. Whether you want to be a part of one of our well- recognized All- Star teams or just want to learn how to tumble, ACD offers something for boys and girls of all ages! Come experience the ACD difference! Welcome to the ACD Family! This packet will cover the ACD placement / tryout process and general guidelines for the 2015-2016 Cheer Season! Continued on page 2

5 7 1 6 Sportsmanship Teaching the value and principles of good sportsmanship to our athletes is incredibly important to our program. We expect ALL members of the ACD family to exhibit positive sportsmanship at all times. We also expect our staff, athletes, and their families to keep their public social media family- friendly at all times. Teammates are expected to treat one another with mutual respect. They should treat and talk to one another in a manner in which they want to be spoken to. We do not tolerate pettiness, gossiping or cliques; which attempt to exclude or alienate certain members. Back talk, rolling of eyes and any other disrespect from instructors or teammates is unacceptable. 8 3 4 2 (Continued) Q: Is ACD a USASF (US All- Star Federation) Member? A: Yes! Q: What ages do we coach? A: Age 2 years and up! Q: What competitions do we attend? A: Final competition schedule will be posted after tryouts in July. The largest competition that we will take everyone to is NCA All- Star Nationals in Dallas, TX. If we are privileged enough to be given a bid to the Summit in Orlando, FL, we will hold a parent meeting with that team to determine if they are willing to go. Q: How do you select teams? A: Team selection is based on skill, age and level of maturity. Following tryouts the staff will meet to select the teams based on the best possible chance of a successful competition season. Q: Does everyone make a team? A: Yes! We will create teams based on the athletes we have at tryouts. Q: Do we give discounts for siblings? A: Yes! There is a $20 discount applied to each sibling s monthly tuition. Q: Do we discount monthly tuition if you are doing more than one team? A: Yes! Each additional team is $50 a month. Q: How much does All Star Cheerleading cost? A: Average cost of tuition is $185 per month. Q: What does our monthly Tuition include? A: Competition fees for 5 scheduled Competitions, Coaches fees, Music, Chorography, 3 hours of team practice + 1 hour of additional scheduled weekly team tumble/stunt instruction, Discounted Rec Tumbling class and a personalized car decal. (Prep & Tiny Teams only do 3 competitions and practice 1-1.5 hours each week.) Q: What is the difference between Placements and Tryouts? A: Placements are done the first part of May to allow athletes to work on nothing but skills for approximately 2 months. After placements, athletes are given practice time based on their current skill level. We will help them work on perfecting their individual skills while pushing them to reach the next level. We want them to have every opportunity to get to the level they need before tryouts in July. Q: Can I do school cheer and All- Star? A: Yes! We actually work with the majority of the schools in our area! Becoming an All- Star cheerleader will only help you to advance your skills and gain confidence! 2

TIME COMMITMENT Practices are important to the success of our teams. One team member missing practice will hurt the whole team. Our practices are mandatory. Most teams practice twice a week (2 hours on a Sunday, 2.5 hours during the week). As competition season nears, we may call extra practices beyond a team s normal schedule. We do excuse a limited number of absences; summer vacations, school activities and sickness with a doctor s note. We must be notified of these in advance using the absent request form located on our website under FORMS (vacations & school activities). After school is in session, each athlete will be allowed 3 absences (excused or unexcused) from a scheduled practice. After 3, there will be a charge of $35 for each additional absence from a scheduled practice. As we get closer to our competitions, we are much less lenient about the types of excuses we allow. Practices leading up to NCA Nationals or Summit are absolutely vital. The charge for unexcused absence from a competition is $150. If the athlete is missing a competition, we will need to find a sub to fill their spot. We will also need funds to pay the sub s entry fees, along with paying staff for extra practices to change the routine. The All- Star season runs from May 2015- April 2016. If you choose not to participate after September 1, 2015, there is a Withdraw Fee of $500 due. This does not apply to anyone who moves out of the area or has a season ending injury. ACD All- Star Prep Program is a great introduction for your athlete into the sport of all- star competitive cheer at a reduced cost and reduced time commitment from the traditional All- Star Cheer Program. It is a great way for athletes to learn new skills, develop a sense of what it means to work together as a team for a common goal, and to develop a sense of pride and sportsmanship while making life- long friendships. The All- Star Prep Cheer teams are taught a competition routine that has elements of tumbling, stunting, jumping, and dance skills set to music. Athletes will perform at 3 competitions around the area. At each competition, the team performs their 2- minute routine for a panel of judges who score the performance based upon the level of difficulty, precision, creativity, and entertainment value. The team s placement within their division is based upon the score they receive compared to the scores of the other teams within their division. Differences between All- Star and All- Star Prep: 1. Less Time Commitment- Practice will be held once a week for 1-1.5 hours. 2. Less Travel- Athletes perform at 3 Competitions and it will never be a 2- day commitment. 3. Less Cost- Because of #1 & #2 we are able to provide this service at a reduced rate. 4. Less Pressure- We will focus more on learning the basic technique for each skill while striving for them to achieve their very best competitive routine. They will grow as athletes and learn the same values that we instill in each of our All- Star students. Teamwork and Self- Esteem are just the beginning of us helping your child get ready for the future! * We are planning Choreography Camp & Uniform Fitting for ALL July 26 th - Aug 2 nd. Please do not plan your vacation this week. 3

COST At ACD, we are as open and up- front with our costs as possible. We have an all- inclusive monthly price that covers nearly ALL the expenses that an athlete will incur throughout the year. Please review all costs before committing to the all- star program. Your commitment is not just to the gym, but to all teammates and coaches. ACD strives to give its clients a superior product at an appropriate cost. Our gym prices remain the lowest in NWA and the region. There are 12 monthly charges from May 2015 - April 2016. Gym holidays are considered when figuring the monthly rate. For new members, prorated tuition for May 2015 will be due on the first day of practice (Week of May 11-15). June - April tuition will be due on the 1st of each month. An Annual Membership fee of $35 is charged June 1. A Late Fee of $25 will be billed out on the 5 th of each month if the account is not current. Everyone is required to keep a Credit Card on file. Tuition price includes: tuition, entry fees for 5 scheduled competitions (3 for Prep/Tiny Team), summer team activities, choreography, music and several other expenses listed on page 2. This system makes planning much easier for our customers. You will know exactly how much you will pay and when it will happen. Monthly Tuition Tiny Team $95* Prep Team $95* Mini- Senior Team $185* *If NOT on Checking account Auto Draft, please add $20. Late fee of $25 will be charged if tuition is not paid by the 5 th. NSF fee of $25 will be charged if any form of payment is returned. Payment Schedule May- $185* (Prorated for New Members) + $175** Practice Wear Other Costs (estimates)** Uniform $300 - $400 Practice Wear $175 ($90 Tiny/Prep) Warm- up $200 Performance Make- Up Kit $35 Annual Membership Fee $35 USASF Membership Fee $30 Travel varies depending on Comp June- $185* Tuition + $35 Annual Membership July- $185* +$300** Uniform +$35 Tryout Fee Tuition and expenses are NON- REFUNDABLE. Travel Expenses are NOT covered. August- $185* + $30 USASF Membership September- $185* + $200** Warm- up October- $185* + $35** Makeup Kit November- $185* December- $185* January- $185* February- $185* March- $185* April- $185* (If your team goes to Summit- $100 Deposit will be billed out in February. Remaining balance will be due in March. ) 4

COSTS: Placement Fee = $35 (New Member ONLY) Tryout Fee = $35 * Placement/Tryout fees are non- refundable and non- transferrable. Typical Team Age Brackets (Age on August 31, 2014) Tiny: age 5 and under Mini: age 8 and under Youth: age 11 and under Junior: age 14 and under Senior: age 10-18 * Competition Dates will be announced in July before Tryouts. NEED FOR PLACEMENTS/TRYOUTS $35 Placement /Tryout Fee Picture (Headshot) of athlete Copy of Birth Certificate (New Members) Wear shorts, Tshirt, Tank top or Sports bra, tennis shoes, no jewelry and have your hair pulled back Fill out ALL forms PLACEMENTS/TRYOUTS: (ALL athletes) Please use age on August 31, 2015. DATES: May 5 th - 7 th Placement SESSION 1 - Tue, May 5th 4:30pm - 5:30pm 2-7 years 8:00pm- 9:00pm Level 5 All Ages SESSION 2 - Wed, May 6th 8:00pm- 9:00pm Level 5 All Ages SESSION 3 Thru, May 7th 4:30pm - 5:30pm 2-7 years 8:00pm- 9:00pm Level 5 All Ages July 21 st - 23 rd Tryouts SESSION 1 - Tue, July 21st 4:30pm - 5:30pm 2-7 years SESSION 2 - Wed, July 22nd SESSION 3 Thru, July 23rd 4:30pm - 5:30pm 2-7 years 5

Come with a DREAM. Train like an ATHLETE. DRESS CODE Leave a ROLE MODEL. All athletes must: 1. Maintain a well- groomed appearance and good personal hygiene at all times. 2. Hair must be kept out of the face (if possible in a high ponytail) and a bow worn at all times when wearing any ACD uniform unless otherwise instructed. 3. Practice wear will be required (2 outfits) and it is necessary to wear the correct outfit to each practice. 4. No jewelry (other than approved medical ID tags) is allowed when wearing any ACD practice, warm up, camp or competition uniform. 5. Before & after competing: Athletes may only change into ACD shirt and/or ACD warm- up prior to awards. If the uniform is a crop top, they MUST have something covering their stomach. 6. Hair and make- up must be complete as per coach s request prior to meeting for competition warm- up. 7. All lost or noticeably damaged uniform items must be repurchased immediately and a matching substitute worn until the item is replaced. 8. Nails must be kept shorter than fingertips with no polish (or clear) at competitions. 9. White cheer shoes should be worn to all practices and when competing. SCHOLARSHIP/FUNDRASING ACD is starting a nonprofit organization that will benefit our athletes. This group will have an annual $25 membership fee. It will provide opportunities for members to raise funds. All funds raised will FIRST go to your bill at ACD. Any remaining funds can be used for additional fees (uniforms, Summit, etc ) As soon as the nonprofit has been created we will make sure everyone is aware, so that they can begin to take advantage of this amazing program! WEATHER POLICY ACD follows Springdale School System in regards to closings. If they are closed, regular scheduled classes will be canceled. However, if for some reason the weather is bad during the week of a competition and the roads are clear, then we will hold practice. GYM HOLIDAY AND VACATION SCHEDULE: (We ask that you plan your vacations during these dates) Memorial Day: May 24 th 25 th Summer Break: June 29 th July 5 th Labor Day: September 6 th 7 th Thanksgiving: Nov 25 th 29 th Winter Break: Dec 23 rd Jan 3 rd 6

ACD retains the right to: Place its athletes on the team(s) it feels will best suit it and the program. Move, replace, add, suspend or even dismiss an athlete for a period of time or indefinitely from a team or the entire program based on criteria including but not limited to: o Attendance o Conduct o Skills o Finances o Parent conflicts Decide if an athlete may participate on more than one team. Decide the roles and/or positions an athlete will have/play on their team(s). (i.e. base, flyer, back spot, tumbler, alternate, etc.). Request that an athlete or team take additional classes or camps to improve their skills. Request that an athlete or team practice longer than their regularly scheduled time or add additional practices, camps or competitions if deemed necessary. Athletes that elect to participate on more than one ACD team must: (Because a coach has requested) 1. Be in good financial standing. 2. Be willing and able to fulfill all the responsibilities required by each team. 3. Be responsible for any additional entry fees they incur beyond their first team. Be a part of the ACD Difference! ACD LOGO ACD has worked very hard to establish a brand. Please help us protect our good name! All ACD Logos are protected. Anything with our logo or name MUST be pre- approved by an owner before it is made. If you have a suggestion for a new item, please fill out the logo approval form and include where the item can be purchased (if you have someone already in mind). ACD will then work with the creator or find one to, hopefully, come to an agreement for this item to be available to everyone. 7

IMPORTANT CONTACTS: John McGowan: acdjmac@gmail.com Brad Johnson: bjohnson9880@gmail.com Tyler Banks: tbanks000@gmail.com Tabitha Johnson: tablynwor@gmail.com COMMUNICATION: facebook.com/arkansascheerdynamix1 @ARCheerDynamix @arkansascheerdynamix arkansascheerdynamix.tumblr.com Email: info@arkansascheerdynamix.com Website: www.arkansascheerdynamix Gym Phone: 479.750.4300 How to pay your bill online/update personal info online: 1. Go to www.arkansascheerdynamix.com 2. Click on iclasspro tab (Left side of page) 3. Register new account if needed 4. Fill out required information 5. Create student 6. Fill out the required information 7. You will receive a confirmation email that you were approved. 8. You can use the log on that you created to see all account info, update, and pay online! Order of contact for questions and concerns: (After teams are chosen) 1. Team Parent 2. Head Coach 3. All- Star Manager 4. Owner * It is important that you notify the gym with any changes to phone numbers, address, email, or other contact information. 8