ROCHESTER VARSITY DANCE TEAM: TEAM CONSTITUTION
Rochester High School
Dance Team
Constitution
2013-2014
INTRODUCTION
This constitution is intended to inform dancers, parents, prospective dances, and faculty of the various policies of the Rochester Varsity Dance Team. In all policy and program matters, members of the dance team shall be exemplary representatives of Rochester High School. These policies are as follows:
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Rochester Varsity Dance Team is to promote school spirit, entertain spectators, and support athletic teams. At times, the team may perform for civic or community events. The team will additionally attend a mandatory dance team camp in the summer, attend extra technique classes, and perform at competitions. In addition, the purpose of the group will be to develop character, leadership, and individual responsibility.
2. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND FUNDING
A. The RHS Dance Team is under the direction of the Varsity Coach, Calli Hornacek. Parents please contact the coach and/or the advisor with any team concerns.
B. Coaching, choreography, and technique will be done by Calli Hornacek. Dance Team is funded as a club rather than an athletic team; therefore, each girl is required to pay a coaching fee of $40.00 for the months of June, July, and August. Checks are to be made payable to cash. Under the instruction of the coach, dancers will develop jazz technique and precision. The team will practice three to four times a week, making the $40 fee seem minimal in comparison to studio tuition for three-four dance classes per week.
C. The school district has developed a “pay to participate” program for all clubs and sports. This fee is $40.00 and will be due in September during school registration. Please make all checks payable to Rochester Community Schools. ALL DANCERS must also have an updated sports physical on file with the coach.
D. Individual members of the Dance Team will absorb all cost involved. The Dance Team is NOT a part of the High School Sports Program and therefore receives no funding. Several fundraisers are performed throughout the year to offset some of the costs to the dancers. Some of the past most successful fundraisers were; car washes, bottle drives, Middle School clinics, the “Itty Bitty Dance Team Clinic,” “Beggin’ for Bucks,” and the dance team showcase.
3. INVOLVEMENT AT FUNTIONS/EVENTS
*Dancers must commit to mandatory technique classes in the summer months. There will be technique classes offered each Wednesday evening. There will be a monthly fee for the instructor, Nicole Rodriguez. Dancers are required to attend at LEAST three classes/month. FEE WILL BE ANNOUNCED ONCE THE FINAL ROSTER IS MADE.
*In addition to camp, games (boys’ soccer, football, and boys’/girls’ basketball), practices and pep assemblies, the team may compete in approximately two-three local competitions throughout the season. Competitions are dependent on the skill level and readiness of the dancers.
*Dancers must also commit to the Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade that will be in the first weekend of December!
4. DRUG, ALCOHOL, AND TOBACCO POLICY
Conduct which involves the unlawful distribution, manufacturing or use of controlled substances and/or alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and/or illegal drugs by a dancer at any time may result in immediate dismissal from the Dance Team. Any photos, including pictures posted on the internet, of dance team members involved in such behavior, will also result in immediate dismissal from the Dance Team. This behavior reflects poorly not only on the dancer, but on the entire Dance Team. Please do not make this an issue. The following guideline applies to all team members at all times: Dancers shall not use any illegal drugs, tobacco products or alcoholic beverages.
5. ACADEMIC POLICY AND TEAM MEMBERSHIP
a. To be eligible for the RHS Dance Team, students must be enrolled in grades 9-12 during the upcoming year and be making progress toward graduation with a GPA of 2.3 or higher for the previous semester and previous quarter. Also, a student may NOT have more than one F in any set of marks.
b. With membership on the dance team, dancers will be required to turn in a copy of their report card at the end of each card marking. Failure to do so, or to meet eligibility, will result in active status. Dancers should know to turn in a copy of their report card without being reminded by the coach. If dancers are not meeting the proper academic standards, she will be placed on Academic Probation until grades are raised.
c. Dance team members are required to remain on the RHS Dance Team for the ENTIRE fall and winter season, unless dismissed for a rule violation. IT IS A COMMITMENT NOT ONLY TO YOURSELF, BUT TO YOUR COACH AND TEAM MEMBERS. YOUR PLACE IS VALUED
d. Dance team members must be able and willing to give up their free time for ANY dance team activity throughout the year.
e. Dance team members and their parent(s)/guardian(s) must be fully aware and willing to pay expenses that are a part of being on the team.
f. Dance team members and their parent(s)/guardians(s) must be willing to fully participate in all fundraising activities.
g. Dance team members are expected to show school spirit, display good sportsmanship, have a positive attitude, be respectful to all teammates and coaches, be attentive at all practices and functions, and ultimately be a positive representative of Rochester High School. Members who fail to display these characteristics will be subject to disciplinary action which includes suspension or dismissal from the team.
6. ATTENDANCE
a. The following absences are excused- religious obligation, severe personal illness, funeral/family emergencies, or other circumstances with written coach approval. The following instances are not excused- work/baby-sitting, concerts, being grounded, etc. Dancers are expected to be RESPONSIBLE and aware of time commitments.
1. If a dancer is ill but not contagious, she must attend practice to watch and learn.
2. If a dancer is injured and needs to sit out for more than two practices, she must have a doctor’s note explaining her injury and the extent to which she can practice, and providing a date at which she can begin practicing full out again. The dancer is still required to sit and watch all practices.
b. School-year practices are mandatory. If a dancer finds it impossible to attend practice, she (NOT her parent/guardian) must call, text, or e-mail a coach within (preferably prior to) 24 hours of the absence, the sooner the notice, the better.
c. A summer practice schedule will be given in advance. Please try to schedule your family vacation accordingly. Summer practices will be excused for pre-scheduled events provided for the coaches is notified at least 2 weeks in advance.
d. Tardiness is not excused unless previously approved by the coach and will be deal with in a manner the coach feels is appropriate. If a dancer knows she will be tardy to practice for whatever the reason, she must call the coach as soon as possible. Excessive tardiness may result in dismissal from the team.
e. Additions to the calendar: Any changes or additions made at least 5 days in advance or MANDATORY- these include extra practices for team performances or competitions, fundraisers, etc.
f. Dancers must recognize that Dance Team is a fall AND winter sport, and they will be unable to participate in any other fall or winter sport at RHS. If a dancer is absent for any reason, it is her responsibility to learn any missed material and be prepared before the next practice. There will be a winter try-out, but those on the team for the fall season are committed for BOTH the fall and winter season.
7. CAMP
UDA Dance Camp will be held at Oakland University. HERE ARE THE CAMP DATES: July 22-25th at Oakland University. IT IS AN OVERNIGHT CAMP AND ALL GIRLS ARE REQUIRED TO STAY. Attendance at practice the week before camp and all of camp itself are mandatory. This is where the girls will bond as a team and learn new material to be used throughout the year. Members are to assume the cost of camp, camp clothing, and transportation.
2
8. PERFORMANCES/GAMES/COMPETITIONS
a. All performances, games, and competitions are MANDATORY. If for some reason a dance team member cannot attend a performance, game or competition, she must obtain a written approval from the coaches to be excused from the event. If the coaches feel that the dancer is not ready to perform, regardless of attendance, they reserve the right to pull a dancer from the performance/competition.
b. In order to perform at a RHS game, a dancer must have completed half of the total hours of school (extenuating circumstances approved by the coach and/or administration may allow this rule to be waived).
c. All spots and formations will be approved and decided on by the coach. Formations and spots may change on any given day in accordance with daily evaluations of each individual dancer.
d. All dance team members are required to sit with the dance team at all games. Permission to leave must be obtained by the coaches.
e. Costumes for all performances, games and competitions will be decided on by the coaches. All costumes will be approved by the principle. Hair and make-up will also be decided on by the coach and is to be worn to all performances, including school functions. If a costume is lost or misplaced, the dancer will be billed for the entire cost of the costume. Costumes must be turned in clean and tear-free, the costume will be returned to the dancer if it is not in appropriate condition. Costumes are school property and failure to turn them in by the end of the season, or in a clean condition, will result in administration notification. DANCERS MAY ONLY WEAR DANCE TEAM WARM-UPS/COSTUMES WHEN APPROVED BY THE COACH. If a dancer does not apply, the dancer may lose privilege of the uniform.
f. Tardiness: Tardiness is not excused unless previously approved by the coach, and will be dealt with in a manner the coaches feel is appropriate. Excessive tardiness may result in dismissal from the team.
g. Additions to the calendar: Any additions or changes in performances made at least 5 days in advance are MANDATORY.
h. Consequences: One unexcused absence from a performance/competition may result in immediate dismissal.
9. PRACTICE AND PRACTICE ETIQUETTE
a. All dance team members are to be ready to practice promptly, wearing appropriate practice attire and shoes AT ALL TIMES. Hair should be pulled back, away from the face to avoid distractions. If necessary, bring kneepads for floor work. Also, there is no gum chewing allowed at practice and dancers may only drink water, Gatorade, PowerAde, etc. NO POP.
b. At practice and outside of practice, team members are required to constitute a positive and respectful attitude to teammates and coaches. Any sort of disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated, and will result in suspension and/or dismissal from the team.
c. In order to keep practices productive, all team members are required to dance full out, participate in all practice activities, and remain quiet during instruction.
d. If dancers are not wearing proper dance attire, formations may be changed or she may be removed from a game/performance.
10. TRYOUTS
a. Any student wishing to tryout for the dance team must:
1) Have a 2.3 GPA and be passing in all classes.
2) Attend/be eligible to attend Rochester High School.
3) Fill out a Dancer Information Sheet and Constitution Acceptance Form in full and turn them in on or before the final day of try-outs.
b. Each dancer’s score will be compromised of two areas:
1) Skills evaluation
2) Performance of a routine
c. Coaches and judges will be responsible for choosing team members based on the scores received from each dancer’s performance during the try-out week.
d. Previous team members must try-out each year. There are no guaranteed spots.
e. Dancers must wear ALL BLACK tight fitted clothing, shoes, have hair pulled away from the face and look PERFORMANCE ready! Remember, THIS IS AN AUDITION! J
f. Upon appointment to the team, a dancer must turn in a physical to the school office before she can participate in any practices or performances.
11. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITES
PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED “FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY” FORM FOR A REAKDOWN OF COSTS. All costs are approximate and subject to change at any time. Any unpaid expenses, after efforts of the advisor to collect, will result in involving school administration and possible hold up of records and/or participation in school events (i.e. diploma, graduation ceremonies, etc.). These expenses must be settled at the end of each season.
12. ATTITUDE
Dancers are expected to treat their coaches and teammates with respect at all times. If the coaches feel that a dancer’s attitude is inappropriate, the dancer may be asked to sit out or go home until her attitude improves. If her attitude does not improve, it could lead to dismissal from the team.
13. DISMISSAL
Reasons for possible immediate dismissal include but are not limited to the following:
· Drug/alcohol abuse
· Dishonesty
· Suspension from school
· 2 unexcused practices
· 1 unexcused performance
· Bad attitude
· Unsportsmanlike conduct
· Excessive tardiness
14. UNIFORMS
a. Any uniform/accessory that is purchased by RHS is property of the team. Each dancer is expected to return their uniform at the end of the year properly cleaned and in good condition. Failure to do so will result in a fine and/or administration involvement.
b. Uniforms are only to be worn to approved performances/competitions.
c. All personal apparel (jazz costume, warm-ups, camp clothes, bodysuit, tights, etc.) must be in good condition throughout the year or will need to be replaced.
*Additional rules may be expressed verbally or in written form by the coaches. They will be considered an addendum to this constitution and must be followed as such.
* Please remember there are exceptions to every rule and the coaches reserve the right to make these exceptions when they feel they are warranted.