Apple Valley Invitational Information

Here’s the information for the Apple Valley Dance Team Invitational!!!!

All Dancers will need to meet at PACT High School (doors by gym) at 6:00am. Everyone must be on time!  The bus will depart PACT High School promptly at 6:15am with or without you!!!  We will be marking in the gym before we leave, so 6:01am will be LATE!

Girls, - get plenty of rest the night before, drink lots of water & try to eat some Carbohydrates!  There is a 10:00pm curfew on Friday Night after the game performance!!!!!!

Schedule of the Day:

6:00am                      Arrive at PACT High School

6:15am                       Bus departs for Apple Valley High School

7:15am                       Arrive at Apple Valley High School

8:00am                       Doors Open to the Public

8:30am                       Coaches Meeting

9:00am                       Varsity Marking Time
9:00am                      A/AA & JV Competition Begins

9:40am                      Appx Varsity Jazz performance time – FACING SIDE A

11:00am                    Appx Varsity Kick Performance time – FACING SIDE A

1:00pm                       A/AA Awards Presentation

           

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1:30-4:30pm             AAA JV Jazz & Kick Competition

5:00-8:00pm             AAA V High Kick & Jazz Competition

*All times are subject to change.

Parents/Fans:  there will be no balloons, banners, or signs allowed in the performance gym

Notes:  This is a double-sided competition.  There will be signs telling you which side your daughter will be dancing to.  Typical admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students, but this MAY change.  Please note there is no return bus and parents need to check out with coach Erin prior to leaving with their daughters and team members carpooling.  Fan t-shirts will not be ready for this event, but PACT related wear is encouraged!

This week’s practice schedule:

Monday: 3:20-6:00pm Cafetorium

Tuesday: 3:20-6:00pm Cafetorium

Wednesday: 3:20-4pm Cafetorium, 4-5:30pm Gym

Thursday: 3:20pm-5:00pm Cafetorium, 5-6:00pm Gym

Friday: 3:20-4:30pm Cafetorium, 4:30-5:30pm GYM.  Game performance (kick) meet at 7pm

Cub Foods Fundraiser

This Sunday, October 28th the Pantherettes will be hosting a Cub Foods Grocery Bagging Fundraiser!  Come on by the Anoka Cub (Hwy 10 and Riverdale Dr) and get your groceries packed by PACT!  We'll be there from 10am-6pm. 

Fall Updates and SignUps

Email sent 8/17:

I hope you’re having a great summer – school starts in just over a week and there are a lot of dance team updates to catch you up on.  Please read this email completely and carefully.  Both parents and dancers need to read this email.  I am asking for signups and responses to some items and I would really appreciate your attention to these items so I don’t have to hunt people down.  Many thanks in advance!  

Also I’d like to remind everyone that I coach a fall season dance team at Roseville high school and during September and October I am there much of the time and cannot be at everything we’re doing here at PACT.  This is a change from the previous year’s coaching, but we can get it all done if I can have a little help.  Lets make these fall projects a success so we can do them next year too!

Guy/Girl Dance:  Practices for the optional guy/girl homecoming dance are being held Tu, W, Th September 4-6^th from 3:15-4:30pm in the cafetorium.  Dancers are responsible for finding a partner of choice and attending all practices.  The performance will be at the afternoon homecoming pepfest on Friday September 7^th.  The veteran dancers will be putting together choreography and costume ideas next week and will be responsible for teaching.  I will need one adult volunteer for practice on Wednesday and/or Thursday of that week as I can only be there on Tuesday to supervise.  The girls must have an adult present (who can be reading or working, but needs to be there).  If anyone can help with that, please email me directly.  

Happy Days:  Saturday, September 8^th is Happy Days in Ramsey and the girls have expressed an interest in doing a craft fair booth this year instead of the parade performance as usual.  We would be doing fun hairstyles, glitter, facepainting, nailpolish, ect for girls visiting the fair and carnival.  This would be a by donation fundraiser and a good place for us to be seen in the community.  The event runs from 11am-7pm.  We would have 2 shifts, 10:45am-3:00pm (setup) and 3:00pm-7:15pm (takedown).  All dancers who will be around that day should sign up for at least one shift.  If you have conflicts and need to come at another time window, just let me know.  It would be nice to have 1-2 parents there each shift as well.  I will be there all day to help out.  We also need supply donations: Card/Folding table, Canopy style tent (10’X10’ max).  Battery operated music player, hair/nail/fun supplies (I will be providing Aveda products).  If you have any of those items we can use, let me know!  

Kids Clinic:  We are hosting our annual girls K-6 clinic Mon-Thurs September 17^th-20^th.  Practices will e 3:15-5:00 each day with a show Thursday at 5:15 on the stage.  Dancers need to sign up to work with an age group and come to the practices.  Dancers should sign up to help even if you can’t be there every day.  Only girls in other sports practices are excused from this event.  We will likely group K-1, 2-3, 4-6 together, depending on numbers.  Dancers work together to create the choreography and teach it.  Coach Erin has the music ready to send your group once you sign up for an age group.  Dancers will need to meet at least once before the clinic to create the dances.  (should be easy and fun).  I really need a few parent volunteers these days too as there will be 50 some young girls to round up.  I can only be there Monday and Thursday - so any parents that can help supervise on ANY of those days would be most appreciated. 

Mandatory Parent Dancer Meeting:  Tuesday, October 2^nd at 6:30pm PACT cafetorium.  This very important meeting is the last chance to sign up for winter dance or decide if you’re going to commit to the season.  We will be sizing and ordering warm-ups, t-shirts, shoes/tights (if you need them), taking uniform measurements, filling out forms, and getting everyone updated on critical information.  This will be the ONLY time to order a warmup and t-shirt.  If you cannot attend, you need to order these from me in advance.  The first day of the season is TOO LATE as we will not get them in time for our first events.  We will also be signing up for a few parent booster committees to help the team this season if you’re interested in helping out.  

Other:  The website is continually updated with changes and information about schedules and events.  Keep checking there for updates.  (http://pactdt.blogspot.com) Season officially begins October 22^nd.  State tournament is February 15^th and 16^th 2013! 

Pool Party!

When: Thursday, July 19^th 2012

Where: PACT HS and Bunker Beach Wave Pool, Anoka

(Parkway Road A Bunker Hills Regional Park Coon Rapids MN 55433)

Times: Practice at PACT 10am-12noon then shuttle to pool with coaches

Bunker Beach from noon-2:30pm (or later if you want to stay on your own)

Costs: Admission to Bunker Beach is $14.  Parking a car is $5 if you drive separately and wish to park.  Tubes, food, ect is extra if you choose. 

Bring: Swimsuit, Towel, Sunscreen, Shades, Lunch (or money for lunch), Admission costs, Leave valuables at home and come in practice clothes to PACT in the AM!

Rides: Dancers are responsible to get to PACT at 10am and be picked up from the pool 2:30pm (or earlier/later as needed)

Rain/Cancellation: In case of rain we will cancel the whole event as early as Tuesday’s clinic practice.  If cancelled, there will be no clinic either in the AM or at the regular 4-6 time. 

Parents are welcome to attend to help supervise or carpool.  Dancers may stay later than 2:30pm if they wish, but are no longer under PACT DT supervision.  Please remember to dress, act, and speak appropriately as we are representing our school and team at this event.  We want to be sure we can do this again next year!  No need to RSVP for this optional event - just be there!

Summer Clinic Dates UPDATED

Hello PACT DT! 

We have an important correction to the summer clinic dates -- we are scheduled to start NEXT TUESDAY, JUNE 5th 4-6pm and go every Tuesday and Thursday in June and July (excluding 4th of July week).  I originally didn't have us start until the 12th in the first email - but we have gym space available starting June 5th, so lets use it!  Sorry for the confusion. 

Because of the late notice - will everyone who plans to attend next week either June 5th or 7th RSVP to me directly that they plan to attend.

Many thanks! 

-Coach Erin

Summer Updates Email is Out Now!

The following email has been sent out to the addresses I have, if you did not get it, be sure to email me a correct address for you at mnhsdanceteam@gmail.com

Welcome Dancers and Parents of the PACT DT!

This should be your first official email from the PACT DT list, so let me know if you'd like to add or remove an email from here for further communication.  We have some important information to go over, so read carefully and mark your calendars.

Season Planning Meeting:  This meeting is open to veterans of the team who are interested in leadership and decision making for this team and are willing to contribute extra time in planning meetings, choreography sessions, and organizing events and fundraisers.  We will be meeting Wednesday, May 30th at 5:30pm at Coach Erin's house - 2914 Hayes St NE Minneapolis MN 55418. (about 30 min from PACT, but a comfy spot to hang out, watch videos, and have dinner).  Dinner will be provided, but please RSVP.

Summer Clinic:  We are ready to start summer technique clinics the week of June 11th.  We will be meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 5th - July 26th, at PACT from 4-6pm.  There will be no clinic the week of 4th of July.  The clinic costs $30 for the entire summer if you are coming 4 or more times.  (and is free if you are only able to come 1-3 times).  Checks or cash are ok - please make out checks directly to Erin Kruesi.  Payments are due the first day you are able to attend, no need to mail anything.  Do not bring it to the office, as it will be locked during clinic times. Remember to bring good shoes and waterbottles for summer clinic.  These sessions are entirely OPTIONAL - if you have another sport or activity, then do it with no regrets.  However, this is strongly recommended, so if you're just sitting around - then get in here and do some learning and strength building!  Carpools can be arranged with the roster I will send out next week (I'm still missing info).  Don't let rides be a reason to sit at home, as learning in a low stress environment in the summer is invaluable to having a happy, balanced, and successful winter season.  Girls who are not going to join dance team at this time or are unsure what we're all about are welcome to attend, but must be in 7th grade or higher next year.   Sessions with a low turnout for attendance will be cancelled, with advance notice.  If you need to miss a session, it is important to let me know a few days in advance or I'll be expecting to see you. 

Missing Information:  The following girls are missing information for my roster:
Charlotte Anderson: Address, Cell Phone, Parents Names, Parents' email addresses, Parent's phone numbers

Rachel Bartz: Parents Phone Numbers, Parents' Email

Summer Dunkley: Grade next year, Year's on the team, Address, Cell phone, Dancer's Email

Kelly Hannash: Grade Next Year, Address, Year's on the Team, Parent's Names, Parent's Email, Parents' Phone Number

That should do it for now - can't wait to see you at clinics! 

2012-2013 Roster is Announced!

The new team roster is posted on the "Roster" page - look for a full address book to come out via email this summer.  Placements on varsity and JV kick and jazz will be done the first week of winter season which begins October 22nd.  Information about summer clinic will be coming out by June 1.  Check your email or this site for more information. 

Tryouts are underway!  So glad to see so many new faces show up for tryouts, don't forget to keep inviting those who aren't so sure.....we'd love to have more!  It's not too late to decide to join and we'll keep taking members all the way up to the start of the season.  Info and permission packets need to be turned in by the end of practice on FRIDAY so be sure to get working on those.  Extra packets are going around with captain Savannah for those at other sports, or can be picked up at tryouts after school with coach Erin. 

Remember my motto for this team this year: The Hardest Fun You've Ever Had

It's gonna be hard - all of this is new, even for the veterans and you will be challenged.  But, it's never hard without some fun, and never fun without some hard.  I'm excited to see what we will accomplish by the end of the week - keep up the hard work and practice that dance!  

Now some homework.  We have a lot of new girls who haven't seen the kind of dancing I'm expecting us to do - so take some time to watch these videos and see what those girls are doing to make it look so good.  We will discuss on Friday -- so get watchin'......

Cannon Falls 2011 - State Champions Class A Kick

I coached this team and did a lot of the choreography in there so you can get a sense of what I like to see and what I'll be asking you to reach for.  Notice that each individual girl's part isn't so hard, but she can't watch her teammates out there as everyone is doing something different.  Overall it looks complicated and hard, but it's not so bad if you just watch one person.  There are 13 rookies out there -- so no excuses that you couldn't do that too!  The vast majority of those girls out there had NO previous dance experience on day 1, but did put in many hours and years on the team to make sure they learned. 

Apple Valley AVaires Kick from the soundtable:

This is my former high school team (but after I had long graduated) - watch the first half from far away...looks tight and sharp and clean right?? Now watch the 2nd half of the video....those girls are WAY sharper, tighter, and just plain insane from close up.  Moral: Even if you think you are sharp and energized, you don't look that way from far away.  You can always do more.  

PACT Pantherettes Gear up for NEW Season!

Welcome to the new PACT Dance Team website!  Check back for regular updates!

• Season kick off and interest meeting was held Tuesday, April 3rd to have a chance to meet and greet and go over some basics about tryouts and the upcoming season.  

• Tryouts will be Monday April 30th- Friday May 4th 2012 in the PACT main gym.  3:30-6pm.  Wear appropriate practice clothes, hair securely up, bring both tennis and dance shoes (if you have them) and get ready to sweat!  Tryouts are a great chance for evaluating skills and won't be used to place a varsity or JV at this time.  Anyone who tries out for the team will be on the squad, but may not compete at a varsity level in the winter.  (See handbook page for clarifications).  All girls in 7th-12th grade NEXT YEAR are eligible to try out.  Any questions? Contact Coach Erin at mnhsdanceteam@gmail.com