HANDBOOK OF THE PACT DANCE TEAM
TEAM MEMBERS
· Members must meet the Academic/Extra Curriculum eligibility requirements as set forth by PACT High School and maintain that eligibility throughout the season. Grade checks will be done regularly.
· A copy of the handbook will be read and signed by the dancer and a parent or guardian. Signing of these forms constitutes that the dancer and parent/guardian understands and will adhere to the guidelines and policies of the PACT Dance Team, PACT High School, MADT and MSHSL.
· Members must be able to give freely of their time and efforts for any Dance Team activity through the season including after school, some weekends, during holidays, and evenings. Members will not hold jobs that interfere with Dance Team activities.
· Members must be willing to participate in all fundraising activities.
· Members must be physically and emotionally capable of dancing extensively.
· “Cuts” to move a dancer in or out of formation may be made by coach(es) at any time during the season. Dancers receive feedback, evaluations, and reviews during the entirety of the season and are given every opportunity to improve and retain their varsity position. Dancers not dancing for the section and state meets are considered a part of the team. Varsity alternates and are assigned “shadow” spots so that they MAY dance at coach(es) discretion in case of emergency or injury.
· Placement on a varsity or JV team is entirely up to the coach(es) and any “judges” of an audition. Those positions can change at any time and they are not guarantees of anything. Dancers must re-audition every year. Any scores of the audition are not made public.
· Members are expected to remain on the team the entire season unless dismissed by the coach(es).
CAPTAINS
This team shall have two or more captains who are to carry out their duties throughout the entire season. Captains for the next season will be chosen by the coaches. The selection process is subject to change from year to year to meet the needs of the growing team.
Any captain who does not carry out her responsibilities correctly, thoroughly, and most importantly to the best of her ability, will be replaced by another Dance Team member. This decision will be made by the coach(es).
PRACTICES
· Dancers are expected to be on time for all practices. Practice begins promptly at start time and location. Be prepared to dance, not getting ready.
· Members must be dressed appropriately for practices. This includes tights (if wearing shorts) at all practices. Hair must be pulled back and off the shoulders and face. Running shoes, cross trainers, or other supportive shoes should be worn to every practice. Bring jazz shoes every day. No baggy pants.
· No gum chewing
· No jewelry allowed at practice. Your coach is not responsible for your jewelry at practice. Please keep it in a safe place.
· No “noticeable” tattoos or piercings (i.e., nose, eyebrows, tongues, etc.) during the course of the season – must be covered during competition.
· Waterbottles are required at every team practice.
· Scheduled practices are mandatory. Hair, dental, doctor appointments, work, and make-up tests (with special exceptions) are not valid excuses. Appointments should be made on days off or when we are not practicing. Attendance may be a factor in whether or not you are able to perform at a competition. Tardiness is also a consideration. Sitting out of competitions for missing practices will be up to the coaches to decide readiness.
· All dancers must have a complete MSHSL packet on file before they will be allowed to practice. Recent physical and emergency information is in that packet as well. If this information isn’t turned in by the 3rd day of practice, you will be unable to practice with the team, and you will receive an unexcused absence.
· ONE verbal warning will be given for any unruly behavior at any Dance Team activity. This includes TALKING, non-participation or any behavior disruptive to the team. A dancer will be asked to leave practice or the activity in lieu of any other warning.
ATTENDANCE
It is MANDATORY that you notify the coach if you will be absent. This can be done via telephone call, voicemail, email, etc. It is your responsibility to advise the coach of your absence. A PARENT must do the notifying.
The following items below are excused absences from any Dance Team activity
· Personal illness or injury that would benefit from staying home
· Funeral or family emergency
· Special school activity with prior permission from coach(es) at least 2 days in advance. (please bring a note)
· Vacation – with permission in advance.
· Religious holidays. (If a member is in school, she is expected to attend practice.)
Please note that even an excused absence could cost you a performance depending on date and length of that absence.
If a dancer is not in school at least ½ the day, they will not be allowed to participate in any dance team activity that day.
COMPETITIONS
· There will be a 10:00pm curfew on competition eve. Coach(es) and captains reserve the right to call each dancer on the team to “check-in” on competition eve.
· Dancers maybe be pulled from a performance/competition for any of the following reasons:
v Lack of knowledge of routine
v Lack of ability to perform a required skill level for said routine
v Absences for any reason that have caused a dancer to be unprepared at any time leading up to a competition.
v Injury
v Attitude not promoting teamwork, sportsmanship, and dedication
v Disregard for constitution and the guidelines governing this team
· All dancers are required to attend all Dance Team functions whether they are dancing or not.
· Permission must be obtained to not ride the bus or to carpool to/from events.
CHEMICAL ABUSE
Chemicals should be defined as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and other illegal substances. A student SHALL NOT use, consume, have in possession, buy, sell or give away chemical substance. See MSHSL rules for penalties.
LETTERING POLICY (Varsity Only)
The letter is earned by the dancer, not given by the coach. The following items will be given consideration when awarding letters:
· Attitude
· Public Conduct
· Amount of participation on varsity(number of times you danced)
· Attendance
A dancer must complete the entire season if they are to letter. There must be no MSHSL or PACT High School violations during the season. All rules in the constitution must be followed in order for the dancer to earn their letter. Coaches decisions are final.
