Dance Team Constitution

Being a dancer on the Dance Team is an honor.  The dancers are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and sportsman-like manner both in and out of uniform.  The dancers are expected to be role models for all of their fellow students and should excel in both academics and dancing.  They should be above gossip, rumors, smoking, drinking, and bickering.  Each girl should dress appropriately and follow the dress code of Independent School District at all times. With dedication and determination, the Dance Team can accomplish great things while representing the High School.

Purpose:

1. To uphold the good name of the High School and the Dance Team both in and out of school.
2. To develop agility, poise, body coordination, endurance, and muscle tone.
3. To participate in competitive events throughout the state.

Membership Qualifications:

1. Members for the varsity team will include freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors of  the Sr. High School.
2. Members for the Junior Varsity team will include seventh and eighth grade student of Inver Grove Heights Middle School and freshmen of the Sr. High School.
3. Membership will include participating in either the fall, winter, or both seasons.
4. Members must pay activity fee designated by the Athletic Department of the High School.
5. Members must be able to give freely of their time and efforts for any Dance Team activity throughout the season including after school, evenings, and weekends.
6. Dancers must be drug and alcohol free.

Tryouts:

1. Tryouts will be held in the spring and/or winter (at Coach's discretion) of the school year as required by the MSHSL.
2. Any sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade student at the Sr. High School or Middle School is welcome to audition.  (Note: This includes all previous members of the team and previous membership does not guarantee a position on the team.)
3. Tryouts will be judged on the same dance, kick routine, technique, attitude, and learning ability.
4. Criteria will be determined by the Coach and distributed to all participants prior to auditions.
5. Tryouts will be judged by the Coach(es) and/or others experienced in the field of dance.
6. All final decisions will be made by the Coach(es) and scores will not be disclosed.
7. The number of dancers on the team will be determined by the ability of each dancer auditioning.

Length of Seasons:

A.  Varsity Team

1. Fall - Performance season will start with captain's practice and ends the week of MEA Break in October.
2. Winter - Competition season will start in November, 16 weeks prior to the State Competition, and end with the State Competition.

B.  Junior Varsity

1. Will begin in November and end in the middle of February

Officers:

1. Captain(s) 

(will be a veteran member of the dance team)     

     a. Qualifications

1. Must be a member of the team
2. Maintain good standing both in and out of dance team
3. Must have been a member of the team for one season prior to selection

     b. Selection

1. Will be elected by a majority vote of the members.
2. Coach has final say in all ties and disputes
3. Captain(s) will be named at the banquet at the end of the season.  Duties will begin at this time. (Varsity Only)

     c. Duties

1. Serve as a leader of the team.
2. Choreograph routines for try-outs and teach to dancers.
3. Lead Captain's practice and take charge when Coach(es) is not present.
4. Represent the Team's viewpoint when decisions need to be made by the Coach.
5. Demonstrate enthusiasm, school spirit and be a good role model for the rest of the team.
6. Oversee the progress of choreography and teach routines.
7. Delegate duties to other members as needed.
8. Assist Coach(es) as needed.

     d. Vacancy

1. If any captain is not doing her duties or is unable to fulfill her obligations as an officer, a person will be appointed by the coach to fill her position.

2.  Choreographer(s):

     a. Qualifications

1. Possess the ability to be creative
2. Knowledge of different styles of dance
3. Member of team in which choreography is being used
4. Coach(es) will determine the team of choreographers for each routine
5. Coach reserves the right to remove a choreographer due to lack of effort or commitment
6. Responsible for choreography for music selected
7. Meet at specified time with other team members to create routines
8. Select members who will teach routine
9. Help teachers to prepare for practices

     b. Selection

     c. Duties

3. Manager (if needed)     

     a.  Duties

1. Responsible for maintaining the Team's equipment at all events.
2. Assist Coach(es) and Captain(s) as needed.
3. Assist in publicizing all events and accomplishments.
4. Organize equipment and costumes for events.
5. Attend two to three practices a week. (to be discussed with coach)
6. Attend all performances.
7. Must follow all other rules as a member of the dance team.

4.  Coach(es) (This is an appointed position by the IGH School Board, District #199)     

     a. Duties

1. Organize all tryouts with the Captain(s).
2. Maintain discipline and organization.
3. Advise and make suggestions for improvements to the dance team.
4. Remain in charge of all team members during all practices and events.
5. Assist dancers in choreography & make final decisions on choreographed moves.

Practice Requirements:

1. Times will be a decision of the coach and/or team members on a yearly and/or monthly basis.  Any additional practices or schedule changes will be determined two weeks in advance.  All team members are required to attend if time constraint is met.
2. Everyone is required to attend all practices for the entire length of practice.
3. Each member is responsible for her own transportation to and from all practices.
4. All practices are closed to the public.  This means NO friends, boyfriends, relatives, etc are allowed to attend practice without prior approval of the Coach(es).
5. All team members are required to be dressed and ready for practice at the designated time.
6. Proper Attire for all practices:
7. Leotard - optional
8. Sports bras
9. Shorts
10. Tennis shoes and dance shoes, as determined by the Coach(es)
11. Tights will be required as of start of winter season
12. T-shirts are allowed only during warm-up and stretching
13. Hair pulled back with proper hair pieces
14. No jewelry or gum chewing is allowed during practice.
15. If attending school on a practice day, you should report to practice at the required time.  (Note:  If not feeling well, please report to practice and contact coach for further instructions.)
16. If for any reason you cannot attend practice, it is your responsibility to learn all steps and kicks outside of practice within one day's time of your return.  You will be asked to sit out until requirements are met.
17. In the event of a family emergency, the Coach or school administration must be notified in writing from parents prior to the practice in question.
18. Practices questions or concerns related to injuries should be directed to the Injury section of this document.
19. All choreography will be created outside of the regular practice schedules.
20. ONE verbal warning will be given for any unruly behavior.  This includes talking, non-participation, or any behavior disruptive to the team.  A dancer will be asked to leave practice in lieu of any other warning and will be expected to find transportation home and not hang around the high school.

Performances/Competitions:

1. Team members are required to be at all performances/competitions at specified time.
2. Fingernails must be trimmed to the appropriate "safe" length prior to each performance/competition.  Absolutely NO acrylic nails will be allowed.
3. If absent from school on a performance day due to illness (at any time of the day), the team member will not be allowed to attend or perform at the event.
4. All team members must audition for each individual dance prior to performance/competition.  If dancers are not performing to the team standards, cuts will be determined by the Coach and individuals will not be allowed to perform.
5. If you pass the audition, but miss 3 or more practices prior to performance/competition, you will be excluded from performance/competition.  Another contract may be developed to be followed.
6. Any dancer(s) who does not pass auditions must continue to attend and dance at all practices with the team.  Alternate dance positions are needed quite frequently.
7. If a dancer is determined to be in an alternate dance position, not attending or dancing at all practices will put her on probation.  She then will need to be reevaluated when she returns to full practice status.
8. Dancers may be pulled from performance/competition for any of the following reasons:
9.  lack of knowledge of routine
10.  lack of ability to perform at required skill level for said routine
11.  attitude not promoting teamwork, sportsmanship
12.  disregard for constitution and the guidelines governing this organization.    
13. An absence within five (5) days prior to a performance or a competition may cause the dancer to lose her spot in the routine.
14. The night before a competition, dancers are expected to be in by 10:00 p.m. or as specified by the Coach.  Bed checks may be made randomly at Coach's discretion.

Attendance:

1. Attendance in proper attire and remaining with the team is required at all scheduled competitions, performances, practices, and other official events.
2. You must attend at least ¾ of the practice to be counted in attendance.
3. The Coach must approve any absence.
4. Excused absences (requiring parent/guardian notification) are as follows:
5.  Family emergency    
6.  Illness
7.  Doctors and Dentists appointments

Note: Always try to schedule apart from practice times.

1. Unexcused absences are as follows:
2.  Work
3.  ASM / Detentions
4.  Other school activities such as: homework, teacher conferences without a pass, etc.
5.  Hair, tanning, or nail appointments, etc.
6.  Non-school activities
7.  Lying to Coach
8. Consequences for unexcused absences are as follows:
9.  One unexcused absence = Excluded from 1 performance/competition.
10.  Two unexcused absences = Excluded from 2 performances/competition.
11.  Three unexcused absences = Dismissal from team.

Tardiness:

1. "Tardy" shall defined as arriving late or leaving early.
2. Punctuality is expected at all events.
3. Repeated tardiness is grounds for dismissal from the team.
4. Any tardy over ½ of the practice time will be counted as a full absent.
5. Excused tardies are arriving late with a pass or note.
6. Consequences for excused tardies
7. 4 excused tardies = 1 excused absence.
8. 10 excused tardies = exclusion from 1 performance/competition
9. Unexcused tardies are as follows:
10.  Detention
11.  Arriving without a pass or note
12.  Arriving Late or Leaving Early from Non-school Activities
13.  Forgetting a pass or note – this may be changed if pass is presented to coach within one practice day of tardy.
14.  Forging a pass or note
15. Consequences for unexcused tardies are as follows:
16. 2 unexcused tardies = 1 unexcused absence (Note: see unexcused absences for consequences)
17. 4 unexcused tardies = 2 unexcused absences
18. 6 or more unexcused tardies = 3 unexcused absences and dismissal from the team

Community Service Events:

1. All members are expected to participate in all events.
2. Each member must dress appropriately for the event (you represent the school, your team, and the community).

Fundraising:

1. It may be necessary for the team to hold fundraising activities to help defray the costs of running a top notch program.
2. Participation in these activities is strongly encouraged but not required for membership.
3. One fundraiser a year can be bought out for a set amount.

Costumes:

1. Each member will be solely responsible for the costumes assigned to her.
2. All costumes and accessories are property of the Dance Team.
3. Required Maintenance: Must be clean and in excellence shape at all times.  (Follow Instructions given by costume parent)
4. Each team member will be charged for all lost or stolen costumes and accessories.

Injuries:

1. All injuries must be reported to the Coach or Athletic Trainer immediately.
2. If dancer is not able to return to regular practice the next day at her normal level, a doctor's appointment is needed. 
3. Dancer will not be able to participate until written clearance is obtained from a doctor noting the injury an expected recovery time.

Physical:

1. All dancers must meet Physical Exam Requirements as stated by the Sr. High School Administration.  Any questions regarding this requirement should be addressed to the Athletic Director or School Nurse.
2. All dancers must have a physical recorded by the High School in order to practice with the team.
3. If at any time the dancer cannot participate due to health problems, the Coach will be notified in writing by the physician.  This includes any lengthy missed practice.
4. The Coach, at any time during the year, has the power to request a member of the team get a physical before performing, if the dancer's health is in question.

Transportation:

1. All members are required to ride to and from performances and competitions with the team with transportation provided by the school. Special requests must be presented to the Coach in written form 2 days prior to the event.
2. Violations of this rule will result in an unexcused absence.
3. Recurrence of this violation will lead to the member's dismissal from the line.

Academic Requirements:

1. All members must follow the Middle School, Sr. High School, and the Athletic Department policies on academic standards.
2. School comes first.  If a dancer is having trouble maintaining academic quality, dance team will be dropped for dancer or she may take a leave of absence (coach's decision).

Conduct:

1. In the case of the following violations, an excused tardy will be issued:
2.  Gum chewing while practices, performances, or competitions
3.  Inappropriate language
4.  Disrespect shown at any time.
5.  Hair not fixed according to dance team standards.
6.  Improper attire worn while practicing, performing, or competing.
7. The use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco will not be allowed at any time.  If an incident occurs the High School's substance abuse policy will take effect and discipline each dancer.
8. All members are required to remain with the team during practices and performances.  Any special requests should be directed to the Coach.
9. A member may be dismissed permanently or suspended temporarily by the Coach for conduct detrimental to the good name of the Sr. High School, the Middle School, or the Dance Team.
10. Decisions concerning dismissals and/or suspensions of members will be made by the Coach with notification to the Athletic Director.

Competition of a Non-School Team:In accordance with the Minnesota State High School League, – A team member may compete ONLY on the school team during the high school season.  A team member may in solo competition or compete as a member of a not school team IF THAT TEAM'S COMPOSITION AND DANCE STYLE IS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT FORM THE HIGH KICK PRECISION AND JAZZ/FUNK STYLE USED BY HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS.

Amendments:

1. Any amendment can and will be made to this Constitution by a majority vote of the team members.

Rules and Responsibilities for Team MembersTeam members are expected to abide by all guidelines and policies set by the High School, the Minnesota State High School League and the following:

1. Dancers must dress accordingly for practices and must wear supportive tennis shoes/dance shoes during practice.  (Sports bras:  team members must wear two sports bras which cannot be worn alone – a tank top or t-shirt needs to be worn over)  If a team member is not dressed appropriately she will not be allowed to practice.2.Team members must abide by a curfew, set by the coach, on nights before competitions.  Failure to abide by it will result in the team member not competing the following day.  (If the team member was not going to be competing the following day she would not be allowed to compete in the next competition.) - WINTER
2. A dancer will not be allowed to practice or perform if an injury occurs that affects her ability to perform at her normal level or if the trainer or a doctor restricts her.
3. Absence from practice the day prior to a competition or on the day of a competition will result in the dancer not competing.  Any absences the week prior to a competition may result in a dancer not competing.
4. Absence from practice the week/day prior to a performance or the day of a performance may result in a dancer not performing.
5. A dancer will be allowed two unexcused absences.  If a third unexcused absence is assigned the dancer will be asked to leave the team.  Three lates will equal one unexcused absence.
6. Cuts may be made for any performance or competition the coach feels is necessary.  Dancers may be removed from a routine due to lack of knowledge, ability, or attitude.
7. During winter season JV and Varsity members may be moved to either squad at any time. - WINTER
8. Under NO circumstances shall a dancer use or possess any tobacco products, alcohol or other drugs.  Use or possession of any of these products will result in a lost of eligibility for two performances or two weeks of a season, whichever is greater.  Participation in an event where alcohol or tobacco are present (even if you are not using) will also result in a violation.
9. Team members are responsible for all uniforms and equipment checked out to them.  Individuals will be fined, at the end of the season, for any missing or damaged uniforms, garment bags, etc.  If fines are not paid, team members will be put on the school fine list and holds will be made on school records.
10. Previous team fees must be paid before participating in the next season.
11. Team members are expected to display professionalism and show respect at ALL times and in ALL capacities.
12. Team members are expected to have a positive, dedicated attitude toward themselves and the team.

Lettering – a dancer can earn a letter by meeting all of the following criteria...* A letter will be awarded to a dancer who abides by the team constitution, MSHSL rules and BHS rules.* A letter will be awarded if a dancer has not missed more than one performance/competition and two unexcused practices.* A letter will be awarded if a dancer competes in at least three varsity competitions.   - WINTER SPECIAL LETTERING SITUATIONS* A letter will be awarded to every dancer who is a member of a state tournament team. Each member must be within good standing of team rules, MSHSL rules, and policies set by  the HS. - WINTER* A letter will be awarded to a senior who has been a faithful squad member for two (2) years but has not met the requirements for a letter.

I ____________________________ have read the Dance Team Constitution.  I understand that I must abide by it to remain a member of this team. 

Signed________________________________________________      

Dated______________________    

Parents Signature ________________________________________________