Welcome to the Alvin Jacketeer Dance Team Tryout

Welcome to the Alvin Jacketeer Dance Team Try-out Meeting for the 2017 -2018 season!

The Jacketeer Mission Statement:

Alvin High School Jacketeer Dance Team is committed to representing Alvin High School with the highest caliber of school spirit, personal integrity, and dance talent through their high standards of excellence and tradition of teamwork. “The Finest Ladies of Alvin” are well-known for supporting Alvin High School sports, activities, clubs, and organizations within our community while upholding the standards and expectations of all Alvin High school students through our commitment, dedication, responsibility, and most important, discipline.

What styles of dance do the Jacketeers perform? Jazz Pom Hip Hop Prop Open Modern Kick Novelty

Developing Leaders, Ladies, & Legacy High Standards Morals & Values Responsibility Independence Teamwork Commitment

Attendance Expectations Dance team members are required to attend every practice, performance and appearance listed on the Jacketeer calendar. The calendar begins in June and ends in May annually. Camp & daily practice for dance team begins the last week in July. Therefore, all vacations & summer travel must be completed by 7/24. Students who cannot commit to the Jacketeer calendar should not audition for dance team.

Varsity Practice Schedule: Monday- Friday mornings from 6: 15 -8: 00 am (through 1 st period) Monday-Thursday after school practice (ASP) from 3: 00 -4: 00. * These rehearsals are generally set for specific routines. * Attendance is not required for members who are not selected for the routine.

JV Practice Schedule: Monday- Friday during 5 th period (historically) Monday-Thursday after school practice (ASP) from 3: 00 -4: 30. * Attendance is required for all members regardless if they are performing or not.

Tutorials are permitted however, we encourage students to explore every option before missing practice. Jacketeers must ask permission to attend tutorials that occur during rehearsal/practice time. EX: Jacket lab, lunch, power hour, and mornings are preferred for JV members as they do not conflict with any rehearsals.

Jacketeer Seasons Jacketeers is a YEAR LONG PROGRAM, however we break our year into 4 seasons. During Football season, the Jacketeers perform at football, and some volleyball games determined by the director(s). Members will also march, make appearances and perform at community events, pep rallies and/or parades. Contest and basketball season begins in December and can last through March. Jacketeers perform in 3 -5 basketball games and attend 3 -5 contests annually. Spring Show is the annual dance concert hosted by the Jacketeers. This performance is promoted to the public so that community members can attend and see a variety of dance routines. Summer activities are more self driven. Students must complete 15 dance hours at their leisure. There are 2 mandatory carwashes.

Football Season ● Varsity members perform at all varsity football games ● JV members perform at home varsity football games however they may be invited to perform at additional away games at the director(s) discretion. ● Varsity members may perform at community events, march in parades and/or perform at pep rallies. ● JV members may march in parades, however they do not perform at pep rallies.

Competition/Contest Season The Jacketeers compete with numerous routines at regional, state, and national competitions. Contest season begins in December and runs through March. Most contests take place on Saturdays at local high school campuses. Teams, officers, ensembles and solos may compete and represent the Jacketeers with the director(s) approval. Dancers audition and are selected for routines based on ability level, attitude, work ethic and attendance. No dancer is guaranteed to dance in any routine. Contest days can begin at 5: 00 am and many go until 10: 00 pm or later with

Spring Show This show is the finale of the year. The teams showcase all of the growth that they have made throughout the school year. It is a major fundraiser for the booster club. Jacketeers sell tickets and program ads that aides to encourage family, friends, and community members to attend. Contest routines and additional performances will be included in the show. All parents are required to serve one “duty station” on Friday or Saturday evening of the show. Parents sign up for these in the spring.

Summer ● During June & July all members are required to take 15 hours of dance. These serve to help maintain proper technique as well as promote a healthy lifestyle during the summer months. These hours are available for free on AHS, MHS and SCHS campuses. A calendar will be posted in May. ● There are 2 mandatory carwashes during the summer (June and July) ● The Jacketeer Facebook group is created in the summer to help promote unity, friendship and training as well as accountability throughout the year. This page is private and only current members may join. Members use this page for “homework” as they are asked to post videos of changes, cleaning and/or choreography daily/weekly. ● Camp begins the last week of July or the first week of August depending on

Demerits, Constitution, & Extracurricular Code of Conduct Demerits are consequences for incorrect behavior or actions. Accumulating 5 demerits results in sitting out a performance designated by the director(s). Accumulating 20 demerits results in removal from the team. Constitution: rules and guidelines regarding absences, grades, membership; these are team rules specific to Alvin Jacketeer Dance Team. Alvin ISD Code of Conduct: outlines consequences for inappropriate conduct and behavior by students in extracurricular activities. Consequences include probation and removal from the team. Please see our website to read each of these documents: www. alvinisd. net

Merits Positive rewards for dance team members for attending extra events, bringing in requested supplies and/or going above and beyond what is required. Merits are awarded at the discretion of the directors. Merits do not roll over from year to year.

Booster Club The Jacketeer Booster Club is an active parent group designed to support and aid the Jacketeer Dance Team. All parents of a Jacketeer are members of the booster club. Booster clubs supports the dance team through active contributions of time and resources. Booster club meetings are mandatory. There are 3 -5 annually. Booster club officer represent the entire group. Their responsibilities are divided for checks and balance. Additionally, they ensure all needs of the team and the directors are met.

Booster Committees Food Committee Fundraisers Committee Prop Committee Spirit Committee Costume Committee

Finances The Jacketeer Dance Team requires a financial commitment and investment from each family. The activity fee is equal for each member on the dance team. Officers and Soco have an additional fee. Fundraisers are provided to help alleviate this expense, although participation in the fundraisers is not mandatory. Fundraisers are selected by the director(s). (cookie dough, junior dance clinic, poinsettias, tamales etc. ) Cost Breakdown - Practice clothes, supplies, camp, activity and booster fees *A detailed list with estimated costs is provided in the audition packet

UIL Eligible Each Jacketeer must be academic eligible (70 or above) to participate. If a student becomes ineligible by failing a course with a 69 or lower, there is a time period (about 3 weeks), that they cannot perform, however they must still attend every practice and performance. Any Jacketeer who is ineligible for two 9 week grading periods (consecutive or not) is removed from the program. Jacketeers are not guaranteed a spot in any routine if eligibility is regained. “Time in School Rule” - A student must be present ½ a school day if an extracurricular event happens during the school week. (Friday night football

High Expectations & Standards 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year On campus, off campus, classroom, school events, social media BE THE RULE- not the exception.

Why we are the best program for your student: We will work to pull the best out of your daughter each and every day. She will be taught to respect herself, all others around her as well have pride in everything she does. The finest ladies of Alvin are also the hardest working group on campus. We do not have an off season and we train to be the best all year. We are so thankful that you are considering auditioning for our program and wish you all the best at tryouts!