HERITAGE HIGHSTEPPERS Parent Information Meeting

Meet the Director Mrs. Currie 21 years dance and teaching experience Experience directing a 5A & 3A Dance Team, Middle school dance team and have sponsored Freshman, JV and Varsity cheer squads at a 4A high school all at the same time. Former HS and College dance team member Past Board member for 4 years of Dance and Drill Team Directors of America Professional Judge of dance competitions all over Texas and Oklahoma Married 23 years with a junior Panther O-line player and 7th grade competitive gymnast here at HMS.

INFORMATION Highsteppers Website – Go to HMS website http://www.gcisd-k12.org/hms/site/default.asp Click on ACTIVITIES Click on DANCE TEAM Menu on the left side of page Other Information Constitution

All figures are approximate. EXPENSES 3rd page of packet Fundraisers will be held throughout the year to help defray some expenses. We do not receive any funding outside of fundraisers…therefore, scholarships are not provided. All figures are approximate.

MEMBERSHIP Heritage Highsteppers are expected to set a good example by displaying the following character traits: Must be honest and truthful Must exhibit high moral standards Must willingly display positive school spirit Must show good sportsmanship Must exhibit a very positive attitude toward dancer duties

Duties of a Heritage Highstepper Show school spirit and cheer for HMS at athletic events The Highsteppers are responsible for helping setup and clean up pep rallies. Highsteppers are required to attend practice to prepare for games, pep-rallies & competition Highsteppers may only dance at one Athletic event per week. School dance takes precedence over outside dance studios. Please arrange your schedule accordingly

Heritage Highsteppers COMMITMENT!!!!!!!! When at a game – give 100% of time and effort Attend ALL practices (unless ill or school sponsored event) Give 100% at practice Dancing is a TEAM sport. We look great as a team or we don’t. Actions of one Highstepper effect the ENTIRE team. School dance takes precedence over outside dance studios. Please arrange your schedule accordingly

PRACTICE Practice 1-2 days a week beginning in April to prepare for the upcoming year & camp Days of practice may vary due to game schedules—every Wednesday! We do work with coaches if a Highstepper is participating in athletics Preparing for Competition will require more practice—will get plenty of notice of extra practices

PERFORMANCES Monthly calendar of practice and performances will be on the dance website. Weekly schedule emailed every week. There may be tryouts for all performances (regular season & competition)

ATTENDANCE Highsteppers must seek approval from sponsor BEFORE being absent from a game or practice. Excused absences: personal illness, school function School dance takes precedence over outside dance. Any Highstepper who has not attended at least three class periods on game day may not perform that evening.

DEMERIT AND MERIT POLICY A Highstepper will receive demerits when she fails to satisfactorily complete her responsibilities. There are two demerit cycles: 1) Election Day to the first school day of the fall semester 2) first school day of the fall semester to the day before Election Day.

DEMERITS Attendance Performance Practice Uniforms Conduct These demerits may NOT be removed (through merits) during a demerit cycle. General Responsibilities

HOW DO I EARN MERITS? Activity Time Required Merits Earned Helping a teacher before or after school 1 hour 1 Community Service or Volunteer hours 30 minutes Teaching/Practicing with other grade level squad Attending/cheering a school sporting event; sitting with sponsor Duration of game Remember: FIVE merits will erase ONE demerit!

BENCHING Failure to maintain an overall “70” or above average in any class during a six (6) weeks After three unexcused absences from practices or from games After receiving the 5th and 7th demerit as outlined in the demerit policy. (See Demerit Policy, p. 4)

NUMBER OF HIGHSTEPPERS Natural Break There is NOT a minimum or maximum number of girls The number of team members will be determined by the candidates’ demonstration and verification of the required qualifications.

NATURAL BREAK Natural Break 13 61.40 14 59.93 15 56.10 16 53.78 17 52.98 18 51.68 19 51.63 20 50.13 21 49.33 22 47.75 23 47.10 24 44.85 25 44.15 26 40.95 27 40.25 28 35.58 29 35.10 30 34.90 31 34.38 32 32.85 33 32.78 34 32.20 Natural Break

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Enrolled and in attendance in the GCISD by the day of tryouts. Minimum fall semester average of 77.5 or above in all classes for the current school year. May not have been expelled for any reason. May not exceed ten (10) unexcused absences in any one class during the current school year. Must be in good financial standing with the Highstepper organization and the school Reports Cards can be purchased from counseling office for $1 - OR – you may print from Skyward (we MUST have conduct grades)

HIGHSTEPPER TRYOUTS BEFORE JUDGES The categories to be judged are as follows: Technique Precision Appearance Overall Impression More details on page 9 in the constitution The judges are certified Showtime dance instructors.

TRYOUT PREPARATION All workshops are closed practices. Forms Due Letter of Agreement Medical Waiver for Tryouts Student Evaluation Form Report Card (1st Semester) Wednesday, March 7th *no later than 3:40 p.m. Give to Mrs. Michelle (front office) or Mrs. Currie Candidates Posted - Outside Office & Online Friday, March 9th at 3:25 pm Workshops Candidates must wear workout clothes and shoes. Last workshop will be a practice tryout which may last until 5:30 pm. March 19st - March 22nd 3:30 – 5:00 pm HMS gym B All workshops are closed practices.

All tryouts are closed sessions. Thursday, March 22, 2012 HMS gym A (warm-up area) Gym B (Tryouts with judges) All Candidates report at 3:40 to warm up Candidates must stay until all try-outs are complete…call backs are possible All tryouts are closed sessions.

TRYOUT RESULTS New Heritage Highsteppers will be posted by 10pm Friday, March 23rd on the dance portion of the HMS website. New Heritage Highsteppers will meet in room 706 on Monday, March 26th at 7:30am.

OFFICER TRYOUTS Process will begin Monday, March 19th through Thursday, March 22nd. Candidates will: Choreograph a Solo Dance Performance. Be interviewed by the judges. Create a binder - details in officer packet. Choreograph and teach their own original 8 count at tryouts as requested by the judges..

IMPORTANT DATES for the 2012-2013 Team Weekly Practices - Wednesdays 3:40-5:00 - Beginning April11th for 3 weeks. Monday, April 9th at 6:00 pm in the SAC 2012-2013 Heritage Highstepper Team Parent Meeting Bring your checkbook! Uniform Fittings – Date and time TBA

CAMP! Camp date: August 6-8 Showtime Camp – at HMS Camp is mandatory for all Heritage Highsteppers. **see me if you have conflicts Camp fee should not exceed $150. We do not have an exact amount at this time.