COOPER HIGH SCHOOL

COUGARETTE DANCE TEAM

CONSTITUTION

The name of this organization shall be the Cooper High School Cougarettes.  The purpose of this organization is to promote dance through participation and support for the athletic teams at Cooper High School in cooperation with the Cheerleaders, Marching Band and Pep Squad.  Through the development of leadership, cooperation, self-discipline and a spirit of teamwork in each individual member, fine arts and physical education students at Cooper High School will be afforded the opportunity to explore, display, test, evaluate and refine their talents.

ARTICLE I                  MEMBERSHIP

SECTION I                 Dance team members shall be regularly enrolled full time students at Cooper High School.

SECTION II                Each member will give of their time to participate in required activities the entire year.  Member will NOT hold a job that will interfere with this activity.

SECTION III               Members and their parents shall be aware of all responsibilities and expenses of the dance team prior to auditions as stated in the Cougarette audition packet.

SECTION IV               Members will be responsible for participating equally in any fund raising activity approved by Cooper High School or the Booster Club.  All money will remain in the member’s Cougarette account even if they leave the team.

SECTION V                Members will be subject to auditions for every performance.  Any member who has failed to meet performance expectations during practice and/or who has one or more absences from practice the week of auditions will be excluded from participation in that weeks performance.

SECTION VI               All members are expected to maintain eligibility as dictated by UIL for all extracurricular activities.  Please refer to the eligibility section of the CHS Fine Arts Student Handbook.  During this probationary period, the member will still be required to attend class and practices, will sit with the team at pep rallies, athletic events & public performances, but will not be allowed to wear the uniform.  Receiving a failing grade in any two six week grading periods during a semester, without recovery, may result in dismissal from the team.

ARTICLE II                 CONDUCT

In addition to the rules of conduct laid out in the CHS Student Handbook, members will also abide by the following:

SECTION I                 Members must realize that they are representatives of Cooper High School and act accordingly; good sportsmanship and promotion of school spirit is expected.

SECTION II                Members must not violate school policy or city, county, state or federal laws including swearing, drinking alcoholic beverages, smoking or partaking of any illegal drug.  In addition to this, members are never to be present at any situation where any of these items may be present or participated in illegally.

SECTION III               Members should posses a good attitude and must make an effort to never allow conflicts to be evident during school events.

SECTION IV               Members will be expected to conduct themselves as leaders in the classroom as well as at school events.

ARTICLE III                ATTENDANCE/PRACTICE/ACTIVITIES

SECTION I                 A.  Attendance at all dance team activities is required.

B.    Members may not have more than two (2) unexcused absences from meetings and activities per semester.  Situations of prolonged absence should be presented to the director in writing to receive special consideration.

C.   Please refer to the attendance/absence section of the CHS Fine Arts Student Handbook.

a.    Failure to return from an absence with a written note is automatically an unexcused absence and member assumes all responsibility for missed assignments and may be removed from a performance(s).

SECTION II                Summer Camp/Practices

A.    Summer camp attendance and scheduled summer practices are MANDATORY.  Please note the dates in the audition packet and plan summer vacations accordingly. 

B.    Any member that is unable to attend summer camp may not be allowed to remain on the team; the member will be required to pay off any outstanding balance on items that have been ordered.  The member will also have to return any items not paid for or that are owned by the school (i.e. field uniform).

C.   Only certain conditions will be considered by the director for missing a summer practice and must be verbally discussed with the director as soon as possible by the parent/guardian.

SECTION III               Performances/Games

A.    Members will receive an activity schedule with performance dates assigned.  We attend all pep rallies, most Varsity football games and designated Varsity basketball games.  Contest and Spring Show will necessitate further participation. 

B.    An unexcused absence from a performance/game/practice will result in probation for the week immediately following the absence.

C.   Any eligible member who is not performing will still be required to attend scheduled events in the appropriate uniform.  Any ineligible member will also attend and sit with the team, but not in uniform.

D.   If a member earns a spot for a pep rally routine, they will be required to attend a Thursday night run through of the routine at the school gym.  Times will vary.

E.    Only in cases of extenuating circumstances will a member be allowed to leave a game or function with parent/guardian.  Please follow the Rules & Regulations section laid out in the CHS Fine Arts Handbook.

1.    Parent/guardian must personally meet the director in the stands at the end of the event.  If parent does not make personal contact with direction, the member must return on the bus with the group.

SECTION IV               Class Attendance

A.    Class attendance is mandatory and is scheduled during 7^th period.

B.    When a member is absent, it is their responsibility to call their officer to find out what they missed.

C.   Tardiness will be handled according to CHS school policy and as stated in Article IV, Section I.

D.   A member is not to use the class period to schedule doctor appointments or early release; this will only hinder their opportunity to learn routines and technique. 

ARTICLE IV               GRADING POLICY/DISCIPLINE

SECTION I                 Members will earn a grade based on attendance, participation, punctuality and proper uniform attire.  The following system will be used to determine grades within a six week period.  Point deductions are taken from the student’s overall six week grade. Disciplinary action is at the discretion of the director and may be taken as deemed necessary.  Repeated offenses of the following may result in ISS/Saturday school assignment.

A. 2 point deduction

§  Tardiness at any event, class roll, game, etc.

§  Cell phones going off during class or performance venue

§  Chewing gum/eating while in uniform/class

§  Non-participation during pep rallies, games or dress up days

§  Dress code; visible tattoos/body piercing

§  PDA at anytime

B. 5 point deduction and removal from a week’s worth of performances and/or events

§  Failure to wear proper uniform at any given time

§  ISS assignment/Saturday School (5 points for each day assigned)

§  Utter disrespect towards director, officer and/or team member

§  Use of a tobacco product

§  Behavior unbecoming to the student and/or team

§  Unexcused absence

C.10 point deduction and removal from two week’s worth of performances and/or events

§  ISS/Saturday School assignment for the second time in a semester

§  RAC assignment

§  Truancy

§  Member having been placed at any establishment in which alcohol and/or drugs may be present or participated in illegally

D. Immediate dismissal from the team may occur under the following situation:

§  Member found possessing, using, transmitting or to be under the influence of any illegal drug or intoxicant

§  Suspension/Expulsion from school

§  Being placed in ISS/Saturday School three (3) times within a semester

§  Receiving a failing grade in any two six week grading periods during a semester, without recovery

ARTICLE V                UNIFORMS

SECTION I                 Field Uniforms:  School uniforms, warm-ups and poms will be issued as needed.  Any damage that occurs during use of these items is the member’s responsibility.  If any pieces are lost, the member assumes full replacement cost.  If a member is dismissed or quits, they must return all uniforms.

SECTION II                Practice Uniforms:  Members will be required to purchase pieces pertaining to uniforms prior to the school year for pep rallies, performance pieces and/or practice attire.  Selection of uniforms and pieces will be at the discretion of the director and should be stated by piece and priced in the audition packet.  Contest and spring show may require further purchases.

ARTICLE VI               AUDITIONS

SECTION I                 Yearly Line Auditions

A.    All candidates will be required to attend a mandatory audition meeting scheduled by the director.  At this time, the candidate will receive an audition packet outlining projected costs, tentative schedule and other pertinent information.

B.    Candidates must submit the audition application and other pertinent materials in the packet prior to the start of auditions.

C.   Candidates will attend the entire weekly audition practices and the final judging session at the weeks end.

D.   Candidates may not have been assigned RAC, been in ISS three or more times or have failed two or more six weeks without recovery at any point in the current school year in order to tryout.

E.    Candidates will audition in front of a panel of 3 impartial judges.

F.    There is no guarantee that if a candidate was a prior team member they will be selected as a candidate or team member.

SECTION II                Weekly Auditions

A.    All members will be subjected to weekly auditions for every routine that is to be performed.

B.    Auditions will be held approximately 10 days prior to the scheduled performance.

C.   If a member is absent the day of auditions, she gives up the opportunity to tryout.

D.   Members are required to wear all black to class on audition days.

E.    Members will audition the piece(s) in front of the director and officers.  They will be critiqued on memory, execution, technique, smile and kicks/splits as necessary.

F.    Members will still be required to attend the pep rally and/or game in full uniform, regardless of performance status.

G.   Members may have the opportunity to make the same routine, if performed at multiple games, at the following weeks’ audition.

H.   Special consideration will not be given to officers or seniority.

I.      Auditions are meant to challenge the member, build strength and to encourage the member to work hard every day and not take being a line member for granted.

J.    Contest auditions may be judged by more stringent guidelines.  It is highly suggested that the member work hard beyond the classroom to prepare themselves for contest routines.

K.    Band show auditions may take place during the year as well in order to determine who will dance each week.

ARTICLE VII              BAND SHOW

SECTION I                 Shadowing

A.    If participation in the band show takes place during our performance year, it will be necessary to assign shadows. Only a specified number of spots are designated to give leeway for failures, injuries or for personal absences (i.e. death in the family).

B.    Shadows will be assigned to freshmen, new members, returning members who had academic/behavioral issues the prior school year and then as the director sees fit.

C.   Shadows are required to learn all material.

D.   There is no guarantee that a shadow will perform at any point during the season.

E.    Once a spot is lost, the member is not guaranteed the spot back, but may get the chance if they fulfill the following:

§  Learn all new material they missed while out

§  Grades: 3 weeks probationary period and then recover (be passing all classes) at the 3 week mark

§  Injury: A doctor’s consent note will be required

§  Personal absence: Upon return, director’s approval

F.    The director will have ultimate say as to who will dance in the band show each week.

SECTION II                Discipline

A.    All AISD guidelines will serve as disciplinary measures during any band practice/contest.

B.    Members are subject to disciplinary action by ANY AISD staff member at any time during school activity, band show practice or weekend band competitions.

The Abilene ISD and Cooper High School do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in their programs and activities