Expectations/Goals/Conduct

Mundelein High School Dance Team Constitution

THE MHS DANCE TEAM MISSION:
To promote Mundelein High School and its athletic teams by increasing school spirit and awareness, and to provide entertainment at sporting events. Additionally, as with any athletic team, the dance team makes it a priority to increase self-esteem in its members, promote consistent academic performance and encourages leadership qualities and life- long social skills.

PRIORITIES OF A MUNDELEIN HIGH SCHOOL DANCE TEAM MEMBER:
1. A dancer’s first responsibility is to her academic program. The educational process should not be compromised by participation in dance team activities.
2. The primary function of a high school dance team is to effectively execute a school spirit program that supports the athletic teams and to promote the school itself.
3. A high school dance team has the responsibility to uphold to reflect and to project the goals and ideals of its school community.

ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
All dance team members will maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA throughout the entire Dance Team Season.

In addition, each week the coach receives notification of any grades below a C. Any Dance Team Member with a grade below a C will not be eligible to perform until that grade is improved.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
All athletes have expenses throughout the year. Mundelein High School and the Illinois High School Association consider dancing a sport. Fees and expectations of other athletic programs will be expected of dance as well. Here is a brief scenario of what your financial commitment could be for the year.  

MEETINGS / PRACTICES / GAME POLICIES:
All practices including summer are scheduled and cancelled by the coach and only the coach. All family events or absences must be submitted to the coach 10 days prior to the meeting date in order for the absence to be considered excused.

Each member is required to attend all prearranged meetings and practices. Missed events due to work or social functions, problems with transportation or not informing the coach will be unexcused and could possibly result in one suspension from game/competition or other spirit event.

All members are required to attend UDA summer dance camp at NIU. If any member shall miss, possible removal from the squad may take place.

Attendance will be taken at every scheduled event, including practice. Push-ups are required of all team members for tardiness of any individual or group dancers who are tardy. 

The coach, with the assistance of the captains has the right to suspend a team member from a performance if they feel the team member has missed too many practices, does not have proper knowledge of the routine or does not have the proper attire. If a suspension occurs, the team member must still attend the event and in most cases, dress and perform the school song. Final decisions are at the discretion of the coach.

ABSENCES:
EXCUSED
*All must by accompanied by an email or phone call to the coach to inform her of the absence*                                               
Family Vacation (with advanced notice)                                   
Illness (ONLY if absent from school)
Family Emergency
Tutoring for a class in which the student is receiving a poor grade (a note or pass from teacher is required)
Test Makeups (a note or pass from teacher is required)

UNEXCUSED
Any absence without a phone call to the coach

Work
Routine Appointments (dentist, orthodontist, salon, etc)
Family Vacation without advanced notice
Family events without advanced notice (birthdays, parties, anniversaries, etc)
Detentions

HAIR/DRESS ATTIRE:
For ALL performances, assemblies, and other scheduled events involving a performance from the dance team, all hair will be consistent among the entire team. The coach will determine the style.

For practices, all hair is to be up, away from the face and non-distracting.

The coach determines all decisions about makeup and accessories. No extras are to be used without permission. Such items include glitter in hair or on body. All piercing will be removed as well as jewelry. Stud earnings are allowed ONLY.

Practice attire is to be worn at all practice and is considered out of uniform if not accomplished. The practice uniform consists of:

1. Leotard of any color
2. Black dance pants, capri’s, or shorts over tights
3. Black capezios or other dance shoes (no gym shoes, bare feet or socks)

If a member attends practice without proper attire, she will sit out and take notes on what she missed that day.

ELIGIBLITY FOR PRACTICES AND/OR PERFORMANCES:
All dance team members must attend the Red and White Festival hosted by the athletic department every August. At this event, all criteria for the code of conduct is explained and participating members and parents gain an understanding for what is expected and what will not be tolerated while involved in a sport at Mundelein High School. Upon completion of the event, the athlete and parents will sign the code of conduct stating they will abide by it. Any dance team member who fails to attend this meeting will be removed from the team immediately.

Any member not passing at least 2 of their classes will be suspended until grade improvement with consent of the administration.

All dance team members are expected to have 98% attendance rate inside the classroom, if attendance starts to drop in the classroom, so will your place on the dance team.

If you know you are going to be absent from practice, you must call the coach before practice starts. If you call afterwards, you will be considered unexcused and could possibly sit out of the next performance.

During the week of a performance, you must attend practice the entire week. Missing one practice is crucial and you will not be able to perform at that scheduled event.

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get the information such as handouts, schedule changes and choreography you missed if you wish to perform in that routine. Choreography will not be taught to those who miss practice, it will be up to you to get with another member outside of practice to catch up.

If you are injured, you must present a doctor’s note excusing you from practice. Upon your return, in order to continue to practice, you must bring in a doctor’s note allowing you to participate.

P.E. WAIVERS:
All dance team members including seniors and juniors will not be allowed to exempt from P.E. Classes.

GAMES:
All members are to sit together at home games/assemblies competitions and other events where we are representing the Dance Team.

Demerits will be given to a dance member who is not following the game itinerary procedure

If you arrive late or leave early to or from a game, you are ineligible to perform at the next scheduled performance or event.

CODE OF BEHAVIOR:
No conduct, during or outside of school, which would reflect discredit upon the team and or the school is condoned. This will result in immediate reprimand and possible dismissal at the discretion of the coach with the consent of the administration.

Detentions are unexcused absences from meetings or practices.

DEMERIT SYSTEM (these accumulate throughout the season):
8 demerits will result in a 1-game suspension
12 demerits will result in removal from the team upon the consent of the administration.

1 Wearing jewelry
1 Inappropriate makeup
1 Chewing gum
1 Not returning signed parent consent forms
2 Wearing of uniform and shoes other than what is required
2 Incomplete or missing attire (may result in automatic suspension from that performance)
2 Untidy or inappropriate wearing of uniform or accessories
2 Disruptive or unnecessary talking
3 Unexcused tardiness to practice/leaving practice early if unexcused
5 Insubordination to the coach or other members of the team
5 Failure to abide by uniform requirements
5 Unexcused absence