Constitution

Wasatch High School Waspettes Constitution

Expect to Excel

2016-2017

WASPETTES' PURPOSE

The Waspettes are a student athlete, precision/competitive dance team. They promote spirit and sportsmanship at school functions; represent the school and community at performances and competitions; explore and develop dance technique, team unity, and choreography, competition, and performance aspects. They develop leadership qualities, build self-esteem and confidence, build lasting friendships and develop many other life skills. 

CODE OF CONDUCT

• Expected to uphold a high standard of behavior that is necessary for the integrity and reputation of the organization.

• Should be leaders in the school and set positive examples at all times.

• Proper manners should be used at all times to address adults and officers. Mutual respect and politeness towards fellow members within the group are basic elements that contribute to the total success of the team.

• Any comment directed towards a team member, officer, coach, or other team or club that represents the school must be positive.

• Must attend ALL early or night practices as decided by the coaches, wearing practice and performance uniforms as designated by the captain. All performances, including performing at half-times, are mandatory. 

• Expected to maintain a 2.0 GPA and fail no more than one class each term.

• To participate in a UHSAA event, a student may not have more than one F. To determine eligibility, the students will have two weeks after the end of the grading period to make up any Incompletes. Grade changes after that cannot restore eligibility. If a single term should drop below a 2.0 or if there is more than one F on your report card, the member will be placed on probation and/or dismissed from the team. 

• The member must be able to pay or work through fundraisers to pay any drill team dues.

ATTENDANCE

• Roll will be taken at all practices and activities. Dancers must have on required practice outfit and shoes that are appropriate for routine. Hair must be pulled back and secured. All jewelry must be removed (this is a FHS rule).

• Summer, Saturday, morning and evening practices are mandatory. Any absences must be pre-approved by the head coach at least one day in advance. It is the dancer’s responsibility to be to practice and be on time. In extreme illnesses, the dancer or parent needs to call or text the head coach as soon as possible before the practice to excuse it.

• If a member needs to sit out and observe practice for medical reasons for more than 2 practices a doctor’s note is needed.

• Work, doctor, and dentist appointments are NOT an excuse to miss practices or performances. You will be notified of all performances and practices ahead of time to fix your schedule.

Unexcused/Excused Absences & Tardies

·       Any dancer that has an excused or unexcused absence from practice or any class the day of a performance or competition will not be allowed to perform.

·       Any dancer who misses practice during the week of a competition, for any reason other than extreme sickness, will NOT be allowed to compete. Any dancer who misses two rehearsals of a single dance (November-February) will be taken out of that dance. In either case the dancer will have to earn her way back into the routine.

·       When a dancer is late for any practice the whole team will run an amount of laps equal to the number of minutes the dancer is late, after practice (May-August).

·       A 30 minute tardy is considered an unexcused absence.

Vacations

·       4 weeks moratorium will be taken post-competition season.

·       There are 3 state mandated moratoriums during the months of July, November, and December that will be observed.

·       Practices may be held on school holidays (teacher prep days).

·       All vacations must be approved by the coach as soon as possible, but at least one month prior to the absence. You can excuse them by text or email. Once the head coach has been notified your absence will be visible on the Waspette calendar located on the blog.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Social Media has become popular in a rapid pace leaving many teens without the necessary skills to positively and safely navigate social media sites. Strong parental monitoring is encouraged. The following standards are subject to change at any time due to the nature of trends that come and go:

-All Social Media will be used in a positive and uplifting manner.
-Do not post derogatory information/images about fellow peers, teammates, faculty, staff, etc.
-Do not post derogatory comments/images about competitors (i.e. other High Schools).
-Do not post comments/images that reflect negatively on your self-image, immodesty, or show poor behavior. 
-Do not use profanity or vulgar phrases.
-Social Media is not the forum to post issues with team members, coaches, your parents or life in general. Verbal communication is best. 

POINT SYSTEM

All Waspettes will begin with 0 points. Opportunities will be given to remove points throughout the year at the coach’s discretion. The point system will start in August and end after the State Competition in February. At the end of Term 1 all Waspettes will return to 0 points. Listed below are the consequences for the amount of points you have:

            Warning =    -5       (2 warnings = probation)

            Probation =   -10   (2 probations = dismissal)

            Dismissal from the team =   -20  (Coaches discretion)

Depending on the circumstances a warning could cause a loss of performance privileges. Coaches may take away or add to the list of infractions at any point during the year based on a team need. Parents and dancers will be notified of any changes made.

Infraction	Point Value (per offense)
Tardy to practice or performance	Notified =  -1  Not Notified =  -2
Improper dress to practice, performance, or school	-1
Missing a practice	Notified =  -2   Not Notified =   -5
Missing a performance	Notified =  -4   Not Notified =   -5
Abuse of Social Media	-2
Wearing nail polish to a performance	-1
Disruptive behavior at practice	-2

Probation

·       Probation is the loss of performance and activity privileges. The dancer will still be required to attend all practices and performances; however, they will not be allowed to perform until they are removed from probation.

·       The length of probation will be decided by the coaches.  Probation will be set according to the seriousness of the infraction.

·       Minimum length of probation = 2 weeks. 

·       Maximum length of probation = length of the term.

·       Members will be placed on probation for the following:

·  Two unexcused absences from practice, games, or performances. Dismissal upon the third.

·  Having excessive unexcused absences or sluffs from any class. 

·  Having more than one F or a GPA less than 2.0.

·  Receiving a U or UA citizenship grade, in any class.

·       Dismissal will occur when:

·  Being placed on probation for the second time.

·  Known use of alcohol, tobacco, other illegal drugs or immoral behavior.

·  Vandalism or theft or any other criminal behavior.

·  Having more than one F or a GPA less than 2.0 for a second consecutive term.

UNIFORMS AND DUES

·       Uniforms will be decided upon by the coaches, officers, and administration.

·       The Waspettes will maintain a costume closet for re-use year to year. All dancers will be required to return all of their costumes (excluding tights, shoes, practice uniforms) at the end of the year.

·  If any item is not returned the dancer is responsible for the cost to replace that item.

·       While in ANY Waspette uniform, Waspettes are expected to uphold high standards in appearance, actions, and attitude, as to not bring a negative connotation to the Waspette name.

·       If member leaves and/or is dismissed from drill team for any reason, all monies due up to that point remain the property of the Waspettes and will not be refunded.

PERFORMANCES

·       Waspettes perform at all home varsity football and boys/girls basketball games and at various assemblies throughout the year.

·       Dancers must have make-up and hair complete BEFORE arriving.

·       Jewelry or nail polish may not be worn with uniform during performances.

·       When performing at football or basketball games, Waspette dancers will sit together and cheer during the entire game.

·       Remember you represent and promote school spirit! Do not let your friends distract you during a game and keep you from fulfilling your obligations.

ROUTINES

·       All Competition Team members will be allowed to perform in pre-competition routines, unless on probation.

·       All JV members will be allowed to perform in Thriller, camp and parade routines.

·       JV members are allowed to audition for State Competition routines. If they are placed in the routine they will be required to pay the Competition Team price.

·       Auditions will be held for each State Competition routine.  It is expected that those not placed in the routine learn the routine as well.  This means that no team member is guaranteed to be in any routines.

·       Auditions for competition routines and formations will be decided on by the coaches according to technical execution, choreography detail execution, performance qualities, dedication, effort, and sportsmanship. The coaches reserve the right to pull, add, or change dancers/formations based on the previously stated items at any point in the year.

TRAVEL AND CONDUCT

·       When traveling, each member should maintain high standards and represent WHS in the most positive manner. A member will lose her Waspette membership if she fails to maintain the standard requirements of conduct and good character required of ALL members.

·       When traveling as a group, a bus will be used most of the time as a means of transportation. All members are required to ride the bus to and from all competitions.

·       Traveling uniforms will be worn on all occasions unless decided against prior to function.

·       No member goes anywhere alone and everyone must report to the coaches before departing.

HEALTH & TECHNIQUE

·       It is expected that all girls take care of their bodies through proper nutrition and exercise.

·       Any Waspette suspected of having an eating disorder will be dealt with in a way which will best preserve her health and may include placing the Waspette on probation.

·       All members are should be in an intermediate or advanced dance class at school or an outside studio at least once a week while not in competition season.

·       Members are required to practice on their own at home. Additional practice assignments will be given for certain routines or individuals.

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PARENT INVOLVEMENT

·       The team is only as strong as its support. Parents are expected to participate in the Waspettes through time, talent, and financial support. Parent involvement will ensure success of the Waspettes.

·       A committees will be formed by the Chair of the parent committee for all outside of practice needs – food, transportation, fundraisers, motivation, parties, performances, etc.

·       Committees will be based on availability and skillset.

·       All Competition Team parent units will be required to volunteer at least 12 hours throughout the drill team season. JV team parent units will be required to volunteer at least 8 hours throughout the drill team season.

Fund Raisers

·       Fund raisers will be used to assist dancers in their Booster fee, Spring Trip fee, and other team needs.

·       It is not the coaches’ responsibility to provide fundraising opportunities, but we will assist where is needed.

·       If a team member and/or parent does not participate in the designated fund raisers, they are responsible for paying the Booster Fee.

Communication

·       Dancers and parents are always welcome to call, e-mail, or text coaches. Dancers are encouraged to ask their big or little sister questions first. If a question arises that can’t be directed to a teammate or another parent, don’t hesitate to contact a coach.

·       Parent communication as well as important dancer information will be available on the Waspette blog and sent out through emails. The Waspette calendar will be updated at least a month in advance.

·       Remind 101 will be used to send out reminders or last-minute announcements to both parents and dancers.

OFFICER POSITIONS

·       Officers will be chosen by coaches and teammates through a voting process.

·       Officer positions are very time consuming, but rewarding.  The coaches expect all responsibilities to be fulfilled on time.

·       Those holding officer positions are expected to be an example at ALL times to the other members of the team.

LETTERING

·          To letter in the sport of Drill Team, the requirements are as follows:

o   Refrain from a probationary period.

o   Competing in at least one competition routine.

o   Never having an unexcused absence for practice, activities or performances.

o   Fulfilling all obligations as stated in the Waspettes constitution.