Dance Force Handbook

2022-2023
This handbook was created with the help of the Spirit Rules Handbook, Fenton
High School policies, and handbooks from other High School Dance Teams.

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 Fenton Dance Force Handbook
Overview
The purpose of this handbook is to protect and ensure the integrity and reputation of the Fenton Dance
Force program. This document will outline ways to maintain skill, be consistent in discipline, and have
positive interactions with the school, community, and each other as a team.

Goals
● Promote and uphold school spirit
● Perform at various events, athletic and otherwise
● Set an example of good behavior at all times, whether in uniform or not, in class, at games and at all
school functions
● Promote friendship and respect amongst members of the squad
● HAVE FUN AND DANCE!

Eligibility
All Fenton High School eligibility rules and IHSA guidelines apply . The coach will receive weekly eligibility
reports and monitor attendance to determine each member’s status. Dancers are students first! If a
dancer fails to meet the eligibility, they will not be allowed to participate in practices, events, or
competitions until resolved.

● School Attendance: Dancers must attend ALL classes the day of a practice, performance or
competition in order to participate, unless absence is excused by Fenton. If the event falls on the
weekend, dancers must attend all classes on the Friday prior.
○ Excused school absence - college visits, doctor appointments, or otherwise, please call the
school office ahead of time.
● Grades: Eligible dancers must be passing 5 classes at all times. This is monitored on a weekly
basis.
● Forms: Dancers cannot participate in practice until the following forms are turned in:
○ Athletic Participation Permit Form, Physical (must be up to date), Performance Enhancing
Testing Policy, and Concussion Form

Attendance Policy
Dancers' attendance in practice is vital to individual development and overall success of the team. The
attendance policy is put in place for the summer session, fall, and winter seasons. Absences are NOT
cumulative through the year and each dancer’s attendance starts over with each season - summer, fall,
and winter. Dancers must put the responsibilities as a Dance Force member above those of work and other
extracurricular activities - with the exception of those directly relating to academics. Unscheduled
absences, late arrivals, and early departures may be grounds for disciplinary action. Dancers who expect
to be absent, late, or leave early must notify the coach as soon as possible.

● Attendance at all practices, performances, and events is mandatory unless otherwise stated
● Dancers must attend all practices one week prior to a performance in order to perform
● Dancers must attend all practices two weeks prior to a competition in order to compete
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 Excused Absences: Family emergencies, personal illness, missed school day, academic activities
(college visits, field trips, etc.), family vacations, and other reasons deemed appropriate by the
coach. Wherever possible, please schedule all medical and personal appointments outside of
practice hours.
○ The coach must be notified at least two weeks in advance of an absence
○ If you are ill from school you must contact the coach at least an hour before practice
○ In cases of extreme emergencies, the coach will waive the two-week rule
○ Failure to properly notify the coach in the above manner will result in the absence being
counted as unexcused

Unexcused Absences: Detentions, work, doctor appointments (non-emergency) and any absence
not communicated per rules outlined above.

Tardiness: Members are required to arrive five minutes prior to the scheduled start time to be on
time. Arriving at practices, games, fundraisers, or other events at the start time, after the start time,
or arriving not properly dressed/ready is tardy.
○ Three tardies equals one unexcused absence
○ Arriving at practice more than 30 minutes late, without prior notice, is also considered an
unexcused absence

Communication
Dancers are expected to attend all scheduled meetings, practices, performances, and competitions.
Dancers are also responsible for keeping up with all information directed to them. Our main forms of
communication will be:

Remind App (instant messaging)

E-mail:
Coach Ralph [email protected]
Coach Jerkovich - [email protected]

Member Responsibility
● Exemplary behavior is mandatory at all times. Dancers are expected to act with their highest
integrity as you are representing FHS, the Dance Force, the coaches, your parents, and your own
image. This includes in the community, any functions where the team is being represented, and on
social media.
● Dancers must put the responsibilities as a Dance Force member above those of work or
extracurricular activities outside of Fenton.
● Dancers must maintain appropriate grades and credits as outlined by Fenton High School and the
IHSA guidelines in order to participate in practices, events, and competitions.
● Dancers must follow all rules and guidelines set by Fenton High School.
o This includes refraining from illegal activities such as underage drinking and drug use.
● PDA or other inappropriate behaviors in or out of uniform will not be tolerated.
● Dancers must maintain a high level of physical fitness and flexibility.
● Dancers must maintain a positive and respectful attitude towards coaches, fellow dancers, parents,
teachers, and administrators at all times.
● Dancers must promptly and respectfully communicate any issues or conflicts with the coach.

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Consequences
Poor Conduct/behavior under any of the above circumstances could result in warnings, benching, or
removal from the team. Inappropriate behaviors not only reflect on the individual, but can also affect the
image of the entire team. The good of the squad always comes before any one individual. If it is in the best
interest of the squad that an individual be benched from a performance or removed from the team, the
coach will do so.

Benching: Dancer must attend the activity, dressed in uniform to support the squad, but will not
perform in any routines or sidelines. The decision to pull a dancer from performances will be made
final by the coach.
○ Failure to learn the routine and/or changes to the routine, regardless if the dancer has been
absent or not.
○ Four excused absences in a season.
○ Poor conduct or behavior at any time.

Removal from the Team: The decision to remove a dancer from the team will be made final by the
coach.
○ A dancer that is ineligible due to grades for four consecutive weeks.
○ Three unexcused absences in a season.
○ Eight excused absences in a season.
○ Poor conduct or behavior at any time.

Varsity and Junior Varsity Teams

Depending on the number of prospective members trying out, the team may be divided between Varsity
and Junior Varsity.

Dancers may be switched from Varsity to Junior Varsity or vice versa, at any time through the season
based on attitude, attendance, knowledge of routines, work ethic, respect for authority, and adherence to
the Dance Force Handbook, FHS, and IHSA rules.

Varsity Team
o Summer: Attends camp and practices.
o Fall: Attends practices, performs at Varsity home football games, attends sophomore games
in support of JV.
o Winter: Attends practices, performs at Varsity home basketball games, attends sophomore
games in support of JV, and attends and performs at competitions.

Junior Varsity Team

o Summer: Attends camp and practices.
o Fall: Attends practices, performs at Sophomore home football games, and attends Varsity
games in support of the Varsity team (through half time).
o Winter: Attends practices, performs at sophomore home games, attends varsity basketball
games in support of varsity, and attends and performs at competitions.

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Team Schedule
ALL practices, events, performances, and competitions can be found on the team website under the
calendar tab. This will be updated on a monthly basis.

Summer Camp & Practice:June - August

In addition to skills and technique practice, we will have choreographers teach pom, jazz, and hip
hop routines. These routines will be performed at halftime for football and basketball games
throughout the school year.
o ALL summer practices will be Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 6-9 pm.
o Additional practices may be added in order to learn competition choreography.

Fall Season: August - October

o Practices average 3 days per week: Monday & Tuesday from 6-9 PM, Thursday 3:30-6:30 pm.
o Sophomore football games begin at 5:00 pm, JV performs at halftime.
o Varsity football games begin at 7:30 pm, Varsity performs at halftime.

Winter Season: November - February

o Winter Tryout - time and date TBD.
o Practices average 4-5 days per week, including most Saturdays and over winter break.
o Sophomore and Varsity basketball games, time and dates TBD. Check the athletic calendar
or dance calendar for updated times and dates.
o Competitions on Saturdays and/or Sundays throughout the winter season.
▪ Varsity will compete at up to five competitions, not including Sectionals and possibly
State
▪ JV will compete at up to five competitions.
▪ More information to come at the end of Fall Season.

Throughout the school year, dancers may be required to perform at other school events including:
o Additional athletic events
o Talent Show
o Parades
o Community events
o Dance Force Showcase

Time Commitment
When involved in an additional Fenton sport or activity, time must be split between the two when there are
conflicting practices. In the result of a practice versus a game/contest, the priority is given to the
game/contest. If there are conflicting games/contests, the athlete will choose where he/she is present. It is
the responsibility of the dancer to communicate their schedules with each of their coaches, adequate time
must be given if missing a game or competition in order for the team to adjust choreography and
formations.

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Practices
● Dancers are required to arrive five minutes before the scheduled practice time. Being early is being
on time. Being on time is LATE.
● Popper athletic attire must be worn at all practices.
● Proper undergarments must be worn during practice, i.e. sports bras.
● The proper shoes will always be worn in practice - Jazz shoes and/or Gym Shoes.
● Personal hygiene is extremely important, dancers must be wearing deodorant.
● Hair must be neatly pulled back and out of the face. Hair should be secured for the entire practice.
● NO jewelry is allowed at practice or games.
● No candy or gum is allowed at practice or while in uniform.
● All cell phones must be turned to silent and will not be visited again until practice has ended.
● Only water, sports drinks, and healthy snacks are allowed in practice.
● All videos taken of practice material will be uploaded to the team drive.
● Dancers are required to retain all material rehearsed at the previous practice - dancers must
practice at home, not just at practice!
● Injuries:
○ If the dancer is injured or has been instructed not to participate in physical activities, they
are still required to sit and watch practice. Cell phones will still be turned to silent and
placed in the dancer’s bag until the end of practice.
○ A doctor’s note is required if the dancer plans to sit out of practice for more than 1 week.
○ All braces worn during practices and games must be worn like they are intended.

Games & Competitions

● Dancers are required to arrive five minutes before the scheduled start time. Being early is being on
time. Being on time is LATE.
● If a dancer does not bring the necessary materials or costume pieces, they are subject to being
benched for the performance.
● Routines are allowed to be recorded at games/competitions.
● All members must stay until they are dismissed by the coach.

Fundraisers:
● All dancers are required to attend fundraising events.
● Fundraising benefits the entire program, therefore each dancer must do their part.
● Each member is responsible for advertising each fundraiser to the best of their ability. This may
mean sharing online advertising, sending invites to friends and families in the community, or
handing out flyers during school.
● Fundraising proceeds support team expenses such as equipment, uniforms, choreography, end of
year banquet, and other miscellaneous expenses.
● Please do not let financial issues impact your decision to join the team – the coaches will work with
families and FHS to come up with solutions.
● Please consider working the concession stands for Dance Force with the Athletic Boosters.

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 Fenton Dance Force Program Cost Breakdown

Item Cost Details

Complete payment is due by June 13th.
Cash or Check
Make checks payable to Fenton High School
Camp Fee $150
Money will go towards choreographers & Practice
Wear
Payable to the Bookstore
$50 per season Fall: Due August 15th
Athletic Fee
(Fall and Winter) Winter: Due the first day of winter sports season.
Participation is banned until payment is made.
Fenton High School does sports physicals over the
summer.
Sports Physical $25 - $35
Due by August 15th OR before your current
physical expires

Purchased from our online store.

Due - TBD
Team Gear Prices will Vary
Clothing, Warm-Up Jackets, and Backpacks*
*Backpacks are optional*

Winter Season Only

Competition
$100 - $150 This will be purchased at the beginning of Winter
Costumes
Season
Additional Costs for New Dancers
Due by June 2nd
Places to purchase shoes:
Split Sole Jazz Shoe ● www.dancewearsolutions.com
$35-45
*Color: Tan ● www. discountdance.com
● Dance n Tees store in Schaumburg

Any gym shoe can be used during practices, but

Black Gym Shoes
$55-$75 black gym shoes will be required by the first
with White Sole
performance of the fall season.

Required by the first performance of the fall

Dance Tights $15
season.
Black Athletic Required by the first performance of the fall
$30
Leggings season.
Black Camisole Required by the first performance of the fall
$40
Leotard season.

Skin-Colored Bra Required by the first performance of the fall

$30
with Clear Straps season.
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 Please sign and return after reviewing the handbook
(ONLINE FORM FOUND ON TEAM WEBSITE)

Dancer’s Name: ________________________________________________

I/We, the parent(s) of the above-named, have read the Dance Team handbook and
understand all the requirements and consequences of improper actions. We
understand the coaches have the final say in my/our child’s remaining on the team.
We also realize this is a team effort and that we may be called upon to help in some
ways throughout the year and we will make every effort to do our share of assisting
on behalf of our child.

Parent Signature: _____________________________________ Date: ________________

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As a member of the dance team, I have fully read the handbook and understand what
is expected of me to remain a member in good standing. I will keep myself
knowledgeable, informed of all rules, and realize the consequences of poor behavior
or inappropriate actions may be severe. I will do all I can to uphold the honor and
tradition of the Dance team and respect my team members, my school, and all
persons associated with school spirit at all times.

Dancer Signature: _____________________________________ Date: ________________