2016-2017 Dance/Cheer Team Try-Out Information Thank you for your interest in the RHS spirit squads.

Eligibility/Grades You must have a 2.0 GPA to attend clinic and tryouts. No exceptions! We will check fall 2015 grades. Must be enrolled or pre enrolled at RHS. Must not have quit or been dismissed from a squad in the past, unless there was an extreme circumstance beyond the participants control.

What you need for tryouts Eligibility (grades and registration) Give each of your core teacher’s a recommendation form to fill out for you. They will turn them in to their school office and will be a part of your overall score. (You can pick up the teacher rec. forms at the end of this meeting) A physical must be completed and turned in if the school does not already have a current one on file for you by the first day of clinic. Please use the form provided. The following forms must be turned in by all participants on the first day of clinic. Student Information Sheet Physical- if it is not already on file Bring $1 if you want a cd copy of the music

Try-Out Information Dance Tryout Clinic – March 15th (3:45-6:00) Optional practice day March 16th (3:45-6) Tryouts- March 17th (3:45-7?) Cheer Tryout Clinic – March 16th (3:45-6:00) Optional practice day March 17th (3:45-6) Tryouts- March 18th (3:45-9?) You are not required to come for the practice day but if you do senior team members will be available to assist on those days. Clinic and Try-outs will be in the RHS Gyms You are expected to stay at the clinic the whole time. No parents, No friends, No videotaping during these times.

Clinic Info Uniform for the week is a plain white t-shirt or tank, and blue or black shorts. As well as appropriate footwear. Shoes with laces or dance shoes with a ball and heal sole. (Paws are not allowed) Hair should be pulled back, out of face. No gum or jewelry allowed. Nails should be cut. (AAA) Cheer/Dance music will be available on CD for $1.00.

Can I tryout for both teams? You may choose to try out for both teams. You would then have to participate in both clinics. If you choose to try out for both teams, coaches will determine placement.

Cheer Technique Requirements: Running Tumbling: RO Back hand spring Series ROBHS with Tuck/Layout/full Standing Tumbling: Back handspring Back Tuck Jumps Toe Touch Left/Right Hurdler Front Hurdler Pike Double Toe Touch Stunts Willingness to learn and perform in various positions for stunts as needed by the team and assigned by the coach Cheer Memory/Pace Technique Placement Voice Confidence Dance Rhythm Motions Memory Confidence *Right and left splits will also be judged

Dance Technique Requirements: Turns: Double/Triple pirouette Turns in second Leaps: Leaps in second Right and left leaps Calypso Kicks Low, mid, high Inside/Outside fan Performance Showmanship Energy Ability to engage audience Confidence Pom Jumps Toe touch *Right and left splits will also be judged

Tryout Score Sheets Cheer Score Sheet: HERE Dance Score Sheet: If you make cheer or dance there will be a parent meeting April 12th in the lecture hall at 6pm for all important forms and dates

The membership of each spirit squad will be determined by the coaches, What if I didn’t make it? The membership of each spirit squad will be determined by the coaches, and the decision is final. Following tryouts, evaluations, judging, or results will not be discussed with parents in any manner. If a candidate did not make either team and wishes to view their scores, he/she has five school days to request to do so. After that time period, all evaluations will be destroyed.

Freshmen Cheer and Dance All members of the freshmen cheer and dance teams will compete in the Fall. Freshmen spirit squads will cheer at all freshmen home and away football games (Thursdays) and for home and away girls and boys basketball games on Mondays and Thursdays. The number of members will be determined by a natural break in the scores.

JV/Varsity Cheerleading Squad The Cheer team will be made up of 10th-12th graders All sophomores will cheer at the home and Heritage Sophomore and Junior Varsity Football games (Mondays) and select Varsity home games. Sophomores will also cheer at Home Junior Varsity Basketball games on Tuesdays and Fridays. They may also be required to stay to perform at some varsity basketball half times. Juniors and Seniors will cheer at home and away Varsity football games (Friday nights) and home and away Varsity basketball games (Tuesday and Friday’s) The size of the squads will be determined by a natural break in tryout scores.

Competition Cheer Team The competition team will be determined and posted at tryouts. The competition team members will have additional practice times (morning and/or Thursday afternoon) and go to 4 Competitions. Mandatory dates for competition cheerleaders are Choreography clinic on August 6th (Varsity Competition cheerleaders) and a Choreography clinic (TBA) for Freshmen cheerleaders. Cheer camp on July 21-22. Missing (3+) competition practices for any reason will automatically result in removal of competition team. There will be a spot on the tryout information sheet to select if you are interested in trying out for competition cheer or just sideline for 10-12th graders. Next years competition dates are November Fayetteville December 10th Bentonville December 17th Hot Springs

Mountie Royals Dance Team The Dance team will be made up of 10th-12th graders All sophomores will cheer at the home and Heritage Sophomore and Junior Varsity Football games (Mondays) and some select Varsity football games. Sophomores will also cheer at Home Junior Varsity Basketball games on Tuesdays and Fridays. They may also be required to stay to perform at some varsity basketball half times. Juniors and Seniors will cheer at home and away Varsity football and basketball games (Tuesdays and Fridays). The size of the squads will be determined by a natural break in tryout scores.

Competition Dance Team The competition team will be determined and posted at tryouts. Members will be selected based on their technical and performance skills . **Members on the competition team will be evaluated in May to determine which routine(s) they will be selected to perform in by the coach and choreographer(s). Members will be REQUIRED to attend the choreography practices on May 31st – June 3rd. (tentative and subject to change…..) More practices will be scheduled at the end of summer. Dates/Times-TBA at the new squad parent meeting. The competition team members will have additional practices on Tuesday evenings once school begins. Additional practices on Thursday evenings will most likely occur closer to competitions. We will attend at least 2 regional competitions and a state competition . These will start at the beginning of October and conclude with the state competition on November 12th.

Additional Responsibilities You will have many other duties besides cheering at your assigned football and basketball games including making and hanging signs, flags, and baking for the football and basketball teams. As spirit squad members, you represent the community and are expected to serve at several community events through the year. We will also try to support other sports at RHS when we can.

Expectations #1: Promote school spirit, good sportsmanship, and a positive attitude at all times. The tentative practice schedule will be followed, but is subject to change. Calendars will usually be given out a month in advance. Outside activities (Including Work and doctor appointments) will need to be planned around this calendar. Members of the RHS spirit squads are expected to be model citizens at all times. Every team member is to master all cheers, chants, and routines. This will require additional individual practice outside of out schedules practices. Team members must cooperate with coaches, offices, teachers, administrators, and fellow students and teammates. Everyone must attend all practices, events, and other activities. They are to follow the team rules, AAA rules, and school rules, and understand the consequences of not following these rules. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.

Summer Camp/Competition choreography Dates Dance Team UDA technique camp May 25, 26, and 27 @ RHS gym ALL DAY- times TBA Competition Dance MANDATORY choreography camp- May 31st – June 3rd (tentative) @RHS gym 9:00-4:00 Cheer Stunt Clinics April 13, 27, May 11, and 18(3:34-5:45pm at RHS) Cheer Team Camp July 21st and 22nd 8am-4pm at Springdale HS Varsity Cheer Competition Choreography Clinic August 6th @RHS 8am-1pm

Freshmen Summer Schedule Freshmen Cheer Freshmen Dance Stunt Clinics April 13 and 27, May 11 and 18 3:35-5:45pm at RHS Practices Summer You Tube Videos Fall TBD Camp July 21 and 22 Camp May 25, 26, and 27 Choreography August 13th 9am-1pm August 2-5 after work week Work Week August 1st-12th 8am-10am Fundraiser August 4th Fundraiser TBD 6 week tumbling clinic Tuesdays July 12- August 16th *unless already enrolled in tumbling classes Conditioning (4 out of 6) starts July 12 each Tues. and Thurs. in July

Summer Practices All Cheer will have conditioning every Tuesday and Thursday in July starting July 12. Cheerleaders must attend 4 out of the 6 planned dates, failure to do so will result in make up conditioning every day of work week in August. Work Week is mandatory. It will be August 1st through the 12th from 8-10am During work week, we will prepare for football season as well as kick off and fall competition. DO NOT PLAN A VACATION IN AUGUST or last week of JULY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Freshmen cheer and dance will have YouTube videos of all the cheers and dances to learn on their own time during the summer.

Time Requirements The cheer and dance teams have the largest time commitment of all sports. We volunteer for a variety of activities year round. We serve the community!! We are leaders!! Practices are during class time for all squads, after school, and sometimes early mornings for all squads. Members are expected to dress out every day in class for practice. All team members are required to attend all practices, camps, games, competitions, and other events. These are mandatory. Two unexcused absences can result in dismissal . Remember, you “commit” for the whole year!! We expect you to honor that commitment.

Dual Sports Spirit squad members have the opportunity to participate in other sports. However, since the membership on the team is voluntary and all year, this must be priority over any non- school related activities. (i.e. club sports, all- star cheer, dance company) This is especially true during competition season. This will be handled on an individual basis. If you are in a 7th hour spirit class, you must stay in 7th hour class until basketball season is over at the end of February.

Expenses You will be required to purchase certain Item each year. (Shoes, bloomers, warm up, spirit clothes, etc.) You are not required to replace any items that you have in good condition. You will also have to pay for summer camp and choreography fees. Competition Cheer camp/choreography- $150 Freshmen Cheer- $150 All Cheer- $40 (stunt clinics) Competition Dance choreography (varies) $20- $120 All Dance- $179 (UDA summer camp) We will offer fundraising opportunities for members to pay for or to offset the cost of participating in spirit squads. More information will be given after the squads are selected.

Fundraising Fundraising is mandatory for all members of the spirit teams 10-12th grade cheerleaders and dancers Chicken Cook July 23rd 9-12th grade cheerleaders Natural Fundraiser August 4th at 7pm

QUESTIONS?