Eastview Lightning Dance Team
Philosophy and Handbook


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Purpose and Mission The Eastview Lightning Dance Team is a cooperative group of dancers/athletes who strive to promote the vision of EVHS athletics. The goal is to promote school spirit and involvement, teamwork, dedication, strong work ethic, and respect. A successful team is a result of two things: mutual respect among team members and a common vision about where the team is going.
The mission of the Eastview LDT is to provide dancers with a successful and meaningful educational experience. Team members have personal goals of high academic achievement, increasing their dance ability, learning effective time management, forming strong friendships, and learning to become a valuable team member. The success of this team is due to the incredible dedication from the dancers, parent involvement, and experienced coaches. Dancers exhibit great sportsmanship, positive attitudes toward teammates, competitors, school, and parents. The dancers have the utmost respect for their coaching staff.

The Lightning Dance Team is comprised of two different teams who work separately to achieve the goals of the program. The Junior Varsity team was established to provide a place for young or less experienced dancers to learn the techniques, traditions, and values of the LDT. This is a preparatory program for the Varsity team. The JV team represents the program both in a performance and competition capacity. The Varsity team represents the top dancers at Eastview High School in both a performance and competition capacity. Both teams work very hard to support each other and all other programs at Eastview.
   
Section 1: Selection and EligibilityAll female athletes between the grades of 9-12 are eligible to tryout for the dance team. The LDT Varsity team honors the gifted athlete program as well. The audition process will take place in the spring. A qualified panel of judges will be brought in to assist in selecting the team. Candidates must attend an audition workshop to be familiar with necessary material for auditions.
* All dancers must audition every year.
* No scores or judges sheets will be distributed.
* Dancers making it past the audition process will be placed on the Junior Varsity or Varsity team at the beginning of the fall performance season.
* Final placement decision will be up to the coaching staff and decisions may not be disputed.Fall season: Unless a dancer is found in violation, or is not holding up to the expectations of the team, all members will dance throughout the fall-performance season.
Winter Season: Not each member of the team will dance at every competition. Cuts will be made for each competition based on coaches’ discretion and will only be discussed with the dancer.
 
Section 2: Expectations   Every member of the Lightning Dance Team will be held accountable for her actions at all times. This includes outside of practice. If her actions are not in the best interest of the team or will in anyway jeopardize the goals, expectations, reputation and well being of the team, she will be punished. This takes simple common sense; know the difference between right and wrong. Take PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY to be a strong, trustworthy, and valuable team member.
  • RESPECT: All dancers must show respect to all coaches, team members, administration, and faculty. Respect the school facilities and property.
  • COMMUNICATION: To provide a comfortable and successful environment all lines of communications must be open between coaches, captains, team members, and parents. This is strongly encouraged, if not expected!  
  • DEDICATION: It is expected that when a dancer is in practice that she being giving 100% of her effort at all times. Furthermore she must be at allpractices and events fully prepared.  
  • SUPPORT: All coaches, dancers, and parents are expected to show support to our program as a whole. Without complete support from all groups, we cannot effectively continue to build a strong, cohesive team.  
  • PRIDE: Show pride in your role as a member of the Lightning Dance Team and as representative of Eastview High School. It is an honor to be a part of this strong and successful tradition.
  • Consequences for inappropriate actions and all disciplinary actions will be left up to the discretion of the coaching staff.

Section 3: Practices

  • All practices are MANDATORY!
  • Tardiness is not accepted without a note from a parent, teacher, or administrator.
    Please notify coach prior to an absence for approval via voicemail.
  • Schedule all work, appointments, etc. around dance team practice.
    Proper practice attire is required: leotard, tights, jazz shoes and athletic shoes, hair up, no jewelry, water bottle
  • Please bring inhalers or any other medications to practice each day as necessary. Please bring a doctor’s note to the coach at beginning of the season containing specific instructions of what to do in the case of an emergency.
  • No visitors, parents, or guests are allowed to attend practice without the coach’s permission. 

 
Section 4: Attendance Policy

  • All practices, competitions, and team events are mandatory.
  • Notify coach via voicemail prior to an absence.
  • Coach will determine if an absence is considered excused: (e.g)
  • Funeral
  • Illness (w/doctor’s note)
  • School sponored trip/ activity

      Consequences for missed practices:

  • Absence the week of a meet/competition: pulled from dance. Absence within 3 days of a performance: pulled from dance. If a dancer makes the decision to quit, therefore no longer be a part of the team, she will not be allowed to tryout for the team again. Special circumstances can be arranged for a leave of absence from the team.


Section 5: Concerns/ Conflicts

  • Please go to the coach first with any concerns. This will lead to a quicker solution.
  • Coaching decisions will not be discussed with parents, only with dancers.  

Section 6: Fundraising

  • Each member is expected to take an active role in all fundraisers. Failure to do so will result in consequences of coach’s discretion.
  • All parents are encouraged to regularly attend booster club meetings and take an active role is supporting our team. This will make your experience as part of the LDT even better!


Section 7: Substance Abuse Policy

  • The use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs will not be tolerated.
  • All MSHSL rules will be strictly followed and enforced. 


Section 8: Lettering Policy

  • Those dancers who fulfill the expectations of a Varsity team member will receive their Varsity Letter Award. The coaching staff will determine those members who are deserving of this award.