Cypress Lakes Sterling Stars Parent Tryout Meeting

1. Cypress Lakes Sterling StarsParent Tryout Meeting Monday, November 18th 7:30 PM

2. Directors Lindsey Housson, Assistant Director Annette Stark, Director

3. Cypress Lakes Sterling Stars2013-2014

4. Sterling Star Officers Dance Officers 2013-2014 Social Officers 2013-2014

5. Tryout Process • Students will attend tryout workshops to learn and prepare all tryout material. • Mon., Dec. 2 Learn Tryout Dance • Tue., Dec. 3 Tryout Dance Practice • Wed., Dec. 4 Mock Tryout Practice • Thur., Dec. 5 Tryouts

6. Tryout Process Cont. • Students will take a constitution test over the CFISD District and Cypress Lakes Sterling Star constitutions. • This test accounts for 10% of total tryout score. • You can access both constitutions on the Sterling Star website. Listed under “forms” section. • www.sterlingstars.org

7. Tryout Process Cont. • Tryouts will be performed on Thursday, December 5th from 3:00 PM until each group has had the opportunity to perform. • A common district scoring criteria will be used (based upon 100 points). • There is no set number of candidates to be chosen. • There is a panel of 3 qualified judges. Neither Ms. Stark nor Mrs. Housson will judge.

8. Tryout Process Cont. • Prospective members are selected on the basis of: • Constitution Test (10 Points) • Poise/ Personal Presentation (10 Points) • Showmanship/ Projection (10 Points) • Rhythm (10 Points) • Kicks (20 Points) • Skills (10 Points) • Memory (10 Points) • Technique (10 Points) • Overall Impression (10 Points) • The decision of the judges is final.

9. What happens next? • Schedule will be changed Spring Semester to 2nd period “Twinkie” Class. • $250.00 Equipment Fee Deposit Due by January 15th. • Get Physical Exam: • This needs to be done by Monday, January 13th. • There is a physical exam form listed in the forms section of our website. • www.sterlingstars.org • Dates for contests and spring show: • CFISD Showoffs: January 25th • Contest Date: Klien Oak Feb. 14-15 • Shine Spring Show: May 2nd and 3rd • Twinkies will be inducted as official Sterling Stars in May at our annual StarStruck Ball. • StarStruck Ball: May 30th

10. Financial Information • Fulfill ALL financial obligations. • No refunds for equipment fees. • Must Pay BEFORE receiving services or equipment. • Payment Plan: January – August • $250.00 Initial Deposit Jan. 15 • $100.00 per month February to July • Remaining balance due in August • All fees due no later than AUGUST! If fees are not paid in full in August, the Star will not dance until account is paid off. • There are also occasional small miscellaneous expenses for t-shirts, social events, new tights, etc. • The first year in Sterling Stars is the most expensive.

11. Sterling Stars First Year “Twinkies” Order Form 2013-2014 School Year Form Due: January 15th Name: _________________________ Everything on this list is MANDATORY. Items are non-refundable if a member leaves the team for any reason. Sterling Stars First Year “Twinkies” Order Form 2013-2014 School Year Form Due: January 15th Name: _________________________ Everything on this list is MANDATORY. Items are non-refundable if a member leaves the team for any reason. Description Cost Total Choreography/Clinicians $125 Costume Supply Fund $50 Banquet – member only $50 Team Activities Fee $50 T-shirts for the Year $60 Tote Bag – personalized $40 Make up Bag $20 Field Shoes $36 Team Earrings (2 pr.Recommended) $10 Team Make Up $35 Top #1 $35 Top #2 $40 Jazz Pants $32 Capris $24 Boy Cut Shorts $18 Body Tight $24 Sports Bra $18 Tan Tights $13 Warm Up Jacket $70 Warm Up Pants $45 Hoodie Set $30 Grand Total$825 Optional Items Car Decal $15 Yard Sign $20 ALL checks payable to: Cypress Lakes High School Due by the 1st of each month Jan $250 Feb $100 March $100 April $100 May $100 June $100 July $100 August – before school starts, ALL balances must be PAID IN FULL or MEMBER WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO DANCE IN ANY PERFORMANCES! ALL checks payable to: Cypress Lakes High School Due by the 1stth of each month Jan $250 Feb $100 March $100 April $100 May $100 June $100 July $100 August – before school starts, ALL balances must be PAID IN FULL or MEMBER WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO DANCE IN ANY PERFORMANCES!

12. Expectations / Requirements • Daily attendance is essential for any precision performance by a drill team. • Absences from any dance/ drill team activity are unexcused except for the following: • Extreme illness or accident • Wedding in the family • Funeral or death in the family • Special school activities with PRIOR permission from director • Drill Team Members are School Representatives and must follow CFISD Code of Conduct. • Physical exam EACH school year. • Twinkies will have to get a physical in January and a NEW physical before school starts in August.

13. Communication • Communication from the Directors is given directly to the STARS through various means. This teaches them responsibility. • Text Message Program • Team Meetings • Communication to Parents is given primarily through a booster club liaison by email.

14. Performance Seasons • Drill Team is a YEAR-ROUND activity. • Summer Training • June and July • Mandatory week BEFORE school starts in August. • Football Season • August - November • Contest Season • December – March • Spring Show • April - May

15. Performances Cont. • Each member will tryout for each dance. • Making the team does not mean that your child will dance in all dances or performances. • Our team performs a wide variety of dance styles. • Some members may be stronger at some types of dance than others. (ex. High kick) Therefore, your child may not make every dance while on drill team.

16. Practices • Practice Monday through Friday 6:15 AM through 1st Period (8:00). One day after school each week. • Attend ALL Varsity football games, contests, etc. • Occasional weekend functions and practices. • Evenings during Spring Show rehearsal.

17. Time Commitment • Drill team is a TEAM activity, so each member must be present for all rehearsals and performances. • If an absence occurs with a performance that week, regardless of the circumstance, the performer will be pulled from the performance.

18. Additional Items • Dance experience helps, but is not necessary to make the team. • Dance experience does not guarantee you a spot on the dance team. • All members follow a STRICT disciplinary system. • There is no standard of appearance required (height, hair length, weight, etc.)

19. Eligibility • Each girl must be PASSING all classes at the end of six weeks in order to maintain eligibility. • State Law according to UIL side-by- side. • There are several waivable upper level courses. Each waiver may be used ONCE per semester.

20. Drill Team Philosophy • Drill team is a means of transforming children into young adults by means of competitive dancing on a team. • They learn to develop tools that will help them become successful in many different facets of life. • They learn to work towards a common goal no matter the number of obstacles they may face. • Drill team teaches responsibility, self control, respect, and kindness. • The Cypress Lakes Sterling Stars is an exemplary organization with the highest of standards.

21. Contact Information • Important Questions or Concerns: • Annette Stark, Director • annette.stark@cfisd.net • Financial or Account Information: • Lindsey Housson, Assistant Director • Lindsey.housson@cfisd.net • Calendar, Daily News, Forms, Etc: • Sterling Stars Website • www.sterlingstars.org