The Westlake Dance Department Mission Statement:

The Westlake Dance Department provides an all-encompassing environment for students of various dance skill and interest levels, offering classes across a spectrum from a simple class for fun to one with a rigorous curriculum.  In doing this, we will attract students from various backgrounds, foster a multi-faceted appreciation for dance, produce well-trained dancers, and provide society with individuals eager to impact the world.

Make sure to follow our Dance Department social media on Instagram! 

@whsdancedepartment

Syllabus

WESTLAKE DANCE DEPARTMENT

Mrs. Lindsay Joe and Ms. Madison Cashion 

CONFERENCE HOURS:  Monday through Friday 2:30-3:15 PM

Phone:  732-9280 X33999    E-mail: ljoe@eanesisd.net or mcashion@eanesisd.net

REQUIRED DANCE ATTIRE

• A fitted top with appropriate undergarments. No oversized t shirts or crop tops or sports bras only

• Leggings or athletic shorts.  No long loose pants that you could trip on. 

• Tan jazz shoes/Dance Paws/Turners. (These can be purchased on Amazon or at Dancer’s Closet or Capezio). Tennis shoes will be allowed when learning hip hop dances. Cover ups are allowed for warm up. Please label jazz shoes!

OTHER REQUIRED ITEMS

• Please bring your own lock to lock up your dance clothes. We will issue you a locker and you MUST lock your items up!

• Journal 

• School issued ipad for days we film

• Join our google classroom for important information and announcements!

  • Dance 1: sumul6vw

  • Dance 2: 6e5glwld

  • Dance 3: dolpp5kx

DANCE/ATHLESURE CLOTHING STORES

Amazon, Target, Wal-Mart, Dancer’s Closet, Capezio, Academy, Lululemon, Athleta, etc.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS AND GOALS

Dance courses are designed to teach skills in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and ballet dance styles.  Choreography will be introduced in dance I and will become increasingly important in the upper level courses.  All classes will have mandatory performances in both the fall and spring semesters.  Dance team curriculum will be covered in the fall semester for those interested in auditioning for Hyline/Star Steppers. (Audition dates are Nov 17-20)

GOALS

1. To be able to execute dance steps appropriate to class level.

2. To learn to appreciate dance in its various forms.

3. To establish a dance vocabulary appropriate to the class level.

4. To improve overall physical coordination, balance, flexibility and fitness.

SICK POLICY

If you are ill/injured and are present in dance class…

1. Check in with the teachers first and sit in roll call for attendance. Then you can sit on the side and write a written dance report. You may handwrite (provide your own pen and paper) or use your ipad. For full credit your paper must be turned in or emailed prior to the end of class.  

2. You are only allotted a maximum of three sit out days before your grade is affected.

ABSENCE POLICY

Please get with a classmate or one of your teachers to learn the material you missed when absent BEFORE class. 

DISCIPLINE MANAGEMENT

Students must participate fully, or points will be deducted.  Effort is a must! No leaving before the bell rings and please stay off cheer mats. No food or drink (besides water) allowed in the gym including days we don't dance.

TARDY POLICY

Roll call will take place 5 minutes after the bell rings. You will need to be completely dressed with shoes on, hair up, and seated in your roll call lines. You will lose 1 per day you are tardy.

GRADING SYSTEM

Weekly participation (70%) and skills tests (30%)

• Please note that effort and participation are the majority of your grade in dance. You may lose up to 3 points per day.

POSSIBLE (but not limited to) DEDUCTIONS

missing dance bottoms = 1 point

missing dance top = 1 point

missing journal entry = 1 point

gum = 1 point

hair not pulled back = 1 point 

tardy to roll call lines = 1 point

talking or unenthusiastic = 1-3 point each

lack of effort = 1-3 points

cell phone in class = 3 points (and warning, call home, ISS)

Dress rehearsals for Spotlight/Zenith are mandatory and points will be deducted if you are absent. Additionally, students are asked to help publicize for the spring show, Zenith. Dancers will be issued a Zenith Tshirt to wear to school on the Mondays in April leading up to the show.  Students are asked not to wear a sweatshirt that covers up the shirt if cold in their classes but instead an open zip up or sweater. Students receive a major grade for this publicity assignment.

Note:  It is easy to calculate a weekly grade.  If a student were tardy on Monday, chewing gum on Tuesday 

and missing pants on Friday, the grade would have a total of 3 points deducted.  This would equal an 80 for the weekly grade.  

Dance grades conversion chart

15 point week 12 point week

(5 days) (4 days)

15 = 100 12 = 100

14 = 93 11 = 92

13 = 87 10 = 83

12 = 80 9 = 75

11 = 73 8 = 67

10 = 67 7 = 58

9 = 60 6 = 50

8 = 53 5 = 42

7 = 47 4 = 33

6 = 40

5 = 33

Class Calendar

These dates are mandatory:

Spotlight- Nov. 4  7:00 pm (with dress rehearsal after school on Nov 3) 

Zenith- April 16-18   7:30 pm (perform all 3 nights)