Introduction

Welcome to the Chisholm Trail Dance Program! I am so excited to meet all the new and returning faces of dance students here at the trail. The dance program strives to not only teach students how to dance but also lifelong skills such as kinesthetic awareness, self expression, social skills, teamwork, organization, self-motivation, and self-discipline. 

The purpose of the CTMS Dance Handbook is to provide a single source of information for students and parents about the dance programs rules and expectations. It is incredibly important that both students and parents thoroughly read through the handbook. It is impossible to cover every detail about this class in one document, so if you have any questions please reach out to me at rachel_stevens@rrisd.org . **Please fill out the acknowledgement form at the end of this document and return it to Ms. Stevens** 

Student Expectations

1. Students will demonstrate good citizenship, be courteous, and will respect teachers, guests, and other students and their property.

2. Students are expected to be on time, to enter the dance room/locker room calmly, to have materials daily, and to participate in the class in a positive manner.

3. No food, drink, gum, or candy in the dance room unless approved by the teacher. Bottled water is allowed in the dance room.

4. Students are expected to dress out for dance class everyday.

5. Students are expected to follow all safety and health procedures.

6. If a student is injured they need to bring the dance teacher a parent or doctor's note to be able to sit out of class. See more information under Injury Protocol.

7. Students understand that lack of participation, required materials, or failing to demonstrate good citizenship could result in exclusion from all trips and social events.

Grading System

Chisholm Trail Middle School Dance uses a grading system that evaluates each student’s progress and work skills (preparation, responsibility, and self-discipline). Grades will be taken in each category below and averaged together for the final nine weeks grade. Failing or missing assignments will receive a grade of zero until completed. Students will be allowed to make up any failed or missing grades until the end of the 9 weeks for full credit (excluding performances).

1. Dressing Out 30% - Every week students will receive a grade for dressing out. Each day of the week counts as 20 points toward this grade. To be considered dressed out students must be wearing their CTMS dance shirt and black leggings or sweatpants. The t-shirt will be purchased through CTMS for $15, but students will need to provide their own black leggings or sweatpants.

2. PERFORMANCES 40 % - These are our performing events throughout the year. This includes Spring Show for all dancers, Intersection for all 7th and 8th graders, and extra performances for Advanced Dance. For more information about performances refer to the Dance Classes section of the handbook.

3. PARTICIPATION 30% - Students begin each week with a 100.  The grade is reduced each time the student is not prepared, does not bring the proper equipment or materials to class, or does not participate in activities. 

Dance Classes

6th Grade Dance/Dance 1: This is the course that all 6th graders who chose dance are put into. The focus in the class is teaching the fundamentals of dance and no previous dance experience is needed. Students learn multiple genres of dance in this course and only have one performance. Dance 1 classes perform at our annual spring show which is held in late April or early May. All performance dates can be found on the dance website that is linked in the campus directory.

7th-8th Dance/Dance 2/3: This is the class that 7th and 8th graders are automatically put into. This class reviews the basics and continues to add on to students' knowledge of dance. This course covers multiple genres of dance and has two performances in the school year. The first performance is called Intersection. Intersection is a district wide dance show at the Raymond Hartfield Performing Arts Center. Intersection takes place at the end of October or the beginning of November, exact dates will be posted on the CTMS dance website. The second performance for this class is our annual spring show which is held in late April or early May. All performance dates can be found on the dance website that is linked in the campus directory.

Advanced Dance: This is an audition based class that is available for 7th and 8th graders. This class is considered Chisholm Trails performance group. Like the two other courses students in this class still learn multiple genres of dance, this class just moves at a faster pace and teaches more advanced skills. Typically Adv. Dance performs four times throughout the year. This class will perform at Intersection in the fall which is a district wide dance show. In the spring semester Adv. Dance will perform at the CTMS’s Spring Show and the Dragonettes Spring Show. All dates will be posted to the dance website which can be found through Chisholm Trails online directory.

Calendar, Attendance Policy,  and Performances

The Dance website has dates that have been set for the year. If any changes need to be made you will be notified as soon as possible.

Dance is a performing art and performances are an extension of class time. It is essential that students participate in all performances. The following attendance policy will be used for performance grades:

• Attendance is required at all performances and scheduled rehearsals.

• Occasionally conflicts arise with other School activities. The directors will work with the corresponding teacher(s) and address conflicts on a case by case basis. As needed the absence will be excused.

• Non-school events are not an excused absence.

• Emergency absences will be treated as excused absences.

• If a student must be absent from any required dance performance, a parent must inform the dance teacher in writing at least 3 weeks prior to the performance for the absence to be excused.

• Students excused from an event or performance will be given an alternate assignment that can be made up for full credit.

• Unexcused absence from a performance or a required rehearsal will result in the student receiving a grade of zero for the event. Students will receive a makeup opportunity, but can only earn up to 70% of the grade.

Injury Protocol

1. We understand getting hurt or being sore is normal for an athlete. The safety and well being of our dancers is the top priority. If a dancer is not feeling up to their normal standard we will ask them to do their best. We ask that dancers sit out if it is a serious injury or high risk situation.

2. Parent note - lasts 3 days, then must have a doctor or trainer note. 

3. A Cedar Ridge trainer will be available at RMS once a week and will be communicated with to set up appointments for athletes

4. Doctors' notes will be respected and followed. Once the date expires, another note must be obtained. Only a doctor can release the dancer after the initial note. 

5. If a dancer is injured they must still dress out every day and will have an additional paper or digital assignment for the day.

6. If you are hurt, gauge your pain and keep your instructor informed.