MVHS DANCE - Dance Course Policy

Dance Syllabus

Your student is currently enrolled in the Monte Vista High School Dance Program in one of the following class levels:

Introduction to Dance - Beginning level class for any interested 9-12th grade student. No dance experience or audition necessary, just sign up!

Dance Composition A/B - An Intermediate class for those with dance experience in a variety of styles. Here, students will learn and improve the aspects of dance composition (choreography) all while improving their technique. Open to 9-12 graders. Audition required.

Dance Production A/B -An advanced class for the more experienced dancer with established dance technique in multiple genres. Here, students build upon choreography and teaching to better perform and produce their pieces. Open to 9-12 graders. Audition required.

Dance Performance A/B - An Intermediate/Advanced performance-based class where students learn dance technique and prepare for a variety of school wide performances. Open to 9-12 graders. Audition required.

Dance Company A/B - These are the most experienced dancers with outstanding technical skills in a variety of dance styles. Dance Company further builds upon choreography, production and teaching. Students are leaders in the program. They further develop their skills for beyond the classroom, creating more professional works similar to actual dance companies. Open to 11-12th graders only. Audition required.

All dance classes are UC approved and can be taken for P.E. or Fine Arts Credits toward graduation requirements.

**Freshmen can only take this class for Fine Arts Credits**

The Monte Vista Dance Program is an opportunity for students to explore their creativity and continue to pursue their passion for dance. Students in all of our dance classes will learn many aspects of putting on a show including choreography, costume design, lighting design, directing, and performing. Our multifaceted program offers our dancers a wide variety of dance styles and performance opportunities.

Grading Scale

Basis of Grade

Grades will be based on degree of student engagement throughout both physical and intellectual activities.

CLASSWORK

By its nature, most dance coursework is done IN CLASS. Daily points will be earned by meeting the class expectations below.

1. Be Present:

In class activities ARE our classwork and the basis for course credit. Students must be present and participate IN CLASS to earn credit for each day.
As such, an absence from class or non-participation in class, for any reason, means the student has not yet earned credit for that day’s classwork.
Students absent or unable to participate for an excused reason will be given regular opportunities to MAKE UP missed physical activity and related credit during Student Support.

2. Be On Time:

Students will be given 5 minutes to change at the start of class.
Students will be considered tardy if not seated in their roll call spot when I begin taking roll.
Assignments are to also be completed on time. Missed in-class written and performance based activities are expected to be completed upon return. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate about what is missed and determine, with the teacher, an appropriate timeline for submission.
Late assignments will be accepted with a 10% decrease in grade for each day late.

3. Be Respectful: This includes. . .

- Respecting the teacher, other students, class spaces and materials

- Listening to and following instructions

- No use of cell phones or other electronics, unless requested by teacher for a class activity.

- No consumption of food, gum, or beverages during class time. (Water is ok!)

4. Participate In All Activities To The Best Of Your Ability: This includes. . .

- Following Directions and staying together with the class as we work through activities.

- Participating in a variety of activities with a willing and open attitude.

- Working with the teacher to adapt activities as necessary and when possible, in the case of illness or injury, to allow for uninterrupted education. Please see page on Illness and Injury for more info.

5. Be Prepared to Participate in Your Dance Uniform:

In accordance with CA Ed Code, students are expected to change into a standardized PE “uniform” for hygiene, safety, and movement efficiency purposes.

Students may choose to bring their own uniform items as outlined below

OR a DANCE Uniform is available for purchase in the Girl's P.E. office throughout the year. Accepted forms of payment include cash, checks made out to MV Friends of Dance, or you can zelle: mvhsfriendsofdance@gmail.com

Purchases can also be made on the MVHS Future Fund site, if preferred:

https://mvhigh.futurefund.com/store

Black T-Shirt: Students may wear the Black MVHS DANCE t-shirt, any other solid Black t-shirt of their choosing, presuming it is similar in length, neckline, and sleeve. Students may also wear any of the colored dance shirts (this year is light pink) in lieu of the black dance shirt. A sweatshirt may be worn over this t-shirt if cold.

Solid Black Athletic Bottoms: Students should wear solid BLACK athletic bottoms that allow for a full range of movement and appropriate coverage throughout all movements may be worn. Shorts are discouraged, but if worn, must provide adequate coverage for participation in all class activities.

Jazz Shoes/Turners: Students will need jazz shoes and/or turners for the show and should be wearing them in class. Dancers may choose to go barefoot or wear socks as well, but if they are newer to dance, it is recommended they practice in the appropriate footwear. Links to these are under the uniform/costume tab.

6. Complete and submit all class assignments:

Dancers will be given several written and performance based assignments throughout the year that they will be given time in class to complete. Occasionally, students will need to complete these assignments at home and submit them in class the following day or week. There will be a combination of individual work and group work assigned throughout the semester.

REHEARSALS AND SHOWS

All dancers will participate in our Fall and Spring Shows. Dance Company will also perform in the SRV Benefit Show, for a total of 3 shows. Dance is a co-curricular class and much of the final grade will be determined upon the participation and execution after school in our mandatory rehearsals and shows.

Points are earned for:

Attending all rehearsals and shows.
Preparedness at all rehearsals and shows with all costumes, dance shoes, accessories, props and any other hair/makeup requirements.
Demonstrating effort and improvement through verbal and visual critiques in the rehearsal process.
Demonstrating professionalism with all stage crew and maintaining the cleanliness of the theatre and all dressing room areas.
Respect and appropriate behavior in the designated classrooms being utilized as dressing rooms.
Striking our set at the closing night of each show. Students will be expected to carry out the specific assigned job for cleaning up the theatre at the end of our closing night before they are excused.

Materials

MVHS DANCE T-Shirt: Students may wear the Black Dance t-shirt, the special color Dance Shirt, or any other MV Dance Shirt from past years and shows. A sweatshirt may be worn over this t-shirt if cold.

Solid Black Athletic Bottoms: Students should wear solid BLACK athletic bottoms that allow for a full range of movement and appropriate coverage throughout all movements may be worn. Shorts are discouraged, but if worn, must provide adequate coverage for participation in all class activities.

Jazz Shoes/Turners: Students will need jazz shoes and/or turners for the show and should be wearing them in class. Dancers may choose to go barefoot or wear socks as well, but if they are newer to dance it is recommended they practice in the appropriate footwear. Links to these are under the uniform/costume tab.
Combination Lock: Students will be assigned a locker to use during class. Lockers must be secured at all times with a combination lock.

Locker Room Policies

The locker room rules are in place and enforced for the safety and security of all students.

Students shall use ONLY their assigned locker. Use of an unassigned locker may result in the student’s lock being cut and locker contents being placed in lost and found.

ALL items must be secured IN A LOCKED LOCKER at all times, using a combination lock. For the safety and security of all students, bags left out in the locker room during class time may be confiscated, held in a PE office, and result in consequences. Students are responsible for the security of their own items.

Use of any electronic device able to take pictures, video or audio recordings, including a cell phone, in this setting is prohibited.
To allow for appropriate supervision, the locker room is only accessible during passing periods, brunch, and the first and last 5 minutes of each period. Please plan accordingly, if you know you need to leave early. Do NOT leave a lunch in your PE locker, as you will not be able to access it at that time.
Student athletes will not be issued a sports locker in the girl's locker room, as P.E. teachers are not able to open the locker room during class time. Student athletes in need of a sports locker should see the attendance office to be issued a locker in the 500 building, which is accessible all day for those athletes needing to leave school early or get their things throughout the day.

Student Support

Learn how student support works HERE ↓

Student Support- Responsive Scheduling.pdf

Link to Mrs. Siegel's Student Support Offerings will be posted in google classroom and on the bulletin board outside of the dance room.

Illness and Injuries

Ouch! I'm injured! What now?

Students earn PE class credit for physically participating in class activities. Most activities can be adapted to students’ specific needs to allow for uninterrupted physical education.

In the very rare case that a student truly cannot participate in any modified form of physical activity during class time. They will not earn course credit for that day(s), but will be given opportunity to complete the missed work, once well, as in the case of an absence.

Examples of Modified Activities:

Walking, Upper body exercises only, Lower body exercises only, No Use of Right Wrist, Stretching at the barre, Physical Therapy Exercises, and more!

With the guidance of Mrs. Mello, our sports med teacher, there are many other valuable resources we can use to monitor and allow for students to work on injury recovery during class time. We can work together to make this a valuable experience for you student to work on their recovery, WHILE still earning credit for class!

Notes (Doctor OR Parent):

In an effort to ensure such education and associated class credit, it is imperative that any note due to an injury or other medical concern, MUST clarify SPECIFICALLY what the student CAN or CANNOT do. Please see the sample doctor's form linked below.
In accordance with CA Ed Code 3240283: Complete excusal or “NO PE” should be reserved for extreme cases in which absolutely no modified physical activity (even walking or other exercises utilizing alternate, non-injured limbs) is advisable for student safety. In such cases means for continuing to earn physical education credit will be explored.
Again, in the very rare case that a student truly cannot participate in any modified form of physical activity during class time. They will not earn course credit for that day(s), but will be given opportunity to complete the missed work, once well, as in the case of an absence. If you have sustained such an injury, please see the resource below, titled "MVHS Procedures and Policies for Students out for 5 weeks or longer"

Resources:

Optional Doctor's Form to Clarify Restricted Activity -

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EIVY4EcoO61LJ-QrMp-Wk_F_XjKHBldd/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113455755656051470670&rtpof=true&sd=true

MVHS Procedures and Policies for Students out for 5 weeks or longer -

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-VXYiUG_QLqZU2xXosb9SFGR9JgH5ZKQ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113455755656051470670&rtpof=true&sd=true

Acknowledgment of Course Policies - Students and Parents Sign Here!

Dance Acknowledgement of Course Policies