EAST Middle Parent Meeting Information

EMSDT PARENT MEETING

Dear Dancers & Parents,

Welcome to Year 3 of the East Middle School Dance Team and Year 2 of our Elementary Team! We are so excited to continue building on the strong foundation we’ve created with such a talented and passionate group of dancers.

Each season brings new growth, new goals, and new opportunities to strengthen our team culture. We are proud of how far these programs have come and can’t wait to see our dancers continue to grow in skill, confidence, and teamwork.

Get ready to work hard, shine bright, and support one another every step of the way. The best is yet to come, and we are so excited for this season ahead!

With pride and excitement,

Coach Grace & Mrs. Tiffany

Contact Info:

Tiffany Shirley:

tiffanybshirley@gmail.com

(502) 296-8433

Grace Becker:

grace.becker@bullitt.kyschools.us

(502) 529-1753

Practice Schedule during school year:

Mondays and Wednesdays right after school, 3:30-4:45 pm (Wednesdays only through end of the school year)

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Summer Schedule: 

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2:45-4:45pm JAZZ & HIP HOP TEAM 

Monday, June 8th , 2:45-4:45pm GAMEDAY & SIDELINE TEAM

Wednesday, June 10th, 2:45-4:45pm GAMEDAY & SIDELINE TEAM

June 16th -24th NO PRACTICE ESPA NATIONALS

June 25th-July 9th Dead period - NO PRACTICES / NO Coach communication per KHSAA guidelines.*

Monday, July 13th,  2:45-4:45pm GAMEDAY & SIDELINE TEAM

Wednesday, July 15th, 2:45-4:45pm JAZZ & HIP HOP TEAM

Monday, July 20th, 1:45- 3:45pm GAMEDAY & SIDELINE TEAM

Summer Team Intensive - $165 per dancer - ALL DANCERS

July 27th - 9am - 1:30pm

July 28th - 9am - 1:30pm

July 29th - 9am - 1:30pm

Monday, August 3rd, 2:45-4:45pm ALL TEAMS

Wednesday, August 5th, 2:45-4:45pm  ALL TEAMS 

**********Regular season schedule begins, Wednesday August 12th**********

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SportsYou Group App: ALL communications can be found here.  Middle School: 

Code: QQLD-YWVG

This is where we will post practice and performance videos, make announcements, and send out team details.

Elementary School SportsYou:

Code: 4C8G-7WA2

This is where we will post practice and performance videos, make announcements, and send out team details.

See Elementary Tab for more elementary details: CLICK HERE! 

Costs:

• Black Nike Shoes (Click here for shoe link) , Skirt (Click here for girls skirt link) ,  Womens Skirt (Click here for womens skirt link) Black Leggings (high waisted - can wear ones you already have - no specfic brand required), Black skirt, wrist weights (2lb without thumb hole so can be worn on wrist or ankle). 

  • Cost vary

• Hip Hop & Jazz Costumes

  • Cost - TBD

• Game Day Competition Costumes & Jazz costumes; these will be rented

  • $75 for the season (Due May)

• Music Fee

  • $25 per person (Due June)

• Additional Team Fees

  • $25 pictures - (Due June)

  • Comp fees  - plan is to covered by fundraisers! Buyout option will be available if perfer not to participate in fundraising.

• Backpacks (optional)

  • $55 (Due June if ordering)

• Team Jacket (required, Due June)

  • $55

• Pom rental

  • $25 per person (Due July)

OPTIONAL MERCH - SEE IMAGES AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE FOR OPTIONS. 

Fundraising:

• Sponsorship Letter 

  • Will share on SportsYou

• Coupon Books (Coming end of July)

• Saturday, Aug. 15th, 2026 MW Roadblock

• Gift card fall wreath 

• Bake Sales (Dates TBA)

• SummerFest / Harvest Homecoming / Spring Festival 

Competitions Teams ONLY :  Sideline team doesnt compete - only attends football games unless an alternate. (Subject to change as dates are announced)

November 7th DTU Comp @ Floyd Central 

KDCO Comp @ BC HS Date TBA

December 5th Manual Classic Comp @ Manual 

December 12th - Showcase @ MWMS

Jan 16th DTU Comp @ Eastern HS

Feb - KCDO State Comp in Frankfort, KY - Date TBA

Nationals  Middle School ELITE TEAM ONLY

DTU National Championship - March 4th-7th, Orlando, FL at Orange County Convention Center

Requirements:

• Highly recommend 1 hour min. of technique each week; this class can be taken at the studio of your choice. If taken at Emergence cost is $85 billed directly through studio in parent portal. 

• All parents-- please make a parent portal through ESPA to sign a practice waiver 

Team Rules:

• School Grade and school attendance Policy

  • If you have an F on a weekly Wednesday grade report from school you will be ineligible that week.

  • If you have an F for 4 consecutive weekly Wednesday grade reports school requires we remove you from the roster. 

  • Must have no more than 6 unexcused absences. 

• All practices are mandatory! Unless Absent from school - per school rules you cannot practice.

• All dancers must be changed and stretched before practice time begins

• Good behavior, a respectful attitude, and practice etiquette must be followed

• Team members cannot randomly correct other dancers; corrections come from coaches only

• Proper practice clothes and shoes are required 2 weeks into the season

• No gum in practice

• No dangly jewelry

• Hair must be pulled back

• All team members must comply with the matching makeup and hair requirements for performances

• No inappropriate language or behavior during school events, practice, or competitions from dancers / families.

• Everyone must attend rehearsals, performances, fundraisers, or team activities

• Must represent the team in a respectful manner outside of practice including family members.

• The coach will choose Team Leaders before the first football game

• No PDA while in any dance team attire

• Must respect other teammates to their faces and behind their backs; if coaches hear of any drama, those involved will be pulled into a meeting with coaches, and if it continues, a meeting with Mrs. Ruckman and parents.

• Must also show respect to coaches and guests at all practices, performances, and events; this includes listening, not talking over them, applying corrections, and no complaining, or being disrespectful.

Social Media

• The coach has the right to monitor all social networking sites, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, etc. 

• Dancers are to conduct themselves as representatives of EMDT on social networking sites. Inappropriate language, pictures, and other content will not be tolerated

• Cyberbullying will not be tolerated

• Choreography will not be posted on any online forum until after the event has occurred

Performances:

We will perform at football games and possibly some basketball games! The schedule has not been released. We will likely not dance at all of them. We may also perform at some freshman BE games as well as come community performance opportunties!