CHATOS

TEAM TRYOUT PACKET

2017-2018

Dear Parent of a Chato Candidate,

We are very excited and honored that your child has expressed an interest in trying out for Chatos. We want to make sure he/she realizes that being a Chato requires dedication and commitment – not only as a member, but you as a parent, as well. To help explain what types of activities, individual commitment, financial commitment, and rewards your child will experience if selected to be a member of the team, we have included all pertinent information and a NEW Chato Constitution within this packet. Our constitution details the high expectations, discipline, and rules members of the team must follow in order to maintain their membership status in Chatos. Please read through the information included and don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have.

Chatoteam activities begin in August and end in May each year. We strive to keep as much of your summer YOURS! The months of June and July are usually free of Chato activities. Chato Camp and practice begin promptly in August. Some activities/performances may change, but most large events (and daily practice times) should remain constant.

Being a member of Chatos requires individual commitment. Members must be on time and attend all required activities (practices included). They must give 100% at all times. We do not want members who are not willing to work hard and dedicate themselves. Chatos must be able to budget their time which includes completing homework and passing all courses they are taking in school in addition to participating in dance team activities.

You, as parent, play a major part in your child’s commitment by lending your support and encouragement and planning your vacations and outings so they do not interfere with practices, games, or other activity obligations. Our Chato parents are also expected to be very involved in our Booster Club – “it takes a village!”

Financial commitment is another area that you will needto commit to as a Chato parent. The first year will be the most expensive, because there are items your child will purchase once and then may use up to four years. Team members may have the opportunity to raise funds or seek donations for their expenses following tryouts. I would encourage you to encourage themto help cut expenses in this way. New members may also buy items from graduating seniors and save a great deal of money! The estimated cost for dance/drill team has been itemized for you in this packet. We will make every attempt to hold the cost of Chatos down. Payment plans may be available.

As you can see, Chatos requires discipline, time, work, and dedication. It is also a great deal of fun and has many things to offer each member. By working with other teammates, your child will learn that it is important to work WITH people and not against them. We are a family! Your child will gain self confidence, poise, and pride and will learn to be responsible, punctual, budget-minded, and self-disciplined. We feel all of these things will benefit your child after graduation and as theybecome an adult member of society. Being a Chato is just like life – you only get out of it what you put in it!

We are very proud of our Chatos and are ready to take new members who are willing to dedicate themselves to being an asset to the organization. Please read the entire packet and discuss with your child the advantages and disadvantages before they try out. Feel free to call with any questions @ (281) 604-7805.

Sincerely,

Jeannine M. WatsonErin Boyd

Chato DirectorChato Asst. Director

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO TRYOUT FOR CHATOS?

TRYOUT CHECK LIST

If you cannot “check off” each of the items listed below,

READ NO FURTHER! You are not eligible for tryouts.

  1. ___ Have an overall average of an 80 for the 4th six weeks.
  2. ___ You must not have EXCESSIVE citizenship marks below an S.
  3. ___ You have had NO MORE THAN 3 days assigned to ISS.
  4. ___ You have had NO ASSIGNMENT TO ANY ALTERNATIVE CAMPUS.
  5. ___ You have NEVER BEEN SUSPENDED (this current school year)
  6. ___ You agree to sign and follow the Chato constitution. (revised 2017)
  7. ___ You agree to complete and turn in the APPLICATION for tryouts.
  8. ___ A PARENT OR GUARDIAN (and you if possible) will attend the MANDATORY

Parent meeting to be heldThursday, March 9that 6:00 in the LPHS Student Center.

  1. ___ You will be able to attend EACH DAY of the week long workshop to be

held the week of March 27th – 31stfrom 5:00 to 6:30pm. (Friday is earlier)

**Those candidates that have failed a class the 6 wks prior may come and “observe”, but may not dance until Friday.

10. ___ Attend summer camp (tentatively scheduled for July 31st to August 1st-4th)

11. ___ You understand and accept that if selected as a Chato, you will NOT

Perform until your balance is PAID IN FULL.

12. ___ Pass a medical exam (physical)*Should be completed before Camp.

13. ___ Agree to give 100% in effort and attitude at all times to your education

and to the Chato organization.

14. ___ Turn in Candidate Evaluation form to ALL your teachers.

IF YOU CANNOT CHECK EACH BLANK ABOVE (meaning you agree with or are in compliance) - YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TRYOUT FOR

CHATOS THIS YEAR!

CHATOS DANCE TEAM TRYOUT

INFORMATION

  1. REQUIREMENTS FOR TRY-OUTS
  2. All candidates should strive to be passing all courses for the 4th six weeks and have good citizenship marks.
  3. Candidates may be current 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th graders to tryout.
  4. Candidates must attend all practice sessions for tryouts unless excused in advance by the director (only one abs. allowed)
  5. Candidates must perform a short dance routine before a panel of qualified judges at the designated time. Candidates will be evaluated on:
  6. Memory – strength, timing, memory, projection
  7. Technique – alignment, flexibility, placement
  8. Precision/Style – rhythm, dynamics, sharpness, cleanliness
  9. Execution of Elements – turns, leaps, difficulty, splits, kicks
  10. Showmanship – projection, grooming, and posture
  11. TRY-OUT WEEK
  12. Tryout sessions to learn the tryout routine will be held in the PEC gym Monday – Thursday, March 27th- 30th. Candidates must provide their own transportation to and from school. Candidates must dress out in dance wear with hair tied back, no jewelry, and no gum for practices. They should be dressed and ready to dance @ 5:00pm each day. Attendance will be taken.
  13. Tryouts will be held on Friday, March 31stin the PEC gym beginning at approx. 3:30pm. We will start with the high school candidates to allow time for the 8th graders to arrive. On the day of tryouts, the candidates must wear ALL BLACK (no shorts, t-shirts, or crop tops) with tennis shoes or jazz shoes, hair in a ponytail………no gum or jewelry.
  14. Failure to meet the tryout requirements (including paperwork), attend practice sessions, or dress out properly could result in the candidate not being allowed to tryout or dance until all paperwork is turned in.
  15. Tryouts will be closed to any observers other than those trying out, the Chato officers/executives, Senior Chatos who are assisting with tryouts, judges, the directors, and the administrator.
  16. RESULTS: Those candidates selected for the 2017-2018 team will be listed on the Sonja Angelo Theater doors AND Mrs. Watson’s web page approximately 3 hours after tryouts are over.

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A final note to parents:

Chato tryouts can be a very stressful time for some young students. For those who are extremely concerned about being accepted, the pressure can be tremendous. We understand this and will try to keep things calm on our end, and we hope you will do the same at home.

You should discuss with your child the possibility of not making the team; help them to keep things in perspective. Should they not make Chatos, encourage them to become involved in other school activities – there are so many! We would love to have them in dance class as well.

Candidates may not be chosen for several reasons. The items they are judged on are listed below followed by some things to consider:

Judging criteria:

  1. Memory – strength, timing, memory, projection
  2. Technique – alignment, flexibility, placement
  3. Precision/Style – rhythm, dynamics, sharpness, cleanliness
  4. Execution of Elements – turns, leaps, difficulty, splits, kicks
  5. Showmanship – projection, grooming, and posture

Things to consider / reasons candidate may not make Chatos:

  1. Inflexibility – inability to do splits and high kick with proper form is a serious setback.
  2. Weak dance technique or coordination – some students lack the basic motor skills to execute dances with the grace and style necessary.
  3. Teacher recommendations – a candidate may be asked to conference with the directors if they have been a habitual discipline problem in the classroom or with administration.

We will do everything possible to make the tryout workshop a pleasant, productive, and positive experience. Tryouts can also be a very fun and educational experience.

Best of Luck to everyone!

Be sure to DAZZLE!! 

Sincerely,

Jeannine M. WatsonErin Oian Boyd

Chato DirectorAsst. Chato Director

IMPORTANT DATES AND EXPENSE INFORMATION:

Please mark the following dates and events on your calendar! This information will be extremely important for all new chatos!

DATE / EVENT / TIME
March 27th -31st / Tryout
Workshop/Audition / Mon- Thurs 5 to 6:30pm
Friday – 3:30 till finish.
April 13th / Rookie Rehearsal for our Spring Show / 5:30pm to 6:30pm
April 21st / 22nd / Dance Spectacular: Spring Show / Report @ 6:00pm
Show starts @ 7:00pm
May 8th / Expense Payment due / ½ Balance due
May 8th – May 11th / Rookie Week! (bootcamp) / 3:00pm to 5:00pm
May 24th / Final Balance due / Total balance due
July 31st – Aug. 4th / LINE CAMP: learn all football material  / 8:00am to 5:00pm
*Time is approximate
August 7-11/14-18/21st….. / Team Practice / 8:00am to 4pm
*Time is approximate
August 10th / TEAM PICTURES! / 9:00am (followed by PR)

EXPENSES FOR CHATOS

Like any extracurricular activity, there are extra expenses. We want you to be as informed as possible of the added cost of dance team before tryouts. Please know that we will work with any family to ensure that finances are NOT the reason that someone is unable to join our dance “family.”

On the following page is a copy of the expense that each Chato will complete and return to the director. THERE WILL BE NO VENDOR NIGHT – all payments will be made directly to LPHS Chatos and purchases will be made through the school activity fund. Please do not hesitate to contact the dance office should you have any questions. Contact number is (281) 604-7805 / . Thank you!