ARTICLE I
PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION:
The Break Dancing Team is to encourage quality performance, high academic standards, loyal school spirit and high personal values among its members. Through the development of dance technique, leadership, cooperation, self-discipline, and sportsmanship to each member, the team will fulfill its purpose for the benefit of PHS. Young men who are members of the Break Dancing Team must meet all standards set forth in this constitution.
ARTICLE II
OBJECTIVES:
1. To learn dance technique, dance terminology, and performance skills.
2. To develop leadership, loyalty, and good sportsmanship.
3. To encourage good conduct and support other school activities.
4. To develop and maintain a very high standard of precision dance to be performed at special events as determined by the Director.
5. To increase and develop character, responsibility, to maintain high morals, standards, and achieve academically.
It is an honor to be a member of the Porter HS Break Dancing Team. A Break-dancer is continuously before the eyes of the public. He represents not only the team, but also the entire student body of Porter High School. Therefore, his conduct, morals, appearance, grades and attitude must be above reproach at all times, whether he is with the team or not.
ARTICLE III
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL:
The government of the Break Dancing shall be in the control of the Executive Council, consisting of the Director and Break Dance Captains. The Executive Council has the discretion to interpret and enforce this constitution. It shall be the duty of the Executive Council to:
1. Supervise all affairs pertaining to the interest of the Break Dancing Team.
2. Meet when necessary.
ARTICLE IV
ELIGIBILITY & SELECTION FOR MEMBERSHIP:
Boys who are enrolled in advanced Break Dance grades 9-12 will be eligible to sign up for the Break Dancing Team, providing they meet the qualifications stipulated below:
1. Each member must maintain an overall average of at least 70 to be eligible for the Break Dancing Team.
2. Prospective members must attend all workshops and practices.
3. The Director in accordance with signing up for the team program will select the Break Dance Team through an audition process.
ARTICLE V
MEMBERSHIPS:
There will be no set number of members on the Break Dancing Team. The Director will determine the number of Break Dancers.
1. Break Dancing Team is required to participate in all activities in which the organization is involved, unless on scholastic probation.
2. Break Dancing Team must exhibit and maintain an excellent attitude towards school policies, regulations, and employees.
MAINTAINING MEMBERSHIP:
One’s term as a team member begins the day that member’s name is officially posted and continues until that membership is officially terminated, by resignation or expulsion, or by a transfer from NCISD.
ARTICLE VI
REQUIREMENTS:
In order to maintain membership of the Break Dancing Team the member must:
1. Have a student/parent constitution contract on file.
2. Have a physical examination before participating in team activities. Physical examination forms will be handed out by the Director or can be obtained in the athletic trainer’s office. The completed form is to be turned into the Director and will remain on file. Also, an emergency card must be on file.
3. Be covered by a Health and Accident Insurance Policy purchased through the school district or provide an Insurance waiver. A record of insurance coverage will be kept on file.
4. Be able to attend all classes, performances and contests throughout the year unless absence is approved by the Director and be enrolled in the Break Dance Class.
5. Each student must dress out at all times and be prepared for class.
6. Present a good appearance and good attitude at all time.
7. Not receive a failing report card grade two times during the school year.
8. Maintain excellent conduct in all classes.
9. Each student will be responsible for fundraising an established sum of money to help with team expenses. The established sum is determined by the executive council at the beginning of each year. Any amount raised above the students’ set amount will be used accordingly for the team.
10. Must attend vendor’s day in May.
11. All purchased items, merchandise, costumes; etc… from fundraisers or donations by the school must be turned in at the end of the year at the specified date as specified by NCISD. Failure to do so will result in an unclear slip.
12. Not have any serious school offenses after selection to the Break Dancing Team. This will be determined by the Director and the Principal. See termination.
13. Maintain a good attendance record. See attendance and absentee expectations.
14. Present a report card at the end of each six weeks.
15. Be a good representative of the organization and set good examples for others.
16. Remember that any team is only as good as the weakest member; thus, each member is held responsible for their own actions.
17. Maintain a sense of responsibility for the organization and wear the Break Dancing Team uniform with pride.
18. Must meet and abide by all academic and discipline requirements set forth by the Director, the Break Dancing Team Constitution and the NCISD student handbook.
19. Be ambitious, determined and maintain pride in himself and the organization.
20. Learn everything expected of the organization.
21. Set high standards and always work to perfect level of performance and ability.
Section I – Captain Requirements
There shall be preferably one (1) Captain, one (1) or two (2) Co-Captains as deemed necessary by the Director, depending on the size of the new team.
In the absence of the Director, the Captains shall be in charge of the Break Dancers during all special events, performances and practices. Captains are expected to stay an extra 10 minutes after each practice for the next rehearsal. Captains are required to register for the Dance Production class.
The following additional requirements must be adhered to in order to maintain a Captain’s position on the Break Dance Team:
1. Be ambitious, determined, and maintain pride in himself and the organization.
2. Learn everything expected of the organization.
3. The Captain must work well with the Director and in his opinion be the most qualified for the position. All other Co-Captains must cooperate with the Director and the Captain.
4. Must meet and abide by all academic and discipline requirements as set forth by the Director, the Break Dance Team Constitution and Student Handbook. A Captain who is academically ineligible or placed on Directors probation is immediately relieved of his position and returns as a Team Member.
5. Assume responsibility to see that the team performs at a high degree of proficiency.
6. Attend practices, performances, functions and be enrolled in Break Dance Team class.
7. Report any misconduct to the Director.
8. Must be a sophomore, junior or senior to be eligible for a Captain position.
9. Must have maintained excellent attendance while a member of the Dance Team.
10. Promote loyalty within the Captains and the entire Dance Team.
NOTE: Failure to abide by these requirements will result in suspension and/or demotion of a captains position
ARTICLE VII
ATTENDANCE AND ABSENTEE EXPECTATIONS:
Procedures to follow if absent from team class and all activities:
1. To be eligible to dance, it is expected that each Break Dancing Team member attend every team class, practice, and extra practices to be eligible to perform after school. Failure to follow the absentee rules may result in not dancing and/or disciplinary action.
2. For any absence, a student will need to notify the Director in advance.
3. More than 6 absences will terminate a Break Dancer membership.
Explanation:
It is vital that Break Dancing Team members attend all practices. When boys are absent, they may later make mistakes that hurt the team. Formations must be re-choreographed which takes hours to do. The extra work and longer practice hours put an unfair burden on the entire team.
There are always situations where absences must be handled on an individual basis as well as the discipline that may or may not be administered. For instance, if a Break-dancer contracts mononucleosis or any other lengthy illness, the case is handled accordingly.
ARTICLE VIII
UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT:
1. Break Dancing Team uniforms are objects of pride and deserve the best of care. They should be worn with respect and dignity. Every Break Dancing Team members must keep their uniform in perfect condition.
ARTICLE IX
TRIPS AND TRANSPORTION:
1. The Break Dancing Team shall ride buses to and from all activities. If a boy does not qualify for a performance routine he will attend the activity in uniform with the team.
2. Food and drinks shall be allowed on the buses only with permission of the Director. Everyone must clean up after themselves or privileges will be taken away.
3. Keep all body parts inside the windows at all times.
4. Do not throw anything out of the windows.
5. Members will remain at the event until it is over.
6. Members with transportation have ten minutes to depart from NCISD.
7. Those picking up members need to be waiting for their arrival. If boys have to call for rides, they must be off campus within twenty minutes.
ARTICLE X
PERFORMANCES:
1. Each Break Dancing Team member will try out for each performance. The director along with the Captains shall decide who will perform in each performance.
2. Break Dancing Team will sit as a group throughout the entire event and will be dismissed in a formal matter.
3. After the performance, members are to return immediately to their seats in the stands and/or where they are directed to go. Always know how to act.
4. If a boy is absent from a practice it will result in a forfeit of a performance.
5. In all cases when a member is removed from the dancing ranks, by Directors probation, he must attend the performance in appropriate uniform and attend all practices. Failure to attend will result in termination of membership. A member is removed by scholastic probation may not attend any after school events (practices are allowed).
ARTICLE XI
GRADING SYSTEM
Members will be graded in class on the following point system:
1. The Director will give a number grade to each boy according to the grading system. A 75 to 70 average will place the boy on Director’s Probation.
2. DAILY PARTICIPATION GRADE- will consist of dressing out completely and correctly and participating fully and positively. Each boy will begin each 6 weeks with 100 points. His daily grade will be determined by the following deductions if necessary:
Talking Excessively------5
Talking or Moving at Roll Call------2
Failure to Participate Appropriately------5
Wearing Any Jewelry------2
Chewing Gum------2
Insubordination------5
Late for Roll Call (See Student Handbook for Tardy Policy)
Failure to Dress out------10
Failure to Complete Assignment------5
Incomplete/Incorrect Uniform------5
Late Turning in Items (per day) ------2
Hair Not Pulled Back Properly------2
Not Having Supplies (i.e., notebook) ------2
Failure to Carry Out Assigned Duties------5
3. NOTEBOOK – A notebook will be kept by each boy. It will include the following items: Constitution, routines, notes, calendars, schedules and any other assignments.
4. SKILLS EVALUATION – A performance test.
5. WRITTEN WORK – Various assignments throughout each six (6) weeks.
Article XII
CREDIT AND PRIVILEGES
1. Credit will be given each semester in Lieu of P.E. requirements and/or fine arts credit. Members should consult with School Counselors concerning credit.
2. All members of the Break Dance Team shall enter athletic and scholastic events free if in uniform &/or with an athletic pass.
Article XIII
SECTION I:
TERMINATION:
Termination of membership, whether by a member’s own accord or due to some action of expulsion, shall be for the rest of the school year. A student whose membership is terminated gives up all honors and privileges associated with the team. He is no longer considered a member of the team and may not participate in any activity associated with the team. This will take effect the day the membership is terminated.
SECTION II:
1. Failing to maintain requirements for membership.
2. Any member who has a grade below 70 for two (2) 9 weeks period during a Break Dance year, consecutive or not, will result in removal from the Break Dance Team.
3. If other activities tend to take priority at the expense of the Break Dance team obligations, the Director will first counsel the student and if this continues, he will be asked to terminate his membership.
4. A total of six (6) absences during a Break Dance year.
5. Smoking, drinking, and using foul language while being a member of the Break Dancers.
6. Discipline of a student by the school for using drugs or alcohol.
7. Assignment to Special Assignment Class (sac) as determined by the Director.
8. At home suspension from school as determined by the Director.
SECTION III
OFFICIAL TERMINATION PROCEDURES:
1. A statement of membership termination specifying the reason for leaving will be issued and must be signed by both the boy and his parents. This must be signed and turned in by the end the next school day.
2. The student must turn in his complete school uniform and all accessories, props, etc… to the director.
SECTION IV
REGAINING MEMBERSHIP AFTER TERMINATION:
1. A student whose membership is terminated will lose all seniority and must begin all over if he decides to tryout again.
2. A student will be allowed to regain membership after termination by the following steps:
a. Consultation with the Director and Parent/Guardian(s).
b. Consultation with the Director, Student and Principal.
c. Student will be required to pass auditions (tryouts).
ARTICLE XIV
LETTERING:
1. A member must be a sophomore (2nd year member) and an active member of the Dance Team.
2. A member must complete both semesters of his sophomore year (2nd year) as a Break Dance Team Member and be a returning member for his junior or senior year.