The Bolden Academy

PRECISION STEP TEAM HANDBOOK 

COMMITMENT, SCHOLARSHIP, DISCIPLINE, SERVICE, & SISTERHOOD

 

     

           

INTRODUCTION

Welcome, and congratulations on becoming a member of Precision Step Team (PST). We are a competitive sport that competes and practices September-June, with fundraising, team bonding activities, and meetings happening year round.  A PST member is always committed, disciplined, and works as a team, not as an individual. It is of utmost importance that a PST member is always positive and respectful to others.

Please thoroughly read through this handbook carefully, as it will remain a guideline for your new role as a member and parent of Precision Step Team.

 

ESSENTIAL VALUES

I. COMMITMENT

         a. Showing up on time for every event and performance

         b. Being prepared

         c. Taking criticism effectively

         d. Practicing outside of practice

         e. Always improving technique

 

II. DISCIPLINE

         a. Staying Focused

         b. Not giving up, even when it seems like the only option 

         c. Participating in team and individual workouts and summer conditioning 

         d. Eating healthy and exercising daily

 

III. TEAMWORK

         a. Help those that are struggling in and out of practice 

         b. Pulling team members out of bad situations

         c. Asking questions

         d. Treating teammates like family

 

PURPOSE

 

I. To represent the Precision Step Team and its ESSENTIAL VALUES. 

        a. Commitment

        b. Discipline

        c. Teamwork

 

II. To promote the team within the community and share/show th

ESSENTIAL VALUES with the citizens of Richmond, VA and surrounding areas.

   

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PST MEMBER

 

I.  Follow the guidelines of this handbook.

II. Follow and respect the direction of the coaches.

III. Attend all practices, competitions, performances, fundraisers and any

    other mandatory function decided by the coach.

IV. Show up on time to ALL team functions. Remember: Early is on time, on time is 

     late, and LATE is never acceptable.

V. Come prepared to all events, especially practices and competitions:

VI. Hair, makeup, costume, etc. for competitions

VII.The correct attire for practices - no jeans, sandals, or uggs (tennis   

      shoes/sneakers only)

 

PRACTICE ETIQUETTE

 

I.  Be ready to practice promptly, wearing appropriate dance attire and shoes.

    Jewelry must be removed. 

II. Be quiet during all instruction, including warm-ups, reviews and new choreography. 

    Hands must be raised to ask question in order to run a productive and efficient 

    practice.

III. Participate fully in all practice activities. Full-out performance is expected every 

     day. Please notify coaches before practice of any injury that may prevent full-out 

     performance. All injuries must be brought to the attention of the coach    

     immediately.

IV. Make every effort to correct mistakes that are identified by the coach and/or fellow  

     team members.

V. Stay for the entire practice. Late arrival and/or early departure will count as a tardy.

VI. Tell the coach ahead of time if you will be missing a practice and learn any 

      information or choreography from that practice. It is important to contact the 

      coach and/or regarding important information missed. If after missing practice you 

      do not attempt to learn missed moves, spots in formation, etc, you will not receive 

      a spot in the next performance.

VII. PST members will treat fellow team members, guest instructors, and coaches 

      with respect in and out of practice. Any member exhibiting disrespectful behavior 

      will be asked to leave practice, or suspended from the team.

VIII. If more than one incident occurs due to behavioral problems, it will lead to 

       dismissal from the team.

   

TIME COMMITMENT

 

 Practices

 I. Practices will vary per year. Days and times will be set by the coach and 

    communicated to the team at the beginning of the season. Typically practices will 

    be 2-3 times a week, with one practice during the week for 2 hours at each 

    practice, and one Saturday practice for four hours. More days are adding when a 

    competition is approaching.

II. ALL PST members must show up on time to practice, and stay the entire length of the 

    practice.

 

Competitions

I. Competitions start in October or January, depending on the readiness of the team 

   and will go until June. Typically, there are around six competitions a year.

II. All competitions are absolutely mandatory, no exceptions.

III. Competitions are usually on Saturdays, and will take up the entire day. 

     The team will ride together (carpool) there and back from every competition.

IV. Members must be present at the last practice before a competition or  

     performance in order to perform, whether the absence is excused or not. If    

     not performing all members must still attend for team support.

 

Summer Activities

 

 I. Fundraisers go year-round and are also mandatory. Summer fundraisers will vary   

    per year, and will be decided and communicated to the team by either the Coach  

    or a P.O.P. (Parent of Precision)

II. Summer Conditioning in JULY is not mandatory, but strongly encouraged.   

    Mandatory conditioning will start in August and absences will result in 

    consequences of make up conditioning during the regular season in September.

 

ATTENDANCE

I. Attendance for all required functions is taken very seriously.

II. All absences and tardies must be excused with a parent note and the

   coach must be notified at least  4 hours before practice. Acceptable parent 

   notifications are as follows:

        a. Hand written note 

        b. Email

        c. Text message

Even though an absence is reported and/or excused, all PST MEMBERS ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR LEARNING MISSED CHOREOGRAPHY AND INFORMATION BEFORE THE NEXT PRACTICE. THEY WILL ALSO LOSE THEIR “SPOT” FOR THE NEXT PERFORMANCE.

NO CALL, NO SHOWS = automatic removal from the team.

     

III. The following reasons are excused absences from any PST activity:

        a. Personal illness or accident (confirmed by note from parent/doctor)

        b. Funeral or death in the family.

        c. Special school activity with permission of the coach at least 2

            weeks in advance and written note from parent.

       d. Family vacation with notification of coaches at least 3 weeks in

           advance and written note from parent.

IV. All absences that require missing more than two practices must be

emailed to the coach.

V. Any practices that are missed, members must get together with a

    teammate to learn what they missed before the next practice date. Failure to do so   

    will result in that team member sitting out for practice and/or the next performance.

VI. Three unexcused tardies or absences will result in suspension from the team for 

      one week, including practices, competitions and performances.

VII. If sick, members must bring a signed doctor’s note to the coach in order to 

      return to practice.

VIII. If injured, members must bring a signed doctor’s note stating they may return to 

       practice. Members will not be allowed to return to practice until the coach 

       receives verification from their doctor.

 

TRANSPORTATION

I. The only time that transportation will be provided for the team is for out of town (more than 50 miles) competitions and performances. All other transportation requirements will be provided by a private vehicle.

II. Parents/PST members should carpool to and from practices, performances and other team events and competitions.

III.NO COACH OR INSTRUCTOR WILL PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO OR FROM PRACTICE, EVENTS, OR PERFORMANCES.

IV. Transportation to and from competitions will be done by the graciousness of the 

     P.O.P.S. Students will be randomly assigned to a car a week before a competition   

     by either the coach or TEAM MOM.

IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE PLEASE LET THE TEAM MOM KNOW AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON, BEFORE THE FIRST PRACTICE.  

    

     

UNIFORM/APPEARANCE

 

Practice

 I. Comfortable clothing must be worn at step practice. 

II. NO JEWELRY SHOULD BE WORN.

 

Competitions/Performances

I. PRECISION PARAPHERNALIA MUST be worn the day of a competition or 

   performance.

II. Absolutely NO jewelry of any sort is allowed during a competition.

III. Nails should be kept short for safety.

IV. Costumes will be decided by the coach and are mandatory for all

     competitions/performances.

V. Each member will be responsible for their own costume.

VI. If any part of a costume is lost or stolen, it must be replaced

     immediately at the expense of the PST MEMBER , or will result in suspension

     from the team until items are replaced. If never replaced further action will be 

     taken to retrieve funding from the parents or guardian.

VII. Costumes may not be worn outside of a competition or performance

(unless permitted by the coach) until the season ends.

 

FUNDRAISING

 

To eliminate out-of-pocket expenses of the members, the team holds fundraisers year-round. Step is an expensive sport, which is why the team holds many fundraisers. These fundraisers will vary throughout the year.

All other fundraisers will be communicated to the team well in advance by either the Team Mom or the Coach.  

All fundraisers are required. Failure to commit to a fundraiser will result in payment of your own funds.

 

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

I. A payment of $150.00 for team clothing/paraphernalia (Team shirt, bag, and jacket) 

  will be due by the FIRST WEDNESDAY IN OCTOBER (this payment is subject to   

  change based on rising prices for goods and services).

II. Annual dues/tuition can be paid monthly (10 months) $65.00, quarterly (Sept. Nov. Feb. and Apr.)$162.50, or one payment of  $600.00 due by the end of September. A discount is given for dues paid in full at the beginning of the season.

III. ALL MEMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DUES/TUITION. IF YOU   

    LEAVE/QUIT BEFORE THE SEASON IS OVER, YOU ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE     

    FOR THE REMAINDER OF YOUR DUES. 

The expenses calculated for the Team are based on the roster at the beginning of the season. 

FAILURE TO PAY DUES WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION AND THEN DISMISSAL FROM THE TEAM AND FURTHER ACTION WILL BE TAKEN TO RETRIEVE THE DUES THAT IS OWED.

IV. PST members are responsible for purchasing their team clothing. These items 

     are mandatory to participate with the team.

V. Each fundraiser has a goal; failure to reach this goal will result in out-of- pocket expenses from the members.

 

TRY-OUTS

I. Try-outs will be held each year by the coaches, current team members, and guest judges.

II. There are two teams. Competition and exhibition. Placement is determined by 

    coaches.

III. Every member must try-out each year. Just because a member made it one year 

     does not mean they will make it the next year.

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

 

Team Eligibility

I. A team member is expected to remain on the Precision Step Team for the entire 

   year unless dismissed for a rule violation.

II. A team member must be enrolled in grades 7-12 during the upcoming school year   

   and making appropriate progress towards graduation.

III. The candidate and their parent(s) and/or guardian(s) must complete the 

     appropriate BOLDEN ACADEMY & PRECISION registration forms prior to the first 

     day of PRACTICE . Forms are available ONLINE OR AT THE STUDIO. A current 

     waiver must be on file with the studio.

 IV. The team members and their parent(s) and/or guardian(s) will read, agree to and  

      sign a copy of this Handbook.

V. A PST member must be committed to give freely of their time for any team activity 

    throughout the year.

VI. Practices/performances may be scheduled during holidays, including 

     Thanksgiving, and winter breaks, as well as scheduled days off from school.  

     These practices are still mandatory.

VII. Members and parents/guardians must be fully aware of the expenses. They must 

      be willing to meet all financial obligations.

VIII. If unable to meet financial obligations the team member must make special 

       arrangements with the coach.

IX. The team member must be willing to participate in fundraising activities. 

      Parents/guardians are also expected to assist with fundraising activities and 

      events.

X. Parents/guardians are also expected to provide snacks, water, and lunches during 

    competitions and big performances (see expectations sheet).

 

COACH RESPONSIBILITIES

Directors are expected to:

I. Be committed to the team program.

II. Be a positive role model and demonstrate conduct that is ethical and rational.

III. Display the qualities of good sportsmanship and fair play.

 IV. Set long term and short term goals for professional growth and the team program.

V. Follow The Bolden Academy policies, guidelines and rules.

VI. Have knowledge of and compliance with rules for eligibility and participation.

VII. Supervise students.

VIII. Provide appropriate communication to parents/students concerning all guidelines 

       and requirements.

IX. Disseminate and manage all required written forms and documentation.

X. Communicate and ensure proper safety standards.

XI. Plan and provide written schedules for all practices, competitions,fundraisers and    

     other activities.

XII. Coordinate tryouts, including the selection of judges.

XIII. Be responsible for the approval, selection, distribution and return of all 

       uniforms/costumes.

XIV. Maintain current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation

 

PARENT/GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Parents are partners with the team and coaches and will:

I. Respect and support the step team program, members, and coaches.

II. Support the student’s commitments to the team and community.

III. Attend performances and other necessary activities.

IV. Meet financial obligations in a timely manner.

V. Set an example of good sportsmanship at all activities.

VI. Provide transportation for team activities.

VII. Assist in fundraising.

VIII. Provide snacks, beverages, and sometimes meals.

IX. RESPOND TO ALL COMMUNICATION IN A TIMELY MANNER VIA THE BAND APP.