Wheeling High School Pomcats

Dance Team Handbook 2019-2020

The purpose of this handbook is to provide a general outline for the Wheeling Pomcats Organization. It is expected that
each member and her parent(s) or guardian(s) read through this handbook in its entirety. Please make sure that you are
willing and able to honor this commitment and agree to all terms and conditions. Each member is expected to abide by
all terms and conditions outlined in this handbook along with the Wheeling High School Co-curricular Code. Members
should maintain a solid understanding of this handbook and should consult it often.

MISSION STATEMENT
A Wheeling Pomcat is an example of school spirit and promotes it wherever she goes. She is a leader within the school
and sets a good example at all times. She is above reproach and maintains good personal appearance and habits that
cannot be criticized. She is an ambassador for both our organization and our school. A Wheeling Pomcat is courteous
and friendly to all other dance team members and promotes the “Wheeling Pomcat Family” as well as works with other
members of the dance and spirit organizations to promote and encourage Wildcat Pride. She is respectful to all
authority figures, classmates, members of other Wheeling organizations, and other schools’ teams and spectators. She is
respectful to her coach(es) and a credit to her school. Being a member of Wheeling Pomcats is an honor. In order to
keep our reputation growing, a member of Wheeling Pomcats must commit herself to hard work and discipline both in
and out of school. Her commitment is to BOTH academics and the Wheeling Pomcats Organization.

PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION

To promote appropriate school spirit, pride, and loyalty
To develop good sportsmanship, self-confidence, and self-discipline
To promote interest in school activities, perform at school games, and compete through the IHSA.
To develop responsibility, teach self-respect, encourage honest effort, and strive for perfection
To promote leadership, teamwork, and pride in a quality performance
To encourage high morals and standards among its members
To develop the ability to work as a part of a group in achieving common goals
To represent the school and community in an exemplary manner
To serve as a role model for appropriate behavior and citizenship
To challenge each member to achieve her highest ability
To develop and maintain a high standard of dance

SELECTION, ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

Members are selected by an impartial panel of highly qualified judges and must audition every year. All returning
members must audition every year. Previous membership does not guarantee reinstatement for the following year.
Through the coach’s discretion, a Junior Varsity and a Varsity team will be selected.
Members of the Winter Team will audition the first week of the Competitive Season for placement on the Competitive
Dance Team. For the 2019-2020 year, this audition will happen on October 28, 2019. Members will be judged based on
their audition as well as their performance and growth throughout the Fall Season.
Loss of membership can occur for violation of any rules or district policies including those in this handbook and the
Wheeling High School Student Handbook. The coach and/or administrators will determine appropriate disciplinary
action for any conduct deemed inappropriate for a member of this organization while on or off campus throughout the
calendar year.

A Wheeling Pomcat will be held accountable for her behavior AT ALL TIMES. Behavior outside of the program is just as
important as behavior while in uniform. Any issue brought forth by a community member, student, parent, or faculty
will be addressed. A member is responsible for her actions throughout the summer months, weekends, weekdays, and
vacation time. The coach does not and will not tolerate inappropriate behavior from any member

Each member must abide by the District 214 Co Curricular Code. Smoking, drinking, drug usage, and other inappropriate
behavior will not be tolerated and will be brought to the attention of the administration and dealt with accordingly.
Inappropriate online behavior will not be tolerated and will be brought to the attention of the administration and dealt
with accordingly.

Gossiping and bad mouthing a fellow squad member, coach, other faculty, fellow students, etc. will not be tolerated.
Continued negative behavior may result in loss of performances or dismissal from the squad.

The coach will receive an eligibility report every week from the Activities Office. Dancers who are not meeting the
minimum grade requirement will be required to attend mandatory tutoring and will not be allowed to rehearse or
perform until removed from the ineligibility list.

MANDATORY REHEARSALS
All rehearsals/practices are mandatory. It is the responsibility of the dancer to check the Wheeling Pomcats website,
school email, and Gmail Calendar every day.
Rehearsal Etiquette:
1. Members are expected to be on time and ready to dance when rehearsal begins and are expected to stay the
entire practice.
2. No swearing/negative language
3. No gum/food
4. Dancers are expected to wear the appropriate rehearsal uniform (failure to do so will result in removal from
rehearsal). Dancers must:
a. Wear proper rehearsal shirt (no bra straps), running shorts (shorts should not be tight or excessively
short, coaches discretion), leggings or capris (no baggy pants).
b. Securely pull back hair with no hair in face. Buns for competition team.
c. NO jewelry may be worn at rehearsal with the exception of stud earrings (all else can be a hazard).
d. Wear proper footwear: gym shoes for outside and jazz shoes for inside
5. Full attention and respect will be given to the person(s) in charge of rehearsal (failure to do so will result in
removal from rehearsal/potentially removal from performances).
6. Sitting out for an illness or an injury may result in removal from a performance. This is not disciplinary! If a
dancer is ill or injured, it is in her best interest (as well at the team’s) that she not rehearse or perform until she
is well.
 7. Dancers are expected to attend all technique and conditioning rehearsals and to be respectful of all guest
teachers. Dancers should have the proper footwear (both gym and jazz shoes) and apparel for both technique
and conditioning.
8. Work is not an excuse for missing practice. Missing practice due to work may result in removal from
performances.
CHOREOGRAPHY
Members of Wheeling Pomcats will treat all choreographers/dance leaders with the utmost respect and follow all
directives. For the competitive season, the coach or a hired choreographer will choreograph the competitive routine. For
the rest of the season (halftimes, etc.), team members will have the opportunity to choreograph.
Halftime Routines:
- 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year member may audition one routine for football season and one routine for basketball
season.
- Routines will be chosen by the coaches.
- Interested candidates should obtain the choreography information from Coach Kuehn
Dance Leaders:
Leaders are expected to be prepared to teach on the day assigned by the coach:
- Be ready to teach choreography to counts (especially group work)
- Be prepared with a formation outline for the coach to fill in.
- Be prepared with any music changes and send music to Coach Kuehn before practice.

MEDICAL
Each member must submit an emergency information sheet to the coach at the beginning of the season. Any pre-
existing conditions MUST be discussed with the coach before the season begins and medical notes should be provided.
New injuries must be discussed with the coach as soon as possible. It is important that the coach knows how each
dancer is feeling. Coaches cannot provide modifications and look out for each dancer’s best interest if we don’t know a
dancer is in pain. **Withholding medical information from the coach may result in the removal from a performance. A
dancer’s immediate health is more important than a halftime routine or competition** It is important that any new
injuries be brought to the attention of a medical professional. Any serious injury or illness that causes more than one
missed rehearsal requires a doctor’s note.

PERFORMANCES
Performances are a time when members of the school and community are able to directly observe the Wheeling
Pomcats Organization. Each girl is expected to be an exemplary member of our program. All performances are
mandatory.
Football/Soccer/Basketball Games, Pep Rally Performances, Competitions, etc.:
- If a dancer does not have all parts of her uniform, she will not be allowed to perform (coach’s discretion).
- If a dancer is not fully prepared with the routine the rehearsal before a performance, she will be removed from
the performance (coach’s discretion).
- All members will attend all performances (whether or not performing) unless specified by the coach.
- Any member who displays inappropriate behavior during a game or performance will receive appropriate
punishment and may be asked to leave.
- A member must meet the Attendance/Performance Policy requirements or she will not be able to perform
(coach’s discretion).
- Any member who is late to a performance may not be allowed to perform (coach’s discretion).
- Absence from school on a game day will exclude a member from the performance.
 - Any member attending an event following a game or performance must change out of her uniform first. **No
part of the uniform shall be worn anywhere except to activities in which the group is designated to perform**

ATTENDANCE/PERFORMANCE POLICY
It is expected that each dancer attend all rehearsals. Doctor’s appointments, other appointments, work, etc. are NOT an
excuse for missing rehearsal and will not be excused. Written notice (note or email) is required in order for any absence
to be excused. Verbal notification will not excuse an absence. A two-day advance notice to the coach is expected
(unless it is an emergency. In that case a phone call is expected). Excessive unexcused absences may result in removal
from the roster.

A member must be present and participating in the full rehearsal before a performance or she will be removed from
that performance (unless there is a schedule worked out with the head of another activity). Wheeling Pomcats is a
team sport; it is imperative that ALL members are present at the rehearsal before a performance. If a dancer is not at
rehearsal, she is not prepared to dance with the team. Even if a dancer knows the routine, there are often changes
and important corrections given in the last rehearsal. This is to ensure that all members are “on the same page” and
prevents injuries. It is in the best interest of the team that only the prepared dancers perform.

UNIFORMS
1. Each member will purchase rehearsal uniforms at the beginning of the year (used for all rehearsals).
2. Each member will purchase warm-ups, shoes, and accessories such as makeup, undergarments, hairpieces, etc.,
as well as any other “extra” items.
3. Performance uniforms will be provided and will be property of the Wheeling Pomcats.
4. Each dancer is required to maintain good condition and cleanliness of all uniforms. Uniforms should be cleaned
after each performance. DO NOT DRY CLEAN. Machine wash on delicate with like colors or hand wash and lay
flat to dry.
5. Replacement of damaged uniforms will be at the expense of the dancer.
6. Each dancer is required to turn in all cleaned uniforms in a timely manner or a fee will be incurred.
7. Each member is responsible for bringing all necessary components of her uniform on the day of a performance
or she will not be allowed to participate in the performance.

PARTICIPATION IN OTHER ACTIVITIES/SPORTS

While the desire to participate in sports, work, and other activities is understood, past seasons have indicated that the
whole team suffers when its member have too many other commitments. Work is not an excuse for missing rehearsals
and any work schedule should be planned around ALL team activities.

While participation in outside dance classes is encouraged, members are expected to create their class schedule
around rehearsals.

The Competitive Team is classified as an IHSA sport. Members of the Competitive Team are not allowed to participate in
any other winter sport. Members can participate in clubs such as student council as long as meetings and activities do
not conflict with Wheeling Pomcats activities. Members may participate in band and show choir as long as they honor all
of their commitments. Please remember that our competitive dance season is very time consuming and will make it
hard to participate in other activities. Members can take outside dance classes but, in accordance to IHSA rules, they
MAY NOT BE INVOLVED IN ANY OTHER COMPETITIVE DANCE TEAM OUTSIDE OF WHEELING POMCATS.

FUNDRAISING
All members are expected to participate in fundraising. Our fundraisers are not successful unless we have the help of all
of our members and their parents. We are always looking for new fundraisers (and parents to help run fundraisers) so
feel free to contact us with any ideas!

CALENDAR AND UPDATES

Members are expected to check the Google Calendar and their school email every day. If there are any changes to the
calendar, the coaches will notify dancers via school email and Remind messages. All information about our team can be
found on our team website: http://wheelingpomcats.weebly.com/

This Handbook is meant to be a basic operating instrument and is not intended to cover every discipline policy.
Throughout the year, situations may arise that are not covered by this handbook. The coaches reserve the right to make
any and all final decisions based on their own judgment of what is best for the well-being and safety of the team
members and the team as a whole. If you have any questions in regards to the policies and procedures please contact
the coaches.

You can also follow us on Twitter: @whspomcats and Instagram: WHSPOMCATS

Thank you for your support.

We look forward to a great year!

Jennifer Kuehn
Jennifer.kuehn@d214.org

Mara Leane
Mara.leane@d214.org