FLORESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

CONSTITUTION OF THE FLORESVILLE TIGERETTES

        (Revised 03/21/05)

A.    TRYOUT PROCESS/CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY

        A student may tryout:

        1.     Who has accrued during the current school year no more than two (2) ISS referrals (any Alternative School referral, out of school suspension or any ISS referral for disrespect/insubordination, etc. disqualifies a student from tryout eligibility).

        2.     Who has earned an overall grade average of 70 or higher for the 1st through 4th six weeks grading periods.

        3.     Who has accrued no more than the equivalent of two (2) unexcused absences (two (2) entire school days or more than fourteen individual class periods).

        4.     Who has no “unsatisfactory” conduct rankings on teacher grade reports and/or no more than two (2) “conduct needs improvement” or “behavior hampers progress” rankings/statements on teacher grade reports for all grading periods during the current school year.

        5.     Who is currently enrolled as a Floresville Middle School 8th grader; or FHS freshmen, sophomore, or junior and who has been in attendance at Floresville ISD for at least three (3) of the four (4) six week grading periods prior to tryouts or in the case of a transfer student; who has been in attendance for at least one (1) six week grading period and meets all other eligibility requirements may tryout for the FHS Tigerette Dance Team line.

        ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION

        1.     A promoted freshman will automatically become eligible.

        2.     A sophomore must have 5 state credits.

        3.     A junior must either have 10 state approved credits or have earned 5 state approved credits during the preceding 12 months.

        4.     A senior must either have 15 state approved credits or have earned 5 state approved credits during the preceding 12 months.

        PARENT(S) MEETING

        All candidates must have a parent/guardian attend the parent meeting prior to tryouts unless a documented family conflict precludes such attendance.

        CLINIC

        1.     Each candidate must attend every day of the closed clinic held after school (exceptions may be made only for bona fide emergencies).

        2.     To be eligible to tryout, each candidate must have submitted, by the given deadline, a properly filled out information sheet and medical release form.  (These will be provided for the candidate.)

        3.     Each candidate should be appropriately dressed in loose fitting shorts or pants, a T-shirt or tank, and tennis shoes.  (Spandex shorts allowed only under regular shorts.) The candidate should also bring water and a sweat towel.

        TRYOUTS

        1.     Time: Tryouts will be held in the spring, as designated by the director.

        2.     Location: Tryouts will be held in the FHS gym.  Tryouts are closed (no spectators are allowed).

        3.     Appearance:  Each candidate should be appropriately dressed in athletic shorts or skorts, a top that does not depict dance, tennis shoes (no dance style shoe allowed), and socks.  Hair must be pulled away from the face.

        JUDGING

        1.     Evaluation:

                a.     Three officially sanctioned judges will evaluate each candidate on a team dance. In unusual cases where three judges are not available, tryouts may proceed using two judges.

                b.     The judges will also be looking at enthusiasm, motion, technique and execution.

                c.     The judges’ evaluation will represent 100% of the candidate’s total score.

                d.     There will be a maximum of 30 Tigerettes.

        2.     Ties:

                Any ties will be broken by the judges, under the supervision of the FHS designated Principal for Student Activities in charge of Tigerette tryouts and the Tigerette director.  The decision of the judges will be final.  The candidates with the highest combined score above the designated cutoff score will be selected.  The numbers selected vary based on the above criteria.

        3.     Officer Tryouts:

                The candidate must have served the prior year on the Tigerette Dance Team and rank in the top 10 of the general tryouts.  The officer candidates will be judged on a group officer dance that they will learn at the clinic which along with 5 other components which will combine for a total score and shall be separate from the general tryout score.

                a.     Officer tryout dance:  100 points

                        This is a dance taught as a group in order to tryout.

                b.     Officer solo dance:  100 points

                        Candidate choreographs this dance his/herself.  This dance may be no less than 90 seconds and no more than 120 seconds

                c.     Teaching three ‘8’ counts:  25 points

                        This is where the candidate will explain three ‘8’ counts of their officer solo routine to the other officer candidates to show teaching ability, voice projection, confidence and to ensure that the candidate can clearly communicate with fellow Tigerettes.

                d.     Officer quiz:  25 points

                        This is a multi-question quiz over the constitution.  This quiz will be given by the director before tryouts.

                e.     Oral interview:  25 points

                        This oral interview will be held during the officer tryouts, conducted by the judges.  Each judge will give the candidate a score between 1 and 25 and the total scores will be averaged for a final oral interview score.

                The officer candidate can accumulate up to a total of 275 points.

B.    OBLIGATIONS

        Tigerettes must be able to:

        1.     Pay for performance, camp, and practice uniforms as well as summer camp. No uniform articles will be issued nor will a Tigerette be allowed to attend summer camp until full financial obligation is met.

        2.     Each Tigerette is held responsible for the care and return of school issued items.

        3.     Must attend summer camp with the line.  Officers must attend officer camp (which adds to the financial obligation).

        4.     Must attend all mandatory practices and performances as designated by the director.

        5.     Must participate in the fund-raisers.  During a fund-raiser the Tigerette is responsible for turning in unsold product(s) or money by the set deadline.

        6.     Attend all varsity football games, several home basketball games, winter show, competition, and other activities upon invitation (within budgetary constraints) and at director’s decision.

        7.     Must attend all practices and remain at practice the entire time.  If he/she is ineligible, he/she must attend all practices.  If a Tigerette misses a practice he/she will not perform at that week’s event but must attend the event in uniform and sit with the director. Practice times and place will be given at a later date by the director.  Two practices a week will be the minimum with 3 practices a week the maximum.

        8.     Tigerette practices/performances will take priority over work.

        9.     Follow guidelines outlined in the Floresville High School Tigerette Constitution.

        10.  Each week (usually on Thursday) before a performance, the Tigerette will tryout in order to be able to perform at that week’s performance (known as weekly cuts); therefore, there is a possibility that the Tigerette will not dance at the performance due to lack of proficiency.  (Tigerettes will have one week to learn the dance.)

        11.  Conform to the FISD/FHS student code of conduct and avoid frequent tardiness or referrals to the office for disciplinary reasons.  The director will counsel any Tigerette member who exhibits a tendency to repeatedly violate any provisions of the code of conduct and may, if the behavior does not stop, remove a chronic violator from the team for the remainder of the year.  The expectation of students who represent FHS in a performance capacity is that they will conduct themselves in a manner which reflects positively on their school as well as on the Tigerette Dance Team.

        12.  Keep uniforms neat and clean.  Uniforms may be sold the following year to the new squad.

        LINE OFFICER OBLIGATIONS

        1.     Support and work with director at all times.

        2.     The  director will decide on what uniforms will be worn at weekly games.

        3.     Keep all squad members on task.

        4.     Help the Tigerette director organize Pep Rallies, required performances, Tigerette tryout clinic and line fund-raisers.

        5.     Responsible for contacting other Tigerettes if necessary concerning line activities.

        6.     In the event an officer removes herself from the team, the director has the authority to replace the officer with a Tigerette at the director’s discretion according to spring tryout rankings.

        OFFICER LINE POSITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

        1.     There will be a minimum of 3 and no more than 6 Tigerette officers.

        2.     The group will have one colonel, one major, one captain, and up to three lieutenants.

        3.     Duties will be to help choreograph, teach routines, and schedule, organize, and help direct practices as assigned by the director.

        4.     Officers will assist the director in any other ways in which they might be so called upon.

        5.     Tigerette members will respect the decisions and actions of the officers or face the possibility of being placed on disciplinary probation or dismissal from the team at the discretion of the director.

        6.     The officers will regard the decisions of the director as if they were their own or face the possibility of losing certain responsibilities.

        7.     Officers will be models for the other team members to follow.

        8.     Should an officer begin to fall below officer standards (i.e., ISS, ineligibility, lack of responsibility, etc.) she/he will be warned by the director.  If her/his actions do not improve, the director may demote her/his from officer position. Any member whose attitude, behavior, or performance becomes an impediment to team success may be dismissed for the remainder of the year at the director’s discretion if all efforts at remediation have failed.

C.    GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

        1.     Attendance at all performances is mandatory.

        2.     Tigerettes will meet at least 15 minutes (or time designated by director) before scheduled time of performance or scheduled time of departure.

        3.     Tigerettes are responsible for proper uniform attire, hairstyle and make-up as assigned by the director for each performance.

        4.     Tigerettes will not chew gum, consume food or drink while in uniform except at designated director approved breaks.

        5.     Tigerettes will not wear any jewelry during any performance or practice, with the exception of stud earrings.

     6.     Restroom breaks during performances are at director’s discretion.  Tigerettes will stay together as a team during all breaks.

        7.     Tigerettes must refrain from socializing with students, parents, each other, and others during performance events unless given permission by the director.

        8.     Squad members not in proper uniform (i.e., hair, dancewear, socks, shoes, etc.) will not perform with squad.  They will be required to sit with the director in the bleachers.

        9      OUT OF TOWN TRIPS:

                a.     All Tigerettes must ride to the event in the school-sponsored vehicle.

                b.     A Tigerette not returning from the event in the school sponsored vehicle must adhere to the following guidelines. 

                        (1)   Written permission from a parent(s)/guardian(s) prior to departure from the event.   (A note should be provided in advance for approval to travel home with parent(s)/guardian(s).

                        (2)   Consent of director and FHS administrator.

                        (3)   Parent(s)/Guardian(s) must personally escort the Tigerette from the school-sponsored function at the place designated by the director and in the director’s presence.

                        (4)   If a student is to ride home with someone other than her/his parent(s)/guardian(s), the person must be a relative at least 18 years of age, or an adult designated in writing by the parent.

                        (5)   Parents of Tigerettes should arrange to have Tigerettes picked up within 30 minutes of returning from an out-of-town game or event.

                        (6)   Medical and travel release forms must be on file and kept current if demographic changes occur.

                        (7)   All school rules and regulations will be enforced.

D.    POINT SYSTEM

        In order to achieve the greatest amount of teamwork and responsible social behavior, the director will issue points when the action of a squad member reflects poorly on the squad or school, creates a problem with the general operation of the group, detracts from or hinders the group performance, or fails to comply with instructions or guidelines issued by those in authority.  Three (3) points will result in the removal from performances for one (1) week.  Six (6) points will result in removal from performances for two (2) weeks.  Nine (9) points will result in removal from performances for three (3) weeks.  Twelve (12) points will result in dismissal from the squad.  Points may be issued immediately after the new squad is formed following tryouts. 

        Points will be issued as specified below:

 

        1.     Chewing gum at practice or while in uniform................................................................................................................... 1 point

               

        2.     Tardiness or not attending entire practices/performances............................................................................................. 1 point

       

        3.     Being uncooperative (mildly).............................................................................................................................................. 1 point

 

        4.     Improper uniform (anytime) or improper practice clothing.......................................................................................... 1 point

 

        5.     Wearing  jewelry during any performance or practice.................................................................................................... 1 point

 

        6.     Passion Marks (hickies)........................................................................................................................................................ 1 point

 

        7.     Socializing with students, parents, each other, and others during performance events............................................ 1 point

       

        8.     The use of profanity or inappropriate language in a practice or performance environment.................................. 1 point

 

        9.     Not returning money or unsold products for fund-raisers or ribbon sales into advisor by the

                designated time frame.......................................................................................................................................................... 1 point

 

        10.  Assignment of Lunch or PM Detention............................................................................................................................. 1 point

 

        11.  Not standing still or paying attention during Pledge of Allegiance or school’s songs during

                performance/event................................................................................................................................................................ 1 point

 

        12.  Public Displays of Affection (kissing, hugging, etc.)...................................................................................................... 3 points

 

        13.  Use of inappropriate language in uniform...................................................................................................................... 3 points

       

        14.  Gossiping in uniform........................................................................................................................................................... 3 points

 

        15.  Disrespect toward advisor or squad members................................................................................................................ 3 points

 

        16.  ISS referral............................................................................................................................................................................ 6 points

 

E.    PROBATION

        1.     A Tigerette placed on either academic or disciplinary probation is subject to all rules and regulations of the organization depending upon the category of probation as addressed below.  A member violating probationary status will receive three (3) points.

        2.     The Tigerette director will notify the parent/guardian when any Tigerette has received disciplinary or academic probation.

DISCIPLINARY PROBATION RULES

        A Tigerette placed on disciplinary probation must:                                                             

     1.     Attend performances in uniform and sit at the designated area with the team director.

        2.     Participate in scheduled practices.

        3.     Be expected to participate actively during the Tigerette class period each school day.

        4.     Not participate at any performance for a period as specified under “Point System.”

        If a squad member is not able to participate at a performance/event due to points and also receives academic suspension, the suspensions will not run concurrently.

      ACADEMIC PROBATION RULES

According to the Texas Education Code: 33.081 a student must have a specific number of credits in order to be eligible at the beginning of the school year.  A student who is eligible and who becomes ineligible will not lose her/her eligibility until seven calendar days after the end of the grading period.  A student regains eligibility after the fourth week of the subsequent grading period if the student is passing all courses at the three week progress reporting point.  Squad members on academic probation will:

        1.     Participate in scheduled practices.

        2.     Be expected to participate actively during the Tigerette class practice period each school day.

        3.     Not travel with the squad to required performances.

        4.     Not sit with the squad at performances.

        5.     Not wear uniform during a performance.

        If a squad member is not able to participate or attend a performance/event due to academic suspension and also receives points, the suspensions will not run concurrently.

F.    DISMISSAL FROM LINE

        1.     Blatant or chronic violation of school rules or policies resulting in multiple ISS referrals (two or more), suspension or Alternative School placement would result in dismissal from line.

        2.     If during any school year, a Tigerette does not finish the team performance schedule (i.e., all games, competitions, camps, etc.) due to dismissal or resignation, she will not “letter” or receive recognition at assemblies, etc., as having been a Tigerette.

        3.     Excessive absences could result in a voluntary resignation requirement.  Status for trying out again will require special consideration from the principal, designated principal for Student Activities, and the director.  (A physician’s statement concerning the squad members’ physical ability to perform as a Tigerette would be necessary).

        4.     Upon receipt of the 12th point, the Tigerette will be dismissed from the line for the remainder of the school year.

        5.     Failure to return to Floresville in a school sponsored vehicle without permission after games, competitions, etc. will result in dismissal from the Tigerettes.

G.    ABSENCES OR TARDIES FROM ASSIGNED ACTIVITIES

The success of the line is dependent upon each Tigerette attending as many performances/activities as possible.   Although it is recognized that extenuating circumstances may require a Tigerette’s occasional absence or tardiness from a performance/activity, excessive excused absences or tardies detract from the line’s ability to perform to expected standards.  Therefore, FIVE (5) ABSENCES OR TARDIES warrant review of the circumstances resulting in the five (5) absences or tardies in order to determine possible abuse of the policy.  If abuse is determined, removal from the line will be the consequence.

        1.     One (1) point will be given for each absence/tardy up to five (5).  After five (5) absences or tardies a special consideration for staying on the squad will be required by the principal, the designated principal for student activities, and advisor.  Points will not be issued for extenuating circumstances which include, but are not limited to, illness (verified by a doctor’s note) or death of an immediate family member.  Other extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis by the advisor and school administrator.   

        2.     The parent/guardian must contact the director prior to absence from an assigned activity if a squad member must miss an assigned activity. 

        3.     If a Tigerette is attending school after an illness, she/he should be fulfilling her Tigerette activity as well.  If she/he cannot physically participate in an assigned Tigerette activity she/he will be expected to attend the event in full uniform and to sit in the area designated by the director.  If a Tigerette has missed school (non school related) on the day of a performance she/he will not be able to perform that evening.

        4.     If a Tigerette is participating in UIL activities in the spring, she/he may be excused from Tigerette activities that interfere with the alternate school activity.  The sponsors of both organizations will discuss the parameters for a Tigerette’s participation in activities outside of Tigerettes during the spring.  Tigerettes will not, however, be allowed to miss scheduled Tigerette competitions or practice for competition in order to participate in an alternate activity. 

H.    MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND REQUIRED FORMS

Each Tigerette must have a medical examination (physical) on file with the director and complete all required forms.  A physical is required for the Tigerette member’s career, unless she/he is injured or requires surgery.  An updated physical is required after the injury or surgery to release the Tigerette to participate in any Tigerette activities.

I.     LETTER/LETTER JACKET

        1.     In order for a Tigerette to earn a “letter”, he/she must have completed the three (3) immediately previous semesters as a Tigerette, participated in at least 50% of the performances and practices and performed in at least one competition during each year of membership. 

        2.     One FHS letter jacket will be allowed for individual purchase per Tigerette student per Floresville High School career.

        3.     The FHS letter jacket and all patches will be purchased by and will be the responsibility of the student and the student’s parents.

        4.     If a student has been a member in good standing of the Tigerette Dance Team during his/her sophomore, junior and senior years, the Tigerette Booster Club or Tigerette Student Activity Fund may reimburse the student for the cost of the jacket only, provided that funds are available for this purpose.   

 

                               

 
The Board of Trustees authorizes the director and
Administration to decide upon any situation

which arises and is not provided for by this Constitution.


ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

 

Being the parent or guardian of

 

 

 

__________________________________________________

(student’s name, please print)

 

 

I have read the regulations set forth

in the

FLORESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

TIGERETTE CONSTITUTION

and agree to abide by them.

April 10, 2006
 

 

 

____________________________________________________

(signature of parent or guardian)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_________________________________________

(date)


ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

 

Being the student of FHS

 

 

 

__________________________________________________

(student’s name, please print)

 

 

I have read the regulations set forth

in the

FLORESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

TIGERETTE CONSTITUTION

and agree to abide by them.

April 10, 2006

 

 

____________________________________________________

(signature of student)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_________________________________________

(date)