THE CONSTITUTION

OF THE

PERMIAN HIGH SCHOOL PANTHER PAWS and ODESSA HIGH SCHOOL SHOWGIRLS DANCE TEAMS

PURPOSE

The primary purpose of the dance team is to promote the art of dance, school spirit, build character above reproach, promote community involvement, encourage physical fitness, student responsibility, independence in following rules, and scholarship.

Instructional and performance activities are affirmatively directed toward development of individual member improvement, resulting in the overall goal of team growth, unity, and cooperation. Through the development of teamwork, a spirit of competitiveness, sportsmanship, and positive relationships among all team members and competitors, the organization shall fulfill the purpose for the benefit of each student.

Students are exposed to teaching, practice, and performance opportunities throughout the community, as well as, State and National competitions. These opportunities encourage the development of self-discipline, leadership, dance technique and individual responsibility, while maintaining high moral standards.

ARTICLE I

CODE OF ETHICS

“As a Panther Paw/Showgirl I will always conduct myself in a lady-like manner and I will maintain the highest moral standards at all times. I will not engage in any behavior that discredits or jeopardizes the integrity and moral standards of the team. I will always take pride in myself and in the Panther Paw/Showgirl organization.”

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. All upcoming freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior female students of PHS/OHS shall be eligible for membership in the Permian High Panther Pawsor Odessa High School Showgirls.

SECTION 2. The Director will determine the number of members.

SECTION 3. Members must be able to enroll in the Panther Paw/Showgirl classes during the fall and spring semesters. If a team member is unable to be in the team specific class period, she will forfeit her spot on the team.

SECTION 4. Members are expected to remain in Panther Paws/Showgirls’ class period, as well as uphold the responsibilities of a team member for the entire school year. A letter of resignation stating the reason(s) for leaving the team must be submitted to the Director and all procedures in Article IX, Section 6 must be followed. Once a student chooses to drop or is dismissed from the team, only the Director may reinstate them.

SECTION 5. Members must maintain scholastic standing as set by the E.C.I.S.D. in all extracurricular activities. Dancers will maintain grade standards in accordance with U.I.L. regulations. EIA regulation states that students in an advanced placement, international baccalaureate courses or in an honors or dual credit course in English, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, economics or a language other than English, shall be exempt from no pass, no play provisions. This provision shall include dual credit courses in English, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, economics, or a language other than English taught off campus or a dual credit course taught on the High School campus by university or community college personnel.Eligibility must be maintained immediately preceding tryouts and in all subjects to remain eligible.

SECTION 6. Students must meet state guidelines for attendance – 90% rule.

SECTION 7. All candidates must reside in Permian’s attendance zone to try out for Permian Panther Paws. All candidates must reside in OHS’s attendance zone to try out for OHS Showgirls.

SECTION 8. All candidates must have their schedule free from any other activity or responsibility during the year of participation. For example, a dancer may not also be a member of the school cheer team. This also includes work. Work must be scheduled around the schedule/calendar provided by the dance director.

SECTION 9. Membership into Panther Paws/Showgirls is voluntary; therefore, members are responsible for all expenses. However, the payment of these expenses only provides the opportunity to perform as a member, but does not guarantee performance.

SECTION 10. Membership is not guaranteed yearly. Students must tryout year to year to remain in the program.

ARTICLE III

SELECTION PROCEDURES

SECTION 1 - ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

1. In order for a girl to become a member of the Panther Paws/Showgirls, she must be physically and emotionally capable of dancing, working out, and upholding the standards of the program.

2. Prospective Members shall meet all academic requirements as set by the E.C.I.S.D. in all extracurricular activities. Prospective members must have passed all classes for the grading period prior to tryouts. (Refer to Article II, Section V).

3.Any prospective members and parents must attend the mandatory tryout meeting.

4.Prospective members must attend all tryout clinics prior to the tryout date.

SECTION 2 - APPLICATION FOR TRYOUTS

1.Each candidate must complete the following forms and return to the Director by the deadline given:

  1. Panther Paw/Showgirl Application
  2. $10.00 application fee (assist paying judges for tryouts)
  3. Parent/Guardian Consent
  4. Constitution Contract
  5. Health Form
  6. Participation Agreement
  7. Teacher Evaluations

2.The candidate and parent/guardian must be fully aware of the expenses of the Panther Paws/Showgirls, as explained in the general information received at the tryout parent meeting and Constitution. They must be willing to meet and be responsible for all financial obligations. (Including uniforms, costumes, fundraisers, contests, etc.) In the event that a uniform is damaged or lost, it is the responsibility of the member and/or parent/guardian to replace it at her own expense.

3.All deadlines must be observed and met for the above-mentioned forms, payment and signature sheets.

SECTION 3 – TRYOUT PROCESS

  1. The try-out process will be determined each year by the director. The director will be responsible for securing judges and selecting the tryout date(s).
  2. Each girl will be selected by outside judges. Grades and Teacher Evaluations will also be a factor in considering girls for the organization. The Director may also act as a judge.
  3. Candidates will tryout and receive scores, from each judge. The judges will score the candidates on the following:
  4. Posture
  5. Showmanship
  6. Coordination
  7. Knowledge and memory of the routine
  8. Precision and unison
  9. Rhythm and timing
  10. Dance/Kick Technique
  11. Appearance
  12. Tryouts are closed to spectators. Those eligible for attendance include: the Director, judges and administrators.
  13. All new team members and parents must attend a mandatory post tryout meeting. Failure to attend this meeting in its entirety will forfeit their spot on the team.

ARTICLE IV

LINE MEMBER

SECTION 1 - LINE MEMBERS

  1. Member Expectations/Responsibilities:
  2. A member must be able to give freely of her time for any team activity throughout the year; before, during or after school.
  3. A member must not hold job(s) that will interfere with team activities.
  4. A member’s parent must be fully aware of the expenses of the team, as explained in the General Information form. They must be willing to meet all financial obligations and due dates. (Including: uniforms, costumes, fundraisers, contests, etc.)
  5. All members are responsible for any uniforms issued to them, as well as the upkeep and appearance of all uniforms. All members must pay a $200.00 uniform deposit at the beginning of the year, on the date specified by the director. Failure to pay the deposit will result in the member not receiving uniforms, therefore being ineligible to dance with the team. All deposits will be returned based on each uniform being returned on the date specified by the director. Each uniform must also be returned in the condition that it was given to the member. Deposits will be returned at the final team meeting of the school year. A parent/guardian of the dancer must be in attendance of this meeting to collect the deposit. Deposits belonging to those that will continue on for the next year, will roll over.
  6. Team members and their parents must be willing to participate fully in all fundraising and activities that benefit the team.
  7. Team member must attend Panther Paw/Showgirls’ summer camp or will be ineligible to perform at all pep-rallies and football games, which could result in removal from the team.
  8. The term of service shall be officially recognized as the time following the tryout through the close of school in the spring of the following year.
  9. Uniform attire is designated by the director and must be followed by each member at any practice, game, or appearance.
  10. During high performance months, contest season and recital, dance team must be a priority.
  11. The second occurrence of academic ineligibility, at any time during the school year will result in dismissal from the organization.
  12. Members are expected to provide a three-week grade report to the Director during each grading period, as well as the end of each grading period.

SECTION 2 - ROUTINE TRYOUTS (once a member of the team)

  1. Routine evaluations will take place before performances. No member will perform until she has demonstrated the required levelof ability for that given routine. If a member fails to meet the stated criterion for a given routine, she will not be placed to perform in that routine or will be removed from performing that routine. Routine evaluations will be judged by the director and critiqued by the dance officers based on:
  2. Knowledge of the routine
  3. Technique
  4. Projection
  5. Rhythm/Coordination
  6. Overall Impression
  7. Auditions are held for all pep rally routines, half time routines, and for all contest and recital routines.
  8. Being selected onto the Panther Paws/Showgirls does not guarantee that each member will perform in every performance routine – half-time, pep rally, contest, recital, etc. throughout the year.
  9. The dance officers may assist the director in the tryout procedure for critiquing purposes only. The director will make all grading and final decisions of placement.
  10. The director may also have the assistance of the choreographers in selection of dancers for contest routines.
  11. Each member is required to audition for upcoming performance placements. Members absent on the day of auditions will not be allowed to audition on a different day or at a different time for placement in that routine/performance (in the case of an illness emergency or death in the immediate family, it is at the discretion of the director to allow an exception to the rule).
  12. Members who are academically ineligible for participation during the tryout process will forfeit from any performances or contest routines, in which tryouts are held during their ineligible status. (Unless, a spot in a routine becomes available when the member regains eligibility).
  13. Once members have earned a spot in a performance, it is the responsibility of the member to remain in the routine. Meaning, each member selected must know the routine, cleans, formations, and maintain the proper technique required for that particular routine. If a member is to fall short in meeting these areas or requirements, then the member will be removed from the routine.
  14. If a member has an excused/unexcused absence from practice, it is their responsibility to learn anything missed in practice, prior to the next practice. Failure to do so can result in the loss of their spot in the routine.
  15. Members who lose a spot in a routine, can be replaced by another team member who is not currently in that routine.
  16. If a member has a question as to why she was not selected to perform in a given routine, she may conference with the director at the member’s request.
  17. Members will not perform until she has demonstrated her ability to do a given routine.

ARTICLE V

PERSOANL RESPONSIBILITY OF A PANTHER PAW/SHOWGIRL

SECTION 1 - GENERAL BEHAVIOR

  1. Exhibits good taste in appearance at all times.
  2. Displays exemplary social behavior at all times
  3. Maintains the appropriate manners for a young lady.
  4. Follows school and district code of conduct.

SECTION 2 –CHARACTER

  1. Must be honest.
  2. Must be willing to follow all school rules and policies.
  3. Must not participate in activities that would be degrading to the Panther Paws’/Showgirls’ reputation as an organization.
  4. Must be willing to display school spirit.
  5. Must show good showmanship.
  6. Must not use improper language or obscenities.
  7. Must not cheat.
  8. Must not engage in inappropriate messaging, dialogue, use of content (pictures, labels, artwork, etc.) on any social networking site, email, texting, etc.
  9. Must not intimidate other team members through verbal, text messaging, or social media sites that results in a team member feeling oppressed.
  10. Must not show public display of affection while at school, school functions, or dance team events.
  11. Must not receive unsatisfactory comments from any faculty, staff, or administrators of the district.

SECTION 3 – CONDUCT

  1. Proper manners should be used at all times to address adults and officers; Mutual respect and politeness toward fellow members within the team are basic elements that contribute to the total success of the team.
  2. Certain standards are necessary for the integrity and reputation of any organization. Each member should be a leader within the school and should set an example at all times, within the school and outside the school.
  3. ECISD rules will strictly apply whenever the team is officially representing ECISD, attending a school sponsored activity, or while on a school sponsored trip.
  4. Any member who is guilty of engaging in any illegal activity will be subject to dismissal.
  5. If an incident occurs during school or while on a team trip, during competition or exhibition, a member should expect disciplinary action from the school as well as the team organization.
  6. It is not the purpose of this code to create ill feelings in the event of turning in members to the Director, but to encourage the maintenance of the high standards set forth by this constitution.

SECTION 4 – APPEARANCE

  1. A member will not have any piercings other than one small (needle only) piercing in each of their earlobes during performances, appearances, games, practices, competitions, or any other function or event as a Panther Paw/Showgirl team member. If they have a piercing other than the one listed above, they will either be required to remove the piercing or understand that they will not be allowed to participate in that event.
  2. A member may not have a tattoo that is visible while wearing Panther Paw/Showgirl attire (includes practice attire), uniforms, or costumes. This rule is applicable whether you have make-up or another mean of covering up the tattoo. Any violation in this rule, will result in the member not able to perform and possible removal from the team.

SECTION 5 – FINANCES

  1. The candidates and her parents or guardians must be fully aware of the expense involvement, as explained in the “General Information” sheet. They must be willing to meet all financial obligations. All expenses must paid in full before the first team meeting in August of each year, otherwise uniforms will not be issued. Dancers may not participate in football games, pep rallies, or other team activities until the financial obligations are met.
  2. All members must be up to date monthly with their payment schedule by the specified dates or they will not be allowed to participate in upcoming events (this includes uniforms, competition, out-of-state travel, conventions, performances, etc.).
  3. ALL MONIES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

SECTION 6 – UNIFORMS

  1. All uniforms will be checked out to each individual dancer at the start of the season.
  2. No uniforms may be cut for alteration purposes. For any uniform cut for alterations, the individual dancer will be required to purchase the uniform at the end of the year.
  3. Uniforms must be turned in clean and must be dry-cleaned if necessary (sequin tops, etc.)
  4. Any spots on uniforms must be taken care of by the dancer. If they are not returned in the condition they were checked-out in, the dancer will be responsible for paying to replace the uniform.
  5. All members will be given a form that states which uniforms are purchased by the school/Booster and which ones were purchased by the dancer. This is to eliminate any questions about what items belong to the dancer and to insure all uniforms are returned that are the possession of the school/Booster.
  6. Refer to Article IV, Section 1 - #4.
  7. Any dancer that does not return uniforms will be placed on the school’s fine list.

SECTION 7 – TRANSPORTATION

  1. For school safety, all dance team members will ride a school furnished vehicle or charter bus to/from the following events:
  2. All home and away football games
  3. Competition
  4. Any other special functions or activities as designated by the Director

ARTICLE VI

OFFICERS

SECTION 1 - DANCE OFFICERS

  1. The Director will determine the number of the officers for each year and will determine their rank. The Director may include a team vote when making their decision. The Director will also establish the audition guidelines, judges, dates, and requirements for each year.
  2. Qualifications for Dance Officers
  3. Shall be a leader and conduct herself to the benefit of the team.
  4. Shall not have been on probation at time of tryouts.
  5. Shall not have been on scholastic probation during the semester prior to her tryout.
  6. Must not hold a job or be a member of another program that interferes with the duties of the office.
  7. Must have maintained a high standard of leadership, character and sportsmanship throughout all years on the team.
  8. Must serve at least one year as a line member before serving as a dance officer.
  9. All members auditioning for an officer position must perform a solo either at contest or recital during the same year, prior to the officer auditions.
  10. All members auditioning for the position of officer must be in accordance with TEA guidelines.
  11. Any member auditioning for the position of officer must not have missed more than one practice for any reason other than the three excused absences. Should an illness with a doctor’s note require that the dancer miss more than one practice for the safety of the team, the Director holds the right to make an exception to this rule.
  12. Duties and Responsibilities
  13. It is the duty of all officers to be devoted, determined, and to maintain pride in self and in the organization. She must learn everything expected of the organization and know the dance team Constitution. Officers must cooperate with the Director and each other, maintain a sense of responsibility for the organization, as it is their first priority, and wear the uniform with pride. She must attend officer camp when applicable, line camp, and avoid asking for special privileges.
  14. An officer will lead by example at all times.
  15. Is first to arrive and last to leave.
  16. Does not ask to miss practices or performances for any reason.
  17. Is in complete control in the absence of the Director at games, practices, and performances. In the case that there is more than one officer in charge, the officers must work together to lead the team.
  18. Promotes loyalty within the officers, directors, and team.
  19. Performs any duty assigned to her by the Director.
  20. Recommends demerits with approval by Director.
  21. Submits end of year evaluation and suggestions for the incoming officers.
  22. Reports any misconduct to the Director while understanding this is not tattling, but fulfilling their responsibilities as an officer.
  23. Plan team activities.
  24. Assume the responsibility of squads assigned by the Director.
  25. Sees that her squad performs well and stays late to help work with them.
  26. Helps members who do not know the dance.
  27. Support Director in all decisions made for the team.
  1. Demotion
  2. An officer will be demoted from her position for any of the following reasons:
  3. Probation of any kind (grade, social, or demerit)
  4. Lack of leadership through expected officer qualities as defined in Article VI
  5. Moral problems – example: inappropriate picture on social media
  6. Speaking poorly of the director or any other team members.
  7. Verbal or physical altercations, including social media and text messaging.
  8. Excessive Absences, un-excused or excused from team functions, activities, events, or performances (first offense will be a warning, second offense will result in demotion). Everything is mandatory for officers.

SECTION 2 – SOCIAL CHAIRPERSON (OPTIONAL)