Weatherford ISD Dance Department 

Dear Student and Parents:

            Welcome to the Weatherford ISD Dance Department. I am excited about the upcoming school year and look forward to getting to know each and every one of my students! I am glad that your son or daughter has decided to take a dance class. Dance is beneficial to many aspects of life. Some of these are the following: self-confidence, spatial awareness, and self expression through movement. One of the most important things your son/daughter will learn is about balance and control of the body. As the year progresses, many aspects of dance will be taught. New vocabulary words for the movement we are learning, dance history, and choreographic skills to put together a piece of their own.

            There are some guidelines that need to be maintained to ensure that everyone is getting a proper dance education while here at Weatherford High School. They are as follows:

1.      Each student is required to suit out for class. If your child is in dance class they will need to wear proper attire: dance pants, leotard (optional), t-shirts, warm ups, athletic tops, etc. All clothing must follow the school’s dress code: no shorts please! Jazz or ballet shoes are encouraged but not required, otherwise we will wear tennis shoes or barefoot. Hair must be pulled back from face.

2.      It is imperative that your son/daughter wear the right clothing to dance class so that I will be able to see and correct any body alignment issues that may arise. We will begin to dress out in class this week.

3.      NO GUM IN DANCE CLASS. This is for your child’s safety as well as the safety of the other students.

4.      No jewelry is to be worn except for watches. All personal items will need to be kept in a locker in the dressing room.

5.      Only bottled water is allowed in the gym. This helps to keep creepy crawlers away!

6.      Cell phones and Ipods are to also be kept in the locker room. If I see it or hear it, it will be confiscated and turned in to the principal at the end of the school day.

7.      You must have a Dr’s. note to be excused from class participation without penalty. Alternate assignments (written) will be given to those who cannot participate if the illness/injury lasts more than two days. Let me know IMMEDIATELY if you are ill or injured.

Class Rules:

1.      Be respectful.

·        Respect the teacher.

·        No profane words are allowed in the dance studio.

·        Do not make fun of any body in the classroom—friend or not.

2.      Come ready to participate.

·        Be dressed in the appropriate dance attire.

a.      Failure to dress out will result in points taken off for that day’s participation regardless if your child participates.

·        Come with a positive attitude

·        Be ready to learn and challenge yourself.

3.      Be prepared.

·        BE ON TIME

·        Come dressed for class.

·        Have any assignment completed.

Discipline:

            Dance is a disciplined sport much the same as any other sport. I ask that students not make fun of each other and listen as I teach. The class will be based upon three D’s:

·        Dedication

·        Determination

·        Discipline. 

Consequences: (tardies, cell phones, gum chewing, etc.)

            Points will be taken off for non- participation and non-dressing out as well as:

1^st Offense: Verbal Warning

2^nd Offense: Physical Fitness ( Run one lap per tardy, 50 crunches for gum, etc.)

3^rd Offense: Same as 2^nd

4^th Offense: Same as 2^nd and 3^rd and add parent phone call

5^th Offense: Administrative referral

**Disruptive behavior could result in removal from class

Lockers:

            The option to use a locker will be provided to your children. The locker will require a combination lock. No key locks please. NOTE: if your daughter/son chooses not to use a locker and theft occurs, Weatherford ISD Dance Department is not responsible for any losses.

Grade Breakdown:

• Dress & Participation………………..50%
• Skills Test…………………………....50%

Absences/ Late Work

            Most of the material learned in dance class will be assessed by participation; therefore it is very hard to make up missed work if your child is absent. They receive a daily participation grade which counts for 50% of their grade. After accumulating 3 or more absences, a special assignment will be given to make up for those absences. Make-up work will be given if a student has missed class but only if the son/daughter has come to me to ask for it. If there has been no effort to make up absences, then a zero will remain as the grade.

****NOTE: All students are responsible for their own work. If they miss a day, it is their job to learn what they missed before the next class period. ****

Contact Information:

Email: lduck@weatherfordisd.com

Conference period: Please schedule an appointment.

I am looking forward to working with your and your children. I know that this will be another great year!

Thank you,

Laura Duck

WISD Dance