2020-2021
La Joya ISD
Drill Team Constitution
La Joya ISD does not discriminate on the base of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or disability in providing educational services. Activities, and programs, including athletic program in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and the Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
ARTICLE I
NAME, PURPOSE, AND RESPONSIBILITY
Section A- Name
The name of the organization shall be the La Joya High School ___________.
Section B- Purpose
The purpose of this organization will be to promote and maintain school spirit and sportsmanship; to provide entertainment when necessary in cooperation with the school and civic activities; to develop character, leadership, and individual responsibility while maintaining high moral standards.
Drill team members will represent the school well in and out of uniform in accordance with the La Joya ISD Student Code of Conduct and La Joya ISD Drill Team Constitution.
Section C- Responsibility
1. Attend all performances/appearances set forth by the director which includes games, parades, competition, etc. Exceptions may be accepted at the director’s discretion.
2. Follow all expectations set by the La Joya ISD Drill Team Constitution, La Joya ISD Student Code of Conduct and director.
3. Promote school spirit and pride.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to any student in grades nine through twelve, with an exceptional attendance record, good academic standing and the ability to execute jazz, pom, kick, prop, lyrical, and marching/ military routines.
Membership in the La Joya ISD Drill Team is from the date of auditions to the last day of school.
Membership may be terminated at any time for failure to comply with the standards set by the director and outlined in the LJISD Drill Team Constitution and LJISD Student Code of Conduct.
Members will earn a Senior Letter Jacket after completing 4 years in the organization.
ARTICLE III
PROCEDURES AND ELIGIBILITY FOR AUDITIONS
Section A- Audition Eligibility
Candidacy is open to students who are in grades eight to eleven.
Candidates are required to pass the current grading period of every class at the time of auditions to be eligible.
Candidates and parent/legal guardian must agree with the implementation of The La Joya ISD Drill Team Constitution and Student Code of Conduct.
Candidates are required to submit their audition packet on the date set by the director.
Candidates are expected to remain present throughout the duration of the clinic and audition.
Any student who has been dismissed or removed themselves from an extracurricular activity, including drill team, during the current school year is ineligible to audition for the drill team the following year. (exceptions include incoming 9th graders which must be approved by high school director)
Candidates are required to clear any outstanding financial debts to their school/organization to be eligible to audition.
If a student is suspended during the current school year they must attain clearance from their current campus principal to audition. If a student has more than one suspension they are ineligible to audition.
Any student who has been expelled from school during the current school year is ineligible to audition.
Candidates are required to pay a $10.00 audition fee.
Section B- Procedure for Membership
Candidates must audition yearly.
Auditions are held during the spring of each year with the location, dates and times to be determined by the director.
Only the candidates, designated assistants, administrator, director and judge will be allowed in the facility in which auditions are held.
Candidates will be observed throughout the clinic, subject to a brief interview and assessed on appearance, memory, technique, body alignment, execution, and performance quality on audition day. The director and judge will use the same criteria to assess all candidates.
Candidates may be called back at the discretion of the director.
Candidates may be video recorded.
Results will be posted at the conclusion of the auditions.
Candidates who are selected as a member of the drill team are required to pay a deposit, for the amount set by the director, the evening of tryouts.
The size of the team will vary from year to year.
The director may add/delete members to the organization for competition purposes by an informal tryout.
ARTICLE IV
RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS
Section A- Responsibilities
Members are expected to be available and punctual for all performances, practices, events and meetings scheduled throughout the year.
Members who need to be excused from an event are required to submit a written excuse from parents/employer stating the reason for the absence one week prior to performance date. Director will review the excuse for approval.
Excused absences include:
Personal illness or accident. (Must present a doctor’s excuse)
Funeral or death in the immediate family.
School activities - which are approved by the director.
Birthday celebrations – which are approved by the director.
Weddings in the immediate family.
*An absence may be excused once the member presents an excuse from a parent/guardian, or employer to the director. The excuse must include the date of absence, the reason for absence and a signature from the parent/ guardian or employer and a phone number to reach them.
In the event of an unforeseen/scheduled absence, it is the member’s responsibility to inform the director and their line officer of the absence. It is the member’s responsibility to meet team expectations upon their return.
An unexcused absence may cause the dancer to be replaced in the choreography.
Members who miss rehearsal when choreography is being set, will not be in formation for the routine. Exceptions will be at the discretion of the director.
Members who miss two or more practices within a week may forfeit performing in the next day of events.
Members will qualify for all performances through practice evaluation and/or informal audition.
Members who miss a practice evaluation/informal routine audition automatically forfeits performing that routine. Exceptions will be at the discretion of the director.
Members are expected to attend summer practices and camp. Missing either session will forfeit membership from the organization.
Competition is mandatory for all members. If a student does not attend a competition (exclusive of absences on item 4) the member will forfeit membership of the organization.
Members are expected to ride to and from scheduled events on school sponsored transportation unless authorized by the parents and approved by the director. Parents must pick up member at assigned location and be released by the director.
All students are expected to be picked up on time or they will be required to go home on school provided transportation.
Parents must be willing to support the member in complying with all expectations of the school and organization. Failure to comply will result in termination of the student.
Members are required to enroll in the drill team class. Exceptions are at the discretion of the director.
Members in multiple extracurricular activities are expected to make arrangements with the director.
Members are required to receive clearance by a physician and submit a physical examination to the director before the start of summer camp.
Any member participating in an outside organization must comply with responsibilities of the La Joya ISD Drill Team first or forfeit membership. Conflicts in schedules may be resolved at the director’s discretion.
Members are expected to maintain academic eligibility with exceptional attendance throughout the year to participate in performances/events.
Members are representatives of the school and expected to display appropriate behavior in and out of uniform (including drill team jackets, t-shirts and any other article that represents the drill team) on or off school property, including the internet and social media.
Stealing, drinking, smoking or using drugs, or associating with such people, while in or out of uniform, on or off campus, will result in automatic termination from the team.
Section B- Financial Obligation
Parents and members are responsible for completion of all balances owed to the organization by the first day of school. Failure to clear debts will affect participation.
Members are expected to participate in all fundraising activities. If parent does not agree to fundraise, they are responsible to pay fees for the specific fundraiser(s).
Members who are removed/withdraw from the organization are financially obligated for all orders placed while an active member.
Refunds cannot be given once a financial obligation has been made.
Section C- Student Responsibility of Uniform
1. Uniforms, costumes, hats, etc. are school property and are not allowed to be used for performances that are not school related.
2. Members are obligated to pay for all personal uniforms/items that have been ordered for that individual, regardless of their status on the team.
3. Members are required to return all uniforms/accessories which belong to the school in good condition. Students/parents/guardians are responsible to reimburse the organization for lost/damaged accessories/uniforms regardless of their status on the team.
4. Members are responsible to pay a dry cleaning fee as set per director, regardless of their status on the team.
5. A student transferring from another La Joya ISD Drill Team in the middle of the season may participate in the receiving school and will be financially responsible for the new required uniform.
ARTICLE V
DISIPLINARY ACTIONS
Section A- Actions Due to Non- Compliance
Failure to comply with any part of the La Joya ISD Drill Team Constitution will result in demerits. Once a demerit has been issued it cannot be removed.
An accumulation of twenty (20) demerits will result in membership termination and effect the eligibility to audition the following year.
Remaining academically ineligible for four grading periods in a row (12 weeks) in any combination or in a particular class will result in termination.
Excessive absences to school or drill team related events will result in termination from the organization.
The director will keep a record of each member’s actions, participation, etc.
If necessary, a member may be placed on active or inactive probation.
Senior members who do not fulfill responsibilities of the school/drill team for the entire school year will reimburse the organization for the expense of their senior jacket. Failure to reimburse the organization will result in the inability to complete the senior checkout.
Section B- Demerits
1. All demerits received by the student will be approved by the director.
2. Demerits are issued for improper conduct according to the standards and expectations of the LJISD Drill Team Constitution, Student Code of Conduct and the drill team director.
3. Demerits will affect the active status of a member in the organization. Once a demerit is issued it remains there for one semester.
Consequences of the demerit system are as follows:
5 demerits- A meeting between student and the director will take place. Active probation will be applied.
10 demerits- A second meeting between student and director will take place. Inactive probation will be applied.
15 demerits- A meeting between student and director will take place. Parent/guardian will be notified. Inactive probation will be applied.
20 demerits- Termination
Active Probation- The member will continue to participate in all practices, activities and games. However, if the member receives more demerits in a one week period, the student will forfeit participating in the next scheduled event.
Inactive Probation- The member will continue to participate in all practices, activities. However, if the member receives more demerits in a one week period, the member will forfeit participating in the next two scheduled events.
DEMERITS
· Drinking, smoking, or using drugs while in or out of uniform, on or off school property 20
· Fighting 20
· Stealing 20
· Suspension 10
· Inn School Suspension 5
· Unexcused absence from scheduled event 3
· Unexcused absence from practice or meeting 2
· Skipping any class 5
· Leaving an event or practice early/without permission from the director 3
· Abuse of authority by an officer 2
· Public display of affection 3
· Hickey 5
· Unwilling to submit to authority to the director or an officer 3
· Having a cell phone on/in possession during practices or events 2
· Failure to assume responsibilities and carry out assignments 1
· Improper conduct while representing the team 3
· Not dressing out for practice 2
· Not wearing assigned dancewear for that certain day 1
· Leaving personal property or part of a uniform after being dismissed 2
· Failure to participate in money making projects/community projects 2
· Tardiness to practice or event 1
· Talking when the director or an officer is talking 1
· Talking or laughing before, during or after a performance 2
· Failure to be cooperative with other team members or director 3
· Displaying poor attitude/sportsmanship 2
· Lack of participation at practice or events 2
· Talking to people while at games or performance events 1
· Colored nail polish 1
· Improper hair style or accessories during a performance/practice 1
· Wearing jewelry with uniform or for practice (body piercing) 1
· Dirty or poorly kept uniform 1
· Not prepared in uniform with make-up on, including red lipstick 1
· Failing to have a prop at rehearsal or performance 1
· Chewing gum 1
· Failure to meet deadlines set by the director 1
· Any other behavior issues governed by the Student Code of Conduct at the discretion of the director
ARTICLE VI
OFFICER MEMBERSHIP
Section A- Names of Officers
The names of the line officers will be Major, Captains, Lieutenant(s), Sergeant and social officers.
The director reserves the right to increase or decrease the officer line according to the number of qualified candidates.
Section B- Officer Eligibility
Auditions are open to freshmen, sophomores, and junior members in good standing for one year with the organization.
Members who have been suspended during the current school year or released from any organization are ineligible to audition for an officer position.
Candidates will follow line member audition eligibility including any additional requirements set by the director.
Section C- Officer Auditions
Officer auditions will be held in the same manner as the line tryouts.
Candidates will be judged on criteria selected by the director.
Major position will be open to any officer candidate who has served on the organization for a minimum of two years, who has also applied to be Major.
Section D- Officer Responsibilities
Officers are expected to contribute ideas for routines, offer constructive criticism, teach routines/techniques, and accept constructive criticism.
Failure of an officer to fulfill constitutional and/or other assigned duties will result in removal from office.
Individual officer duties will be determined by the director.
Officers are expected to attend a specific officer camp. Failure to do so will result in removal from office. Excuses are at the director’s discretion.
Officers may be removed from office for the following reasons: insubordination, excessive absences, habitual discipline problems, moral turpitude.
Officers will recommend demerits, but the director will have the final decision.
ARTICLE VII
INTERPRETATION
A committee composed of the drill team director, dance department head, fine arts director/administrator and campus principal will act as the final authority in interpreting this constitution.
In case an appeals process is to occur, a committee consisting of the student’s principal, director and a current teacher will review and decide the outcome for that student’s status.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
Section A- Amendments by the Director
Amendments must be submitted in writing to the director and with the director’s approval to be presented to the organization. Three- fourths majority vote of the organization members is needed to approve the amendment.
Any amendments made to the constitution will be done so in the best interest of the organization as a whole and must be approved by the La Joya ISD Student Services Department.
This constitution is by no means a complete listing of all rules and regulations of the La Joya ISD Drill Team organization. It is meant to be a guideline and expectations to be followed. Any issues arising that are not listed will be dealt with accordingly by the director and/or campus principal.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION
Accumulation of 20 demerits.
Director may terminate any member at any time with the approval of the student’s principal for any serious infraction in the organization or school.
Appeals must be within one week after termination or the decision will stand.
An appeals committee consisting of one academic teacher, fine arts administrator, and one campus administrator will hear the appeal and make the final decision.