Cedar Hill High School
School Year 2014-2015
CEDAR HILL DANCE DEPARTMENT
Dance Handbook
Welcome to the Dance Department, one of the finest organizations in the
Cedar Hill Independent School district!
You and your family are now involved in a program that will have a
positive effect on your life. This handbook is provided to help ensure
that Dance will be an enjoyable and rewarding educational experience.
The clear expectations outlined in this packet will help make that
possible.
The Dance Department includes the following courses, Dance I, Dance
II, Dance III-IV, & Drill Team Prep. This year we will focus on
Technique, Creative Expression, Performance, & History. I encourage
input and participation from all students and parents. It will only help in
making the student enrolled in Dance to have a successful year. I look
forward to an exciting, challenging, and educational year. Get ready to
work hard, learn a lot, and have some fun along the way!!!
Please read the following handbook, random drug testing forms, and
media release forms and return the signature portions with the Student
and Parent signature for a Quiz grade by the next day of class. If you
have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask!
Again, welcome to Longhorn Dance!
Cedar Hill High School
School Year 2014-2015
CEDAR HILL DANCE DEPARTMENT
I.
TEACHER CONTACT INFORMATION
Mila McQueen
Work Phone: 469-272-2000 ext. 7206
E-mail Address: mila.mcqueen@chisd.net
II.

CLASS MATERIALS
Clothing to Dress Out. This is not negotiable & appropriate dance attire is needed for
the class by 9/3/14 for daily grade & performances or removal from the class will
take place.
Girls:
1. Short Sleeve Black Leotard
2. Black Crop Dance Pants or Leggings
3. Nude Foot Undeez or Nude Jazz Shoes
Boys:
1. Fitted White T-Shirt (underarmour, etc.)
2. Black Gym Shorts
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Notebook with Dividers & Paper
Blue or Black Pen
Combination Lock (NO Key Locks will be permitted)
A Positive Attitude
*Parents Clothing Item for girls can be purchased at DancewearEtc. They have all of the specific
clothing items that are required. The store is located in Duncanville on Cockrell Hill by the old
Target. The number to DancewearEtc. is 972-780-8657. Cedar Hill Students get a discount on
any dance items purchased. You can choose to go anywhere and purchase the leotard & capri’s
(ie. Walmart, Online, etc.), however the foot undeez/ foot thongs/ dance paws have to be
purchased at a dance store. Boys can purchase items at any sporting goods store. All students
Dance Clothing should be purchased and ready to dress out on Wednesday, September
3rd.
III.
DANCE I, II, III-VI, & Pre-Drill CURRICULUM
Cedar Hill High School
School Year 2014-2015
CEDAR HILL DANCE DEPARTMENT
Here is an overview of the topics and techniques that we will be covering throughout the
year. Depending on the level of Dance your student is signed up for will determine the level
in which the following areas are explored each six weeks.
 1st Six Weeks- Ballet Technique and History
 2nd Six Weeks- Modern Technique and History
 3rd Six Weeks- Jazz Technique and History
 4th Six Weeks- Ethnic/ Social Dance Technique and History
 5th Six Weeks- Improvisation / Choreography
 6th Six Weeks- Dance Performance/Careers
The 9th grade Pre-Drill Class will focus on preparing the student to try out for Highsteppers
Drill Team for the following school year.
IV.
GRADING POLICY
Grades will be determined by participation in daily activities, written homework
assignments, written journal entries, written exams, projects, and performance exams.
According to district policy, daily grades will be averaged and constitute 60 percent of a sixweek grade. Written exams, major projects, or major assessments will constitute 40 percent
of a six weeks grade.
In addition to written and performance grades, each student will receive 2 participation
grades per week.
 PDO- PARTICIPATION DRESS OUT GRADE
Students are responsible for dressing out each day for dance class at 20
points per day.
 PDC-PARTICIPATION DANCE CLASS GRADE
Students are responsible for actively participating during class at 20 points
per day.
 Each student will be given ONE pass for an Observation Day
per semester. This will give them the chance to observe the
lesson for the day, and then they will be required to write a
one page observation to earn full participation points.
You cannot pass dance class if you do not participate. This includes dressing out and
Cedar Hill High School
School Year 2014-2015
CEDAR HILL DANCE DEPARTMENT
dancing everyday!
Students will also be required to participate & perform in the December Winter Dance
Concert & in May the Highsteppers Spring Show. Students must perform for major test
grades. Students grades will be checked prior to Spring Show performance & must be
passing all classes with a min. grade of 70% in order to perform.
V.
CLASS CONDUCT/ DANCE DEPARTMENT DRUG TESTING POLICY
A. In order to create and maintain a learning environment for the enjoyment of all
members of the class, students will follow all district, school, and the following class
rules:
1. Be on Time!
2. Dress Out in the Appropriate Dance Attire for All Dance Classes.
3. No Gum, Food, or Drinks in the Dance Studio. NO Exceptions!!
4. Respect Every Dancer and Their Belongings.
5. Do Not Engage in any Behavior that Takes Away from Another Students Ability to
Learn.
6. Full Attention, Active Participation, & Involvement in the Creative Process.
7. Do Your Personal Best!!
8. Have Fun!!
B. Consequences
 Daily Participation Grade
You will lose your daily participation points if you violate rules 1, 2,3,4,5, or 6.
 Tardy Policy
You will be sent to the office for a tardy pass if you violate rule1.
 Others
In the real world, consequences are judges by the severity of your actions.
C. No Tolerance Items
1. Fighting or threatening to fight.
2. Damaging or destroying school, teacher, or student property.
3. Refusing to work when capable.
4. Profane language directed at a person.
Cedar Hill High School
School Year 2014-2015
CEDAR HILL DANCE DEPARTMENT
*Student will be immediately referred to the office administration for engaging in any of the
above activities.
Please Note that since dance students perform in concerts for the district, all dance students
are subject to the Districts random drug testing policy.
2014- 2015 CHISD Random Student Drug Testing Policy
Rules, guidelines, and board policy pertaining to Random Student Drug Testing will not only effect those
students in extracurricular activity, but students who operate a vehicle on campus, and those students who
are not in an extracurricular, and/or who do not drive on campus, but whose parents have agreed to have
their child be eligible for random drug testing.
The Extracurricular Code of Conduct and the Random Student Drug Testing Program should compliment
each other, not conflict with each other. A student’s admitted or documented inappropriate behavior or
discovered wrong choices should be governed by our Extracurricular Code of Conduct. If a test of a
student’s urine specimen reveals an unexplained presence of a drug, the Random Student Drug Testing
Policies should govern the situations and outcomes as they arise.
The following restrictions refer to any amount of drugs for which students could test positive.
1. Any substances that are illegal to buy, possess, use, sell, or distribute under state or federal
law, including but not limited to marijuana, cocaine, phencyclidine (PCP), propoxyphene,
opiates, methamphetamines, hallucinogens, and metabolites of any of these substances.
2. Prescription drugs;
3. Performance-enhancing drugs, including steroids; and
4. Alcohol.
1st Positive Test:
1. Student must successfully complete an approved drug-education counseling program.
2. The student shall be suspended from participation in extra-curricular activities and/or from
driving to and from school for 30 school days beginning on the date the student receives
notice of the results. If suspension occurs during the last 6 weeks of a semester, the
suspension shall extend to the next semester. If the student submits certification from a health
care provider that participation in the activity is not a risk to the student’s health, he or she
shall be permitted to participate in practices for the activity during this period.
3. A student intending to return to full participation in a extra-curricular activity shall be retested,
at the end of the 30 school day suspension period and at the end of any extensions of the
original suspension period. If the student has a second or subsequent positive result on a
retesting, the Designated Employee Representative and/or designated District official with
supervisory authority over the student shall (1) remove the student from both practice and
participation in extra-curricular activities and/or from driving to and from school, (2) extend
Cedar Hill High School
School Year 2014-2015
CEDAR HILL DANCE DEPARTMENT
the suspension period if warranted, and (3) determine the frequency of additional testing and
under what circumstances the student may regain eligibility. During any retesting period, two
or more consecutive positive test results without an intervening negative test result may result
(in the District’s discretion) in permanent disqualification from participation in extracurricular activities for the remainder of the student’s enrollment in the District.
4. Students shall not be allowed to return to full participation in extra-curricular activities until
the student has at least one negative test result. Depending on the particular circumstances of
a student’s case, including consideration of the severity of the drug use and the student’s level
of effort to seek and receive assistance, two or more consecutive negative test results may be
required for return to full participation.
5. The student and parents shall be strongly encouraged to seek intervention, assessment, and
counseling.
2nd Positive Test:
1. Student must successfully complete an approved drug-education counseling program.
2. The student shall be removed from participation in extra-curricular events and/or from
driving to and from school for 90 school days beginning on the date the student receives
notice of the results. If suspension occurs during the last semester, the suspension shall
extend to the next school year. If the student submits certification from a health care provider
that participation in the activity is not a risk to the student’s health, he or she shall be
permitted to participate in practices for the activity during this period.
3. A student intending to return to full participation in a competitive extra-curricular activity
shall be retested, at the end of the 90 school day suspension period and at the end of any
extensions of the original suspension period. If the student has a second or subsequent
positive result on a retesting, the Designated Employee Representative and/or designated
District official with supervisory authority over the student shall (1) remove the student from
both practice and participation in extra-curricular activities, (2) extend the suspension period
if warranted, and (3) determine the frequency of additional testing and under what
circumstances the student may regain eligibility. During any retesting period, two or more
consecutive positive test results without an intervening negative test result may result (in the
District’s discretion) in permanent disqualification form participation in extra-curricular
activities for the remainder of the student’s enrollment in the District.
4. Students shall not be allowed to return to full participation in extra-curricular activities until
the student has at least one negative test result. Depending on the particular circumstances of
a student’s case, including consideration of the severity of the drug use and the student’s level
of effort to seek and receive assistance, two or more consecutive negative test results may be
required for return to full participation.
3rd Positive Test:
1. Following a third confirmed positive test result in a random screening, the student shall no
longer be permitted to participate in extra-curricular activities for the remainder of the
student’s enrollment in the District.
2. Counseling will be advised, but will not be paid for or referred by our school district.
Cedar Hill High School
School Year 2014-2015
CEDAR HILL DANCE DEPARTMENT
MEDIA RELEASE FORM
During the school year, Cedar Hill Independent School District will be using photographs, video,
and/or interviews of students as participants in Cedar Hill I.S.D.’s program events and special
activities. Your student may be identified as a part of district publicity. This publicity may
include but not be limited to local newspapers, local news broadcast, district publications,
district/campus websites, videos of instructional programs, and yearbooks.
I hereby grant permission to photograph/video record/interview my child, ______________________________.
It is my understanding that this photograph/video/interview or portions thereof will be used for
public view.
I agree to participate in this project without financial remuneration, and I understand that this
releases the photographer/cameraman/interviewer from any future claims as well as from any
liability arising from the use of said photograph/video/interview.
Name of child:___________________________________Campus:_______________________
(please print )
Address:
_____________________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: __________________________________ Phone number: _________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian: ______________________________ Date: ________________
****************************************************
I DO NOT grant permission to photograph/video record/interview my child.
Name of child: ___________________________________ Campus: _____________________
(please print )
Signature of Parent or Guardian: ______________________________ Date: _______________
Cedar Hill High School
School Year 2014-2015
CEDAR HILL DANCE DEPARTMENT
****Please sign and return this portion of the Syllabus. This will be your first QUIZ GRADE! ****
I___________________________, have received and read the Dance Syllabus. I know the
requirements for being enrolled in the course and I will adhere to all rules, policies, and
procedures.
_______________________________________
Student’s Signature
__________________________
Date
I _________________________________, have read the Dance Syllabus for my child. I know
the requirements for my child to be enrolled in this course and will be a positive force in making
sure that they adhere to all rules, policies, and procedures.
_______________________________________
Parent Signature
________________________
Date
Parent/Guardian Contact Information:
Address:
Apt. Number:
City:
State:
Home Phone #:____________________
Work Phone #:
Zip Code:
Cell Phone #:______________________Email Address:
What is the best way to contact you? ___________________________
When is the best time to contact you? ____________________AM/PM
If there are any issues or concerns (i.e. medical needs, learning modifications, life issues that may affect
student performance, ANYTHING) that you would like to share with me, so that I may best serve this
student?
Yes_____ No_____ If yes, please explain below.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Cedar Hill High School
School Year 2014-2015
CEDAR HILL DANCE DEPARTMENT