700 Bennett Street
Herndon, Virginia 20170
Monday, September 9, 2013
Dear Prospective Step Team Members and Parents,
Subject: Herndon High School Step Team Tryouts
Welcome to tryouts for the 2013-14 Herndon High School Step Team! If you completed the
last academic year on the team, welcome back! If you are trying out, you are aspiring to be
a part of the best step teams in the nation! Currently, the HHS Step Team Members are
ranked as number one by National Youth Step USA!
This letter includes the expectations for the members of the team. We are looking forward
to another great year and to working with you all in order to collectively reach successful
outcomes.
This week, the practices will be Monday – Thursday from 3:00 PM -6:00 PM in the high
school cafeteria. On Friday, September 13th, starting at 3:30 PM, the judging will occur
to select the new 2013-14 team members. Once the prospective stepper has performed in
front of the judges, you are free to leave the school. That evening, the results of the tryouts
will be posted on the Herndon Athletics page in the Step Team Roster section
(www.herndonathletics.org), and on the doors of both Ms. Winningham and Dr. ParkerLewis on Monday morning.
During the week of tryouts, each participant should be dressed comfortably with hardbottomed shoes. It is suggested that water bottles are brought to practice, however there
are many water fountains in the high school cafeteria. On Friday, September 13th, each
participant is to wear blue jeans, solid shoes and a white T-Shirt for judging. Students will
each be given a number before they go in to audition, to ensure fairness, no names will be
used during the judging.
Practices during the school year are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:00 PM –
6:00 PM, unless otherwise specified. All members of the team will be required to attend
all step practices unless a written excuse is submitted to the Sponsors and/or Coach. The
step season runs from September 2013 through May 2014.
Mandatory Parent Meeting for all steppers and aspiring steppers will be on
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 5:30 PM. This will be a session where we can
provide all necessary information and expectations for the year, as well as answer any
questions.
The cost for uniforms is $200 (warm-up suit/T-shirt + competition uniform). $100 can be
paid at the beginning of the season, and the balance paid by winter break. All steppers will
be responsible for purchasing their own stepping boots and heels/dress shoes. Checks
should be made payable to Herndon High Step Team.
In order to participate, the following forms are attached, and need to be signed and
returned on Wednesday, September 11, 2013:



13/14 FCPS Participation Policy
Emergency Care Form
Academic Expectations Agreement
We look forward to working with you all. Should you have any questions, please contact us
at HerndonStepTeam@gmail.com.
Thank You,
KELLY WINNINGHAM
Sponsor
GARY BUSHROD
Coach
BEVERLY PARKER-LEWIS
Sponsor
FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARTICIPATION POLICY
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
2013-2014
Introduction
Extracurricular activities, Co-curricular requirements, and interscholastic athletic programs (collectively,
“Student Activities”), are a part of the total school program and provide opportunities for students to
supplement their classroom experiences. Participation in student activities is a privilege, not a right.
School administrators may suspend student participation in student activities to include any performance
or representation of the school or FCPS for inappropriate conduct, regardless of whether that conduct
occurs during the school day, evenings, weekends, or holidays. Inappropriate conduct includes but is not
limited to the following: conduct in violation of rules and agreements established between students and
their coaches, sponsors, or teachers; conduct in violation of a school’s student behavior guidelines; VHSL
rules or FCPS Regulation 2601 (Student Rights and Responsibilities). Although students may use the
Regulation 2601 complaint procedure to appeal decisions regarding student activities, the school
administrator’s decision to exclude or suspend student participation in Student Activities will not be
delayed while the student pursues his or her complaint right.
Coaches and sponsors will distribute activity rules and policies at the beginning of each season and may
supplement those rules and policies thereafter, as appropriate. Coaches and sponsors will discuss and
clarify their expectations regarding school-wide participation policies and the particular activity’s rules and
commitments. Students are required to comply with these rules and, may forfeit their privilege to
participate if they engage in any prohibited conduct.
Co-curricular requirements that occur after-school as extensions of classes will have written procedures
governing graded, alternative assignments. Should a student forfeit his/her privilege to represent the
school at public performances and events, these alternative assignments will replace public, after-school
requirements associated with the class. These written procedures will be included in course handouts,
syllabi, and grading design.
Section A.
Prohibited Student Conduct-alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and performance-enhancing
steroids
Alcohol, Tobacco, Other Drugs and Steroids
Students will not participate in Student Activities if they engage in prohibited conduct pertaining to alcohol,
tobacco, or illegal drugs as outlined in FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities Regulation 2601.
 Students may not possess, use, sell, give, or otherwise transmit or be under the influence of any
illegal drug or alcoholic beverage, the possession of which is prohibited by law.
 Possession or use of any tobacco product is prohibited.
 Students are expected not to put themselves in compromising situations where illegal drugs are
present, or where alcohol or tobacco products are being offered to, or being used by under aged
individuals, or where legal drugs (prescription medication) is being used illegally. If students are
at a party or other event where illegal drugs are present, or where alcohol or tobacco products
are being offered to or being used by under-aged individuals, or where legal drugs are being used
illegally, students are expected to leave or risk being suspended from Student Activities for 15
calendar days.
 If it is determined that a student has unlawfully used performance-enhancing steroids, the student
is subject to consequences under the Virginia Code effective July 1, 2005, which in summary
bans an offending student from interscholastic athletic competition for a 2 year school period.
Mandatory Consequences for Prohibited Student Conduct-alcohol, tobacco, other drugs
and performance-enhancing steroids
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs
First Offense:
The student:
 Will be suspended for 30 calendar days from club events, games, performances, productions,
and course requirements that occur outside of the school day and are open to the public
 Must participate in a substance abuse assessment by the Office of Alcohol and Drug
Services of Fairfax County (or other qualified professional) (if applicable).
 May practice and attend events (non dress/ performance/compete) unless the student is found in
violation of Students Rights and Responsibilities
 May try out for new season
Second Offense:
The student:
 Will be suspended for the rest of the current school year from all student extracurricular activities
and co-curricular course requirements that occur outside of the school day and are open to the
public
 Must participate in a substance abuse assessment by the Office of Alcohol and Drug
Services of Fairfax County (or other qualified professional) (if applicable)
Performance-enhancing steroids-any offense

If it is determined that a student has unlawfully used performance-enhancing steroids, the student
is subject to consequences under Virginia Code effective July 1, 2005, which in summary bans an
offending student from interscholastic athletic competition for a 2 year period.
Students and/or their parents may appeal actions pursuant to this policy taken by the coach, sponsor, or
teacher. The first level of appeal is to the Director of Student Activities or other administrator. The
second level of appeal is to the Principal. Decisions rendered under this policy cannot be appealed
beyond the principal, whose decision is final. The school administration will send a written decision to the
parent within two school days of the appeal hearing.
Students charged with a crime in the community may be suspended from participation in Student
Activities until disposition of the charges. Students must report any such incidents to the coach, sponsor,
or teacher who will present the facts as known to the school administrator. Failure to report such an
incident may result in exclusion from participation in these Student Activities for the remainder of the
school year. In the event the charges are dismissed or the student is adjudged not guilty, the student
shall be reinstated in Student Activities.
Section B
General Student Standards of Conduct
Other Behaviors
Students may not participate in Student Activities if they engage in other prohibited conduct as outlined in
FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities Regulation 2601 and the Code of Virginia.
 Students suspended (in-house or away from school) will not be permitted to participate in student
extracurricular and/or co-curricular activity or athletic program while suspended.
 Students assigned detention by teachers and/or administrators must report the detention to their
coach, sponsor, or co-curricular teacher. The coach, sponsor, or co-curricular teacher will
determine any additional action to be taken according to the activity rules given to students at the
beginning of the activity.
 Students will not engage in hazing or harassment. Where such results in bodily injury to a
student, offender(s) are subject to criminal prosecution and to expulsion by the Fairfax County
School Board, in accordance with Virginia law. School officials may recommend suspension
and/or expulsion in any case, and students who violate this rule will lose participation privileges
for Student Activities.
Attendance Policy
 Students must be present in school and in good standing the entire day in order to be eligible to
participate in any after-school Student Activities scheduled on that day. Exceptions to this
standard may be made with the prior approval of the principal or her/his designee.
Consequences for Student Violation of Standards of Conduct
If the school determines that a student who is participating in Student Activities is engaged in prohibited
conduct, the student will be subject to consequences. Prior to making such a determination and imposing
any exclusionary consequence, the coach, sponsor, teacher, and/or school authorities shall give the
student the right to explain his/her actions.
The school administration shall record in writing the factors that led to its conclusion, shall stipulate the
consequence to be administered, and shall recommend a substance abuse assessment, if applicable.
With parent permission, a student may voluntarily submit to an appropriate drug test to attempt to
establish compliance with school policy (if applicable). The results of any such testing shall be kept
confidential but shall be communicated to the student and his/her parent and appropriate school
authorities.
Students and/or their parents may appeal actions pursuant to this policy taken by the coach, sponsor, or
teacher. The first level of appeal is to the Director of Student Activities or other administrator. The
second level of appeal is to the Principal. Decisions rendered under this policy cannot be appealed
beyond the principal, whose decision is final. The school administration will send a written decision to the
parent within two school days of the appeal hearing.
Students charged with a crime in the community may be suspended from participation in all Student
Activities until disposition of the charges. Students must report any such incidents to the coach, sponsor,
or teacher, who will present the facts as known to the school administrator. Failure to report such an
incident may result in exclusion from participation in these Student Activities for the remainder of the
school year. In the event the charges are dismissed, or the student is adjudged not guilty, the student
shall be reinstated in Student Activities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT PAGE
2012-2013
We have read and acknowledge receipt of the Student Participation Policy
For Student Activities
Student’s Printed Name___________________________________________________
Student’s Signature
Grade
__________________________________
Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature
Date
HERNDON HIGH ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS AGREEMENT 2012-2013
The Herndon High Step team is comprised of student steppers, who are not only performers,
but ambassadors to the school. Our steppers are expected to be exemplary students and
leaders within the Herndon community.
ATTENDANCE:
Fairfax County regulations prohibits students who are absent for school from participating in
after school activities. Our team respects and follows this regulation; therefore students must
promptly attend all classes daily. As the team depends on all members being at all practices,
students are expected to arrange absences in writing with the coach and sponsors before they
occur. Emergencies are rare, but communication is essential.
ACADEMICS:
The following are the academic expectations for members of the step team:
1. All homework completed to the best of the student’s ability and submitted on time.
2. Students maintain a calendar with a full understanding of when interim and quarter
grades are due.
3. Students inform Dr. Parker-Lewis and Ms. Winningham if they are having academic
difficulty in class so that help can be arranged for them.
4. Students prepare for quizzes, tests and exams to be successful
5. Students do not have discipline referrals while on the Step Team.
6. Students maintain a minimum of a C average, and maintain parent expectations for
academics.
7. Students maintain appropriate deportment, befitting a Step Team member, in and
outside of school.
CONSEQUENCES:
A student who does not maintain grades or deportment will be placed on probation for a halfquarter, and there will be a required student and parent conference with the sponsors to create
a recovery plan. The student will be required to make up any missing work before returning to
step practices, but any missed practices will be considered unexcused absences, with the
resulting creative consequences. If grades are not improved after the half-quarter, the student
will be removed from the team.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT PAGE 2012-2013
We have read and acknowledge receipt of the
Herndon High Step Team Academic Expectations Agreement
Student’s Printed Name___________________________________________________
Student’s Signature
Date
__________________________________
Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature
Date