Hyline Expectations

Teamwork

Hyline has shown teamwork over and over again.  Simply keep this tradition going!

Because we all want to be a part of a very successful dance experience, it is important to realize and understand the ground rules that must be followed when 60+ girls are involved.  Unfortunately, some girls think that rules don’t apply to them.  But in large groups, success depends on all of us pulling together in the same direction, at the exact same time, in the exact same way.  That is why we are called a team!  Teamwork will get us anywhere we want to go.

Rules work best when everyone knows them, understands them, and most importantly, agrees with them.  When this occurs, the group is empowered by a common vision.  It is our hope that you find these rules strict but logical; for if you do, we are in for an incredible year!  United we stand, divided we fall.

Everything you say, everything you do, reflects on you, your family, and the activities you participate in.  Therefore, your actions are put through a test everyday by others.  Remember.  Actions DO speak louder than words!

School Relations

Be a responsible student!

  1. Refrain from asking teachers to be dismissed early.
  2. Get your work done…especially during the busy season of Zenith.
  3. Make up your work/Go to tutoring during lunch or after school.  Teachers will work with you if you are a hard worker.  If a teacher cannot give you a makeup any other time than practice time, you do run the risk of being cut from that week’s performance.  You will need to bring a note from the teacher explaining that no other time could be found for the makeup.
  4. Never sleep in class, don’t roll your eyes, and never talk back, EVER!
  5. Do not use Hyline as an excuse… it is a privilege and not an opportunity to turn papers in late, etc.
  6. You are held responsible for knowing the rules in the Hyline Handbook and the Westlake HS Handbook.
  7. If you do not pass, you may not perform, but you can continue to rehearse with the group.  This sanction lasts for three weeks until a new progress report is given.  Two consecutive failures will remove you from the team.  You may not audition for officer or board if you fail at any six weeks grading period during that current year.  Special consideration will be given for AP waivers.
  8. We will follow UIL guidelines regarding failures in all performance situations.  This includes, but is not limited to, football, contest, and Zenith. 
  9. No kissing or other inappropriate behavior at school, in the parking lot, or in the halls.  Be a lady.

Gossip

Every person has passed on gossip.  Every person has been hurt by it.  The difference is that if we are to be a family and we bring sisterhood into the group, we simply cannot afford idle words. 

Be careful with your words and protect your thoughts. So often your thoughts change without the benefit of taking your words back.

Hyline has had years when the team was a “kinder, gentler” group of young ladies.  It is those years that bring back the sweetest memories.  Acceptance of others in a group this size is a tall task that we can tackle if we want to.  We will be close if our hearts are big and our spirits forgiving.

Assignment:

Go 24 hours without saying one negative word about anything.  This includes yourself!  Let us know if you succeed.

The best way to stop gossip is not to listen.  Always ask yourself, “If she walked into the room, would I continue my conversation?  If not, then you should reconsider the benefit of those who have to listen to you.

Attitude

Having a good attitude can be one of the most difficult things in life.  It means we accept our strengths and recognize our weaknesses.  More importantly, a good attitude means we are willing to work on those weaknesses.  Please visit with us if you think by sharing your feelings, we will gain insight.  It is important to communicate.  To have a championship year, we’ll have to have that winning formula of talent, work ethic, and a “can do” attitude.  We hope you agree!

“The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play with the one string we have, and that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it.  And so it is with you; we are in charge of our attitudes!”  Charles Swindoll

Rehearsals and Performances

Rehearsals Required

  1. Up to three weeks in the summer
  2. Everyday of the school year before school and 1st period
  3. A two-hour extra afternoon or evening rehearsal when called
  4. Saturday rehearsals during contest and Zenith seasons
  5. Extra rehearsals as needed for contest and Zenith seasons

Rehearsal Attendance and Procedures

  1. All rehearsals are required and each member is expected to attend every day.  If you miss, you must call the directors’ voicemail at school before 6:45 AM.  Please tell the directors when you do expect to return.  You may also email this information to charris@eanes.k12.tx.us before 6:45 am please!
  2. If possible, any member who is ill should come to rehearsal to sit and observe, otherwise, it may be necessary to remove her from the number since it is hard to rehearse with “holes” and catch up with changes made.
  3. Sitting out for illness or injury during a rehearsal may result in being pulled from a performance.  If a member is truly injured or ill, it is in her best interest and the team’s that she not rehearse or perform until she is well. 
  4. Work cannot interfere with scheduled rehearsals.  Work is not an excused absence from rehearsal or an excuse to leave early or arrive late. 
  5. Regular doctor or dentist appointments should not interfere with any rehearsals scheduled.  These appointments are not excused.  Emergency appointments are treated with an exception.  
  6. Family vacations should not be scheduled during Hyline functions, rehearsals or performances.  There will be extreme consequences for missing these rehearsals.  We must do this to protect everyone’s time.  If you are absolutely unable to participate in an event, it is required that you give the director notice two months in advance. 
  7. We may have auditions for many routines.  They are judged on memory, technique, and projection.  This is not a reflection on the girl’s abilities as the whole, but some routines may have one element which is very difficult for a particular member to master.  All directors’ decisions are final. 
  8. If you are not at rehearsal, you should expect not to perform. 
  9. If a member is benched for any reason, she is still expected to attend all rehearsals, performances, and functions even though she cannot perform.  There will be special consideration for academic issues, but always ask permission.

Attire

  1. A schedule will be given to you of specific tops to wear daily.
  2. No cover-ups during rehearsals.
  3. Make sure everything is labeled.

Performances Required

Note:  Our policy for band and Hyline students wishing special consideration for absences from a football game/performance due to an academic test the following morning has been consistent for the past 10+ years.  We expect the student to be with Hyline through the halftime performance and then will dismiss to a parent according to previously made arrangements. If the game is in town, the student may leave at the beginning of 4th quarter.  Even though the student will not be with us the full time, we will give them full credit. If a student elects to miss the performance entirely, they receive an unexcused absence.  The penalty for an unexcused absence in Hyline is 5 demerits and can also include penalties at the discretion of the directors.

“We all have the same amount of time, but not the same talent and ability.  Those who use their time well, however, often surpass those with more ability.”

Football Season

Rehearsal with band:

  1. Wear your performance hat with hat cover.  Leave it in your locker all week.  Attach bobby pins to leather strap so that they will be there if you need them.
  2. Rehearse full out every time with band unless told otherwise.  This is our “dress” rehearsal.
  3. Run to your spots; it shows enthusiasm, desire and is infectious to the whole team.
  4. Always say “thank-you” to the band in a genuine way.  They are hoping we can get it the first time, so that they can go back to their show.  Extra run-throughs on our part slow them down.
  5. It is hot, hot, hot outside.  Be mentally prepared and no complaints.  We ALL feel it!
  6. On Thursday, after the band goes in at 8:50, we will stay outside usually until 9:15.

Pep Rallies  (8:10 a.m.-8:50 a.m., Friday mornings) Parents are invited, please DO come!

Game Situations

Home Games

During The Game

  1. You are expected to cheer with the cheerleaders even when you don’t feel like it.  You are expected to dance in the stands to band songs even when you don’t feel like it.  Never boo.  Be a good sport all the time. 
  2. Never loosen your hat to where your string is not touching your chin.
  3. Always follow your officers.  If they sit, you sit.  If they stand, you stand. Keep your eyes glued and follow suit.
  4. When the band plays, you are in performance mode – no talking and smile.

Cold Weather

  1. When it is cold, please bring your Hyline blanket and letter jacket.
  2. Cold weather gloves, earmuffs, should also be red/white/blue.  You may wear long johns (tops) under your uniform.
  3. Label everything, label everything, and label everything!
  4. Absolutely no food in the stands.

Halftime

  1. Leave your belongings in the stands “picture perfect”, no talking, etc. 
  2. While waiting to go on the field:
    • A proud disciplined group would not talk for fear someone in the crowd would see the lack of discipline.
    • An average group will talk quietly and hope that Ms. Capezzuti will not see.
    • A below average group will not think of any of this.  They don’t think period. Which are you?
  3. Perform and exit with the band.  If possible, attempt to watch and applaud the other dance team, then completely exit the track area.  Regroup, line up in football squad lines and take your seat. Do not talk to your friends while returning to your seat.

During the Game

  1. Visiting officers will come third quarter.  Be quiet, polite, and pay attention to the guests.
  2. Applaud after announcement of names, and if possible, make a genuine compliment regarding their performance.
  3. Dancer of the Week and Spirit Girl will travel over to the opponent’s side with the officers.
  4. Board members will come down and sit in front as leaders while officers are away.
  5. We will let groups of you take bathroom breaks throughout the game.  Please do not just get up and go on your own.

After Home Games (We will have two parents with cell phones to stay in parking lot until all Hyline girls are picked up.)

  1. You have fifteen minutes to change and clean your area.  All uniforms go home on game night.  Do not leave them in the locker room.
  2. At fifteen minutes, the designated company will kick everyone out and and clean up any loose ends.  Company officer will come in and get the directors for inspection before company may leave.  (We will attempt to clean before the game in most cases.)
  3. Officer duties:  camera, ice chests, poms, props, lost and found, music closet, etc.
  4. Any member attending an event following a performance must change into appropriate clothing.  No part of the uniform shall be worn anywhere except to activities in which the group is designated to perform.

Away Games

  1. Food and drink are allowed on long trips on the bus only.  Wear a t-shirt cover-up and choose food that will not stain our  white uniforms. Often times, WHPA will provide nutritious snacks for these trips.
  2. Hat (put on your covers) may be removed as soon as you enter the bus.  All other uniform pieces may NOT be removed  until given permission.
  3. You will ride on the bus to and from the game with the team.

Important Policies

Grading Policy

You will receive a grade based upon:

  1. Daily participation, effort and attitude
  2. Performances

Demerits

Demerits reinforce the Hyline/Eanes I.S.D. Student Code of Conduct.  This code sets high standards for its members.  Attempting to keep 60+ girls going the exact same direction, at the exact same time, wearing the exact same thing, is a challenge to say the least.

Five demerits – benched for a performance     Ten demerits – benched for 3 weeks     Fifteen demerits – benched until end of semester

Should you break a rule punishable by a demerit, approach your officer and sign for your demerit.  Please do not enter rehearsal without recognition of this matter.  It is embarrassing for your officer to chase you down in order to give you a demerit.

Highly unusual circumstances should be addressed with the directors immediately.  The directors will handle all confusing concerns.  During Contest and Zenith seasons, benching a member might punish others involved in the same dance.  Therefore, punishment goes directly to the member with an alternative selected by the directors.

Warnings – You will receive one warning in the fall and one warning in the spring. 

Sample List of Infractions for Which Demerits May be issued:

Minor Offenses – 1 demerit

Attendance (applies to all rehearsals, performances, work sessions, and meetings)

  1. Not calling Hyline office regarding absence or tardy.  Call must be made before the event.  You can not call your friends   or officer/board members instead of the office.
  2. Being tardy.
  3. Leaving without directors’ prior approval.

Behavior

  1. Hyline members should always be ladies on and off the field.  Profanity, PDA, not paying attention, unnecessary talking will not be tolerated.  This includes your behavior outside of Hyline.
  2. Eating, drinking, or chewing gum without permission in uniform.
  3. Leaving any props, equipment, accessories, or parts of uniform or costume anywhere.
  4. Failure to label all pieces of rehearsal and performance attire.
  5. Failure to turn in money or designated items on time.
  6. Any SAC lunch assignment given by administration
  7. For officers and board only –failing to give a line member a demerit when necessary.
  8. For officers and board only – failure to perform any officer or board duty by due date.

Appearance/Performance

  1. Rips, messy, or incorrect performance attire.
  2. Wearing colored nail polish with performance attire.
  3. Hyline makeup not on for inspection.
  4. Wearing incomplete uniform- costume before, during, or after a performance.
  5. Hair falling down and losing part of uniform during a performance.
  6. Jewelry (even small earrings and rings)

Appearance/Rehearsal

  1. Hair not out of face (no slippery hair pieces that won’t stay in)
  2. Missing or wrong attire
  3. Jewelry

Serious Offenses – 3 demerits

  1. Being tardy to a performance.
  2. Unexcused absence to rehearsal.
  3. First Saturday SAC assignment.
  4. Missing or wearing incorrect performance costume or accessories.
  5. Failure to improve school conduct in three weeks after receiving unfavorable conducts report.
  6. Disrespect, bullying, gossiping, or degrading of any team member will not be tolerated.

Major Offenses – 5 demerits

  1. Disrespect or profanity directed to any adult.
  2. Unexcused absence to a performance.
  3. Second Saturday SAC, or third Saturday SAC, benched until end of semester
  4. At home suspension assignment
  5. For officers only – failure to respect officer confidentiality

Note:  Officer and board candidates may not have received any five-demerit penalty at any time during the year.

Loss of Membership (defined as non-performing status, or if early in the semester a transfer to PE or study hall)

  1. When a Hyline member has failed two consecutive six weeks within the school year.
  2. Violation of anything stated under the extracurricular athletic code of conduct.

Due Process

Each student/parent is afforded avenues of due process according to TEA guidelines and state law.  In cases where a Hyline member and/or Parent/Guardian does not agree with a three or five demerit consequence assigned by the directors, the Hyline member or guardian can appeal the director’s decision to a Hyline Review Board.  This board is composed of one teacher of member’s choosing, one teacher of director’s choosing, and an administrator.  This board will hear the case and make ruling, which is binding on the directors and if the Hyline member agrees, binding on her as well.  If member is not in agreement, she may appeal to the Principal, and then the Superintendent.  Appeals for one demerit can be made to the Hyline directors. 

Tobacco, Drugs, and Alcohol

The use or possession of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs at any time while holding membership on the Westlake Hyline Dance Team is prohibited.  This includes, weekends, evenings, holidays, and summers.  Consequences will be in accordance to Westlake High School and Eanes ISD’s policies.

“People judge you by your actions, not your intentions.”