San Mateo

Dance

Robyn Tribuzi-Director of Dance

Studio: 650-558-2399 ex 5820 Main Office: 650-558-2399

rtribuzi@smuhsd.org

Welcome to San Mateo High School Dance! I appreciate your participation and take great pride in our students and their accomplishments. I offer these guidelines to provide the best learning experience possible for all students. After reading the following pages, please sign and return the last page to Mrs. Tribuzi by Friday, August 26th to show your understanding and acceptance of these policies. Goal: My goal is create a well-rounded dancer. All students in my dance classes will learn beginning through advanced levels of technique in Jazz (all forms), Tap, and Lyrical dance and will be expected to demonstrate their technique through rehearsal and performance. Through participation in dance, all students will more fully understand and appreciate the art of dance.

To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking.

~ Agnes de Mille Course Objectives (Based on the State of California Dance Content Standards) A passing student will be able to:

• Develop an appreciation and be able to perform in multiple dance genres (Jazz-all forms, Ballet, Tap, Lyrical Contemporary, and Theatrical Dance) with technical skill and clear intent.

• Assess and analyze dance works. • Increase muscular endurance, flexibility, balance, coordination, and agility during class practice and

rehearsal. • Execute movements accurately within a pattern of time or established rhythm. • Participate fully, while demonstrating highly developed physical coordination and control. • Use and define given terminology. • Use technology to produce performance critiques. • Present and perform choreography to the class. • Perform at all shows in the spring dance concert, Mateo Motion XIV • Develop or build upon social skills like cooperating with your peers and giving/taking constructive

criticism. • (Int/Adv) Create and develop solo/group choreography. • (Adv) Perform at all school and community functions such as USA weekend, 8th grade preview night, and

the Little Big Game to name a few. EVALUTION/GRADING: Regular attendance is critical. Students must be on time, dressed appropriately, and be an active and alert participant throughout class. Tardies and absences WILL affect your final grade so keep them to a minimum. After an absence it is up to the student to find out what was missed and get the make up from the teacher or T.A. Grading Policy: A student’s grade has three components: Performance, Participation, and Written Dance Performance Critique. Percentages are as follows: Beginning Dance: 50% Performance, 45% Participation, 5% Performance Critique Intermediate Dance: 65% Performance, 30% Participation, 5% Performance Critique Advanced Dance: 75% Performance, 20% Participation, 5% Performance Critique Performance – Skill evaluation will be measured through skills test, tests on dance combinations, written work, and written tests. Students will be graded on memory, execution, characterization, rhythm/timing and technique Participation – Students receive 100 points at the beginning of each trimester. Points are taken off for absences, tardies, medicals, suit cuts, non-participation and truancy. See below: 1-7 Day points are deducted as follows:

• Excused absences – 1 point • Medical – 1 point (The student must bring a note from parent or, after 2 days, from a doctor. The student

does not dress but must attend class and take notes on what is covered. The teacher must sign off on the notes at the end of the period.)

• Suit Cut – 3 points (The student does not dress appropriately for dance but DOES participate fully in all class activities.)

• Tardy – 3 points (The student must be on the dance floor, ready to dance 5 minutes after the bell rings.) • Non-Participation – 5 points (The student does not dress and does not participate in class. The student

must either take notes on what is covered in class OR do a teacher assigned research paper.) • Truancy/Suspension/Unexcused Absence – 5 points

Block Day points are deducted as follows:

• Excused absences – 2 points • Medical – 2 points • Suit Cut – 5 points

• Tardy – 3 points • Non-Participation – 10 points • Truancy/Suspension/Unexcused Absence – 10 points

Absence Policy: It is extremely difficult to learn dance technique, routines, formations, and curriculum if you are not in class. There are no textbooks or worksheets that you can “catch up” with. For this reason, it is imperative that dancers do not miss class. Make-up work: A student can be given a chance to Make Up excessive absences, medical absences and unexcused absences. It is the student’s responsibility to contact Mrs. Tribuzi about completing make-up work. Usually, make-up work involves coming into the studio at lunch or after school to practice or get tested on material that was missed or turning in a written assignment. Occasionally, make-up work may involve completing an extra dance project. (All written make-up work must be complete before the last week of the semester.) Medical Excuses: Students may be excused for one class per parental request with a maximum of two requests per semester. Students that require modified participation longer than two days must have a doctor’s note outlining the requirements for modifications. Appropriate make-up work will be required as well as proper notes take for the days sitting out. The notes must be reviewed by Mrs. Tribuzi at the end of each class. DANCE ATTIRE: IT IS NEVER AN OPTION TO NOT DRESS!!! Non-suits or suit cuts will greatly impact the participation portion of your grade in class. You may borrow clothes for the class period if you forget clean attire. If you have financial or logistical problems acquiring dancewear or shoes, please notify Mrs. Tribuzi. Clothes:

• Girls: Leotard/dance top/fitted sport tops and tights/dance pants and AND proper shoes (either jazz or tap). No skin at midriff, cleavage-front or back!! Also, knees must be covered.

• Boys: Jazz or sweat pants worn near the waist and a fitted tee shirt AND proper shoes. Sweat pants and tee must not be baggy and boxers must not be visible. Basketball shorts can be worn ONLY with compression pants.

• All: Hair tied back and off the face, no necklaces, bracelets, or dangling earrings. Also, no zippers, pockets, buttons, or metal on any of your clothes!

Shoes: • Beginning Dance: Beginning dancers will need Jazz shoes (black) and Tap shoe (1 ½ inch heel, tan) No

Dance Sneakers unless medically necessary. • Intermediate Dance: Jazz shoes (black) and Tap Shoes (either tan heels or black flats) No Dance

Sneakers unless medically necessary. • Advanced Dance: Jazz shoes (black) and Black Flat Tap Shoes. You may also be using tan Heeled tap

shoes and Tan Character Shoes during the year but you do not need to buy them now. No Dance Sneakers unless medically necessary.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to keep costs down, I order shoes through a dancewear supplier. I will send a letter home with specific details at a later date. The approximate costs are as follows: Jazz shoes -$17.00, Heeled tap shoes -$26.00, Flat taps-$54.00-60.00. Financial aid is available for purchasing tap shoes through the SMHS Dance Department. If you want to purchase shoes on your own, feel free to do so but be sure they meet the requirements for the class. DISCIPLINE POLICY: Tardies: We will begin dancing 5 minutes after the tardy bell rings. If you are not on the dance floor when I begin warm-ups, you are tardy. You will lose points and may be assigned push-ups. A written pass from a teacher is the only way to excuse a tardy.

Dance Studio Behavior: The following are NOT allowed…

• Food or drink (other than water in a closed container) in the dance studio • Chewing gum • Street shoes • Body oils, sprays, or, lotions put on before class • Sitting or leaning during class • Leaving class without permission • Cell phones (they will be turned in to the Dean’s office if you check them during class!!!)

DANCE CONCERT/COSTUMES/FUNDRAISERS: Dance Concert: All students in dance will participate in the Spring Dance Concert, Mateo Motion XIII. The dates are Friday and Saturday, April 28th and 29th. There will be three mandatory rehearsals after school on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, April 24th, 26th, and 27th from 6:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. YOU CANNOT RECEIVE A PASSING GRADE FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER IF YOU DO NOT PERFORM IN BOTH NIGHTS OF THE DANCE CONCERT. Costumes: For the end of the year performance, you will be required to purchase or make your costumes. The cost can be anywhere from Free (by borrowing a costume we already have) to $50. The costumes that you purchase will be yours to keep and we try to keep the cost to a minimum, but please be warned that this expense will come up. Because of the amazing job the students have done fundraising in the past few years, there have been NO costume costs! Fundraisers: The dance department receives very little money from the school to implement the program and this program can be VERY expensive to run. Here are a few ways dance money is spent:

• For Class: Master Classes, Music, Buses for field trips, Portable sound systems, Recordable CD’s, Financial Aide for students in need.

• For the Dance Concert: Costumes, Music, Sound Equipment, Lighting, Lighting Designers/Technicians, Stage Crew, Programs, Posters, Flyers

All money to run the program is generated through fundraisers, donations, and ticket sales for our dance concert. All students are expected to participate in the fundraisers. So far, we have two fundraisers planned for this year. I will let you know of others as they come along.

• Treats and Magazine Subscription Sale – August/September • Clothing Fundraiser – August • Barnes and Noble Gift Wrap – November/December (We need someone to organize this!) • Pies and Cookie Dough – March

A few additional thoughts:

• Please make it a habit to go to the bathroom before class begins. • Students should bring a water bottle (that closes securely) to class if think they will need water

during class. • Lock all valuables in the locker room before you come to class. If you choose not to have a

locker, be sure your bags are securely closed and placed on the grey floor at the back of the dance studio. Do not leave items in the hall outside the studio…they will get stolen.

• Do not hang clothes on the ballet barre. • Do not lend your dance clothes or shoes out to others and do not share lockers or give out your

combination to others.

Respect for your teacher and for your fellow dancers is very important.

Proper dance etiquette should be followed at all times. (See handout)

If you really want to dance, do not drop the class due to financial issues. Things can always be worked out!

Please share all of this information with your parents and have them sign the attached sheet.

Dear Parents, Thank you for reading the attached information. In February we will be contacting parents about helping with the Spring Dance Concert. We need volunteers for a variety of jobs. Each dancer is asked to “donate” one parent volunteer and/or food and water to the show. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me. (Email works best!) Thanks! Mrs. Robyn Tribuzi rtribuzi@smuhsd.org Parent Name (Please print): Parent Signature: Parent Email: Daytime Phone: Student Name (Please print): Student Signature: Student Email:

“Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances."

~Maya Angelou

What’s covered in this class???

Beginning Dance- This class emphasizes basic dance technique in Jazz and Tap Dance. In Jazz, the students will learn:

Correct Body Alignment Rhythm/Counting Basic Dance Terms: Plié, Relevé, Tendu, Battement, Retiré, Coupé, 5 positions of the feet, 5

positions of the arms, turn out Basic Dance Steps: Chassé, Pivot, Pas De Bourré, Back-Side-Front, Kick Ball Change, Lindy,

Jazz Square Basic Dance Technique: Spotting, Setting, Single Pirouettes, Chainé Turns Basic History of Jazz, Ballet, and Tap dancing

Basic Stage Terms: Upstage, Downstage, Stage Right, Stage Left In Tap, the students will learn:

Rhythm/Counting Basic Tap Moves: Shuffle, Flap, Touch, Step, Ball Change, Hop, Leap, Stamp, Stomp, Brush

Step, Scuff, Buffalo Basic Tap Steps: Carry Over, Carry Back, Waltz Clog, Rhythm Roll, Shuffle Time Steps

Intermediate Dance- This class emphasizes more advanced dance techniques in Jazz, Tap, and possibly Lyrical Dance. In Jazz, the students will continue to work on the curriculum of the Beginning Dance class and will also learn: Dance Terms: Soutenu, Développé, Jeté, Degagé, Attitude, Ronds de Jambe Dance Steps: Work towards a double Pirouette with Setting, Fast Chainés Basic Choreographic Concepts: Energy, Force, Sustain, Percussive, Suspend Dancers and Choreographers in Jazz Begin to study a variety of Jazz styles: Lyrical, Latin, Hip Hop, Theatre In Tap, the students will improve upon the skills taught in the Beginning Class and learn: Intermediate Tap moves: Flap Change, Riff, Scuffle, Slam Intermediate Tap Steps: Double Buffalo, Traveling Cramp Roll, Stomp Time Steps, Pick-Up, Changing Pick-Up, Scissor, Tap Chasse, Breakout, Triple Back, Paddle

Advanced Dance- This class emphasizes an advanced level of technique in all areas of dance. Choreography and Performance are stressed in the class. In Jazz, the students will review and improve the skills taught in the Beginning and Intermediate Classes, plus learn: Advanced Dance Terms/Steps: Saut de Basque, Tour Jeté, Pas de Chat, Assemblé, Cabriole, Grand Jeté, Triple Pirouette with Set An Advanced Dance Performance is emphasized In Tap, the students will improve upon the skills taught in the Beginning and Intermediate Classes, plus learn: Advanced Tap Moves: Grace Tap, Grace Tap Change, Riffle, Ripple, Double Shuffle Advanced Tap Steps: Standing Cramp Roll, Short Double Buffalo, Essence, Soft Shoe Break, Drum Slap, Cramp Roll Time Steps Advanced Tap Warm-up: The Bill Robinson Routine

An Advanced Dance Performance is emphasized