2018 - 2019 Dance Handbook for Students and Parents

Welcome to DANCE at Frank Hurt Secondary. My goal is to help students become happy and healthy dancers. This is a fun class but it is a lot of work. Dance is an art form that when performed can look easy, but much work and effort goes into even the smallest movement. With hard work, determination, and a positive attitude, students will do really well in this class, gain a sense of accomplishment, have fun, and make some new dance friends.

Units of Study

We will review concepts that we learned in previous grades and move towards increasing our cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility.

Here are some of the activities that we will be working on for each curricular competency:

Explore and Create (8-12)

· Combinations in different dance genres (Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, BBoy/BGirl, Tap, Bhangra)

· Freestyles, battles, ciphers, improvisations

· Across the floor

· Choreography challenges

Reason and Reflect (8-12)

· Verbal / written critiques to watching performances

· Feedback Activities

· Scoresheet Activities

Communicate and Document (8-12)

· Class choreography – the process

· Dance quizzes in small groups

· Performances: Breakout / Outbreak, Dance Festival, and Frank Hurt Dance Shows

· Ms. J’s warm-up quiz

Connect and Expand (9-12)

· Student warm up and music edit

· Student choreography and music edit with a social, cultural, environmental, or historical context connection

· Finale choreography challenge

· Choose your own adventure

How are you Marking Me?

As you can see above there are not a lot of written assignments in Dance. Most of our assignments are physical. If you attend regularly, try your best, and have a positive attitude towards learning dance while helping and encouraging others, you will be very successful in Dance.

You will be asked to complete a Google Questionnaire before each report card. You can use your own device, a classroom IPad or computer. You will also have an interview with your teacher to talk about your personal dance goals and how to accomplish them.

Work Habit Marks

Days of the Week

After the first three weeks of Dance conditioning we will move to the following weekly schedule for most weeks:

Monday	“Tech”Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	“Freestyle”Friday
Review and add choreography	Longer warm-ups	Review and add choreography	Review and add choreography	YouTube Choreographies for blog
Watch YouTubes or performances and reflect using dance vocabulary	Tech classes in: Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, Break, Hip Hop		Clean	Freestlye / Battle
	Core workouts
	Flexibility Classes

Performances

Dance is a performance art. Performances and competitions are mandatory. If you know that your child is going to be absent, please have him / her inform the teacher as soon as possible. This will give the class time to learn new formations and choreography as well as, become comfortable in their new positions. We are a team and are learning to work together. You let your team down if you do not show up to a performance.

Semester One Performances and Field Trips

Please mark in your calendar and check the blog for updates.

What	Where	When	Who	Transportation	Ticket Info
Field Trip	The Dance Centre	Wednesday, Oct. 5: 9-3	Block A & D	School Bus	$25
Throwdown Vol. 4	Panorama Ridge	TBA	Anyone can enter this freestyle / break competition	Parents / public transportation	Tickets $5 at the door.
Dance Dress Rehearsal & Show	Frank Hurt Theatre	Thursday, Dec. 20: Dress Rehearsal 3 – 4/ go eat / Return at 5:30/ Doors open at 6:15 for audience/ Show starts at 6:30 – 7:30/ Clean up and home by 8pm	All dance 9-12 semester one dancers and all dance team members.	Parents / public transportation	Tickets are $5 in advance and at the door.
Surrey Dance Festival	Bell Centre	TBA	All semester one 9-12 dance classes.	School bus – paid for by district	Free – come and watch!
Breakout Dance Competition	Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary	Saturday, Jan. 19: 10 – 5pm	All dance 9-12 semester one dancers and all dance team members.	Parents / public transportation	Tickets $10 in advance from Ms. J (Always best to buy in advance for competition – they tend to sell out.)

Semester Two Performances and Field Trips

Please mark in your calendar and check the blog for updates.

What	Where	When	Who	Transportation	Ticket Info
Pulse Small Teams Competition	Fleetwood Park	Monday, Feb. 25: 4 - 7pm	Anyone can make their own duo, trio, quad, or small team (5-8 dancers) Music 2 minutes maximum	Parents / public transportation	Tickets $10 in advance from Ms. J
Surrey Dance Festival	Bell Centre	TBA	All semester two 9-12 dance classes.	School bus – paid for by the district	Free – come and watch!
Outbreak Dance Competition	Chandos	Saturday, April 27: 11 - 5pm	All dance 9-12 semester two dancers and all dance team members.	Parents / public transportation	Tickets $10 in advance from Ms. J (Always best to buy in advance for competition – they tend to sell out.) Frank Hurt Volunteers needed.
Step into the Arena	Frank Hurt	Wednesday, May 23: 4 – 8pm	Anyone can enter the break battles	Parents / public transportation	Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door.
Big Ideas	North Surrey	TBA	Dancers will be chosen from Frank Hurt’s Big Ideas Showcase (May 31)	Parents / public transportation	TBA
Dance Dress Rehearsal & Show	Frank Hurt Theatre	Thursday, June 13: Dress Rehearsal 3 – 4/ go eat / Return at 5:30/ Doors open at 6:15 for audience/ Show starts at 6:30 – 7:30/ Clean up and home by 8pm	All dance 9-12 semester two dancers and all dance team members.	Parents / public transportation	Tickets are $5 in advance and at the door.

Costumes and Make-up

Frank Hurt Dance has a costume room that has some costume items in it. (If you have not returned costume items from previous years please give them to Ms. J in the dance office. You will be rewarded with great thanks. I know how easy it is to forget you have something at home and I will appreciate that you have washed it and returned it.)

Students will often be asked to bring in their own clothing to use as costumes. This year we are going to order a t-shirt (or similarly priced item) for the classes. All classes will pay $15 and get to keep their class t-shirt. Teams will discuss costuming as a team and will let Ms. J know if they need help with acquiring items.

Students are responsible for keeping their costumes fresh and must bring them to each performance and competition themselves. If students are using a Frank Hurt item, they are responsible for cleaning, folding and returning to Ms. J. Please let Ms. J know if an item is damaged so it can be repaired or replaced.

In professional theatre, male and female dancers wear make-up. It allows the audience to see facial expressions with all the stage lights. We are aiming to be professional but I also do not want to make anyone uncomfortable or deter them from taking Dance. For this reason, make-up is expected to be worn by females for shows and performances (unless of course there is an allergy or parents do not allow make-up). Males are not expected to wear make-up unless they want to or it is for dramatic effect. Please do not share make-up. Basic required make-up for dancers (this may change slightly, depending on the artistic requirements for each dance):

Foundation

Brown/black eyeliner and mascara

Brownish-red blush

Natural red lipstick

Stage Make-Up YouTube Tutorial

(This is a very detailed video. Students do not require fake eye-lashes. Mascara is sufficient.)

Ms. J will talk about costumes and make-up for each dance with the students before performances and competitions. I will also post this information on the blog and send reminders through social media.

Field Trips

Field trips to performances are strongly encouraged. If you know that your child is going to be absent, please inform Ms. J so we can make changes in the formations and choreography with ample time for the other students to learn new places confidently.

Block A & B have a field trip planned to the Dance Centre on October 5^th. Block D will also have a field trip but it has not yet been planned.

Here is the information for block A & B field trip:

The Dance Centre in Vancouver on Friday, October 5^th

9:15 – Meet in the dance studio

9:30 – 10:30 Bus to The Dance Centre

10:30 – 11:30 Lunch

11:30 – meet back at the Dance Centre / Find out seats in the theatre downstairs

11:45 – 12:45 Company 605 Performance

1:15 – 2:15 Company 605 Class

2:20 – 3:20 Bus back to Frank Hurt

The cost to students is $25. This includes a dance class, performance, and transportation by school bus. Students will need to bring a lunch or money to purchase a lunch. (sushi, Starbucks, pizza, Tim Horton’s, and Subway are all close by.)

There may also be a field trip to a local elementary school to teach grade sevens some moves and share our love of dance. This field trip will be happening at the end of the semester. More details will be posted on the blog. It will be free of charge and happen within school hours.

I have attached all field trip forms to this handbook and I have sent a copy home with students on the first day of school or the first day of dance team practice. All permission forms and fees are due: Friday, September 28at 3pm.

Frank Hurt Dance Policies and Classroom Expectations

1. Arrive on time and be prepared to work.

You must be at the change room or in the studio when the bell goes. Make sure Ms. J sees you and marks you present. You will then have five minutes to get changed. Start warming up your muscles, reviewing choreography, or have a seat in the circle. This year we will start all classes in a circle. If you are late, please enter quickly and quietly. Make sure Ms. J sees you so she can adjust the attendance. If you missed the warm-up, please warm yourself up on the side to prevent injury and join us as quickly as you can. If you are late (or have unexcused absences) to class more than three times, Ms. J will call contact your parents. If lateness persists the administration will be informed.

2. Please respect the studio space, audio equipment, washrooms, and Fine Arts building.

This is your dance space and the only one we have. Please work to take care of it by wiping up any spills, throwing out garbage, and treating the sound system with care. Please do not bring food or drink (other than water) into the dance room. If you do not know how to work the soundboard, please ask before touching. Ms. J or one of the senior dancers will be happy to show you.

3. Participate fully and positively.

The course content is best learned through active participation. Maintain an open mind and have a positive attitude. Be ready to listen, learn and share your ideas.

4. Show courtesy and respect at all times.

a) Be respectful of others’ opinions, space and personal property, as well as that of the studio space.

b) Listen to whoever is speaking. Everyone has a right to participate as well as to be heard. Therefore, do not call out or speak over others.

c) Rudeness, intolerance, discrimination, ridicule and other unacceptable behaviors will not be tolerated. This includes comments that are sexist, racist or homophobic in nature.

d) Everyone is learning. Help each other and demonstrate your capacity to teach as well as learn.

5. Catch up on missed choreography.

If you miss class and new choreography, make your best effort to get a friend in class to catch you up at lunch. This is a great way to make a new friend too. J

6. Take responsibility for your own learning.

Each day you will be faced with dozens of choices, some of them more difficult than others. Part of Ms. J’s responsibility is to help you make sound decisions about what goes on both inside and sometimes outside the classroom. Ultimately, however, YOU are the one who is responsible. Your success in this class depends on the choices YOU choose to make. Remember that learning and growth in dance is an ongoing process that is a culmination of effort, a positive attitude and focused practice.

Injuries

Injuries happen. In class, we will talk about warming up properly and using proper technique to help prevent injuries. But sometimes, injuries still occur. So, what happens when you have an injury and you cannot participate fully in Dance class? First of all, communicate with Ms. J, your parents, and your physician. We want all injuries to heal properly so that they do not get worse. During class, injured students can participate by watching, playing the music, taking choreography notes, or coming up with costume ideas. Everyone is different and has different interests, so Ms. J will talk with the injured student to come up with an individual plan. The key is, an injured student should still be participating in class to some degree. The student should not be somewhere else – like on their phone.

If a physician has sent a note saying that the student cannot dance for a certain period of time, they should be cleared by their physician before they re-join the class.

Above all, listen to your body. There are two different kinds of pain. One is good pain that tells the dancer that they worked a new muscle group and the other is the bad, sharp pain that tells the dancer that they have gone too far. We want only good pain in Dance class. It is better to work slow and steady than to try and do too much too soon.

Supplies needed for Dance

Comfortable clothing to dance in that is appropriate for school

Bare feet, socks, toe undies, jazz shoes, or ballet slippers for contemporary, jazz and ballet.

Sneakers for street styles: hip-hop and bboy – bgirl styles.

Water bottle

Sweat towel

Internet device *There are two computers and three Ipads we can share (Frank Hurt is not responsible for lost or stolen items, so if you are not good at taking care of expensive items leave them at home and use ours.)

Stage Make-Up for shows

Dance Team

Dance team is a class that you get credit for and runs during an X block after school. This year we have four dance teams: Junior Hip Hop, Senior Hip Hop, Break Team, and Contemporary Team. Sign up for Dance Team Auditions HERE.

Get prepared for dance team auditions by coming to our pre-audition classes:

Tues. Sept. 11 2:55 – 3:55pm Break Team Pre-Audition Open Class

3:55 – 4:55pm Senior Hip Hop Pre-Audition Open Class

Wed. Sept.12 2:55 – 3:55pm Bhangra Pre-Audition Open Class

3:55 – 4:55pm Hip Hop Teams Pre-Audition Open Class

Tues. Sept.18 2:55 – 3:55pm Break Team Audition

3:55 – 4:55pm Senior Hip Hop Audition

Wed. Sept. 19 2:55 – 3:55pm Bhangra Audition

3:55 – 4:55pm Junior Team Audition

What if you do not get accepted on a dance team this year? Take Dance with Ms. J, dance at lunch, take classes outside of school, or even just practise at home with some YouTubes. Do not give up. If you really want to dance you should continue to practise and learn wherever and whenever you can. Then, try again next year. If you practise all year you will have an amazing chance of getting on the team next year and you will have shown that you are dedicated and can persevere which are two amazing life skills that all dancers need to have. We learn more from our failures than we do when we succeed.

Dance Teams will run after school on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:55 -4:55 and Fridays 2:50 – 3:50. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are for reviewing and adding new choreography. Fridays we will have use of the theatre and we will rotate between two teams and all teams’ showcase practices.

Dance Team members are strongly encouraged to attend all field trips to broaden their perspectives on all dance genres and become more familiar with new dance opportunities outside of Frank Hurt.

Dance Team members are strongly encouraged to take Dance class with Ms. J. Dance team is designed as an add-on to supplement Ms. J’s Dance class during the school day.

Communication is Key

We are so lucky to have so many ways to communicate with one another. Let’s use them!

Blog: frankhurtdance.blogspot.com

Email: Johnson_paula@frankhurt.ca

Facebook: Frank Hurt Dance

Instagram: Frank Hurt Dance

YouTube: Frank Hurt Dance

Spotify: Frank Hurt Dance – music playlists

Schoology: We will be using Schoology again this year for assessments.

To Do:

Read through the 2018 – 2019 Dance Handbook for Students and Parents.
I will be posting all future notices on the blog. If you would like to get blog updates you can enter your email on the home page. Feed Burner will send you a confirmation e-mail. You must open the e-mail and click to complete the subscription.

Complete field trip forms: Medical information, parent and teacher signatures by Friday, Sept. 28 at 3pm.
Sign-up for Dance Team Auditions HERE.
Exact change or cheque made out to Frank Hurt Secondary with student number on it for: $40 costume t-shirt / $25 Field Trip (online payment link will be available or bring cheque made out to Frank Hurt Secondary and student number or exact change in cash.)

Frank Hurt Dance

YouTube: Killer 9 Minute Warm-Up

YouTubes: Bhangra and Break Class