About | Stoughton High School Dance Team

Purpose and Mission

The Stoughton High School Dance Team is a cooperative group of dancers/athletes who strive to promote the vision of SHS athletics. The goal of the team is to promote school spirit and involvement, teamwork, dedication, strong work ethic, and respect. A successful team is a result of two things: mutual respect among team members and a common vision about where the team is going. The mission of the SHSDT is to provide dancers with a successful and meaningful educational experience.

Team members have personal goals of high academic achievement, increasing their dance ability, learning effective time management, forming strong friendships, and learning to become a valuable team member. The success of the team is due to the incredible dedication from the dancers, parent involvement, and experienced coaches. Dancers exhibit great sportsmanship, positive attitudes toward teammates, competitors, school, and parents. The dancers on the SHSDT have the utmost respect for their coaching staff.

Selection and Eligibility

All athletes between the grades of 9-12 are eligible to tryout for the dance team. The audition process will take place in the spring of the previous school year. A qualified panel of judges will be brought in to assist in selecting the team. Candidates are encouraged to attend the tryout clinics to be familiar with necessary material for tryouts. Tryout clinics are not mandatory but highly recommended for those who have not danced in a while or who have not tried out for the team before.

All dancers must tryout each school year and individual season (Fall/Winter).

No scores or judges sheets will be distributed.

Final placement decision will be up to the coaching staff and may not be disputed.

*Competitive Season: Each member of the team will not dance at every competition. Cuts will be made for each individual competition based on coach's discretion and will only be discussed with the dancer. Coach will exercise the ability to move dancers between routines at any time.

Team Expectations

Every member of the Stoughton Dance Team will be held accountable for their actions at all times. This includes outside of practice. If a dancers actions are not in the best interest of the team or will in anyway jeopardize the goals, expectations, reputation and well being of the team, the dancer will be subject to disciplinary action and possible removal from the program. This takes simple common sense; know the difference between right and wrong. Take PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY to be a mentally and emotionally strong, trustworthy, and valuable team member, student and friend.

RESPECT: All dancers must show respect to all coaches, team members, administration, and faculty. Respect the school, facilities, and property.

COMMUNICATION: To provide a comfortable and successful environment, all lines of communications must be open between coaches, captains, team members, and parents. The communication chain must be followed at all times (see page 12 of team manual).

DEDICATION: It is expected that when a dancer is in practice they will be giving 100% effort at all times. Furthermore, dancers must be fully prepared at all practices and events.

SUPPORT: All coaches, dancers, and parents are expected to show support to our program as a whole. Without complete support from all groups, we cannot effectively continue to build a strong, cohesive team.

PRIDE: Show pride in your role as a member of the Stoughton Dance Team and as representative of Stoughton High School. It is an honor to be a part of this strong and successful tradition.