Carol Stream Park District

A Fun, Competitive Poms Team with 3 Squads

Learn fun dances, and compete in two local competitions along with basketball games and more! We take a low-key approach to competitive poms to help your child ease into competition sports while still having a ton of fun.

Coaches teach dances using age-appropriate music, moves and of course poms. All new uniforms featuring our colors of blue. black and silver.

Dancers compete in 2 competitions, perform at our annual Holiday Showcase, Spring Dance Recital, Tree Lighting and 3-4 basketball games.

Important Dates

Classes Resume	April 6
COMPETITION – STARPOWER	April 10-12	18501 Convention Center Dr, Tinley Park, IL 60477
Picture Day	T.B.A. (April)	SRC
COMPETITION – ADDICTED2DANCE	May 1-3	Genesee Theatre, 203 N Genesee St, Waukegan, IL 60085
Recital Dress Rehearsal	May 29	GBN
Recital (3 shows)	May 30	GBN

Storm Handbook & Guidelines

Welcome

The Carol Stream Park District is dedicated to providing you with an excellent dance experience. We ask that you take the time to read the important information contained in this handbook to better acquaint yourself with our program. The Storm Poms Team is a performance and competitive poms program that focuses on Hip Hop, Jazz, and Pom dance. Company dancers learn a variety of choreography with a focus on performance. Dancers perform at local community events seasonally, the holiday showcase, and the spring dance recital. At the end of the season, all companies participate in 2 recreational competitions. The Storm Poms Team gives dancers the opportunity to work toward excellence, improve their dance technique, learn important teamwork skills, and have fun!

Attendance

Regular attendance at all dance classes is expected and imperative to develop the skills to be successful throughout the year. Choreography and technique are taught weekly to prepare for the performances and competition. Dancers in the company only rehearse once a week, so multiple and continuous absences are not be acceptable.

If your dancer is going to be absent from a rehearsal, please email rachela@csparks.org or, for absences within one hour of rehearsal, call the Simkus Recreation Center front desk. All classes are dedicated to technique and/or choreography.

A dancer who misses class and/or rehearsal may hold back the progress of the entire team. When a dancer is absent from a choreography class, they are expected to learn the choreography prior to returning to the next class. Private lessons for an additional fee is offered if dancer is absent and falling behind with class progress.

All dancers are allowed no more than 3 absences in each class September through April. Although dancers are allowed 3 absences, we encourage perfect attendance. Dancers should only be absent if it is absolutely necessary. Attendance is monitored closely in all classes. There are no “make up” classes for any absence.

We post BAND tutorials for private use only so our dancers can practice at home. Let your instructor know as soon as possible if you are missing class

Attire

Communication

Competition

Information & Fees
The Storm Poms compete at two competitions in the spring. The time and exact day of the competition are announced a week beforehand. There is an approximate $80 fee per dancer for each group dance they compete in, per competition. Starpower charges an additional $49.99 per dancer, which includes a video of the dance and professional unlimited photos.

Awards at Competition
Dancers must wear jackets or other Storm apparel (which can be their uniform, as it says STORM on it) at award ceremonies to represent their team and maintain a uniform team look. Overall, the award goes to the Carol Stream Park District Dance Program for display. Dancers may receive, depending on the competition, individual awards such as pins.

Discipline

Discipline is carried out in ways that help children develop self-control and assume responsibility for their own behavior. We will make every effort to assist the child in correcting any unacceptable behavior through direction, reminders of expected behavior, time-outs, and parent conferences. Our approach focuses on positive reinforcement; staff will act in a manner that is kind and caring, yet firm. If an incident occurs, coaches will have a behavioral form for parents detailing what happened.

Drop off & Pick up

Financial Requirements

Poms members must meet the financial requirements for rehearsals, competitions, special performances, and uniforms. All accounts must be in good standing. Payment plans through Automatic Payment are offered when possible. Fees for recital classes differ from those due for competition and for additional rehearsal times associated with competition. Competition fees are paid through a code. Competition fees are due several months prior to the event to secure a spot.

Refund & Withdrawal Policy

Helpful Hints for Parents

Be sure your child arrives and is picked up on time for class.
Support the instructor in any discipline actions given to your child or child’s class.
Be sure your child is well rested for class.
Be sure your child is dressed appropriately for class, including proper shoes.
Be sure your child’s hair is neatly styled and secure, away from their face.
Be sure your child has a healthy snack before class.
Try to limit your child’s absences; however, if your child is not feeling well, please keep them home until they feel better.
Do not send your child to class with any personal belongings.
Do not send your child to class with food or snacks; only water bottles are allowed in the dance rooms.
If possible, try to limit discussions or questions for instructors to before or after class.

Instructor Substitution & Class Cancellation

If an instructor is absent due to illness, the park district reserves the right to staff a qualified substitute or schedule a make-up class.
Classes may be canceled by the park district if the facility is closed due to unforeseen circumstances, such as power outages, flooding, or weather.
Refunds and proration are not issued for missed classes due to the patron’s personal conflict.
Make-up classes are not scheduled for missed classes due to the patron’s personal conflict.
Classes may be combined if they do not meet the 6-participant requirement. ‘

Performances

Questions

Rehearsal Times

Requirements & Expectations

Excellent Attendance
Excessive absence is not acceptable. If you are sick for multiple weeks, injured, or on vacation, let your instructor know.

Promptness
Be on time, as rehearsals are very important.

Dedication
Take rehearsal content and what you learn seriously; practice outside of class as often as necessary.

Proper Etiquette
Keep talking to a minimum; excessive talking hinders rehearsal productivity.

Review Corrections
When you receive a correction, try to fix it immediately, but also remember it in the future so it is not repeated. At the end of class, make mental notes of the corrections you received.

Appropriate Costume Wear
You must wear the appropriate costume for any and all dances that you are a part of. Any borrowed costumes from the park district must be returned at the end of the season.

Be a Role Model
There is opportunities for our more experienced dancers to assist younger dancers. Set a positive example by being well-behaved, mature, and responsible; they look up to you!.

Take Handouts Home
The majority of information is communicated through handouts; don’t forget about them.

Cellphone Usage
Dancers may have their phones, but they must remain in their bags for the duration of the class. The only time a phone can be used is with the instructor’s permission.

Dress Codes
MUST be followed by Dance Competition members. You are a role model, and it’s your job to represent your team and set good examples for others

Team
You are part of a team and are expected to support, help, and work together with all of your

Staff

Rachel Arendt
Is the Performing Arts Coordinator and has been a dance instructor for over 35 years, and with the park district for over 20 years. Rachel has been a part of the competition world for over 40 years, starting as a dancer, then choreographer and director.

Adrianne Gabel
Is the Recreation Supervisor who oversees the dance program. She also oversees the theatre and gymnastics programs.

Eliana Monteaz

Values

Commitment
We have high expectations of our company members – putting the company first is very important to the program’s success. Frequent absences and tardiness are not tolerated. The squad is a team, and everyone needs to work together and have an equal level of commitment.

Technique
The squads focus a lot on technique throughout the season. It is our goal to ensure our dancers have proper technique and are fully prepared for their competitions and performances.

Communication
It is important that we communicate with our parents and participants about what is going on with the squads. Please join our BAND to stay connected!

Team Unity
The Storm Poms Team is ONE company; all dancers work together and encourage each other throughout the year. In order to improve team unity, we have group outings and parties for the Storm members together throughout the year, in addition to a big sister/little sister program called STORM SISTERS

Fun
While our competitive teams are held at a higher standard than the other dance programs, at the end of the day, we are a recreation-based program, and it is important that our members have fun. It is our intention that the members have fun and enjoy performances and competition, not to worry about placement and trophies.

Uniforms

All participants were required to pay a $160 costume fee at the time of registration. The uniform is worn for most/all performances throughout the season. Dancers are responsible for all pieces of the uniform and MUST replace them if damaged or lost. Uniforms consist of 4 pieces (top, bottom, poms, and bow). Additional pieces may be required for purchase, for the holiday showcase, although we do our best to use supplies or costume pieces that we already have from our park district inventory. All borrowed items must be returned. Keep your costumes in a safe place and do not lose any pieces. If you do lose a piece, a replacement fee applies. Uniforms are strictly DRY CLEAN ONLY!

Volunteering