In order to look our best, all our athletes have to have correct shoes, tights.

Everyone will require:

Beige shoes and tights (all 12 competitive girls)

They are required for

-solo and 2 baton

-Joseph

-I’ve Got the Music

-Uno Dos Treize

-Spice Girls

 The following will need black shoes and either tights OR black knee highs

Criminal

**instead of tights,  some of the athletes might consider a “body wrapper”, which is an “all in one” tights and foundation bodysuit.   This serves two purposes:

1.       For any of the girls who might benefit from undergarments that would help smooth the silhouette,  the body wrapper helps to smooth and control

2.      For any of the girls who like something between them and their costume..either for the feel, or for those who sweat a lot – much easier to wash a body wrapper than a costume!

Continuing in this vein,  all of our girls are beautiful!  Some have more generous builds than others, and might want something more substantial than the body wrapper.   I would very strongly suggest that  you and your daughter visit Gabies and check out their wide array of undergarments that help provide a bit more control and smoothness.  The sales staff is ready and willing to help

I have been to Gabies Boutique on Leslie just south of Green Lane, and chosen the brands and colours of shoes/tights/body wrappers that you need to purchase.

We will be receiving a 15% discount on these items.  See the selection below.  Gabies also has a record of this at their store – so they will be able to tell you what you need to buy.     We need to order on ONE order, and pay for all at once, with one payment.   To facilitate this,  between January 25 and Feb 8, I need each of you to visit Gabies, try on shoes, and ORDER what you need.   I very strongly suggest that you purchase a minimum of two pair of tights…one pair rarely lasts the season.  The shoes that are ordered should be for competition only.   When we hit the floor the shoes need to look new (not scuffed) and need to have some traction on the bottom!   Really, you might consider more than one pair, especially the beige.  I am asking you to do this ordering visit in February, because we will have the costumes by then, so anyone wanting to order a body wrapper, or supportive undergarment can take the costume, and try on the wrapper/undergarment with the costume to make sure it works .  Also,  some people are still growing,  so you should wait until February to ensure proper fit during the competition season.  

SPECTRUM DRESS CODE

SHOES: So Danca JZ40 $59.75 in Caramel and Black.

If So Danca shoe does not fit well may go to Bloch S0495 $60.75

TIGHTS: Mondor 310 or 314 Microfiber Tights in Light Tan and Black

310: CH $15.25/$17.25

314: CH $18.25/$20.25

UNDERGARMENTS: as needed, may choose from selection what works best, if needing a full bodytight please go with Bodywrappers A91 ($31.00) in Jazzy Tan and/or Black

**prices are subject to the 15% discount!

The competition season is upon us, and its time for a refresher message on what we need from our members on the day of a competition!

1. Be there ON TIME. If you have not been told otherwise, you are expected to be on site at the 'DOOR OPEN' time indicated on the brochure. Take my cel phone number with you (905 751-7031) and call if you run into unforseen trouble. Nothing get the day off to a worse start than people arriving late when others have got there on time!

  2. Please access our website to gain access to the brochures that have locations, directions, times, order of events, etc.   I would appreciate you consulting the site prior to emailing me with questions

3. If I know the time your team will go on, I will share that but often I don't.  There really is no point to you emailing me with scheduling questions because if I know, I will tell you. Generally, teams are on first thing and are done by noon  

4. You should arrive groomed "competition ready" as far as hair & make up goes (lipstick can wait til you're there, but the rest should be done)

Hair should be in a high (not back of the head granny) bun, with bangs back, tight & sprayed.

The Team Mom will do an initial hair/makeup/etc check at the start of the day before the competition.  If she tells you to do something…DO IT!

5. Come wearing your club tracksuit. Upon arrival, change into your first costume and touch up your hair/makeup. 

6. Bring everything you need: all costumes, tights, knee-highs, shoes (black and beige) scrunchies, hair & makeup supplies, tape, and BATON. Its always a good idea to pack the night before.

7. Your baton must be CLEAN and freshly taped.

8. No-one is permitted to leave the facility until they are finished competing, under any circumstances. Do NOT wander off during the day. Stay with whatever team you are about to compete with.

9. You are expected to watch and cheer on all the competitors, but especially your fellow Spectrum North teams. We don't make rules for parents, but the most fun is to be had if you sit together to support your girls!  Remember, kind words are remembered for a long time, but unkind words are NEVER forgotten, so if you cannot find something nice to say, say nothing

10. Keep your area of the changeroom neat, and clean up after yourself. Make sure when you leave you take EVERYTHING with you. Parents are NOT allowed in the changeroom.

11. Soloists, you are responsible for picking up your scoresheets. You can't expect others to pick it up for you. Also - you should bring your scoresheet to the solo class following a competition for your coach to review.

12. No eating or drinking in costume! You must cover up your costume to avoid spills!

13.  There is always food available to be purchased from the host, but you may bring your own lunch if you wish.   Please limit the junk food!   If you are eating, drinking in the stands, please clean up after yourself.

14.  Soloists. I cannot stress this enough:   You and your parent are 100% responsible for knowing the set and lane you are competing on,  and 100% responsible for reporting to that set and lane.  This is a very basic job.

15.  The purpose of the practice gym is to warm up prior to competing.  It is the twirlers responsibility to get into the practice gym when allowed.    It is not to be considered a training facility,  and competition days are not for lessons.  I will always do my level best to see anyone who wants to be seen before they go on, and I always try my best to watch each of my soloists.   Having said that,  I am only human, and  occasionally I might miss warming someone up, or watching someone.  Quite often during the lunch hour, the competition director allows the floor to be open for practice, and this is  often the best opportunity the kids have to have me watch/help them without being rushed.  If the kids are there, and ask me, I will absolutely watch them but again,  I am not going to chase after them. 

16.  Scoring/results.   Most of you would know that we all start in C, and with a score of 2.5 advance to BN, 4.0 advance to BI, and 6.0 advance to A.  There is also the placement/pecking order.   I am asking for the parents support in keeping the focus AWAY from scores and placement.  It places too much pressure on the kids.  Ours is a subjective sport,  and sometimes scores/results are not fair.  My philosophy has always been that my pride and pleasure in the girls is NOT linked to what the judges say, it is determined by how hard they work in the practice gym and how they PERFORM.  We can’t control scores and placement, so we should not obsess about them.  But we CAN control how hard we train, and how we perform – that’s what matters.   Please remember this.  Let me worry about the scores and placement, and you parents concentrate on supporting your daughters training (getting them to the gym, encouraging working at home,  supporting healthy diet and exercise)  and being “mom/dad”

17.  Scores/drops.  Please remember that this year,  the score that is flashed will be further subject to drop penalties at a rate of .1 (decimal 1) per drop.  That is a huge factor in a sport that is judged out of 10.   Routines will be staying “as is” up until the Pizzazz competition on March 2^nd.  After that,  anything not being executed with success the majority of time will be removed from the programs.  The girls have had months to “get” these tricks, and if they don’t have them by March 2^nd, they are not going to magically catch them in competition. 

18.  Videotaping:   the girls learn a lot from videotaping.  I strongly, very strongly, encourage all parents to come to the competition with something (camera, camcorder, smartphone)  to video with, and I would suggest you set up a team-tag with another parent…you will video her daughter, and she/he will video yours.  That way everyone gets to watch their child, but videotaping is still done.  Then at home – have your child WATCH it – once looking for the good, once looking for what could be improved.

19.  I strongly encourage dialogue between myself and parents regarding a twirlers development, progress, work ethic.  Please don’t hesitate to speak to me should you have any questions or concerns, but keep in mind that the discussion will be limited to YOUR child, not teammates or competitors.

20.  Lastly, if you are a parent and  are fairly new to solo competition, we have a great group of veteran parents who totally know the ropes.  I know that if you ask one of them,  they will be happy to stick with you for the first  couple competitions to help you get used to everything.   They can probably be of alot more assistance to you than I am, as they can give you the "parent" perspective! 

The club needs all the parents of competitive athletes to pitch in to help the club operate smoothly.

Thanks to these parents...

Costume Coordinator:  Judy Kennedy

Christmas Show Coordinator:  Stephanie Crapper, assisted by Wendy Howorth and Chris McDonald (Kris Kringle)

Annual Show Coodinator:  Joanne Wakulich, assisted by Wendy Howorth

Christmas Parade Coordinator:  Rej Seguin

Team Mom:  Amanda Burke

Canadians Trip Coordinator:  Chris McDonald

Publicity & Promotion:  Amanda D'attolico

Scrapbook, Archives:  Amanda Burke

General Assist as needed:  Jenn Burke

Spectrum Competition Chairperson:  Kathy Harrison

Subcommittee Heads:  Food-Melissa Ozturk,   Technical - Pim RomColthoff,  Entries-Chris McDonald

Below is info that has been provided by the previous volunteers:

Christmas Show

Tasks:

·         Send out list of food families should bring

·         Purchase napkins, plates, forks, tablecloths, small decorations, garbage bags

·         Have two cooler and four bags of ice available for drinks, including two cases of water

·         Set up chairs/tables in gym:

o   Set up the chairs. If they are not already out they are under the stage. They get pulled out, and set up - on the gym floor in front of the stage.  Set up all 100 chairs in rows (seats offset so that people can see better)

o   At the front, put gym benches to both allow the beginners to watch the show, and to signal a boundary

o   I need ONE table at the back, left of the gym (ie:  near the doorway that people come in from) to put my music on.  I need one chair with that table

·         Bring extension cord and Christmas music for party

·         Mop gym floor - Get the custodians broom at 545 and sweep the entire gym floor.  

·         Set up food tables

·         Decorate

·         Take everything down, put tables and chairs away, gift food back and take home leftover containers to clean/bring back to baton the following practice

Jen Meron takes care of the following:

·         Advance permit, run the practice

·         Send information out on times & grooming & dress, take care of the one-page programs handed out,  and run the show and do all the talking

·         Music

Kris Kringle:

·         Have one person take gifts and organize them (Chris McDonald has been doing this)

·         Need a Santa to hand out gifts (Jen Meron’s husband has been doing it)

Party Setup:

·         Set up tables in the hallway/foyer for the food and drinks.   Require a table cloth on each

·         Dollar store for disposable Christmas table cloths, plates, napkins, forks(cake)

·         Will require coolers for drinks

·         Make sure people know that the food contributions have to be there when the girls are dropped off

·         Have a small crew of volunteers (3) available to help you lay everything out.  make sure everyone is told to bring any "serving" utensil their thing requires, or any bowl

·         At the end - we are responsible for clean up.  Suggest the "crew" that set up the chairs be also the crew that puts them away.  Suggest the crew that helps you set up the food again follow through to clean it up.  Usually excess food just gets sent home with whoever is around at the end.   Usually, at least a few people leave before the party's totally done, so there might be bowls, plates left over.   Usually Marion would take them home, and take them back to the first class after Christmas.   It’s a good idea to bring a few large garbage bags...sometimes the custodian is hard to find.

Note:  please keep all receipts and I can either reimburse you for the costs, or I can put them as a credit towards costumes, whichever you prefer.

Spectrum Schedule 2012-2013

October 4  -Badge Test at Lester B Pearson

Oct 15 - Learn to Twirl Starts

November 3 - Choreo Day at Lester B

November 17 - Newmarket (11am) and Bradford (6pm) parades

November 24 - Aurora (6pm) parade

November 27 - Boston Pizza Celebrity Server night!!

Dec 20 -  Christmas Show & Party – Lester B. Pearson

Jan 25 - Feb 8:  Go to Gabies Boutique to order your shoes, tights, etc

February 2&3:       Baton Day!!

(major clinic on Sunday Feb 3, privates Saturday Feb 2) 

Feb 9:  Valentine Competition (optional, solos only)

March 2:     Pizzazz

April 6:      Spectrum North

April 20:    Camaros

April 27:      Ajax Comets

May 2:   Club photos at Lester B

May 18 & 19:    Trillium and IC Qualifier

May 25 & 26:      Ontario Provincial Championships

June 8:  Spectrum Final Show – Newmarket HS

June 15:   Pizzazz

July 3 – 8:  Canadian Championships

Although the date for the Canadians next July is a ways out, I volunteered to organize the group reservation for our club at Ramada Plaza Crystal Palace in Moncton, NB since I have stayed there before with the club for past Canadians. For the families who have not been there before, Crystal Palace is a great hotel for family-oriented groups traveling together. There is a great pool area central to all rooms which is nice for both kids and parents to hang out. The hotel is also connected to an indoor amusement park, restaurants, Starbucks Café, Chapters and Empire movie theatres. It is also close to a number of options for eating out and shopping. See the link below for more information.

The group rate is $149.95 per night plus 13% tax. Available rooms at this rate have either (2) Queens or (1) King and a pullout. There are suites available for $249.95 that have a sitting area overlooking or walk-out to the pool depending on whether you are on first or second floor. These prices are for the room only. If you are interested in packages for the adjoining Crystal Palace Amusement Park they may be purchased at the front desk.

Booking Your Room Under Group Rate

We have reserved a block of (15) standard rooms for arrival date of July 2^nd/13 and departure date of July 9^th/13 to hold rooms for now. However, each family must determine their own schedule and call the hotel at (506) 858-8584 to confirm their reservation for their appropriate arrival and departure dates under the Spectrum group rate.

A deposit is not required at this time to hold your room. Rooms may be reserved until one (1) month prior to arrival date. There is no urgency at the moment to complete your booking, but when you know your travel dates, please call the hotel to reserve your room under your name. If you have not booked your room by end of May, the hotel will be releasing unassigned rooms on June 1^st/13 after which point you will be on your own.

You may pay by preferred option upon check out.

The hotel will do their best to group rooms together. However, rooms are not actually assigned until check-in.

Shuttle Service from Moncton Airport

For those flying, there is a shuttle service available through the hotel if you want to make use of it. You will need to provide your flight arrival information to the hotel prior to your departure so they can schedule pickup at the airport.

What do I wear to practice, what do I bring....and more!!

For everyone from our newest to oldest member.....

**for starters, everyone is requested to bring a WATER BOTTLE to classes!  We have realized that we are wasting FAR too much time allowing the kids to leave the gym for drinks (a quick drink turns into 5 wasted minutes)   Therefore, we are requesting that everyone bring their own water bottle (reusable)  in order to avoid this wasted time and make class more productive!

**Please be on time!  For our twirlers who are early in the evening and do a set warm up, that means being in the gym, changed and good to go 5 minutes before warm ups are starting (ie:  610pm) 

Now, onto dress & grooming: 

1.  Hair must be back off your face, minimally in a tight pony or braid, preferably in a bun

2.  No jewellery at all on the hands or wrists.   Small earrings may be worn, and very short necklaces

3.  Shoes:  preferably flexible light sport/dance shoes (eg:  sketchers)  cougar shoes,  canvas runners.  Jazz oxfords may be worn,  but they do not provide great support for practicing.  Also, shoes purchased at this point will very likely be too "worn" to be used for competition.

4.  Competitive Level clothing:   black dance shorts or capris, black tshirt or black tank top.  This is preferred for our pre-competitive students as well, however minimally shorts, and a tshirt or tank top is mandatory! (no sweats, jeans, etc!!)

**if you are ordering clothing from Rainbow,  we will understand if you don't have the required clothing the first 3 weeks. 

5.  Regarding tape on the baton.....no tape for anyone who did not compete in our Senior large teams last year.   For our athletes who DID compete in Senior large last year,  ONLY 6" of tape in the middle of the baton is allowed!

6.  Lastly, a no brainer:  no gum, no candy, no food!!