Welcome to the 2011-2012 twirling and Pom Pom season with the Illusions Baton and Pom Corp. Our first practice is October 6, 2011. In an effort to keep everyone informed we will periodically provide newsletters explaining the "goings on" with the organization. This newsletter will provide you with some initial facts and rules about the Corps.

The Broadneck Illusions Baton & Pom Corp is a non-profit organization, which will provide a unique learning experience for the children and young adults of our community. Our main goal is to provide an exciting and challenging program for those who simply want to broaden their athletic horizons in the areas of baton twirling, competitiveness and most importantly, TEAMWORK!!

The Illusions are affiliated with the United States Baton Twirling Association – USTA. This is our 23^rd year in existence in the Broadneck Area. The Corp is run by volunteers and parents of the corps who are interested in promoting sports and team activities.

Your Board of directors for 2011-2012 is:

Director/Teacher – Mrs. Colleen Rowe

Treasurer - Mrs. Ann Grieb

Teachers: - Mrs. Jen Gurule

                    Mrs. Jen Winslow

                    Ms. Terri Gibson

                    Ms. Breanne Rowe

Registration fees are $20 plus October’s dues. October’s dues are required at registration.

Please check your folders at least once a month. This is our way of getting information out to you. We will try to get a newsletter out every 4 – 6 weeks to keep you informed of everything that is going on and remind you of important dates. The folders are located by the table in front of the gym where the dues are collected. Look for your last name and that’s your folder. We only make enough copies for each folder so please make sure that if your child picks up your information you get it.

The web address for the Illusions web site is: WWW.Illusions-MD.org. We will post newsletters, important dates and any information you may need. If you have any questions please e-mail the Webmaster.

Dues are due the 1^st Thursday of each month, if your dues are not paid at this time a fee of $10.00 will be added to the dues. Please see Ann if you have a problem paying by the 1^st Thursday. Checks are the preferred method of payment but cash is also accepted. For all cash payments you MUST get a receipt

from Ann. Please help Ann prevent disputes by ensuring you get cash receipts. Please keep in mind that Ann usually does not have change so correct change is appreciated.

1 child baton or poms $35/mo Two children baton or poms $55/mo

1 child baton and poms $55/mo Two children baton and poms $80/mo

Family Max $85/mo

Advanced Group (per family) $10 /mo

Twirling Skills Class $10 /mo (must be 7 years old Advanced and Intermediate)

Compulsory Class $10/mo

For newcomers Ann Grieb sit’s at the table outside the gym for dues payments and any questions you may have.

Pom costumes cost $70 each and Baton costumes cost $65. The Pom costumes used last year will be used again this year however baton costumes are always new. Shoes and tights will also be ordered at this time Jazz shoes (each twirler will need these) cost $20 and Cougars (every Pom will need these) are $32. The only exception is tiny tots. .Money for costumes is due December 6, 2011. You can pay a little each month so it doesn’t hit so hard in December if you want. We have to ask for the money in December since it takes 2-3 months for the costumes to arrive. For all Pom’s you will need to purchase a Cheer Swirl (hairpiece). You can purchase them on-line at http://www.cheerswirls.com/. These curly hairpieces are mandatory for competitions. Ann has hair color swatches so you can choose the color closest to your daughters color.

Do you have a pom outfit that does not fit? We will have a "trade-in your Pom outfit" night. You can bring in your outfit to trade up for another or have someone purchase it. Please check your old Pom costumes as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on this one time opportunity.

The nude bodysuits that a lot of children wear to competitions for ease in changing costumes can be purchased at the Dance studio in Park Plaza. The Illusions no longer carry them. We will only sell twirling shoes and tights.

We will have Illusions Wear (t-shirts, shorts, jackets, etc) available for purchase in November (just in time for Christmas). Illusions wear is not mandatory. Order forms will be put in everyone’s folder as soon as they are available. Samples may be available during practice.

We follow the Anne Arundel School policy for inclement weather. If the school closes early we DO NOT have practice, if the school closes for the entire day we DO NOT have practice. Check the Illusions Web site if you are unsure. It will be updated as soon as word is received.

There are several school days where the school is closed for students but open for teachers. If teachers are in school we will have practice.

This is her place of employment and the Illusions are an outside activity not connected to the school. If you need information please send an e-mail to Webmaster@Illusions-md.org or check the Illusions web site.

Competitions:

Competitions begin in April as long as the groups are ready and costumes have been received. Competitions are held on Saturday’s (places to be announced). Competitions are usually a 45 minute drive from Broadneck Elementary. There is 1 in April and 2 in May (one is the Maryland State Competition). The Thursday prior to a competition we will provide you with a list of arrival times and directions. Your child must attend the practice the Thursday prior to a competition or they will not be able to participate in that competition. If there is a reason for missing practice please write a note to Mrs. Rowe and give it to Ann.

The Illusions pay for each member competing in a competition. If your child cannot attend a competition please give us at least two weeks notice, otherwise you will be asked to pay the competition fee that the Illusions paid for your child. Please fill out a note for Mrs. Rowe noting the competition you cannot attend and give to Ann.

It is important for every child to attend practice prior to a competition. Lines may change and the children get frustrated if they go to a competition and have to learn the changes five minutes prior to going on the floor.

Batons will be ordered twice a year once at registration and again in January/February timeframe. Each child is required to have a proper fitting baton or set of poms depending on the group they join. To check and see if your child’s baton is too short, with the right arm stretched out hold the baton under the underarm and it should extend to the end of the middle finger or longer. If the baton is ½ inch or more short a new baton is necessary. Have an Illusions representative check the baton and they will let you know if a new one is needed now or if you can wait. If the baton is not quite ½ an inch short you can wait until January to place an order. Batons cost $30 and will have your daughters name engraved on it. Baton caps will be available to purchase at a cost of $3.00/set. See Ann if you are interested. Caps are not mandatory but will keep the white ends clean.

 

 

Illusions Policies:

 

	Participation in class without prior registration is not allowed.
	Regular class attendance is required. When a student misses class it impacts their individual progress and the progress of the entire class. Chronic absences on the part of a student will be reviewed by the Illusions Director, Mrs. Rowe.
	Attendance at competitions is mandatory unless prior approval is received. We must have 2 weeks notice that your daughter will not be attending a competition. The girls work hard all year don’t ruin it for the group by not showing up at a competition. The lines have to be changed at the last minute and the girls are nervous enough. Please be considerate of the rest of the girls in the group.
	Accounts that are 60 or more days in arrears will be notified by letter that class participation will not be allowed until the account is brought current.
	Payments are due the first practice of each month. A late fee of $10 will be access for payments received past the 2nd practice.
	Instructors cannot accept dues payments, please see Ann to pay your dues.
	If your child is bringing in a check for dues please write the child’s name on the check so it is credited to the correct account.
	The Illusions are not a babysitting service. Do not drop off kids and leave them without supervision prior to or in-between their practice times.
	Please pick your child up on time when the class is over. If a parent is not present at dismissal the burden of responsibility falls upon the instructor who has another class immediately after. Please be respectful of the instructors’ schedules.
	Students that drop a class or withdraw after a costume has been ordered will not receive a costume refund.
	Every baton will be taped by an Illusion volunteer during practice. We will only tape a baton once a season. If your child’s tape is taken off, chewed or raggedy and needs to be re-taped we will charge you $1 for a new taping.
	Pom Poms are only ordered once a year usually in December. Every child in a pom routine must have their own set of poms. We would highly recommend that you write your child’s name on the center bar of each pom for identification should they get mixed up. Keeping poms in a bag when not in use will keep them looking better.