The FantastiX Baton Team

THE TEAM

The FantastiX Baton Team practices on one day a week from 4:00 to 5:00 at the Mt. Pleasant Elementary School gym. Day will be determined soon.

Twirlers are encouraged to attend the free class 3:30-4:00 to work on basic skills. The expectations for FantastiX team are higher than for free enrichment class, and the rewards are greater. The team practices focus on more complex baton skills and a more challenging team routine. In addition, the coach encourages team cooperation, support, good sportsmanship, and positive character development.

Students from other schools are invited to join FantastiX, too! Please come directly from your school, change your clothes, and join the practice as quickly as you can.

BATONS:

Twirlers will be given a "real baton" when they join the team. They are expected to bring it back and forth to class each week. Helping your child remember to do this is important for their success on the team. In addition, over time this helps children learn to be responsible for themselves and their activities.

CLOTHING:
All team members must wear their team practice outfits to every class. Taking pride in the team's uniform creates a positive learning environment and team spirit. In addition, twirlers can focus on their baton twirling better without the distractions of inappropriate attire. As soon as school is out at 3:30, team members should change quickly and come into the gym.

HAIR & JEWELRY:

Boys and girls should remove all jewelry and watches before class.
For class, girls' hair should be pulled back in a neat ponytail. If she likes to wear it down, you can send her with a hairband so she can pull it back for class.

These hair and jewelry requirements are for safety and ease of learning.

SHOES:
There are specific shoes needed for the performances, and these are the best for practices as well. The coach has them for sale or for rent for a reasonable price. ($10/year to rent; $30/year to buy)

BATON GEAR (a bag, grooming materials, etc.):
As explained above, twirlers are responsible for bringing their own gear each week. This includes their baton, their shoes, their outfit, and a hairbrush and hairband for fixing their hair.

Being a member of the team brings many rewards, including more focus on performance skills as well as more elaborate costuming. The FantastiX team will have extra performance opportunities throughout the year to share the sport of baton.

SOME PERFORMANCES:
Holiday performance at Mt. Pleasant
Holiday performance in Portland
4 baton competitions in Portland or St. Helens on 4 Saturdays in Feb., March, and April
Possibly one competition in Olympia or Longview
The Camas Days Parade
Possibly the Junior Rose Parade in Portland
The performances are an important part of your commitment to the team. When the team is learning a routine, each twirler gets a specific spot, and the rest of the team expects the other twirlers to be there in their spots. It is challenging for the other twirlers to adapt the routine to cover the missing twirler. Children who are very busy with other sports and other activities may decide to participate in only the free class if they will not be able to attend the performances.

COSTUMES:
TEAM ROUTINE: All pieces of the performance costumes will be provided except shoes, which families are expected to buy. Team members will wear matching costumes.

INDIVIDUAL ROUTINES: In addition to doing a group routine at the four competitions, twirlers also do individual events. For these, they may wear their team costume, or they may wear a solo costume. Cost to rent a solo costume is $10/season.

HAIR:
For girls, their hair for performances must be in a slicked-back bun with no wispies. More information on how to do this will be provided later. For boys, their hair must be combed off their face, using gel if necessary.