Tryouts for 2013-2014 Pirate Girls will be held after school at Pizitz on Tuesday, April 9th.

To download the info packet and application, click here:  PG Packet 2013.doc

If you are unable to download the packet, you can also print this page. The info and application are below.

I would love to have another group of kind, responsible, outgoing girls!

Good luck!

2013 Pirate Girl Interviews at Pizitz

This year’s Pirate Girl interviews will be held immediately after school on Tuesday, April 9th beginning immediately after school and lasting until approximately 6:00.

All of the judges for interviews are from outside our city and school system.  None of them has any connection with any of our students.  Every effort has been made to ensure professional and equitable grading of all the candidates.  An outside person, who, like the judges, has no connection with any of our students, will tabulate the score sheets.

We hope the interviews will prove to be a positive and enriching experience for all of our students who choose to participate. 

It is an honor to be selected as a Pirate Girl, but along with that honor comes a great demand on personal time as well as increased responsibilities.  A student needs to be ready and willing to accept this challenging yet rewarding experience as a Pirate Girl.

If there are any further questions, please contact me at school at 402-5350, or email me at brogancm@vestavia.k12.al.us.

Christa Brogan

Sponsor

Parent Information Sheet for Pirate Girl Tryouts - 2013

REGISTRATION:April 1st through April 5th, 2013

INTERVIEWS:Tuesday, April 9th. Girls will call to be picked up as they finish.  Please be prepared to come to pick up your child when called from about 4:00 p.m. until interviews are completed, around 6:00 p.m.

RESULTS:Results will be posted on the lobby door and on the Pizitz home webpage the evening of tryouts after 9:00 p.m. Try-out numbers will be used to identify them on the internet.

ATTIRE:Girls should wear Sunday clothes appropriate for an interview – skirt or nice pants with a nice shirt.

Selection:Selection will be based on poise, personality, speaking ability, answering of  questions, citizenship, and scholarship.

REQUIREMENTS:1.   Interested 6th or 7th grader.

2.Must have a “C”, 70%, or above average in EACH academic subject at the time of try-outs.  In order to give each student the opportunity to try-out, each subject will be averaged using the most recent report that goes home to the parent.  In some cases this may mean report cards or progress reports.  Yearly averages will be calculated from all former nine week grading periods in that school year to come up with a cumulative average for each academic subject.

3.Must have an “S” or above in conduct for EACH nine weeks: study skills classes, Unified Arts classes, etc.

4.Must not have been suspended from school at any time.

5.Must understand that Pirate Girl takes priority over ALL other extracurricular activities.  Must show great school and community spirit.

6.Must not check in/out of school the day of interviews without a doctor’s excuse or prior excused permission.

7.Must not have any outstanding balance owed to another Pizitz organization.  All balances must be paid in full before any student may tryout for Pirate Girls.

COST:Membership dues for Pirate Girls are $150.00. This includes but is not limited to the cost of: one off-campus team-building event each semester, mandatory uniforms, food for events, food for three or more off-campus party events, snacks for the new student party. Membership dues do not include the $15.00 application fee. The application fee only covers the cost of tryouts.

APPLICATION:After having reviewed the cover letter, Pirate Girl

Constitution, (specifically the General Duties section), Pirate Girl expectations, and Parent Information sheet, please do the following:

ϖBring completed registration form (next page), $15.00 in cash or check made to Pizitz Middle School, and a 3rd nine weeks report card (not printed from STI) to room #201 – Mrs. Brogan’s room.  To participate these items must be turned in no later than Friday, April 5th at 3:05. No application will be taken after this time.

Pirate Girl Application Form

Return this form with $15.00 cash or check, payable to Pizitz Middle School and bring your 3rd nine weeks report card (cannot be printed out from STI). Please return this application and fee to Mrs. Brogan in room 201 by 3:05 Friday, April 5th.

Name (what you go by and your last name): ______________________________________________

Your personal email (if you have one):  __________________________________________

Parent email: __________________________________________

 

Primary Parent/Guardian Name: _______________________________________

Parent email (one that is checked often): ____________________________________

CIRCLE GRADE:      6th   or    7th

Parent and Applicant need to initial each of the following:

Parent Initial

Applicant Initial

I have read the Pirate Girl Cover Letter and reviewed the Parent Information Sheet for Pirate Girl Tryouts.

I have read the Pirate Girl Constitution, including the demerit system.

I understand and will follow all established rules.

I can fulfill all requirements and participate in all mandatory events and activities.

I understand that Pirate Girls requires a tremendous commitment of time, energy, and money.

I have read and understand the Pirate Girl Expectations.

Parent/guardian signature:

________________________________________________________________

Student signature:

_______________________________________________________________

Pirate Girl Expectations/Time Demands

¬When in uniform, Pirate Girls represent Pizitz Middle School.  Everything that is said and done is a reflection on our school.  Good manners and a degree of professionalism will be expected at all times.

¬You will be expected to work in the front office with our administration or with designated teachers three days in the summer.  You will also work one day before school starts. 

¬You will be expected to attend the Parent Orientation Night (Open House) in the first semester.

¬You will be expected to work at Pizitz Middle School Math Tournament. This is traditionally held on a Saturday in February at Pizitz.

¬You will be expected to attend Pirate Pride Night Open House during the second semester.

¬You will be expected to serve as a teacher’s aide every day during 8th period except Mondays, which are Pirate Girl Meeting Day. You may take up to two homework days during a week, but you must check in with your assigned 8th period teacher first.

¬You will be expected to be a Pirate Pal (Big Sister) for a 5th grade class at Central.  You will need to visit with the class several times during the year.

¬You will be expected to work selling tickets and working the concession stand at

oAt least two volleyball matches (fall)

oAt least one wrestling match (winter)

oAt least four basketball games (fall/winter)

oAt least two softball games (spring)

PIZITZ MIDDLE SCHOOL PIRATE GIRL CONSTITUTION 2009-2010

ARTICLE I :Name and Purpose

Section 1:The name of this organization shall be the Pizitz Middle School Pirate Girls.

Section 2:The purpose shall be to serve as official hostesses and teacher aides for Pizitz Middle School.

ARTICLE II:Membership

Section I:The membership shall consist of any girl student at Pizitz Middle School who is: interested in being interviewed for Pirate Girl, is officially selected as a result of tryouts, meets and maintains these requirements:

1.Must have written permission from parent or guardian.

2.Must have a “C”, 70%, or above average in EACH subject at the time of try-outs.  In order to give each student the opportunity to try-out, each subject will be averaged using the most recent report that goes home to the parent.  In some cases this may mean report cards or progress reports.  Yearly averages will be calculated from all former nine week grading periods in that school year to come up with a cumulative average for each academic subject.

3.Must have an “S” or above in conduct for EACH nine weeks: Study Skills classes, and Unified Arts classes.

4.Must not have been suspended from school.

Section 2:Any member who does not follow the rules established within this document, or fails to maintain the academic and/or conduct requirements, may be dismissed from the group.

ARTICLE III:Selection

Section 1:    The selection of the Pirate Girls shall be during the

second semester of each year.

Section 2:    Tryout dates shall be established by the sponsor.

Section 3:    Selection of Pirate Girls shall be determined by a panel

of judges not associated with the school.

         Section 4:       Pirate Girls must try out each year for selection.

Section 5:   Selection shall be made on the basis of poise, personality,

speaking ability, appearance, citizenship and scholarship.

ARTICLE IV: General Duties

Section 1: Pirate Girls will assist at events.

1.    Pirate Girls shall work as a teacher aide eighth period as designated by the sponsor.

2.All Pirate Girls shall sell tickets and work at the concession stand for basketball games as designated by the sponsor.

3.All Pirate Girls shall sell tickets and work at the concession stand for wrestling matches, volleyball games, and softball games as designated by the sponsor.

4.Each Pirate Girl shall work with administrative staff/teachers three days one of the two weeks before school starts.

5.All Pirate Girls shall assist at assemblies, tournaments, plays, pep rallies, and other activities as designated by the sponsor.

6.All Pirate Girls and their parents must help provide transportation and/or transportation expenses to and from all athletic events.

7.Pirate Girls must purchase their own uniforms. 

8.All Pirate Girls shall perform duties for teachers and staff as designated by the sponsor.

9.All Pirate Girls shall attend team building activities as designated by the sponsor.

10.Once a candidate is chosen as a Pirate Girl, she will not be allowed to drop out and try out for another team for the same school year.  Additionally, she may not participate in any other activity that meets during the designated 8th period. Any girl that is selected to be a Pirate Girl will be bound by the Constitution for the length of that school year. If a Pirate Girl drops out in the middle of the school year, she will receive demerits according to our demerit system.  Furthermore, any 7th grader who drops out of Pirate Girls during the school year will not be able to try out for Cheerleader, Dance Team, Majorette, Pirate Girl, or Wrestling Cheerleader the following school year.

11. Once a candidate is selected, all financial obligations must be paid in full by the first day of the 2013-2014 school year.

         Section 2:A Pirate Girl who is unable to work as assigned must swap times with another Pirate Girl and notify sponsor in advance of any changes.

ARTICLE V: Management of Nonacademic and Academic Matters

Section 1:    The sponsor and/or principal shall have final authority in all matters governing the Pirate Girls and

will determine appropriate action for matters not addressed in this document.

Section 2:   Whereas membership required a satisfactory or better average in conduct, Pirate Girls, as representatives and leaders of Pizitz Middle School, shall conduct themselves in a responsible and dignified manner, exemplifying strong character and leadership qualities at all times.  Nonacademic behaviors and consequences shall be governed by the following:

A Pirate Girl shall report on the same day to the sponsor any and all disciplinary forms received, so that both the sponsor and parents remain informed.  SCHOOL RULES WILL BE ENFORCED AT ALL TIMES!  SPONSOR WILL ISSUE DISCIPLINARY SLIPS FOR ANY INFRACTION OF SCHOOL RULES.

Suspension shall occur if a Pirate Girl is suspended from school or involved in an on- or off- campus smoking, alcohol, drug related matter.

A Pirate Girl who is officially absent on a school day may not participate in Pirate Girl activities that day.  If a Pirate Girl is scheduled to work an event, every effort should be made on the girl’s, or parent’s part to contact other Pirate Girls to swap assignment.

Section 3:Demerit System

Eighteen demerits per nine weeks will be allowed. 

Nineteen demerits will constitute dismissal from the Pirate Girls for a total of nine weeks starting the day they receive nineteen demerits.

Grades for the nine weeks will be determined as follows:

0-7= “O” Outstanding8-14= “S” Satisfactory

15-18= “N” Needs Improvement

19 or more demerits= “U” Unsatisfactory and dismissal for the nine weeks

According to the Student Handbook, valid excused absences include illness, inclement weather, legal quarantine, death in the immediate family, any emergency conditions as determined by the superintendent or the principal.

The academic requirement, a “C” average in every subject, must be met at all times by a Pirate Girl.  Recognizing that being a Pirate Girl places great demands on a student’s time and energy, every effort will be made to help each Pirate Girl meet this academic requirement:

a.Pirate Girls may use two days a week during 8th period or homeroom to receive academic help if needed and make-up tests. Pirate Girls must report to the sponsor for permission IN ADVANCE.

b.Pirate Girls shall present any and all progress reports and report cards to the sponsor on the day received.

c.In the event the academic requirement is not met, the following will occur FOR A MINIMUM OF FIVE WEEKS AND UNTIL THE REQUIREMENT IS MET.

*D or F on progress report…………………………………academic assistance

*One D on report card ……………………………………….academic assistance

*F and/or more than one D on report card….non participation and academic assistance daily during 8th period

Demerit System

Demerits do not carry over from one nine weeks to the next.  Nonacademic, academic behavior and consequences shall be governed by the sponsor through a demerit system as follows:

# of Demerits Behavior

19Suspension from school – Dismissal for Nine Weeks

16Receiving a “U” in conduct

16Placement in In-School Suspension (ISS)- Dismissal for 4 ½ weeks

14Receiving a “N” in conduct

14Receiving an “F” in a subject on report card

10Receiving a “D” or an “N” in a subject on report card

10Unexcused absence for an assigned event (unexcused includes, but is not limited to missing events due to other lesson, competitions, family trip)

10 Placement in detention

6Failure to report to the sponsor a “D” slip, morning detention or other disciplinary action

6Failure to report illness to sponsor prior to event

6 Failure to receive prior permission from sponsor prior to event

6 Failure to follow sponsor’s directions

6Failure to dress up for pep rallies and school “themed” parties

6Failure to notify sponsor or head pirate girls in advance

of swap

5 Receiving a “D” slip

4 Absence for an assigned event with a written pre-approved excuse from principal for reasons not

mentioned in student handbook.*See examples below.  If a Pirate Girl is absent for any other reason, it will be considered unexcused.

4Leaving an event early.

3Late to assigned area after pre-set time

3Not leaving an event or practice within fifteen (15) minutes of its conclusion. Example: event ends at 5:00 p.m.  Must be picked up by 5:15.

3Eating or drinking at an event during unauthorized time

3Out of uniform

3Arguing and fighting among Pirate Girls

3Talking/laughing/acting inappropriately during an event

2Chewing gum at an event

2Not meeting Pirate Girl expectations

1Unexcused tardy to an event

According to the Student Handbook, valid excused absences include illness, inclement weather, legal quarantine, death in the immediate family, any emergency conditions as determined by the superintendent or the principal. If a member is absent for any other reason it will be considered Unexcused, resulting in ten demerits.