A huge thank you to all parents and gymnasts for a wonderful summer. As we start the school year, here are some dates to keep in mind.

Monday, Sept. 3rd – NO PRACTICE due to Labor Day. The gym will be CLOSED all day.

Friday, Sept. 7th – Evening open gyms start. 8:30-10pm. $6 for team members, $8 with pizza.

Saturday, Sept. 8th – NO TOSA FEST EXHIBITIONS!! Go ahead and enjoy the day & festivities.  We will still have regular Level 3, Gold Bugs and Jr Gold Bugs practices.

Sept. 15-16 –  Girls Level 4 & 5 Midwest Twisters Meet

Sept. 29-30 – Girls Level 3-6 All-Star Challenge in Racine

The boys order forms have been sent out for purchasing competition uniforms and warm-ups for this year. All boys will need to buy a new singlet this year, since the style has changed. Anyone who has shorts or pants that are too small and would like to sell them, please bring them to the gym by next week Saturday, September 1st. I will let you know if there may be an opportunity to purchase used shorts or pants at this time. I also have one set of warm-ups that was worn last year by an 8-year-old. If you need to purchase a warm-up, your child may try it on at the gym. You will also need to seam rip the embroidered name off so it can be changed to the correct name.

Also, please save the date September 30th for the annual Boys’ State Clinic, which is being held at Infinite Gymnastics in Brown Deer. More information on times and cost to come soon. This is a great opportunity for all the boys to get any skills they are still missing and work on their routines for the upcoming season. I would highly encourage all boys to attend. (There will be no regular practice this day – I will also be attending the clinic to help coach.)

Wildcard has started incorporating formal dance instruction into their team gymnastics training.  Levels 3 through 10 are expected to participate in 45 mins to an hour of dance each week.  We will be continuing this training throughout the upcoming year.  Here is the schedule for the next couple of weeks.  (We made some changes to accommodate dance teacher, Heidi Stevens schedule that runs through the first week of September).  We hope to continue dance on Friday evenings after that.  So — Please remember to bring your ballet shoes to practice on the following days.  If you don’t have shoes, you can order them directly from Miss Heidi for $20 or purchase them from the Payless at the Mall.  They run pretty true to shoe size.

Mon 8/20

Level 3s 4:45-5:30     Level 4s  5:30-6:15    Level 6-10  6:15-6:45     Level 6-10   6:45-7:30

Tues  8/21

Level 5s   4:30-5:15   Level 6-10s  5:15-5:45   Level 6-10s  5:15-6:45    Tops  6:15-7:00

Tues 8/28 & 9/4

Level 5s  4:30-5:15      Level 6-10  5:15-6:00     Levels 6-10  6:00-6:45   Tops  6:45-7:30

Weds  8/29 & 9/5

Level 3s & 4s   6:45-7:30

If you have not made your August payment it is past due.  Please make your September payment soon!  Make checks payable to DANCE DEFINED.  Levels 3-5  $25 .  Levels 6-10 $30.

With the upcoming Mock Meet, there have been some requests for private lessons to fine-tune those routines.  Alie & Amy will be available Monday, 8/20 (9-noon & 3:30-4:30), Tuesday, 8/21 (9-noon & 2:30-4:30) and Friday, 8/24 (9-noon).  Private lessons are $30 per hour.  If you feel your gymnast needs a little extra help on skills or working through the routines, please sign up for a one-hour time slot.  The sign-up sheet will be located on the wall across from the front desk.  Private lessons will be by appointment only.  Levels 3-6 only.   Remember, the Mock Meet is next Saturday and there will be no more morning practices after tomorrow!!!  If you are unable to make your private lesson time, and you do not notify a coach ahead of time, you will be still charged $30.  Other coaches may be available if these times do not work with your schedule.

No Jr Gold Bug practice next Saturday, 8/18.  We will make up our practice on Thursday, 8/16 from 4:30-6:00.  If you cannot attend this practice, you can come Tuesday 4:30-6:00 or make up with a Tumble Bugs III class.  (We can also issue an open gym pass if need be).  Thanks for understanding!  Feel free to come to watch the mock meet on Saturday, 8/25 from 3-5 p.m. so you can see what is to come!

Just a reminder that there is no practice next Saturday – August 18th. Also, the fall practice schedule begins Monday, August 20. So there will not be anymore morning practices that week. The Level 3s will practice Saturday, August 25th from 9-11 a.m. and then will need to return by 2:00 for Open Stretch before the Preseason Mock Meet.

The Mock Meet is open to the public, so invite all your friends. There will be no admission charge. The gymnasts will wear their purple exhibition leotards for that meet.

We are very excited about the start of the competitive season. If you have any questions, please be sure to email us or ask at practice.