OUR PROGRAMS

 CANSKATE – This “learn to skate” program builds through 5 skating levels set out by Skate Canada.  The children receive instruction for 45 minutes once, twice or three times a week.  This program uses circuit training set up each session to teach specific skills and keep the skaters moving constantly.  They receive professional coaching and will also spend time with trained program assistants.  These assistants have been trained by the professional coach to assist in implementing the program as outlined by Skate Canada.  On ice, the professional coach maintains discipline with the assistance of the parents if necessary.  For safety reasons, all children must wear CSA approved helmets. The Canskate program commences in October and runs through till March.

 STARSKATE BADGE PROGRAM – This is a transitional program between Canskate and private lessons at Test level and includes Badge 6 and 7 and  the first Skate Canada test as set out by Skate Canada.  The children receive instruction for 45 minutes twice weekly.  This program will commence in October on Mondays and Thursdays.

 TEST LEVEL – Test level skaters work independently toward tests according to their level of ability.  Other than the 15 minutes of stroking & edges/turns that are provided in your registration, all other lessons are arranged privately between the parent and the coach at a pre-arranged fee schedule.  These lessons can be private, semi-private or group depending on the situation.  The coach will provide advice about the lesson time recommended to achieve certain goals but parents decide how many lessons their child will have each week.  The coach bills each skater individually.

 ICE EXPECTATIONS AND GUIDELINES

These guidelines are implemented for the safety and respect of all skaters and coaches.  Some of the statements could be assumed to be common knowledge but please review as some changes have been made.

·        Common courtesy is a must.  Respect for all skaters, coaches and  volunteers is mandatory.

·        All skaters must check in with the music player for attendance on each session. (This allows the music player to know who is on the ice and is able to match a name with a face).

·        Please do not enter the ice before your scheduled time and get off the ice at the completion of the session, or when the music player announces the end of the session.

·        The volunteer playing the music is in charge and will issue a warning to a skater displaying disrespectful language or inappropriate behavior.  If a second warning is required, the skater will be asked to leave the ice. This display of behavior could result in the skater being suspended for a period of time to be determined by the board.

·        The skater whose program is playing has the right of way on the ice, followed by a skater in a lesson.  Always keep your head up and your eyes and ears open when skating.

·        There should be no standing around on the ice surface.  If you are not skating, please go to the skater’s boxes or to the dressing room if you need a break.  If a skater needs to speak to their parents, the skater is to leave the ice surface and call their parents over to the gate.

·        If you fall down on the ice, get up quickly unless you are really hurt. 

·        Never interrupt a coach when they are talking with a skater in a private lesson.  (When the coach is finished talking with the skater, very short interruptions are allowed.)

·        You should not be eating or chewing gum while on the ice or participating in the off-ice program.  Water is the only drink allowed while you are on the ice.  If you have hot chocolate/coffee etc. please leave it outside the ice surface.

DRESS CODE FOR SKATERS

Please use common sense when choosing skating attire.

·        No jeans and no street wear

·        Skaters must wear skating pants, skating skirt, a skating dress or a unitard (one piece suit).

·        Hair must be tied back away form the face.

·        No bare midriffs or large portions of undergarments visible

·        No head gear that can obstruct vision.

           CLUB EXPECTATIONS OF MEMBERS                                                            

• To volunteer when necessary to help ensure the club runs at its best.  Please remember, it is our volunteers that help make our club successful.
• Please refrain from talking about club business negatively in the stands.  Remember that executive members are there in “Parent” mode and wish to also watch their child skate.  If you wish to discuss something with the executive, please put it in writing and deliver to the executive through any member or drop it in the club box in the Piper arena.
• Last but not least, treat all both skaters and parents as equal.  If you do not have anything nice to say, do not say anything at all.  Negativity will just fester back into the dressing room.                

TEST DAYS

Skate Canada has set out dance, skating skills, interpretive, and free skate test requirements for both single and pair skaters. The evaluators are trained by Skate Canada and VOLUNTEER (PLEASE REMEMBER THIS) to come for a test day.  Low and High Test Level skaters will try tests throughout the skating season after learning the required skills. The coach will recommend to the parent when a skater is ready for a test. With the parent’s approval, the coach then notifies the club’s Test Chairman who will fill out the required forms and collect the corresponding fees for the test. The Test Chairman will also notify the parent or skater of the day and time the test is scheduled. Skaters should arrive 1 hour ahead of their scheduled test time and should “check in” with the ice captain. Test days may run ahead of schedule and they do not wait for late arrivals.

Okotoks Skating Club holds test days during the regular season and during our Summer School and Training Camp. Tests may also be tried at other clubs test days (e.g. High River or Calgary clubs). We try to schedule these days so that they don’t conflict with school, but this is not always possible. Your test day or test time may occur during school hours.

You are billed a test fee that consists of a portion charged by Skate Canada and a portion charged by the club to cover the expenses occurred for the test day (e.g. extra ice expense, evaluator expenses, etc.). You will also be charged an “Out of Club” fee if you are testing at other clubs. You will also be billed by your coach for their time on a test day as well as there will be extra partnering expenses if you are testing a dance.

Test days are formal events with dress and appearance (hair and make-up) requirements, as well as behavioral expectations. Remember you are representing your club on these special days.

Please be quiet, do not let the door slam behind you and stay seated until the skaters test(s) are completed.

Parents may be asked to volunteer to play music, ice captain or bring snacks for the meal provided for the evaluator. These days tend to be long days for the evaluators as well as your clubs Test Chairman and the day would not succeed without your volunteer help. The club and their skaters appreciate all that their parents do.

Please remember, you will not be reimbursed for any ice lost to a Test day or any other Special events.

COMPETITIONS

During the season there are competitions held throughout the region.  Notices of these events will be posted on the bulletin board, in the Piper Arena.  Please remember to check the board.  Registration forms accompany the notice and are available by mail, fax or downloading off the Region and Section websites.  The coach will suggest whether a skater is ready to compete in an event but it is up to the parent to decide whether their child will enter.

Those who register for competitions will be notified of skating times.  Skaters must arrive 1 hour ahead of their schedule time.  Events can run ahead of schedule and they do not wait for late arrivals.  Report to the registration desk upon arriving at the arena.

Attire for these events should be “like new” condition. Skates should be polished, skate laces are to be tucked in.  Skating dress should be neat and fitted to show bodylines.  Tights should be beige and clean.  Hair must be neatly pulled back, away from the face.  Remember to smile.  Once again, you are representing the Okotoks Skating Club.

MUSIC HOURS

The expectations of the music player are as follows:

·        Total completion of the hours that have been assigned to you.  If the hours are not completed in full then your music check will be cashed.

·        Play music on the times that your child skates.  Music hours must not be played on ice that the skater is not registered for.

·        Skaters will not visit with the music player other that to make requests.

·        Coach requests come before all others and then in the order of which the request were made.

·        If by some reason a skater’s music is cut short and other skaters music has started, finish what is playing and immediately go back to the music that was cut short.

·        It is the music players’ responsibility to make sure that all skaters check in and that they are on the correct ice.  If the numbers do not match then there is the possibility that someone is on the wrong ice or there is pick-up ice. Please confirm as this causes problems for the ice scheduler. 

·        The music player is also to collect for any pick-up ice and record the skaters name, amount paid, how it was paid and the time of the pick-up ice.  Pick-up fees must be paid immediately or the skater will not be allowed on the ice.  If this is not done properly it causes a challenge for our treasurer.  Remember it is the responsibility of the skater picking up to check in and pay his/her fees.

·        At all time the ice is to be monitored by the music player.  If there is a challenge that the music player and coaches cannot rectify then a letter is to be written to the board.

·        Skaters must not socialize in the middle of the ice; it can be done in the skaters’ box or the change room.  The music player has the right to bring this to the skater’s attention.

·        USE THE MICROPHONE; this makes it easier for you and the skaters.  Announce the music or whose program is being played.  Other skaters can then join in on a dance or skills and will also know who has the right-a-way.

·        The music player has the right to remove any skater form the ice for unsportsmanlike conduct and this is to be reported to the board in the form of a letter explaining the reason(s).

·         When an ice session is done you must turn off the music and instruct the skaters and coaches to pick up their stuff and leave the ice surface immediately.

·        The music player can be 15 years of age or older to play music by themselves.  A music player who is between the ages of 12-14 may play music as long as they have an adult supervisor in the stands.  Music players under the age of 12 are not permitted.

·        Record your hours in the back of the binder.  These hours should match the sign-up schedule for music.

·        Everyone is to be treated respectfully.

·        Last but not least we would like to thank you, as the music player is very important.  We could not do it without you.