Fwd: [Fwd: Special Needs Cheerleading]

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feel free to pass along > Subject: Special Needs Cheerleading> > Dear Potential Participants and Families,> > Thank you for the interest in our Special Need Cheerleading program. This program was developed as a community service project by my daughter, and is open to all Special Needs children and adults. We have learned over the last 7 ½ years that cheerleading, like many other sports should be open to everyone regardless of physical or mental capabilities. ?s love for cheerleading and her desire to teach and work with Special Needs children offered a natural opportunity to start this program. With the generous support, gym space and offer of coaching assistance from ATL AllStars we are hopeful that our program will successfully develop and become a benchmark for other programs in the area. > > The structure of the program will follow very similarly to a competitive

cheerleading practice and season. Each practice will entail stretching, hand and leg movements and a variety of games and conditioning. All activities are developed to make the participant challenge their mind and bodies, in a team setting. While we will focus on the team, each individual will be challenged physically and mentally to work within their own capabilities. Tumbling, jumping, dance and stunting will become a regular part of practice with hopes that we will begin working on a full competition routine by mid season. So that you can follow along with their progress, we will provide you with the agenda of their practice to review with them during the week. They will also do a little performance during the last 5 minutes of practice, for the parents and friends to watch their progress. > > The season begins in September and runs consistently thru May. Practices will be held on Sundays from 1:30-3:00, except holidays and when ATL AllStars is at a

competition. During those competitions we invite the families and participants of our team to join your extended ATL family and cheer us on. During the Summer, we will hold practices on Thursdays from 3-5. I will poll parents each week to determine if we will have enough kids to hold the practice and bring my volunteers in. If we have 5 kids each week we will hold practice.> > Our intent with this team, is to perform at local/regional and National Championships. We start our competition season in October and will compete until April. We will be taking the team to Chattanooga for National Championships in January and Cheersport Nationals here in Atlanta in February. This will give us the opportunity to compete against other Special Needs programs across the country. There is no fee for this program, other than a small fee for practice clothes and we are working on securing sponsorships for uniforms. You may also fundraise for travel costs that you might incur.

> > With that in mind, due to the nature of this program it is imperative that if you will miss a practice we are made aware prior to that Sunday (this pertains only during the practices after choreography camp in August). We understand that issues arise and we fully understand, however since this is a team and competition environment each participant is an integral part of the team and even 1 participant missing affects the entire team.> > Thank you again for interest and support in our program. and I look forward to a fun, challenging and successful first season. We sincerely thank ATL AllStars for the support and assistance with the development of this program. Please feel free to contact me at any time regarding the program. Our last Sunday practice will be held on May 20th, please feel free to join us and watch/particpate. > > Sincerely,> > Stacey Van Dyke> Special Needs Coordinator>

678-468-9471> > Directions to the Cheer GymGoing North on 400, take exit 13 and make a right. Make a left onto Reagan and follow about 1.5 miles to Shell StationMake left at the Shell station and follow to Weber Industrial, you will see a sign for ATL Allstars and Grace Church. Make a left onto Weber Ind. and you will drive directly into parking lot of ATL Allstars.Going South on 400Take exit 13 and make a left.Follow same instructions as going North.> ________________________________________________________________________> AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.> > Love and Prayers, , , Josh & McKevor

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