MARYLAND SUPER STARZ eNEWSLETTER                                                              November 23, 2009

A MESSAGE FROM LISA

We’ve just completed our first competition and our athletes rocked the floor! We are so proud of all of our SuperStarz cheerleaders, coaches and parents! As you can see, competitions give us a wonderful opportunity to bond, to support, and to encourage one another. This is when friendships are formed, lessons are learned, and the true desire to excel is established. Your children have taken wonderful strides to work towards their individual and team goals and we are extremely excited as we continue our competition season. With thsi in mind, please remember we expect a 100% commitment and attendance at all practices and competitions are mandatory. However, if your child must miss a practice due to a mandatory scheduled school event (bond recital, etc.) please take the time to advise your coach and list the information in the attendance book located at the back of the cheerleaders information folders located in the Pro Shop. Check your child's information folders every practice, important/timely information and monthly statements are placed in these as well. With the new year fast approaching, be sure to review the competition schedule and marke teh dates on your 2010 calendars. Our next competitions are scheduled for December 5 and December 12.

We are honored to have the opportunity to lead your children. And, it is with great pride that we will watch them continue to perform, and encourage them to be their best.  Parents, be sure to enjoy this special time with your kids, and with each other -- it’s ok for you to make new friends as well! And, for our new StarGazers… we hope you had a chance to meet "StarGazer" our Spirit Leader -- he brings joy to not only our Starz kids but to everyone around him! Go Gazer!

UPCOMING SPECIAL GYM FUNDRAISER EVENT – CASH FOR GOLD!

Need Cash for the Holidays? Universal Sports and Academics, Inc. is hosting a “CASH for Gold” fundraiser at Unique Sports Academy.  Cash paid on the spot for unwanted Gold, Silver and Platinum. When:  Dec 11, 2009 from 6-9PM, Where:  Unique Sports Academy, 109-D Post Office Road, Waldorf, MD 20602

JOE CORBIS PIZZA FUNDRAISER

By now, you have most likely picked up your Family Favorites Joe Corbis fundraiser materials from your parent folders located in the gym Pro Shop. This fundraiser will end on Thursday, December 3^rd. Delivery is scheduled for Thursday, December 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Be sure to make checks payable to USA and list your child’s name and team on each check. If you have any questions regarding this gym fundraiser, contact Alanda Lee, our Fundraising Coordinator. 240-299-1305 or via email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  We thank you in advance for your support.

DROP AND CHRISTMAS SHOP CHILDCARE AT THE GYM

Do you want to shop on Black Friday without the kids? We have the answer! Drop kids ages 5 to 14 off at the gym on Friday, November 27 and let them tumble and play. We have scheduled special sessions for your kids! Cost is $20 per session, per child (cash or check only, no family discounts). Session times are:  

-          4:00 am to 8:00 am,  8:00 am to 12:00 pm, and 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

HOLIDAY STARZ CHEER PRACTICE SCHEDULE

There are no changes in the practice schedule during the Thanksgiving weekend. All participants are expected to attend all scheduled practices unless prior arrangements have been made and approved by the coaching staff.

December Holiday: There are no practices from Thursday, December 24 through Saturday, January 2. We will resume practice on Sunday, January 3. Remember, we have a competition on January 9 at the DC Convention Center, so please be ready to get back on track after the holidays!

FOR THE LATEST CHEER NEWS – GO TO www.starzcheer.com

Visit the Cheer Home page -- it’s updated regularly with the latest news and information. Team Manager email contact information is located under the individual Team tabs (i.e., Shining Stars, Super Minis, etc). 

PARKING LOT SAFETY

Please remember at any given time, we have young athletes that are running into the building to make it to practice on time, or running out to have their parents pick them up. With the recent time change, and early darkness, it is imperative that we ensure the safety of our children and drive slowly and keep a close watch out! We know you may be running late – but please slow down and drive carefully! No parking at the main entrance/crosswalk while waiting for your child to conclude practice/class… this causes extreme traffic congestion and is a true safety hazard.

AMERICAN EXPRESS PAYMENTS

We will no longer accept American Express credit cards, effective December 31^st, 2009. 

TUITION PAYMENTS INFORMATION

All tuition (cheer, gymnastics, karate, wrestling, recreational classes) are due on the 1^st of each month. If your tuition is not paid by the 5^th of each month, a $35 late fee will be added to your invoice.

For your convenience, you may choose the AUTOPAY (which provides you with a 5% discount), the PAY ONLINE, PAY BY PHONE, or Pay IN-HOUSE options. Please visit Leta in the finance office for details. Her regular hours are Monday through Friday 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and the 1^st Sunday of the month 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is also a convenient drop off box located outside of the finance office for dropping off payments.

LOST AND FOUND

You’ve lost it – we’ve most likely found it. The Lost and Found Bin is located under the parent folders tables in the pro-shop, and it is OVERFLOWING with jackets, socks, shoes, shorts and much more!  We empty this bin and donated all of the items each month so be sure to check this bin on a regular basis!

WE LOVE OUR GYM – HELP US KEEP IT KEEP IT CLEAN

We are very proud of our outstanding facility and need your help in keeping it safe and clean. Please wipe up your spills and messes and discard all leftover eating/drinking containers and trash off the bleachers and tables.

SNACK BAR ASSISTANCE – EARN YOUR POINTS

We are in desperate need of dependable volunteers to help work the snack bar. Sign up for training in order to work the snack bar and earn your participation points. Did you know that by January, you should have HALF of your points earned? See Mary Brannon to sign up for training now!

ATLANTA, GA CHEERSPORT NATIONALS and the REACH THE BEACH, OC COMPETITION

We have distributed Competition and Hotel Selection information regarding our Atlanta and OC events. If you require additional copies of this information, or are new to our program, please contact your Team Manager today. All Team Manager email addresses are listed under each Teams’ tab on the Maryland SuperStarz web page: www.starzcheer.com

CheerSport Nationals – Atlanta, Georgia (information for youth 2/youth 3/junior 4/senior 3/senior 5)

Dates: Arrive Friday, February 5th, compete Saturday, February 6th and Sunday, February 7th, leave Monday, February 8th

This is a National level competition, with hundreds and hundreds of teams from around the United States performing all day every day. This is a truly exciting competition where you and your girls will not only see just how big the sport of cheerleading has become, but where it is going in the future. As in most competitions, we do not receive the competition schedules until the actual week of the competition. The competitions begin in the very early morning and usually end very late on Sunday evening. Therefore cheerleaders should arrive Friday, February 4th and must not depart until Monday, February 8th. All cheerleaders must also check-in and notify their Team Managers once they arrive in Atlanta. We do not post Hotel information on-line, please check with your team manager for details.

FLY AIRTRAN TO ATLANTA AND SAVE 10%

CheerSport Nationals are February 5 - 8 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Your Maryland SuperStarz has registered with the AirTran EventSavers Program. This program will provide you with a 10% discount on the lowest available AirTran one-way fare; no minimum stay length or Saturday night requirement; advance seating assignments at time of booking; and a one-time waiver of Change Fee per reservation for any name or itinerary change for the first change. Air Tran flys to Atlanta from both BWI and Reagen International.

In order to take advantage of this discounted service: Parents/attendees and Travel Agents MUST call the AirTran Airways EventSavers Desk at 1-866-683-8368 to book your flights. And, you must provide the following EventSavers code: ATL020510 and let them know it is for CHEER SPORTS NATIONALS and Maryland SuperStarz.

UNIFORM WASHING INSTRUCTIONS

VARSITY UNIFORM

These instructions were provided when the uniforms were distributed. For your convenience, we’ve also included them here.

The FIRST WASH is the most important! This will set the color and prevent future color bleeding!

·         Each garment should be washed by itself   (wash shell & skirt separately!) in a full tub of cold water.

·         wash on Gentle Cycle

·         Use a mild liquid detergent, without fabric softener. Ivory Snow is recommended. NEVER use bleach.

·         If the initial washing instructions are not followed, the colors may bleed onto one another. If this happens, wash the garment AGAIN (before drying), following the instructions above.

·         ALWAYS remove the garment promptly from the washer once the cycle is completed.

·         Leaving the garment in the washer for prolonged periods of time will cause the fabrics to bleed and/or

·         leave unsightly wrinkles in the garment.

·         DO NOT machine dry the uniform.

·         Once the uniform has been washed, immediately hang it up to dry.

·         DO NOT dry clean the uniform.

·         Dry cleaning can yellow the uniform or leave an unsightly sheen. Dry cleaning also causes

·         tackle twill lettering to  fade, bubble, or stiffen.

·         Never use fabric softener or stain removers.  Fabric softeners block the soil release properties

·         and can cause dirt and stains to resist removal. If a fabric softener is used, follow  the original washing instructions.

·         Do not use a stain remover. Stain removers may lock the stain into the garment.

GK UNIFORM (Junior Level 4, Senior 3 and Senior 5)

·         Do NOT Hand Wash

·         Turn garment inside out and machine wash individually in a large amount of cold water on gentle cycle.

·         You must use a mild LIQUID detergent such as IVORY SNOW

·         DO NOT USE BLEACH, harsh or granular detergent or fabric softener

·         Remove immediately from the washer

·         Tumble dry in the dryer on a no-heat setting

·         Do NOT use fabric softener sheets

·         Do NOT lay flat to dry.

BOW CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Note, These are professional All-Star hand-crafted bows are must be taken care of accordingly.

 TIE-IN METHOD There are two ties underneath the cheer bow. First, pull your hair up into the desired ponytail with your normal hair elastic. Take one of the ties and thread it under the hair elastic at the top of the ponytail. Pull taunt. Wrap the ties around the ponytail and tie it securely underneath. Your All-Star Cheer Bow is secure and will not bounce around during competition. This is the recommended method of attachment.

BOW CARE: Remove bow after the days competition and place in your bag on top of other items and keep it flat. If the bow gets wrinkled and has sequins on it, please COVER the sequins with a clean sheet of paper and heat iron to wool/cotton and press for a few seconds and release.

We have ordered the thinker two-sided ribbons which are stiff, if you wish to move the tails around simply cover with a clean sheet of paper and heat with an iron for 3 seconds to reposition.

THANK YOU

Thank you again parents for affording us the opportunity to work with you and your wonderful children. As a registered USASF All-Star Cheer program -- it is our goal to help each cheerleader improve skills, achieve individual and team goals, become dedicated teammates, and to perform well at regional and national competitions. We believe cheerleading is a TEAM SPORT, and we know we cannot accomplish our goals without your continued support.

Lisa Shaw and the entire SuperStarz Team!

The Maryland SuperStarz All-Star Cheer program is a division of Universal Sports & Academics, Inc. (a 5013c non-profit organization). One Gym. One Family.