Parent Meeting Minutes - March 3, 2024

This coming Thursday we have our usual ice time. This is a very good time for skaters to practice their routines and skills. We would love to see everyone out there! 

Saturday March 9 Skate Show

-Skaters should arrive at 3:20, in costume for their first number, with their hair neatly secured back from their face.

-Skaters should have all props, costumes, and accessories that they are responsible for with them. Go over this with your skater to make sure THEY know what they need, and where it is. 

-Skaters will change in their locker rooms (we are hoping to have another room available for the boys). NO parents are allowed in the 13+ locker room, and any parent who goes into the 6-12 room must have their current safe sport certification on file with Abigail and with the club and must post it on the door. 

-Entry to the show is $5 for all spectators, in cash only. We will have a cashier starting at 3PM. You may buy your tickets anytime from 3PM up to the start of the show. You may also pre-pay for your guests at that time. All proceeds from the show will support our club going forward. 

-Show starts at 4! Tell your guests to arrive a few minutes early. Last year we had quite a crowd! 

-Invitation is attached to this message. Please post and share! 

March 10 level testing for current members (and try-outs for new members on March 7)

-We will have level testing during our normal skate time on Sunday March 10.

-Do you know skaters with some prior figure skating experience who want to join the club? We have open try-outs for the club on Thursday March 7, at 7PM on the rink. No need to make reservations. If you have friends who do not have figure skating experience, tell them they should start with the learn-to-skate lessons. 

-Level testing is the official end of our club season.

Skating after March 10

Club times at the rink after our season officially ends depend on ice conditions and on availability. It is everyone’s goal to continue to have skating sessions for our club through the end of the month, but the weather might not cooperate, and times may also have to be adjusted. So, watch email/remind for updates about the second half of March. 

Awards Ceremony and Team celebration on March 24

-We will have our annual celebration on March 24 from 5-7 in the cultural center. This will be pot-luck– look out for an IN-PERSON chance to sign-up to bring something to share (and to RSVP) on Sunday during level testing. Don’t worry if you won’t be at the rink that day– it will also be distributed electronically. 

-Let's dress up and make this a special event

-please contribute to the funds even if your skater won’t in attendance– these are primarily for our end-of-season gifts from the whole team. You can give cash to Jasmine (our treasurer) in person, or you can send it electronically, and be sure to indicate who is your skater: 

• CashApp to $jasminap, 

• Zelle to 347-812-2896 (Registered as Jasmine Perez), or 

• Venmo to penguiiino. 

Ricky introduced Saida Fogler who has recently taken on new responsibilities managing the skate department. Congratulations Saida! 

Post-season competition 

If your skater is interested in competition after the end of the season, stay tuned for more information to come.

Message from Head Coach 

Volunteering: 

There are still some time slots for volunteering available

Saturday's:

11-11:45am 

12:30-1:15pm

1:15-2pm (1 slots left) 

Sunday's:

12:30-1:15pm (1 slots left) 

1:15-2pm

Spring show 

Theme: Circus

• Very excited about this theme. I'm hoping to bring in a lot of props and fun things.
• We are starting spring show practice the weekend of Jan 20th. It's VERY important that your skater is there every practice. 

Solo tryouts: Freestyle skaters 2 and up only 

• We are changing things up this year. If your skater is Freestyle 2 and up and wants a solo, they must try out on Jan 7th (make up date Jan 14th). 
• This gives the skaters Jan 6th to work on the routine. That is plenty of time to prepare. 

Requirements for tryouts: 

• 1min song of their choice (this does not need to be cut, I can just play the section they want) 
• They must include skills from the level they are currently working on. 
• If your skater does not want a solo they are not required to try out. They will just not have a solo in the show.

Attendance 

• Starting in the new year attendance is required. I have been pretty relaxed on this for the 1st half. However, with starting the show practice I need all skaters there especially for group numbers. 
• Please note: If your skater misses more than two practices and they are not there to learn their program when the coach is ready to choreograph, I will eliminate that number from the show. 

Skaters appearance during practice

• I know weekends are busy, but when the skater comes to practice they need to look the part and be prepared for skating. This means, no more hair down or in their face. Please put extra hair ties and clips in their bags. It's very dangerous for a skater to have their hair down, in their face and flying around. 
• No more hoodies on the ice! This is VERY dangerous and prevents the skater from seeing around them. I would suggest planning ahead (pack a hat) because I will ask the skater to take off anything that has a hoodie on it. 

 Meeting Minutes from 12/10/2023 

Parents Meeting 

I hope this message finds you well and filled with the same excitement as we are for the upcoming events. Our recent meeting yielded some important information that I want to share with you all:

Potluck Gathering:

• Date: Sunday, December 17, 2023
  
• Set-up Time is 2:00 PM at the south end of the rink.
• Let us know what you’re bringing here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45ADAC2CA0F85-46776679-skate
• Be sure to inform park staff that you are part of the Figure Skating Club and here for the club party.

Holiday Break Schedule:

• The last skating session before Christmas break will be on Thursday, December 21, 2023.
  
• We will be on break for Christmas and will resume figure skating on Thursday, January 4, 2024.
  

Valentine's Fundraising Event:

• Date is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 2024 from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM 
  
• Ricky is diligently working to secure our preferred time slot from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
  
• Price TBD, but last year cost was $15 per person regardless if you they skated and included snacks.
  
• Flyer will be forthcoming and more details about this event will follow.
  

Uniform Pick-up:

If you haven't already picked up your uniform, please make arrangements to see Ricky next week.

We are looking forward to spending quality time together at the potluck and celebrating the holiday season. As we approach the break, enjoy the time with your loved ones, and we can't wait to see you back on the ice in January. Keep an eye out for further updates on the Valentine's Fundraising Event and other club activities.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us. Your participation and enthusiasm are what make our club thrive!

 11/18 Meeting Summary

1. Welcome and introductions: Ricky, Saida (and you can stop in to the office to pick up lower level parking passes) 

2. Skate Show & Fundraiser- Saturday Dec 9, 4PM (this is a different date than communicated earlier) 

1. schedule for skaters

1. Rehearsing on Dec 2 and 3– attendance is very important

2. Early arrival (3PM, possibly earlier) 

3. Costume not changing: look for your “ugly sweaters” and elf hats from last year. (+ black skate pants)  

   New skaters: “ugly” can be interpreted loosely, but a holiday-theme sweater of some type. 

1. We will have extra elf hats, you will directly reimburse the exec board -member who purchases those (they are a few dollars) 

   https://www.dollartree.com/christmas-house-elf-hats-with-sequins-on-one-side-125-in/318396

2.  fundraising: We will raffle gift baskets. Yoo Mee is organizing. 

1. We need donations for the gift baskets! Spreadsheet to sign up will circulate via email. Donations collected on Dec. 2

2. Jennifer, Elyn’s mom: helping to coordinate 

3. Yoo Mee will have a separate donation bucket and posters made. 

1. Maybe: we could have hand warmers, extra elf hats for donors (so we won’t be selling them, just as a “thank you” for a $5 or above donation) 

3. Important schedule notes: 

1. no skate club over the Thanksgiving weekend. 

2. Our late Thursday ice time has been pushed back 15 minutes, now starts at 8:15. It is only 45 minutes so skaters please be here before that and be ready to get going immediately. 

1. We also have 4-5:30 ice time, skaters can attend one or both. 

4. Skate club business: 

1. Families need to join Learn to Skate USA. This is mandatory, it is a small fee and the membership lasts for a year. 

2. Abigail passed out level sheets to the skaters. They should bring them with them on the ice every time. (if they didn’t get, print out a list for your level from LTS website) 

3. We will start doing cocoa/soups in January 2024

4. Still looking into getting puffers; going forward in future years, we hope that returning skaters can choose to get a puffer instead of a new uniform 

5. Possible: we may shift to using “SportsZone” (team communication), Hockey already uses this. Calendars, messages, reminders, all in one place. 

5. Looking ahead: skate club events/schedule

1. Holiday potluck party: 12/17 (tentative) at 2:15, followed by club practice. 

1. Families bring favorites to share (not catered) 

2. Families help with set-up and clean-up

3. Possible: hold an equipment exchange that day 

4. Possible: We may hold a quick post-party meeting once the kids are on the ice to talk about 2024 schedule

2. February fundraiser- tentative: 2/15 (shorter ice time may make this an issue) 

3. End-of-season show, currently scheduled for 3/09

4. level testing and end-of-year celebration: tentatively scheduled for the weekend of 3/23-24. Parents informed us that this is the middle of spring break for some independent school students, and will discuss options with the coaches. 

6. USFSA- this is still something in the works, but will be for the future. 

1. This will allow our skaters who compete to do so as members of our club

2. If/when membership is accepted, it is for a 2-year term. It will require that all families also join USFSA. 

 Meeting Minutes from 11/4/2023 

Parent & Coach Welcome Meeting 

Welcome back parents! We're thrilled to embark on this new skating year with you and our dedicated skaters. Your continued support and involvement in the DFRBSP Figure Skating Club are greatly appreciated! 🤗

As a friendly reminder, tomorrow marks the NYC marathon, which may result in travel disruptions due to street closures. It's advisable to plan your commute in advance. Additionally, it's worth noting that despite the marathon, subway services should operate fairly smoothly as many runners will have completed their race before our practices.

Below, you'll find the notes from our parent meeting, summarizing the key points and updates for the upcoming season.

1. Upcoming Christmas Show Practice:
   

   • - We will begin Christmas show practice tomorrow to prepare for the upcoming show. We have 4-5 practice sessions before the show. The choreography will remain the same, but the music will change.
     
   • - Practices will run as scheduled for Veteran's Day weekend.
     

2. Abigail's Focus:
   

   • - Abigail's primary focus will be on improving skills. She doesn't want to only concentrate on the show(s) itself.
     

3. Shows Schedule:
   

   • - We have two shows planned:
     
     • - Christmas show with one group number.
       
     • - Spring show featuring solos and small groups.
       

4. Communication:
   

   • - We will improve communication using a Google group and reduce the frequency of parent meetings, with advanced notice provided for when parents need to attend.
     

5. Important Dates:
   

   • - The first fall meeting will take place on Saturday, November 18 at 3:45pm.
     
   • - A coach meeting is scheduled for the first weekend of December, where details about the holiday show on Sunday, December 10, will be discussed.
     

6. Transitions:
   

   • - Darcel has retired, causing some transitions within the club. We hope to adapt to these changes.
     

7. Coaching Staff:
   

   • - Our club has expanded (42 skaters) and we now have four coaches, compared to three last year.
     

8. Ice Time:
   

   • - We are awaiting confirmation on Thursday ice time. These sessions are valuable for skill development, and last year, they were available in the early afternoon and evening. Keep in mind that the facility is shared with other organizations.
     

9. Google Form and Parking Permits:
   

   • - The Google form that was previously shared last month has been reopened. If you haven't had the chance to complete it yet, please do so now. This will also serve as an opportunity for you to specify whether you require a parking permit within the form.
     
   • https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvUFp08xzRSWT7LUalmdG1gv88eVFvw_NmtfcXfcUFi7BXFw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&usp=mail_form_link

10. Communication Channels:
    

    • - If you are not receiving group emails or using the Remind app, please contact Emma for assistance.
      

11. Uniforms:
    

    • - New uniforms have been ordered but have yet to arrive. Until skaters receive their uniforms, they can continue using their old uniform or wear black attire.
      

12. Welcome New Members:
    

    
    

    • - We welcome the following new members:
      
      
      
      • - Lisbeth, parent of Ethan (14 years old)
        
      • - Desiree, parent of Jovelt (9 years old)
        
      • - Iraniss, parent of Monica (10 years old)
        
      • - Sam parent of Isabelle and Amelie (11 years old)
        

If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're looking forward to a fantastic year of skating and growth for our club.