2023-2024 Ridgecrest Cotillion $185

Ridgecrest students are invited to apply for membership to the Ridgecrest Cotillion, a popular middle school activity and a tradition on the Peninsula. Each year, there are eight semi-formal, formal or costume dances by grade with music, decorations and refreshments. Costumes are optional. Instruction is provided in basic ballroom dance steps. Students also receive an education in social graces. The year culminates with a Parent/Adult and Child dance to which one Parent/Adult is invited.

UNDER THE DIRECTION of MR. BOBBY BURGESS

Mr. Bobby Burgess started his professional career as an original Mouseketeer on Walt Disney’s “Mickey Mouse Club” and then, for twenty-one seasons, he was part of the ballroom dance team on the “Lawrence Welk Show.” He has been the Cotillion Master for RIS, MIS, PVIS and the PV High School Assembly program for over twenty years. He and his staff have a wonderful time instructing youth and young adults in ballroom dancing, manners and etiquette. Cotillion is a great place to make new friends while enjoying themed dances, party games, dance contests, and refreshments. “We want everyone to feel comfortable in a social situation while growing in self-confidence and self-esteem.” 

Cotillion membership is limited in class size for safety. Volunteers from PV Assembly volunteer their time to help maintain an even boy/girl ratio. Early application submittal is strongly recommended. Completed applications will be prioritized based on the date submitted.

A formal invitation will be mailed to the selected Cotillion members by the beginning of the school year. Please know that enrollment is limited. Not everyone who applies will get an invitation. Registration will close once capacity is reached. Invitations are sent out in batches. Delivery days may vary, so please be patient.

Palos Verdes Assembly

The high school continuation of Cotillion is the Palos Verdes Assembly, a social and philanthropic organization. Acceptance to the Palos Verdes Assembly is predicated on three years participation and attendance in Cotillion. See PV Assembly for more information.

 

RIDGECREST COTILLION COORDINATOR for 2023-2024

is

Sandy Melnick

ridgecrestcotillion@gmail.com

All the dances will be on a Friday. It's important to check the schedule before making this yearlong commitment. Absences are taken seriously and may affect your child's opportunity to get into PV Assembly. Dance times are as follows.

SIXTH GRADE	SEVENTH GRADE	EIGHTH GRADE
4:45pm-6:30pm	6:45pm-8:15pm	8:30pm-10:00pm

 

IMPORTANT COTILLION DATES

DATE	EVENT	THEME	ATTIRE
TBD	Mandatory Orientation for ALL 6th & new members	RIS MPR	N/A
September TBD	Premier Dance Party	Get Aquainted	Formal
October TBD	Trick or Treat Trot	Costume Contest	Costume or Semi-Formal
November TBD	Mexican Fiesta	Dress-Up Optional	Theme or Semi-Formal
December TBD	Winter Wonderland	Annual Toy Drive & Winter Formal	Formal
January TBD	Fabulous 50's	Costume Contest	Theme or Semi-Formal
February TBD	Hearts and Flowers	Swing Contest	Semi-Formal
March TBD	Mardi Gras Madness	Dress-up Optional	Theme or Semi-Formal
April TBD	Broadway Ball	(One)Parent/Guardian Escort for Each Cotillion Member Student Waltz Contest	Formal for everyone

 

 

Parent Volunteer Information

We welcome parent volunteers and chaperones for each grade level dance. There will be a SignUp Genius sent out before the first dance and openings will be filled on a first come-first serve basis. Please wait for an email with the link to SignUp Genius. Sixth grade parents may only sign up for 1 dance out of the 8 for the year. This will ensure more volunteer opportunities.

Another way to volunteer is to join the Cotillion Board. All who are interested will receive an email with more information about the postions available. Some positions require that you attend every dance. However, all Board members are welcome to attend every dance. To inquire about open positions, please contact the Coordinator at: ridgecrestcotillion@gmail.com

The Cotillion Board has adopted the following policies and participation code. Parents and members are asked to cooperate in order that Cotillion continue to be a positive and successful experience for all.

STUDENTS: All students are expected to be respectful, use good manners, and listen to instructions. NO electronics or gum allowed. Dances start promptly and students are expected to be on time. Attendance at all dances is expected. Missing more than 20 minutes of any dance is considered an absence. For an absence to be excused, the student (not a parent) must mail a hand-written letter of regret to their Grade Level Attendance Chair. The written excuse must be received no later than the next Cotillion dance. For the last dance, it must be received by the end of May.

PARENTS: In order for Cotillion to run smoothly, parent participation is encouraged. Volunteer shifts include chaperoning monthly dances, assisting with set-up or clean-up, or helping with special events such as the December toy drive or Spring photo booth. We also ask that parents ensure their children follow the dress code below. Parents will be contacted if a participant is ill or unmanageable, violates the dress code or displays inappropriate behavior. Behavior violations may be reported to the school Principal at the discretion of the Cotillion Board and could result in revocation of Cotillion membership. Students will not be permitted to leave a dance unless accompanied by a chaperone or parent. Students MUST be picked up promptly at the conclusion of each dance in front of the MPR. Students are NOT allowed to walk home from Cotillion.

GIRLS’ DRESS CODE: Girls must wear at least knee-length or longer party dresses, white gloves and appropriate dress shoes with a back strap and heel height no higher than 3 inches. Open back shoes could be very dangerous while dancing. NO strapless or bare-back dresses, no midriff-baring attire, miniskirts, revealing necklines, or visible undergarments. If you violate the dress code, you will be given appropriate cover ups.

Costume dances: Dress appropriate to the theme (legs must be covered to the knee). Denim and athletic shoes are permitted (costume dances only). NO cut-off shirts, shorts, or flip-flops.

BOYS’ DRESS CODE: Boys must wear a suit or sports coat with dress slacks, dress shirt tucked in, bow or neck tie (clip on is okay), dark socks and dress shoes. NO athletic shoes and undergarments showing.

Costume dances: Boys may wear collared shirts or a sports shirt without a tie and long pants appropriate to the theme. Denim and athletic shoes are permitted (costume dances only). NO cut-off shirts, shorts, or flip-flops.

DISMISSAL: The Cotillion Board reserves the right to dismiss any student who repeatedly disrupts instruction or violates dress code.

 

BOOSTER CLUB REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT

Ridgecrest Cotillion is under RIS Booster Club. There is a mandatory Booster Club fee that is a separate fee of $75.00 and must be paid in addition to the Cotillion membership fee of $185.00. You will also need to fill out a separate Booster Club Membership form. Information and payment for both Booster Club and Cotillion will be in the invitation.

The $75.00 Booster membership fee is per family and will go towards any other Booster related sports or clubs throughout the year. Each club or sport has a separate additional fee.

The snack that is provided, is meant to teach the students proper food handling and etiquette in social settings. It is not a meal nor is it mandatory to eat. We make every attempt to have a snack that everyone can enjoy, but some allergies make this difficult. For those with severe allergies, you may send your child to the dance with a snack for them to enjoy.

In the event the parent/guardian cannot be reached, permission is hereby given to provide emergency care for my child should serious illness or injury occur during Cotillion. 

 

The undersigned understands that participation in Ridgecrest Cotillion as a student member is voluntary and not part of the regular school program. It is further understood that participation in Cotillion, by its very nature, may pose a high degree of risk of injury which may result not only from the actions, inactions, or negligence of Ridgecrest Cotillion, Ridgecrest Cotillion board, its affiliates, its instructors, any agents, employees and volunteers, but also the action, inaction, or negligence of others, the rules of participation, or the condition of the premises.The undersigned authorize Ridgecrest Cotillion, its affiliates, its instructors, any agents, employees or volunteers to obtain emergency medical treatment for Participant at the undersigned’s sole expense. Any negligence in seeking, or failing to seek, emergency medical treatment for Participant is included within the scope of this Release.
In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in Ridgecrest Cotillion related events and activities, the undersigned:

1. Agree that the participant and his/her parents or guardians have the right to inspect the facilities and equipment to be used, and if it is believed that anything is unsafe, he/she should immediately advise supervisor of such condition(s) and refuse to participate.

2. Acknowledge and fully understand that each participant will be engaging in activities that involve risk of serious injury, including permanent disability and death, and severe social and economic losses which might result not only from their own actions, inactions, or negligence but the action, inaction, and negligence of others, or the condition of the premises or of any equipment used. Further, that there may be other risks not known to us or not reasonably foreseeable at this time.

3. Assume all the foregoing risks and accept personal responsibility for the damages following such injury, permanent disability or death.

4. Release, waive, discharge, hold harmless and covenant not to sue Ridgecrest Cotillion, its affiliates, its instructors, any agents, employees and volunteers, sponsoring agencies and owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the event from any and all liability to each of the undersigned, his or her heirs and next of kin for any and all claims, demands, losses or damages on account of injury, including death or damage to property, caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the persons involved.

5. Shall indemnify and hold Ridgecrest Cotillion, its affiliates, its instructors, any agents, employees and volunteers from and against all allegations, claims, actions, suits, demands, damages, liabilities, obligations, losses, settlements, judgments, costs and expenses (including without limitation attorneys’ fees and costs) which arise out of, relate to or result from any act or omission of Ridgecrest Cotillion, its affiliates, its instructors, any agents, employees and volunteers.
The participant and the undersigned parent(s) or guardian(s) willingly and knowingly wish to participate in Ridgecrest Cotillion in spite of the risks.

I HAVE READ THE ABOVE WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY. I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT AND AM SIGNING IT VOLUNTARILY.

Student participant and both parents/legal guardians (if applicable) of the applicant MUST sign this form.

 

This form must be completed by any adult planning to participate in Cotillion, including all volunteers and any parents planning to attend the Parent/Adult and Child dance.
I,  {parent157}, hereafter referred to as “undersigned” or “parent volunteer” or “adult volunteer,” understand that participation in Ridgecrest Cotillion as a parent volunteer/participant is voluntary and not part of the regular school program. It is further understood that participation in Cotillion, by its very nature, may pose a high degree of risk of injury which may result not only from the actions, inactions, or negligence of Ridgecrest Cotillion, its affiliates, its instructors, any agents, employees and volunteers, but also the action, inaction, or negligence of others, the rules of participation, or the condition of the premises. The undersigned authorize Ridgecrest Cotillion, its affiliates, its instructors, any agents, employees and volunteers to obtain emergency medical treatment for Participant at the undersigned’s sole expense. Any negligence in seeking, or failing to seek, emergency medical treatment for Participant is included within the scope of this Release.
In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in Ridgecrest Cotillion related events and activities, the undersigned:

1. Agree that the adult volunteer has the right to inspect the facilities and equipment to be used, and if it is believed that anything is unsafe, he/she should immediately advise supervisor of such condition(s) and refuse to participate.

2. Acknowledge and fully understand that each participating adult volunteer will be engaging in activities that involve risk of serious injury, including permanent disability and death, and severe social and economic losses which might result not only from their own actions, inactions, or negligence but the action, inaction, and negligence of others, or the condition of the premises or of any equipment used. Further, that there may be other risks not known to us or not reasonably foreseeable at this time.

3. Assume all the foregoing risks and accept personal responsibility for the damages following such injury, permanent disability or death.

4. Release, waive, discharge, hold harmless and covenant not to sue Ridgecrest Cotillion, its affiliates, its instructors, any agents, employees and volunteers, sponsoring agencies and owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the event from any and all liability to each of the undersigned, his or her heirs and next of kin for any and all claims, demands, losses or damages on account of injury, including death or damage to property, caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the persons involved.

5. Shall indemnify and hold Ridgecrest Cotillion, its affiliates, its instructors, any agents, employees and volunteers from and against all allegations, claims, actions, suits, demands, damages, liabilities, obligations, losses, settlements, judgments, costs and expenses (including without limitation attorneys’ fees and costs) which arise out of, relate to or result from any act or omission of Ridgecrest Cotillion, its affiliates, its instructors, any agents, employees and volunteers.
The adult volunteer participant willingly and knowingly wishes to participate in Ridgecrest Cotillion in spite of the risks.

I HAVE READ THE ABOVE WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY. I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT AND AM SIGNING IT VOLUNTARILY.

Any adult wishing to participate in Cotillion as a volunteer or a participant in the Parent/Adult and Child dance MUST sign this form. A separate form must be completed for each adult participant.

This form must be completed by any adult planning to participate in Cotillion, including all volunteers and any parents planning to attend the Parent/Adult and Child dance.
I, {parent2}, hereafter referred to as “undersigned” or “parent volunteer” or “adult volunteer,” understand that participation in Ridgecrest Cotillion as a parent volunteer/participant is voluntary and not part of the regular school program. It is further understood that participation in Cotillion, by its very nature, may pose a high degree of risk of injury which may result not only from the actions, inactions, or negligence of Ridgecrest Cotillion, its affiliates, its instructors, any agents, employees and volunteers, but also the action, inaction, or negligence of others, the rules of participation, or the condition of the premises. The undersigned authorize Ridgecrest Cotillion, its affiliates, its instructors, any agents, employees and volunteers to obtain emergency medical treatment for Participant at the undersigned’s sole expense. Any negligence in seeking, or failing to seek, emergency medical treatment for Participant is included within the scope of this Release.
In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in Ridgecrest Cotillion related events and activities, the undersigned:

1. Agree that the adult volunteer has the right to inspect the facilities and equipment to be used, and if it is believed that anything is unsafe, he/she should immediately advise supervisor of such condition(s) and refuse to participate.

2. Acknowledge and fully understand that each participating adult volunteer will be engaging in activities that involve risk of serious injury, including permanent disability and death, and severe social and economic losses which might result not only from their own actions, inactions, or negligence but the action, inaction, and negligence of others, or the condition of the premises or of any equipment used. Further, that there may be other risks not known to us or not reasonably foreseeable at this time.

3. Assume all the foregoing risks and accept personal responsibility for the damages following such injury, permanent disability or death.

4. Release, waive, discharge, hold harmless and covenant not to sue Ridgecrest Cotillion, its affiliates, its instructors, any agents, employees and volunteers, sponsoring agencies and owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the event from any and all liability to each of the undersigned, his or her heirs and next of kin for any and all claims, demands, losses or damages on account of injury, including death or damage to property, caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the persons involved.

5. Shall indemnify and hold Ridgecrest Cotillion, its affiliates, its instructors, any agents, employees and volunteers from and against all allegations, claims, actions, suits, demands, damages, liabilities, obligations, losses, settlements, judgments, costs and expenses (including without limitation attorneys’ fees and costs) which arise out of, relate to or result from any act or omission of Ridgecrest Cotillion, its affiliates, its instructors, any agents, employees and volunteers.
The adult volunteer participant willingly and knowingly wishes to participate in Ridgecrest Cotillion in spite of the risks.

I HAVE READ THE ABOVE WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY. I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT AND AM SIGNING IT VOLUNTARILY.

Any adult wishing to participate in Cotillion as a volunteer or a participant in the Parent/Adult and Child dance MUST sign this form. A separate form must be included for each adult participant.

On behalf of myself, my household members, and as parent and lawful guardian of my minor child(ren), as included in this application, I hereby give permission for my child(ren) to participate in Ridgecrest Cotillion at Ridgecrest Intermediate School. My child and I are familiar with, and knowingly and voluntarily accept any and all risks associated with the camp/clinic/activity on a school campus. I acknowledge that my child’s participation in this program is wholly voluntary and is not part of any regular school curriculum.

I specifically assume all risks and hazards associated with my child’s participation in the Ridgecrest Cotillion including, but not limited to, the risks associated with the COVID-19 or similar type virus. I understand that my child will be associating with staff, volunteers, and other children and may contract COVID-19, and other viruses and diseases, through my child’s participation in the Ridgecrest Cotillion. Although the children and staff/volunteers may have their temperatures taken upon entering the facility, that precaution is not nearly adequate to prevent the spread of COVID-19 given, among other things, the relatively long incubation period, and the fact that many infected persons are asymptomatic. I understand and voluntarily assume the risk that my child may acquire COVID-19, and that COVID-19 may subsequently be transmitted from my child to me, my family, and members of my household.

I certify that my child is in good health, has no fever, and has no current issues that make it unsafe for my child to participate in Ridgecrest Cotillion, which does not have a medical professional on staff. I will not send my child to Ridgecrest Cotillion if my child develops a fever or illness or tests positive for COVID-19.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, I hereby agree to waive, release, and discharge any and all claims, causes of action, damages, and rights of any kind, including serious injury or death, against the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, its insurers, the district’s governing board, and all of their respective employees, agents, representatives, and volunteers (the “Released Parties”) arising from or relating in any way to my child’s participation in Ridgecrest Cotillion. Including but not limited to exposure to the COVID-19 virus as we are assuming that risk. I am aware that I can contract COVID-19 anywhere.

 

*** ALL GIRLS MUST WEAR GLOVES DURING COTILLION***

All 6th grade students and any NEW (first time) 7th and 8th grade students to Cotillion will receive a complimentary pair of gloves before the first dance. All other returning students will pay $5.00 for new gloves unless they will be using their gloves from the previous year. Any student who wishes to purchase a spare pair of gloves may do so for $5.00 cash at any of the dances.

Glove for 6th graders and any 7th & 8th graders new to Cotillion will be handed out at the Parent/Student Orientation at the beginning of the year.

PAYMENT

The cost of Cotillion is $185/per child per year. If your child is accepted, they will receive a formal invitation in the mail by the end of summer. Should you choose to accept our invitation, payment information for both Booster and Cotillion will be on the invitation.

Early registration is strongly recommended for admission into Cotillion. Admission is based on the online registration submission date and time. Please note: We must consider an even boy/girl ratio when accepting applications.

Refunds: Once a student in accepted into Cotillion, there are no refunds.