BAS MAT TALK: Latest News October 2026
October is going to be a FUN month at Bartow All Stars!
Our All-Star teams are officially set, choreography is just about complete, and now we’re focused on cleaning routines, building stronger teams, and preparing for competition season.
October also brings team bonding, fundraising opportunities, Halloween fun, and one of our favorite Downtown Bartow traditions!
We’ve built the teams. Now it’s time to come together.
Here’s what BAS families need to know this month!
A NOTE FROM COACH MONICA
This Month’s Focus: BETTER TOGETHER
We are officially entering the next part of our season.
Our teams are set. Athletes know their routines. Now we’re working on the little things that make a BIG difference: consistency, confidence, trust, technique, and learning how to work together as a team.
October will include team bonding for all of our All-Star teams because what happens off the mat matters too. Athletes who know each other, trust each other, and support each other become stronger teammates.
We’re going to work hard this month, but we’re also going to have some fun!
Competition season is getting closer, and I’m excited to see everything start coming together.
With BAS Pride,
Coach Monica
IMPORTANT DATES
October 1
$135 Monthly Tuition Due
Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser begins
October 5
Tuition grace period ends
Late fees apply to unpaid balances
Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser ends
October 15
$50 Competition Fee Due
$150 Annual Coach Fee Due
October 17
Coach JC Boot Camp — Optional Training for Tumbling and Stunting
Additional training opportunity with Coach JC. $25 per athlete. Schedule will be shared in BAND.
October — Dates TBA
Dollhouse Team Bonding
Royal Reign Team Bonding
Untamed Team Bonding
Thursday, October 29 — 4:30 PM
Bartow Annual Halloween Parade
BAS Halloween Fun
SAVE THE DATE — November 21
BAS Friends & Family Showcase. Our All-Star athletes will debut their competition routines for family and friends before competition season begins. More details coming soon!
“Strong routines start with strong teams.”
NEW — Closed Practice Policy: Effective immediately, the main floor and back room are reserved for athletes and staff only, and All-Star practices are closed to parents. This helps keep our athletes focused and gives our coaches the space they need to work. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
While athletes are practicing, families are welcome to enjoy Downtown Bartow, including nearby restaurants, shops, walking areas, and outdoor seating just steps from the gym!
LET'S TALK PAYMENTS
As we move closer to competition season, staying current on season expenses is extremely important.
October fees include:
October 1 — $135 Monthly Tuition
October 15 — $50 Competition Fee
October 15 — $150 Annual Coach Fee
The Annual Coach Fee helps cover coach travel and expenses throughout competition season.
We are getting through some of the last major season fees, so let’s keep pushing!
Fundraising opportunities are available this month to help families offset expenses, and flexible payment options are available through our website.
If you anticipate a payment issue, please communicate with Coach Monica before the due date.
WHAT YOUR ALL-STAR TUITION INCLUDES
BAS is about more than learning a cheer routine! Our founding All-Star families joined at a Founder’s Rate of $135 per month, which includes:
3 hours of All-Star team practice each week
1 hour tumbling class each week
Approximately 16+ hours of coached training each month
Professional coaching, choreography, and skill development
Additional training opportunities throughout the season
Friendships and a sense of belonging
Confidence, discipline, and accountability
Positive mentorship from coaches
A safe, supportive place to learn, grow, and be themselves
Opportunities to learn teamwork, responsibility, and how to work through challenges
Coaches who are invested in athletes both on and off the mat
With two team practices and one tumbling class each week, that's approximately 13 included classes each month for $135. About $10 per class!
And that doesn't include the occasional additional training, bootcamps and drop-in opportunities we provide throughout the season.
But what we're building at BAS goes beyond the hours athletes spend in the gym.
We want athletes to leave BAS stronger, more confident, supported, and knowing they belong to something bigger than themselves.
We’ve intentionally kept our Founder’s Rate affordable because we want these opportunities to remain accessible to our athletes. Keeping that rate possible takes everyone doing their part. Accounts need to remain current and season fees need to be paid by their posted deadlines so BAS can continue covering coaching, training, facility expenses, and the opportunities we provide.
When our families stay on track, it helps us keep our program affordable while continuing to give our athletes more.
DOUBLE GOOD FUNDRAISER — OCTOBER 1–5
Help knock out some of those remaining competition-season expenses!
BAS is partnering with Double Good for a 4-day online popcorn fundraiser. Families can create their own Pop-Up Store, share it with friends and family, and
50% of every sale is earned through the fundraiser.
No inventory, upfront purchases, or deliveries required.
Get started here:Double Good Fundraising Page
Let’s see what BAS can do in four days!
OCTOBER = TEAM BONDING MONTH
All three All-Star teams will have a team bonding opportunity during October!
Team bonding isn't just about having fun.
It helps athletes:
Build friendships
Develop trust
Communicate better
Learn how to support one another
Become stronger teammates on and off the mat
Our Team Parents will help organize activities for each team.
Keep an eye on BAND for your team’s date and details!
HALLOWEEN IN DOWNTOWN BARTOW
One of the BEST parts about our new BAS home is being right in the middle of Downtown Bartow!
The Bartow Annual Halloween Parade is Thursday, October 29 at 4:30 PM, and BAS has a great location to enjoy it.
We’re planning some Halloween fun at the gym and exploring a BAS VIP Parade Viewing Raffle!
One lucky family could win a reserved viewing area outside BAS with seating for their group, so there’s no need to arrive early and fight for a parade spot.
More details on the raffle and our Halloween plans will be announced soon!
PARENT REMINDERS
Check BAND regularly for team updates.
Athletes should arrive on time and ready to practice.
All-Star athletes must enroll in their included weekly tumbling class ahead of time.
We are looking for parents interested in helping lead fundraising and team-building activities.
BAS PARENT ACADEMY
From Learning It to Owning It.
Choreography is no longer new.
Our athletes know what they're supposed to do. October is about learning to perform those skills consistently and correctly every time.
Practices will continue focusing on:
Timing • Technique • Stunts • Jumps • Tumbling • Conditioning • Performance • Endurance
As routines get cleaner, coaches may make adjustments to formations, skills, stunt groups, or athlete roles based on what gives the team the strongest routine.
Changes are a normal part of competitive cheer.
The best thing athletes can do is stay coachable, work hard, and be ready for whatever role their team needs.
And the biggest thing parents can continue doing?
Protect practice attendance.
Every athlete has a job.
Every practice matters.
Athlete Expectations
Athletes are now on a 1-2-3 system during classes and practices.
Warnings may be given for disrupting class, talking during instruction, disrespect, poor attitudes, or not following directions.
On the third warning, parents may be called to pick up the athlete from class.
WHO’S GOT MY BACK JERSEYS
Jerseys will be distributed with uniforms in November.
PARENTS, WE NEED YOUR HELP
We’re looking for 2-3 Team Parents per team to help organize team bonding, competition send-offs, and occasional fundraisers.
Team bonding matters! It helps our athletes build friendships, trust each other, and become stronger teammates on and off the mat.
This is a fun role for someone with a little extra time during practice and you can absolutely team up with another parent. Coach Monica can help with ideas, but my focus needs to stay on coaching and growing the program.
Interested? Message Coach Monica.
We’re excited about where BAS is headed. We’re just getting started.
If you have any questions, contact a coach
Please review the latest schedule and enroll your athlete in the correct class or team by looking at options in the parent portal .
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