Attendance Policies

• Students missing three consecutive classes will be contacted by the office. In case of extended illness or injury, the office will work with the responsible party in regards to payment schedule. The studio releases the financial obligation during the extended illness or injury with the submission of a doctor’s excuse. Regular payment options resume when the student returns. During the illness or injury the student is responsible for attending class, if possible, and observing in an effort to mentally prepare for their return. The instructor reserves the right to limit the students participation in class or performance for their health and safety. Students en pointe and AcroDance students, especially, are at great risk for injury after extended illness or injuries. Instructors know best what their class and/ or choreography demands. Decisions are not made lightly to cut a student from a particular section of a dance or AcroDance routine, but are made in consideration for the student.
• Classes missed due to illness or inclement weather may be made up. The studio DOES NOT follow any local school district policy. Please follow us on Facebook. If the studio closes due to inclement weather, we will post the closing by 3 PM of the scheduled class day. When in doubt, please use your best judgment and choose safety. Upon student’s return to class, check with the instructor for the most appropriate makeup class. If Labor Day and Memorial Day fall in our program year, these holidays will be observed; no other legal holidays are taken. Please check the calendar for Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.

Showcase Policies

Parents whose children wish to participate in the annual spring showcase at the historic Paramount Arts Center should be aware of the following expenses:

• Costume payments MUST be made by November Students with multiple costumes may be paid for in 3 equal payments in September, October, and November. One full costume fee must be paid for in each installment. Sorry, no partial payments on a single costume fee may be made. Students will be measured the first week of November with growth allowances made. Please note that costume fees are non- refundable.
• Showcase tickets are purchased late April to early May by a seniority lottery system through the Paramount Box Office. See the current calendar for ticket selection dates. Purchased tickets are processed and returned to the studio for pick-up one week following the date of purchase.
• Costumes and tickets may only be purchased if program fees are in good standing.
• Class photos and performance videos will be offered. All fees associated with these items are separate from the studio and any questions or problems should be directed to the contracted party.

Sticker Reward System

All classes ages 3-7 will follow our Leap ‘n Learn curriculum sticker reward system.

• 1 sticker/stamp in the roll book for following the Dancer’s Manners
• 1 sticker/stamp on the hand for dancing in class

Dancers behaving in a negative manner during class will not receive a sticker in the roll book. Parents will be notified of any negative behavior. Parents, we encourage you to check on your child’s progress and behavior in dance class. You can help by reinforcing the studio rules and Dancer’s Manners. Please review with your child the Dancer’s Manners handout given to each student during the first week of class. Dancers receiving all stickers throughout the month will be recognized on the studio bulletin board.

Point Reward System

The Dancer’s Manners Point System applies to all classes for dancers ages eight and older. Dancers can earn a total of 5 points for each class session. Points are awarded based on the following:

DRESS CODE: CORRECT LEOTARD, TIGHTS, SHOES, NO JEWELRY – 1 PT HAIR: HAIR IN APPROPRIATE BALLET BUN (PULLED BACK, IF SHORT) – 1 PT PROMPTNESS: NOT LATE FOR CLASS; LINED UP; DRESSED/READY -1 PT WORK ETHIC: FOCUSED, TRYING HARD – 1 PT RESPECT FOR OTHER DANCERS AND TEACHERS – 1 PT

Students behaving in a negative manner will lose their points and parents will be notified after class. At the end of the months, points will be tallied and students with the highest points earned will be recognized on the studio bulletin board.

Additional Information

Dancers show respect for themselves by:

1. being prompt for class
2. being dressed properly for class in black leotard without underwear under leotard or tights, without jewelry other than small earrings, and with shoe stings tucked in;
3. hair must be off of the neck and out of the face. For female dancers age 5 and up, hair must be in a bun. For shorter hair, pulled back from the face with a a headband or clips is acceptable. For female students ages 4 and younger with longer hair, it must be in a ponytail or braid.

Dancers show respect for others by:

1. keeping their hands to themselves during class;
2. waiting quietly for others to have a turn and for instructions from the teacher;
3. waiting until the music is finished before entering the classroom if they are late to class;
4. talking with one another only during Share Time;
5. supporting other students’ efforts and never laughing, pointing, whispering, or gossiping.

Dancers show respect for their teacher and the art form they are learning by:

1. being properly dressed and ready for class on time;
2. listening when the teacher speaks and always standing in a “proper dance stance” while listening to the teacher give combinations or corrections;
3. being prepared for their turn;
4. always asking before leaving the room for any reason and upon returning enter quietly and go around to the back of the room, never through the dancers who are dancing;
5. always finishing every exercise, never walking off noisily or showing anger or aggravation.

Dancers show respect for the studio by:

1. leaving gum, food, or drinks outside of the studio space and limited to our snack room upstairs;
2. never hanging or leaning on the barre;
3. never running or AcroDance in the studio or lobby;
4. putting trash and empty and clean recyclables in the proper containers;
5. allowing the teachers and assistants to handle the story books and props that are on the shelves;
6. turning off cell phones;
7. always keeping all belongings zipped inside their dance bag.

Parents show respect for the dance class, teachers and studio by:

1. coming inside the waiting room to drop off and pick up dancers. It is unsafe to allow children to walk through the parking lot alone, or dropping off in traffic, especially 13^th Street;
2. never leaving siblings in the waiting room unattended by a parent;
3. bringing dancers to class on time and picking them up promptly after class;
4. having students ready for class before entering the classroom;
5. making certain the dancer has had the opportunity to go the restroom before entering class;
6. knocking before entering the classroom if class is in progress;
7. never allowing children to hit the glass windows or mirrors;
8. if possible, letting us know in advance if a student will be absent;
9. making arrangements to make up missed classes by calling the office;
10. clearly marking all of their child’s items with the child’s name and leaving toys at home;
11. teaching dancers and siblings to sit quietly and read while waiting, remembering that the waiting area is also a homework or work area for their fellow dancers and their parents;
12. teaching children to never enter a classroom without a teacher nor run or scream in the studio, waiting areas, or parking lot
13. calling the office to make an appointment during office hours with Mrs. Maria to discuss any concerns:
14. always remembering the Ashland Regional Dance Theatre and the Ashland Youth Ballet is a gossip free environment and talking negatively about others is inappropriate behavior and benefits no one.

Dancers, staff, and parents help each other in maintaining artistry, respect, discipline, and tradition within the studio space.