School Policies

Welcome to the California Dance Company family! This information packet is designed to help you understand how things work here at the dance school. We believe that by creating a fun, nurturing, family atmosphere our students feel comfortable to express and develop themselves as dancers and young people. As a result of this belief, our students leave with a love of dance, a sense of self and friendships that will last forever.

If you need further information after reading this packet, please give us a call or e-mail us so we can answer all of your questions!

Attendance:

Students are encouraged to attend class on a regular basis. Missing classes makes it harder on the student to progress in the curriculum. Because your child will be learning with a group of other students, all students are expected not to miss more than 4 classes during a semester. He/she may not be allowed to perform in the productions if there are more than the allotted absences. Please call if your child will not be attending class.

Students should be on time to class and picked up promptly after class. If you cannot pick up your child on time, please call and inform us so we will be aware. Instruct your child to remain inside the building until you arrive.

Missing Classes/Make up lessons:

Make up lessons may be arranged for students who call in their absences. Monthly tuition pays for the reservation of the class rather than the actual attendance. Payment is nevertheless required for those classes not made up. Makeup classes must be made up in a comparable dance class within 2 months or else they are forfeited. We encourage you to utilize your makeup lessons so that your progress may not be impaired. Call or e-mail the studio for more information on makeup classes.

Behavior:

In order to provide a positive atmosphere for all students, any behavior that is deemed to be inappropriate will be brought to the attention of the responsible student and his/her parent. Examples of inappropriate behavior include but are not limited to: disrespectful attitude towards the teacher or other students, gossiping, talking back, chewing gum, or using cell phones in class. Cell phones will be confiscated from students who violate this rule and they will only be returned to the parent.

Health concerns:

The studio owner must be kept informed of any health issues your child is experiencing. For physical disorders such as pulled muscles, sprained joints, broken bones, etc., a doctor’s note certifying your child is cleared to dance is required. For chronic disorders such as asthma, diabetes, allergies, etc., your child should always have his/her labeled medication with them so that issues experience during a parent’s absence during class can be addressed immediately for the safety of the child.

Insurance:

California Dance Company is not liable for any injuries or other damage experienced at the studio or in any other location where performances or appearances may be held. Students must have their own health insurance in the event that treatment becomes necessary for any reason.

Classroom etiquette:

We ask that students not leave a class at any time without direct permission from the teacher.

Late students are not to enter the room until the current exercise and music has stopped and the student has asked the teacher’s permission to join the class.

No talking during class as it is very disruptive to the other students. We also ask that students and parents are quiet and respectful in the lobby and the loft area observation rooms while classes are in session. Children should not be left unattended in these areas.

Only water and dance shoes/ dance bag are allowed in the classrooms.

California Dance Company is a No Gum Zone.

Students need to take home all personal items and clean up after themselves.

We ask students to wait until the class before them is completely finished before entering the studio for their class.

School’s Dance Styles

We teach various styles of dancing for all ages. For more detailed information regarding a style of dance, please contact the school for further details.
Ballet - the foundation of all dance styles. Builds strength, grace, discipline, and correct body placement. A slow and steady progressive study is emphasized.
Jazz – stylized and technical form of dance, students of jazz fare best with a background in ballet to provide basic discipline and a firm foundation in the principles of jazz movement.
Hip Hop – structured form of street dance often found in music videos. It is designed to teach coordination, strength, quickness, agility and endurance. Fun to learn and an excellent aerobic workout.
Lyrical – combination of ballet and jazz technique. It is more expressive in nature, relating to the spirit, nature, joy and freedom of the individual dancer.
Modern – learn creative choreography to unique music. Modern incorporates acrobatic skills with flexibility and sharp movements.
Tap – a fun form of dance for both children and adults. Teaches increasingly challenging combinations of steps that develops rhythm, musicality and coordination.
Leaps & Turns – focuses on and develops an extensive variety of turns, extension jumps, flexibility and strength for serious dancers. There is no routine choreographed for performances.
Tiny Tots – Our pre-school program includes tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop and gymnastics in a safe and fun atmosphere. We keep this class exciting with dance games and songs.
Intensive program – for trained dancers who are ready to dedicate their time to a team which will compete and perform during the year. Placement auditions are held in September.

Class Placement & progress:

Students will be placed in class according to their age and ability. There may be class changes as the season progresses. These alterations are for the benefit of the student, so he/she can get the most of their training. It is crucial for the student to be in a class where they can make maximum progress.

Tiny tots and mini classes are designed to expose the little ones to dance in a fun and creative way. Serious students who would like to continue their dance education, should study Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and other genres such as Modern and Lyrical. Students may take only one style of dance, but their training will be limited. Exposure to diverse types of dance will result in a well-rounded, technically trained dancer.

Dance Attire:
Ballet: leotard, ballet shorts or skirt, pink ballet tights and pink ballet shoes. Hair needs to be pulled back off neck and face in ballet bun with headband or bobby pins for bangs. Ballet warm ups are allowed until instructor asks dancer to remove them. No t-shirts or tanks allowed.
Jazz: form-fitting dance clothing such as jazz shorts, pants or capris, tights, leotards, tanks are ok. No baggy clothing. Hair must be pulled back with a headband or clips for bangs. Jazz shoes are required; instructors may allow different shoes or no shoes upon request.
Hip Hop: stretchy, comfortable dance or work-out clothing such as pants, shorts, tanks, and t-shirts. Restrictive clothing like jeans, or jean shorts, should not be worn.
Tap: same as jazz. Black tap shoes are required.
Lyrical: same as jazz, footundeez are usually worn
Modern: same as jazz; usually danced in bare feet

Dangling jewelry should not be worn in any class.

Dancewear and shoes can be found at the following locations:

1. For Wholesale Prices visit the Web at www.discountdance.com or call 1-800-328-7107
    

2. Active Wear 4 U right next door to us!!! www.activewear4u.com Go see Rhonda for the hippest dance outfits or design them yourself. Call Rhonda at 365-9422.
    

3. Payless Shoe Source and Walmart are a GREAT place to get the little ones’ ballet and tap shoes cheap.

Registration fee:

A registration fee of $25.00 for each dancer is due every year between September and June with the registration form and first month’s tuition payment. This helps cover the costs of high insurance premiums and bookwork. There is a $10.00 registration discount for each additional dancer in the same immediate family after the first student. This would make the fee $15.00.

Holidays:

Studio holidays will follow most school schedules and we only close for major holidays. We do not close for teachers’ in-service days. The studio will be closed on the following holidays for 2010:

December 21st, 2009 through January 1st, 2010 for Christmas; classes will resume Monday January 4th.

April 5, 2010 through April 9, 2010 for Spring Break.

May 31, 2010 for Memorial Day.


Observation Days:

Parent observation days will be the FIRST LESSON OF THE MONTH only. Observing the class in the classroom at any other time is not allowed unless with instructor approval. Observation from the window is allowed.

Students need to concentrate 100% on the class! Parents, please watch the classes quietly while in the classroom watching on parent observation day. Thank you.

For safety precaution and disturbance please no sitting on the stairs in the second studio! Parents please watch from the up stairs window.


Productions:

Classes will perform in our Christmas Showcase held at the beautiful Cascade Theatre on Monday, December 21st at 7:00pm. Rehearsal will be on Sunday December 20th. More details to follow in monthly newsletters.
Our year-end production is held in mid-June and the date will be announced as soon as the venue is chosen. A mandatory all day rehearsal will be held the day before. This is an excellent opportunity for students to show off the talents they have acquired throughout the year! Participation is not mandatory, but please note the last three months preceding the production will be committed to working on the class recital routine.

Payment Policy:

Tuition is due by the 7th of each month, payable either in the studio drop box or via mail. Please note bills will not be sent out. **Online bill payments and use of credit cards are coming soon; contact studio for further information regarding this convenient way of payment!**

Class attendance is strongly encouraged; therefore, in general, tuition will not be pro-rated for missed classes. If a student misses class due to extraordinary circumstances {illness, etc.} please contact Sonya for an exception.
When you enroll a child with us, you are enrolling him/her for the entire season, September through June. If your child is unable to attend, the tuition is still due in order to reserve his/her spot in the class. We have a waiting list for most of our classes so please keep up informed. Please remember the monthly payment is not related to the number of classes in a month. The number of classes in any given month depends on the calendar and any holidays that may take place during that month. Since each month is different, some months will have 3 classes; others will have 4 or 5 classes. We ensure everything balances out over the year. Even though a child is enrolled for the full season, we allow you to drop at any time. Dancers adding or dropping classes must fill out an add/drop form provided at the front entrance where the schedules are located so we may keep your account current.

Intensive program dancers will receive a monthly bill detailing tuition, choreography and competition fees.

If for any reason you need extra time to pay tuition, etc. please contact Sonya or Leslie [244-6420] to work out a payment plan.

All bounced checks will be charged a $25.00 fee.

Please note we DO NOT send out monthly tuition bills. You will be responsible for remembering to make your payments.

Business Hours:
Business hours are Monday through Thursday 3:30pm – 6pm. You may call the studio at any time and leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible. You may also leave us a hand written message in the mailbox or e-mail Sonya at sonya@shasta.com