Code of Conduct
Respect and good manners are expected of everyone: teacher, student, and parents. Not only do we teach music, we teach life skills at the same time either directly or by example. Uncooperative students may be asked to leave when behavior isn't modified after being asked to do so. No refund/credit for fees is given in this case. We have a strict "no drama" policy. We will provide one warning only before asking the student/family to withdraw. Drama (at least drama that is NOT a part of a theatrical script!) has no place at The Music Studio of Warrensburg.
Attire should be age appropriate when coming to your lesson. Cleated sports shoes may not be worn in the building.
If your child needs to be dropped off early or picked up late, please have them bring homework, reading, or a quiet activity they can do while waiting. Please remember to be respectful of the lessons in progress when you come in. Parents or other persons are welcome to wait in our studio waiting area or in the general open waiting area. Wireless internet access is available and free of charge!
Lesson and Illness Policy
Attendance at lessons is crucial to your success. We also understand that life sometimes gets in the way! Make-up lessons are solely at the discretion of the teacher and are handled on a case by case basis. Your tuition pays for the teacher's time, not a lesson. We ask you to contact the studio to arrange for lesson changes or when you must be absent. In order to be eligible for a make-up lesson, you must call in at least one hour in advance of your lesson if ill (the earlier you call, the better!). For non-illness related absences, we require a minimum of 24 hours advance notice.
Piano students are expected to have washed their hands before coming for their lesson. Finger nails should be kept trimmed to allow playing on finger tips.
We want you and your child to get the most out of every lesson you pay for. That means making progress from week to week. We highly recommend (and expect) the student to come to lessons prepared to move on to the next assignment, unit, or level. We believe that this is what every student and parent expects to get out of taking lessons. The responsibility for being prepared for each lesson is with the student. The more you practice between lessons, the better you will become and the faster you will progress.
School events such as parent-student-teacher conferences, music programs, and so forth will always be allowed for rescheduling a lesson that is missed because of these important parts of your child's education. Religious activities or observances are also included in this. Any other activities not sponsored by a recognized school or church should be discussed with the teacher at least two weeks in advance.
Note that individual teachers may have additional studio policy documents which you will receive at your first lesson.
In the event that your regular teacher is absent, your lesson will be taught by one of our qualified substitutes. This includes teacher vacations as well as unexpected teacher absences.
Our illness policy is similar to your school's. Students running a fever are not allowed to come to the studio. This is not only to keep other students from becoming ill, but we want everyone to stay healthy so we don't have to cancel other people's lessons! There is no advance notice requirement for students who will need to miss a lesson because they are sick. We simply ask that you call as early as possible so that we can allow students with later lessons to move up or offer the lesson slot to someone needing a make-up lesson.
Hand sanitizer is available by the restrooms to help prevent the spread of illness. All students are expected to use the hand sanitizer before playing our instruments shared with other students or teachers. We ask that all piano students wash their hands before their lesson.
Communications/Photos/Video
All requests for changes in lesson times (temporary or long term) must be handled through the front desk. Teachers are not allowed to make schedule changes. We communicate with you via email and a valid email address for you, or someone who agrees to receive emails to you and provide information to you when it is received, must be on file.
If the studio is closed for inclement weather we will notify KOKO (1450 AM) and The Bridge (92.7 FM). We will also send out both an email and a text message to all families. If in doubt, call the studio! In most cases, when schools are closed we will most likely be closed as well but families should check email/text messages to be certain. Don't assume we are closed especially if roads become safely passable by 3 p.m.
The image of you, your child, or other children in your family may be photographed or included in video footage taken during studio activities (i.e. lessons, recitals, public events, etc.). Unless you specifically notify us in writing, you are assumed to consent to the use of such images in advertising, promotional materials, or composite videos (i.e. recital keepsake video and similar). Please complete and submit a photo/video exclusion form which is available through the front desk if you wish to opt out.
Tuition Payments
We bill for and collect lesson fees one month in advance. Lesson fees are non-refundable and are due by the 27th of each calendar month. We do not pro-rate or divide lesson fees into equal installment payments. In the event of an excused absence from a lesson and a make-up time cannot be rescheduled by the end of the current month lesson fees for the following month will be reduced accordingly. We require all families to arrange for automatic tuition payment (credit card securely kept on file in our billing system). Tuition payments are charged to the card on file on the 26th of each month. If you wish to pay by check or cash, your payment must be received by the close of business on the 25th of the month otherwise we will process an electronic debit or credit card payment without further notice. A late payment fee of $10.00 is assessed on the 1st of the month unless payment arrangements have been made. Those families electing to use ACH check debits for payments will be charged $1.00 per transaction.
Any music, instructional materials, or consummables purchased through the studio are expected to be paid for at the time of sale. We accept cash, personal checks, and credit cards for payment of fees. If your credit card is on file in our system, we will charge the materials/supplies at the time the teacher issues them to the student. Teachers are not allowed to send home new books, music, or other supplies "on credit" under any circumstances.
We offer a very generous referral discount! For each new student you refer to us who enrolls in lessons and completes two months of lessons, you will receive one free lesson. For each new student you refer, you will receive one free lesson which will be credited after the new student has enrolled and completed one month of lessons. We are able to keep our lesson fees low because our overhead costs associated with operating our studio are very low. We will match or beat the lesson fees charged by any other studio.
We also offer a former student discount to any student who has studied with any of our teachers in the past, regardless of where those lessons or instruction took place. (This includes public school involvement!). This discount does not apply to students who came with the teacher at the time they began teaching here.
Withdrawals
Requests to withdraw or suspend lessons (up to 60 days with credit) must be received by the 20th of the month. No refunds are given for unused lessons except in unusual circumstances which are determined on a case-by-case basis. Any withdrawal or suspension request must be made in writing (email or withdrawal form at front desk). All withdrawals must be handled through our front desk. Teachers are not allowed to take withdrawals.
