Parent Observation:
We do not allow parents in the classrooms on a day-to-day basis as it is difficult for students to maintain their focus during class with observers in the room. However, it is important that you have a chance to observe the progress of your child. We do have video monitors in our lobby so that you may observe class without interrupting.
Attendance, Tardiness & Make up Classes:
We do not pro-rate tuition due absences, bad weather or national holidays. It is important for the improvement of your child to and fellow classmates that all students attend each and every class. The school reserves the right to have students who come in late to class sit out during that class period. Repeated tardiness may result in termination of lessons. A minimum attendance level will be required for each student. Excusable absences (i.e. calling the office prior to scheduled class time, sickness) may be made up within 4 weeks of excused absence, if a make-up class is available. Students may only make-up in classes where there is available space. A maximum of three makeup classes per year is allowed. Missed classes may not be applied to future tuition. Make-up class appointments must be made with the office prior to attending the make-up class to ensure availability. Due to differences in class choreography for our recital, make-ups are allowed in technique-only classes after February 1st.
Parent Contact with Teacher:
We want all of our parents to know that we take great pride in teaching your children and we want them to succeed in class. With that being said, we have the rule "no parents allowed in class" for several reasons:
1. Children are easily distracted and when a parent comes in, they often lose focus. Teachers have to stop class, then try to get the students to refocus.
2. Teachers have a very limited time with students. From the very second the children walk in, class starts; even if it looks like the teacher isn't busy, he/she may be doing things that are important.
3. The MOST IMPORTANT reason is SAFETY! This matters on so many different levels. We have some students that aren't supposed to leave with certain people, some students that may run out whenever a door is opened, or the teacher may have no idea who the parent is. So, we ask that if you need to talk to your child's teacher, you relay the message through a staff member.
If the issue is not something that needs to be handled at that time, you may send an e-mail at info@joysdancehouse.com.
If your child forgot something, you need to pick them up early, you are late and they need to be taken to class, or anything else that is not an absolute emergency, please let a studio staff member know.
We appreciate your cooperation in this matter, and hope that you understand that this is for the safety and well-being of all the children at the studio.
Drop off & Pick Up:
The school is not responsible for providing before or after class care for students. Students are not to be left at the school for excessive time before, after, or between classes. Students should arrive not more than 15 minutes prior to their class time and should be picked up within 15 minutes of class end time. We care deeply about our students and to ensure safety our very limited staff cannot be responsible for childcare duties that take them beyond their job descriptions and normal working hours. Should there be repeated tardiness or early drop off (more than 1 occurrence) from the same family, the school will charge the family $20 for every 15 minutes or portion thereof, in order to retain personnel past their regularly scheduled hours.
Class Etiquette & Discipline:
In today's world of instant informality and less than perfect manners, ballet class provides an oasis of true courtesy and dignity, a remnant of the royal decorum of the Baroque age. In ballet, we create an environment conducive to learning and physically demonstrate the esteem in which we hold our art, our teacher, and our fellow students. Considerate, respectful behavior is expected at all times.
*Respect for the teacher and for one another is essential to a successful classroom environment.
*Behavior in the halls and the dressing room should be polite and quiet by both students & parents.
Teaching Method and Corrections:
Proper dance training happens only when the student feels the correct body position. Communication and education for both dancers and parents is very much a part of our program. Parents are welcome to speak to the teacher regarding any special concerns. As a part of their training, dancers will receive frequent constructive criticism (called corrections) throughout the year. Corrections are given to assist and teach. The student should understand that a correction is a gift and should be received as such. For our teachers to be able to give proper corrections, it is imperative that students follow the dress code. (Please refer to the dress code in the next section) The reason for our dress code is so that the teacher can see the body positioning of the student, and make the necessary corrections.
Tuition is based monthly and not hourly. Dance tuition remains the same regardless if the is a long (5 weeks) or a short (3 weeks) month. All tuition payments must be made via credit/debit card or ACH withdrawal from your financial institution. Payments will automatically be processed on the 1st of each month.
Summer Tuition (July-August)
Summer tuition is to be paid in full at the time of registration. This includes all classes, intensives, camps, and registration fees.
Fall/Winter Dance Season (September - June)
The season is based on a ten-month "year", beginning in September and ending in June. Tuition is divided depending on how you choose to pay. Tuition must be paid by one of the following three options below:
1) Ten Equal Monthly Payments- Automatic bank account debit will occur on the first day of each month September through June.
2) Two Equal Payments (discount included) - .Your first payment will be deducted from that account on September 1. Your second payment will be deducted from that account on February 1. If you do not wish to have your account deducted automatically, you must make the full payments due by August 15 and January 15, consecutively. Even if you plan to make payments in full to avoid accounts being automatically deducted, you will still be required to submit a signed bank draft or credit card authorization to be used in the event you do not make payment in time.
3) One Full Payment (discount included) - The full payment will be deducted from that account on September 1. If you do not wish to have your account deducted automatically, you must make the full payment due by August 15. Even if you plan to make payments in full to avoid accounts being automatically deducted, you will still be required to submit a signed bank draft or credit card authorization to be used in the event you do not make payment in time.
Any and ALL tuition fees are not refundable and not transferable. Credit may be given in extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the studio director.
Monthly payments are only accepted through an automatic bank account draft; we do not accept cash or checks in the studio for monthly payments. If your monthly bank account draft (electronic check) is returned, you will be assessed a $30 NSF fee. If returned, your monthly amount will be re-submitted along with the $30 NSF fee. After two NSF returns for monthly drafts, we will no longer accept monthly draft payments from your account, in which the remainder of the tuition will be due immediately to continue enrollment at Joy's Dance House.
Tuition not paid by the 5th of each month will be considered late and a $30 late fee will be added. Students will not be allowed in class until payment is received.
Registration Fees, Tuition Fees, Costume Fees
All registration, tuition and costume fees are non-refundable.
Required dance-wear and dance shoes must be worn to all classes. Failure to wear required dance-wear to class could result in students being asked to sit out of class. For safety reasons, dancers are not permitted to wear jewelry. Hair must be securely tied back, preferably in a bun.
Please refer to the following dress code guide for each class -
Ballet Classes:
Shoes - Leather, sole ballet slippers with elastics attached; females "" ballet pink; males "" black
Female attire - Black leotard, pink/tan tights
Male attire - Black shirt, dance/sweat pants no longer than knee-length
Lyrical
Shoes- Tan split sole jazz shoes/turners
Female attire - Same as ballet
Male attire -Same as ballet
Pointe Classes:
Same attire as ballet class. Instructors will advise you on pointe shoes.
Tap Classes:
Shoes - Teachers will advise on what type of shoes to use
Female attire - Black leotard, pink tights (dance pants or warm-ups may be worn)
Male attire - Black dance shirt, dance/sweat pants
Tumble/Modern/Contemporary Classes:
Shoes - Barefoot / Turners
Female attire - leotard, convertible or footless tights (dance pants or warm-ups may be worn with teacher's permission)
Male attire - Black dance shirt, dance/sweat pants no longer than knee-length
Jazz Classes:
Shoes - All levels - tan split sole laceles booty
Female attire - Black leotard, tights (dance pants or warm-ups may be worn with teacher's permission)
Male attire - Black dance shirt, dance/sweat pants no longer than knee-length
Hip Hop- Female/Male
Shoes - Black and white converse or look at like sneakers
Attire - Comfortable, non-restrictive dance attire. No Jeans
In consideration of the benefits derived from Joy's Dance House LLC. I (we) do hereby agree to hold harmless Joy's Dance House LLC/ Joy Cutrone/ Wyrwa Realty LLC, it's agents or employees/sub contractors, from any and all claims, including claims for personal injuries, to myself, and my (our) boy or girl, arising out of: (1) dance or gymnastics or any other Joy's Dance House LLC activities, (2) the act of being transported to and from such activities, or (3) other Joy's Dance House events or functions. I am unaware of any medical conditions which may make it difficult or dangerous for me or my child to participate in programs and activities of Joy's Dance House. I am releasing Joy's Dance House LLC and its staff from liability. I am aware that Joy's dance House LLC videotapes or takes photographs of students from time to time. I hereby grant Joy's Dance House LLC permission to use at any time, and for any reasonable purpose, a photograph or videotape of me or my child. I have read and understand my obligations as described in the policies and guidelines.
