General Studio Policies Agreement
Enrollment: Enrollment in our school year season classes includes participation in our Spring Dance Concert. In addition to registration and monthly tuition fees, this will also include additional mandatory fees for costumes, tickets, and other performance/activity fees which may be paid for by participating in our SSDC fundraisers.
Lateness and Missed Classes: Any dancer who is more than 10 minutes late to class may not be allowed to participate at the instructor's discretion. Missed classes may be made up in another class of the same level with the director's permission. Tuition will not be reimbursed or pro-rated for missed classes.
Winter/Spring Season: Spring Concert dances are taught to our Level 4-6 dancers in January, February, and early March. Dances are "cleaned" (perfected for the stage) in April and May. Attendance during these times is important. Students who miss frequent classes during this time due to conflicts with school musicals, Hempfield Dance Theatre or other extracurricular activities will be expected to learn any missed choreography on their own time from the videos posted on our SSDC Dropbox. Dancers who do not meet this requirement may be removed from all or part of their class's choreography at the discretion of the instructor.
Studio Closings: Classes that are canceled due to inclement weather will be rescheduled later in the season closer to our Spring Concert or offered virtually via Zoom. Any closings will be reported on WGAL.com, SSDC's Facebook and Instagram, and on our outgoing voicemail message. Closings will be reported by no later than 3pm for afternoon/evening classes and 8am for morning classes. Should the government mandate that we must close due to a resurgence of COVID-19 in our community, all classes will immediately switch to Zoom.
Work-to-Dance Program and Parent Volunteers: Any parent who would like to be considered for SSDC's Work-to-Dance program should contact the studio director. All Work-to-Dance parents and Spring Concert Volunteers must have their updated clearances (federal, state police, and Compass), and SSDC must retain a copy of these clearances on file.
Email: Email contact is essential in order for parents to receive all important studio information. Changes to email must be submitted to our studio director and made on our parent portal.
Drop Off/Pick Up: SSDC will open 15 minutes before the first scheduled class of the day. Students may be dropped off no more than 10 minutes before the start of their scheduled class time. Students must be picked up on time.
Parking: Parents may park anywhere in the lot EXCEPT for the four spots directly in front of the big house to the left of the entrance. You may also park in the gravel by the fence that runs parallel to the street. Otherwise please park only within the designated spots. If no parking is available, you may drop your dancer off and park across the street at Trio.
Adding or Dropping Classes: All added or dropped classes must be submitted to the studio director in writing AND on the parent portal. Tuition invoices will not be modified and will continue to accrue balances until written notice is given. Dropped classes after 12/1 will incur a $50 per class fee.
Dress Code: Dancers must comply with our dress code, which is available in full on the website. Proper dance attire is required at SSDC. Dancers who are not in compliance with our dress code will not be allowed to participate in class. If a dancer is financially unable to afford the proper dance clothes, the parent should contact the director for assistance.
Prerequisites: Silver Spring Dance reserves the right to have prerequisites and instructor permission requirements in place for certain classes and levels.
In-Class Behavior: Frequent classroom disruptions may signify that a child is not ready for dance class or enjoying class. These issues will be discussed with parents and may result in removal from the class or placement in a different level.
Bullying/Harassment: SSDC has a zero tolerance policy regarding any type of bullying or harassment, including but not limited to physical violence, threats of physical violence, cyber bullying, verbal harassment, and sexual harassment. Incidents of bullying or harassment must be brought to the director immediately. All incidents will be documented and reviewed by the Board of Directors. Students, parents, or staff found to be engaging in these behaviors will be dismissed from SSDC.
Non-discrimination policy: Silver Spring Dance does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion/creed, gender, gender identity/expression, national origin/ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations. Silver Spring Dance is an equal opportunity employer.
Green Phase Policies
Updated Green Phase SSDC Policies
SSDC's Safety Precautions
*Class sizes will be strictly limited.
*Class start times will be staggered.
*Barres, doorknobs, bathrooms, floors and all other high-touch surfaces will be disinfected between classes.
*Hand sanitizer will be available in all areas of the studio.
*The studio floor will be taped off into "zones" and students will be required to maintain the designated spacing. Ballet barres will be taped for spacing as well.
*Classes will be constructed around these "zones" to maintain social distancing, and all classes will be contact-free. Instructors will maintain social distancing in class as well.
*Windows and interior doors (when able) will remain open to provide additional ventilation, and fans will be used during class.
*Masks are required our facility during the Green Phase. Students and instructors must wear masks during class and masks are required in the lobby as well. Exceptions may be made for health reasons at the director's discretion.
*The whole facility will be cleaned and disinfected daily after the last class of the night.
*SSDC will be implementing an online-only registration and payment system.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Policies
*Dancers should be dropped off one at a time at the front door no more than 10 minutes before the start of their first class.
*Teen dancers who drive themselves to class must come in one at a time and should wait until any parents have exited the drop-off area before coming to the door.
*Temperatures will be taken via no-contact temporal thermometer before a student can enter.
*Dancers must wear a mask and maintain distance while they wait in the lobby for their class to start.
*Parents of dancers aged 7+ are not permitted to wait in the lobby during classes.
*Parents of dancers under 7 who choose to wait in the lobby must wear a mask as per state regulation. Only one parent/guardian per dancer is allowed in the lobby.
*Siblings of dancers are not permitted in the lobby.
*Dancers should have a dance bag with only their shoes, water bottle, and a sweat towel if necessary, which they must bring into the studio.
*Dancers aged 7+ will exit directly from the studio back into the parking lot, and not go back through the lobby. A staff or board member will assist younger dancers to make sure they get back to their parents.
Policies for Students in Class
*Dancers will remove their shoes on the stairs, place them in their bag, and use the provided hand sanitizer upon entering the studio.
*Dance bags must remain in the studio with dancers.
*Dancers must bring their own water bottle. No one will be allowed to use the studio water cooler at this time.
*Dancers must be able to abide by social distancing protocols and stay within the designated classroom "zones." *Dancers who cannot follow these guidelines will not be allowed to participate in in-studio classes.
*Dancers who are taking multiple classes in a row are required to remain in the studio
General Health
*Dancers who are sick or who have immediate family members who are sick are not allowed in the studio.
*Dancers who have been sick must have a doctor's note to return.
*If a student, immediate family member, or instructor who has been in the building tests positive for COVID-19, SSDC will immediately shut down for at least two weeks, and will follow all CDC protocols for reopening.
Should the government mandate that we must close, all classes will immediately move to Zoom. Regular tuition will be charged.
I have read and agree to abide by the policies SSDC has put in place to ensure the safety of all dancers, staff, and families as we transition back to in-studio classes following the COVID-19 closure.
Assumption of Risk
Dance training requires sustained repetitive, vigorous physical activity. Students engage in a broad range of movements including, but not limited to, bending, twisting, running, leaping, lifting, and jumping. Accidents, injuries and other mishaps can occur despite all safety precautions. For the most part, ice packs and rest will suffice until a parent can be notified. In the event of a sudden injury or illness in the studio or during a performance, a teacher may feel that emergency medical care is necessary.
In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Silver Spring Dance has taken additional steps to ensure the health and well being of all instructors, staff, board members, students, and parents. These steps include limited class sizes, sanitation stations, contact free registration and payment, requirement of masks in the lobby, social distancing protocols in the classroom, temperature checks, and procedural changes for student drop off and pick up. While we have taken all recommended precautions, we cannot guarantee that a student, parent, or instructor will not contract COVID-19 in our facility.
By agreeing to this release, I acknowledge and assume all risks of participation in programming taking place at Silver Spring Dance or any affiliated rehearsals or performances.
Release of Liability
I agree to release, indemnify and hold harmless Silver Spring Dance including its instructors, dancers, staff members, volunteers, and Board of Directors from any liability, damages, causes of action, claims, or demands, now and in the future , that might arise as a result of my or my child's participation in programs held in Silver Spring Dance's studios, performance venues, the adjacent lobbies, restrooms, and parking area. I will not hold Silver Spring Dance liable for any personal injury or property damage caused in whole or in part by my/my child's participation in Silver Spring Dance's programming.
Medical Emergencies
In the event of a sudden injury or illness in the studio or during a performance, a teacher may feel that emergency medical care is necessary. We reserve the right to seek emergency medical treatment on behalf of our dance students if we feel it is warranted. By agreeing to this waiver, you are giving us permission to call for medical help in case of emergency.
Payment Policy
Full Season Payment Policy (September-June)
*All payments must be made via online platform.
*All families will be required to have a credit card on file with SSDC.
*Monthly tuition for each month will be posted on the 25th of the previous month.
* Parents may submit their payments via the Parent Portal any time between the 25th and the 10th.
*All outstanding tuition balances will be charged to the card on file on the 10th of each month.
*There will be a $25 fee for any declined credit card transactions.
*Monthly tuition remains the same regardless of the number of class weeks per month. Each class meets for the same number of weeks throughout the school year.
*Students will not be permitted to start a new season of classes if there is an outstanding balance due from the previous season.
*No student will be permitted to start classes until their registration fee has been paid.
*Costume deposits of $25 per dancer will be posted on 10/1 and are due by October 31st. Costume deposits not paid by 10/31will be charged to the credit card on file. (Full season dancers only)
*Activity fees of $50 per dancer will be posted on 10/1 and are due by November 15th. Activity fees not paid by 11/15 will be charged to the credit card on file. (Full season dancers only)
*For safety reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic, SSDC will not have a fall fundraiser in 2020.
*There will be a $50 cancellation fee per class for any student who drops a class after December 1st. This fee will be charged to the credit card on file. Students who drop after the 10th of any month will not be refunded for the remaining classes for that calendar month.
*Should SSDC be able to safely have a fundraiser in Winter/Spring 2021, all proceeds will go directly towards individual student costume balances.
*Costume balances will be posted on January 1 and must be paid in full by April 1st. Costume balances that are not paid by 4/1 will be charged to the credit card on file. Costume costs for the 2020-21 season are still TBD.
*Students with outstanding balances after May 10th will not be permitted to participate in SSDC's Spring Dance Concert.
*Tuition will not be reimbursed or pro-rated due to conflicts without outside activities, injury, or illness. In the event of serious long-term injury or illness, an exception may be made at the discretion of the studio director.
*If a family is experiencing a financial hardship, a formal payment plan may be made with the studio at the discretion of the director. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to make these arrangements with the studio director.
