Rules and Regulations

Fees:Please ensure that dance fees, as well as festival/competition and costume fees are paid at the time of registration either in whole or by no more than four(4) post dated cheques, with the final cheque dated no later than December 30th. Dance families who have not made any payments as of Sept 30th will be removed from classes until payment has been made (unless other arrangements have been made, ie. creative kids). Dance families who leave the studio for any reason will not have refunds given. (Extreme circumstances will be considered) 
Dancers Attendance:Dancers are asked to wait until the instructor allows them to enter the studio. Dancers cannot remain in the studio before or after their set class times due to Covid 19 precautions. Dancers need to be picked up promptly at the end of class.Class time is valuable to your teacher, your team, and you. As this is a team sport, your attendance affects not only your ability to learn and have a productive class, but also your team mates and their ability to learn new things each week. If you are unable to come to the studio for class due to illness or weather, you are able to tune in virtually. This makes it possible for the next week of classes to be productive and not spent re-teaching what you have missed. If you miss class and are unable to attend virtually, it will be your responsibility to learn what was taught before the next class. For example, you could contact a friend who can help teach you what was taught. The teacher will not be re-teaching what was taught as this is a waste of everyone’s time and money. The maximum amount of classes able to be missed without repercussions is three before Christmas and three after. If a dancer misses more than two regularly scheduled classes in the month preceding a festival/competition, it will be at the Instructor’s discretion if that dancer competes at that festival/competition. If a dancer is not competing due to attendance issues, festival/competition fees will not be reimbursed.Absences will be counted as of September 20th.
Competition:All studio chosen competitions are mandatory/nonnegotiable for anyone above the combo level classes (with the exception of the adult classes) unless registered in the rec (jazz) class.  Recreational dancers do not compete in festivals/competitions. We will be attending three competitions (to be announced to everyone soon) Covid-19 permitting. Younger dancers (Combo classes) typically attend one festival.  This gives the dancers experience on the big stage, but is not intended as a competition. All competitive older groups will attend three festivals/competitions. Select groups may be participating in more festivals/competitions.Dancers MUST be ready to compete (fully dressed in costume with hair and makeup done, the proper studio-chosen tights with shoes, and waiting with the rest of their group) one hour before competition time. This allows for warm-ups, stretching, practice, and lining up backstage. It also provides extra time if the festival/competition is running ahead of schedule. The exact same makeup is worn by everyone (including fake eyelashes) as the stage lights make everyone appear white and sickly. The makeup highlights eyes and smiles, and gives the dancers a look of healthy colouring on stage. Appearance is part of the judging criteria. The makeup colours, palettes, and how makeup is to be applied will be posted by the new year.  You must arrive earlier to the venue if you plan on getting ready in the dressing rooms. You are responsible for getting your child ready unless prior arrangements with another family have been made. This is not the teacher’s responsibility.  Cover ups or dance jackets are to be worn over costumes when outside the practice hall and change area. Wear your studio jacket with pride!   Competition times may be during the week and may require staying at a hotel. (i.e. if dance times are early in the morning or if your child is in more than one dance, etc.) It is the responsibility of the dance family to book and pay for their own hotels. Professionalism and respect towards dancers, teachers, families, other studios, the venue, and the volunteers is to be shown by dancers and families at competition as this is a wonderful and exciting opportunity for dancers. We would like to keep the environment healthy and enriching. Your behaviour reflects on our studio, not just yourself. There is NO photography or videotaping allowed at festivals/competitions. Audience members must conduct themselves according to the festival/competition rules and regulations. Failure to follow the rules could result in disqualification of our whole studio from the festival/competition. Those running the festival/competition, NOT the Studio, enforce these rules.
Dance attire:Proper dance attire must be worn to dance. If you do not have the proper attire for the first couple of weeks as you didn’t have time to arrange getting it prior to the year beginning that is fine, but the rest of the year you are expected to arrive in the proper attire, proper hair, and ready for class. This shows respect towards your teacher, and the studio. A large part of Dance is discipline, and this is to be shown in all aspects. You wouldn’t show up to hockey without your skates, jersey, or helmet, the same idea needs to be respected for dance.
Covid-19:Due to Covid-19 some rules and regulations need to be followed, such as;1.Arriving on time as opposed to early for class, especially given there isn’t a waiting room and this can be disruptive and distracting to the class currently going on.2.Parents (other than the combo classes - only for the first few weeks) are not permitted to stay in the studio and watch. This is for a few reasons. This will cut down on the amount of people in the studio.  Your child will also be more willing to participate if their parents aren’t there as it tends to draw attention away from class/teacher and makes it harder for them to be comfortable in the studio on their own. 3.You MUST sanitize upon entering and exiting the studio.4.If you, your child, or someone you have been in close contact with, has any symptoms at all, your child may not attend class, but is expected to attend virtually.
Cell phones:Cell phone use is not permitted in class. They are to stay in your bags. 
Fundraising/Volunteering:Parents are expected to do one shift at recital and take part in three fundraisers or pay a $150.00 fee at costume pick up in either cash, e-transfer by email, or cheque dated for April 30th.  The cheque will be destroyed in May if the required fundraising activities have been completed. Fundraising is an integral part of our studio. Not only does it keep our class costs down, it is a way to advertise our programs.
Respect: Respect towards the studio owner, studio policies, building, teachers, students, and parents is non negotiable . Verbal, virtual, or physical abuse will not be tolerated. We are a dance family. We are a team. We must work together to keep our studio a safe and fun environment. 
Class PlacementInstructors have 100% control over where dancers are placed. Please respect the decision that they make.  Dancers will be placed in their classes based on not only their age, but also their level of technique, their effort, their attitude, and past history of their adherence to the attendance and disciplinary policies. Class lists will typically be finalized by October.Questions, complaints, or concerns regarding placements need to be made in writing to Marie. As with many other athletic organizations, there is a 24 hour cool down period that is to be observed before issuing a concern or complaint.
Reserved artistic rights: Please be aware that any choreography done by Instructors may NOT be performed or posted on social media without first obtaining written permission from the choreographer.