STUDIO POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Please review all policies and procedures, then
download and complete the Policy and Disclaimer form. You and/or your child will not be allowed to
take class until we have this signed form on record.
IMPORTANT: In an effort to be a “green” business and
communicate with students and parents as efficiently and accurately as
possible, the Baltimore School of Dance uses only e-mail, Facebook
and Twitter to send out sudden class cancellation notices, important reminders
and updates. It is very simple, safe and
free to set up accounts at these media sites and you can have both go to your
cell phone.
Please make sure you include an e-mail address
that you check daily when you register on the Studio Director and DO NOT set
the e-mail preferences to “do not send e-mails to family.” We use this e-mail tool to send account
statements, progress reports, payment reminders and other vital information. We respect your privacy and will never sell
or give out your e-mail address. We will
not send marketing e-mails via the Studio Director either so please make sure
you check your junk e-mail file and add our e-mail address to your safe sender
list. Please DO NOT mark email from us
as SPAM. If you would like to be removed
from our email list at any time, just ask.
As of 8-1-2011,
EVERYONE will be required to have a valid credit card on file, regardless of
how you want to pay your tuition. No exceptions. If we do not receive payment by the 1st
of the month, your card will be billed and a late fee applied by the 5th.
August 20 2:00-5:00 OPEN HOUSE Register and be fit for dancewear (to have
dancewear in time for class you must order a week prior.)
August 26 CLASSES BEGIN! Registration
fee and full year, 1st monthly or 1st quarterly payments
due before you attend class
September 5th $10 Late fee assessed
September 3-5 LABOR DAY WEEKEND NO
CLASSES
Tuesday September
13th 5:15-6:45 Student
Company B Auditions for Ages 7-12
Monday September 19th 6:45 Student Company A
Auditions for ages 12-18
Tuesday Septembe
20th 5:15-6:45 Student
Company B Auditions for Ages 7-12
October 1 HOLIDAY DIVERSION FEE OF $50 AND
CONTRACT DUE
2nd Monthly Payment Due, credit cards
charged
October 5th $10 Late fee assessed,
October 7-9 MD STATE DANCE FESTIVAL NO CLASSES
October 10 Columbus Day There ARE classes
November 1 3rd Monthly or 2nd Quarterly tuition
payment due, credit cards charged
November 5 $10 Late
fee assessed
November 11 Veterans Day There ARE classes
November 22-27 THANKSGIVING
BREAK
December 1 4th Monthly tuition
payment, $40 spring recital fee, and $30 costume deposit due.
December 5 $10 Late
fee assessed
December 9 HOLIDAY DIVERSION Dress Rehearsal (tentative) NO CLASSES
December 10 HOLIDAY DIVERSION Performance (tentative) NO CLASSES
December 12-19 Visitor's Week
December 20-January 14 WINTER BREAK
January 1 5th
Monthly, 3rd Quarterly tuition payment due
January 5 $10 Late
fee assessed
January 16 Martin Luther King,
Jr. Day There ARE classes
February 1 6th
Monthly tuition payment due
February 5 $10
Late fee assessed
February 20 President’s Day There ARE
classes
March 1 7th Monthly
or 4th Quarterly tuition payment due, Costume Balance Due
March 5 $10 Late fee assessed
April 1 8th
Monthly tuition payment due
April 3-9 NO CLASSES EASTER BREAK
April 5 $10 Late fee assessed
May 1 9th
Monthly tuition payment due
May 5 $10 Late fee assessed
May 26-28 NO CLASSES MEMORIAL DAY
WEEKEND
June 1 10th
(last) Monthly tuition payment due
June 1-7 Visitor's
Week
June 5 $10 Late fee assessed
June 8 Tentative Dress Rehearsal 4:00
June 9 Tentative Spring Dance Concert
4:00
June 25 Summer Camps and
Classes begin
IN
CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER
Baltimore city schools closed
All classes will be cancelled.
Baltimore city schools delayed
Normal class schedule.
Registration
Policies
Registration
A non-refundable fee of $30.00 per new student
or $15.00 per returning student is required yearly at time of registration plus
1st installment payment to reserve class space. All students must create a
Studio Director account and fill out a policy/release form COMPLETELY and mail
it with payment (if not paying with a credit card through the Studio Director).
All families must have a credit card on file, no exceptions. If you want to pay monthly with a credit
card, you must enroll in automatic payments.
Tuition will be prorated for late enrollment.
Age Requirements
Student must be the required age by Sept. 1.
DISCOUNTS
Multi-class and Sibling discounts will
automatically be calculated when you register online.
Fall/Spring Tuition & Fees
Tuition payments are based on the cost for the
entire school year, (summer not included) broken down into 10 monthly payments
September through June. They are not
based on how many classes there are per month so sometimes there will be 1 or 2
classes in a month, sometimes 4 or 5.. Payment installments are due on the 1st of
each month, beginning at time of registration.
NEW A $10 late fee will be assessed on the 5th of the
month.
Any student with an overdue
balance of more than 45 days will not be allowed into class until payment in
full is received.
The quality of our facility and faculty depends upon a
system of mutual respect and cooperation.
We understand that anyone may make a late payment from time to time, but
please be respectful of our late fee policy and when applicable, graciously
include your late fee in your next payment.
Thank you.
Returned check fee is $25.00
A $50 performance fee for participation in the
10th Annual Holiday Diversion is due October 1st. This performance is optional
and does not require a costume purchase. You must give written notice (performance
withdrawal forms available in the lobby) to the director if your child is not
participating
A $40 performance fee and a $30 Costume deposit
per class is due December 1, unless student is not
participating in the year end recital. In this case, you must give written
notice (performance withdrawal forms available in the lobby) to the director if
your child is not participating in the year end recital. For students taking
multiple classes, you have the option of making costume deposits in October and
November so that the December costume payment is more
manageable. A costume balance payment is due March 1. Average cost of a costume
is $60-100 each.
A limited number of work-study scholarships are
available. Please speak to the director for more information.
Withdrawals and Refunds
There is a two month minimum on all classes. If
you register for a class, you are responsible for a minimum of two monthly
payments per class, regardless of how many classes you attend. One month's notice from the first of the
month is required to discontinue any class. Withdrawals must be done in person
at the school's office (not with the teacher) and will not be accepted over the
phone. No withdrawals will be accepted after April 1. To withdraw from a
class/classes a parent or adult must: 1) Inform director in person, and 2)
Complete and sign a withdrawal form. THERE ARE NO REFUNDS ON TUITION NO EXCEPTIONS, a studio credit
(available only to immediate family) will be issued and may be carried for up
to 1 year from the date of issue. No refunds for attire or costumes will be
given. The Baltimore School of Dance reserves the right to terminate lessons to
any student without notice.
Class
Policies
Class Attire Guidelines
Students should be prepared for class with
appropriate uniform and shoes.. Failure to wear
required dancewear could result in student being asked to sit out of class.
Repeated failure to wear required dancewear could result in termination of
lessons. Hair must be pulled back and secured out of the dancer's face in a
ponytail for most classes, a bun for ballet. Warm-ups may only be worn by
teacher permission. Students are not allowed to wear jeans or street shoes to
any class. No booty shorts, bra tops, or exposed stomachs are allowed. Jewelry
must be removed before entering class.
CLASS ATTIRE
BALLET
ABC’s of Dance: Girls, pink leotard, pink footed or
convertible tights, pink leather Revolution split sole ballet shoes and black
tap shoes with buckle (no ties) or velcro. Hair pulled back in a bun. Boys, snug white t-shirt, black ballet and
tap shoes, and black boys tights, biker shorts, or
jazz pants.
ABC’s of Pre-ballet/tap/jazz: Girls, pastel blue leotard, pink footed or
convertible tights, pink leather Revolution split sole ballet shoes and black
tap shoes with buckle (no ties) or velcro. Hair pulled back in a bun. Boys, snug white t-shirt, black ballet and
tap shoes, and black boys tights, biker shorts, or
jazz pants.
Ballet 1 and
up: Girls, black leotard, pink footed or
convertible tights, pink leather Revolution split sole ballet shoes. Hair pulled back in a bun. Boys, snug white t-shirt, black ballet shoes,
and black boys tights, biker shorts, or jazz pants.
JAZZ/MUSICAL
THEATRE
Girls, any
color leotard, tights or jazz pants, black leather split sole jazz shoes. Hair pulled back in a bun or ponytail. Boys, snug white t-shirt, black leather jazz
shoes, and black boys tights, biker shorts, or jazz
pants
MODERN/CONTEMPORARY
Girls, any
color leotard, convertible or footless tights, biker shorts or jazz pants, bare
feet or socks. Hair pulled back in a
ponytail or bun. Boys, snug white
t-shirt, bare feet or socks, and black boys
convertible tights, biker shorts, or jazz pants
HIP HOP
T-shirt,
sweat pants or athletic shorts, and studio use only (no street shoes) tennis
shoes/sneakers (not jazz sneakers).
TAP
Girls, any
color leotard, tights, sweats or jazz pants, black oxford tap shoes. Hair pulled back in a bun or ponytail. Boys, snug white t-shirt, black oxford tap
shoes, and sweats or jazz pants
Class Code of Conduct
Students and parents will dress and conduct
themselves in a respectful and courteous manner while at the Baltimore School
of Dance. Politeness and courtesy are essential. Proper respect for the staff
and fellow students is expected of all students, parents and siblings. Every
student and parent/guardian should behave in a disciplined, responsible manner
both on site and at studio functions. The studio reserves the right to suspend
or dismiss any student or parent/guardian whose attitude, attendance or conduct
is found to be unsatisfactory. This includes negative gossiping about the
Baltimore School of Dance, our staff, students or parents/siblings of students
and will not be tolerated Any student or parent/guardian who disrupts class or
approaches a teacher, staff member, another student or parent/guardian with the
intent to disrupt, cause dissent or contravene the policies and procedures of the
Baltimore School of Dance will be dismissed immediately. Parents wishing to
speak to an instructor must first leave a note for the teacher in their mailbox.
Class Advancement & Placement
Policy
At the Baltimore School of Dance we take great
care in making sure that each student is in a class where he or she will be
challenged, but not overwhelmed. Each dance school has their own leveling
system. The following descriptions are
loose guidelines only to help in placement. Final placement will be determined
based on individual experience, talent, and frequency of study. It is normal
for a student to spend 2 or more years in each level, depending on above
factors. Starting out at a lower level initially is preferable to putting a
child in a class that is too advanced as this is how injuries (physical and
emotional) tend to occur.
Recreational Study Pre-requisites
ABC’s of Dance Parent/Child: Ages 2-3, depending on child’s level of
separation anxiety. Parent participates
in class.
ABC’s of Dance: Ages 3-5
ABC’s of Pre-ballet 1: age 5 +1 year experience,
or age 6 with no experience Pre-ballet 2: age 6 +1 year experience, or age 7
with no experience.
Ballet 1: age 7 +1 year experience, or age 8-12
with little or no experience.
Ballet 2: age 9 and up +2 years of Ballet 1 or
invitation from the director. 1x a week required, 2x’s
a week recommended, the first year, 2x’s a week required the second year to advance
to next level.
Ballet 3: Age 11 and up + at least 2 years of
Ballet 2 and invitation from the director. 3x’s a week required, . Pointe: Minimum age of 10-12, minimum of 2 ballet
classes a week, and permission from the director. Students are strongly
encouraged to take ballet in addition to other dance styles.
Jazz 1, modern/contemporary 1, musical theatre
1: ages 7 and up, no previous dance
experience required. Ballet once a week
strongly recommended.
Jazz 2 and up, modern/contemporary 2 and up,
musical theatre 2 and up: One year of
previous experience and at least one ballet class a week required.
Pre-professional study: Level 2A, entry by
audition or invitation only. Minimum age of 9 and minimum 2 ballet + 1 modern,
jazz, or musical theatre classes a week. Level 3A, entry by
audition or invitation only. Minimum age of 11 and minimum 3 ballet + 2
of the following classes a week - modern, jazz, or musical theatre
. Please contact the director for a separate application and discounted tuition
rates if interested.
Student Company: By audition only.
Evaluations
Written evaluations will be given to parents at
the end of the school year. Evaluations will include recommendations for the
next dance year.
Private Lessons
Private lessons are available. Please schedule
private lessons through the front office and instructor of choice. Rates are
$35.00 per half hour and $60.00 per hour. Cancellations must be made 24 hours
in advance or you will be charged for the lesson.
Attendance
If a student is 15 minutes late to class they
may be asked to sit out of class. Properly warming up the body is necessary to
avoid injury. Repeated lateness may result in termination of lessons. If a
student misses more than 3 classes without written notice, the school reserves
the right to terminate lessons. Absences resulting from illness, injury or
vacations will be excused, but must be made up within the current school year.
You are allowed 5 make ups per year. You can schedule a make-up online. Please
call or e-mail the school if your dancer is going to be absent, and to schedule
your make up class. Students missing more than 3 classes after January 31 will
forfeit participation in the year-end recital. There are no refunds or credits
for missed classes.
General
Studio Policies
Care of Students
Baltimore School of Dance is not responsible for
providing before or after class care for students. Small children should be
taken to the bathroom prior to class to help minimize frequent "potty
breaks". Please supervise children in the bathroom, dressing room, and
lobby. Children are NOT allowed in the
dance studio unless supervised by a BSD TEACHER. The studio is a place of learning, not a
daycare or play area. Please keep noise
to a minimum. Please do not be late
picking up your student, particularly after the last class of the evening. Late
pick up fees will be charged at $1.00 per minute.
Injuries
Parents, legal guardians of minor students and
adult students waive the right to any legal action for any injury sustained on
school property resulting from normal dance activity conducted by the student
before, during and after class time.
Photo Release
The Baltimore School of Dance is hereby granted
permission to take photographs and video of the students to use in promotional
material the school creates. Permission is also granted for Baltimore School of
Dance to copyright such photographs in its name.
Student Pick Up/Drop Off
NO PARKING in the auto body parking lot for ANY
length of time. YOUR CAR WILL BE TOWED!
Observation
Classes are closed to the public. Only students
are permitted in the classrooms. Parents may observe on scheduled observation
days and via observation windows from the lobby.
Waiting Area
The waiting area is for your convenience. Please
pick up and clean up after your children and report all spills to the front
desk. Siblings are always welcome but must remain quiet and safe at all times. Absolutely no running or yelling in the hallways.
Food & Drink
Food and drinks are to be kept in the lobby
area. Water only may be brought into the studio.
Restrooms/Dressing Rooms
Restrooms are not to be used to change for
class. Do not throw away dirty diapers in the bathroom, waiting room or studio
trash cans. The dressing room is a private area, but please do not lock the
door. Screen has been added for modest students. No eating or drinking in the dressing room.
No hanging out or doing homework in the dressing room.
Cancellation Policy
A substitute instructor will replace the
original instructor in cases of illness or vacation. If a class has to be
cancelled, the class will be notified by email of the cancellation and makeup
day, if necessary.
Snow Policy
We follow Baltimore City Public Schools
regarding inclement weather. Tuition is based on the full year, so your class
may not need to be made up. We will notify you if a makeup class is necessary.
Teacher Conferences/Questions
If you wish to leave a note for the director or
instructors, their mailboxes are located at the front desk. They will be happy
to assist or address any concerns that you may have. Please do not delay
teachers between their classes.
Terms & Conditions
Baltimore School of Dance reserves the right to
change days and/or times of classes as needed. In the event that 3 or less
students report to class, class may be shortened 10-15 minutes at the
discretion of the instructor. If a class has less than 3 students registered,
we reserve the right to move them to a similar class or cancel the class.
Discipline Policy
Baltimore School of Dance strives to offer a
place of safety, fun and learning in a minimally restrictive environment. For
small children, a gentle redirection will be given. After several redirections,
a "timeout" will be given. After two "timeouts" are given, the
student will be asked to leave the room and discuss with Parent/Guardian why
following directions in class is essential to everyone's safety and enjoyment.
For older children, if disciplinary action is required, the following steps
will be followed: 1st Incident) The instructor will
talk with the student about their behavior. 2nd Incident) The Parent/Guardian
of the student will be called and informed of the student's behavior. 3rd
Incident) The director of the school will be notified
and the student will be suspended from class for one week. 4th Incident) The director will be notified and the student will be
expelled from all classes for the remainder of the year.
Depending on the severity of the infraction, Baltimore
School of Dance reserves the right to accelerate this process and expel the
student without intermediary steps. Should a student be removed from class no
credit or refund will be given.