School Policies and Procedures Overview
Arrival
Students should arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before their first class and it is advised to arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to their first class. A dancer’s motto:
“If you’re early you’re on time,
“If you’re on time you’re late,
“If you’re late you don’t get to participate!”
Students who arrive late may be asked to observe at the teacher’s discretion.
All students must enter and exit DAC wearing street clothes over their uniforms. It is unprofessional to enter or exit wearing only your dance attire.
Waiting Area
No shoes allowed. All footwear must be placed on the racks or neatly placed on the foyer floor away from the entrance door and the lobby door.
Noise levels in the main lobby must be kept to a minimum while classes are in session.
All children waiting in the lobby must be accompanied by an adult and must be responsible for monitoring their children.
Only dancers and staff are allowed past the double doors.
DAC requests all people waiting in the lobby use the lobby bathroom unless a very young student needs parental supervision and assistance in dressing their young child for dance class.
Attendance
Consistent attendance is expected for all DAC students in all classes for which a student is registered. Should a student miss any classes due to illness, religious, or school events a make-up class is mandatory. If a student’s attendance requirements are not being met it could jeopardize the student’s continuation in their current level in the main division. Attendance will be taken at every class and tracked throughout the school year. Any changes made to a DAC students’ schedule requires the permission of the Directors and Artistic staff.
Absences
All absences should be reported by telephone or email to the office at least one half hour before the beginning of the student’s class. If an absence is not called in or emailed, a DAC staff member will call parents at home or work to verify the absence. Excused absences may include doctor appointments, standardized testing, religious observations and illness. *Please avoid scheduling events or travel/vacations that conflict with group classes or rehearsals, as this adversely affects others. Absences due to recreational travel/vacations during regularly schedules classes and rehearsals are considered unexcused absences and will jeopardize the students’ eligibility to remain in the main division program or it could affect a students’ placement for the following year.
Entering the Main Division
New students may be considered for enrollment after:
A student has completed an audition and a follow-up conference with the Directors has taken place.
If a student and parent have made the decision to enroll after the conference with the directors,
Students must enroll on a yearly basis and are responsible for the full year’s tuition.
Primary Division
No audition is required for any student who desires to learn dance and may enroll in DAC
Children’s Division
Movement Experience, Creative Movement 1, and Creative Movement 2 students enroll in three (3) 10-week sessions.
No audition is required for any child who desires to learn dance. We highly recommend all students enroll in the three 10-week sessions for continuity of learning. However, at this young age children may have a change of heart and not want to continue being enrolled at DAC. No obligation.
Dress Code for the Classroom
All students are expected to keep a neat appearance. Each student must wear the appropriate uniform for their level. For girls; tights act as the appropriate undergarment and no underwear is needed or allowed. For boys; a tan dance belt (boy’s undergarment) is required under tights. All students are required to abide by the guidelines of decency and cleanliness. Dancewear should be washed regularly after each class. Please keep ballet slippers and pointe shoes neat and tidy. If a student has holes in their ballet slippers and/or tights they may be advised by the artistic staff to purchase new items or they may be asked to not participate in class. For females, hair must be worn in a bun and must be neat and tidy. The use of hair gel is highly recommended.
Discipline
Minor conduct infractions (chronic tardiness, unpreparedness, or inappropriate use of electronics) will be dealt with by the individual teacher or the Directors as it occurs. Repeated infractions will result in the teacher contacting the parents. Suspension or expulsion may result if behavior is not corrected after two warnings. Major infractions, such as stealing, verbal or physical disrespect, defacing property, or possession of controlled substances, tobacco products, or weapons will result in immediate suspension and possible expulsion.
Conduct
Students are expected, at all times, to demonstrate respect for others and for the facilities, and to promote an environment that is safe and welcoming of diversity. They are expected to cooperate with teachers and other students and demonstrate age-appropriate self-control. Each student is expected to take responsibility for his or her own behavior.
Personal Hygiene
Proper personal hygiene is very important at DAC given the level of physical exertion required by dance and the close proximity to other students in the studios and dressing rooms. Proper personal hygiene includes:
- Daily shower or bath including washing hair
- Daily use of deodorant/antiperspirant
- Clean dancewear every day
- Washing hands often especially after class/rehearsal or working with a partner
Cell Phone Use
The use of cell phones or internet communication is strictly prohibited in the studio and may not be used during dance class hours. If a student needs to contact a parent due to a last minute schedule change, the Directors will give the students permission to contact their parents or guardians and alert them of any changes. Cell phones should be turned off 15 minutes prior to all classes and not used until a student has a significant break in their schedule or after they are finished with all their classes. If any student is repeatedly reprimanded for using their cell phone at inappropriate times then their cell phone will be collected by DAC Directors and they may pick up their cell phone at the end of their class or rehearsal. At times, a student may be asked by the Directors to video their work in the studio as a learning tool. This is the only case where a student may use their cell phone in the studio.
School Cancellation, Weather Emergencies
Cancellations or delays due to inclement weather will be announced on the answering service, sent via email through Constant Contact and/or Dance Studio Pro, or a school wide text message will be sent. This notice will be sent at an appropriate time dependent on the timing of any inclement weather. If early dismissal is deemed appropriate due to weather, parents will be contacted by phone. DAC follows the Holliston Public School cancellation policy when necessary.
Summer Intensive Auditions and participation
A student must be physically and mentally prepared to go away to a summer program. No student is allowed to participate in any other summer intensive program until they reach the upper levels and it has been discussed and approved by the directors. If a student is interested in participating in a summer intensive they must communicate this to the directors and the directors will guide the student in choosing the best program for them.
Media Coverage, Photography Releases, Videotaping
The media may be invited to cover Dancing Arts Center events, and students may be interviewed or photographed by reporters during these times. Additionally, Dancing Arts Center regularly sends press releases, sometimes with photos, to local newspapers and national magazines for publication. A parent or guardian must sign a release form authorizing the release of student names, ages, pictures, images, and likenesses without compensation.