Encore Dance Academy
Student/Parent Handbook
COMMUNICATION
It is extremely important to have good, positive communication between Encore Dance Academy and our students and their families. Please check your emails and our website frequently as this is the best way for you to know what is going on at the studio and in class. Any problems, concerns or suggestions please speak with Sara or email us. If you would like to discuss your child’s progress, please email us and we will set up a time to meet with you.
FOOD
We want to provide a pleasant environment and quality facility to our dancers. No Food, Gum, Candy, Juice, or Soda is allowed inside the studio before, during or after class. Students are allowed to eat between classes in the lobby; however, all food and drink must be either neatly packed away to take home or thrown away at the end of each class. Please report or clean up any spills as soon as possible to prevent staining the carpet or getting on clothing!
TARDINESS
Continued lateness disrupts the class and does not allow your child to get properly warmed-up. Students who are 10 minutes late or more may be asked to watch the class at the instructor’s discretion.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance
Good attendance is imperative. Please make every effort to have your child at every class. Consistency is very important in dance. Absences and tardiness can hold up an entire class. The studio cannot jeopardize its responsibilities to the rest of the class for one student. Please notify us by email or text as soon as you know your dancer will be missing a class. Only announced absences are eligible to be made-up and must be arranged with Sara. All make up classes must be completed within 30 days of the missed class.
POTTY TRAINING
Encore Dance Academy does not have the faculty or facility to change diapers. Students must be able to take care of any bathroom duties by themselves, without any help.
WEATHER RELATED CLOSINGS
All weather-related closings will be announced on the website, through email or text and our Facebook page. If the school district is closed, we will close also. No make-up classes will be scheduled for weather closings
PICK-UP/DROP-OFF/UNATTENDED STUDENTS
Entry into Encore Dance Academy is at 661 Anderson. Exit from Encore Dance Academy is 663 Anderson.
Entry/Exit procedures:
Entry into the building is at 661 Anderson. We will start allowing students in 10 minutes prior to class starting. You will need to push the button on the door. And then you will be buzzed in. You can hear and feel the lock disengage. Then you can open the door. Parents, if you plan on staying you are welcome to take a seat in our lobby and watch class on our TV. Exit from the building is at 663 Anderson. Once you exit the door will automatically lock behind you. This is for the safety of our dancers. If you plan on staying, please know we may not be able to buzz you back in during class time. If you are picking up your dancer, please wait outside the door and a teacher will escort students out to be picked up. We found that this is the easiest and most secure way for parent pickup to be done. Please be on time for pickup. Teachers typically have another class to teach they need to be in studio for.
PRACTICE
It is essential for dancers to practice at home the stretches, dance steps and routines they have learned in class. Each week new technique is taught and for recital, new steps are learned and added to their routine(s).
Without practice, these are quickly forgotten and must be re-taught from week to week, holding back the entire class. Dance is no different than learning to play a musical instrument. Practice, practice, practice!
RECITAL
Participation in recital is not required. If you are not participating in recital, please make sure you notify us by email as soon as possible.
RECITAL MUSIC – AFTER April 1, 2024
Once we have cut the music for recital, dancers are welcome to bring in a thumb drive in an envelope to the front desk to receive a copy of the cut music to practice with. Please note students’ name, class, and name of the routine on the envelope.
ARTISTIC RIGHTS
Encore Dance Academy reserves the right to ALL choreography and photography that we produce.
Choreography is produced by Encore Instructors and cannot be reproduced without permission from the choreographer. This is our art, and we ask for respect for our work.
BEHAVIOR
Encore Dance Academy has the right to dismiss any student or parent for not following the policies put forth by Encore Dance Academy or inappropriate behavior in person or on social media, toward a teacher, staff member, student or another parent without a refund or credit.
We try to maintain a positive environment, please avoid gossiping.
Remember – Respect, Courtesy, Commitment and Manners.
DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS
Encore Dance Academy will have to dismiss families with delinquent accounts over 2 months. We will be happy to discuss payment plan options if you are experiencing financial difficulties.
CONTACT INFORMATION AND ACCOUNT UPDATES
It is the responsibility of the parent to keep all emergency contact information up to date.
Please note, our system only allows for 1 account per family. We are not able to open a second or third account for multiple caregivers of the same child/children. If you have someone other than yourself bringing and picking up your child, please make sure you have them as a contact, you can add their phone number and email if you choose. You are in control of your own account. We have hard copies of all monthly newsletters, calendars, recital packets in the spring, etc. for anyone who needs them. Please keep all your important family members/caretakers informed.