Studio Policies

Attendance:

Students are expected to arrive 10 minutes prior to class time in order to properly prepare. Please be on time. In the event of an absence from class please notify the studio in advance. Make-up classes are strongly encouraged and can be taken during any appropriate level class. No credit is given for classes missed.

Class Placement and Evaluation:

All students will be placed into levels according to age and ability. It will be determined by the teacher if and when a student is to be placed in a different level class. If this is a student’s first year with DVDA, the studio director will help you register for the appropriate level class. At the end of the school year, students will be evaluated by their teachers. Teachers discuss the progress of each student to determine their placement for the following fall term. Evaluation sheets will be handed out in June.

Class Attire:

Ballet students should wear pink tights and pink ballet slippers or Pointe shoes with the appropriate color level leotard for their class. Hair should be neatly secured in a bun. Jazz students may wear tight fitting jazz pants in place of tights. Irish Step & Hip-Hop students should wear the appropriate shoes for their class, comfortable clothing, and their hair should be pulled away from their face. A neat presentation will reflect in your dancing.

• Creative Movement & Pre-Ballet — White
  
  
• Ballet Level I — Pink
  
  
• Ballet Level II — Black
  
  
• Ballet Level III — Light Blue
  
  
• Ballet Level IV — Periwinkle
  
  
• Ballet Level V — Forest Green
  
  
• Ballet Level VI & VII — Any Solid Color

If you need dance attire, we are now a member of www.curtaincallforclass.com. Visit the site for reasonably priced, high-quality leotards, tights, shoes, and dance bags. Free shipping and free size exchange.

Class Size and Cancellations:

The number of students in an individual class depends on the genre taught, and the age of the students. Some classes, in addition to the instructor will have demonstrators, assistants, or apprentice aids. All classes are subject to cancellation or rescheduling due to enrollment.

Questions:

Questions can be directed to the DVDA office staff. Our office is located adjacent to the lounge outside Studio 2. If no one is immediately available, please leave a detailed message and we will get back to you ASAP. Phone 215-822-4640 or you can direct your questions to info@delawarevalleydance.com

Policies:

Students are required to follow the rules as stated below. Failure to comply with these rules may result in a student’s dismissal from a class or classes. In such case DVDA will notify the parents about the inappropriate conduct.

• Students must arrive on time and be prepared.
  
  
• DVDA is not responsible for providing before or after class care for students. Parents with students under the age of 5 must remain in the school during class. Students are not to be left at the school for excessive time periods before or after class.
  
  
• Please take care of restroom needs prior to class. Leaving in the middle of a class is a distraction for everyone.
  
  
• There is no gum chewing in class.
  
  
• Upon leaving studio, please make sure to remove all items including leg warmers, Pointe shoes, band-aid wrappers, water bottles, etc.
  
  
• Above all, please show RESPECT to your teachers, fellow students and staff. Disrespectful or aggressive behavior will NOT be tolerated and may result in dismissal from DVDA.

Newsletters:

DVDA distributes a monthly newsletter with updated information and dates. The newsletter is also available by clicking here.

Tuition:

At time of registration all students will be required to provide their first and last months tuition payment, annual registration fee and costume deposit. There are no tuition refunds for missed classes or discontinuance of classes, even if tuition has been paid in full. Make-up classes are strongly encouraged and can be taken during any appropriate level class prior to the end of term.

• Annual registration fee is $20.00, family maximum of $40.00.
  
  
• Families receive a 15% discount for each consecutive student.
  
  
• Costume Deposit is $40.00 per class. Balance of costume fee to be paid by January 7.

You may choose Check or Credit Card for all Tuition Payments. Tuition payments made by check are due the 1st of each month. Payments made after the 7th of the month will be assessed a $10 late fee. At registration, all students will provide Credit Card information. Payments not received by the 15th of the month will be charged to the credit card on file.

Make-up classes are strongly encouraged and can be taken during any appropriate level class. No credits will be given for classes missed.

In the event a student must withdraw early, a “Notice of Withdrawal” form is required before your account will be closed. DVDA requires 30 days notice of withdrawal from classes.

All returned checks will be charged a $30 fee.

All checks should be made payable to: “Delaware Valley Dance Academy” (DVDA).

Cancellation Policy:

DVDA requires a 30 day cancellation form to be completed for ALL cancellations. If you wish to cancel your enrollment you may do so by one of the following methods only:

(1) deliver a cancellation form to DVDA in person
(2) mail a cancellation, via certified mail with a return receipt requested, to DVDA at PO Box 34 Hatfield, PA 19440.

The form must be signed and dated. As stated above, you fully understand that 30 DAYS AFTER the date we receive your notice, all billing will cease and your enrollment in DVDA will be cancelled.

2008 — 2009 School Calendar:

First Day of Classes — Monday, September 8^th
Halloween, no classes — Friday, October 31^st
Parent Observation — Mon - Sat, November 10^th thru 15^th
Fall Break (no classes)— November 26^th thru 29^th
Nutcracker — Fri & Sat, December 5^th & 6^th
Winter Break (no classes)— December 24^th thru January 3^rd
Parent Observation — Mon - Sat, March 9^th thru 14^th
Spring Break (no classes)— April 6^th thru 11^th
Spring Performance — TBA
Memorial Day (no classes)— Monday, May 25^th
Last Day of Classes — Saturday, June 6^th
Student Appreciation — Saturday, June 13^th

Inclement Weather:

Call the studio to hear a recorded message. Classes are not always cancelled when schools are closed, because the road conditions may improve by the evening. Classes cancelled due to weather or emergency can be made up in any appropriate level class. If more that 1 class has been cancelled due to weather and there is no appropriate class to make up in, the class will be rescheduled.

Nutcracker Performance:

Ballet is a performing art and we feel that participation in performances is an important part of the student’s training. DVDA presents an annual production of “The Nutcracker” in December, which features ballet students from level I and above. If your child participates, there is a performance fee which covers rehearsal time, production costs and costume rental. Participation in The Nutcracker is contingent upon adequate attendance. Pre-ballet students are invited to participate in a walk on roll, without performance fees.

Spring Performance:

DVDA presents an end of the year performance for all students. The students are given the opportunity to perform on both Friday Night and Saturday, with the exception of our “youngest” students who will perform in only one of the performance days. The performance dates are given out months in advance, so that everyone can clear their calendar for this exciting event. Participation in our Spring Performance is contingent upon adequate attendance. If a student is NOT going to participate in a performance, it is required that they inform DVDA in writing, please see office for form. If your child participates, there is a performance fee which covers rehearsal time and production costs. Costumes for the Spring Performance are ordered in advance and must be paid in full by January 7. As these costumes are made to order, they are NON-REFUNDABLE.

Performance Fees and Ticket Information:

Specific performance fees and ticket information will be announced at a later date. DVDA will be participating in a fall and spring fundraiser to help individuals with performance fees. Performance tickets and costumes will not be distributed until accounts are paid in full.

Performance Etiquette:

During performances students are NOT permitted in the audience with their costumes on. If your child returns to the audience after performing, please make sure they give respect and attention to the other performers.

Photographs:

Photos will be taken during performances by Showstopper Photography and will be available to view and purchase at www.showstopperphotography.com. Individual photos will be taken during our dress rehearsal at our year end performance.