Dancing at Dance & Co. (updated 9/8/23)
Dance & Company will be putting the following procedures into place, to begin during our fall 2023 term.
Dancers are expected to be at class on time and prepared in proper dance attire (see dance attire requirements) with hair secured (buns with hair nets for ballet dancers).
Dancers are expected to treat each other with respect, support, and encouragement, including self, peers, and teachers. No gum is allowed in dance classes.
Dancers who are waiting for class must maintain a quiet and calm atmosphere in the waiting areas. They should not be dancing in unattended studios/spaces without permission.
If enrollment falls below the required number of students, the class will be canceled and tuition paid in advance will be refunded.
Please follow CDC protocol when dealing with Covid-19 or other illnesses and do not come to class if you are showing symptoms.
Please email your child's dance teacher on the Parent Portal (More>Contact>Dropdown to Teacher Name) to let them know if your child will be missing class due to illness or another reason. Excessive absences will result in dismissal from classes.
Students should bring their own water bottles to class. The water fountain is recommended only to be used for refilling individual water bottles.
Cell phones should be silent and stowed during the instructional time of dance classes.
We prefer that parents and families do not wait in our building during classes to avoid crowded conditions and distractions to those in dance classes. However, for anyone who chooses to wait inside, please remain only in the waiting rooms. Persons who are not actual registered students are not allowed to stay throughout the class observing within the studio spaces. There are large picture windows into each studio where observers may watch the classes from outside the studio classrooms. Periodically teachers may invite parents and families in to watch the last few minutes of class.
Parents and families are to be prompt for student pick-up and drop-off.
Thank you for your kind understanding.
Inclement Weather The dance center is closed when Harrisonburg City Schools close due to inclement weather, including school dismissals for snow, sleet or ice. Students make up canceled classes by attending alternate classes of similar level offered by the studio. The dance center is not closed when city schools are closed for elections or teacher workdays.
Dance & Company will not be closed when county schools are closed for inclement weather, workdays, or holidays which county schools observe by closing for the day that are not observed with a closing by the city school system.
When nasty morning weather results in city school closings for the day, then later weather conditions turn fair, strict adherence to this policy may appear senseless. Remaining consistent in set policy and procedure, regarding when the dance center is closed and open avoids unnecessary confusion and miscommunications.
In the event unsafe weather conditions develop after school hours, the decision to close or remain open will be carefully considered. Often this decision is based upon individual circumstances. Feedback from the teachers and dance families scheduled to meet on the day in question, is gladly taken into account. In these instances, final decision is often made on an individual class-by-class basis.
Please subscribe to our Dance & Company studio text alert system to be notified quickly or check local radio/tv stations.
Pick-up and Delivery Parents or guardians are responsible for a child’s arrival and departure from the studio. Accompany your child into the studio. In the event you are late for pick-up, instruct your child to await your arrival in the studio classroom-not an emptying waiting area. Notify attending instructor when departing with your child.
Attendance Due to the cumulative and participatory nature of classes, all students are required to attend every class meeting. Excessive absences will not be tolerated and will result in dismissal from class. Students withdrawing from class or wishing to enroll mid-year may not re-enroll without consulting with faculty and administration.
Students make up classes by attending alternate classes of similar level. Registration for September classes places student in class until June. If a student withdraws, the balance of that quarter’s tuition is forfeited. We require written notification of withdrawal in order to remove the student from the class roster for the remainder of the year. Expect to continue receiving tuition bills, unless our office receives written notification of student withdrawal.
Spring Concert Students performing in the spring concert are required to purchase a costume. Concert participants must attend year-long classes regularly and attend all rehearsals for spring concerts, held several weekday nights prior to concert weekend. Absences from classes and rehearsals place unfair burden on others, and may result in dismissal from cast. Students opting to perform must conform to all rules and procedures concerning concert participation.
Instructional Level Dance & Company strives to ensure student needs are met on the appropriate instructional level. Timelines of development are individual to each student. Variance in skill levels among students within the same age range are normal, should be expected, and will peak and plateau throughout the formative years. If initial enrollment indicates a class population presents large discrepancies in performance; teachers balance class instructional challenge to an average which best serves each student on his/her most positive level of instruction. Toward this goal; classes are split into two sections (providing number of enrolled students allows), current higher functioning student are encourage to advance to classes providing more challenge, and/or curriculum goals are adjusted, within the existing class, to individualize instruction for varying groups and/or individuals, within the class population.