IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Only students registered for the class will be allowed in the class room during class times. 
• It is the parent’s responsibility to make sure that students arrive on time for class & approved attire.
• We ask that parents please bring their child to the bathroom before every class.
• Classes run 45 minutes to 1 hour; we do not want anyone missing out on valuable techniques or learning routines.
• Please keep your phone numbers, address & emergency contacts up to date.
• Every class needs a volunteer class mom.  If you are interested please get with us ASAP.

·         Your child’s success in dancing depends greatly on you the parents

·         NO REFUNDS on registration fees, recital fees, costume orders or class fees. No exceptions.

TUITION Policies

§   Tuition covers no less than a total of 34 classes and rehearsals between September and May of each year.

§   Tuition is not based on when classes start or how many classes are scheduled for any month.

§   Holidays are not included in the “class count”

§   There are actually more than 34 classes & rehearsals scheduled.  In the unlikely event of a cancelled class .AOD will only be required to give a make up class if the total number of classes & rehearsals falls below 34.

§   For your convenience, tuition can be paid for in monthly payments, or yearly payments for dance tuition.

§   A $5.00 a day late fee will be assessed on all unpaid tuition after the first class of each month.

§   Payments must be in the form of a money order on check made payable to "City of Lafayette". No cash will be accepted. Your check or money order stub is your receipt.

§   TO INSURE PROPER CREDIT, PLEASE INDICATE ON YOUR CHECK or MONEY ORDER WHAT YOU ARE PAYING FOR AND YOUR CHILD’S NAME. 

§   AOD cannot allow students to continue in class if fees are not kept current.  All late fees will be strictly enforced and students will be dismissed from class and removed from the role if a payment is not made by the third class. All fees unpaid after 30 days are turned over to a collections agency at the customer’s expense.

§   In addition to any late fees, a $10.00 handling fee will be added to all accounts that are 30 past due.

§   There is a $25.00 charge on all returned checks.  This policy will be strictly enforced!

***ALL PAST DUE PAYMENTS MUST BE PAID IN FULL FOR A CHILD TO REGISTER FOR A NEW YEAR OF DANCE. FAILURE TO MAINTAIN TIMELY PAYMENTS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR, COULD RESULT IN REQUIRED PAYEMENTS FOR THE YEAR IN ADVANCE

BEHAVIOR & DISCIPLINE

• Dancers are expected to treat everyone with respect & are to address all instructors & staff with Ms. or Mr.
• There is to be no disruptive behavior, acting up or horse playing during, before or after class. 
• There is no talking in class; it is disruptive to the other class members and distrustful to the instructor.
• If a student’s disruptive behavior becomes a problem the student can be dismissed from AOD.
• We have a ZERO tolerance for “inappropriate behavior” including but not limited to stealing, destruction of property, name calling, Bullying, threats, Harassment & Intimidation, (verbal, physical, or sexual) Fighting or Instigating a Fight Hazing or Extortion, aggressive behavior, Using Profanity or Vulgar Language/Symbols/ Gesture, Physical or Verbal Assault or Cursing by any student or parent towards any Teacher, Staff Member, or other parent or students. Any student or parent who exhibits any of these behaviors or actions will be immediately expelled and band from AOD and told to leave the premises.  If one does not leave police will be called to escort person/persons off the premises. Threats, attempted or actual Physical harm / violence police will be notified. In any of these events all tuition and any other fees already paid are NON REFUDABLE.
• If there is a problem between dancers please let instructor or staff member know ASAP.
• Stealing is

PROCEDURE FOR ARRVAIL AND DISMISSAL OF CLASSES

• Parents must sign in students at the  beginning of class
• Parents must sign out students at the time of dismissal.
• Students are not allowed in the classroom before their class time.(DO NOT KNOCK ON ANY DOOR!!!)
• Students must be accompanied by their parent or guardian when they are on the premises and not in class.
• Parents may leave the premises during class time to go run errands etc; however, must notify the instructor.
• Parents arriving more than 10 min late for dismissal may be charged $5.00 at discretion of instructor.

DRESS CODE

• Sunstones & Dancing tots are to ware a buttercup Mirella leotard, convertible tan tights, black taps & pink ballets.
• Sapphires are to wear a royal blue Capezio® tank leotard and tan tights, black taps and pink ballets
• Tots, Sunstones & Sapphires:  Mary Jane black Taps:  NO ribbon bow ties, black elastic or black tap ties.
• All power tumbling classes light blue Bloch tank leotard with tan footless or convertible tights, bare feet
• Hip-hop black short sleeve leotard, tan tights with optional black dance pants /shorts, black jazz shoe or dance sneakers.
• Rubies Tap, Ballet or Jazz red Capezio® tank leotard, tan tights: Tap: Jazz Taps; Ballet: Pink ballet optional black or red ballet skirt; Jazz: black jazz shoes slip on or tie up optional black dance pants or shorts over tights.
• Removable ballet skirts of the class color or black are allowed only during the ballet portion of the class.
• Upon arriving & leaving the premises students are strongly encouraged to some sort of clothing over their leotards.
• Male dancers can wear school shirt of class color with black biker shorts or black warm up pants.  
• Hair must be pulled out of the face for all classes. A low bun or pig tales are suggested for the tumbling classes

FOOD AND DRINKS

• There is to be no food or drinks brought to class. 
• No gum chewing or candy allowed in class at any time

PERSONAL HYGIENE

• We will be working out; dancing and sweating in every class so please remember to wear deodorant.
• Ladies legs and underarms need to be shaved.
• Dance Attire must be clean and free of stains, tears etc.   

TARDINESS

• If late, be quiet coming in, put on the proper shoes & join in as quickly as possible as so not to disturb the class.
• If tardiness becomes a problem conference will be needed with both the student and parent.
• Three tardies or more in one month will be counted as one absence.

ABSENCES

• It is strongly encouraged not to miss any classes especially right before revue time. 
• Excessive may lead to a student not being allowed to participate in performance and other activates.
• Please notify your instructor of any scheduled or unscheduled absences ASAP.
• Three consecutive absences, without notice = “drop with out notice” student will be taken off the roster, may have to attuned &  pay for “make up” classes in order to return (at the discretion of the instructor). Please see exit policy.

MAKE UP CLASSES

• If you miss a class and wish to make it up you must have a doctor’s excuse or have given proper notice.
• Please talk with your instructor before or after class to schedule a make up class. 
• Make up classes times and fees are left to instructors discretion

HOLIDAYS & BAD WEAHTER

• We follow the Lafayette Public Schools holiday and bad weather schedule.
•  Meaning if there is no school because of Holidays or bad weather then there is no dancing class. 
• If needed make up days will be scheduled. Parents and Students will be notified.

EXIT POLICY

• While we hope that every student will remain in at our school we do realize that students for many reasons may leave our school at any point in time. We do have an exit policy that must be completed. 
• Student’s parent or guardian must complete and turn in AOD exit form & questionnaire.
• All money owed to the school at the time of exit is due. Tuition & fees already paid are forfeited & non refundable.

• Any money owed to the school 30 days after submitting an exit form or by no attendance of a student will be turned over to a collection agency. 

PERFORMANCES and EVENTS

• AOD and Instructors reserve the right to allow or not allow students to participate in any performance or event.
• Tuition, performances & events fees etc must be paid in full by their due date or student will NOT perform.
• Certain performances may have routines for only specific students invited to be in by an instructor or by try outs.
• For all events and performance students will be required to ware a specific costume or dance attire;
•  Students not in the specific uniform will not be allowed to perform. It is the parent’s responsibility to assist their child with costume changes at recitals.
• All rehearsals are required, not optional for those dancers who are to be in the performance or event.
• We have some very strict rules regarding practices, rehearsals, picture days, event days, and recital and performance days. These are specific to the events of the day and will be handed out prior to days of events.  We ask that you carefully follow our plan in order to help us keep students safe & to keep every thing running on time and smoothly.

Mid Year Performance:

• AOD put on a small mid year recital for students to show what they have accomplished so far. 
• This performance usually takes place at Acadiana Village during "Noel Acadien au Village" but may be held at other locations, left up to the discretion of AOD
• Christmas Performance is mandatory participation
• Performance fee approximate cost ranges $15 - $50 per student.
• NO flash photography

End of the Year Recital Programs

• Mandatory participation.
• Video & Flash photography not allowed during the end of the year recital.
• AOD has program printed with a line up, class photos and individual photos for this performance.
• There will be a picture day that is mandatory for all participants in the end of the year recital.
•  All students must sell at least $50.00 in ad sales in order to perform in the end of the year recital. 
•  Ad sales start mid January and end near the beginning of April. 
• Program will be available for purchase at the recital.
• Proceeds form ad & program sells aid in the recital’s expense and for new music and equipment for the school

End of the Year Awards Presented on stage:

• All students will receive a participation award. Attire will be determined and announced prior to recital.
• Special awards that may be given in each class: Student’s attendance, behavior, effort, improvement and ability are a few factors taken in to consideration when awarding these honors. All are at the discretion of AOD instructors
• Students get dance year award on completion of their 1^st 3^rd 5^th 7^th 10^th 13^th and so on.

Specials: Solos/Duos/Trios

•  Solo fee $100. & Duo or trio is $50 per participant. 
• An additional costume expense will be necessary for the routine
• Solos/duos/ trios lessons start no earlier than 3 ½ months before but not within 1 month of a performance
• Duos/Trios: Students must be at least 7 years in age and have 2 years in dance or instructors approval.
• Solos: Students must be at least 12 Years in age and have 5 years in dance or instructors approval.
• Solos duos and trios get 6 to 8 lessons (30 min - 1 hour ea) scheduled over the period of about 2 months.
• The lessons include learning the material and cleaning the routine.
• After the lessons are over student is expected to continue to rehearse on their own until recital rehearsals begin and they will be scheduled for rehearsals, but not additional classes. 
•  Be sure your child is mature enough to handle this responsibility before committing to a solo/duo or trio.
•  If it becomes necessary for the teacher to conduct extra rehearsals because the student has forgotten their routine then private lesson charges will be applied for the extra rehearsals.

Parade(s) and other events: 

AOD usually participates in one parade and one other event a year.  Student participation is optional for those dancers who are eligible to attend.  Dance team members participation is mandatory.   Fees and special attire or costumes may be required to participate.

Student participation in special performances routines are by innovation of an AOD Instructor only.  Performing students will have one to two mandatory scheduled. AOD may or may not also hold auditions for students to try out for special routines.

A Step Above Dancers:

• Dance team may perform special routines at community events as well as AOD events and recitals.  

AOD will announce open auditions at any given time for any student or non student to try out for the team.

Instructors can also invite a student to be on the team or suggest them to try out in a closed audition.

Once a student has been selected through audition or invitation he or she must choose if they want to accept the responsibility of being on the team.  If a dancers chooses not to be on the team they still may be eligible to participate at certain events or in certain routines. This option may require you to pay event fees.

The A Step Above dancers will have mandatory practice though out the year. 
If a student is placed on probation they will not be allowed to perform with the team during the probation period.

There is a non refundable fee for dance team members. $150.00 per year (may be broken in to payments at the discretion of AOD staff.)

****Rules and regulations can be added, removed or changed at the discretion of AOD staff. ****

Contact Information: 277-4356; tiffany@artofdancing.net; carrie@artofdancing.net