At The Block, we take pride in curating the best experience possible. To ensure the smooth and safe running of our studio, all dancers and their families will be required to follow our Studio Policies. Please make certain you read this carefully so that you have a clear understanding of what we expect. As always, we are open to feedback, so if any of the requirements outlined below are unclear or concerning, please give us a call to discuss further.
The Block reserves the right to dismiss or take disciplinary action on any customers who breach our policies or do not align with our values.
**Attendance**
Attendance is taken during every class. There are no refunds, credits, or prorated tuition for missed classes. Your dancer can makeup classes within the same month that the classes are missed in a similar style class. Please contact the Welcome Desk to schedule your makeup class. If you attend any portion of the month, you are responsible for the full month's tuition.
Unexcused Absences
Athletes are allowed 3 missed days of classes without makeup classes per semester. Please understand that absences and tardiness jeopardize the athlete's advancement and is a disservice to their peers. The studio will not unfairly jeopardize its responsibilities to the rest of the class for one athlete. The coach reserves the right to move an athlete out of formations or from the dance completely if the athlete is not attending class regularly. The director reserves the right to remove an athlete from the class or drop the athlete to a lower level, without a refund, if the athlete has more than 3 unexcused absences without makeups in one semester.
Excused Absences
Please keep athlete's absences to an absolute minimum. An absence will be excused if an athlete has a fever of 100.4 or over, stomach bug, lice, or within the first 24 hours of starting an antibiotic to treat Strep. Please notify the Welcome Desk of any illness or injury as soon as possible. A doctor's note will be required upon return. In the event that your athlete is sick, but not contagious, we ask that they still attend practice to observe. Athletes that have an injury that does not allow them to participate, will need to attend practice to observe, and may rejoin the class once they have been cleared by a doctor. Family emergencies and graded school functions will also be excused.
Mandatory Events
Athletes are expected to attend performances. In the event you are not participating, The Block needs to be notified at time of registration. A dance routine cannot be successfully executed without all members in attendance. Athletes who are unable to attend will be choreographed out of the routine for upcoming performances.
Makeup Classes
Please make every effort to have your dancer at every class. Consistency and repetition are an athlete's best learning tools. Athletes may make up any missed classes in a similar style class during the same month. After that, those make up classes are forfeited. Athletes that miss class due to injury will have 1 month from doctor's clearance to make up missed classes.
**Required Practice Attire**
Please ensure all of your athlete's belongings are clearly labeled - individual shoes, shirts, costumes, etc.
Ballet
Female athletes are required to wear a leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, with hair securely pulled back out of face. No jewelry, shirts, or pants over leotard. Athletes will be able to wear lycra mini shorts over leotard.
Male athletes are required to wear black athletic shorts, white t-shirt, and black ballet shoes.
Athletes will not have time to change their dance attire between classes. If you have Ballet, please come dressed for Ballet and layer on top of tights and leotard.
All Other Classes
Female athletes are required to wear a leotard or lycra fitted top with lycra fitted dance pants or shorts, appropriate shoes, with hair securely pulled back out of face. No jewelry, baggy shirts or pants.
Male athletes are required to wear athletic shorts, t-shirt, and appropriate shoes.
**Parent Expectations**
We are a young company and strive for excellence on all levels but are not perfect and are constantly learning how to improve. Support director decisions and the “chain of command†by going directly to source with any issues (if can’t be resolved, please go to the director, and then studio owner if still not resolved). Avoid venting to other parents or your own athlete if you have an issue – be part of the solution and constructive versus potentially destructive.
We offer two sessions: Summer and Fall/Spring. Dance classes are a 2 month, June and July, or 10 month commitment, August through May, for both the athlete and the parents. Please do everything that is necessary to make sure that your athlete is present and on time at practice and performances throughout the season.
Dance classes are a large financial commitment and you must be prepared to fulfill all financial obligations for your dancer to participate.
Parents will respect the director and coaches both at practice and at performances, in person and on social formats. You will not question or confront the director or coaches in front of other parents or athletes but will schedule a time to meet in private to discuss concerns.
Be a positive role model for your athlete and encourage good sportsmanship, being gracious in receiving corrections, showing support to all coaches, peers, and families.
Parents will not speak negatively about The Block's program, coaches, athletes, or parents. Parents will not engage in or support a negative environment, or understand that you will be asked to leave. This also includes formats such as group messaging and social media.
Understand that your athlete must arrive to dress rehearsals and recital "performance ready" (full costume, with hair done, and makeup on) at your class's scheduled meet time. Failing to arrive ready and on time may result in your athlete being restaged out of routines for upcoming performances.
Understand that your athlete will need to be dressed in proper practice attire in order to participate in class. If your dancer does not come prepared and on time, they will be asked to sit out during class.
Any use of The Block name or logo will need to be approved by the owner.
Parents are expected to attend all required parent meetings, read all Band posts in their entirety, respond within 48 hours to any action items, and stay up to date with important information and dates by downloading the Band App.
Understand that your athlete's unexcused absences will result in your athlete being restaged and possibly removed from dances for upcoming performances. After 3 unexcused absences, athletes will be required to attend makeup classes.
Understand that the director has the right to put your athlete on probation or remove your athlete from the class indefinitely, without refund, as a disciplinary action if the Parent or Athlete's Code of Conduct is not followed.
**Athlete Expectations**
Athletes will be respectful of their director, coaches, classmates, parents, and the facility at which they are practicing or performing.
Understand that there is zero tolerance when it comes to bullying. Athletes will not be physically, verbally, or emotionally disrespectful in person, online, or any other forum.
Understand that you are a representative of The Block and you will conduct yourself in a way that will make your parents, coaches, classmates, and yourself proud.
Athletes will not use foul language, participate in immoral behavior, or present themselves in a way that is deemed inappropriate while associated with the The Block. This includes social media, practice, performances, and school.
Understand that this is a 2 month, June and July, or a 10 month commitment, August through May, and your peers and coaches depend on you to be present and accountable in order for the whole class to be successful.
Athletes will show up to practice and performances on time, prepared, with a positive attitude, and ready to work hard.
Athletes will always use their best judgement so that they do not jeopardize their own safety or the safety of their classmates.
Understand that being in a dance class is a privilege and you will uphold the Athlete Code of Conduct so that you can continue to be a part of this studio.
Understand that you are required to wear appropriate dance attire and shoes to every class. Failure to do so will result in sitting out for the duration of the class.
Parents and athletes are expected to be responsive and make themselves available in a timely way if a meeting with the director or coach is requested.
**Tuition**
Monthly Tuition is based on a 44 week schedule over the course of 12 months and includes Summer, Fall and Spring Sessions. During studio breaks, we will be closed for a 7 day period from Sunday to Saturday. Easter is the only exception. All studio closures have been added to the Band App Calendar.
Tuition is drafted monthly on the 1st for the upcoming month through the studio's computer billing system called DSP autopay. If the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday tuition will be drafted the Friday before. You will receive a monthly reminder about tuition drafts through the Band App Calendar. All customers will need to set up Auto-Pay through the Dance Studio-Pro Customer Portal at registration unless paying for the season in full with a check at registration.
If payment is late for any reason, your account will be assessed a $35 reprocessing fee 5th day of the month. You will receive a statement only for returned auto-payments, late tuition, or unpaid costume balances. If fees remain unpaid for 10 days, athletes will not be permitted to participate and will be dropped from the class.
There are NO refunds, credits, or prorated tuition for missed classes. Your athlete can makeup classes within the same month that the classes are missed in a similar style or age class. If you attend any portion of the month, you are responsible for the full month's tuition. Refunds or discounts will not be issued for cancellations due to inclement weather or public holidays. Where possible, we will arrange makeup lessons for classes cancelled by The Block or an alternative class will be suggested.
If you wish to withdraw from classes, it is a requirement that you notify the Welcome Desk, in writing, prior to the next month's billing date. Once tuition has been drafted on the 1st, the student will not be dropped from the class until the following month. Refunds will not be issued after classes have commenced.
The Block reserves the right to change coaches or timetabling when necessary at any time throughout the year. If class enrollment is too small, the studio reserves the right to cancel or combine that class with another appropriate class.
**Registration Fee**
A non-refundable Registration fee, saved form of online payment and completed online registration forms are required at time of enrollment for all new families. Enrollment is not considered complete until these actions in Dance Studio Pro have been completed and the first month’s tuition are paid in full. The Registration fee is $50 per family.
**Athlete Drop Off and Pick Up**
Athletes are not to be dropped off any earlier than 15 minutes before their first class of the day. Please make sure a coach is present before leaving your athlete at the studio. For their safety, athletes are not allowed to wait outside in the parking lot for their ride. If your athlete is leaving the studio with another minor student who is driving, please notify the Welcome Desk.
**Athlete Safety**
With the safety of our staff and families as a number one priority, The Block is very serious about upholding Child Protection laws and policies within the studio, as well as at public performances and in the online arena (website and social media).
Our staff is Youth Protection Advocates in Dance certified and educated in the negative impact of inappropriate music, content, and costume selection when it comes to learning and performing and are wholeheartedly committed to ensuring children in all of our classes are not subjected to any unsuitable music, content, or attire and will strive to keep material age appropriate.
The Block takes no responsibility for any stolen or misplaced property on the premises and we encourage our families to avoid bringing valuable items into the studio spaces, lobby, or leaving valuables unattended in their cars when possible.
The Block takes no responsibility for any injuries sustained in class, on studio premises, or at any related events.
**Protection of Property**
Choreography, costuming, logo, curriculum, and studio policies remain the intellectual property of The Block LLC and may not be reproduced or sold by any customers or staff without permission from the owner.
Athletes are asked to leave the studio in better condition than they found it. Please be sure to dispose of all trash before leaving the premises. Food and drinks are not allowed in studio rooms unless permitted for a party or event. Vandalism and destruction of property are strictly prohibited and grounds for immediate dismissal without refund.
Athletes are only permitted to enroll The Block's group or individual choreography in outside competitions, performances, or showcases with the permission of their coach and/or choreographer.
**Social Media**
The Block’s Social Media Policy refers to all social networking sites, video/photo sharing sites, blogs, podcasts, forums, instant messaging and geo-spatial tagging (for example, Facebook check-ins or Snap Chat).
Please remember that your anonymity on social media is never guaranteed and to exercise particular caution when posting images or videos identifying children in our care.
Remain mindful that your behavior on social media remains in keeping with The Block's Studio Values and Policies. Should you wish to engage on social media while identifying as a participant or guardian of a participant, you may only do so with integrity, respect, and adhere to our privacy and confidentiality policies.
It is our obligation to respect and monitor personal boundaries. When customers and staff become ‘friends’ or ‘followers’ and engage on social media, it must be done with integrity.
We discourage athletes from using their phones while at the studio. Our goal is to keep them present and engaged with their coaches and peers.
**Performance Participation**
The 2023-2024 Performances are currently being planned. Information provided below is subject to change until the official announcement of performance venues and dates.
Athletes enrolled in classes are expected to participate in performances. If you are unable to perform with your class at recital due to scheduling conflicts or financial concerns, you must notify the Welcome Desk in writing at time of registration.
Athletes will be drafted a Costume Fee on October 15th, 2023 and a Performance Fee on January 15th, 2024. Once fees have been deducted, they are non-refundable.
The Block Performances: TBA
The Block Dress Rehearsal: TBA
**Costume Fee**
The non-refundable Costume fees will be processed through autopay on October 15th, 2023. Athletes will be charged a costume fee for each class the athlete is enrolled in. Costumes will cost between $100.00 and $150.00, depending on the class and age of the athlete. The studio offers one size exchange (to be determined by the instructor) at a cost of $25 per costume. It takes several months for costumes to arrive and the studio cannot guarantee that exchanged or late orders will arrive in time for recital.
**Performance Fee**
The non-refundable Performance Fee will be processed through autopay on January 15th, 2024. The Performance Fee is $150 per family with 1 athlete and $30 per each additional athlete. The performance fee is separate from your costume fee and goes to pay for the rental of the auditorium, printing of programs, insurance, and other costs associated with the recital. The Recital fee includes a recital t-shirt for each dancer, recital program and video link.