Maria's School of Dance Studio Policies 2024-2025
PLEASE READ ALL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. Print a copy for your records.

At Maria's School of Dance, we use the Dance Studio Pro management platform. In DSP you can register for classes, see student schedules, view shared files and music, communicate with teachers, pay tuition and other fees, submit absences, and more. Submitting payments through DSP requires a transaction fee of 3% + $0.30 (ACH is 1% + $0.20). We encourage parents to enroll in Autopay, which is exclusively for tuition, and will be charged on the first of each month. Families are also welcome to pay via check or cash in person or by mail.

Class Standards: Please have your child arrive 10 minutes prior to class start time dressed in the proper attire, shoes and hairstyle. A thorough warm-up is done at the beginning of class and is vital to preventing injuries. We operate a safe, orderly environment by following consistent standards and procedures so teachers can properly teach, and students can learn at their best. We require students to show respect for one another and their instructors. We hold students accountable for their behavior and actions during class time. We teach students to be responsible, make good choices, set and achieve individualized goals, and respond to each other and adults in a positive and appropriate way. Teachers and parents must work together as a team with a clear understanding of consistent standards to create the best learning environment.

Studio Rules and Attire:
- Ballet is a required subject for all dancers, except students who only take Acro, Hip Hop, Little Dudes, or Adult Dance.
- Advanced students wanting to take Contemporary must sign up for both Combo and Contemporary, as well as Jazz.
- Students MUST come to class with proper shoes and attire.
- All hair must be pulled back and secured off the face during all classes.
- Male students may wear comfortable pants/shorts and a tee shirt.
- Jewelry is not permitted except for small earrings.
- Gum is not permitted.
1 day dancers...
- Ballet is a requirement for all students except those only taking Acro, Hip Hop, Little Dudes or Adult. Students taking ballet should wear a leotard and tights. No specific colors are required. Students who don't have Ballet on their dance day should wear comfortable exercise clothing or dance attire.
2+ day advanced dancers...
- Ballet and Pointe: Black leotards, pink tights, and pink ballet shoes are mandatory. Ballet skirts are optional. Hair must be pulled up in a tight bun. Warm-up clothes are allowed for a small portion of warm-up.
- Other classes and rehearsals: All students must have proper dance shoes (I.e. jazz shoes, tap shoes, paws etc).
- Dancers must wear a leotard and tights or comfortable dance wear (such as leggings and a tank top) that will allow them to move correctly. Dancewear cannot be overly revealing, inappropriate, or a distraction (short shorts, low cut shirts or bra tops). Students should not have to adjust clothing while dancing.

Safety: Please be punctual and in the waiting room if possible when picking up your child at the end of class. No child will be released from the studio without the escort of a parent or guardian. Parents are permitted, but not required, to remain in the waiting room. Siblings must not be left unattended. The back area is for restroom use only, not for playing. The stairs at the back are for emergency use only and must always remain clear. The office and kitchen area is for employees only. No food or drinks are permitted beyond the waiting room, water bottles only.

Registration Fee: A $35.00 non-refundable registration fee is required each year due at enrollment to secure your spot. Your 2nd and 3rd child will be charged $10.00 for registration, and all children beyond the 3rd will not be charged. Your spot in class will not be guaranteed until payment is received. Students who don't submit their registration fee, first month's tuition, and sign the release form will not be permitted to participate in class beginning in September. Because we purchase costumes early in the year, families must decide to opt out of the recital by October 1st.

Tuition Payment:
- Tuition is calculated by the number of days, weeks and months in our semester and discounted by the number of hours each student is enrolled for the semester. Your total tuition is then divided into 9 payments. You are responsible for the full tuition each month, even during built-in studio breaks, and the recital month. Tuition goes towards staff, studio maintenance, and our year end performance as well.
- Your monthly tuition is due the 1st of each month.
- You will receive a statement on the 15th for the upcoming month.
- The first month's tuition is due by September 1st. The eight remaining payments are due October 1st through May 1st, respectfully.
- You can submit your payment online through the Parent Portal, mail your payment to the studio, or drop your payment in our lockbox to the right of our front door.
- Autopay is available for tuition only, and parents can sign up at any time on DSP. A credit card fee through autopay is 3% + $0.30, and the ACH is 1% + $0.20
- A $20.00 late fee is added to your account if full payment is not received 15 days after the due date. If you are not available to pay in person, please pay through DSP, call the studio for payment over the phone, or mail your tuition to avoid late fees.
- There is a $40.00 fee for returned checks.
- If an account has outstanding charges past due for a month or more, the account holder will be required to provide a card for autopay. Students with outstanding tuition balances will not be permitted to participate in class until the account is made current.
- Account holders are responsible for the total tuition regardless of student attendance or holidays. Tuition is required to hold the spot for your child in that class. Therefore, missed classes are non-refundable and no credit will be given for one whole month of absenteeism.
- All accounts must be paid in full by May 1st for dancers to perform in the recital. Ticket sales require a zero balance.

Season commitment: Our semester runs from September through May, but our last week of classes depend on our recital date. Each class is structured in size and level, and each student is an integral part of the class. We reserve the right to alter or combine classes due to changes in enrollment after the start of each school year. Students are continually evaluated to make sure they are on course in their class. A student who does not attend over 30% of classes may not advance to the next level the following year. We keep track of attendance trends through DSP.

Observation Week: The first week of every month, excluding the first week in September, is observation week. Windows will be open for family to view classes. Please be courteous to leave space in the hallway for traffic to and from the restrooms. We ask for only 2 observers at one time to observe the class, not only to help with the congestion in the hall, but to give every family a chance to see through the windows. Cameras and video are permitted, but please try not to disturb the class or distract the dancers.

Absences: We request that the parent/guardian submit each absence prior to class in DSP so teachers are aware when they take role in class. Parents are welcome to call or email the studio to inform the teacher and staff of any absences, illness, or problem a student might have. If your child has a contagious illness, please keep them out of class until they recover. If a student is injured, please let the studio know. Injured students are encouraged to watch class and are required to attend Company rehearsals. In the case of a serious injury that would require a student to miss a month or more of class, we will plan best strategies with the family. This is determined by Maria's School of Dance staff on a case-by-case basis.

Class Cancellation/Studio Breaks: We reserve the right to cancel, combine classes, change times, and provide substitute or replacement teachers at any time. These decisions are made by the studio Director. We do not follow weather cancellations determined by the school districts. All parents will receive an email and/or text on the day that is canceled. A message will be left on the studio phone number. Tuition is not prorated, refunded or credited for missed/canceled classes due to an act of God, including weather, or studio breaks. Please refer to the Studio calendar for studio breaks.

Adding classes: We welcome enrolled students to try other dance classes at the studio. We offer a free trial class for those students wishing to try another class. Please coordinate with your teacher. If after the trial class, your student would like to add the class to their schedule you must inform our Administrative Assistant. Any additional tuition associated with the class(es) will be due upon the addition of the class to their schedule.

Recital: Maria's School of Dance students perform a recital every year with full costuming and professional lighting that includes class routines and competition routines. We are proud of the work our dancers have accomplished during the dance year and we love showing their progress in a recital. If the recital is a financial burden, families can opt out, and take part in class as normal without dancing in the recital. Students who are not part of the recital will be choreographed into dances in a way that can easily be adjusted for the performance. You MUST notify the studio in writing if your student will not be participating in the recital by October 1st. If you fail to notify the studio that you are unable to participate in the recital, you are responsible to pay for all costume fees per class that your dancer(s) is/are enrolled in. We will be sizing all students in September to order all costumes early in the year.

Recital date: Our recitals are tentatively scheduled for a Saturday or Sunday from mid-May to June. The day prior would be our dress rehearsal. Only the 2 day intermediate and advanced students will be dancing in both shows.

Costumes: A $55.00 deposit for every costume is due within the first month. There is usually one costume per dance subject in which the student is enrolled. The balance of all costumes will be due by the end of the second month. You will be notified of your costume balances as soon as possible. An average costume can range between $60-$110 depending on the costume design and the company selected. We do keep the cost down as much as we can. Costumes can be paid by cash/check, or online through Dance Studio Pro.

Photos and Ads for Program: We photograph students at the studio in their costume(s) to have pictures in our recital program. We have a recital package that includes your spot in your group photo, as well as our videographer’s fee. This will be charged to your account in April. To have your child's individual photo(s) in our program, you must purchase an ad and use the photograph taken by our photographer. A recital program ad of 4 different sizes can be purchased by a parent or merchant, including 1/9th, 1/4th, half, and full page ads. Details will be given in the new calendar year. You can purchase photos through the photographer for personal use as well.

School calendar and vacation days 2024 - 2025:
- First Week of Class: Tuesday, September 3rd, through Monday, September 9th, 2024
- Halloween parade: Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024 - no class, students can participate in the parade
- Halloween break: Thursday, October 31st, 2024
- Thanksgiving break: Tuesday, November 26th, through Monday, December 2nd, 2024
- Winter break: Monday, December 23rd, 2024, through Thursday, January 2nd, 2025
- President's Day: Monday, February 17th, 2025
- Spring break: Tuesday, April 15th, through Monday, April 21st, 2025
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 26th, 2025

Photo/Video Release: We use photos and/or videos of our students on our website, social media outlets and printed materials. Accepting this waiver acknowledges that you grant permission for Maria's School of Dance to use your child's image in photos and videos used for informational and promotional purposes, and you release Maria's School of Dance from all liabilities that may result in your child's participation.

By signing below, you acknowledge that you have read and understand ALL policies and procedures, tuition requirements, and other associated fees with dancing at Maria's School of Dance - 1235 5th Ave New Brighton, PA.

Agreement:
I agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless Maria's School of Dance and the staff of any claims, demands or liability of damage and/or injury arising from the participation of my child in any programs of Maria's School of Dance. I understand that dance classes may include, without limitation, dancing with props, stretching, Acro, tumbling, barre work, across the floor combinations, dance routines, and other related activities. I further understand that all the activities of the dance class involve some degree of risk of strain or bodily injury. In the event my child becomes injured and/or ill, I authorize the staff of Maria's School of Dance to obtain medical attention for my child at a physician's office or hospital. I understand that every effort will be made to reach me before medical permission is given to treat my child. I acknowledge and understand that Maria's School of Dance cannot guarantee limited risk of becoming exposed to and/or infected by any illness.

I give permission for photographs and/or video clips of my child in dance class or performances to be used in promotional material for Maria's School of Dance in print and/or web publications/media.

SIGNATURE:_____________________________________ PRINT:__________________________________________ DATE:______________________
By registering online and signing digitally you acknowledge that you have read and understand the policies stated in this form.