Dance Creations Inc. Handbook
A Guide for Students and Families

As a condition of enrollment at Dance Creations Inc. (DCI), students and their parents/guardians agree to abide by all the policies set forth by DCI. Dance Creations Inc. reserves the right to terminate enrollment at any time due to inappropriate conduct of actions by the student or their family.

Welcome to Dance Creations Inc.!

This handbook details the guidelines and procedures of Dance Creations Inc.

Mission Statement
“Our mission is to provide a first-rate dance education and instill an appreciation for the art of dance in a safe,
high-quality, and family-oriented studio environment.”

Vision Statement
We strive to instill passion and confidence in our dancers to help them develop a drive for a strong work ethic that helps them in everyday life and dance career

We believe that our students should "Dare to Dream".

General Policies & Procedures
This section outlines general rules and requirements for the safety of our students, families, and staff
⦁ Only DCI staff is permitted behind the desk
⦁ Students and families should not interrupt class while in session
⦁ Students are permitted to bring water to class (must remain in waiting room with dance bag), no food, other drinks, or gum
⦁ Students who are in rehearsals for 3+ hours may have snack/dinner in the waiting room
⦁ Children under the age of 12 who are not in class must be supervised at all times
⦁ Parents, please make yourselves comfortable in the waiting area. There is a one-way mirror for you to enjoy the classes. No parents are allowed to stay during rehearsals
⦁ Students may not use cell phones while in class and or Apple Watches!
⦁ Please email ⦁ dancecreationsinc02895@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (401) 765-2937 to contact Dawn or staff outside studio hours
⦁ Students must be team players and show respect at all times; inappropriate behavior could result in termination of enrollment
⦁ Dance Creations has a ZERO TOLERANCE bullying policy
⦁ First offense: results in a warning
⦁ Second offense: results in parent meeting in the office with Instructor and Director
⦁ Third offense: results in student termination from studio

Class Placement
DCI uses an effective placement and level system. Classes are grouped to the types of dance offered and the ability of the student. This insures that students are placed in the appropriate level. The level system allows students to follow a structured sequence of training stages designed to increase their technical skills, stamina, and discipline in accordance with their ability and physical development. Students are evaluated at the end of summer terms for the fall.

Medical Information
For the safety of your child, please ensure that the Director and appropriate teacher is aware of any conditions or limitations. In accordance with HIPPA, medical information about our students is kept confidential.

Dress Code & Requirements*
Dance Creations Inc. promotes a dress code to encourage concentration and a sense of inclusiveness. Proper dress attire and shoes allows the teachers to assess how well students are implementing the techniques being taught, accurate alignment, and other important aspects of dance training.
Considerations Regarding Attire*
⦁ Dancewear and shoes are to be kept in a dance bag
⦁ Please make sure student’s shoes are marked with either name or initials
⦁ Dancers are required to keep up with personal hygiene on a regular basis
⦁ Watches, jewelry, and any other accessories are prohibited from class
⦁ Dance shoes should never be worn outside
⦁ Hair MUST* be neatly secured and styled away from face, a neat bun is preferred for ballet
⦁ Deodorant is required for students ages 10+

*Students who come to the studio without proper dance attire will receive two warnings. On the third warning, they will not be able to participate in class.

Tuition & Fees
A non-refundable registration fee of $10 per student is due upon enrollment.

Tuition is based on four eight-week terms and two six-week summer terms. Tuition is calculated on the total number of classes being taken during these terms. Every regularly scheduled class will have the same number of class meetings throughout each term, with the exception of holidays, school closings, etc.

Tuition should be paid on the 1st and 5th week of each term or you may pay in full at the beginning of the session. A late fee of $5.00 will be charged, per week, two weeks after the completion of the previous term if that term has not been paid in full. A $35.00 charge will be made for all returned checks. Tuition can be paid with credit/debit card, check, or cash.

Accounts will not be refunded or credited for unattended classes. In most cases, missed classes can be made up during the current term. Please email DCI to determine suitable options to make up classes.

Payments may be made by credit/debit (including a convenience fee charge), cash, or check, payable to Dance Creations Inc.

Attendance
We truly expect your child to be in each and every class. Please make this a consideration when the time comes to join another activity later in the season. Each class offers a step forward in the educational process. If you cannot attend a class, we expect a call/voicemail as to why you are not attending. If a child does not attend a class for 3-plus weeks and we do not receive any notice, we will assume that student is no longer enrolled.

Choreography for the recital begins as early as March. It is important that students feel confident with their choreography by performance time. Should more than 3 classes be missed during “Summer & Performance Term”, it will be up to the teacher to decide if the student knows the choreography well enough to participate in the performance.

Arrival & Departure
We encourage students to arrive 15 minutes before class begins. That time should be used to put on proper dance attire, including shoes, and use the restroom. Students should be picked up immediately after class, please call the studio if your child’s ride will be more than 5 minutes late.

As DCI does not have a babysitting service/area, no minor that is not a student of this school, including siblings, can be left unattended in the waiting room. AT ALL TIMES students must wait inside the studio for their designated rides at night. This is a liability issue and DCI will not be held responsible should something happen.

Illness
To minimize the possibility of contagion, please keep your child home if they have a fever or display any other signs of a contagious illness. DCI staff reserves the right to send a student home in the event any of the following symptoms are observed.
⦁ Fever
⦁ Diarrhea or vomiting
⦁ Eyes that are pink, burning, or itching
⦁ Sever sore throat
⦁ Consistent cough
⦁ Complains of ear pain
Weather Cancellations
In the event of snow, hazardous driving conditions or other emergencies, the studio may close. Cancellations for the studio will be announced by 3:00p.m. via Facebook, Instagram, and email. In the event that inclement weather begins after classes are in session, please check social media for immediate updates about class cancellations.

End of the Season Performance
All students are encouraged to perform in our end of the season performance. This professionally produced performance provides our students the opportunity to showcase their hard work and progress to their families and friends.

All classes must be attended from September-Performance time to be in the show, even if the student does not wish to take classes after the performance. There are no exceptions to this rule.

In order to perform, participation is mandatory at General and Dress rehearsal. Both General & Dress rehearsal are closed to the public. Dress rehearsal is a ticketed event for parents only.

Costumes
Performing in the annual performance requires the purchase of a costume per class. If your child is in any of the following dances:
⦁ Finales
⦁ Baby dances
⦁ Teacher dances
⦁ Specialty number
This may require purchase of additional costumes.

Payments for costumes can be made in three installments:
50% Due March 1st
25% Due April 1st
25% Due May 1st

A 50% deposit must be made by March 1st in order to receive the discounted price with costumes being grouped to lower shipping and handling fees. All alterations and headpieces will be billed separately. If your deposit is late, your costumes will be ordered separately and the shipping and handling fees will be added to your bill.

*Any costume not fully paid for by the performance will result in withholding of the costume, which then opens the possibility of a student not performing in the end of the season performance.

*No student will be allowed to perform in the recital until ALL accounts with DCI are brought up to date.


Performance Tickets
Tickets will go on sale in September, date TBA. Tickets are sold in-person at Dance Creations Inc. Performance seating is assigned, everyone in attendance to the performance must have a purchased ticket.


Withdrawal
If a student decides to withdraw completely from DCI, it is required to meet with a staff member and fill out a withdrawal form. If students/parents do not call within 3-weeks of missed classes, they will be considered terminated. Tuition and costumes are non-refundable.

If withdrawn before performance, you will still be responsible for the full price of the costume and outstanding balance of that term’s tuition. Once the costume is delivered to the studio, you may schedule a time on Saturday business hours after our end of the year performance, to come and pick up your costume and your remaining payment to DCI.