I have read the policies in Redding City Ballet's Handbook available below and on our website.
Redding City Ballet
Student and Parent Handbook
2024
Enrollment
To enroll in classes, please create an account on RCB’s Dance Studio Pro parent portal located here: https://dancestudio-pro.com/online/reddingcityballet.
The school year at Redding City Ballet begins in August and ends in June. Redding City Ballet works on a full-year syllabus within each of its classes, making it imperative for students (and parents) to commit to enrollment for an entire school year. Leveled classes are based on progress and ability, not strictly on age.
Class Placement and Evaluations:
It is our policy to offer appropriate opportunities and class placement to every student. Each student’s class placement is highly individualized each year. Our decisions regarding each dancer are carefully examined and made with expertise from having years of training and experience. Proper placement ensures the dancer’s safety and will enrich the dancer’s training experience. Final decisions in regards to your child’s dance training and placement will be made by your child’s teacher(s) and the Director. Any questions in regards to your child’s training and placement should be directed to the Director.
Level Requirements:
As a student progresses, they may be required to enroll in multiple classes in the same genre of dance per week. (example: Ballet 2 meets 2 times a week.) This is imperative for the dancer’s training and well-being. Multiple classes a week of the same genre help reiterate the movement and techniques within the body so that it becomes part of their muscle memory. Dancers not enrolled and participating in the required number of classes for their level tend to progress at a different pace than dancers enrolled in the correct number of classes. Students not able to commit to the amount of required classes for their level are encouraged to speak to the Director regarding their class placement. Dancers in Ballet 2 and above are encouraged to also take one or more classes of another genre each week to further their training,
The Director can help guide you in which classes would be best to fully round out your dancer’s training.
Pointe and Pre-Pointe Work:
Students are generally not considered ready for pointe work until they are at least 12 years old and have been studying classical ballet for three or more years, with a frequency of two or more classes per week. All of this requires careful evaluation on the part of the teacher and Director. Once a dancer is ready, a recommendation letter will be given to each student. No one will be allowed to register for a pointe or pre-pointe class without this letter.
Students who have been recommended for pointe or pre-pointe work should not purchase pointe shoes until notified by their teacher.
Dress Code:
Our dress code is designed to encourage unity and discipline among our students. All students in our Leveled programs are required to wear the appropriate uniform for their level placement.
Female:
Pink tights (footed, no shiny/Lycra tights, no holes in tights)
Pink ballet slippers in good condition
Black leotard
Skirt, color based on level placement, available to purchase in our lobby
Mid-length to long hair is required to be pulled back into a neat bun and fastened securely using pins and a hair net. Short hair needs to be fastened away from the face. Students/parents are responsible for the necessary supplies to have hair done before class time.
Male:
White shirt, black footless leggings/tights, or black workout shorts, thin white crew-length dance socks, black shoes
Mid-length to long hair is required to be pulled back into a neat bun and fastened securely using pins and a hair net. Short hair needs to be fastened away from the face. Students/parents are responsible for the necessary supplies to have hair done before class time.
Redding City Ballet Correspondence:
As a reminder, all statements, confirmations, and class information will be emailed to the registered email address. Please update your email address and contacts as needed.
Attendance:
We request that absences be reported to the office prior to class time. If an absence is not reported, it will be considered unexcused. The dancer’s presence at all classes is imperative. The spirit of teamwork and the lesson of dedication are a large part of our school’s educational process.
Good attendance is critical to consistent progress and advancement. Students missing an excessive amount of classes during the year will not be allowed to advance. We encourage each child to make up for any missed classes. No student is permitted to make-up in a class more advanced than their registered class.
Students entering the classroom more than ten minutes late will be asked to observe class for that day. Injuries can result when a student has not had a proper warm up.
Make-up Policy:
If a dancer misses a class, they may attend a make-up class of any style in their respective age/skill level. Make-up classes need to be taken within a month of the missed class. Please call the office or speak to the teacher at least 24 hours before the class to inform the staff of your planned attendance as a make-up class
Injuries, Illness & Allergies
Your physical signature or digital acceptance of the waivers on the registration form is verification that the student is physically able to participate in class, and that you agree to inform instructors of any health concerns or physical limitations the student may have whether ongoing or if they arise throughout the year.
Students who are injured and unable to participate are asked to come and observe class. Observing class is important to the development of the student’s dance education. Students must be fever free for at least 24 hours before they are allowed to return to their scheduled class.
Due to the number of nut allergies in our students, Redding City Ballet is a nut-free zone. Students are encouraged to bring healthy snacks and water to drink between multiple classes. As a reminder, there is no eating in the dance studios.
Studio Closed Dates
We are closed for Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Week, Nutcracker break, Christmas Break, Martin Luther King, Jr Day, February Presidents Week, Spring Break, and Memorial Day.
School Etiquette
Students and Parents, please silence all cell phones when entering Redding City Ballet’s studio. If you need to take a phone call, please step outside. All waiting areas must be kept quiet so as not to cause disruption to classes being held. No running in the hallways please.
Disruptive Behavior Policy:
We will make every effort to work with our students to encourage personal responsibility and accountability for their actions. We understand the importance of the learning process, and we expect studio rules to be followed. In the event a behavior is disrupting a class, it may result in the following: (a) 3 verbal warnings to the dancer, (b) consultation with the student and/or parents (depending on the situation), and (c) program dismissal. In the event of a student dismissal, the studio reserves the right to cancel enrollment for the following reasons: (a) non-payment or excessive late payment of fees, (b) lack of observance of rules or policies of the studio, (c) student has needs we cannot adequately meet with our current program, (d) physical and/or verbal abuse of staff or children, by parent or child, which includes any and all forms of bullying, on site or through digital media
Drop-off and Pick-up Guidelines:
All students in Pre-Ballet, Intro to Ballet, and Ballet 1, must be checked into and out of class by a parent or guardian. Parents are asked to respect our policy of not entering the classroom while class is in session. Please don't arrive more than 10 minutes prior to a class and please don't arrive more than 10 minutes late without prior permission from your instructor.
Please call the office if you are running late. After an initial warning, parents that are repeatedly late will be charged a fee of $15.00 per 15 minutes late.
Bathroom Policy:
Children under the age of 6 need to be accompanied to the bathroom by the parent or caregiver who brought them. Children over 6 should be dressed in a manner that does not require assistance to use the bathroom. For example, a leotard with difficult snaps or hooks should be avoided so the child doesn't require help.
Tuition:
For our main dance season August-June, the monthly tuition is billed by class. Tuition is paid in a flat, monthly fee. Monthly tuition accounts for long months, short months, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break. The exception to this rule is, no tuition will be charged in December, as August’s monthly tuition covers first and last months tuition for our Fall semester. Pro-rating is not available for missed classes. Tuition is due by the 5th of each month and a 10 day grace period is allowed after which a $20 late fee will apply. To enroll in classes, the balance on the account must be $0. AutoPay is offered and strongly encouraged.
Discounts
10% off each additional family member
10% off for Police/Fire/Military families with ID
10% off for College Students with ID
Drop-in Class policy:
Any of our classes that are marked as (open class) are available as a regular monthly tuition class or as a drop in class. To participate in a class as a drop in student you must sign up online prior to the start of class and pay the drop in fee of $20.
Registration fee:
There is an annual registration fee of $20 for all students. This fee is collected at the time of enrollment and annually in August, at the start of the Fall Session. Each additional sibling receives a discounted rate of $15.
Homeschools:
Redding City Ballet is an enrichment partner for Shasta View Academy. To be approved to receive classes through a homeschool, please bring in the vendor form to be signed by the office staff and return to the homeschool. The amount the homeschool will cover varies. Your account will be charged the full monthly tuition, then credited when the homeschool sends their payment with the remaining balance each month being the responsibility of the family. Each time your child attends class, please sign your name (or if they are 12+, they may sign) in the log book on the front desk. Registration, recital and costume fees are not covered by the homeschool as well as classes in June, July or August. Missed classes cannot be billed and as such do not receive payment from the homeschool: make-up classes or the difference in tuition are the responsibility of the family. Shasta View Academy requires that their students be in good academic standing to participate in the Enrichment Partner program. Students that have their privileges revoked mid-semester will not be reinstated until the following semester and the family is responsible for any unpaid tuition.
Withdrawal Policy:
We encourage all of our students to complete the full season of dance; however, we understand mid-year withdrawals may be necessary. If you wish to remove your dancer from a class or withdraw from all enrollment you must submit this request via email or by calling the office. If you stop coming to dance class, we will never assume that you have withdrawn. You must communicate your notice of dropped class/es at least 10 days prior to billing day to avoid being billed the following month. We will not credit tuition or assume a student has withdrawn for lack of communication and/or excessive absences. In case of withdrawal from all classes you are still responsible for paying tuition/late fees, and your account will not be deactivated until it is at a zero balance.
Cancellation Policy
Redding City Ballet reserves the right to cancel any program due to lack of enrollment. Students will be emailed no later than 1 week prior to the start of any class or 2 weeks prior to the start of camp/intensive. Full refunds (minus credit processing fees) will be given if Redding City Ballet cancels a class
Summer Class & Camp Policies
If any summer class or camp refunds are requested, it will only be issued up until 1 week before the start of said class, camp, or Intensive (minus a $50 fee). After that, there are no refunds. Requests made due to medical problems or family relocations must be submitted in writing. Doctor’s notes are required for all medical problems. Summer class and camp/intensive fees are not prorated.
June Recital Commitment
The June Recital is optional; it is the dancer and parent’s decision whether or not to participate. Classes with low participation may not be cast in the show. All accounts must be paid in full in order to participate in the June Recital. Any registrations received after the February cutoff date will not be guaranteed a costume or participation in the June Recital. No refunds or credits will be given if a student is asked not to participate due to lack of attendance or is unable to participate for any reason. Recital fees are kept as low as possible and will be determined by the venue. These fees will be announced in January.
Parent Observation
Parent observation occurs at specific times throughout the year. The dates for parent observation will be posted on the website as well as emailed out at least 2 weeks prior. Please plan to stay for the entire class period. Classes on parent observation day will end at least 10 minutes early to allow for question time between parents and teacher following the class. No flash photography is permitted. All cell phones must be turned to silent or turned off. Show your dancer support by giving them your full attention and encouragement; show your dancer(s) what it is to be a good audience, as you set the best example.
Observation is only permitted at designated times. During regular classes, parents are expected to stay in the hallway or waiting areas of the studio. Prospective students and special cases must be approved by the instructor and Director no later than 1 week prior. The training process is sensitive; your presence may distract or inhibit other students. Viewing windows are available in both studios.
Lost and Found
Items left in the studio, dressing room, or hallways will be collected and placed in the lost and found. We encourage all students to write their name or initials in all of their belongings. Redding City Ballet is not responsible for lost or stolen articles. Students are encouraged not to leave valuable items unattended. Redding City Ballet does not tolerate theft in any way.
Privacy
The front office staff are not allowed to give out student or teacher class information, phone numbers, email addresses, or home addresses. Therefore, we ask that phone numbers be exchanged on an individual basis.
Media policy: Redding City Ballet has permission to use dancer's likeness in advertisements, social media, news releases, and/or on the website. If you are opposed to the use of your dancer's image, please let us know in writing, via email, and we will accommodate your request.
