Valley Performing Arts Center Studio Policies and Procedures
Parent and Student Agreement
Welcome to the Valley Performing Arts Center (VPAC) Family! We are passionate about bringing the arts in a greater capacity to the Lower Valley. We aim to instill a lifelong love for the arts through education and performance. In order to ensure the success of our students in various programs, we ask that you thoroughly read and comply with the updated policies below. If you have any questions, please email us at info@valleyperformarts.org.
Schedule
VPAC most closely follows the Sunnyside School District calendar and holds one open enrollment session in the summer. Please stay up to date on events, class schedules, and performances on our website at valleyperformarts.org under the "calendar" tab.
Communication
In order to utilize class time for education, VPAC frequently uses email, text, and social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Band app) to communicate with student families. It is the family's responsibility to remain in contact with VPAC staff. Please open VPAC emails and read them in their entirety to ensure students have the best possible experience at VPAC. We will do our best to streamline emails. With that said, we wish to be available and open to communication between parent, student, teacher faculty, staff, volunteers, and directors to ensure the best possible arts education for students. This means parents are responsible to keep contact information current in our system. Please subscribe to VPAC emails so that they are not sent to trash/spam.
Registration
Registration occurs online through a studio software by creating an account in the Parent Portal at valleyperformarts.org. Parents will need to take this first step before they are able to enroll their children in classes. Once a student account has been set up in the Parent Portal an online registration fee of $35 will be billed to the AutoPay account you have created in your Parent Portal. This fee is billed once per year to each student enrolling in classes with VPAC, but does not exceed two (2) registration fees, to ease the burden with families of more than two students. Summer camp classes are exempt from the registration fee.
Enrollment
Classes are organized according to age groupings and/or ability level. Once a student has been added to a class VPAC is notified and tuition is applied to the student's account and billed using the AutoPay System. You are not required to sign up for auto-pay during summer camp classes. Some classes such as private appointments are charged after students receive services, but an upfront payment of $60 is required to secure the first two appointments and will be applied to tuition.
Tuition
Valley Performing Arts Center offers two billing options for tuition:
âœOne Time Full Year Payment
There is a 5% discount offered to families who choose to pay the entire year at time of enrollment. This option is available by contacting VPAC Office and must be paid prior to the first day of class in the new year.
âœMonthly Autopay Payments
Monthly tuition is billed using the AutoPay account set up at registration on the first of every month. If the AutoPay fails the parent will be notified via email and the tuition for that month will need to be paid within the first week of the month. If tuition is not paid within a week of the AutoPay failure notice, a second email will be sent notifying families that a late fee will be assessed. If tuition is still not paid by the 7th day of the month, a $5 late fee will be assessed to the student account. A late fee of $5 will be assessed to the student account every week it is past due until the account is paid in full. If tuition is four weeks past due, the student will not be allowed to participate in classes until payments are made in full.
★ Summer camp tuition is required upfront before classes begin.
Photography, Risk or Injury, and Lost or Stolen Items
By registering for or participating in any class, program or activity, the student and/or parent/guardian agrees that (a) Valley Performing Arts (VPAC) may use any photograph or video taken of the student/parent/guardian at VPAC or any performance for promotional or new media purpose, (b) he/she acknowledges and assumes any risks of participation in any VPAC class, program, or activity, (c) VPAC, its faculty, employees and volunteers, and any performance space vendor, shall be indemnified, defended, release and held harmless by students and parents/guardians for, against and/or from any expenses, damages, loss, claim, injury or action arising out of or related to, cause by, or suffered by each student while at VPAC or participating in any VPAC class, program or activity, and (d) VPAC is not responsible for any lost, misplaced or stolen items.
Attendance
Valley Performing Arts Center operates on a school year commitment (except summer camps). Regardless of how families choose to pay for student tuition (full year or monthly auto-payments), students are required to participate for the full performance year. While we realize there are many different after school activities that come up at different times of year for our students, we ask that students adhere to the year long commitment. As class sizes are limited, students dropping classes during the year inhibits other students who otherwise would have participated from being able to do so. Dropping mid-year also negatively affects other students as teachers and students prepare for performances.
Inclement Weather Policy
VPAC sometimes closes as a result of bad weather, school closures, or poor driving conditions. If your child's school district closes due to inclement weather, please check the Band App for VPAC's most up to date information. VPAC will also send an email or text to all currently registered student families if classes are cancelled. As always, you may use your own discretion when determining the safety of attending classes. Please note that tuition or fees will not be refunded due to inclement weather, school closures, or poor driving conditions.
Tuition Assistance
VPAC prides itself in working with families to make it possible for all committed students to attend. We have fundraising opportunities available to help offset expenses for our students. If you would like more information on how to lower your student's tuition costs please pick up a sponsorship packet in the office.
VPAC Facilities, Property, Parking Lot, and Equipment
Please help keep our new facility in superior shape! VPAC expects and trusts its participants to respect and maintain a high level of professionalism and care towards its facilities, property, parking areas, and equipment. Please be respectful of all musical instruments. Do not place drinks on pianos or metal binders/notebooks that could scratch the finish on pianos. If any misconduct, misuse or mistreatment towards the above mentioned properties are observed, students will be excused from participation in VPAC classes. Graffiti and vandalism will not be tolerated. Please notify a staff member immediately if you are aware of any mistreatment. Please do not park in staff/faculty designated parking spots. Please drive slowly and carefully around VPAC and in the parking lot.
Safety
In order to keep our students safe, we ask that you notify staff of any suspicious activity or loitering adults/non-participants in and around VPAC. Please accompany children 8 and under to the restroom in order to maintain cleanliness and safety. Please do not allow your students to cross the street or to leave the building to go buy snacks and treats unattended. Children under the age of 8 should have a parent/guardian at VPAC classes, programs, events, and activities at all times.
Food and Drink
Food and drink is allowed in the waiting area only of the studio. Absolutely NO FOOD is to be eaten in the performing studios. Water is ok as long as it has a lid that closes. Absolutely NO GUM allowed in the studios.
Attire
All students are required to wear modest and appropriate clothing while in the studio or at events where they are representing VPAC. All dance classes are required to wear their designated uniforms to class every week. Ballet students need to ensure that their tights are well cared for and replace tights as wear and tear occurs. Street shoes are not allowed on dance floors. Please bring shoes for class separately and change into them upon arrival to your class. If you do not know what your designated uniform is, please ask your teacher.
Language and Behavior
Be respectful of yourself and others. Foul language and swearing is not acceptable at VPAC. Students and adults need to be respectful of the classes that are in session. Quiet conversations are acceptable as long as they are not interrupting class or staff. If needed, staff may ask those not participating in classes to leave if they are disrupting studio members.
Unattended Children
DO NOT leave children under the age of 8 years at VPAC unless it has been cleared with instructors, front desk staff, and/or directors. Please use our waiting areas. If parents do receive permission to leave children under age 8 during class time, please return to the studio to pick up your student within 10 minutes of class ending.
By enrolling your child in a class, you, the parent/guardian and student, understand and comply with Valley Performing Arts Center Studio Policies and Procedures. We ask that parents/guardians review all policies with students as well. When students understand expectations, they will appreciate the opportunity to participate in performing arts classes, while recognizing the effort made by parents, teaching faculty, and staff. Thank you for respecting our policies; we wish for all students and families to experience this unique opportunity to cultivate a love for and participate in the arts.
Artistic Director,
Erin Mart
I, ____________________________(student(s)) and _________________________(parent), have read the Valley Performing Arts Center Welcome Letter and Studio Conduct Policies and Procedures, and agree to comply. I understand my child will not be able to participate in classes until this form is signed and turned in.
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Student Signature
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Student Signature
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Student Signature
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Parent Signature Date
