Student/Parent Handbook
Apr 25, 2024 02:51 PM
Welcome!
Thank you for choosing Spring Lake Theatre & Dance for your child’s performing arts education. For thirty-five years we have been committed to providing the highest quality program in a safe, positive and nurturing environment. The highest compliment we can receive is that many of our present student’s parents were a part of our family as children. We realize you have choices for your child’s dance & theatre education. We are honored that you have entrusted us with your children and will do everything possible to help them grow in confidence while making happy memories that will remain forever.
We want your child’s time at the theatre to be pleasant and productive. We have policies in place to accomplish this. Contained in the following pages are guidelines concerning attire, class placement, behavior expectations. We have tried to give you as much information as possible so you will know what is required of both you and your student as we begin a new season together. Please feel free to ask us questions if there is something you do not understand. Please do not hesitate to contact us if there is a problem. Nothing can be fixed unless we know there is a problem. You may contact us at the studio at 732-449-4530 or via e-mail at info@springlaketheatre.com at any time. Miss Pat or Miss Kerry will be available to answer questions or channel issues to the proper teacher as soon as possible.
Because there are no breaks between classes, please do not attempt to speak with teachers at those times.
Safety
We take the safety and well being of your children extremely seriously. Please do not drop your child off at the Community House more than ten minutes before class. This is especially true if your child is enrolled in a 3:30 or 4:oo class. Also, please pick up your child at the time their class ends. Teachers should not be expected to wait twenty or thirty minutes after class for parents to arrive.
Please do not ever double park outside the Community House. This is a very dangerous practice which the Spring Lake Police Department is well aware of. A few extra moments or steps are a small price to pay for the safety of your children.
In the case that your child has to leave class before the scheduled time, please be sure that you come into the building and inform the teacher that you are doing so.
The staircases must be clear at all times. Parents are encouraged to wait for children in the Brown Room or Lobby. The landing downstairs can get very crowded and noisy. This can be very distracting to dancers during class. Please try to keep space clear as well.
Only students who are enrolled in class are permitted in the Theatre or Studios during class.
Bullying Policy
The Community House believes that all students have a right to a safe and healthy class environment. We have an obligation to promote mutual respect, tolerance, and acceptance.
SLTD will not tolerate behavior that infringes on the safety of any student. A student shall not intimidate, harass, or bully another student through words or actions. Such behavior includes: direct physical contact, such as hitting or shoving; verbal assaults, such as teasing or name-calling; social isolation or manipulation; and any form of social media bullying anywhere.
Scheduled Holidays
Following is a list of days the studio will be closed during the season. • Thanksgiving Break (Dance) November 22-November 25 • • Thanksgiving Break (Theatre Workshop) November 22nd – December 2nd • Christmas Break December 15th-January 1st •Winter Break February 10th- February 18th • Spring Break April 19- April 28th
Inclement Weather Closings
If H. W. Mountz Elementary School closes due to weather conditions, our studio will also close for regular classes for the safety of our students. You may also check Facebook or Instagram for updates. Please follow Spring Lake Theatre and Dance on Facebook and SLTDance or SLTWorkshop on Instagram.
Tuition/Payments
Each family will be charged a one-time $25 registration fee per family (not per student).
➢ Tuition can be paid in full with a $50 discount per child.
➢ Tuition can be paid automatically in 8 monthly installments through Credit Card or Debit Card.
➢ Tuition can be paid monthly in 8 monthly installments via check or cash with additional handling fee. Checks are payable to SLCH (Spring Lake Community House)
o The first month tuition plus registration fee is due at the time of enrollment.
o The remaining 7 payments are charged in 7 equal monthly installments and are due on the first of each month beginning November and ending in May regardless of what date classes begin or end.
Dance Costume Fees
Payments are due for all classes the student is enrolled in at the end of December 31st. Individual costumes are $65. Combo classes are $90. If you should drop a class after December 31st, you will still be responsible to pay the dance costume payment for that class. Payments not made by the specified due date will incur a $10 late fee per costume.
Workshop Shows
All students enrolled in workshop classes will perform in their class’s production in May. Students will audition for and receive roles for this production. We ask that the students work hard in class to learn their lines, music and choreography. They are expected to rehearse on their own outside of class by memorizing lines and songs, and rehearsing blocking and choreography. From January through May we expect our workshop students to do their best to attend each class, and be committed to their role. These classes are used as rehearsal for their production. No student may miss a tech rehearsal the week leading up to their show. If you know in advance that you are missing one of those rehearsals please inform your teachers before auditions. Information on your exact date of your child’s show will be given out later in the year.
Dance Recital
All students enrolled in class at the studio will perform in the recital. This is a very exciting time as students will learn discipline by being responsible for remembering their dances and have the opportunity to perform on stage in front of an audience. Attendance in class is very important. The students work hard each season to present their performance piece. We ask that parents be as supportive as possible during this process. In addition to the recital itself, there will also be a dance recital tech week May 28th -31st. We try very hard to start on time and end on time we can only do this with your complete cooperation. Our dance recital will be held on June 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Information about rehearsal and recital will be given out a few weeks before the recital.
Class Placement
We do our best to place students in the most appropriate class based on age and ability level. Often a child is placed in a particular group or class where he or she will feel confident, in order to promote the development of self-esteem. Some students who are placed in a higher level become discouraged, only to lose their passion for dance. Others respond to the challenge of being in a class with students who are more proficient by pushing themselves to work harder. Placement is highly individual and the factors that go into the decision are complex. Sometimes after beginning class it may be necessary to move a student to a different class to better meet his or her needs. We will discuss the potential move with the parents and try our best to accommodate personal schedules. We want your child to benefit from the dance education you are paying for, therefore we need to make sure they are in a class that allows them to excel.
Class Withdrawal
If for some reason at any time during the dance season it is necessary for your dancer to withdraw from class credit will be given once proper notification has been given in writing to both the Dance Teacher by emailing dance@springlaketheatre.com and the Billing Department at billing@springlaketheatre.com.
Once again, if you drop a class after December 31st, you will still be responsible to pay the dance costume payment for that class.
Class Expectations and Policy
We expect all students to behave with a level of self-control and respect that is appropriate for their age. Students are expected to arrive on time, be properly attired and ready to learn. Teachers will verbally discipline students if necessary and students that are disruptive to the class or who continually act out in an inappropriate manner during class may be asked to leave.
The first step for your child to become a successful student is making a solid commitment to their classes. Strong technique is a key ingredient and class is where your child develops that technique. They should come to each class prepared to learn and without personal distractions. Class time is their chance to focus on themselves, to achieve that goal they must leave their electronic devices in their bags at all times. True progress is made when your child looks at each class as an opportunity to become better at what they love to do. Respect for the teacher is essential. Encourage your child to listen to each correction given, whether it’s directed at them or another student. If given a correction, it is considered the highest form of a compliment. * Please note that there will be times when the teachers may employ hands-on adjusting corrections to the students. *
Personal hygiene is essential in every area of life. Please be sure that antiperspirants and deodorants are used daily by any child over 11 especially if they are physically active. Daily showers or baths are important for everyone.
Housekeeping
No food, drink, gum or candy is permitted in the Theatre or Studios. Please fill your water bottles before class.
We have provided spaces for students to keep their property. The floor on the landing must be clear at all times. Any items found on the landing will be held until a donation to the Christmas Fund is paid.
Please check to be sure that your child returns home with the items they wore to class. Our lost and found box has provided some very nice boots and coats to needy children over the years because no one claimed them.
Class Observation Policy
We want you to be involved in your child’s education as much as possible. We will hold a parent observation week for dance March 4th- March 8th for Dance. During this week, parents can come into the class to observe their dancer. During this observation time, you are more than welcome to take pictures and video as long as it does not disturb class. At any time that observation disrupts the class, the teacher has the right to end observation at that time.
Class Dress Code
Theatre Workshop: You must have the correct shoe and proper dance attire by the second week of class.
Dancers: All shoes must be the correct make, style, and color by competition for those who are competing or for the Dance Recital for those who are not!
Theatre Workshop Grades 2-7: Leotards, leggings sweatpants, shirts, modest comfortable clothing. White or pink ballet shoes for girls, black jazz shoes for boys. NO JEANS. LEOTARDS MUST BE WORN UNDER ALL CLOTHING. Must have a three ring, hardcover binder, pencils and a highlighter.
Theatre Workshop Grades 8-12: Leotards, leggings sweatpants, shirts, modest comfortable clothing. Tan Character shoes for girls, black jazz shoes for boys. NO JEANS. LEOTARDS MUST BE WORN UNDER ALL CLOTHING. Must have a three ring, hardcover binder, pencils and a highlighter.
Tap/Ballet Combination Classes: Dancers may wear any combination of black, white and pink including a leotard, skirt and white tights. White ballet shoes and white tap shoes must be worn. We recommend white Capezio Daisy ballet shoes and white Capezio Jr. Tyette tap shoes. Hair must be pulled back off of the face.
Tap/Ballet/Jazz Combination Classes: Dancers may wear any combination of black, white and pink including a leotard, skirt and tights. No pants or shorts may be worn. White ballet shoes, white tap shoes and tan jazz shoes must be worn we recommend white Capezio Daisy ballet shoes, white Capezio Jr. Tyette tap shoes and tan Capezio Show Stopper jazz shoes. Hair must be pulled back in a bun or pony tail. Dancers must wear tights.
Ballet: Dancers must wear a black leotard and pink footed tights; no shorts allowed. Properly sewn pink ballet slippers must be worn; we prefer So Danca pink canvas. Hair must be in a neat ballet bun secured with either a bun shaper, hair net, or bun cover.
Pointe: Dancers must wear a black leotard and pink footed tights; no shorts allowed. Properly sewn pink pointe shoes must be worn. The brand and style of pointe shoes will vary from dancer to dancer. New pointe shoes should be purchased every 6-8 months and need to be fitted by a proper dance expert. Hair must be in a neat ballet bun secured with either a bun shaper, hair net or bun cover.
Tap: Dancers must wear a leotard and black or tan tights with optional dance shorts or leggings. Tan tap shoes must be worn; we prefer Capezio Fluid Tan Tap shoe. Hair should be pulled up out of the face.
Jazz: Dancers must a leotard and black or tan tights with optional dance shorts. Tan jazz shoes must be worn; we recommend Capezio Show Stopper jazz shoe. Hair must be pulled up out of the face.
Lyrical: Dancers must wear a leotard and tan tights. Tan leather half shoes must be worn; we recommend the leather Capezio Pirouette. Hair must be in bun.
Hip Hop (5 & 6 y/o and 8-10 y/o): Dancers may wear comfortable loose-fitting clothing that includes either knee pads or sweatpants. Dancers must wear tan jazz shoes; We recommend tan Capezio Show Stopper jazz shoes.
Hip Hop (Level 3-6): Dancers may wear comfortable loose-fitting clothing that includes either knee pads or sweatpants. Dancers must wear black Gotta Flurt Disco II Hi: Black with White laces.