Parent/Student Handbook | 2022-23 Dance season

Thea's Dance Academy

 

Thea’s Dance Academy 

DANCE STUDIO HANDBOOK 

 

 2022-2023 | Season 8

 

FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS

 


 

Table of Contents 

1 - Introduction 

2 - Studio Manifesto 

3 - Registration 

4 - Communication 

5 - Important Dates 

6 - Code of Conduct 

7 - Safety 

8 - Privacy 

9 - Uniform 

10 - Fee Structure/ Policies 

11 - Attendance 

12 - Social Media 

13- Agreement 


 

1 - Introduction 

It’s our absolute pleasure to warmly welcome you into our family at Thea’s Dance Academy! Our team is thrilled to see many familiar faces return to the studio and even more excited to see some new faces join our community. We have created this one-stop handbook to hopefully shed some light on how things will run throughout the year as well as answer a lot of queries you may have before the year begins. While we would love you to take the time to read this information carefully and keep your handbook in a safe place to refer to as you need, don’t forget that our friendly office staff are always here to help and will happily answer any queries you may have. Nothing is too big or too small, we promise! ☺ 

QUICK REFERENCE STUDIO INFORMATION 

 

Address:302 Lafayette St Youngsville, La 70592

Studio Owner/Principal: Thea Francesconi 

Phone Number:337-298-3141

Email: theasdanceacademy@gmail.com 

Website: www.theasdanceacademy.com

 

2 - Studio Manifesto 

To start us off, it’s important to us at Thea’s Dance Academy that all members of our team share our vision, our purpose, and the philosophy that encompasses everything we do both in and outside of our classes. This is a vision that is shared and demonstrated by the directors, teachers, and staff members at our studio and it is the driving force behind every interaction with our students and their families. 

 

Thea’s Dance Academy uses the Art of Movement to provide elite training in dance, acrobats, and fitness while striving to maintain a positive environment that promotes innovation and creativity. Through our unique curriculum, we are able to challenge each dancer to grow exponentially by honing their strengths and improving their weaknesses. This is a studio where creativity, individuality, and self-expression are encouraged and is a community of teachers, students, and families who are passionate about performing arts. We strive to nurture and develop talent, celebrate the achievements of all students, and inspire a love and appreciation of all styles of dance and the arts. We are committed to providing a safe and positive environment in which all students can feel empowered, comfortable, and free to express themselves. 


 

3 - Registration 

  •  Our annual registration opens first to our existing students in April, then to new families beginning in May. Our registration fee is $85 per family and must be paid in full prior to the commencement of classes in August.

  •  We encourage all of our students and families to try a variety of dance styles and we are more than happy to accommodate trial classes for existing students who are wanting to try something a bit different. Please contact us if you would like to try a new class and we will happily schedule a quick meeting and fit you in for a trial (provided the class has not reached capacity). 

  • Don’t forget - if you refer a friend or family member to enroll before August 1st, you’ll receive $10 off your registration fee, so don’t miss this chance to bring your friends. 

 

4 - Communication 

  • By now you have probably noticed that we are BIG on communication here at Thea’s Dance Academy. It is our promise to respond to all inquiries received M-F within 24-hours and we will never leave a query unanswered. Our friendly office staff can be contacted via email at [email protected] (primary)  between 10:00 am-3:00 pm M-F, or on mobile/cell number 337-298-3141(call or text) between 10:00 am-3:00 pm M-F. 

  • Don’t forget to add our email address [email protected] to your contacts so we don’t end up in the dreaded spam folder! We are also proud to provide you information round-the-clock via our very own Dance Studio Portal. You can visit this portal anytime at gomotionapp.com/latda . You can view your bill, classes, and other information via this portal. Don't forget to download the Gomotion app on your phone so that you can easily access it at any time.

  •  In the infrequent case of urgent information (for example, unexpected class cancellations or performance changes), we will send an SMS and/or telephone call to all families. So, for this reason, please make sure the mobile phone number you have provided to the studio is correct and up-to-date and that it is in the SMS section of your account info.

  •  Facebook is a great way for us to keep in touch with a large number of people at once, so we encourage all families to join our closed Facebook group. This group can be found on Facebook by searching “Thea’s Dance Academy Students” and will be monitored to ensure all content is appropriate and relevant. 


 

5 - Important Dates 

We understand wholeheartedly how busy the lives and schedules of our dance families can get as the year rolls on, so we have tried to get all of our important dates organized and ready for you so you can plan other commitments. Below we have listed some of our most important “Save the Dates” with more information (including times, costumes, requirements, etc.) to be communicated via email as we get closer to the events. If you know ahead of time that your family will be unable to attend these events due to planned holidays or existing commitments, please let reception know at your earliest convenience as some of these are mandatory. 

 

Date Event, Description, & Who it involves 

 

  • July 17, 2022 - theCompany auditions

 

Students aged 5+ 

Contact our office for more information.

 

  • August 15, 2022 - Fall Class Start date!                                                                                 

 

Our first full week of dance! Our yearly classes will start this week.

 

  • November 28-December 2nd, 2022 - Costume Fitting Week.

Make sure your child attends class this week to be measured for their recital costumes. All students performing in the recital will be measured.

  • March 1, 2023 - $60 Program fee due

 

Can be waived with ad sales. Details will be sent in January

*Students who are only enrolled in acro or breakdancing will not have a class picture and therefore will not be charged a program fee*

 

  • March- Costume Pick up TBA

 

All recital costumes will need to be picked up at the studio during this time. 

All students performing in the recital must attend

 

  • March Costume Picture Day(schedule TBA)


 

  • April 1, 2023 - Registration for 2023-2024 Dance Year Opens

 

  • May 1, 2023 - $40 Recital Recording fee due. All students performing in the Recital will incur this fee.

 

  • May - Dress Rehearsal (typically the day before the recital)

 

Location and Times TBD

 

  • May 13, 2023 - Dance Recital 

 

Location and Times TBD

 

  • June - Summer Development camp 

 

Dates TBD

Ages 3-5 - one hour class 1 day per week, 3 sessions offered 

Ages 6+ - 2-hour classes 2 days per week, 3 sessions offered

 

  • June - Summer Half Day Camp 

 

Dates TBD

Ages 3-5 - Join us for our fun themed day camps for younger dancers

M-F from 9am-12pm or MWF from 9am-12pm

 

  • July - Summer Development camp 

 

Dates TBD

Ages 3-5 - one hour class 1 day per week, 3 sessions offered 

Ages 6+ - 2-hour classes 2 days per week, 3 sessions offered

 

  • July - Summer Half Day Camp 

 

Dates TBD

Ages 3-5 - Join us for our fun themed day camps for younger dancers

M-F from 9am-12pm or MWF from 9am-12pm


 

2021-22 Holidays(there will be no class on the following dates) 

Labor Day -September 5, 2022

Halloween-October 31, 2022

Thanksgiving-November 21-25, 2022

Christmas and New Year-December 19,2022 - January 1, 2023

Mardi Gras- February 20 - 24, 2023

Easter-April 10-14, 2023

*Studio is open for Martin Luther King Day 

6 - Code of Conduct 

  •  Families who do not comply with their tuition fee or costume payment obligations will be charged a late fee, and/or excluded from performances. External debt collection may occur when fees remain overdue and this will be at the expense of the client. Costume expenses are the responsibility of the parent, and costumes will not be issued to students with unpaid class fees. 

  •  No classes (including private lessons) or teachers are to be disturbed unless it is an emergency. Parents are not to approach teachers or students during class and if messages or food/drink/medication needs to be passed on to a student, it must be done through a TDA staff member. All parents must wait in the waiting areas or outside of the studios until classes have been dismissed. 

  •  We are unable to take responsibility for our students before or after their scheduled classes and it is the responsibility of the parent to ensure their child is picked up and dropped off on time. In the case of an emergency or unavoidable delay, please contact the studio immediately to inform us of the situation so we can keep your child calm and safe until they can be collected. Parents who are repeatedly late to receive children after class may be charged a $10 inconvenience fee. 

  •  Any questions or complaints must go through reception – parents and students are not permitted to contact TDA teachers via phone, in person, or via email / social networking with studio issues unless it has been broached with the principal first. Personal meetings with the studio principal can happily be arranged via reception. 

  • In the rare case of a parent or student showing disrespect or defamation to any parent, staff member or student, a meeting will be called immediately and dismissal may be considered at the discretion of the principal. Physical, mental, emotional, or cyberbullying by parents, staff or students will not be tolerated and may result in dismissal from the studio. 

  • Thea’s Dance Academy takes no responsibility for any stolen or misplaced property on the studio premises and we encourage our families to avoid bringing valuable items into the studio where possible. 

  • Thea’s Dance Academy’s management reserves the right to change teachers or timetabling when necessary at any time throughout the year. 




 

7 - Safety 

  •  With the safety of our families a number one priority, Thea’s Dance Academy is very serious about upholding Child Protection laws and policies within the studio as well as at public performances and in the online arena (website and social media). 

  •  As part of your registration, you will have read and signed a media waiver allowing us to proudly use images and video footage of your student for advertising and promotional purposes. Should you have any concerns whatsoever with signing this declaration, please see our reception staff who will happily assist you. 

  • We have a window for each room within the studio rehearsal space which can be checked by parents and family members from the comfort of our waiting area. The curtains will be opened the first week of class each month to avoid distractions for students. 

  •  The directors and staff at Thea’s Dance Academy are educated in the negative impact of inappropriate music and costume selection when it comes to performing dance routines and are wholeheartedly committed to ensuring children in all of our dance routines are not subjected to any inappropriate songs or costuming. We recognize that songs with sexist, explicit, violent, racist, homophobic or criminal content may influence our dancers and/or audience and will strive to avoid using such music. We are committed to restricting costumes that project sexuality, contain explicit graphic or textual content. 

  •  Thea’s Dance Academy takes no responsibility for any stolen or misplaced property on the studio premises and we encourage our families to avoid bringing valuable items into the studio where possible. A lost and found is located in the waiting area for items that we have found, and all items left over a month will be given away or thrown. 

  •  You will find within our enrollment paperwork a public liability/insurance statement. Please read this document carefully and sign it prior to the commencement of classes so you fully understand the rights and responsibilities of your family and our studio. 


 

8 - Privacy 

  • When you purchase or hire a product or service with Thea’s Dance Academy, the information we may collect from you includes your name, address, telephone numbers, email addresses, medical information, and perhaps a credit card or bank details. It may also include details of the products and services we provide to you as well as the status of your enrollment. We only collect information directly from our students or their parents/guardians primarily for the purpose of providing services and products to you and to administer and manage invoicing and debt collection. 

  •  We will never sell or pass on any of your information to third parties unless required by government authorities or in the event of debt recovery. Any information passed on will be done so with appropriate privacy and confidentiality protection. 

  •  Information is stored securely in paper or electronic form and is accessible only by authorized personnel.

 

9 - Uniform 

At Thea’s Dance Academy, we believe that wearing studio uniforms give students a sense of belonging to our family as well as creating an identity for our studio in the greater community. Students will be asked to sit for the duration of class if they are not dressed appropriately.

 

Uniforms can be purchased year-round from our online dance store www.shopnimbly.com/theasdanceacademy

 

Please ensure all parts of your child’s uniform are clearly labeled - individual shoes, socks, underpants...you’ll be amazed at the amount of lost property we generate! 

 

Further style-specific uniform requirements are as follows: 

 

All classes- Must have hair pulled back and out of face. Please have your child pack extra hair ties in their bag just in case. 

Ballet/Contemporary- Students will need to wear either a leotard with dance shorts/skirts or a form-fitted 2-piece dance outfit. For the Ballet portion of the class, dancers will need pink ballet shoes and for the Contemporary portion of the class, students can wear half-shoes or keep on their ballets. If you decide to wait and purchase the half shoes just keep in mind, that they will need half-shoes for the recital and picture day. NO T-SHIRTS or baggy clothing allowed. 

 

**Examples:


 

Jazz and Tap- Students require tan jazz and tap shoes. For their uniform, students may wear any combination of fitted dance shirts, crop tops, shorts, or pants that are dance-specific and do not interfere with the teacher's ability to see students' form. NO T-SHIRTS or baggy clothing allowed. 

**Examples

         

Hip Hop- Students require sneakers along with any combination of dance attire or athletic wear. If your dancer is in a Ballet/tap class directly before or after they can remain in the same clothes and just change their shoes.

**Examples

             

 

Acrobatics/Technique- Students do not need footwear for this class. They must wear tight-fitting dancewear with their hair tied back so that they cannot get it caught or tangled in any way when they are doing their tricks. Preferably in a bun. No Loose clothing is allowed for safety purposes.

 

Initial here:______ 


 

10 - Fee Structure and Policies 

Our monthly tuition includes your student's Costume fees and main Recital fees. Also included in these costs are 2 complimentary recital tickets per family. Not included in the tuition are yearly registration fees, the $60 program fee (which isn’t due until March 1st and can be waived with ad sales), and the $40 Recital Recording fee that is due May 1st as well as any additional tickets or items you may wish to purchase.

 Feel free to contact our office staff if you have any questions about any fee-related queries. 

 

We offer the following options for fee payment: 

Direct Debit – All students are required to enroll in our auto-pay system. Tuition is due on the 1st of each month and you will receive your monthly invoice prior to the commencement of each month. If payment is not received by this due date, we will draft the amount due through auto-pay on the following business day. All Auto-pay and/or Credit Card payments will incur a 3.95 % processing fee. If you wish to use direct debit each month, then you can ignore the statements sent out each month as these are just reminders. Your payment will be automatically drafted.  If auto-pay fails to go through, you will incur a $10 auto-pay failure fee and then you will have until the 7th of the month to pay these fees in full before receiving an additional late fee of $10.

 

Upfront Payment – For those who do not wish to pay via the account linked with their direct debit, Simply turn in payment by the due date each month and your account will not be charged. Payment options include cash, check, Venmo, credit card, or online pay through the parent portal. 

  •  Overdue fees will accrue a late fee of $10 per week that it is past due and if fees remain unpaid in week 4 of classes students will not be permitted to participate in their lessons. 

  •  Students who enroll in these classes are committing to the FULL TERM and will perform in our Yearly Dance Recital in May. Date TBA. If you choose to .withdraw from classes after October 31st for any reason, you will still be responsible for the entire amount of invoices remaining through May– 

  •  Refunds will not be issued for missed classes, due to cancellation or public holiday or if classes are dropped. 


 

11 - Attendance 

  • Your child’s attendance in class is very important to their peers and our teaching staff. As a member of the team, it is a commitment for you to ensure your child attends their classes on time each week and attends all lessons planned for them. Not only do absences impact the recital routines we create, but it also impacts the social and confidence-building principals we work hard to foster in each age group. Each student is allowed 3 unexcused absences for the year, at this point they may be given the option to schedule private lessons in order to remain in recital. If this option is not accepted by both parties the student will be subject to dismissal from our yearly performance. 

  •  If you know ahead of time that your child will be absent due to holidays/ vacations, commitments, or school trips, please let us know ahead of time so the class impact is minimal. If your child is too unwell to attend class, we ask that you inform our admin team as soon as you can so they can let the teachers know and preparations can be made to catch up on any missed work. 

  • Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate make-up sessions for students who miss classes but will make every endeavor to schedule a catch-up class in the unlikely event that TDA needs to cancel a lesson. 


 

12 - Social Media 

  • Thea’s Dance Academy’s Social Media Policy refers to all social networking sites, video/ photo sharing sites, blogs, micro-blogs, wikis, podcasts, forums, instant messaging, and geo-spatial tagging (for example, Facebook check-ins). Please see below for our regulations regarding Social Media and feel free to contact our office staff if you have any questions. 

  • We discourage parents/students and teachers from becoming ‘friends’ or ‘followers’ on Social Media unless there is an existing relationship. We consider all studio members to be family and as such feel the obligation to respect and monitor personal boundaries. 

  • Any comments or posts perceived to be obscene, defamatory, threatening, harassing, discriminatory or hateful towards TDA staff, students, or families may subject the owner to disciplinary or legal action. 

  • While affiliated with our studio, (for example, images of your child in TDA uniform) we will not tolerate any posts that are racially, sexually, physically, or religiously offensive. 

  • All matters pertaining directly to the studio - whether it be fees, scheduling, placements, or performance opportunities - may not be communicated via Social Media. We have an open-door policy and encourage all communication, complaints, and feedback to be communicated to the principal directly. 

  • Families found to be engaging in ‘hidden’ or ‘private’ groups formed for the specific purpose of discussing studio matters will be encouraged to join our closed Facebook group for public discussion and warned against discussing Studio matters in their private online groups. 

  • Photos or Videos taken from performances or rehearsals may NOT be posted online. 

  • Identifying information of any featured minors - including names, ages or location must be removed when posting on Social Media. 







 

13- Agreement 

 

(Please sign and return to the office or through the parent portal before August 16th, if you checked off waivers on gomotion than you do not need to turn in this form as you have already agreed via web) 

I _________________________ (print name) hereby acknowledge that I have received and read the entirety of Thea’s Dance Academy, LLC Parent/Student Handbook and agree to abide by all rules, policies, and the like listed therein. 


 

Signature of guardian______________________________ Date:______________________