STUDENT INFORMATION

2007 - 2008

DANCE FREDERICTON INC.

Leslee Dell  Artistic/Administrative Director

Dance Year  September 2007 – June 2008

Classes Begin                                                     Tues.Sept. 18/07

Exam Classes Begin                                            Mon. Sept. 24/07

Last Creative Movement Class                           Sat. Nov. 24/07                  

Last Class Before Christmas Break                    Thurs. Dec. 20/07

Winter Session Begins                                        Tues. Jan. 08/08

Last Day of regular classes                                  Sat. May 24/08

The Playhouse: Year-end Performance               Sat. May 31st & Sun. June 01/08

No Classes

Thanksgiving                                                         Mon. Oct. 08/07

RWB Auditions & Master Class                          Mon. Oct. 22/07

NBS Auditions & Master Class                            Mon. Nov. 5/07

Christmas  Break                                                   Fri. Dec. 21/07 to Mon. Jan 07/08

March Break                                                         Sat. March 01 to Sun. March 09/08

Good Friday                                                         Fri. Mar. 21/08

Easter Monday                                                      Mon. Mar. 24/08  

Victoria Day                                                         Mon. May 19/08

Storm Policy

Classes are not automatically cancelled with school closure. Please call Dance Fredericton (457-2538) or listen to the local radio station for updates on cancellations due to the weather.

June Year-end Performance

Students wishing to participate in the year-end performance must attend performance related classes and rehearsals. Missing more than two classes/rehearsals after March Break may result in a student’s dismissal from the performance. All Studio and Theatre Dress Rehearsals are mandatory.

Information for Parents

Please refer to the Dance Fredericton uniform guidelines for specific class requirements. Students must be in proper uniform (this includes hair) to participate in class. All That Jazz at 111 King Street (454-6318) carries all Dance Fredericton uniforms.

Please ensure that your child arrives on time for classes and rehearsals.  Students who arrive late for class and miss warm-up are more susceptible to injury.

Please pick up your child promptly at the end of class.  Dance Fredericton teachers are not responsible for the supervision of students outside of class time.

Please call if your child will be late or is unable to attend class or rehearsal.

Dance is physically demanding. If your child will be at the studio for long periods or comes straight from school, please provide a nutritious snack.  Please note that gum, food and beverages are not permitted in the studios. Students must consume snacks in the areas provided (change room and waiting area) and must clean up after themselves.  Garbage receptacles are provided in these areas.

Please remove all street shoes BEFORE entering the office area.

If your child has an injury please inform the teacher prior to class. If your child is unable to participate in the class because of injury or sickness, he or she is welcome to observe.

Students registered in two level four classes may be eligible for Dance Fredericton’s Performance Ensemble. Selection is based on ability and age and is at the discretion of the Artistic/Administrative Director.

In order to participate in pointe classes students must expect to meet the necessary strength and technical requirements.  This assessment will be made by the pointe class teacher.

Dance training requires “hands-on” correcting.  Teachers may use their hands to help place your child in the proper positions, including touching abdominals and turnout muscles.  If your child is uncomfortable with this, please discuss the issue confidentially with your child’s teacher.

Dance classes have their own set of rules and manners. They are meant to preserve the long history of discipline in dance and show respect to the dance professionals who lead the classes. Our goal is to create an environment where students feel both nurtured and challenged. At the same time, our instructors maintain appropriate order, safety and discipline. To ensure a safe, positive and educational environment, Dance Fredericton reserves the right to refuse admittance to any person who jeopardizes our ability to provide such an atmosphere.  Disrespectful or disruptive behaviour or language in class is not appropriate and will not be tolerated.  You will be contacted by your child’s teacher if any problems arise.

Dance Fredericton strives to maintain a positive learning environment for your children.  Please be courteous in your dealings with our accompanists, teachers,  reception personnel and board members.  Parents displaying disrespectul or inflammatory behaviour or conduct will be asked to leave the school.  Disrespectful or inflammatory behaviour or conduct on the part of a parent may result in the removal of the parent's child/children from Dance Fredericton classes.

Progress reports are issued in May to all Dance Fredericton students who are in year-long programs. Advancement to the next level is not automatic. Each student is assessed on his or her technical ability and is placed according to the teacher’s recommendation.  If you wish to discuss your child’s evaluation you are welcome to contact the Artistic/Administrative Director.

We welcome your questions concerning the progress of your children.  We do however ask that teachers not be requested to take time out of their teaching schedule to meet with you.  You are invited to leave a message for your child’s teacher with reception or on the Dance Fredericton information line: 457-2538.  Teachers will respond to your questions and concerns as soon as possible.  

Parents and students will be informed in the second term of plans for the year-end performance. We can always use help in preparing costumes, props and coordinating events. Volunteers are very important and contribute enormously to the success of our annual year end performance. Volunteer sign up sheets for the year end performance are posted each spring and all parents are encouraged to get involved.

Dance Fredericton reserves the right to make instructor changes and substitutions as necessary and to cancel classes due to insufficient registration.

Student Code of Conduct

The school respectfully requests the following:

1.      Students display a courteous manner at all times and comply with the rules of the school.

2.      Students conduct themselves in a manner that does not interfere with other people’s use and enjoyment of the facilities.

3.      Students arrive early for class and rehearsal.

4.      Students do not wear jewelry or nail polish.

5.      Students arrive fully groomed – hair must be up for all classes and rehearsals.

6.      Students arrive with proper school uniform – no substitutions.

7.      Students are not to hang on barres or walls.

8.      Students telephone reception if they will be absent.

9.      Students who display disruptive classroom conduct, chronic tardiness and inappropriate appearance may be dismissed from class

10.  Students will not bring electronic devices into the studios.

11.  A student may be disciplined for failing to comply with the Code of Conduct.

Teacher Code of Conduct

Dance Fredericton teachers have the requisite experience and qualifications appropriate to the levels and techniques being taught.  All our teachers undertake to:

1.      Work in an open and cooperative environment with all students and their families. 

2.      Recognize and respect the uniqueness, dignity and potential of each individual student.

3.      Act in such a manner as to promote and safeguard the interests and well-being of all students.

4.      Apply appropriate teaching aims and assessment procedures to students and ensure that students and families receive or have access to advice when necessary.

5.      Use flexible teaching skills to create a productive learning environment.

      Financial Assistance

All financial assistance is based on need.  Families must provide financial information in order to be considered for bursary assistance.  Bursary application forms are available at the reception desk and on the Dance Fredericton website www.dancefredericton.com.

Withdrawal and Refund Policy

A registered student who wishes to withdraw from his/her class(es) and receive a refund must complete the following procedure (or the parent/guardian on behalf of the student):

1.       Notification of withdrawal must be in writing, advising Dance Fredericton Inc. of the student’s name, classes and reason for withdrawal. A withdrawal form may be obtained from reception. The official date of withdrawal is the date of receipt of written notice during the first four weeks of classes. Following the first four weeks of classes, four weeks notice of withdrawal is required, so the official date of withdrawal shall be four weeks from the date of receipt of written notice.

2.   The Artistic/Administrative Director will advise the Treasurer who will issue recompense for each class in which the student is registered in accordance with the following refund policy:

i)                    A full refund will be issued, less the fee for each class that has passed from the start of the year until the official date of withdrawal.

ii)                  The yearly membership fee is not refundable

iii)                No refund will be issued after March Break.

iv)                No refund will be issued in the event of a disciplinary action.