UPLIFTING MOVEMENT FACTORY
Studio Policies, Waivers & Participation Guidelines
2026–2027 Dance Season
Please carefully review each policy below. A parent or legal guardian must initial next to each policy where indicated. By signing this document, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to abide by Uplifting Movement Factory's policies.
________ Activity Participation, Assumption of Risk & Liability Release I understand that participation in dance, acrobatics, gymnastics, fitness, and other movement-based activities involves inherent risks, including but not limited to falls, collisions, strains, sprains, and other injuries. I voluntarily assume the risks associated with my child's participation in activities at Uplifting Movement Factory (UMF). To the fullest extent permitted by law, I release and hold harmless Uplifting Movement Factory, its owner, instructors, employees, and representatives from claims arising from the ordinary risks associated with participation in UMF activities. In the event of an injury or medical emergency and I cannot be reached, I authorize UMF staff to contact emergency medical services and authorize emergency personnel to provide treatment deemed reasonably necessary. I understand that I am financially responsible for any medical treatment or emergency transportation provided to my child.
________ Medical Insurance Uplifting Movement Factory does not provide medical or accident insurance for students. Parents/guardians are responsible for maintaining appropriate medical insurance coverage for their child and for all expenses associated with injury, illness, emergency transportation, or medical treatment.
________ Physical Nature of Dance Instruction I understand that dance and movement instruction may require an instructor to use appropriate physical contact, including spotting, positioning, and light touch, to assist with alignment, technique, safety, or injury prevention. Students may also have appropriate physical contact with other students during partner work, formations, lifts, spotting, choreography, or other classroom activities.
________ Tuition Terms Tuition is based on the seasonal rate for each enrolled class and is determined by class length. Tuition is divided into monthly payments for the September–May dance season. Monthly tuition reserves your child's placement in the class and is not based on the number of classes attended during a particular month. Monthly tuition may therefore remain the same regardless of holidays, scheduled studio closures, absences, or the number of class meetings occurring during that month. No refunds or credits will be issued for student absences or missed classes.
________ Payment Methods & Returned Payments Tuition and other account balances may be paid by:
Cash or check at the studio — no convenience fee
Online card or bank payment — $10 convenience fee per transaction
Checks should be made payable to Uplifting Movement Factory and include the student's full name in the memo. A $50 returned-check fee will be assessed for each returned check. A $30 returned-payment fee will be assessed for unsuccessful or returned card/bank transactions. Families are responsible for ensuring that all contact and payment information on their Studio Pro account remains current.
________ Tuition Due Dates & Late Payments Tuition is due on the 1st of each month. A $25 late fee will be added to any unpaid account balance five (5) days after the due date. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure payment is received on time. Not receiving an invoice, statement, email, or payment reminder does not waive the payment deadline or applicable late fee. Students with past-due accounts may be temporarily unable to participate in classes, private lessons, performances, competitions, or other UMF activities until the account is brought current or payment arrangements have been approved directly by Samantha. Continued nonpayment may result in removal from classes and loss of the student's class placement.
________ Class Withdrawal & Refund Policy Enrollment reserves a limited space in a class. If you wish to withdraw your child from a class, you must notify Samantha directly. Telling an instructor, another staff member, or simply discontinuing attendance does not constitute withdrawal. Tuition and fees already paid are nonrefundable and will not be prorated based on attendance. Failure to attend class does not automatically withdraw a student or stop charges to the account. Any outstanding tuition, costume fees, competition fees, merchandise charges, private lesson fees, or other previously committed expenses remain the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
________ Attendance & Tardiness Consistent attendance is important to student progress and the success of the entire class. Repeated absences and tardiness affect choreography, formations, instruction, and the progress of other students. Students should arrive on time, dressed appropriately, with hair secured and all required shoes and materials. Students who arrive excessively late may be asked to observe rather than participate if entering the class would be unsafe or significantly disruptive.
________ Dress Code Each UMF class has an established dress code. Families are responsible for reviewing and following the dress code requirements for every class in which their child is enrolled. Students must arrive in appropriate dancewear, shoes, and hairstyle for their class. Students who repeatedly arrive without the required attire, footwear, or properly secured hair may be asked to observe class rather than participate.
________ Drop-Off, Pick-Up & Student Supervision Students should arrive no more than five (5) minutes before their scheduled class time unless they are attending another UMF class immediately beforehand. Children under age 7 may not be left unattended in the lobby or parking lot. UMF instructors and staff are responsible for students during their scheduled class time and are not responsible for supervising children who are dropped off early or picked up late. Parents/guardians are responsible for arranging prompt and safe transportation for their children. Repeated late pick-ups may result in additional fees and/or require a meeting with Samantha before the student may continue attending classes.
________ Studio Opening & Closing The studio will generally open approximately five (5) minutes before the first scheduled class of the day. Parents/guardians may not leave a child outside an unopened studio or drive away before confirming that the child has safely entered the building. At pick-up, parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring their child safely leaves the studio and enters their vehicle or the care of an authorized adult.
________ Inclement Weather, Holidays & Studio Closures UMF does not automatically follow local school district closures, delays, holidays, or cancellations. UMF will independently determine whether classes will be held based on weather conditions, road conditions, instructor availability, and the safety of our families and staff. Studio cancellations will be communicated through UMF's designated communication channels. Scheduled holidays and studio closures are incorporated into the seasonal tuition structure and will not result in prorated tuition, credits, or refunds. Families who observe a religious or cultural holiday that conflicts with a scheduled class are welcome to contact Samantha regarding possible make-up options when appropriate and available.
________ Make-Up Classes & Cancellations Student absences do not guarantee a make-up class. If your child misses class, you may contact UMF to determine whether an appropriate make-up opportunity is available. Make-up classes are subject to class level, age, enrollment, instructor approval, and available space. If UMF must cancel classes because of severe weather, instructor illness, emergencies, or other circumstances outside the studio's reasonable control, a make-up class may be offered when feasible. A Saturday may be designated as a make-up day when multiple cancellations occur. Canceled or missed classes are not eligible for individual refunds or tuition credits.
________ Parent/Guardian & Lobby Conduct UMF is committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment for students, families, instructors, and guests. Parents, guardians, students, and guests are expected to communicate respectfully with UMF staff and other families. Yelling, threatening behavior, harassment, intimidation, bullying, profanity directed at another person, aggressive confrontation, or repeated disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated on UMF property, through electronic communication, on social media in connection with UMF, or at UMF-sponsored events. Concerns regarding a student, instructor, class, or studio decision should be addressed privately with Samantha rather than discussed in front of students or other families. Serious or repeated violations may result in removal from the studio or dismissal from the program. When dismissal results from a violation of studio policies, previously paid tuition and fees are nonrefundable.
________ Parent Observation & Classroom Access To provide students with a focused and productive learning environment, parents/guardians should not enter or remain in classrooms during instruction unless the class specifically requires parent participation or an instructor has invited them to observe. Parents/guardians should not interrupt instructors while they are teaching. Questions or concerns regarding a student, class, instructor, or studio matter should be directed to Samantha outside of instructional time. UMF may designate specific observation opportunities throughout the season when appropriate.
________ Student Behavior & Classroom Expectations Students are expected to treat instructors, staff members, classmates, studio property, and one another with respect. Behavior that is unsafe, intentionally disruptive, threatening, destructive, or repeatedly disrespectful may result in the student being asked to sit out of an activity or class. Repeated or serious behavioral concerns may require a parent meeting and may result in dismissal from the program when necessary to protect the safety and learning environment of other students.
________ Illness & Health Policy To help protect our students, families, and staff, students should not attend class when they are ill or experiencing symptoms that could reasonably expose others to illness. Students should remain home if they have a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or other symptoms that significantly interfere with their ability to safely participate in class. Students should be fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication before returning to the studio. If a student becomes ill during class, a parent/guardian may be contacted and asked to pick up the student promptly. Parents/guardians should notify Samantha of any temporary injury, physical restriction, or other information UMF needs to know in order for the student to participate safely. Missed classes due to illness are subject to UMF's regular make-up policy and do not qualify for tuition refunds or credits.
________ Recital, Costumes & Performance Commitment Enrollment in a recital-participating class includes a commitment to the end-of-season recital and the preparation leading up to that performance unless otherwise stated in the class description. Families are responsible for all applicable recital and costume expenses associated with each recital class in which their child is enrolled. Costume fees become nonrefundable once UMF has ordered or committed to purchasing the costume on the student's behalf. If a student withdraws after costumes have been ordered, the parent/guardian remains responsible for the full costume balance regardless of whether the student participates in the recital. Students are expected to attend required rehearsals, including dress rehearsal and recital-related practices communicated by UMF. Because choreography and formations depend on the entire class, families should notify Samantha as soon as possible if an unavoidable conflict arises. Participation in the recital may be affected by excessive absences, unresolved account balances, failure to obtain required costume/dress-code items, or failure to attend mandatory rehearsals. Specific recital dates, deadlines, costume information, and performance expectations will be communicated separately throughout the season.
Photo, Video & Media Permission UMF frequently photographs and records classes, rehearsals, performances, studio activities, and special events to celebrate our students and promote Uplifting Movement Factory. Photos and/or video may be used on UMF's website, social media accounts, printed promotional materials, advertisements, studio displays, newsletters, and other UMF marketing or communication materials.
Please initial ONE option below:
________ YES, I GIVE PERMISSION for Uplifting Movement Factory to photograph and/or record my child and use those images or recordings for UMF promotional, educational, and communication purposes.
________ NO, I DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION for my child to be individually photographed or recorded for promotional use.
I understand that UMF will make reasonable efforts to honor a family's media preference. However, students participating in public performances, recitals, community events, group activities, or other public settings may incidentally appear in photographs or recordings taken by audience members, other families, event organizers, news/media organizations, or other third parties outside UMF's control. UMF will not sell an individual student's photograph or video to an outside party for that party's independent commercial use without additional permission.
________ Privacy Uplifting Movement Factory respects the privacy of its families. UMF will not sell personal information provided through registration or studio records. Information may be used as reasonably necessary for studio administration, registration, billing, communication, safety, and operation of UMF programs.
________ Studio Communication Parents/guardians are responsible for maintaining a current email address and phone number on their Studio Pro account and for reviewing studio communications throughout the season. Important information regarding schedules, performances, costumes, closures, payments, deadlines, and other studio matters may be distributed electronically. Families are responsible for reviewing information provided by UMF and meeting communicated deadlines.
________ Studio Handbook, Orientation & Policies I acknowledge that UMF provides additional information regarding studio procedures, expectations, communication, dress code, class placement, performances, etiquette, discipline, and other guidelines through its handbook, orientation materials, and studio communications. I understand that I am responsible for reviewing these materials and contacting Samantha if I have questions regarding a studio policy or expectation.
Parent/Guardian Acknowledgment By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the policies, waivers, and participation guidelines above. I agree to follow UMF policies and understand that enrollment at Uplifting Movement Factory is conditioned upon compliance with these expectations.
