Handbook
Aug 15, 2025 02:18 PM
Allstar Dance Academy Handbook
Dance Class: Please be ready for class on time. It would be ideal if your child was at the studio 5-10 minutes before class time to go to the bathroom, get dressed and put on proper class attire so that we may start class on time and have no interruptions. While entering the building, please be quiet and respectful of the other classes that may be going on. Children are not permitted to run around the entry area and dressing rooms. It is disturbing to the other parents as well as distracting for the teachers and students. Please do not allow your children to walk on chairs or benches or play in the bathroom or dressing room. We ask that your children have respect for other people’s property and to behave here as you would like them to in your own home.
Dance Class Placement: The teacher reserves the right to place the student in the appropriate class based on age, skill level, and ability to learn. This is based solely on the teacher’s opinion and discretion and is not up for discussion.
Dance Attire: Dancers work harder and stay more focused when properly dressed for class. We know and appreciate the fact that dancewear is an investment.Your child must wear dance attire to class. Hair should be pulled back out of the face in a ponytail, french braid or bun. No jewelry should be worn at dance class. Students should wear proper shoes for dance. No bare feet unless instructed.
Code of Conduct: All dancers are expected to be on their best behavior at all times in dance classes, in the Allstar Dance Academy building, and at any additional event that we attend with ADA. Dancers demonstrating disrespectful behavior, vandalism, back talk, bullying, or any other inappropriate behavior, may be removed from the ADA. NO refunds will be given for remaining classes if a student is removed due to behavioral issues. Parents and guests of the student are also expected to act in a respectful and appropriate manner when at the studio, competitions, recitals and other events.
Classroom Behavior: Students are expected to be respectful and attentive in class to teachers and their fellow classmates. Students must ask permission before leaving the dance floor for the restroom or any other reason. No hanging on barres or putting hands on mirrors is permitted. Polite behavior and good manners should be displayed throughout the class and lobby. Foul language or actions are not permitted.
Students should not gossip or make their own groups and should work in unison as a class toward a common goal. Good attitude, good grooming, good attendance, and practice at home are expected from each student. We are a private studio and reserve the right to dismiss any student who disregards studio policy, shows inappropriate behavior, or upsets the harmony of the school.
We have a wonderful Parent’s Room that is open to parents during class time. Parent’s will not be allowed to watch from the lobby area as it is distracting to the students and teacher. Parents are not required to stay during class and have the option to drop the student off and come back. Please be sure to keep all coming and going as quick and quiet as possible.
Tuition: Tuition is due on the first class of every month and is considered late after the 10th of the month. All fees must be paid in full in order to perform in the recital. Private lessons are available. Tuition for private lessons is to be paid at the end of each lesson. If you need to cancel your private lesson, it must be done within 24 hours of the lesson or you must pay for the lesson. If you are interested, please ask Ms. Sarah.
Payments may be made by check or cash or auto payment. The fee is the same for all months. There is no reduction for “short months†or an increase for months with 5 lessons.
IF PAYING BY CHECK, PLEASE WRITE IN THE MEMO: Child’s name, class day and time, or for shoes, costumes, ect. If cash, please place it in an envelope with your child’s name and class information on front.
A late charge of $20.00 will be charged to accounts unpaid by the 10th of the month. There will be a $20.00 return check charge. You will receive a “courtesy call†if your payment is late.
Unpaid Accounts: Any dancer more than 2 months late in payments will not be allowed to dance. If you have a financial problem, talk to me, and we may be able to make special arrangements.
Recitals: There will be a Winter Recital. Location and Date are announced as soon as it is known.
In May we will have our Annual Spring Recital. Location and Date are announced as soon as it is known. Your child will perform the dances/routines that he\she has worked on all year long.
Students MUST be at all classes the month before the recital with no exceptions. Failure to attend these classes will result in your child not being able to participate in the Recital.
Recital Costumes: In order to accommodate all families and deal with the rising prices, recital costumes will consist of black shorts and a custom recital shirt. The cost is usually around $10. Dancers will need to provide their own black shorts.
Snow Days: We will close due to bad weather. When Warsaw Schools close early due to bad weather we will cancel classes. If Warsaw Schools are closed for bad weather, dance classes will be canceled. Snow days are built into our calendar by not charging extra for the 5 week months.
Withdrawal from Classes: You must give me written or verbal notice of your dancer’s withdrawal from classes. Not showing up anymore does not count. If you do not notify me of your withdrawal you will continue to be billed for classes until you do so.
Absence from Class: Regular attendance is necessary to maintain steady progress in the class. Poor attendance will result in poor training. Absences and tardiness can have a negative effect on the entire class. Please make sure to be on time; it is disrupting class when a student comes in after the lesson is in progress or needs to leave early.
If you are frequently late or absent, you will be dismissed from the class. Please make this a consideration when the time comes to join another activity. Your absence does not reduce our cost of doing business; there are no adjustments for missed lessons.
Making up missed lessons: Students who miss classes may attend any other class, although it is better to attend a class only one level higher or lower than your own. The student has one month to attend another class free of charge. I ask that if you are going to miss class that you notify me ahead of time.
Dance Competition: Allstar Dance Academy has an option for those dancers who are interested in participating more. Each year, we will take dances to competitions in order to participate in fun, fair and friendly dance competitions with other dance studios in the area. This is completely optional. Those dancers who are interested will be required to audition for Ms. Sarah each year for their spot in a dance or dances. The dancers who would like to be involved must attend all classes and also be prepared to work hard and practice outside of dance class. Dance competition dates are announced as soon as they are known. Participation in dance competition will require extra costumes, the extra Competition Company Class, as competition entry fees. Practice schedules will be made once dances are cast.
Newsletters and E-Newsletters: I send home Monthly Newsletters with your students. Please take time to read over these so that you do not miss out on any important “studio†information. Please make sure I have an up-to-date email address and you have joined the Facebook Group so that you are sure to receive any news.
Social Media:
Dancers and their household family are immediate representatives of Allstar Dance Academy and their competition team. As such, crude and vulgar postings on any and all social media platforms will not be tolerated. Understand that such posts, especially but not exclusive to posts that display the studio name or gear (shirts, hats, team jackets, etc).
Respect the law, including those laws governing defamation, discrimination, harassment, and copyright and fair use. Parents and students should never post negative comments about Allstar Dance Academy or its staff or any other schools or teachers. Also, please do not post negative comments about activities such as competitions, conventions, and performances, or about the directors of those events.
Please ensure that your social media conduct is consistent with all of the policies contained in the Allstar Dance Academy handbook as well as the competition team handbook. Those found to be in violation of this policy will be immediately dismissed from Allstar Dance Academy.
A Parent’s Responsibilities
Please get your children to class on time every week since regular attendance is necessary for good training.
Please use proper entrance and exits into the mall and do not block traffic in the parking lot.
Please be prompt in picking up your child after class.
Please label dance shoes and gear with the student's full name. Please do not allow your child to wear dance shoes outside. A dance bag is required for all dance gear.
Please make sure that your child is properly outfitted for class each week.
Please call in all absences.
Please encourage practice at home.
Please do not bring food or drink (other than water) of any kind into the studio.
Please remember that you are responsible for supervising siblings; keep them safe and under control in the lobby and waiting room.
Please remember that while class is in session, entering and exiting the studio should be kept to a minimum.
Students and parents should be respectful in the lobby area, using their “inside voice†and keeping voices down. Please do not stand on window seats or cubbies.
Please remind students to clean up after themselves and respect studio property.
Please keep students’ jewelry and valuables at home.
Please check your child’s dance bag for notices and check your email for updates.
Please check the lost and found box frequently.
Please pay accounts on time. Late fees are issued on overdue accounts.
Please avoid being a gossip who may spread misinformation. If you need to discuss a situation, please call the office to arrange a mutually convenient meeting time.
Please don’t compare your child to other dancers or discuss such comparisons with other parents.
Please trust your child’s teacher’s evaluations since they are professional dance educators and only have your child’s best interest at heart.
Please review our studio policies with your children to help them understand why it is important for everyone to follow the studio rules.
Please remember that we value your patronage and support and want to thank you for choosing us for your child’s dance education.
Student Rules of Conduct
We shall arrive at class on time.
We shall not chew gum or bring food or drink into the studio.
We shall not wear dance shoes outside and will carry dance shoes in a dance bag.
We shall wear a clean and neat leotard for each class.
We shall label all dance shoes and dance gear with our full names.
We shall keep our dance gear in our cubbies and keep the lobby neat.
We shall keep our cell phones off or on mute while in dance class.
We shall have our hair secured off our face and neck before class.
We shall use deodorant daily and wear minimal jewelry for class.
We shall keep good conduct and quiet voices in the lobby.
We shall go to the bathroom before class.
We shall keep our hands off the mirrors.
We shall speak respectfully to the teachers and to one another.
We shall not make unnecessary conversation or noise while in class.
We shall not hang on the dance barres.
We shall not sit down during class unless instructed by the teacher.
We shall not miss class except for valid reasons.
We shall practice at home and be prepared for class even if absent the week prior.
We shall be positive and proceed with a “can do†attitude.
We shall politely ask dance-related questions in class.
We shall use strong arms, stretched feet, and proper body placement.
We shall use 100 percent of our energies while in class.
We shall not gossip or put down other students.
We shall not act as if we are better than other dancers in our class.
We shall work well and in unison with other dancers in class.
We shall use proper language and show good sportsmanship at all times.
We shall wait inside for our ride.
We shall bring home all notices and give them to our parents.
We shall act in the manner of a young lady or gentleman at all times.
We shall respect our art, our instructors, and our fellow dancers.
We shall smile, learn, and have fun in each class.
Sarah Wright , 417-399-7363