September 2015 - Newsletter Phone: (403) 932-1330 Address: Unit 3, 69 Railway Street E Cochrane, AB T4C2B7 Website: www.snapdancestudios.com E- mail: info@snapdancestudios.com Hello Dancers and Parents, Welcome back and a special shout out to all new dancers! We are looking forward to an exciting new year with our incredible team: Miss Alison Miss Angela Miss Arlene Mr Braeden Miss Cassandra Miss Cindy Miss Julie Miss Kelli Miss Laura Miss Lauren Miss Randi Miss Sandra Miss Terra Mr Trevin This newsletter is jam packed full of info on our calendar, extra choreography auditions, Parents Association AND MORE! Please make sure to read through all of our newsletters as they have important information. Feel free to contact us at (403) 932-1330 or info@snapdancestudios.com if you have any questions. Courtney Sproule Snap Director
WEBSITE AND PARENT PORTAL Our website and parent portal are kept up- to- date and should have all the information you need! You can now log on to the parent portal directly from our website, under the Client Info tab. You will be able to access all your charges/payment information in the next few months! Let us know if you are having any issues logging on. CALENDAR 2015/16 Sept 8 Start Date for Full Year Classes Sept 11 New York Trip Meeting (final deadline for participants) Sept 13 Used Shoe Sale Sept 25 Parent Meeting Sept 27 Parents Association AGM and Volunteer Appreciation Sept 27 Extra Choreography Auditions (Solo, Duo, Extra Groups) Oct 9 to 12 (Thanksgiving) No Classes Oct 13 Classes Resume Oct 19 to Oct 31 Costume Measurement Days * ensure you attend classes! Oct 26 to 31 Wear Your Halloween Costumes to Class Week *ensure you can move freely Oct 31 (Halloween) Classes running Nov 2 to 7 Parent Watching Week (full year classes only) Nov 2 to Nov 7 Team Wear Sale Nov 11 (Remembrance Day) Classes Running December 12 Santa Claus Parade Dec 14 to 19 Wear Your Pyjamas to Class Week Dec 19 Dancer Christmas Parties Dec 20 to Jan 3 (Christmas Break) No Classes Jan 4 Classes Resume Feb 14 to 21 (Winter Break) No Classes Feb 22 Classes Resume March 14 to 19 Parent Watching Week (full year classes only) March 14 to 19 Hair and Makeup Demo Week Mar 18 Comp 101 Mar 24 to 28 (Easter Break) No Classes Mar 29 Classes Resume April 10 17 (Spring Break) - No Classes April 9 16 New York Trip April 18 Classes Resume May 20 to 23 (May Long Weekend) No Classes May 26 Last day of Little Snapper Preschool classes June 17 Last day of Junior to Adv Level Classes OFFICE HOURS Question? Something to drop off or pick up? Swing by during our office hours: Monday, 4:00-7:00pm Wednesday, 4:00-7:00pm Thursday, 4:00-7:00pm For the first two weeks of dance, we will be at the front desk every day. You can also call or email us. The office will be closed during holidays.
PARENT WATCHING WEEKS Full Year Classes This season we are having Parent Watching Weeks for full year classes ONLY. We invite parents to attend and watch classes the weeks of: Nov 2 to 7, 2015 March 14 to 19, 2016 We ask that only two people attend per dancer, otherwise we may not have enough room in the studio. Sessional Classes We invite parents to attend the final class of EACH sessional program (and we may even have you participate). Parents can watch the ENTIRE class and check out the final performance the class has been working towards. We ask that only two people attend per dancer, otherwise we may not have enough room in the studio. The only exception would be Baby Snappers since parents are already in attendance at each class. DRESS CODE Our 2015/16 Dress Code is available on the news section of our website. It will be enforced for your dancer s benefit. *We realize you may not have all your dress requirements the first day back. We are flexible for the first two weeks of class with dress code (after which it will be enforced). NEW/USED SHOE SALE PICK UP Sunday, Sept 13 1:00-3:00pm Sell your old shoes and dancewear and pick up the next size at our Parents Association annual sale! Drop off your previously loved items (shoes, bodysuits, shorts), anytime during the first week of dance. Dress code- friendly items must be clearly labeled with price, size, family name and phone number. Classique Dancewear will also be on hand with new shoes, tights and bodysuits. *Please note this sale is open to Snap families only Funds from sold items and any unsold items can be picked up during office hours during the month of Oct. Anything not picked up by Nov 1 will be placed in the next sale (at your own risk). COSTUME MEASUREMENT DATES Snap instructors will be taking dancer measurements for recital and competitive classes from Oct 19 to Oct 31 for costume orders. Please make arrangements to be measured during office hours if you will not be in class during these dates. TEAMWEAR Get your Snap gear for this season! Fittings/orders will take place in the lobby: Nov 2, 3, 4, 5-4:00-7:00pm Nov 7-9:30- noon Stay tuned for more details.
EXTRA CHOREOGRAPHY AUDITIONS Interested in doing a solo, duet, trio or extra group? At Snap, dancers audition and are placed where our instructors think they will shine. Process: Application form: It is truly an honor to be selected for an extra number. We select and pair dancers based on their own best interests (matching dancers abilities, placing them where they will develop best etc). In order to make informed decisions and offers, therefore minimizing the number of dancers having to reject pieces, participating dancers need to fill out an application form (attached to this newsletter). Please hand in this form to the front desk prior to Sept 27! Offers: All dancers will be notified of the results via email. If a dancer rejects an offer(s), they will do so by indicating how many numbers they are accepting, and the Snap faculty will then decide which numbers the dancer will be involved in (based on what s best for their development and other affected dancers). Scheduling: Snap administration creates the schedule and all families will be asked for their availability (every two months approx), once the schedule is sent out IT IS FINAL. Changes to the final schedule will be made at a cost of $20/change to cover administrative costs. Auditions will be held: Sun, Sept 27 10:00am Pre Adv/Adv levels 12:30pm Jr/Pre Int levels 3:00pm Int levels The audition will run in the following order: jazz, tap, ballet, and hip hop. Don t Forget: Arrive AT LEAST 15 minutes early Hand your application form in prior to Sept 27 Work hard in regular classes too - as we are always watching! The audition will consist of ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, musical theatre and tap. Since these pieces require well- rounded dancers, you will be expected to audition in all genres. Even if you don t take all the disciplines listed above, we want you to try them (with the exception of tap) What to Wear: *If you look sloppy, this reflects that you do not take the process seriously Girls Jazz and tap: wear black, appropriate shoes hair pulled back (dancers choice) Ballet: black bodysuit, ballet tights and bun (if time allows) Hip Hop: street clothes/shoes any color Boys Jazz, tap and ballet: white shirt, black shorts, socks, and appropriate shoes Hip Hop: bring street clothes/shoes any color
Keep an open mind. Decisions are based on: Teacher/student capacity How the dancers are working in class (effort, attitude, performance and technique) Priority will be given to dancers taking Ballet, Jazz, Jazz Tech, Tap, and Acro How the dancers perform in the audition Where we think students will develop best Can t make it? Contact us to request a private audition prior to Sept 25. PARENT MEETING Friday, Sept 25 7:00pm We are holding a Parent Meeting to discuss: The extra choreography process Updates on recitals, competition and the year ahead This meeting is not mandatory, but is a great way to hear what s going on behind the scenes and ask any questions you might have. Competitive dance parents are encouraged to attend (no younger dancers please). DANCER INJURIES AND ILLNESS Injuries Any dancer needing to modify or sit and participate in class will be required to enter our injury prevention program. Any currently injured dancers need to email info@snapdancestudios.com and submit an injury report (attached). Please do so ASAP If a dancer is injured at school or in dance class, they will fill out the report at the studio Parents will be contacted by Snap staff to discuss the injury and path to recovery. Communication continues until the dancer is recovered During the injury, dancers are asked to see Dani West (nee Hannigan). She is a dancer and Physiotherapist who can help your dancer continue to participate in class in a modified manner. EXCITING NEWS! Dani will have regular weekend treatment hours at Snap. Her schedule is posted in the lobby and her contact information is below Injured dancers are still expected to PARTICIPATE based on their situation: 1. Danceable Injury the dancer should participate and modify as needed (ex. if the dancers left hip is injured, they can do everything on the right side, and dance their upper body full out) 2. Weight Bearing Injury the dancer may sit on a chair and perform their upper body full out or try the exercises while laying down (ex. floor barre in ballet) - All dancers need to remind their teacher of their injury each class - Dancers seeing Dani West will have exercises or modifications that Snap teachers will be aware of - NO CELL PHONES are allowed in class, unless taping a routine for the last few minutes
WHY THIS PROCESS? We want your dancer to get the most of out dancing at Snap! We feel this program will encourage your dancer to participate in class SAFELY. Often, dancers don t know what they can and cannot do. With the help of Dani, we can get them dancing/modifying in a safe manner. With proper communication between the dancer/parent and studio, we can stay on top of injuries and heal them properly. Dani West (nee Hannigan) - indepth.physio@gmail.com *contact her directly for an appointment Illness particularly for competition/recital classes If a dancer is sick, they are expected to participate from a chair. NO CELL PHONES are allowed in class, unless taping a routine for the last few minutes If contagious or seriously ill, sick dancers may stay home but are expected to catch up on any choreography before the next class *Please note this program does not apply to our preschool program. DANCER INCENTIVE PROGRAMS We are always looking at different ways to encourage and motivate our dancers! We have two programs in which dancers can receive ballots for a prize draw. The draw is made twice a year, in January and at our year- end recital. One lucky dancer will win a one- of- a- kind dance bag! See the awards below for the ballot entry criteria. You Snapped It! Each instructor has You Snapped It! ballots they can handout in their classes throughout the year. These ballots are to be handed out at their discretion to dancers they feel deserve it. Reasons may include hard work, great attitude, dress code compliance, improvement in a particular step etc. Both the instructor and dancer must sign the ballot to be eligible for the semi- annual draw, and the instructor will place it in our ballot box. Whipper Snapper Every month or so, each teacher at Snap gets to recognize one dancer that is going above and beyond in their classes. The Whipper Snapper award is based on attitude, effort, and passion for dance. Recipients get their picture on the Snap blog and receive a certificate, small gift and 1 ballot in the semi- annual draw. RECITALS 2016 We are working feverishly to confirm recital, picture day and dress rehearsal details. Stay tuned! COMPETITION We will be attending three competitions this year. Participating classes and competition dates will be announced as soon as they are available. RECITAL DVDs If you ordered Recital DVDs from last year s show, they are available for pick up during office hours.
BARRE FIT Stay tuned in mid September for information on Adult Barre Fitness. Sign up for the hottest new trend in exercise... barre class! It's a fusion of dance, pilates and yoga. All ages and experience levels welcome! Email us if you are interested. CLASS CANCELATIONS Weather Snap s closure policy follows the Rocky View School district. Dance classes will be cancelled when Rocky View School District closes the majority of Cochrane schools. PD Days Please note that Snap classes do typically run on school PD days. Please see the Snap calendar for studio closures and holidays. DANCER SAFETY Dancers are not to exit the front doors until a parent or authorized person has arrived at the studio to pick them up. For their safety, dancers are NOT to loiter outside in front of the studio or play in the parking lot. Please discuss this with your dancer and remind them to stay inside the studio (and talk to front desk staff or a teacher if they need assistance). Additionally, any dancer walking to Sobeys, Booster Juice, etc. MUST do so in groups of two or more and MUST have their parent s permission. EVACUATION PLAN We were evacuated from the building two seasons ago during a daytime preschool class because of a gas leak in the new construction area. We have put an evacuation plan in place if this occurs again. If we are forced to evacuate the building, we will attempt to relocate dancers to the following locations: DAYTIME CLASSES (before 4pm): Holy Spirit School lobby EVENING CLASSSES (after 4pm): Walmart RECEIPTS Due to the federal government s Children s Fitness Tax Credit and Children s Arts Tax Credit, Snap will be preparing receipts for class fees on a calendar year basis. You will receive a receipt for 2015, via email, in Feb 2016. Shortly, your parent portal will have access to your fees statement. If this does not meet your needs, please email us. PARKING As with most places in Cochrane, our parking lot tends to get congested. Other areas to park include: Railway Street (the street the studio is on) Charlesworth Ave (the street perpendicular to the studio) Parking lot behind the studio
SNAP PARENTS ASSOCIATION We hope everyone had a fantastic summer and that you re ready to start another great year! The SPA has already lined up some fundraisers and events to kick things off. AGM & Volunteer Appreciation Night Sunday, Sept 27 6pm Please join us for a brief review of the 2014/15 year followed by an evening to thank you for your contributions to our dance community. All Parents who volunteered in any capacity last season are WELCOME! The SPA and Snap Dance Studios will be providing a drink and appetizers please RSVP by Sept 18 to snapparents@gmail.com. Fundraisers Did you know any fundraising you do individually is applied DIRECTLY to your dance account? Spolumbo's Fundraiser Earn 20-25% of your total sales for your dancer We are bringing back the popular Spolumbo's sausage. All sausage and burger patties are free of gluten, MSG, binders, fillers, preservatives, eggs, dairy, nuts and nitrates. Sausage can be ordered in trays or cases and arrives fresh. Deadline: October 22. Delivery: mid- late November. Balzac Meats Fundraiser Earn 20% of your total sales for your dancer An Alberta company specializing in hormone- free, grain fed beef, Balzac Meats is a fundraising favourite. Meat is ordered in large quantities but individually packaged for ease of cooking. Deadline: October 22. Delivery: November 19 Fundscrip Earn various percentages of your total sales for your dancer An easy money maker. Purchase gift cards for a wide variety of stores, restaurants, services and hotels and receive a percentage of the amount purchased. Please note we will no longer be doing group orders. All Fundscrip must be ordered online. Contact snapparents@gmail.com for registration information. Attention New York trip participants: all funds raised can be put towards trip expenses - please contact us at snapparents@gmail.com if this is your intention.