BALLET 5:8 SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook Welcome Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts! HANDBOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. WELCOME (PAGE 2) 2. PROGRAM STAFF (PAGES 3-4) 3. CONTACT INFORMATION (PAGE 4) 4. DRESS CODE (PAGES 5-7) 5. CLASS ATTENDANCE (PAGES 8-9) 6. PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES (PAGE 10) 7. FUNDRAISING (PAGE 11) 8. CODE OF CONDUCT (PAGE 12) 9. PROGRAM & STUDIO RULES (PAGES 13-15) 10. ENROLLMENT, TUITION & BILLIING (PAGES 16-17) 11. AGREEMENT (PAGE 18)
WELCOME About the Children s Dance Division The Children's Dance Division at Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts is where everything begins! Introductory classes in ballet, tap and hip hop in this division give boys and girls ages two and older a constructive space for learning and exploring expression through movement. During each semester, instructors guide students through the specialized, age-appropriate curriculum for their class level. Through a combination of exercises, games and activities, classes facilitate the development of important skills like rhythm, coordination, musicality, spatial concepts, and dance class etiquette. At age seven, students may begin studying in Ballet IA, where we begin teaching through our Vaganova-style ballet training syllabus. Students interested in pursuing their study of classical ballet at a comprehensive level can move through levels IA, IB, IIA and IIB, eventually moving to the intensive Pre-Professional Program, which can prepare students for careers in professional dance fields. Ability-based placement in ballet levels IB and higher sometimes means that each class encompasses a wide age range, but this allows the staff of Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts to meet the needs of each individual dance student. About the Youth Dance Division The Youth Dance Division combines Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts dedication to highquality instruction in a positive, nurturing environment with the fun of dance classes in a variety of styles and flexible enrollment options. Classes challenge students to explore movement styles, accents, musicality, artistry and other aspects specific to a range of dance disciplines, developing a foundational proficiency in each discipline. Whether students attend classes for a year or many, skills developed from knowledge of dance to physical fitness to self discipline and more have a positive impact that lasts a lifetime! About Ballet 5:8 Ballet 5:8 is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and performing honest, relevant, breathtaking dance that can engage audiences in meaningful discussion. The Ballet 5:8 professional performing company is made up of a group of 8-12 adult, professional dancers who have fully completed their student training and work with the company full-time. The company performs around 40 times each year in the Chicago area and around the U.S. Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts, our dance education arm, is dedicated to training up new generations of artists. The School s several distinct divisions and training programs provide space for young people of all ages to pursue dance training in a positive, nurturing environment made possible by our basis in faith. Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 2
BALLET 5:8 SENIOR STAFF Julianna Slager, Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director Ballet 5:8 s Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer, Julianna Rubio Slager, is originally from Spring Arbor, Michigan. Slager studied under notable teachers from Ann Arbor Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, the Vaganova Academy and Dance Theater of Harlem. She danced with Greater Lansing Ballet, Ballet Magnificat and as a freelance artist, teacher and choreographer in the Chicago area. Slager and fellow artist Amy Sanderson felt God s call to start Ballet 5:8 in 2012. As the company's Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer, Slager is the driving force behind Ballet 5:8's ongoing creative exploration and has a growing resume of new works set on Ballet 5:8. Slager is blessed to be married to Jeremy Slager, the Associate Pastor at St. Paul s Bible Church, and she lives in south Chicago along with their two sons. As an artist, Slager has a great desire to contribute to the marketplace of cultural, philosophical and religious dialogue that has shaped the course of society for centuries. For this reason, she often chooses subject matter from current social issues, great literature and religious writings. She believes that our society is in need of peaceful catalysts for discussions on the deep moral and ethical topics of our day. This is what she aspires to give to the audience, a thought-provoking performance, free from the constraints and prejudices of spoken language, in order to allow the inward significance of each issue to surface. Lauren Ader-Cumpston, Ballet Mistress and Director of Residency Programs Lauren Ader-Cumpston began her dance training at an early age in Conifer, Colorado. In 2004 she began to pursue training in classical ballet and studied under Nikoloz Makhateli and Anastasiya Buechele in Denver, Colorado. Lauren also had the opportunity to train at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet in New York City and to perform as a part of their Studio Company for two years. There, she studied under Gelsey Kirkland, Rinat Imaev, Karina Elver and Lyubov Fominich. Lauren moved to join Ballet 5:8 as a Company Artist in 2012 and currently serves as the Ballet Mistress for Ballet 5:8 Professional Company and as the Director of Residency Programs for Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts. Mrs. Cumpston specializes in working with Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts' intermediate and advanced training levels and brings an extensive knowledge of Vaganova technique, classical port de bras, and artistry to the school. Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 3
CHILDREN S & YOUTH DIVISIONS SENIOR STAFF Abigail Gray, Children s & Youth Division Director Ms. Abigail Gray, originally from Bolivia, has been teaching with Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts in 2012. She graduated from the Ballet 5:8 Trainee Program in 2016. Before joining Ballet 5:8, Ms. Abi began her training at the art conservatory Eduardo Laredo in Cochabamba Bolivia. She trained at Eduardo Laredo for nine years, graduating as a modern/contemporary dancer. Ms. Abi later danced with a Bolivian classical school for two years and with a jazz company for six months before moving to the United States in 2012. CONTACT INFORMATION Front Desk Team The Front Desk Team is your resource for anything related to your tuition account, registration, payments, billing, orders of various kinds, or general questions. Phone: (708) 329-8773 Email: schooloffice@ballet58.org Absences Absences should be reported as soon as possible to the Front Desk Phone: (708) 329-8773 Ext. 4 Email: schooloffice@ballet58.org Children s & Youth Division Director Students may contact Ms. Abi with questions related to classes, evaluations, attendance, planned absences, and more! Email: agray@ballet58.org Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 4
DRESS CODE Each class in the Children s and Youth Divisions has its own dress code. The dress code ensures that instructors can see students technique and provide detailed instruction during class time. Moreover, dress code, a part of dance etiquette, is an important part of dance education! As students develop the discipline of coming to class in the proper dress, they develop a life-long skill. Knowing the requirements and expectations for dance class and abiding by them prepares students for success in all facets of life. Important Dress Code Notes for All Students Things to Avoid Please be aware that, though you may not think about them, the following items are not included in dress code and should be removed prior to taking a dance class. Some items are not allowed for safety reasons. Big, dangly earrings Necklaces Bracelets Perfume Warm-Ups Clothing items not listed in the dress code are generally considered warmups and should be removed prior to the beginning of class. Students may wear warmups during class in some cases, such as in the case of a legwarmer over a chronic injury, or wearing coverups for the beginning of class during winter months. These special cases are subject to instructor approval. T-Shirts Though t-shirts are not typically part of dress code, students should make sure to have a shirt with them when attending classes. Some classes include floor work, and shirts should be worn while doing this floor work. Otherwise, the natural oils (and sweat) from students bodies can leave slippery spots on the marley dance flooring and make other parts of class treacherous! Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 5
Ballet Classes Girls Light pink ballet tights: the color can range from light pink to peach to neutral tones. Tights should be full-footed and be worn inside students dance shoes. A note for younger students no need to wear underwear under your tights J Light pink ballet shoes: these can be either canvas or leather. Full-soled shoes are recommended for dancers wearing children s sizes. Older dancers may wear canvas shoes with split soles. Please always trim drawstrings, tie in a tight knot and tuck inside shoes when in use (no bows). Hair in a neat ballet bun. Solid color leotard: o Pre-Ballet and Elementary Ballet wear light pink; short-sleeved styles are recommended o Ballet IA and IB wear light blue; camisole style recommended o o Girls - Support Ballet IIA and IIB wear light purple/lavender; camisole style recommended Beginning Ballet and Intermediate Ballet may wear any color leotard; camisole style recommended If you re a girl, you know that we often need a little support to ensure that the clothing items we wear are modest and appropriate. Normally, a bra takes care of this job, but in ballet, a regular bra or sports bra can actually hinder more than it helps! Usually, finding a leotard that fits well on top will do the job just fine. If you are feeling like you need a little extra support, talk to your instructor about making a tights top that you can wear with your leotard. Boys White shirt. Black shorts or capris. White socks Black ballet shoes. Jazz Classes Girls wear a black or colored leotard and hair pulled back in a bun Boys wear a solid t-shirt (any color) All students wear black jazz pants or capris (girls, pink tights underneath the pants are not recommended) All students wear black jazz shoes Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 6
Tap Classes Girls wear a black or colored leotard and hair pulled back in a bun; tight-fitting athletic tops are also okay Boys wear a solid t-shirt (any color) All students wear black jazz pants or capris (girls, pink tights underneath the pants are not recommended) All students wear socks and black tap shoes Modern Classes Girls wear a black or colored leotard and hair pulled back in a bun Boys wear a shirt (any color) All students wear tights, jazz pants, or capris Bare feet (have socks handy for warmup) Hip Hop Classes Running shoes or combat boots (you ll need to be able to dance in them); make sure they are clean, meaning free of outside dirt, dust and other debris which can harm the marley dance floor Girls wear leggings or capris (any color) Boys wear pants or shorts (any color) Students may wear a t-shirt, athletic top, or leotard in any color; shirts can get hot though! Girls should keep hair pulled away from the face in a ponytail, bun, braids, etc. Lyrical Classes Girls wear a black or colored leotard and hair pulled back in a bun Boys wear a shirt (any color) All students wear tights, jazz pants, or capris Girls may need a character skirt (calf-length, flowy) Ballet shoes and bare feet Musical Theater Girls wear a black or colored leotard and hair pulled back in a bun Boys wear a shirt (any color) All students wear black jazz pants or capris (girls, pink tights underneath the pants are not recommended) All students wear black jazz shoes Girls should keep hair pulled away from the face in a ponytail, bun, braids, etc. Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 7
CLASS ATTENDANCE Arrival Children s and Youth Division students and parents should plan to arrive at the studios 5-10 minutes prior to class start time each week. The extra time can come in handy in the event of unexpected travel delays and gives students time to get into their dance shoes prior to class! A few tips: Restrooms at the studios are limited, so students should change into their dance clothes at home or in the dressing room before class, rather than using the restroom. Street shoes and dance bags can be left on a hook or under a chair in the lobby. Parents of younger students, please stay with your child in the lobby until the class instructor calls the class to their studio. Parents of younger children, please also make sure your child has had a chance to use the restroom prior to class During Class Parents are not required to stay at the studios during classes. Feel free to run errands! Just make sure that we have your current contact information, including a cell phone number, in case we need to contact you during your child s class. After Class Please arrive to pick up your child promptly at the conclusion of their class. Young children should not be left unattended in the lobby! A late pickup fee of $25 per 15 minutes will be assessed for any students left in the lobby unattended for more than a few minutes after the conclusion of their class thank you for your understanding. Attendance Consistent class attendance is encouraged for all classes and is very important! Consistent attendance ensures that students don t miss out on important concepts introduced throughout the semester and is also crucial for development of needed dance skills like strength, coordination and flexibility. Instructors take attendance in each class throughout the semester and keep track of student absences. Students who accumulate a number of absences during any one semester may not be allowed to participate in performances; students in leveled classes such as ballet may be asked to repeat their class level the following year to catch up on missed syllabus. Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 8
Reporting Absences We do understand that students may miss a class occasionally due to illness or a conflict with an important event. If this is the case, please report the absence to the Front Desk by calling (708)-329-8773 ext. 4, or emailing schooloffice@ballet58.org. Please include the date, your child s name and regular class, and the reason for the absence. Make Up Classes If a student misses a class due to one of the reasons listed above, they make up that class during the semester by attending an alternate class. In leveled classes including ballet, students are always allowed to make up in either the same level class, held on a different day, or in a class one level below the level of the student s enrollment. In Youth Division classes, students may attend an alternate class with the same age range as the missed class. On the day of a make up class, students should make sure to stop by the Front Desk when they arrive at the studios to get a Make Up Slip, which students need in order to attend an alternate class. Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 9
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES Ballet Classes Students who regularly attend ballet classes have the opportunity to perform each year in Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts two full-length classical ballet productions. These productions, held in December and May, are original ballets based on meaningful stories that can share hope and purpose with our audiences. Participating in the performances allows students to use what they ve been working on in class in a meaningful way that looks out instead of in! Dance Classes Students who regularly attend dance classes have the opportunity to perform in the Youth Dance Division Showcase at the end of the Spring Semester, in May or June. Participating in the showcase is a fun and memorable experience for dancers and actively challenges them to use what they ve been learning through the year in a way that looks out instead of in. Registering for Performances Registration information for each performance, including required rehearsal and performance times, is announced to students via a letter distributed via print and email 2-3 months prior to the performance. Participation is recommended for students but not required, so each student needs to confirm their intention to participate by completing the registration process by the announced deadline. To register students must: Read their production commitment letter in its entirety. Agree to participate in the mandatory rehearsals outside of regular class time. Sign and return the registration and commitment form. Pay the performance fee associated with the performance. Fees and Tickets Performance participation fees charged to students help us pay for the costs associated with performances: these may include creation of any costumes and sets, theater rental, and the staff costs associated with rehearsals and performances. Many student performances are also ticketed for all attendees. This will be announced along with the information for any given performance. For ticketed performances, all attendees are asked to purchase tickets, including family members of the performers. Ticket fees help cover expenses associated with producing larger theater performances, which may have significant overhead costs such as theater rental. Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 10
FUNDRAISING If you have a student enrolled at Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts, you will notice that we ask families to participate in various fundraising activities throughout the year. After reading this, you may be asking why fundraising!? Since you already pay tuition and, most likely, performance fees, this is a legitimate question. Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts engages in fundraising activities as an alternative to charging high tuition and performance ticket prices that could prevent many families from being able to access our education programs and performances. In other words, we have made a commitment to prefer the legwork of fundraising, rather than running an exclusive program that only a few students and families can access. Dance training facilities are expensive to buy and maintain due to the large, open spaces needed for dancing and costly equipment including special marley floors, mirrors and sound equipment. On top of that, administrative staff must maintain student records and a plethora of communications functions, while artistic and teaching staff must also be paid a fair hourly wage for their specialized services in and out of the classroom. Without the assistance of fundraising, tuition prices would need to be significantly higher to cover all our costs. What Ballet 5:8 s Nonprofit Status Means for Students and Families In a for-profit business, the owner can choose whether to re-invest profits from the business or take those dollars home as income. As a nonprofit, Ballet 5:8 is legally required to (and does) invest all funds that come into the organization back into the organization. This means that 100% of every dollar that you invest in Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts - whether through tuition, performance tickets, or a donation - will go to meet the needs of the organization, its current work, and its future development. Or in other words, funds that come into the organization can never be used for bonuses or otherwise benefit individual members of the staff. We feel strongly that being a nonprofit organization is one of the best ways for us to ensure that Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts is a great place to dance. Since making a profit is not the goal of the organization, we have full freedom to invest our energy and passion into our mission! How Can I Get Involved In Fundraising? During the Fall Semester, we host a door-to-door fundraiser where we ask students and families to sell cookie dough or Fair Trade items in support of the school. In the Spring Semester, we host a variety of smaller fundraising events, including Family Nights at local restaurants that promote community building among students and families in addition to raising funds for the school. Since Ballet 5:8 is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, all donations to the organization are tax-deductible - if you don t want to participate in the fundraisers, consider making a direct donation as you are able! Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 11
CODE OF CONDUCT In order to participate in Children s and Youth Division classes, students must agree to abide by the Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Code of Conduct. To abide by the code, students (and their families) must work together to ensure that: 1. Students relate to their instructors respectfully, addressing them as Ms., Mrs. or Mr., speaking politely, and complying with instructor requests without questioning. 2. Students arrive to class(es) on time and in the proper dress code. Arriving on time ensures that students don t miss any class material in the first few minutes of class. Taking class in dress code gives the class a sense of order and boosts students confidence. Dress code also allows the teacher to see body placement without obstruction. 3. Students diligently practice being quiet during class. This is one of the most difficult aspects of dance class, but also the most rewarding! 4. Students curtsey and thank their instructor at the end of each class. This reinforces respectfulness toward instructors and helps students develop confidence about their participation in the class. 5. Students and parents avoid participating in gossip of any kind inside or outside of the studio. This includes: a. Purposefully speaking only words of encouragement and esteem about other students and parents at the school. b. Communicating clearly and directly with Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts staff if there is a problem or concern of any kind talking to staff directly about a problem, rather than talking with other students and families, allows us to promptly address and resolve any problems or concerns! It also helps us to maintain a strong and unified student body, and a pleasant, positive atmosphere for everyone at the school. 6. Students maintain a positive work ethic in class and avoid complaining or grumbling in class. Ballet may look easy, but it s actually quite difficult! Students who succeed in their training must persevere in hard work, day in and day out. A healthy work ethic, in which students can enjoy getting a little sweaty, focusing, and working hard, is crucial for success in dance and life! Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 12
PROGRAM & STUDIO RULES Cancellations While we hate to cancel class, inclement weather and other unavoidable circumstances do sometimes lead to class cancellations. If we cancel class, we will: Post class cancellations on the Ballet 5:8 website (school.ballet58.org). Send an email to you with information regarding the class cancellation. Be available via phone or have a recording on the answering machine with information regarding the class cancellation (708-329-8773). We do not, however, make individual phone calls to warn of class cancellations. We typically do not schedule make up classes for snow days and other cancellations. If your class is cancelled, please make up the class according to our standard make-up policy. We will occasionally schedule a make-up class in the case of repeated cancellations, usually if the same class is cancelled more than twice in one semester. In such a case, please make sure to read email communications for further information about the date and time of scheduled make up classes. Cancelled classes do not constitute grounds for an exception to our standard tuition policies. Communication Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts primary method of communication with students and families is email. Please ensure that the email address we have on file for you is current, and check your email regularly. All important announcements and updates will be sent via email! Most announcements will also be posted on the bulletin board in the Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts lobby and/or on our website, school.ballet58.org. Food & Drink at the Studio Food and drink is permitted in the lobby and dressing room areas. Only water in an enclosed container is allowed in the studios. Dancers should plan to bring plenty of water to each of their classes. Dancers who dance for longer than 90 minutes at a time should pack snacks. The best kinds of snacks can provide a boost of fresh energy in just 1-3 bites, as students rarely have a lengthy break between classes to eat heartier food. Fresh fruit, yogurt, cheese, granola bars and healthy trail mix are all favorites. Plastic water bottles are available at the front desk for $0.50 each. Keurig coffee is available behind the front desk for $1.50. Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 13
Hygiene Be prepared: dance classes can get hot and sweaty! Plan to wash dance attire after each use. Make sure that students wear deodorant your dancer may need this sooner than you think Avoid putting on lotion before class the oils can cause hazardous slippery spots on the floor. Lobby & Office Hours If there are classes in session, there will also typically be a member of the Front Desk Team on duty at the front desk. Lobby hours begin 30 minutes prior to the first class of the day and end 15 minutes after the last class of the day ends. Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts reserves the right to charge a late pickup fee of $25 per 15 minutes for any students left at the school without a ride after the conclusion of office hours. Modesty We d like to discuss two important elements of modesty that are specific to the study of classical ballet and other forms of dance. Dance Attire In Class Classical ballet and other dance attire is, admittedly, a little tight-fitting when viewed relative to typical clothing. However, the purpose of this clothing, within the context of ballet, is quite modest. The leotard and tights allow instructors to see dancers muscles and posture clearly, allowing them to best help students improve. Correct attire is also important because it allows dancers to display the lines and shapes created by the positions in their respective classes. Outside the Classroom While we agree with the modesty of dance attire within classes, we also urge students to wear cover-ups when coming to and from class. This is especially important over the hot summer months, when it s tempting to just wear your leotard to class. Please make sure to wear a shirt and shorts, or a dress to class and avoid wearing just your dance clothes in the parking lot. Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 14
Parking Lot We ve never had any problems in the parking lot, but we do share the lot with several neighboring businesses. Please use common sense. Dancers should plan to abide by the buddy system when walking in the parking lot. Parents should also be conscious of other students when driving and dropping students off in the parking lot. Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts is not responsible for dancers in the parking lot. Placement-Based Classes Some specific classes, known as placement-based classes, require that students receive approval from an instructor in order to enroll. Placement-based classes, usually ballet classes, require that students move through a specialized syllabus one step at a time! We care deeply about each and every one of our dancers and, of course, their development as young artists. Because of that, our staff works diligently to place each student in the class level that best suits their individual needs. If students attend a level that is too advanced for them, they may miss out on important building blocks taught earlier in the syllabus that are crucial for the successful completion of steps and coordination found later in the syllabus. How Do Instructors Decide I Can Move Up? Student placement is determined based on a variety of factors, including strength, flexibility, coordination ability to name syllabus-level vocabulary and perform corresponding steps, punctuality, consistent class attendance, adherence to dress code, observance of classroom etiquette and respectfulness of instructors and peers, and if applicable, successful completion of exams at the end of the Spring Semester. Ballet Training - How Quickly Can I Expect to Move Through the Levels? Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts comprehensive ballet training syllabus (beginning in Ballet IA) includes six graduated levels of study that take students through the steps, vocabulary and training exercises necessary to develop an overall proficiency in classical ballet. Believe it or not, students should plan to spend a full twelve years making their way through these six levels of study! This averages out to spending two years in each of the levels, though each individual student will progress differently, spending shorter or longer periods in different levels depending on a variety of factors. In Youth Dance Division ballet classes Beginning Ballet and Intermediate Ballet, students progress through a similar process, though with a slightly different focus. Youth ballet classes focus on teaching the basics of ballet technique, which is the basis for all forms of dance. The curriculum develops an awareness of correct muscles, placement and movement within the classical form. Just like in the Vaganova training levels, dancers should plan to spend multiple years in each level of study (beginning, intermediate, and so on) to master the concepts presented in each level. Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 15
ENROLLMENT, TUITION & BILLING Enrollment All students who participate in Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts programs must register for a minimum number of classes, usually one semester (18 weeks of classes). Due to the highly athletic nature of the study of ballet, a minimum commitment is needed before students are able to see progress in their technique and other learning outcomes. The financial commitment of per-semester enrollment also helps us to be able to keep up with our building and staff costs, even at the end of the semester. Tuition is considered due for the enrollment term regardless of attendance. Registration All students who participate in Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts programs must complete registration paperwork, including participation liability waivers, in advance of attendance of classes. Registration can be completed with paper forms or online, and includes an annual registration fee to cover administrative costs associated with maintaining student records. The registration fee is only charged once a year. Payment Plans Tuition for each term can be paid using one of the following payment methods: In Full at the time of registration; The 4-Payment Plan: With this option, families pay tuition in four installments: the first with registration and the remaining on the 15th of the month in September, October, and November for the Fall Semester, and on the 15th of the month in February, March and April for the Spring Semester. The 2-Payment Plan: With this option, families pay tuition in two installments: the first with registration and the remaining on the 15th of the month in October for the Fall Semester and in March for the Spring Semester. Payment Methods Self-pay families are responsible to pay tuition according to their selected payment plan with a credit card, check or cash. Auto-bill students use a credit card to pay for their first tuition payment; subsequent payments are automatically billed to the credit card submitted for the first payment. Students must re-select automatic billing at the beginning of each term and confirm with Front Desk Team staff. Please also notify a member of the Front Desk staff if your credit card information changes in any way throughout the semester. Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 16
Other Terms and Conditions Accounts more than a month overdue may be subject to a financing fee of 10% of the total overdue amount at the time of payment. Students with accounts more than a month overdue may also be asked to take a leave of absence from participation in programs until the account balance is cleared. Please notify the Front Desk if circumstances arise, and a payment plan will be discussed. A minimum number of students is needed to keep each class running. Classes without the minimum number of students enrolled at the start of the semester or within the first four weeks of the semester may be cancelled. In this case, students enrolled will be asked to move to an alternate class. Discounts Family Discount Families with two or more students enrolled in Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts programs receive a tuition discount of 15%. This discount applies to the tuition of any students after the first student enrolled; the student with the highest tuition amount is considered the first student for the purposes of calculating the discount. This discount regularly applies to tuition for regular School of the Arts programs, but does not apply to special programs such as Intensive or Workshop. Boys Scholarships Boys enrolled in the Pre-Professional Program may apply for a special boys tuition scholarship. Some limitations apply please inquire for additional details. Financial Aid Scholarships We are able to keep a small amount of funds available each year to provide Financial Aid scholarships to students demonstrating financial need. New Financial Aid applicants should plan to apply for aid at least two months prior to the start of any given semester, as aid is limited and usually goes quickly! Please inquire for additional details. Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 17
HANDBOOK AGREEMENT Don t forget to submit this agreement, signed, to the Front Desk before your first class! Students who do not have an agreement on file will not be allowed to begin classes thanks for your understanding J I, (parent name), and (student name) certify that we have read and understood the information in this handbook, pertaining to classes and activities in the Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s and Youth Dance Divisions. We have read and understood all the information provided, including the sections on: 1. Contact Information 2. Dress Code 3. Class Attendance 4. Performance Opportunities 5. Fundraising 6. Code of Conduct 7. Program & Studio Rules 8. Enrollment, Tuition & Billing By signing and returning this form, we agree to abide by these terms for the entire duration of time that the above named student is committed to enrollment in Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts programs. Signed (parent), Date: Signed (student, if age 10 or older, specific to the Code of Conduct), Date: Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children s & Youth Divisions Handbook 18