POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Tuition and Payment Current tuition and yearly registration rates are listed on the latest schedule. We do not send out monthly invoices for tuition. Tuition is conveniently due on the first of the month purely so that it is easy to remember. (After the 7th there is a $15 late fee.) The 4-week pay periods (one 5-week pay period in April 2010), which do not necessarily begin on the first of the month, allow breaking up semester tuition into more affordable payments. Students in our pre-professional training division are participating in a year long program, not a series of monthly programs. With this in mind, there is no pro-rating for missed classes. Students are expected to make up (within the same pay period) any missed classes. They can even be made up in advance of an absence. Fall Session ’09 – 16 Weeks August 31 to September 27 ~ Payment due September 1 September 28 to October 25 ~ Payment due October 1 October 26 to November 22 ~ Payment due November 1 November 23 to December 20 ~ Payment due December 1 Spring Session ’10 – 13 Weeks March 29 to May 2 ~ Payment due April 1 (5 wks) May 3 to May 30 ~ Payment due May 1 May 31 to June 27 ~ Payment due June 1 Winter Session ’10 – 12 Weeks January 4 to January 31 ~ Payment due January 1 February 1 to February 28 ~ Payment due February 1 March 1 to March 28 ~ Payment due March 1 Summer Session ’10 – 4 Weeks July 6 to August 2 ~ Payment due July 1 Students whose tuition has not been paid will not be allowed to participate in class. Please do not put your child in the embarrassing position of being asked to sit down or to leave the classroom due to unpaid tuition and fees. There are fees for late tuition and returned checks. The current fees are listed on the class schedule. To hold a student’s place in class during a prolonged absence (three weeks or more), tuition must be paid. An unpaid spot will be given to the next student on the list. This is particularly important for enrollment in large classes. Registration All dancers must have a current registration form/liability release on file in the office. Once a dancer has registered, all added and /or dropped classes should be reported to the front desk. Sign-in All students must sign in at the front desk before participating in class or rehearsal. Tardiness and Absences With rare exception, students will not be allowed to participate in class if they are 10 or more minutes late to class. It is disruptive to the class, rude to the teacher, and most importantly, can be a danger to the child who participates in class without the proper and complete warm-up. Absences from class make it difficult for the student to keep up, much less improve. Making up the missed class as soon as possible will help, but not undo the absence. Make ups must be done within the same pay period as the absence occurred. (Also see absences on the Company page and the Classroom Etiquette page.) Food and Drink No food or drink, except water, is allowed inside the Center at any time. This includes coffee. Food may be eaten outside. There are table and chairs on the back patio for your convenience, and trash cans so that the tables can be kept clean for the next person. Dance Bags and Personal Belongings It is advisable to put a name on all children’s clothes, shoes, and accessories. All personal belongings (including clothing, shoes, books, and dance bags) should be either left in the dressing room or taken into the studios during classes. Purses and anything of value should be taken into the studio. Hallways must be kept clear of all personal belongings. Vonder Haar Center for the Performing Arts is not responsible for theft or loss of property. Empty Studios There is no running, playing or shouting in the studios before, during or after class. Discipline is an integral part of dance and it is part of the process from the moment the student arrives at the studio, not when the music begins. Backstage Policies Before every large production there is the opportunity for parents to sign up to work backstage. The requirements specific to each show are explained at that time. These designated, official “Backstage Parents” are the only parents allowed backstage during any and all rehearsals and performances. This is both for the safety of the children and the smooth running of the production. Only designated, official “Backstage Parents” are allowed in the house (theatre) during rehearsals. Once again, this is for the safety of the children and the smooth running of the production. Please be aware that all “unofficial” adults and parents will be asked to leave. If it is necessary for you to be with your child, you must sign up to work backstage. Working backstage precludes you from seeing the show, however. There is no standing in the wings.