Contemporary School of Dance Ltd. POLICIES 2010-2011


Please read about our policies prior to registering. For Fee Regulations, please see the FEES page of our website. These regulations are in place to keep our studio running efficiently throughout the year. Thank you for your consideration and cooperation.


    CLASS POLICIES


  • YEARLY CLASSES: Classes run from September to June. The class schedule is subject to change, pending enrolment.
  • STUDENT CLASS PLACEMENT FOR RETURNING STUDENTS: CSD faculty makes all placement decisions.
    Before the end of each dance season, current students will receive a recommendation report and are given priority registration. Teachers consider students individually in order to determine which level of dance is the most appropriate for them for the coming dance season. It is not uncommon for students to attend the same level for more than one year, because there is great development and many layers of learning within each level. Appropriate levels of classes are determined with the best interest of each student in mind. Teachers understand that friends like to be together, but they do not take this into consideration when providing personal recommendations for students. We hope that parents will discuss recommendations with their children and explain the benefits of being in the level(s) that have been carefully selected for them. Teachers may also recommend additional dance forms that they feel would compliment a students' existing dance curriculum. Faculty members will review all students' placements for accuracy in the first three weeks of classes each fall. If a class adjustment is advisable, the teacher will approach the parent to discuss class options
  • STUDENT CLASS PLACEMENT FOR NEW STUDENTS: With the exception of our dance companies, acceptance into the school is based on class availability, age and previous experience, not audition. If a student is new to CSD, a faculty member may need to assess the student to ensure that they are placed in the appropriate level. Please provide the studio with details of your dance background, if any. Registration and assessments continue through the summer on a first come, first serve basis. Faculty members will review all students' placements for accuracy in the first three weeks of classes each fall. If a class adjustment is advisable, the teacher will approach the parent to discuss class options
  • CHANGE OF CLASSES: Students must contact the Director of the school in writing to request a change of classes. Please note that students may not be able to change if the class size is at its limit.
  • CLASS SIZE/WAITING LISTS: Class sizes are limited to provide an excellent student-teacher ratio, helping to ensure student feedback and a high standard of dance education. Many factors are considered when CSD class size limits are set: style of class, level of class, studio room size, students' ages, number of assistants, and teacher preferences. Please see program details for specific class sizes. Each year, CSD faculty takes care to present a schedule that will meet the needs of our new and returning students. If a class is full, you can be put on a waitlist. CSD also reserves the right to cancel any class that has enrolment of six or fewer students.
  • CLASS CANCELLATIONS: Every attempt will be made to contact each student if we cancel a class due to weather or other extenuating circumstances. There are no refunds or make-up classes cancelled due to weather, holidays or studio event cancellations. Students will be guaranteed a minimum of 28 weeks of classes per year as this is what our fees are based on. (Most classes will receive approximately 31 weeks of instruction).
  • In the event that a class is cancelled due to inclement weather, we will attempt to contact each dancer affected by the cancellation. We will also change our answering service message to indicate that classes are cancelled, notify the CHYM FM Snow desk of our cancellation (tune into CHYM FM at 96.7), and we will send a cancellation message via email.

    CSD CORRESPONDENCE


  • CORRESPONDENCE: CSD prides itself on maintaining a high level of administrative service. We work diligently to ensure that parents are kept well informed of every aspect of their child’s dance program. Faculty members are always willing to speak with students or parents if they have any questions or concerns.
  • COMMUNICATION: Good communication between Contemporary School of Dance and our students is very important to us! CSD prides itself on a high level of administrative service to its clients. We work diligently to ensure that parents are kept well informed of every aspect of the studio. Please note that CSD does not give out faculty phone numbers or email addresses. If you need to speak to an instructor, please call or email the studio and we will be happy to pass your contact numbers on to them. Do you have a question? We are always willing to help. Feel free to contact us by calling the studio, 519-725-0143, or emailing Christine directly: Christine@csdance.com.
  • NEWSLETTERS: To provide clear and consistent information, we publish a bi-monthly newsletter, CSD Footnotes, which we post on our website and bulletin board. It is the responsibility of the student/parent to stay current on studio news. In an effort to save paper and "go green", we will no longer be handing out newsletters in class; a limited number of hard copies will be available at the studio in the lobby. Please take a few moments to review each issue of the newsletter so you can stay up-to-date on studio events!
  • EMAIL: Over the past few years, we have found email correspondence to be very efficient and environmentally friendly. We will be using email to send important reminders, flyers, studio information, and account information throughout the year. Please be assured that we use blind copy on our emails and do not give out anyone's email address or personal information in accordance with our privacy policy. Please ensure that we have your correct email address throughout the year so we can keep the lines of communication open!

    STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES


  • ATTITUDE: CSD has the basic expectation that students treat each other, their teachers, the faculty and staff, and other adults with kindness and respect. Whether students attend our programs to develop self-esteem, get their exercise, or train for a career in the arts, a professional and polite attitude is necessary at all times. If problems persist, parents will be contacted. …Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference!
  • TIMELINESS: Try to arrive on time - students should arrive 15 minutes before their class. Children feel uncomfortable and will not participate as well when arriving late. Each class is designed with a warm-up, and exercises which progress to more challenging work. When you miss the beginning of a class, your child's dance experience lacks continuity and they miss out on warming up their bodies. Part of learning to dance is learning self-discipline and this begins with arriving to class on time and being prepared for the lesson. Students arriving for class late and/or unprepared are disruptive to the rest of the class. Appropriate dancewear, dance shoes and hairstyles are required - please be prepared! Students who are 15 minutes late or more will not be able to participate in the class; they will be asked to observe only!
  • ATTENDANCE: In order for students to benefit fully from their dance education and make good progress, they must attend a minimum of 80% of their classes throughout the year. There are no refunds or make-up classes for missed classes. Please notify the studio in advance if you will be absent. Regular attendance is vital, especially when students are working on group projects, examinations and dances for performances. If students are mildly ill or have an injury, they will be expected to attend, as it is extremely valuable to come to dance class and WATCH! (No contagious diseases please!) Dancing is learned through visual, auditory and kinesthetic information, so students who watch class still use their eyes and ears to learn dance! By observing classes, they won't have missed any information or be behind in their learning - in fact, they might even be ahead! If students miss a class, they are expected to catch up on class material that they missed with friends prior to the next class. Students are responsible for knowing their class material.
  • ATTENDANCE RECORDS: Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. After April 1, students who miss two or more classes may lose the opportunity to perform in the year-end production. We do keep attendance records for all of our students; however, it is not a monitoring system and it is your responsibility to contact the school if it is your intention to withdraw. Students who achieve perfect attendance in a class (September through June) will be recognized in our show programme at the year-end production and will receive a certificate of Perfect Attendance.
  • DRESS CODE: CSD students are to wear the proper dancewear and footwear specified in our dress code list. Students are advised to have a dance bag and label all their dance items. Students in Primary level and up should not wear underwear under dance clothes. For a streamline look and ease of movement, dancewear is designed to be worn independently. Students are allowed to wear a "CSD" t-shirt for warm-up ONLY, especially in the winter months! No baggy shorts, pants, pajama pants, etc. allowed in ANY class. No jewellery is permitted in class (except medic alert bracelets). The dress code should be respected at all levels of dance - it will be STRICTLY adhered to. Being properly groomed shows that you respect the art of dance and are proud to be a dancer. Teachers are permitted to deny class participation if a student does not abide by the dress code regulations; if uniforms are repeatedly forgotten, students will be asked to sit out and observe the class.
  • HAIR: Hair must be properly done for dance class. All ballet students must wear a proper bun. Hair should be neatly pulled off the face in a ponytail or bun for all other classes. Forgetful ballerinas, in Grade 2 level and up, who arrive at class without the supplies to make a proper bun will be provided with a "bun kit" and their family's account will be charged accordingly.

    STUDIO POLICIES


  • PARKING: At our NEW location, parking is located in two areas. At the front of the building, there is parking conveniently located near our main entrance. For everyone's safety, please slow down and carefully reverse out of parking spots. Please park in designated areas only; parking is not permitted adjacent to the building.

    At the rear of the building, there is a convenient and safe drop-off/pick-up “loop” - please drive slowly and look for dancers. Please refrain from honking when picking up students! Do not park in CSD faculty parking spaces adjacent to the rear of the building. If you must park, please do so in the middle of the rear lot in designated spaces or at the front of the building

    Go Green: Please do not idle in our parking lot! Thank you for your consideration.

  • ENTRANCE/SHOE REMOVAL: At both entrances, all shoes must be removed and placed on the mats or shelving provided. This will keep walkways clear, floors cleaner, and is friendlier on our bare-footed dancers! Street shoes are not allowed in the studios except for hip hop classes, for which clean running shoes must be worn.
  • NO NUTS FACILITY: CSD has several students enrolled who have life-threatening allergic reactions to peanuts and all other nutmeats. In order to create a safe environment for everyone, we have declared our studio a No Nuts Facility.
  • FOOD & DRINK: No food or drink is allowed in the dance studios (unless the dancer is diabetic). Only water bottles are permitted! Gum is not allowed. Our lunchroom area has a fridge, microwave and sink and is at everyone's disposal; make yourself at home, but please clean up after yourself. Please ensure that garbage and recyclables are placed in the proper receptacles. We like to keep the studio looking clean and hope that you will too! Food is not allowed in the changerooms, as this attracts pests to our school.
  • TUCK SHOP: Water, fruit-to-go, raisins, rice krispies squares, sesame snaps, and other healthy snacks are available at the CSD tuck shop in the lunchroom! Items are sold on the honour system - please be sure that children pay the correct amount for purchases. I.O.U.'s are not permitted. All profits from the tuck shop support CSD's dance companies.
  • CHANGEROOMS: CSD has three changerooms to accommodate boys, junior level girls and senior level girls. Students may leave their clothing in the changerooms at their own risk. Personal items, such as jewellery, cell phones, ipods, etc. should not be brought to the studio. CSD is not responsible for lost or stolen items, so please leave all of your valuables at home.
  • VIEWING ROOMS: We provide the viewing room primarily for the quiet enjoyment of CSD students and also for parents to occasionally watch classes. Please do not move furniture provided - walkways need to be kept clear in case of emergency exit.
  • PLAYROOM: At our NEW location, we are happy to provide a Playroom for parents who need to bring younger siblings of dancers to the studio! Parents can easily observe classes and children can play with toys provided by the studio. Children who are visitors should not be left unattended and should be engaged in quiet, non-destructive activities. Rough-play and destruction of property will not be tolerated. Please keep toys in the playroom and remember to put toys away when finished playing with them so they are ready for our next visitors. Although this room will be lots of fun, please only use it while your dancer is in class and not for play-dates after class is finished!!
  • OBSERVATION WINDOWS: Please do not tap on windows or wave to students in the classroom. This is distracting not only to the students, but also the teacher. If you notice that students are being distracted, please back away from the window. Some children cope poorly with being observed. We leave the blinds/curtains open as much as possible, but this is at the discretion of the teacher. If a teacher feels she does not have the attention of the students, the blinds/curtains will be closed. Under no circumstances should a parent or student go into the studio and open them if they are closed.
  • VANDALISM: Anyone aware of any vandalism in the studio is asked to report it immediately to the Director. This is your dance studio - please respect CSD property. Anyone caught destroying CSD property will be asked to leave the school immediately without refund.
  • LOST AND FOUND: Our lost and found box is in the lobby- please check it regularly as it fills up quickly! In our newsletters, we will notify students of a deadline for claiming items. If items are not claimed by the date, we will give clothes to the Goodwill Thrift Shop and any items of dancewear will be donated to our DANCEWEAR FOR CUBA campaign. We will keep found jewellery in the office. Please label all of your dancewear items, including shoes, so that if your item is lost, it is easily identifiable. Please note that the school will not be held responsible for lost or stolen items, so please leave your valuables at home. Furthermore, it is not the responsibility of CSD faculty or staff to retrieve lost items from the Lost and Found.