Student Handbook

“Excellence is not a singular act; it is a habit.” Aristotle

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” Walt Disney

  

 Today's Dance Center Student Handbook

Welcome to Today’s Dance Center!  Please read this student handbook carefully.

We at TDC strive for a high quality, disciplined, yet nurturing dance atmosphere while having a good time. It is pertinent to your child’s dance training that we all follow the school policies, recital policies, dress code, & calendar. Thank you! And we hope you enjoy the show.

Please remember that policies & procedures are created for the safety and effective functioning of our establishment. The handbook is continuously changing and evolving to meet the needs of our students and our programs. Thank you in advance for being good role models to our children!

Our NEW COVID-19 protocol following with the state & CDC regulations is in place for the safety of all our students & staff. (Please see below) All classes will be in-person at the studio with limited students per class. Registration is now open and on-going. We will expand into other days if needed. Dancers who get waitlisted or who are not ready to come back into the studio atmosphere will have the opportunity to take classes from home through our LIVE remote classroom. All class enrollments will be on a 1st come, 1st serve basis and accounts must be in good standing. All dance apparel & shoes can be purchased in our dance store at www.shopnimbly.com/tdcstudent.

NEW Studio Protocol/COVID-19

We at TDC have been working very hard to offer the safest environment for our dancers and will be maintaining very strict sanitation guidelines to protect everyone.

-At this time, we have invested in hospital grade air purifiers which kill 99.9% of germs & viruses. We will also be using a professional cleaning company who will be sanitizing our studios on a regular basis. Staff will end classes a few minutes early to disinfect & sanitize the studio space in between classes with organic, hospital grade disinfectant. We have also installed hands-free hand sanitizing stations in front of each classroom as well as a handsfree soap dispenser in the restroom. Signs will be posted through the studio to remind students & staff to continue practicing social distancing, wear a mask & to wash their hands.

--Our office & hallway areas will be closed to spectators/family. All dancers, except our young children classes, are to be dropped off and picked up. Our young children's program such as Petite Performers & Kindercombo will be allowed one parent or guardian to escort them to the office to check in, get temperature checked and hand in their daily Covid-19 form. There will be social distance markers throughout our property. The office space will be used as a social distancing holding space for the change of classes. Parents will have access to watch classes through our viewing portal on set parent observation days. Students are to report directly to the office on their arrival to the studio with their signed DAILY COVID-19 Form filled out & signed. Here attendance & temperatures will be taken and COVID-19 forms collected. They will then receive a sticker/or stamp to denote that they have been cleared to enter the studio. All staff members & dancers must be cleared before entry into the studio. (No admittance with a temperature of 100.4 or higher.) No one will be permitted in the building with a cough or runny nose or any other flu like symptoms.

-All participants will be required to wear a mask in all areas of the building and will be permitted to take down during high aerobic exercise. TDC masks will be available for sale. If interested please call front desk to place order.

More details to follow with step by step procedures as we get closer to our re-opening. Again, we remind you that no staff member or student should come to the studio if feeling ill, running a temperature, having a cough or has been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. All classes can be made up from home through the TDC LIVE class option. 

Payment:

TDC's school year runs from fall to late spring. Tuition will be paid in 4 installments.

1st payment is made at time of registration ( plus annual Registration fee) Later registrants will be pro-rated or make up missed classes.

2nd payment: is due Nov 1st
3rd payment: is due Jan 1st
4th payment: is due March 1st

Automatic credit withdraws are available.(See office staff/front desk for details)

Registration: In order to secure a place in our program, one must pay the annual registration fee and first semester payment. Many classes fill up quickly and this is the only way we can guarantee your first request.

Tuition:

Tuition is due the 1st of each month of the quarter (Nov 1, Jan 1, March 1). An email reminder will be sent and all accounts can be paid on-line.  After the 10th of the month a $15 late fee will occur. Please contact the front desk with any problems before the 10th of the month.

Refunds/Dropped Classes:

TDC does not grant refunds. Registration fees can not be used as credit. Credit is based on "Dropped class notice" in writing/email and are credited 2 weeks from the letter/email date. Injured dancers are expected to attend class(es) and observe until doctor's note allows them back into class to participate.  Class fees can be used for Studio Credit only up through the calendar year. Credit is interchangeable with immediate family members only. In lieu of holding studio credit, a customer may donate to our "Annual Scholarship Fund" for a committed dancer in need.  In addition, studio credit may be used toward: Birthday parties, Non-recital courses, adult programs, & in-stock apparel (no special orders). Credits will be given for Mommy & Me, KFK, & Showcasers but must be used by the end of the school year. No make-ups or Credits are given for summer classes or programs.

Returned checks: A $30 fee will occur.

Communication: It is extremely important to have good, positive communication between TDC and our students and their families. Please read your newsletters published 2x per year, check the studio bulletin boards, or call the front desk with any questions. Any problems, concerns, or suggestions please submit in writing to the director.

Lateness:

We ask that you have your child prepared for class 10 minutes before so that classes can start promptly at their scheduled time. Continued lateness disrupts the class and does not allow your child to get warmed-up and prepared for class.

Absences:

TDC does not give refunds for absences or extended absences. All absences (including snow days/or weather related absences) must be made up in the same month that they occur. Please call if your child is going to be late or absent..

School Closings: TDC may have to close in the event of weather or other emergencies. Please follow the Medford School district in case of an emergency & look to channel 19 for all information:1. If Medford Schools are CLOSED all day then TDC will be CLOSED for AM classes but PLEASE check the voice mail, your e-mail, or the TDC website for pm class updates. 2. If Medford School have a 2 hr delay then TDC will be CLOSED for am classes. Any class that starts at 12pm or later will run at scheduled time unless otherwise specified due to further inclement weather 3. If Medford school's after-school programs are cancelled then PLEASE check TDC's voicemail, website & your email for TDC updates. The lesson may be made up at a later date. Please ask front desk for the appropriate make-up class options.

Before and after class: We at TDC are responsible for your child during their class time with us. Parents/guardians are responsible for their behavior and safety before and after class. Siblings must stay with parents & we ask that you pick up after your children. Young children may not be left in the office or halls unattended. Please drop off your child within 15 minutes of their scheduled time & pick up no later than 5-10 minutes of their scheduled time unless other arrangements have been made.

Dismissals:

Behavior: TDC staff reserves the right to dismiss any student or parent for in appropriate behavior toward a teacher, staff member, or another student without a refund or credit.

Delinquent Accounts: TDC will have to dismiss families with delinquent accounts over 2 months. We will be happy to discuss payment plan options if you are experiencing financial difficulties.

Evaluation:

The Staff will monitor the progress of each student. Students do not automatically advance to the next level at the end of the year. All students must be recommended by staff for advancement. KFK will have a 4 week evaluation period and then parent/student will be advised by the teacher.

Company/Ensemble/Hip-Hop Crew:

These three intensive programs are for the committed student and families. Students are evaluated by staff throughout the year to determine their readiness to participate. If interested please inform your students teacher, the director, or front desk so that your child may be monitored. Then an audition will be held in late winter early spring.

TDC Recital Policies Recital Performance: Participating in the recital is a pertinent part of your child’s dance education. This is a great time for your child to show family and friends what they have worked so hard for the past year, while having fun. It is also an invaluable stage experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. Our show usually runs about 2-2 ½ hours long and is held in late May or early June. All classes except for Mommy & Me and Kick for Kids and Showcasers will participate in the recital. Petite Performers will only perform in one of the shows while the Petite Performer II’s & all other levels will perform in both of our shows. Please look for TDC’s recital packet given out this winter for all further details.

Backstage Etiquette:

Students are expected to arrive backstage with their hair and make-up completed as instructed with street clothes on (except for the PP who come fully dressed with daddy’s button down shirt to cover their costume) 45 minutes prior to show time. It is expected that each student will stay in their assigned dressing room with the assigned room mothers for the entirety of the show (except for PP’s who have the option to leave after intermission with a pass). NO ONE IS PERMITTED BACKSTAGE DURING INTERMISSION!! NO STUDENT IS PERMITTED IN THE THEATER DURING THE SHOW!!! THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS! Anyone caught trying to leave the building or sneaking into the theater will not be welcomed back to TDC. Parents are welcomed to drop off their child to their assigned dressing room and pick them up after the show has ended. This is a wonderful and exciting bonding time for the dancers and if you would like to be part of our backstage experience as a room mother please fill out the form in your recital packet and hand it in ASAP. These positions tend to fill up quickly. Otherwise, PLEASE stay out of the backstage area and enjoy the show. ANY PARENT/S THAT ARE GIVING STAFF A PROBLEM OR TRYING TO SNEAK THEIR CHILD OUT WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE TDC. This is for safety reasons and the security of your child. SORRY, No men are permitted backstage.

Dress Rehearsal:

All students performing in the annual recital are required to participate in the dress rehearsal. This is mandatory! We run our rehearsal on schedule. If you have a problem with your child’s scheduled rehearsal time, please let the front desk know ASAP so that we can try and arrange a time change. Please do not wait until last minute. This affects every dancer in the show, not just your child.

Recital Costumes:

All students performing in the recital are required to purchase a professionally made costume for each class that they are enrolled in. Costume fees are due by the last week of November and every family has the option to pay in three monthly installments between September and November. Costume slips will be handed out in the first few weeks of classes or on the date of enrollment there after. No costumes will be ordered without costume payment in full. No costume will be handed out unless all tuition payments are paid in full. There are NO refunds for costumes.

Recital Tickets:

TDC Students families are not required to purchase a minimum or maximum number of tickets for our annual recital. Tickets go on sale in early Spring and are chosen in the order in which you have registered. All outstanding balances need to be cleared up before any sale of tickets can be made. After ticket day they are sold on a 1st come 1st serve basis and have been known to sell out quickly. There are NO refunds or exchanges on tickets.

Recital Videos:

Professional copyrighted videos are available for purchase of our annual recital in VHS or DVD through an outside company. Audience members are not permitted to bring video cameras into the theater or to videotape the recital. Cameras of any type are strictly prohibited in any theater. This is a technical and safety issue. (Please note: Our recitals have professional lighting set for a live audience. The videographers do the best they can do for clarity under these lighting circumstances.) You may videotape during dress rehearsal in designated area only!

Recital Photos:

TDC offers an independent, professional photographer at the studio prior to the recital. This is an optional service and a scheduled appointment is necessary. The sign up book will be available in early spring at the front desk. 

“To dance is to live life in it’s finer and higher vibrations.” Ruth St. Dennis-Mother of modern dance.

Today's Dance Center

175 Route 70 Sharps Run Plaza,

Medford, NJ 08055

Phone. (609)953-0253

Email. todaysdancecenter1@gmail.com