Policies for the 2023-24 School Year
WAIVER OF LIABILITY
- As a participant in any program or class offered by Sonoma Conservatory of Dance, I recognize and acknowledge there are certain risks with any group activity, and I agree to assume the full risk of injuries and/or contracting an illness (including death, damages, or loss) that I or my minor child may sustain as a result of participating in any activities connected or associated with such programs or classes. I agree to waive and relinquish all claims I or my minor child may have against Sonoma Conservatory of Dance and its officers, agents, servants, employees, and independent contractors as a result of participating in any programs or classes. I further agree to indemnify and hold harmless and defend Sonoma Conservatory of Dance and its officers, agents, servants, employees, and independent contractors from my claims resulting from injuries including death, damages, and losses sustained by me or my minor child that arise out of, in connection to, or in any way associated with the activities of these programs or classes.
- Withdrawals and Refunds: I will notify the studio two (2) weeks before the discontinuation of classes or the account will be charged as usual. The notification can be sent via email: info@sonomaconservatoryofdance.org or through the USPS to SCD, 561 Broadway Suite B, Sonoma CA 95476.
- Annual Registration Fee: A non-refundable registration fee of $50 is required at the time of registration and at the beginning of each subsequent School Year.
- Auto-debit: I hereby authorize Sonoma Conservatory of Dance (SCD) to charge my account for tuition and any other related charges on the 5th of the month.
- Late Fee: I understand that SCD reserves the right to charge a late fee of 10% of the balance on the account if payment is not made by the 15th of the month and I have not been in communication with studio administration.
- NSF Payments: I authorize Sonoma Conservatory of Dance to electronically debit my bank account for the amount of any scheduled e-payment transaction, plus a $25 NSF fee.
- Limits on Studio Access: In order to enhance the experience and focus of our students and to inhibit the spread of illnesses, we limit who enters the studio. Therefore, parents are asked to remain outside during class time. Parents with a student in a Come Soar level may come inside to help their students prepare for class. Parents needing office assistance are asked to call to schedule an appointment. NOTE: NO STREET SHOES ON THE DANCE FLOOR.
- Be Aware of Dates and Events: It is the responsibility of the parent and students to be aware of all studio activities, such as rehearsals, master classes, and studio closing dates. The studio may post all such notices on the studio lobby bulletin board (for families to see) and on our website as well as send emails, post on the Conservatory’s social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram), and/or place paper notices in the windows as needed. It is the family’s responsibility to routinely check these sites to ensure receipt of studio event information.
- General Policies: Only water is allowed within the studio unless other arrangements have been made. Respect others and their belongings. Students and instructors only are allowed on the dance floor during class times unless special arrangements have been made with the instructor. No child/student may be left unattended at the studio. The Conservatory will not maintain a lost and found; be sure to take all items at the end of class.
- Pick-up/Drop-off Time and Tardiness: We ask that students use the restroom and warm-up at home and then be dropped off within 5-10 minutes of class start time — and not earlier unless prior arrangements have been made. Parents should then pick up their dancer 5-10 minutes of class end time. NOTE: A student who arrives late to class misses important exercises, which may result in serious cramping or injury. In line with our concern for safety, the Conservatory reserves the right to have students who miss these important exercises sit out the class. Repeated tardiness may result in having the student enroll for a lower level until able to meet necessary commitments.
- Dress Code and Class Equipment: Students should wear simple cover-ups and footwear when outside the studio so as to make the transition onto the dance floor as quick as possible. Dance shoes are NOT to be worn outside and street shoes are NOT to be worn on the dance floor. Required dance wear and shoes are expected to be worn to all classes. Dancers are discouraged from wearing jewelry. It is most helpful for long hair to be secured up and away from the face and neck. Dancers who participate in yoga or conditioning classes will provide their own yoga mats, therabands, exercise balls, etc.
- Missed/Make-up Lessons: Students are encouraged to make up classes missed due to viruses, flu, or scheduling conflicts. Refunds are given only for missed lessons related to serious medical conditions (email a photo or scan of the doctor’s note). As long as a student is actively enrolled at the Conservatory, s/he may do make-up classes at their level or below with prior consent from the studio (email to schedule). With prior communication with studio administrative staff, students are able to attend from home via Zoom when unable to attend in person.
- Extreme Weather or Other Interruption to Classes: If the studio must cancel classes due to extreme weather or events beyond our control, such as power outages or fires, the missed lessons must be made up according to Conservatory policy (see above). In such cases and whenever possible, classes will be held via Zoom.
- Substitutions: If the regularly-scheduled instructor is ill or otherwise unable to teach class, the studio reserves the right to provide a substitute teacher in the same or a different dance, movement, or artistic discipline. If the Conservatory is unable to arrange a substitute and the class must be cancelled, the family’s account will be credited accordingly.
- Dance Class Attendance: Please respect the school year that SCD follows as well as the minimum number of weekly classes for your student’s level. (The Conservatory School Year runs from late August to late June.) A minimum attendance is required for dancers to maintain their current achieved dance level as well as advancing toward their desired dance goals. Our curriculum is designed to give students progressive dance instruction in a safe, caring manner. Extended periods of absence from classes affect the student’s progress and sense of self-confidence and self-mastery and can increase the possibility of injuries. If a student must miss class for any reason, the studio should be informed via email or phone call.
- Pointe: Beginning with Elementary II, students wishing to prepare for pointe work are required to attend a minimum of two ballet classes weekly. Students who have graduated to pointe work must attend the minimum required ballet classes weekly in order to maintain the privilege of dancing on pointe. These minimum requirements have been established to ensure that students are safe and secure in their basic technique and muscle strength. Students who do not fulfill weekly class minimum requirements will not be allowed to work on pointe until class attendance has resumed a minimum level and the instructor deems that the student is strong enough to safely dance on pointe. Everyone can enjoy ballet, although dancing on pointe may not be recommended for each student.
- Student Progress: Keep in mind that those students who are enrolled in more than the minimum requirement each week, who participate in as many performance opportunities as possible, who attend the Summer Dance Camps (when qualified), and/or who attend Master Classes when offered will most likely progress more quickly than students who participate at the Conservatory at a minimal level only.
- Bullying and Harassment: Bullying and harassment of any kind (whether in jest or anger) by any student or any member of a student's family is explicitly prohibited while at SCD or at an SCD-sponsored event (such as, but not limited to, a performance at the Sebastiani Theatre). These behaviors will result in a meeting between the dancer, family member(s), and SCD's artistic director and may result in dismissal from SCD. There are many forms of harassment, some of which include gender (negative remarks about societal roles based on gender) and sexual (negative remarks with reference to sexuality, including homosexuality). Other types of harassment include verbally threatening behavior and ethnic/racial harassment. Please treat others as you would like to be treated.
- Further Clarification Regarding Bullying: All members of the SCD community (students, family members, and staff) have the right to feel safe and protected from bullying. Bullying physically and/or emotionally harms a person; targets a person in a negative way for any actual or perceived characteristic; and/or creates a hostile environment in the dance studio. Bullying will not be tolerated in any form — direct or indirect, physical, emotional, social, verbal, written, electronic, or otherwise. Bullying threatens the very core of SCD. Even one documented bullying event will have repercussions. Immediate termination of enrollment may be imposed for serious violations. Anyone witnessed bullying or harassing another student, parent, or SCD staff member will be sanctioned. If you or your child is being bullied, please alert the studio manager, administrative staff, and/or artistic director as soon as possible. You may speak directly with someone or you may anonymously report an incident in writing. Each situation of bullying is unique and will be treated with urgency, proactivity, and sensitivity by the Conservatory’s staff.
- Alcohol and Drug Policy: Students have the right to attend dance classes in an environment conducive to learning. As alcohol and drug use are illegal (given the age of the majority our students) and interfere with both effective learning and the healthy development of young people, SCD takes seriously its responsibility to prevent the use of these substances and to maintain an alcohol- and drug-free environment. Use of alcohol and/or drugs while a student of SCD is strictly forbidden. Any student found possessing, distributing, or using alcoholic beverages or illegal or controlled substances of any kind will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the Conservatory. This includes improperly using prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Any student who knowingly remains present where alcoholic beverages are being consumed by minors, or where illegal or controlled drugs are being used, is also in violation of this policy and will be held accountable. Students who are in possession of drug or alcohol paraphernalia are also subject to disciplinary action.
- By entering "yes" to the Photo Release question on the registration form, the Conservatory is hereby granted permission to take photographs or video of the students to use in brochures, websites, posters, advertisements, and other promotional materials the school creates. Permission is also hereby granted for the school to copyright such photographs in its name.
- By entering "no" to the Photo Release question on the registration form, the Conservatory will not release any photographs or video of the named student to use in brochures, websites, posters, advertisements, and other promotional materials the school creates.
- Sonoma Conservatory of Dance is a nonprofit, and training at the Conservatory is open to all applicants regardless of ethnic origin. To assist us in best serving our community and to be able to provide needed information to funders, we are requested to keep data about the ethnic/race group of our student body. Your response is greatly appreciated. Individuals providing this information remain anonymous.
- Sonoma Conservatory of Dance reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.