Policies for the 2022-23 School Year
GENERAL POLICIES
- Review SCD COVID-19 Protocols, some of which are and are not restated below. These can be found at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IE1BFXkQMeBRWQ7ma5z3rRs4sHI8kWLEOCrjGtZdsC0/edit?usp=sharing
- Limits on Studio Access: In order to inhibit the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses as well as to help our students to keep their focus on the instructor, we limit who enters the studio. Therefore, parents are not be able to sit inside and observe classes without prior permission. If students are in the Come Soar classes, parents may come inside and help place their students belongings in a cubby. Parents needing office assistance are asked to call to schedule an appointment. NOTE: NO STREET SHOES ON THE DANCE FLOOR.
- Temperatures, Masks and Social Distancing: I consent to have my child's temperature taken by a studio representative with a no-touch thermometer should that be deemed necessary. Masks are optional for dancers and family members as well as SCD staff. Ballet class has always been a socially distanced activity. As much as reasonably possible, we keep dancers approximately 6' apart in order for them to have the space needed to perform their exercises safely and with ease.
- Sonoma Conservatory of Dance reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.
- Parent’s Responsibility to 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 students 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: 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. Only water is allowed within the school unless other arrangements have been made. Respect others and their belongings.
- Pick-up/Drop-off Time and Tardiness: We stagger the start and end times for classes. 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. There will be a buffer to allow the prior class to be picked up before the next class is dropped off. It may be necessary to wait in line to enter/exit the studio. In that case, please maintain social distance. NOTE: A student who arrives late to class misses important exercises, which may result in serious cramping or injury. In line with our safety policies, the Conservatory reserves the right to have students who miss these important exercises sit out the class. Repeated tardiness may result in the having the student enroll for a lower level until able to meet necessary commitments.
- 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 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 and their family members) 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, 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 (given the age of the majority our students) and drug use are illegal 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 subjected 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.
- Photo Release: 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 OR
- Photo Release Opt-Out: 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.
- Waiver of Liability: As a participant in any program or class of 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 program or class. 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 program or class. I further agree to indemnify and hold harmless and defend Sonoma Conservatory of Dance and its officers, agents, servants, employees, and independent contractors from any claims resulting from injuries including death, damages, and losses sustained by me or my minor child that arise out of, in connection, or in anyway associated with the activities of this program.
- Reporting for non-profits: 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 information remain anonymous.
- Annual Registration Fee: A non-refundable registration fee of $40 is required at the time of registration each school year.
- I hereby authorize Sonoma Conservatory to charge my account for tuition and any other related charges on the 5th of the month.
- Late Fee: I understand that a late fee of 10% of the balance on the account may be charged to my account if payment is not made by the 20th 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.
- Withdrawals and Refunds: I will notify the studio two weeks before the discontinuation of classes or the account will be charged as usual. The notification can be sent via email: info@sonomaconservatoryofdance.org.
- 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 conditioning classes will provide their own yoga mats, therabands, exercise balls, etc.
- Missed Lessons and 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). Families who are unable to schedule make-up lessons due to COVID-19 restrictions should discuss options with the studio’s administrative staff (examples: attending class via Zoom, utilizing YouTube content). Students are able to attend from home via Zoom when unable to attend in person.
- Extreme Weather or Other Interruption to Classes: If the school 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 school policy. No refunds for lessons missed due to these reasons will be given.
- 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 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. A minimum attendance is required for dancers to maintain their current achieved dance level as well progressing 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 been placed on pointe 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.