| 2019-2020 Parent Student Handbook.pdf |
All Starz Dance Academy
Parent & Student Handbook
We are so excited to kick off another year at All Starz Dance Academy! It is our desire that your child(ren) find this to be a place where they feel nurtured and supported. Our goal is that they learn the proper dance and acro/tumble technique and gain performance ability this year and that they feel confident as a result of these experiences.
Please keep this handbook all year for your reference.
1.Class Room Procedures & Rules
2.Parent/Instructor Communication
3.Recitals
4.Tuition, Merchandise & Costumes
5. Yearly Calendar
2.. Parent/Instructor Communication:
Email- Our primary means of communication is through email. Please check it often and respond with any questions you may have. Also, please feel free to contact us at any time should you have any questions. The best way to do this is via email since our schedule is opposite of most working parents and it is the most efficient means to communicate. Our email address is allstarzfranklin@gmail.com. We also have a text remind group that is very important to join. There will be reminders, class updates and/or cancellations sent via text remind. To join please sent a text to the number 81010 and in the message type @asdastarz. If your child is a member of the Superstarz Dance Team, you need to also send one to join the group @superstarz. During recital time, it is very important to check for e-mails daily. Sometimes our schedule might change based on what we see needs more practice, etc. I will also communicate these changes by email. If we don't answer immediately, we will get back to you as soon as we can!
ASDA App – This is a very useful and important tool that we have implemented. Instructors for app use are included in this packet. Please make sure you sign up for notifications when signing up for the app as this will serve as a way to look quickly at all emails that have been sent out and also any notifications that have been sent. The app will have schedules, practice videos, access to your account, and more!
Discussions with teachers- should you need to speak with a teacher please send an email to set up a scheduled time. We are very busy during class days and unfortunately really cannot talk very much between classes as we want to respect the class time each of you is paying for by starting each class on time.
Facebook/Instagram- Like our page on facebook “All Starz Dance Academy of Franklin”. We also have a FB group called “ASDA Parents & Students”. Also, follow us on Instagram (allstarzfranklin). We also are on twitter @ASDAFranklin. If you do not want pictures of your child on facebook/Instagram or on our website we need you to tell us via email.
Commitment- We view dance as a commitment that will last the whole season (from August to May) and hope that your dancer will be a part of her class all year long. However, should you wish to drop out of dance class you must notify us via email. You will be responsible for all fees up until the notification is sent including costumes if they have been ordered.
Handouts- Occasionally we will send handouts home from dance. I do not prefer this method because if someone is absent, they will not get the handout. Therefore, I will also send these out via email.
Website– Our website has been updated and has so much valuable information that you can use as a reference at any time during the year. Our address is www.wherestarzareborn.com. Select Franklin location and you will have access to: physical location map, staff information, tuition & payment information including a link to the customer portal and a link to purchase dancewear, class registration, schedule (including our weekly dance schedule and a dance calendar for the year), studio news and more.
Our goal is to be organized and we love to get information to you as soon as possible. We will also send many reminders as we know how busy everyone is; reminders will be emailed, announced in class, sent on text remind, and posted at the studio.
3. Recitals & Events:
4. Tuition, Merchandise & Costumes:
Tuition is charged on the 5th of each month.
1stclass is $48/month
Each additional add-on class is $25 per month
Sibling Discounts apply at 10% off tuition only
Registration Fee: $30 yearly per child
Aug 15th-18th - Open House at ASDA
Aug 19th - Classes begin at ASDA
Aug 23rd– Aug prorated tuition & registration fees are drafted
Aug 24th– TDC Dance convention in Alabama for Superstarz Dance Team (optional)
Sept 2nd& 3rd - No School, No Dance
Sept 5th& the 5thof each month after – Tuition will be drafted
Sept 15th– Costume Deposit is drafted
Sept 27th - No School, No Dance
Oct 31st - Costume balances are drafted
Oct 7th-11th - Fall Break, Closed
Nov 5th– No School, No Dance
Nov 8th(approximately) – Tickets on sale for Dancing w Starz
Nov 27th-29th - Thanksgiving Break, Closed
Dec 8th– Dancing with the Starz of Franklin Recital
Dec 14th - Christmas Parade with ASDA (Optional for all students)
Dec 23rd– Jan 3rd - Christmas Break, Closed
Dec 31st - Costume Deposits Due
Jan 20th& 21st- No School, No Dance
Jan 24-26th - Belli Moxi Convention (for those interested)
Feb 1st - Costume Balances are billed
Feb 14th - No School, No Dance
Feb 17th - No School, No Dance
March 6th - No School, No Dance
March 13-15th– Groove Competition (Superstarz Team & Mini Moverz)
April 6th-10th - Spring Break, Closed
April 15th(Approximately) – Tickets for Spring Recital on Sale
May 5th– Recital fee & prorated May tuition drafted
May 11th-15th - Recital Week, practice at Van Meter
May 16th - Recital at Van Meter
**This does not include extra practices close to show time & Schedule for Superstarz Dance Team
Parent & Student Handbook
We are so excited to kick off another year at All Starz Dance Academy! It is our desire that your child(ren) find this to be a place where they feel nurtured and supported. Our goal is that they learn the proper dance and acro/tumble technique and gain performance ability this year and that they feel confident as a result of these experiences.
Please keep this handbook all year for your reference.
1.Class Room Procedures & Rules
2.Parent/Instructor Communication
3.Recitals
4.Tuition, Merchandise & Costumes
5. Yearly Calendar
- Class Room Procedures & Rules:
- Arrival to class– Please do not arrive more than 5 minutes early to class and please do not arrive late for pick-up. Arriving late puts your child in an intimidating situation as she enters the classroom when class has already started. Arriving early leads to a loss of attention span during class especially for our youngest dancers. We cannot be responsible for those whose rides have not arrived because our classes do run back to back. Make sure that you bring your child to the correct studio door since we have 2 entrances that do not connect. Your child’s schedule on the portal will reflect which room they will be in. The studio numbers are marked on the front door as “Studio 1” or “Studio 2”.
- Please note that we will dismiss students 5 minutes prior to the scheduled end of class time in order for them to gather their things and get out the door before the next class starts.
- Please make sure that your child goes to the bathroom before coming into class. When one of them decides they need to go, they ALL need to go. This leads to our assistants running kids back and forth to the bathroom the whole class and disrupts the other kids in class.
- Clothing for class- Please arrive with the dance/tumble clothing already on and shoes in a dance bag. Make sure your child’s things are labeled with their name. Hair should be secured back in a ponytail or bun. Proper attire is: a leotard, dance shorts, dance pants, dance skirt, dance cami/tank, etc. T-Shirts should not be worn, street clothes should not be worn. It is distracting for teachers and other students when one student has on jeans and can’t participate in stretching/splits. And t-shirts fly up during dance and tumble which can be very embarrassing for little girls. If students arrive in clothing that the teacher feels is in appropriate, the teacher may give a warning or contact parents. We will always try to keep proper attire in stock in our lobby for purchase.
- Attendance- Attendance is expected unless the dancer is sick or has an important conflict with school or church. Remember dance is very much a team sport and your classmates depend on everyone being present so that formations and spacing can be rehearsed. If you know your dancer will miss class, we do ask for an email advance.
- Instructors– Each class will have a primary instructor and most classes will have a class assistant. This year recreational classes may will have a class leader (especially for the first half of the year). This is a member of our superstarz dance team or mini moverz that will attend the recreational classes to serve as mentors and assistants in the class. They may also perform routines with the class on stage during recitals.
- Observation of class– Parents and siblings are not allowed in the dance room. They are also not allowed to open the dance room door while instructors are teaching to take pictures or videos. This is our policy as it helps the teacher to keep the focus of dancers. However, we will occasionally invite you in to see progress or maybe a sneak peek prior to a performance. You are not required to wait in the lobby, feel free to wait in your car or run errands but make sure to be back by the dismissal. We are not responsible for siblings of dancers and they must not be left alone in the lobby. We do have an observation window in studio 2.
- Encouragement- We will encourage your dancer(s) in the classroom and ask that you encourage them to practice at home too! True progress is made by continual practice and repetition. Once we start dances you will be able to view videos and have access to practice music via the ASDA app.
- Discipline- We handle discipline with a verbal warning or two and then with a brief timeout. If your student is sat in time out more than once you will be notified so that we can discuss behavior. We reward good behavior from time to time with special treats in class as a reward. If a child is upset and crying, we may bring them to the lobby to their parents to keep from distracting the rest of the class.
- Snacks/Water- We sell snacks at the studio on the honor system. Please make sure that your child knows that they must pay for these snacks as several of them grab them as they come in the door and do not realize they are for sale. This year we have a punch card system on the All Starz App. Parents will not have to have money, they will just simply bring their phone with the app pulled up to a teaching assistant between classes and they will enter a password to “punch” the cards for snacks. We will sell $10 & $20 punch cards at open house. These snacks are NOT allowed in the dance room. Your child may bring bottled water into the dance room during class. However, they must be kept bottled up in the bag. Open cups are NOT ALLOWEDin the dance room. Water cups must be emptied and thrown away before entering dance room and food/snack/candy/gum will not be allowed to be brought into dance room as it is not safe to dance/tumble with food, candy or gum.
- Lockers/Cubbies/Hangers-All belongings should be put away when coming into the studios. In Studio 1, we have lockers available for rent ($25 per year) and cubbies in the dance room. In Studio 2, we will not bring bags/change of shoes into the dance room, there are lockers also available for rent and benches with cubbies located in the lobby and hangers for dance bags and jackets in the bathroom. They will come out to change shoes if they are required to do so during class.
2.. Parent/Instructor Communication:
Email- Our primary means of communication is through email. Please check it often and respond with any questions you may have. Also, please feel free to contact us at any time should you have any questions. The best way to do this is via email since our schedule is opposite of most working parents and it is the most efficient means to communicate. Our email address is allstarzfranklin@gmail.com. We also have a text remind group that is very important to join. There will be reminders, class updates and/or cancellations sent via text remind. To join please sent a text to the number 81010 and in the message type @asdastarz. If your child is a member of the Superstarz Dance Team, you need to also send one to join the group @superstarz. During recital time, it is very important to check for e-mails daily. Sometimes our schedule might change based on what we see needs more practice, etc. I will also communicate these changes by email. If we don't answer immediately, we will get back to you as soon as we can!
ASDA App – This is a very useful and important tool that we have implemented. Instructors for app use are included in this packet. Please make sure you sign up for notifications when signing up for the app as this will serve as a way to look quickly at all emails that have been sent out and also any notifications that have been sent. The app will have schedules, practice videos, access to your account, and more!
Discussions with teachers- should you need to speak with a teacher please send an email to set up a scheduled time. We are very busy during class days and unfortunately really cannot talk very much between classes as we want to respect the class time each of you is paying for by starting each class on time.
Facebook/Instagram- Like our page on facebook “All Starz Dance Academy of Franklin”. We also have a FB group called “ASDA Parents & Students”. Also, follow us on Instagram (allstarzfranklin). We also are on twitter @ASDAFranklin. If you do not want pictures of your child on facebook/Instagram or on our website we need you to tell us via email.
Commitment- We view dance as a commitment that will last the whole season (from August to May) and hope that your dancer will be a part of her class all year long. However, should you wish to drop out of dance class you must notify us via email. You will be responsible for all fees up until the notification is sent including costumes if they have been ordered.
Handouts- Occasionally we will send handouts home from dance. I do not prefer this method because if someone is absent, they will not get the handout. Therefore, I will also send these out via email.
Website– Our website has been updated and has so much valuable information that you can use as a reference at any time during the year. Our address is www.wherestarzareborn.com. Select Franklin location and you will have access to: physical location map, staff information, tuition & payment information including a link to the customer portal and a link to purchase dancewear, class registration, schedule (including our weekly dance schedule and a dance calendar for the year), studio news and more.
Our goal is to be organized and we love to get information to you as soon as possible. We will also send many reminders as we know how busy everyone is; reminders will be emailed, announced in class, sent on text remind, and posted at the studio.
3. Recitals & Events:
- Sunday, Dec 8th- We will host Dancing with the Starz of Franklin charity event and mini-recital (for all dancers) at Van Meter Auditorium in Bowling Green. More info will come out about this in September. We will have a rehearsal Sunday afternoon, followed by the show that evening.
- Saturday, May 16th - Our spring recital this year with held at Van Meter Hall at WKU and is set for May 16th. We will have on-stage rehearsals during show week at WKU and that schedule will be send out closer to show time.
- We will send more recital information out in a packet closer to the events. It is an exciting, but hectic time. Be sure to keep all communication regarding recitals so that we all know what is going on and check emails frequently during the weeks leading to these events. If your child does not wish to participate in recitals, we must know by Sept 15thso we do not order a costume for them.
- Dec 14th -We will also participate in the local Christmas Parade. We will decorate floats and ride as a group in the parade and also have some groups that may dance. This is optional for all students.
4. Tuition, Merchandise & Costumes:
- Tuition- Tuition will be drafted on the 5th of the month. Your card or bank account on file will automatically be charged on that day. Should you wish to pay by check, you can do so by the 25thof the month BEFORE tuition is due and that will create a credit on your account so that when you are charged, nothing will be drawn from your card/bank. However, you must have a card/bank on file for backup. If any card is declined, there will be a $15 late fee applied per month by the processing company. If you wish to make payments throughout the month for upcoming charges, you may do so through the portal (you can use the ASDA app for this) and create credit balances on your account.
Tuition is charged on the 5th of each month.
1stclass is $48/month
Each additional add-on class is $25 per month
Sibling Discounts apply at 10% off tuition only
Registration Fee: $30 yearly per child
- PORTAL TIPS:
- Our portal is where all of your account info is maintained. You can access it through an online link found on our website or through the ASDA APP. It is also our system we use for sending emails with important information. Be sure birthdays, mailing addresses, phone numbers, allergies, special needs are entered and correct in the portal. It is also very important that your correct email is in the portal or you will not receive updates from us. If a family is a split home, please make sure both mom & dad have emails entered in the system so they both know when class changes are sent out, tickets go on sale, etc.
- Portal tip - If you enter the same email address for you and your student you will get duplicate emails every time we send one so don't enter an email address for your child unless it is different from yours unless you want a double dose of ASDA email.
- It’s a good idea to bookmark the customer portal however you can always access it by going to our website www.wherestarzareborn.comand clicking Franklin then Tuition & Payments.
- Merchandise– All Merchandise for sale will be located in the lobby of Studio 1. To purchase items, you must include the bottom portion of the inventory tag along with your check into the drop box (there is one located in each studio). Tax has been built into the final price listed of the item so no need to calculate tax. Most of the time the merchandise is available for immediate purchase, other times we have a “sizing kit” in place for taking orders. In that case, you simply fill out the merchandise order form located in the ASDA App. This is located by opening the app, go to the menu bar, then select Merchandise Order Form.Upon ordering, your card on file will be charged for the items. You may order dance shoes at any time. There are sample sizes in the hall of each shoe style and size. Most times shoes are in within two weeks unless they are backordered. You can also order items by filling out a merchandise order card and placing that (along with payment) in the drop box in the lobby.
- Costumes– Costume fees will be due as follows:
- September 15th - Costume Deposit Due ($50 for recreational classes, $100 for team)
- October 31st - Costume Balances for fall recital
- December 31st- Costume Deposit Due ($50 for rec classes, $100 for team)
- February 1st- Costume Balances for Spring recital due.
- Tiny Starz require 2 costumes per year for a total of $130 (plus a Halloween show costume estimated to be $25)
- Little, Rising, Shining Starz require 3 costumes per year (if enrolled in tap) totaling $195. It will be 2 costumes for $130 if not enrolled in tap.
- Hip Hop & Acro/Tumble require 1 costume per year totaling $65
- Superstarz Dance Team require 5 costumes per year totaling $350 (extra fees apply for extra classes such as acro/tumble, Pointe, Mini Moverz, Pre-Pointe (possibly), Lyrical, Hip Hop.
- Shoes- Shoes are required to be purchased for Ballet ($20), Jazz ($45) we will be getting a new style of jazz shoe this year as they are phasing out the old ones, and Tap ($27 for Tiny/Little, $50 for advanced Rising/Shining/Team). Tumble classes do not require shoes and Hip Hop can wear tennis shoes but they will be required to purchase specific shoes to be worn in each recital. We have sizing kits available for each shoe so that you can order shoes anytime you need them. PLEASEput your child's name in their shoes as soon as you get them. The instructors cannot be held responsible for lost shoes. It is the parent's responsibility to label the belongings of each child.
- Other Costs– The other costs that you will incur would be recital fees for spring show (approx $60 which will include a t-shirt and program this year), recital tickets (ranging from $10-$15 per ticket) and any recital "extras" that are all optional. We usually sell t-shirts for our winter show and DVDs produced by the high school. For our spring show we sell, Recital bears ($30), Trophies ($15), Program Ads (Prices vary), professional DVDs ($35), Extra Program books ($5).
- Closings– All recreational classes will follow the Simpson County schools for closings. The Superstarz Team will refer to the app for all practices. If any classes are missed due to weather, they will be made up closer to recital time with some extra Saturday practices.
Aug 15th-18th - Open House at ASDA
Aug 19th - Classes begin at ASDA
Aug 23rd– Aug prorated tuition & registration fees are drafted
Aug 24th– TDC Dance convention in Alabama for Superstarz Dance Team (optional)
Sept 2nd& 3rd - No School, No Dance
Sept 5th& the 5thof each month after – Tuition will be drafted
Sept 15th– Costume Deposit is drafted
Sept 27th - No School, No Dance
Oct 31st - Costume balances are drafted
Oct 7th-11th - Fall Break, Closed
Nov 5th– No School, No Dance
Nov 8th(approximately) – Tickets on sale for Dancing w Starz
Nov 27th-29th - Thanksgiving Break, Closed
Dec 8th– Dancing with the Starz of Franklin Recital
Dec 14th - Christmas Parade with ASDA (Optional for all students)
Dec 23rd– Jan 3rd - Christmas Break, Closed
Dec 31st - Costume Deposits Due
Jan 20th& 21st- No School, No Dance
Jan 24-26th - Belli Moxi Convention (for those interested)
Feb 1st - Costume Balances are billed
Feb 14th - No School, No Dance
Feb 17th - No School, No Dance
March 6th - No School, No Dance
March 13-15th– Groove Competition (Superstarz Team & Mini Moverz)
April 6th-10th - Spring Break, Closed
April 15th(Approximately) – Tickets for Spring Recital on Sale
May 5th– Recital fee & prorated May tuition drafted
May 11th-15th - Recital Week, practice at Van Meter
May 16th - Recital at Van Meter
**This does not include extra practices close to show time & Schedule for Superstarz Dance Team