2009 ~ 2010 Calendar

 The first day of Fall Classes is September 8, 2009.

• The school is closed:
  • Halloween Oct 31
  • Thanksgiving  Nov 24 – 29
  • Holiday Break   Dec 20 – Jan 1
  • Winter Break  Feb 14 – 21
  • Spring Break  April 18 – 25
  • Memorial Weekend  May 29 – 31

Class Placement

Staff will carefully determine the proper class level for all students.  Placement is determined by years of experience, skill level, and age. Students with little or no experience may be placed in a younger class for the first year of study. Advanced level classes are by invitation only. Please note that advanced class registration is not permitted on-line.

Technique classes are non-performing classes, and will not present a year-end piece. These classes are suggested for those students wishing to improve skills. Those students focusing on Pointe are required to take two ballet classes.

En Pointe - It is difficult to tell an eager dancer that she is not ready for pointework, but sometimes we must. In some cases, the bones of the foot are not fully-developed, strengthened, and hardened until teenage years, but there is an individual variation. If a dancer attempts pointework without proper strength and technique, there is a chance she will permanently damage her underdeveloped bones. Therefore, it is NSPAC’c policy to place a student en pointe at the sole discretion of our Ballet Master. 

Missed and Make-Up Classes

• Call the studio at 978-948-2828 or visit our website if you are uncertain if we are closed due to inclement weather. Although NSPAC does not follow school closings, the studio will be closed if the roads are unsafe for teachers or students at class time. Determination will be at least 1 hour prior to the start of class. We do not make up snow days. However, we do encourage students to make up lessons by participating in regularly scheduled classes other than those they ordinarily attend. 

• If you miss a class, you still pay for that lesson and can make-up that class within 3 weeks.

• Students may make-up class in equal or lower level classes.

• If your child is ill, please keep them at home. If they are not contagious, but they don't feel well enough to dance, they may come to watch their lesson if they do not feel well enough to fully dance. Your child may be asked to walk through their spacing in a dance if they are watching a lesson.

• A student having a significant injury that limits their ability to perform may require a doctor’s note to participate in class. 

• If you plan to discontinue dance lessons, you must notify the studio in writing or you will be charged for all classes until written notification is received. Thirty days notice is required for cancellation.

Class Rules  

• All student cell phones should be turned off or set to vibrate during class.

• Students should plan to arrive approximately five minutes before class.

• Do not wear dance shoes outside. Change them at the studio. This will keep your shoes clean and in good condition, and protect the studio dance floor.

• Absolutely no street shoes on the studio dance floor!

• When in class, students should place belongings in cubbies provided.

• Put your name on all of your dance equipment. NSPAC is not responsible for lost or stolen dance equipment.

• No unnecessary talking during class.

• No gum, candy, drinks, food, smoking, or student cell phones are allowed in the studio.

• No video cameras are allowed in class without advance permission from the studio.

• Students must maintain a positive and supportive attitude towards fellow students. 

• NSPAC reserves the right, after consultation with parent, to suspend or dismiss, with no tuition refund, any student whose attitude, attendance, or conduct is deemed unsatisfactory or dangerous to self or others. 

• Students are to remain in the studio until a parent picks them up. NSPAC is not responsible for students when not in class. Do not leave children unattended before or after a class. 

Dress Code

• Leotards are to be black. No t-shirts. No bare-midriff tops.

• Solid-color tights are as follows:
  • Ballet – pink

  • Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop – tan tights with black jazz pants or shorts

  • Lyrical, Modern – tan footless tights

• Shoes are as follows:
  • Ballet – pink ballet slippers or pointe shoes

  • Tap – tan tap shoe

  • Jazz – tan jazz shoe

  • Hip Hop – black dance sneaker or tan jazz shoe

  • Lyrical – barefoot, paws, or tan Padinis

  • Modern – barefoot or paws

• Shoes are to be non-marring soles and not to worn outside the studio. Dyed shoes are not allowed in the studio.

• Boys: Solid white t-shirts and black shorts or jazz pants. 

• Warm up gear such as leg warmers, shrugs or sweaters are allowed in solid black, pink, or lavender only.

• No jewelry or watches.

• Hair must be pulled back from the face, and long hair must be worn in a bun.

Waiting Room Rules

• Parents are permitted to observe class the 1^st - 7th each month. In the case of our smallest dancers observation will be allowed thru the viewing window. Older classes will have the studio door open.

• No gum, candy, drinks, food, or smoking are allowed in the waiting room.

• As a matter of courtesy to those in the waiting room we ask you to turn your cell phone to vibrate.

• All minors are the responsibility of an adult.

• No running, jumping, or horseplay allowed.

• No standing on chairs, or window ledge, or scaling the cubbies.

• Please do not disturb class.

• Teachers are not allotted time between classes for inquires, which should be made with the office staff or through a scheduled appointment with your child’s teacher.

Year-End Show

• The year-end show is optional to all students. Please notify the office on or before November 14th if the student is not able to participate, so a costume will not be ordered. Costumes for the May/June performance will be ordered in December.

• Costume deposits of $30 per costume is due November 14, 2009.

• Costume balances due December 19, 2009. 

• Any student who leaves a particular class or the studio after costumes have been ordered will remain responsible for payment of the costume(s).

• Pictures are taken during the dress rehearsal.

• Ticket sales shall occur roughly 2 weeks prior to the performance. Depending on venue, the number of tickets per student may be limited.

• Depending on venue, seats may or may not be assigned. If seat assignment is available, it shall be at the discretion of the studio.

• Students will receive costumes sometime in May, provided all fees, up to and including that month’s tuition, are paid. Students will also not be allowed to participate in the recital if fees are not paid in full. Anyone who leaves a class, a costume having been purchased for them, will have two weeks from the recital to claim it, or it will be donated to charity.