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Dancer’s
Image
The Mill at Crane Pond
77 Mill Street
Westfield MA 01085
(413) 568-4989
General Information
Handbook
Thank you for making Dancer’s Image your choice in dance education. Our highly qualified staff
of teachers will strive to give your child the very best dance training in a relaxed fun environment. Here at Dancer’s
Image we believe that every child, and their individual development, is very important as well as increasing their appreciation
and love of the art of dance. Dance can be a valuable learning experience, whether it is for poise, grace, health, education,
self- confidence, sports, or in preparation for a career. Our goal is to help our students achieve their goals. We thank you
for your continued support and interest in Dancer’s Image. We look forward to providing you with a quality dance education
in the coming year.
Miss Beth & Staff
Beth Drugan–Owner/ Director
- Bachelor of
Science—Westfield State College
- Certified by Dance Masters of America
- Over 30 years of Dance training
- Regional and National Dance Judge
- Former Dancer/Choreographer for Six Flags New England
Please read
all rules and regulations carefully so there is no confusion.
Attendance
Regular attendance is essential
to your child’s progress in dance. Children develop very quickly and even one absence may affect their progress. In
addition, the class depends on everyone's regular attendance to perform well as a group. We do understand that children get
sick from time to time and we understand these types of absences. If a child misses more that 6 classes it is at the teacher's
discretion to remove that child from the class so that the rest of the students are not slowed by the absences. If you would
like your child to make up missed classes arrangements may be made for a private class with the instructor for an additional
fee. There will be no deductions or pro rating of tuition for missed classes, regardless of reason. If, for some reason, you
withdraw your child from class the office must be notified, in writing, at the time of withdrawal so your account may be adjusted
accordingly. Charges will continue to accrue until such notification is made. There are absolutely no refunds of any kind!
Dress Code
All students must be dressed properly for dance class. Acceptable attire for class consists
of a leotard, any color or style, or tight fitting dance clothes, with the appropriate dance shoes. ***Acro students
must be in a leotard. Tights are optional. Children should be barefoot for acrobat, unless teacher specifies that shoes are
required. No socks or tights without shoes please. All students must have their hair securely pulled away from their face
in either a ponytail or a bun. After the first week of classes children are expected to have the proper attire. If not, your
child may not be able to participate in class. ABSOLUTLY NO T-SHIRTS OR LONG PANTS!!!!!!!!
Tuition
Our
tuition is based on the dance session. Our full year session runs from the Tuesday following Labor Day through mid May ending
with our annual recital. For your convenience tuition is pro-rated on a monthly basis. Tuition is due the first FULL week
of classes every month. A late fee of $10 will be assessed to each account not paid by the 10th of the month. The full
month’s tuition is to be paid regardless of the number of lessons given. Please remember some months may have 3 lessons
while others may have 5. There will be a $30 charge for all returned checks, regardless of the reason. NO EXCEPTIONS!!
Payments may be mailed if you cannot make it to the studio. Payments may be made by cash, check, or credit card. If you choose
to pay by cash, please be sure to get a cash receipt from the office staff. If any account is over due by 30 days or more
that child will not be able to participate until the account is brought up to date. Payment plans are available; please see
Lee for more information.
Cancellations
Dancer’s Image will follow the Westfield Public
School systems policies regarding closings/ and or early dismissals due to weather conditions. When Westfield schools are
closed or dismissed early, we will be closed as well. If in doubt call the studio to see if classes will be held. We WILL
hold class on Monday holidays.
Parent Watch Weeks
On the first FULL week of every month we invite you
to watch your child’s progress through our viewing windows. We will no longer be allowing parents to enter the dance
rooms to watch classes. We have found that the children have a hard time concentrating when parents and visitors are present.
The only exception will be in the tot classes where parents will be allowed in the room with the child for the first month
until the child becomes comfortable. After the first month the same rules apply. You will notice that the instructors may
open the blinds at other times for your observation at their discretion.
Note- While waiting for your child please
be respectful of our newly renovated wait area. Please keep siblings out of the dance rooms as it can become distracting to
the dancers. We also ask that everyone please pick up after themselves and make sure that eating stays in the student break
room. Thank you for your understanding.
Subjects Offered
We offer a wide variety of classes and levels
at Dancer’s Image to suit each of your child’s needs. For ages 2-3 year olds we offer our tot tumbling class.
For our 3-5 and 6-9 year olds we offer a variety of combination classes. For ages 4 and up we offer classes in ballet,
tap, jazz, acro, lyrical, and Hip Hop. All of our classes run for 45 minutes per class per week, unless otherwise stated.
In addition we also offer adult classes which vary by session.
Solos, Duets, and Trios
If your child
is interested in a routine that may be used for competition, recitals, talent shows, or school programs please see Miss Beth
for further information. These routines are guaranteed a spot in our annual recital. They are NOT exclusive to our competition
students!!
General Information
During pay and watch week of every month we will provide you with
a calendar of events for the following month. On the calendar will be all pertinent information for the following month, be
sure to pick one up at the desk. In addition, we will have notices posted on the information board in the wait area. These
notices will be constantly changing so please check the board often.
Recital Information
Our annual
recital is held in mid May at Westfield South Middle School. We usually run two shows in the same day. One in the morning
and one in the afternoon. Each show runs approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours. If your child takes more than one class, or
you have more than one child dancing, please be prepared to attend both shows. We do our best to schedule students and siblings
in the same show. However, with about 200 students, it is impossible to accommodate all requests. Tickets for the recital
go on sale in mid April. Seating for the show is assigned seating, and is available on a first come first serve basis.
Costumes
Costumes are ordered for all students in mid November. The cost for a small or medium child size costume
is $65, a large child or adult size costume is $75. There may be additional charges for extra large size costumes.
Costumes are ordered from a variety of different costume companies. We measure the students and compare their measurements
to the company’s size chart. These costumes are not custom made to each child’s measurements, to do so would be
much more expensive. Instead, they fall into a size category. We order the size we feel will best fit the child. If you would
like to choose the size of the costume it must be done prior to November 5th, otherwise we will order what we feel is appropriate.
There are no returns, exchanges, or refunds on costumes. Once the order is placed you are responsible for the balance of the
costume. We are not responsible for any alterations that need to be made to the costumes. We break the costume payment into
three parts for your convenience. The 1st payment of $25 per costume will be due during September’s pay week. The
2nd payment of $25 per costume will be due during October’s pay week. The final payment on costumes will be due
during November’s pay week. Any payments not made by these dates will be subject to a $10 late fee per costume per
month overdue.
Note- Students may be required to purchase additional accessories for recital,(i.e. shoes, tights,
hair pieces ect). Please see the teacher of your child’s class to find out if additional items are needed.
Pictures
Picture day is usually held in the beginning of March and is done at the dance studio. We use McClement
Photography of Chicopee for our pictures. They offer a variety of packages at affordable prices to suit different needs. We
ask that all students plan to attend picture day even if you do not plan on purchasing pictures so that the class is properly
represented for those who do. A time schedule will be posted for picture day in January or February.
If you
have any further questions or concerns,please do not hesitate to call the studio. We are here to help in any way that we can.
We want to thank you for your understanding and continued support,we look forward to another great year.
Dancingly
yours,
Miss Beth and the Dancer’s Image Staff
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