Stephanie Goodwin

STEPHANIE GOODWIN SCHOOL OF DANCE 2016-2017 Dancer Handbook Dress Code

Dancers must wear formfitting clothing so that the teacher may see all aspects of the dancers technique and body alignment. Baggy clothing also increases the risk of injury to dancers during some dance movements. Dancers should also avoid wearing dresses or skirts that limit a full range of movement. Students choosing to wear either a dress or skirt should also wear tights or shorts under their skirts as some floor work and stretches are part of the class.

Examples of appropriate dancewear include but are not limited to:  Shorts and a fitted t-shirt or tank top  Skirt, tights and bodysuit  Leggings or yoga bottoms

Acceptable footwear for class includes:  Bare feet  Ballet or highland slippers

Sneakers and outdoor footwear will not be allowed into the dance studio. For dancers of higher levels, purchase of dance slippers, either ballet or highland will be required. Sock feet will not be allowed in the dance studio because they can be slippery on the laminate flooring and can cause falls and injuries. If dancers enter the dance studio wearing only socks they will either be asked to take them off and dance in bare feet, or if unwilling to cooperate will be asked to sit out of the class.

No jewelry other than small studs and rings should be worn to class. Dangling earrings, necklaces and bracelets get in the way of certain movements or distract students during class. Hair of shoulder length or longer should be pulled back away from the face. Long bangs and short hair should also be fastened to the side so that no dancer should have to stop and move their hair out of the way while participating in class.

Competitive Dancers Dress Code

This year the Stephanie Goodwin School of Dance will be implementing a dress code for its competitive dancers. This dress code has been used successfully at many dance studios throughout the province, and aids in better instruction and comprehension of instructions by students. All competitive dancers will be required to wear the following to all dance classes

 Shorts of any colour that do not extend to or past the knee  Any t-shirt or tank top  Knee socks of any colour that extend as high as competition socks  Highland Ghillies  Hair tied back off the face Recital Dress Code

For all students intending on participating in the end of the year recital, it will be required to purchase black slippers (ballet, gymnastics, or highland) by June. There will also be other requirements for dance wear, normally a white t-shirt and knee socks, however these requirements will be outlined at the beginning of the spring term. Items required for the recital will not be of high cost, so hopefully all students will be able to participate.

Medal Tests As of 2016 the Stephanie Goodwin School of Dance is proud to offer medal tests as an opportunity for all of its students competitive or recreational. Medal tests are similar to dance exams for other types of dances, where a dancer is seen doing movements or dances that he/she has learned over the past couple of years by a judge. This is different from dance competitions as it is completed in the dance studio in which the student is familiar and with their class or studio dance friends. Dancers then receive feedback on their dancing, and eventually (when I receive my package from Scotland), receive both a certificate and a medal for their participation. More information about medal tests will be sent out in an e-mail early in the first term that will be used to determine interest in medal tests from each student.

Preparation for class

 All students are expected to bring their own water from home. If a student forgets to bring their own water, some will be available at the studio for $1 a bottle.  No gum is allowed in the dance studio. Highland dancing involves a lot of jumping and leaping movements and as such, gum poses a risk for choking.  Students should arrive slightly before the scheduled start of their dance class in order to prepare. When the scheduled start time of a dance class arrives students are expected to be changed, have their slippers on and hair back and be ready to warm up.  It is a good idea to bring a notebook and pen/pencil to class to make note of things to practice at home, important dates and events and reminders. If you want corrections and notes to practice at home, give Stephanie your notebook at the beginning of class and she will make notes for you as the class progresses.  The Dance studio will be open 10-15 minutes before the beginning of the first lesson of the evening. If a student enters the dance studio and the teacher is not yet present, it is requested that students do not jump around and dance on the studio floor without supervision.

Fees and Policies

Class fees

Classes will be divided into 3 terms, September – December, January – March and April – June. Fees will be due the first week of a new term. If a student is sick or away and would like to use the make up week to replace the missed class they must notify the teacher prior to missing their class (if away), or within 24 hours of the missed class (only if sick).

Payment options Payments can be made for the full year or can be made at the beginning of each term. Payments can be made by cheque, money order, or e-mail money transfer. If two cheques are returned due to insufficient funds, payments will only be able to be made in cash, or using a money order. If payments are not made in a timely manner, students risk being removed from their scheduled class. If payments are more than two weeks late, a late fee will be charged. NO CASH PAYMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Refunds If there are less then the minimum amount of students required to run a class (3 unless otherwise arranged), the class will be cancelled and all fees will either be refunded or transferred to another class of your choice. Refunds due to withdrawal will be allowed for the first two weeks of classes. After the first two weeks refunds will only be made due to medical reasons. All refunds due to medical reasons will be made upon presentation of a note from a doctor, therapist, or other medical personnel.

Class Cancellation Policies Weather Cancellation In the winter, classes may be cancelled to the weather. Cancellations will depends on current weather and road conditions as well as storm warnings. If classes are cancelled an e- mail will be sent out from the dance studio to students affected by the cancellation, or a phone call will be made to students at least an hour before the start of your scheduled class.

If you would like to find out if classes are cancelled as you are away from your computer or phone, you may contact the instructor by calling 902 877 4059.

If the weather begins to worsen during class time, classes may be released early and the students in following classes will be notified. Students whose parents have not yet arrived to pick them up during these times will be under the supervision of the instructor until parents are able to get them.

Instructor Illness If the instructor falls ill all attempts will be made to find a qualified substitute teacher for classes. If this cannot be done, classes will be cancelled and all students notified either by phone or e-mail at least one hour prior to the beginning of class time.

Make up classes All classes cancelled due to weather or instructor illness will be made up during a makeup week at the end of each term. Make up classes will be at the regularly scheduled time of your normal practice. If a makeup class is not possible for a cancelled class funds paid for that class will be credited towards a future term or refunded to the student.

Weekend Classes

Weekend classes may run on a slightly different schedule (have less classes per term) as Saturday and Sunday are common days for dance competitions and workshops. If students from the Stephanie Goodwin School of Dance are competing at the competition, lessons may be cancelled. Dates of cancelled classes should be available, along with modified fees, at the beginning of each dance term.