STUDENT HANDBOOK
Tuition Payments
Tuition is due prior to the first class
of the session. ArtsCaravan accepts checks and cash payments. Class reservations
with out payment
will be held for five days. If payment is not received after the fifth
day the space will be released.
Refund Policy
If a student drops out of a class, refunds will be made through the
second week of classes and prorated. After the second week no refunds
will be made. Registration fees are not refundable. All request for refunds
must be made in writing.
Late Enrollments
New students may join existing classes if space is available during
the fall session. Tuition will be prorated for late enrollments. No students
will be added to a class once the teacher has started staging the performance
piece for the June show. Prospective students may take one sample class
at no charge.
Costume Payments
Costumes for the June show are ordered during the fall session. Once
the costumes are chosen and prices are determined a separate costume
bill will be sent home. Payment for the costumes is due upon receipt
of the bill. Full payment is required before the costumes will be ordered.
Class Attire
The following may not be worn for any class: Jeans, Flip-flops,
Sandals, or backless shoes.
Tights or socks must be worn with all dance shoes. Pants must be short
enough for teacher to see the student’s feet.
Ballet and Tap/Ballet classes:
Girls – Tights and leotard of any color, a short dance skirt may
also be worn.
Leather ballet shoes any color, pink is required for the June performance.
(Please do not buy pink satin slippers – they are not safe and are not
allowed in class.)
Tap shoes, screw in taps create the best sound – Teletone or Bloch taps
are recommended. (No Jingle Taps)
Hair should be pulled away from the face.
Boys – Bike shorts, sweat pants, or dance pants and a T-shirt
Black ballet shoes and tap shoes. Screw in taps create the best sound – Teletone
or Bloch taps are recommended. (No Jingle Taps)
Tap, Jazz, Hip-hop and any combination classes:
Jazz pants and
dance top or leotard with tights
Musical Theater Workshop:
Stretchy, comfortable clothing, sneakers,
jazz, or ballet shoes. Jazz or ballet shoes are needed for rehearsals
of musical numbers.
Salsa/Ballroom:
Hard soled shoes, No Sneakers.
Shoe Exchange
ArtsCaravan students help each other out by donating used
shoes in good condition to the shoe exchange. If you are in need of a
pair of shoes
or have a pair to donate, look in the baskets in the lobby. The shoes
taken from the baskets should be used for studio classes only.
Class Calendar
ArtsCaravan classes are offered in a fall and spring semester. Each
semester is fifteen weeks long. The studio does not strictly follow
the school calendar. Although most of the major breaks are the same.
Many of the Monday holidays we have classes. The start and end date
of
classes vary by day of the week due
to holidays. Please
refer
to the
calendar included in this packet or in the lobby for details by day
of week.
Student Drop Off and Pickup - for all students 8 and younger.
Drop off
and pickups are at the studio door, not the building door. Students
may arrive 15 minutes before class time to change clothes. You
must stay with your student until the teacher takes the class into the
studio. Please do not leave your student unattended before class. Please
do not ask the teacher to watch your student before class, they are usually
preparing the classroom and lesson. After class the teacher will release
the students only to their parents.
If you plan to have your child picked up by someone else please notify
ArtsCaravan in writing.
June Performance
ArtsCaravan is a performing arts studio. The June production
is an opportunity for the students to experience a real theatrical environment
and to present
to an audience dance routines or acting scenes that showcase the work
done in class. The rehearsal and performance dates are listed on the
studio calendar. Ticket prices for the show reflect the minimum cost
necessary to produce the show. Please notify Dana immediately if you
are not available for the dates of the rehearsal and performance.
The rehearsals are Thursday, Friday and Saturday prior to the performance. Each class will only rehearse once. All students MUST attend the rehearsal. It is very important for the students to get familiar with the theater and stage prior to performing before an audience. A rehearsal schedule will be given out a couple of weeks prior to the rehearsal. The rehearsal schedule is not in the order of the show. It is created to try and limit the amount of time each class needs to spend at the theater on the rehearsal date.
A professional photographer will be taking group and individual pictures on the day of the dress rehearsal. Even if you do not intend to buy photos please allow your child to be in the group shot. The photographer gives the studio a copy of all the group shots to display at the studio.
A professional video is also done on show day. Cameras may be used at
the rehearsal, but no cameras are allowed at the performance. It is a
distraction for other parents and can be dangerous for the children on
stage.
If you want to talk to your child’s teacher please call Mary to set up an appointment. Teachers are often busy getting the next class started and cannot divert attention from the students at class time.
Parent Visits to Class
Parents are welcome to watch classes from the window
and are often invited in to watch the last few minutes of class. For
young children parents
may be asked to stay in the studio for the first couple of classes. It
is very important for the children to feel safe in their new class.
The Musical Theater Workshop classes present their show on the last day of the fall session (and at the June performance). Parents and guest are invited to watch the fall studio performance and should arrive 30 minutes prior to the end of class. The shows usually run about 20 to 25 minutes. Bring your cameras.
The dance classes may also do a short demonstration of what they have been working on at the last class of the fall session.
Bring a Friend to Class Day
New students may try a class at any time during
the first session and during the first month of the second session.
Current students may also
try an additional class they are interested in at any time. BRING A FRIEND
TO CLASS DAY is a designated day to bring a friend and we take in to
consideration on that day that visitors may not be at the same level
as their ArtsCaravan friends.
ArtsCaravan will be booking themed birthday parties on Saturdays and Sundays. Check with Dana or Mary for details.
Halloween
The last class before Halloween students may wear a costume
to class. Please make sure it does not restrict their dance movement.
Treats for
classmates may be brought in for a small party at the end of class.
December Holiday Recess
At the last class before the December Holiday
break we will have a small party during the last 15 minutes of class.
Small treats may be brought
in for classmates.
Weather Closings
A recorded message on the studio phone (914 232-0424)
will be updated each day during inclement weather. Please call to find
out if we are
open.
WE WILL NOT BE GOING BY THE SCHOOL CLOSINGS.
Class Make Up Policies
If a student misses a class, due to illness, etc.,
the class may be made up in another class. No credit is given for missed
classes. Makeup
classes are discouraged after April 15th. By that date teachers will
be spending part of each class working on their performance pieces. Please
make every effort to get your student to their assigned class each week.