Policies/Dress Code

STUDIO PAYMENT

Classes are billed in 12-week sessions. You may choose to pay per 12-week session, monthly or for the full year.  Every Synergy Dancer is REQUIRED to have a valid credit card on file.  Late payment due to expired or declined payment will incur a $20 late fee per month until payment is received.

No refunds for classes paid in full for the year FOR ANY REASON (this includes medical).

We offer a 6% discount for all families who pay for the FULL YEAR by October 1. See discounts under Classes for more information. You may choose your payment option when you register online through the Parent Portal.

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SYNERGY CLASS INFORMATION

NO CLASS DAYS

Classes that fall on the following 2023-2024 holidays will not occur but will be charged, however, students may schedule make up for these classes:  Labor Day, Halloween,Thanksgiving and Memorial Day.

MISSED CLASSES

If a class is cancelled by a teacher or the studio the class will be rescheduled IF possible.   If the class is not able to be rescheduled the missed class can be made up, by the student, by attending another, same style, class.  Classes that are at or near their class limit may not be available as a make up class.  There are no refunds or credit for cancelled classes. 

If a student misses a group class, it may be possible to make it up by attending another, same style, class.  There are no guarantees that the same level class will be available for a make-up class.

Synergy follows the Middleton/Cross Plains school district SNOW DAYS. If Middleton closes due to weather, we will most likely, close.  However, if it looks like the weather will clear up by class time, we will stay open.  We will decide this by 1:00 pm.  We will do our best to get this information out through email, studio app, Facebook, and Instagram.  It is the parents/guardian’s responsibility to check these announcements on days that the Middleton/Cross Plains schools are closed due to snow.

If a private, duet, or trio class is missed by the student(s) it will NOT be re-scheduled.  Private classes must be used for the dancer(s) who originally signed up for the class and may not be transferred to siblings or other dancers.

Synergy reserves the right to combine classes, change times/rooms, provide substitute instructors or replacement instructors, and cancel or combine any class with 3 or less students.

ABSENT DANCERS

IF DUE TO ABSENCES THERE ARE ONLY 2 DANCERS LEFT IN THE CLASS ON A DAY, THE TEACHER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SHORTEN THE CLASS.  WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO CONTACT PARENTS IF THIS HAPPENS. DANCERS MAY MAKE UP LOST TIME IN ANOTHER SAME STYLE CLASS. THERE ARE NO REFUNDS OR CREDITS FOR SHORTENED CLASSES

CLASS LEVELS/AGES

DRESS CODE

WHERE TO BUY

Please visit Discount Dance Studio Code 67442 for specific dress code options to buy.  For local stores visit “Rosy Cheeks”, “La Boutique” and “Virginia Davis Dancewear.”  Other online stores, AMAZON and DISCOUNT DANCE

No loose fitting clothing, no dangling jewelry, no inappropriate or offensive writing or graphics on any clothing.  If a student does not have the proper clothing he or she may be asked to sit out of class.  There are no refunds or make up for these classes.

SYNERGY DRESS CODE

Synergy instructors will be enforcing the dress code diligently throughout the year. Students who do not adhere to the proper dress code will receive a “dress code violation slip”, this is a warning.  Any student who receives a slip will need to be dressed properly for the next class or they will not be allowed to participate in class.

There are no make ups for missed classes due to improper dress.

It’s important for students abide by a dress code policy for the following reasons:

1. A neat and tidy appearance sets an attitude of attentiveness and respect for students, teacher, and the art of dance.
2. Teachers must be able to see the dancer’s body outline clearly in order to make proper corrections on posture and alignment, etc.
3. Clothing is not to be a distraction during class, therefore students wearing inappropriate clothing will be asked to change before returning to class.

For these reasons we request the following from our dancers:

BALLET STUDENTS

HAIR:  MUST be in a neat bun
SHOES:  PINK (leather, no satin—like from Target).  Elastics tucked in. BOYS:  Black canvas or leather.
TIGHTS:  PINK-NO TAN!  They must be full tights, not cut off.
LEOTARD:
        MINI MOVERS to BALLET 2–Pink, Blue, Purple, yellow or Black SOLID leotard.
        BALLET 3 to ADVANCED BALLET:  All black, all black skirt (not required).
BOYS:  Black shorts or leggings, white short sleeved shirt or white tanktop

TAP STUDENTS:

HAIR: Hair needs to be up in ponytail or bun.  If hair is too short, it must be off their face.
SHOES:
        MINI MOVERS to TAP 2-TAN-VELCRO ONLY STYLE
        TAP 3 to ADVANCED TAP–  Black Tie, any brand.  NO SLIP-ONS or SPLIT SOLED shoes.
CLOTHING:  Shorts, leggings or leotards are fine.  Any kind of top. If they wear a leotard they can have pink or tan tights.  They will need Tan for recital.

JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY STUDENTS:

HAIR:  Hair needs to be up in ponytail or bun.  If hair is too short, it must be off their face.
SHOES:  Tan LEATHER jazz shoes.  Team members will need tan and black.
CLOTHING:  Tight fitting dance shorts, leggings or leos are fine.  Any kind of TIGHT fitting top.

HIP HOP STUDENTS:

HAIR:  Hair needs to be up in ponytail or bun.  If hair is too short, it must be off their face.
SHOES:  Any style tennis shoe.  High tops are best as they support the ankles.
CLOTHING:  Our instructors would like our hip hop students to dress ‘funky’–loose pants, loose tops, jackets, etc.  Dress for the style, not the weather.

CLASSROOM POLICIES

1. NO CELLULAR PHONES ALLOWED!  Each room contains a phone holder, the dancers can place phone in slot for safe keeping,
2. All students are encouraged not to leave the room once class has begun. Please allow for appropriate restroom use prior to class. Very young children will be treated sensitively as the need arises. Preschool children may need a parent’s attention from time to time for various reasons including bathroom or behavior issues. Please do not leave the waiting room when very young children are in class without informing the office or having another parent responsible during your absence. We make every effort to have all children feel safe and cared for in a loving and inspiring learning environment.
3. School age children and teens: please practice respect. Students are not to be socializing in a disruptive manner during the class with other students. Please come early or stay late to enjoy friends in the waiting area. Please honor your teacher and fellow students by giving full attention and co-operation. You will be advised if we feel any student is not well adjusted to the classroom environment for any reason over time.
4. During class if a student complains of being ill, or sustains an injury and cannot participate, the instructor will send them to the office were the parents will be notified if not on the premises.
5. Only students with a pre-existing sickness/injury are allowed to observe class. The parents must notify the office if a student is to observe class.

Dance class is educational and fun, however, an important part of class work is developing an attitude of discipline and respect for teachers and fellow students. We trust that following our classroom etiquette will provide an environment whereby classes at SYNERGY DANCE ACADEMY will be a pleasure for all concerned.

SYNERGY DANCE ACADEMY ANTI-BULLYING POLICY STATEMENT

DEFINITION OF BULLYING

Bullying is the intimidation of an individual or group by another individual or group. Bullying implies a willful and conscious desire to hurt, threaten, or frighten someone with an intention to cause distress and can cause long-term psychological damage. Bullying is often done for the bully’s personal gain or gratification. It is often aimed at impressing others.

WHAT TYPES OF BULLYING ARE THERE?

1. Emotional (being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting, threatening behavior)
2. Verbal (name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumors, teasing)
3. Physical (pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence)
4. Extortion (demanding money/goods with threats)
5. Cyber (all areas of internet, email and internet chatroom misuse).
6. Mobile threats by text messaging and calls.
7. Misuse of associated technology ie: camera and video facilities including those on mobile phones)
8. Racist, religious and cultural (taunts, graffiti, gestures)
9. Sexual (unwanted physical contact, sexually abusive comments)
10. Homophobic (because of, or focusing on the issue of sexuality)
11. Bullying related to learning difficulties, special educational needs or disabilities

RECOGNIZING BULLIES

Bullying includes the willful, conscious desire to hurt, threaten or frighten someone else. To do this the bully has to have some sort of power over someone. This power is not always recognizable to the teacher.

1. Bullying can be hard to distinguish from ‘tit-for-tat’ behavior, which is also unacceptable.
2. Children and young people who bully others often have the following characteristics:
   1. They enjoy the sense of power it gives them. There is often a wish to ‘dominate’.
   2. They tend to be assertive and aggressive (to peers, parents, teachers, and siblings) in attitude and often lack self-control.
   3. They tend to lack empathy and cannot imagine what the victim feels.
   4. They lack a sense of guilt and rationalize their actions. They convince themselves and sometimes the victim that the bullying treatment was/is ‘deserved’.
   5. They may be victims of troubled domestic circumstances.
   6. They often have an inflated sense of self-esteem.
   7. They may be physically strong and many act impulsively.
   8. They may often feel that they are different, inadequate, have no sense of achievement.
   9. Bullies can be any age.

RECOGNIZING POTENTIAL VICTIMS

The following pupils may be particularly vulnerable to bullying:

1. New pupils and younger pupils.
2. Pupils who show differences in appearance, accent, background or interests.
3. Pupils with poor social skills.
4. Those with low self-esteem who react nervously or dramatically to baiting.
5. Children who are very clever/talented.
6. Children who are anxious and/or insecure, sensitive and quiet.
7. Pupils who are lonely and isolated but close to parents.

However, any pupils who find themselves “in the wrong place at the wrong time” could be potential targets.

PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING/RETALIATION

1. It is important to get both the victim and the bully to put their accounts in writing as soon as possible after the alleged incident. This may be done by the teacher (if time allows) or by any other SYNERGY DANCE ACADEMY staff member
2. All SYNERGY DANCE ACADEMY staff members who observe or become aware of acts of bullying are required to report these acts to KARI FISHER immediately. Any other person, including a student who is either a victim of the bullying or is aware of the bullying or any other concerned individual is encouraged to report the conduct to KARI FISHER.
3. Reports of bullying may be made verbally or in writing and may be made confidentially. All such reports, whether verbal or in writing, will be taken seriously and a clear account of the incident is to be documented.
4. The SYNERGY STAFF MEMBER who receiving a report of bullying shall immediately notify KARI FISHER.
5. There shall be no retaliation against individuals making such reports. Individuals engaging in retaliatory behavior will be subject to disciplinary action.
6. Parents will be involved at an early stage when it is felt to be necessary

DISCIPLINE FOR BULLYING

Firstly, any incident will be thoroughly investigated to decide how serious the incident is, i.e. how persistent the behavior has been, how ‘nasty’, whether it is ‘tit-for-tat’ behavior that has gone too far etc.

1. The identified ‘bully’ will receive a verbal warning about concerns for his/her behavior via a visit to the office. Any incident will be noted and dated and recorded on the pupil’s record in “Jackrabbit” and will be recorded in Synergy’s “Incident Binder”.
2. Parents of both the bully and victim will be notified as soon as possible.
3. Following three* verbal warnings (noted on the pupil’s record) a persistent bully will be suspended from SYNERGY DANCE ACADEMY with no refund of any expenses, including, but not limited to, tuition, costume deposit, costume fee, registration fee, master class fee and any other fees associated with the pupil’s account.