General Guidelines and Policies

We are committed to providing a healthy, safe, and fun environment for dancers to reach their personal, technical, and artistic potential throughout their various stages of development. In order to do so, we put safety first! Thus, age is only one consideration in placing our dancers in the correct class. Students will move on to the next level according to their own progression and with approval of the Artistic Director and their instructor— this applies to all classes and all levels, recreational and pre-professional.

Instructors reserve the right to determine appropriate class levels for all students. This may change at any point during the term and will be discussed with parents/guardians by private appointment.

Upon entering higher class levels, students may be required to attend additional classes. This is to ensure their safety and adequate preparation for the physical demands of advanced dance technique.

Students enrolled in the Aspirant Dancer Program (ADP) may be offered the opportunity to take an exam at the discretion of their instructor(s). This will require an additional fee payable to the examiner. Exams may fall on any day of the week. All efforts will be made to make these dates and fees available as soon as possible.

Please speak to the Artistic Director or email us at ksd@kingstonschoolofdance.ca if you have any questions regarding your own or your child’s class placement.

Please arrive 5-10 minutes prior to your scheduled class time and arrange for pick up in a prompt and timely manner after class has concluded. Kingston School of Dance (KSD) staff is not available to supervise your dancer(s) outside of class time.

All dancers must be dressed appropriately in accordance to our dress code. Please note that we do not allow street shoes in classes that require sneakers; please bring clean, non-marking, indoor sneakers for these classes. You will be provided with a cleaning wipe if you do not have clean sneakers.

We do not allow food, gum, street shoes, or dancers’ usage of cell phones in the dance studios.

A positive attitude maintained by all students and parents/guardians is paramount to the success of the KSD community. All members of the KSD community — students, parents/guardians and instructors — are expected to contribute to our supportive and nurturing learning environment. Everyone is encouraged to do their personal best! Instructors have the authority to remove a student from class for being disruptive.

Dancers show respect for themselves by:

1. Being prompt for class

2. Being dressed properly for class

3. Having hair up and out of the face

Dancers show respect for others by:

1. Being properly dressed and ready for class on time, entering class quietly if they are late

2. Keeping their hands to themselves

3. Waiting quietly while the teacher gives instructions and while others are dancing

4. When finished an exercise, walking around the sides and back of the room and never through dancers who are dancing

Dancers show respect for their teacher by:

1. Being properly dressed and ready for class on time, entering class quietly if they are late

2. Listening when the teacher is speaking

3. Being prepared for their turn

4. Asking before leaving the room for any reason and returning quietly

5. For older dancers, finishing all across-the-floor exercises properly

6. Thanking the teacher after class

Dancers show respect for the studio by:

1. Cleaning up after themselves

2. Using all equipment properly and with respect (barres, instruments, yoga blocks/balls, aerial yoga silks, scarves, etc.)

3. Respecting the studio, waiting area, and hallway (i.e. using talking at an appropriate level, walking in all common areas)

4. Neatly keeping all belongings in the change area

Teachers show respect for the students, parents and studio by:

1. Starting and ending classes promptly to allow for smooth transitions

2. Maintaining open communication with students and parents

3. Giving the students constructive direction to support and nurture growth and development

4. Being a positive role model

Please encourage a positive educational environment for our KSD community. Kingston School of Dance does not tolerate inappropriate or discriminatory language or behavior at any time from anyone. This includes but is not limited to: intoxication, bullying, swearing and/or offensive language, bigotry, racism, sexism, homophobia, and harassment of any kind towards KSD staff, students, and families.

We kindly ask that all Parents/Guardians adhere to our payment policy.

It is the responsibility of all KSD parents/guardians to stay informed and up-to-date on studio happenings, schedule, events, and deadlines by visiting www.kingstonschoolofdance.ca, our Facebook page, or the monthly KSD Newsletter via email.

Parents show respect for the students, teacher and studio by:

1. Having student ready for class before entering (this includes dress code, bathroom breaks, water bottle, etc.)

2. Dropping off and picking up their child on time

3. Calling or emailing to report absences

4. Clearly marking dancer's name on all dance clothing and footwear

5. Teaching children how to respect the studio, waiting area, and hallway (i.e. using talking at an appropriate level, walking in all common areas)

6. Asking the front desk or emailing the studio if they have a question. Please do not try to catch the instructor between classes

Footwear — Please remove outdoor footwear upon entering the studio to help keep our studio clean and our floors safe.

Food and Allergies — Please consume food in the waiting area only, and kindly respect that we are a nut‐free facility.

Please advise us of any allergies in your registration form. Any Epi-pens need to be given to the instructor prior to each class.

Waiting Area — Parents/guardians/visitors are kindly asked to wait in the designated waiting area. Parents are not to enter studios during classes unless advised by the Instructor. Hallways must be kept clear for safety/fire hazard reasons.

A quiet studio environment is imperative for the classes in progress. Please speak quietly, set your personal devices to vibrate, and avoid loud volume levels on your personal devices.

Lost Items — Kingston School of Dance is not responsible for lost or stolen articles. Please check the Lost and Found regularly for missing items. Unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity at the conclusion of each term.

Studio Closures — In the case of inclement weather, Kingston School of Dance will close. These closures will be posted on the Kingston School of Dance socials as well as via email if possible. Classes cancelled due to inclement weather are non-refundable and will not be made up, unless necessary.

Consent — Dance often requires “hands on” instruction as well as verbal instruction. Corrections will often prompt instructors to touch students’ arms, legs, feet, hips, back and head. This is to ensure proper alignment for technique and to avoid injury. Please inform us and the instructor directly of any considerations or preferences.

Inclusive Learning — KSD is an inclusive learning facility. Please inform staff of any learning considerations you or your child may have either on their registration form or by contacting us directly.

Questions/concerns are always welcome and may be addressed by appointment with the instructor and the Artistic Director or via email to the studio at ksd@kingstonschoolofdance.ca

Kingston School of Dance reserves the right to withdraw services to any person who does not adhere to the policies set forth herein.