Peace Region

Dance Society

HANDBOOK

The Peace Region Dance Society extends a warm welcome to all dancers, family members and visitors.

Mission Statement

Peace Region Dance Society is committed to the art of dance.Our mission is to provide an affordable dance school with a family atmosphere and to allow each dancer to experience the elements of dance; confidence, coordination, creativity, grace, musicality, rhythm, self-esteem, technique, and an appreciation for music and dance.Whether a student is dancing for fun and exercise or dancing at a competitive level, Peace Region Dance Society will provide each student with a positive personal dance experience.

Values

Peace Region Dance Society encourages personal growth through creativity, integrity and teamwork.

Peace Region Dance Society is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of dancers no matter their age, ability or interest level.

Peace Region Dance Society understands our future depends on delivering ever-increasing value and excellence to our community and region.

Anti-bullying policy

Peace Region Dance Society has developed a zero tolerance policy for any acts of bullying. This zero tolerance rule applies to all students, parents, family members, Teachers, staff, volunteer workers and Executive Board members.

Any reports of bullying will be fully investigated and resolved in a timely and fair manner. The Executive Board will make the final decision regarding resolution and/or removal from membership. Should the infraction be caused by an executive member, the remaining board members will make the final decision.

Registrations

Class registrations will be accepted startingat a specified date in June. The dates will be communicated to the members on or before the end of the year recital. Fees can be paid for the year, in full or with post dated cheques. These must be handed to the registrar at the time of registration. Cheques are made payable to the Peace Region Dance Society and post dated cheques must be made for the first day in the month.

The dance society annual fee (non-refundable), volunteer deposit and September monthly fee must be paid upon registration in order for a registration to be complete. Dancers will only be allowed to begin dancing only if their registration is complete.

Society Membership Fee

Each family must submit the annual $30 society fee. This gives you membership in the society and entitles you to one vote per family at the Annual General Meeting. This is a non-refundable fee. A society membership is required for each family participating in a non-profit society under the Alberta Societies Act.

Parent Volunteering

With the exception of dancers in the Creative Movement and Mini - Step classes, a $125 volunteer deposit must be paid at the time of registration by each family. This $125 volunteer deposit will be reimbursed to the family once they have earned 125 volunteer points. Portions of deposits will not be returned, only if you have completed ALLof your 125points will your deposit be returned. There will be a spreadsheet kept at the studio to record points earned. This spreadsheet will be completed and tracked by Executive members and the Operations Manager. If families withdraw from the PRDS after Oct 31 the volunteer deposit will not be refunded unless the 125 volunteer points have been earned.

Volunteer Point System

Below are examples of points offered throughout the season. Other amounts will be decided upon as and when point earning opportunities arise.

  • 10 points for attending Annual General Meeting, General Membership Meetings.
  • 10 points for shovelling snow from sidewalk & entry way.
  • 25 points for working a 2-hour shift at the Peace River Dance Festival held in March.
  • 25 points for working a 2-hour shift at the recital in 2010 (front end, taking tickets, supervising dancers)
  • 100 points for working at Peace Fest per person volunteering.
  • 100 points for working a casino.
  • 50 points for 4-hour shift of labour to assist with renovations at the studio.

Fundraising

In addition to the dance festival our society hosts in March, and our year end recital, the dance society may also pursue other fundraisers throughout the season. The funds raised will help to offset operations costs, allow for any needed studio improvements and help to keep class fees at current rates. PRDS is a non-profit society and is therefore supported by the membership and fundraising is an important part of our existence. Please contact studio if you would like to be part of a fundraising committee or have any exciting fundraising ideas.

Dance Society Meetings

The Dance Society Executive meetings are held monthly. We will have four general membership meetings (AGM, November, February, and April) to update the parents. All society members will receive 10 volunteer points to attend them. The specific dates for these meetings will be advised via e-mail, newsletter and/or posted at the Studio.Meeting minutes will also be included in the minute binder, which can be found in the office.

Newsletter

There will be a Newsletter issued from the Board or Operations Managerperiodically over the season. It will contain useful information such as any upcoming dates to be noted, festival information, etc. Please ensure that you receive and read a copy of each newsletter.

Communications

We will be providing all of our newsletters and other important information using email. We do not want to print every piece of information that we provide for everyone in the membership as due to the increasing size of the club we are now wasting a lot of paper. On our registration form there is a section to provide your email address, please ensure we have your correct address.If your family does not utilize computers or email, please ensure that you regularly check your family mail box situated outside the office at the studio. All information sent out will also be posted around the studio and on our website.

Contact Details:Phone: 780-624-1955Email:

Website:

Studio Open Hours:3:45 – 9:00 Monday – Thursday

4:00 – 7:00 Friday

Parents are asked not to raise questions with teachers during OR in between class time as this takes away time from the students’ lesson. Please contact the Operations Manager, via e-mail or phone and they will address your questions and concerns. 780-624-1955

Dance Programs

PRDS offers a recreational dance program in a variety of disciplines: Baby Ballet, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Lyrical and Contemporary are offered at age appropriate levels. Also offered are Adult classes in a variety of disciplines.

Our Ballet program follows the RAD syllabus.

We further offercompetitive team classes in most disciplines. These teams are designed for students with a desire to compete at a higher level of technical ability and commitment. Dancers will be invited into competitive teams based on individual evaluations.

Rules and Regulations

Recreational Program / Competitive Teams
Minimum age of 2.5 years.
Students must be potty-trained. / The minimum age to be considered for a competitive team is 7 years old.
All dancers turning 10 within the season are encouraged to takea minimum of 1 Ballet class per week.
Hip Hop students are exempt from this rule.
At JUNIOR 3 TAP LEVEL, students are strongly recommended to take a Jazz class. These 2 genres are strongly linked.
Musical Theatre Students turning 10 within the dance season are strongly recommended to takeanother dance class to accompany their studies. / For ALL Grade 2 and higher level dancers, it is mandatory that they take 2 Ballet classes per week. To take Lyrical, Contemporary or Tap, studentsmust take 2 Jazz classes per week.
Hip Hop students are the exception.
Recreational Program / Competitive Teams
Dancers will be placed in classes at their teacher’s discretion. Dancers will be placed by ability level and where they will learn the best; NOT based on years of experience.
If for any reason dancers need to be moved up or down in class levels this can occur anytime through-out the season.
This is at PRDS and teacher discretion. / Dancers will be invited into the competitive teams.
Dancers will be placed by ability level and where they will learn the best; NOT based on age or years of experience.
New students to PRDS will be evaluated by the Teachers, for their proper placement.
PRDS has the right to move a student within the recreational and competitive programs. This can occur anytime through-out the season.
Attendance – dancers are required to attend every class. This requirement exists so that they are current with what is being taught and any choreography for routines.
If you know that your child will not be able to attend class, it is required that you please contact the Studio,via phone or email. The answering machine and email are checked regularly.
Attendance is taken by teachers in every class.
If the Studio is not notified the absence is unexcused. If a student has 8 UNEXCUSED ABSENCES over the course of the season the student will be removed from the class for the rest of the year. / Attendance is critical for competitive team students. This program is based on ability and a HIGH level of commitment.
If you know that your child will not be able to attend class, it is required that you please contact the Studio, via phone or email. The answering machine and email are checked regularly.
A competitive team student who has many absences, excused or otherwise can be removed from the teams.
If an injury prevents a student from dancing, we encourage that student to attend class for observation.
Students must be present at all festivalsentered and must not be absent for 2 weeks prior to any festivals or exams. Those who break this commitment may be taken out of group dances for ALL festivals at the teacher’s discretion.
Competitive students are required to attend any applicable workshops, exams or sessions available to them.
Lateness – Dancers who are more than five minutes late may not be allowed to enter the studio as it is very disruptive to the flow of the class.
Dress code- Students must adhere to the dress code at all times. Students not in proper dress code will be asked to sit out. Please read about dress code below.
Good Sportsmanship and a positive attitude are encouraged from all dancers. Negative or inappropriate discussions or foul language will not be tolerated from either children or parents. Any dancers who consistently have poor behavior or attitude may be asked to leave class and the matter will be discussed with their parents. Parents, students or any other visitors in the studio who are not demonstrating Good Sportsmanship will be asked to leave and may result in permanent removal from the Peace Region Dance Society.
Parents and other family members are welcome to watch classes through the viewing windows in the studios. If students are particularly distracted by parents viewing, the teacher may choose to close the blinds for a period of time. Teachers have the right to close the blinds at any point during a class.
A designated time period will be set each month for parent viewing.
Parents and Dancers, who choose to stay while classes are being run, are asked to wait quietly in the waiting room of the dance studio.
Please help in keeping this area tidy, so that all students, parents and family can enjoy it.
Festival and Recital Dates will be provided to members as soon as schedules have been determined.
Teachers are not responsible for children left in the waiting area before or after class. Students should arrive no earlier than 30 minutes prior to the class time. The studio will be open 30 minutes prior to the first class of the evening and will be closed 15 minutes after the last class of the evening.
PLEASE COLLECT YOUR CHILD PROMPTLY AFTER THEIR CLASS FINISHES. INSTRUCTORS LOCK THE STUDIO AND LEAVE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LAST EVENING CLASS. PLEASE DO NOT BE LATE COLLECTING YOUR CHILD IF THEY DANCE IN THE LAST CLASS OF THE EVENING.
Teachers are not hired to supervisor any children not picked up promptly at the end of their class.
Any parent late for pick-up will be levied a fee.

Dress Code

Ballet

Baby Ballet, pre-primary (5 and under): any color bodysuit and tights, pink ballet shoes.

Mini Steps (3-5yrs): loose clothing and clean indoor runners.

Primary (age 6 and under): pink bodysuit, pink tights, pink canvas ballet shoes.

Grade 1+ (age 6 and over): black bodysuit, pink tights (with no runs) and pink canvas ballet shoes. NO bras or sports

bras in ballet class, if you feel you need extra support please invest in a bodysuit with supportive lining.

Pre-Pointe & Pointe

Same attire as for ballet classes (any color bodysuit), students will be required to have pointe shoes fitted and may also be required to wear soft blocks for a period of time in order to strengthen feet before being allowed on pointe.

Jazz

Mini-Jazz and Junior- Black bodysuit, black tights, black lace-less Jazz shoes.

Pre-Teen/Teen and Intermediate – black bodysuit, black tights, black booty shorts, black lace-less Jazz shoes.

If needed, you may wear a sports bra. NO regular bras please.

Seniors – black body suit, bare legs, black dance shorts, black lace-less jazz shoes.

If needed, you may wear a sports bra. NO regular bras please.

Exam students will also be required to have a black tank style body suit and black tights.

Tap

Mini-Tap – black body suit, black tights, black tap shoes. Shiny Patent shoes allowed.

Junior - black bodysuit, black tights, black leather lace-up tap shoes.

Pre-Teen/Teen/Pre-Inter and Inter - Any color Bodysuit, any color tights, any color shorts, black leather lace-up tap

shoes.

Adult students - comfortable loose clothing and black leather tap shoes.

Exam students will also be required to have a black tank style body suit and black tights.

Lyrical

Bodysuit (any color), any color dance shorts, convertible beige tights, or bare legsand toe panties. Students can wear leg warmers and tank tops over bodysuits for this discipline.

Contemporary

Bodysuit (any colour), any colour dance shorts, tights (any colour), orbare legs and bare feet.

Hip Hop

Comfortable, moveable, loose clothing. No tube tops, No skirts, No jeans.Please no classical attire, as this does not fit with the genre of Hip Hop dance. CLEAN INDOOR NON MARKING RUNNERS.

Musical Theatre

Comfortable, moveable, loose clothing.No jeans. Students can wear jazz or ballet shoes or bare feet.

HAIR FOR BALLET, JAZZ, TAP AND POINTE SHOULD BE TIED BACK IN A TIGHT BUN WITH NO BANGS.

BUNS ARE BEST FOR ALL DANCE CLASSES BECAUSE THEY MAKE LEARNING TURNING MOVEMENTS MUCH EASIER.

HAIR IS ALLOWED TO BE SIMPLY TIED BACK OUT OF THE EYES IN A PONY TAIL IN HIP HOP, MUSICAL THEATRE, LYRICAL AND CONTEMPORARY.

All students should have separate tights for class and festival/exam so that those they wear for festivals and exams are new, clean, are all the same color for groups and have no runs/holes in them.

Dancers who arrive at class and are not in the correct attire, with proper hair back or do not have their dance shoes may not be allowed to participate.

Recital

Each year, PRDS holds a minimum of one recital, featuring allPRDS dancers. Session classes may have a separate recital, at the end of their term. This is the highlight of our season for all PRDS dancers, Instructors and Families. Once the date and location of the recital/s is determined, parents will be notified. Tickets are sold in advance for the recital and it is a good idea to get them ahead of time, as the show often sells out.

Photo Day

Group/individual Photos will be taken of all our dancers once costumes have arrived. Parents will have the option to purchase pictures of their children in their costumes. It is not mandatory that parents purchase photos, however it is required that all students attend, to be a part of the group photos. Further information about the photos will be given closer to the time.

Costumes

Each dancer registered in a class with choreography, requires a stage performance costume for each routine and/or class they participate in. The costumes are generally purchased from the United States, and average at a cost of about $20 for 5yrs and under, $40-$50 for children sizes and about $60- $80 for teens.

We require payment of the costume fees, in full, on or before the date due as stated on the registration form.

Festivals and Exams

  • With the exception of Baby Ballet, Mini –Steps, mini-Jazz, mini-tap, pre-primaryand primary classes, allRecreational Program Students and Competitive Students will be required to attend the Peace River Dance Festival*. Some of the more experiencedrecreational students may also be invited to a Grande Prairie Dance Festival**. This is at the discretion of PRDS.
  • All junior level Competitive Team students will be required to attend Peace River Dance Festival* and a Grande Prairie Dance Festival. All Pre-Intermediate level students and higherfrom the Competitive Teams, will be required to enter both of the above festivals as well as a third travelling festival/competition with the possibility of a championship competition. This is not limited to travel in Northern Alberta and Parents may anticipate a minimum of one long-distance travelling festival per season.
  • Extra work will participate in the Peace River festival as well as the travelling competitions, if the Teacher feels they are properly prepared.
  • Tap and Jazz exams may be offered here at the studio in the spring to all students whom the instructor feels are ready to participate.
  • Ballet exams may also be offered to dancers whom the teacher feels are ready to participate.
  • Workshops may also be offered in accordance with the exams.
  • Participation is mandatoryfor all Competitive Team students to participate in the exams and workshops.

*Parents will be charged the full festival fee even if their child does not attend Peace River Festival as this is required to be attended by all PRDS students, unless advised prior to the festival fee due date.