STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK
Mission Statement:
American Dance Institute builds artistic, athletic, confident individuals. Our faculty and staff strive to provide a nurturing environment where everyone who enters our doors feels better on the way out than they felt on the way in.
American Dance Institute is committed to providing the finest quality professional dance instruction in an environment that is challenging, disciplined, and rigorous while at the same time safe, healthy, and nurturing. In accomplishing these goals it is central to the philosophy of ADI to demand of each student the very best effort of which he or she is capable and to give in return the care and attention the student deserves.
The American Dance Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Inclement Weather Policy:
Please check our website or call ahead if there is inclement weather. ADI DOES NOT FOLLOW MCPS. Parents are urged to use their judgment based on your neighborhood conditions.
Inclement Weather Policy On weekdays, a decision to run morning classes will be made by 7:00 AM. For afternoon and evening classes a decision will be made by noon. On Saturdays, a decision to run classes will be made by 7:00 AM.
Student Code Of Conduct
Students will:
Be respectful and always polite to other students parents, teachers, pianists and anyone associated with ADI
Take responsibility for one's own actions
Have consideration of the property of othersHave a sense of ownership and pride in the school
Conduct themselves in a manner reflecting the professionalism of the Institute at all times
Be ready for class, rehearsal and events on time
Arrive on time. Attendance and punctuality is mandatoryArrive prepared and ready to work
Not talk during class and rehearsals
Follow all directions promptly
Use quiet voices in dressing area and lobby
Have no harmful physical contact toward other students
Not participate in rough play
Clean up after yourselves
Be in uniform for all classes and rehearsal times
Having a neat appearance is required at all times to include dress, hair, jewelry and shoes
No eating or drinking in costume
We urge you to attend performances in our own theatre at The American Dance Institute, The Kennedy Center, The Warner Theatre, and other theaters in our area. This is a great way to become inspired and gain more knowledge outside of our classrooms.
We encourage cross-training such as pilates, stretching beyond your classes to and enhance your performance.
Any student failing to comply with the code of conduct will have their parents notified immediately and will not be allowed to participate in classes, rehearsals or performances.
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory for all classes, rehearsals and performances.
Students should be in the classroom during their appointed class/rehearsal time. Students found skipping class/rehearsal will have their parents called to be picked up and will be asked to leave the building.
Absence: Parents are asked to call the Front Desk at (301) 984-3003 if your child will be absent due to illness. A doctors note is required if a child will miss class due to injury.
Extra Classes: The number of classes we offer each level is only the minimum required to achieve the basic knowledge and vocabulary of that level. We encourage you to take extra classes if your schedule allows at no extra cost. These classes may only be in your level or the level below.
Lateness: Students more than 10 minutes late to class will not be allowed to participate. Students must be in the classroom after arrival and will watch class in this case.
Make Up Policy: Attendance is important for a young dancer's body to stay disciplined, grow and consistently improve. Please keep track of your missed classes. ADI will also keep a log of your attendance and will send a letter home to you for your records. Please note that consistent absences may affect casting in ADI’s performances and advancement for the next year. If you have any questions concerning your attendance, please ask your teacher.
Classes may only be made up in your own level or the level below. It is best to make up your missed classes as soon as possible to ensure that your ballet vocabulary is up to speed with the rest of your class.
Student Drop Off:
•Parents must accompany all students in the Pre Ballet Division and Levels 1 through 4 into the building. Parents are responsible for children prior to their class time and will remain with their child until their scheduled class begins
•Parents must supervise children in the Dressing Rooms at all times
•American Dance Institute is responsible for children during their scheduled class time only
•It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to have children picked up at the end of their scheduled class time
Lost and Found: Ladies Lost & Found is located in Locker #1 in the Ladies Locker Room. Children’s Lost & Found will be placed on top of cubbies in the Children’s Dressing Room. Men & Boys Lost & Found will be placed on the benches in the Men’s Locker Room. We encourage all students to label their shoes, tights, etc., to insure that the proper items are recovered.
ADI is not responsible for items lost or stolen in the facility.
Uniforms:
Class Uniforms: Students are required to wear the ADI class uniforms at all times. A complete Uniform list is posted on ADI’s website. All uniforms must be clean and in good repair
All ballet slippers must have sewn, not tied elastics. Pointe shoes when applicable must have sewn ribbons and elastics
Hair: Ladies - Hair must be secured tight in a high or low bun, hair net or bun cover required. Short hair must be secured away from face. Men & Boys - Hair cut, neat, and away from face
ADI faculty and desk staff will not assist your child with hair prior to their class time.
Jewelry: Small stud earrings only. No necklaces, no watches, no bracelets, no ankle bracelets or dangle earrings
If a student is not in uniform an OUT-OF-UNIFORM NOTICE will be sent home
ADI Student Performance Information:
All students must arrive on time
Attendance is mandatory for all rehearsals and performances
Students must attend the entire rehearsal and performance times scheduled
Each child is required to check in and out with a parent or guardian for attendance
Costumes:
No eating or drinking in costume
All costumes and headpieces are the property of ADI. A $50 fine per item will be charged for ADI costume pieces not returned immediately following the performance including ADI headpieces, skirts, and leotards
For performances all students must have:
Clean tights and shoes Required class and performance uniform
ADI recommended make-up kit
Sewing kit including: sewing needle, pink, white and black thread and scissors
Hair brush, hair spray, hair net, long bobby pins for headpieces, short bobby pins, and hair pins
Water bottle recommended
Parents: Pick up your child promptly when an event is finished.
Facility Rules and Regulations:
•Parents must supervise all children in the Lobby area at all times.
•Siblings must be supervised at all times.
•No loitering in the Dressing Rooms, Library, Playroom, Lobby or Parking Lot
•No running in hallways, lobby, and dressing areas
•No loud talking or singing in the common areas
•No boom boxes or tape recorders in common areas
•No rough housing
•No climbing on walls, lobby wall or furniture
•No food, drinks, or chewing gum allowed in the building at any time
Dressing Room Rules and Regulations:
- Floors must be kept clear at all times
- Keep all personal belongings in lockers
- Locks on lockers permitted only during daily class time
- Any locks left on overnight will be removed and contents removed
- ADI is not responsible for items lost or stolen in the facility
Library Rules and Regulations:
Children 10 and older may use the Library.
Play Room Rules & Regulations:
~ The Playroom is for children ages 5 and under
~Do not leave children unattended; children must have adult supervision in the Playroom at all times
~ Siblings 10 and older are encouraged to use the Library and Lobby area
~No food of any kind
~Older siblings may sit quietly and read or do homework.
~Quiet play only, classes are in session at all times
~No throwing toys
~Pick up toys and books when leaving
~No toys or videos allowed that are inappropriate for small children.
~Do not climb on walls or furniture
~The Institute staff reserves the right to ask
children be removed from the playroom if rules
are not followed.
Registration:
Parents are required to submit Registration Forms, Under 18 Parent Consent and Photographic Consent forms prior to the 1st day of classes. See the registration form for dates.
Class Changes:
Make sure you consider all of the activities of your family before committing to a class day and time. There will be a change of class fee for all changes made after registration is submitted.
Evaluations:
As the year nears its end, the Artistic Director, Pamela Bjerknes, and the faculty will evaluate each student’s progress for the year and decide on advancement for levels Pre-Ballet 7 through Pre-Professional Ballet 7. You will receive this evaluation letter that outlines the different aspects of class that the students have been working on. All evaluations are sent by mail.
Letters of Recommendation: If a student is in need of a recommendation letter, TWO WEEKS NOTICE is required. Be aware that many students request letters of recommendation at the same time of year. Insufficient notice will result in short letters or none at all.
Communication: Parents are asked to direct any problems or questions to Pamela Bjerknes; Artistic Director pbjerknes@americandance.org The bulletin board located in the lobby by the Pilates Room is an important resource for students and parents. Class schedules, rehearsal schedules and important notices are placed there. The Front Desk staff is not allowed to give out student or teacher phone numbers; therefore, we ask that phone numbers be exchanged on an individual basis.
Tuition Policies:
Returned Check Fee:
There will be a $35 fee for all returned checks.
Refund and Credit Policy:
Tuition and deposit is non-refundable except under the following conditions:
-The class placement may be subject to change pending the results of the placement classes held during the first week of the session.
-In the event that the Institute cancels a scheduled class, tuition will be refunded from the date of cancellation.
-If a student sustains an injury or illness that prevents him or her from attending classes for an extended period of time (more than 3 weeks) or for the remainder of the semester, the family should submit a written request for credit or withdrawal along with documentation from the child's doctor. In this case, the Institute will issue a credit applicable towards the student's next tuition payment.
-If a family is re-located more than 50 miles away from the Institute, tuition will be refunded (the deposit will not) from the date of the last class taken.
-If a student is placed in a class other than the one originally registered for and this creates an unavoidable schedule conflict, the tuition and deposit will be refunded in full.
-Total tuition is due for the entire term regardless of payment option.
Withdrawal Policy:
All Tuition Policies apply. If a student wishes to withdraw from a class before the end of the registration period parents are required to fill out a Withdrawal Form. If the withdrawal is approved for refund (minus the deposit), you will be responsible for 4 weeks tuition from the date the American Dance Institute receives notification. Forms are available at the Front Desk.
Contact Information:
ADI Front Desk (301) 984-3003
Pamela Bjerknes ext. #13 – pbjerknes@americandance.org
Tracey McKee - Pilates Director - tmckee@americandance.org
Any individual or organization not following the rules of the Institute will be asked to leave.
Student and Parent Handbook as a pdf file.
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