2023-24 GUIDEBOOK
Mission Statement
Our mission at Main Street is to provide each student with a quality dance education in a positive atmosphere while building grace, poise, discipline, self-confidence and encouraging them to reach their goals in life. Our team culture is based on hard work, dedication, determination and positive leadership. Training for excellence and significance is the key. We believe that dance is more than just a hobby. It is a way to improve your physical and mental health, build self-confidence, and express yourself creatively. We are committed to providing our students with the tools they need to succeed in dance and in life.
Goals
To build self-esteem by praising positive behavior and actions.
To create a strong foundation in dance technique by teaching proper formation, vocabulary and placement of movements.
To encourage an appreciation for the art of dance.
To encourage respect of peers, teachers and self and kindness to all.
To train dancers in effort, ethic, etiquette and giving their all in everything they do.
To promote mental, physical and spiritual health.
Dress Code
Students are expected to follow the dress code set by the Main Street staff.
ALL LEOTARDS MUST BE PURCHASED THROUGH THE STUDIO!
Note for all dancers…. No ballet skirts, no leg warmers, no sweat pants, no socks
This is a dance studio, and so, having a bun in the dancer’s hair for class is not an uncommon practice. Ages 4-up must wear neat, secure buns to class no matter the style of hair. This is an important part of a dancer’s dress code. If hair is not bunned for Pre-k class and up the teacher may ask the student to sit out. Hair for recital is a bun. No donut buns, braids or beads for the recital bun. Parents do not need to come in to class for shoe changes.
2 year olds-Black Main Street skirted leotard, tan tights or none needed, pink ballet shoes, hair up off of neck
3 year olds- Black Main Street skirted leotard, tan tights, tan tyette tap shoes, pink ballet shoes, hair up off of neck
Pre K 4 year olds: Black Main Street skirted leotard, pink tights down through the feet, pink ballet shoes, tan tyette tap shoes, HAIR BUNNED
Kindergarten: Black Main Street skirted leotard, pink tights down through the feet, pink ballet shoes, tan tyette tap shoes, tan slip on jazz shoes, HAIR BUNNED
Grades 1 and up
Ballet Class- Black Main Street leotard, pink tights down through the feet, pink split sole ballet shoes, HAIR BUNNED
Tap & Jazz Classes- Black Main Street leotard, tan or pink tights, no tights are ok for tap and jazz as long as black hot shorts, biker shorts, black capri or full length leggings are worn over leotard. Tan slip-on jazz shoes, black lace up (like a regular shoe laces up) tap shoes, HAIR BUNNED.
*Convertible tights are good for class… the dancers can put them over the feet for ballet but will have access to take them out for jazz class. Tights over the feet help shoes go on easier for tap.
**Hot shorts, biker shorts and leggings must be solid black, no cutouts, no big logos
***All Ballet strings should be tucked in children’s shoes.***
Lyrical/Contemporary, Beast Mode and Leaps and Turns:
Black Main Street leotard, solid black hot shorts or leggings. No cut outs or patterns in leggings. Hair bunned (Have black socks in bag if needed and pack a 1-1.5 ankle weight.)
Hip Hop:
Any attire with tennis shoes allowed for Hip Hop. Hair must be up off the neck. Bring shoes!!
Tumbling and Yoga:
Any attire, bare feet, hair must be up off the neck
Boys: Shorts and solid t-shirt or Main Street t-shirt (clothes should not be too baggy)
Dance Team Prep: Comfortable clothing. Jazz and Hip Hop shoes encouraged. Hair up off the neck.
Ballroom: Comfortable clothing. Hair up off the neck. Shoes will be discussed with instructor.
How to do a proper bun-
Supplies needed: Hair pins, Hair net and Hair spray
Spray back ponytail, split pony tail into two sections. Wrap first section around and secure with pins. Repeat with second section. Wrap hair net and place pins to hold in place. Spray once more to finalize a GOOD BUN! ☺
General Information
Students should not arrive to the studio more than five to ten minutes early and should leave the studio within five to ten minutes of dismissal. The studio is not a place for “hanging out.” Students should not be left alone in the lobby during long breaks at the studio. Children become disruptive and messy. Please pick up your child if their break is longer than 15 minutes. **Students are not allowed to walk out of the building without an adult. This is very dangerous. Do not have your child walk around the building or in to the street alone.
Outside food is not allowed in the studio. Bottled water only!
Parents will drop students off; however, they must arrive on time for pick up. Staff is usually in class and cannot be responsible for children left in the lobby if not picked up on time.
Some classes will be dismissed from the back. This will help with the flow of traffic plus keep the lobby quiet and less crowded. Parents should walk to the back door for pick up. Students should not walk to their cars alone. Students should not walk around the building alone. Students are to wait inside until their guardian arrives.
One adult is allowed in the lobby with dancers that are 4 and under. One adult (no siblings or other family members to keep crowd to a minimum)
No one else will be in the lobby. Please remind your dancers to not be disruptive and to pick up after themselves. No running. No yelling. It is very disruptive to classes and other students can be hurt.
*Only one student is allowed in the bathroom at one time.
Observation windows are mostly closed. We may occasionally open them for younger classes, but the lobby and hallway get very loud, and we are working hard to maintain order in the studio.
The studio is being cleaned every day and the dance barres, doorknobs and bathrooms are being wiped down in between classes. When sending dancers in, please be sure personal items are kept to a minimum. Label water bottles clearly and remind dancers not to share snacks or water. As always, practice social distancing as much as possible.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we are doing our very best to keep everyone safe and healthy. A great benefit from keeping the lobby closed has helped the classes stay calm due to the lobby not being so crowded and loud. Parents are welcome to come in the first week of the month to drop off payments.
Destruction of property or to the building and stealing will be reprimanded and could result in dismissal of a student. No writing on the walls/interior, tearing up property, putting items in the vending machine, stealing etc are absolutely not allowed.
Parents nor students should be behind the main counter.
No gum will be allowed in class.
Students should use bathroom before class! During class is not ideal.
Bottled water only allowed in the studio.
No jewelry should be worn in class. Small earrings only. No watches allowed in class.
Please label all shoes with student’s first and last name.
Please teach children how to tie shoes… especially 1st and 2nd graders.
Small students are encouraged to use elastic in their tap shoes in order for them to get them on and off in a timely manner. Take the ribbons out of the shoes… the elastic is usually enough to keep the tap shoe on their foot.
Students are encouraged to wear cover ups when entering and exiting the studio. *Shoes must be worn when entering and exiting the studio. This is for everyone’s safety.
Students are not to leave the building during class.
Students are expected to be ready, in proper dress code, with shoes on, when class begins. Being on time is very important. Once students walk in late, it disrupts the class and they also miss the warm up which is important to remain injury free.
Gossiping about other students, parents, teachers, or other dance studios is not tolerated in the Main Street studio (or in the parking areas). At Main Street, we strive to keep a positive, healthy and happy atmosphere, and we expect the same from everyone.
Bullying will not be tolerated. No verbal or physical abuse. No cursing. Depending on the severity of the situation, a student (or parent) may receive a warning, but there could be an immediate dismissal for acts of bullying.
Parents/guardians- it is so necessary, now and always, to teach your children kindness. Do not take for granted that your children just know this- they must be taught. Being mean and cruel is happening too much. Let’s be the positive change for our children today. Your child will act and speak as their guardians do.
Parent conferences will be scheduled mid-year to discuss children’s progress. No class for students this week. Date will be given ahead to schedule a parent conference.
Parents or students are not to contact teachers outside of the studio. If you need to speak with a teacher, please contact the office to set up an appointment. Do not contact instructors on their cell phones, email or through social media/Facebook messenger.
Dance is a great way to maintain a strong healthy body though, so we are so glad to be able to offer you quality instruction for your dancers.
There is to be no drinking, drugs or vaping by parents or students on premises at Main Street studio or studio events.
Prayer is a part of our studio. We may pray at times before or after classes, recital, events etc. Brief Bible studies may also be discussed at times. We think this is an important part of student’s development in being good people. Dance is about more than just steps. Life lessons are taught throughout- working hard, setting goals, commitment, dedication, perseverance, resilience, giving all they do their all, how to treat their bodies, how to treat others, how to find and develop their purpose. The list goes on and on!
We feel blessed to be able to be a part of your child’s development.
Yearly Expenses
We encourage everyone to sign up for Auto-Pay through the Dance Studio Pro Software. Your account balance will be collected through Auto Pay on the 10th of each month.
Note- Auto Pay will be required next season. 2024-25. No checks.
Tuition is due at the first of each month. A $10.00 late fee will be added to accounts not paid by the 10th of each month and each week thereafter. No exceptions. Postdated checks do not count as being on time.
There will be a $35.00 NSF charge on any returned checks. Anyone writing an NSF check will be placed on a cash only account. We take cash, check and credit cards. There is a 3% swipe fee for use of credit/debit cards. Label all checks and cash. Please be sure to place the dancer’s name on the memo line of the check. The payment drop box is located in front of the counter. Be sure to hand cash to an office worker and get a receipt. On our new dance software program, you can now pay online with a credit card or set up auto draft for a small fee. Automatic payment is encouraged for all to keep up with deadlines.
*If you are unable to pay your tuition by the end of each month, your dancer will not be able to come to class until account is updated.
Tuition is a yearly expense broken down in to monthly payments. Tuition is not prorated for dancers who are sick or injured nor for holidays. Fees must be paid on time. If your dancer is sick and cannot make it to class, pay online, drop payment through front mail slot in an envelope or call the office to make a payment over the phone.
IF YOU ARE DROPPING A CLASS, YOU MUST NOTIFY THE OFFICE BY THE FIRST OF THE MONTH.
Costume deposits
All costume deposits are $80 and will include the tights and any additional accessories for the costume. Costume balance will be added to each account in January once we order and will vary depending on the fee for each costume.
Deposits are collected starting at the end of September and are all due by November 8th. Costumes will be ordered before the Thanksgiving holidays. Deposits are non-refundable.
**Costumes will NOT be ordered if you have a balance on your account.**
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2 year olds- 1 deposit ($80.00 due by October 11th)
Ages 3, Pre K4 and Kindergarten- 2 deposits ($80.00 each: 1st due by September 27th, 2nd due by October 25th.)
Grades 1st and up- 3 deposits ($80 each: 1 due by September 27th, 2nd due by October 25th, 3rd and ALL remaining deposits due by November 8th)
Hip Hop only - 1 deposit ($80.00 due by November 8th.) **Note- Hip Hop will be required to get their own shoes. We use the white classic K Swiss. Do not wait to purchase.
Lyrical/Contemporary- We order a costume after January for this class. We try to keep this cost low and will put the total on your invoice. No deposit for lyrical/contemporary
September 27th- 1st costume deposit
October 25th- 2nd costume deposit
November 8th- 3rd (and all remaining) costume deposit(s) (for students with three or more routines)
*Costume balances will be due in January. This means that the deposit collected does not necessarily cover the entire costume cost. We have no idea until we select costumes and order the total price.
Students are measured by a professional seamstress, and we order from 3 or more different manufacturers. If a costume does not fit, the parents will be responsible for the restocking fee if the costume can be exchanged or must pay the alteration fee if they choose for our seamstress to alter it.
Other expenses
RECITAL FEE AND PICTURE ADS:
There is a recital fee that is assessed to each student who participates in the end of the year dance recital. The fee is set once we get our prices from wherever we hold the show.
Recital fee will be due in January. Recital fee covers cost of building rental, light/sound production and includes your dancer’s recital t-shirt, one program book and the link to the recital video. We will do a candy fundraiser to help with recital fee.
Each student must purchase a picture/ad in the recital program. A quarter page picture ad is required for all students. Pricing will be determined once we get closer. Fees are increasing lately for paper and production, and we are considering going to a full color book.
Additional sizes will also be available. Pictures are taken at the studio. You purchase pictures through the photographer for your ads. *NEW- Any business ads that do not have business cards or messages attached, will not be accepted. All ads must be turned in fully finished.
THERE ARE NO REFUNDS. No exception.
Attendance
Attendance to class is highly encouraged at all levels. Technique, combinations and class routine is a continual process and will be revisited weekly.
*Tuition is not adjusted for absences.
Monthly Invoices, Dates and Weekly Information
We send all information and invoices through email now. Tuition is posted on the 1st and you will receive an invoice then. All other studio holidays, emergency closings, updates and correspondence will be sent through our software email as well. You should read all documents, emails and check social media for updates @mainstreetdance02. You can only know what is going on if you keep up with your correspondence. You can also email any questions to bethfagan1@gmail.com.
Spirit Week
The first full week of every month is Main Street Spirit Week. Students are allowed to wear any dance attire as long as it has the Main Street logo on it. If a holiday falls during spirit week, we will resume this event the next month. Of course, regular class attire is allowed. This is NOT free dress week!
No athletic shorts, no solid colored items without the logo.
Attire must have Main Street logo on it and in the color scheme of the studio…. Red, blue, yellow and black, past recital t-shirts or any items purchased from the studio are allowed.
If you would like to bring something to get monogrammed with our logo, contact the office. Thank you.
This is not required to participate. If you do not want to purchase any MSD apparel, you can wear your normal dance attire.
HAIR STILL BUNNED FOR CLASS!
Spirit Week Dates for 2023-24:
October 2-5; November 6-9; December 4-7; January 8-11; February 5-8; March 4-7; April 8-11; May 6-9
Parties
Main Street will celebrate some holidays in the studio with a small party at the end of class. Information will be given out with the monthly packets. Sign up to send/bring goodies will be through Sign Up Genius. Birthday celebrations are acceptable but will only be done during the last five minutes of class. Cupcakes are preferred so that the students can take them as they leave. Just let your teacher know before class please.
Parking
No parking is allowed directly behind the studio. That is reserved for studio and building owners. Please park along the side streets or in the back parking lot first row closest to the studio.
The Exxon owners will tow anyone parked in their spaces.
Main Street Dance
Our logo is not to be duplicated for any reason without our permission from Mrs. Beth.
This includes apparel, fundraising, social media etc.
No one can use the studio name or logo for any personal fundraising.
Main Street Students
Main Street students are not allowed to compete under another studio or company.