Parents/guardians/students: Please read this contract completely and carefully. We take our rules and policies very seriously; you need to know what you are agreeing to BEFORE registering for any of our classes.

Contract

By registering for any class or program at AAPAC you hereby have agreed to follow all rules, policies and etiquettes stated within this handbook. Students or affiliates who break any part of the contract will be dismissed from the school.

Payments

We currently accept cash or check payments at the studio. Credit cards may be used for payments on PayPal only; we don't have the capability to take credit at the studio. Please make check payments for all classes payable to AAPAC.

Payment is due at the first lesson of each month. We do not send monthly invoices; it is your responsibility to make payments on time. Invoices are sent for delinquent payments only. Missed classes should be made up at the level below the student’s current level by the end of the term. No refunds or credits are given for missed classes; lessons must be made up or forfeited.  Those who are granted our family/multi-class discount must have payments in on time, or the discount will be removed from that month’s tuition. There is a $15.00 charge for payments made after the 10th of the month.  There is also a $15 charge for all returned (NSF) checks.

For the 2010-2011 academic year (September through June), student tuitions will be based on the average four-week month. We have figured the per-class and monthly tuition price based on the total number of classes in the term (including stagecraft days). The monthly tuition is the total term tuition divided into monthly payments. Therefore every month (including December and June) the entire tuition amount is due and not prorated.

Adult students are asked to purchase pre-paid punch cards so that they can come to class when their schedule allows it. We are no longer accepting “pay-per-class” and monthly tuition for all adult, and toddler classes (creative movement, creative theatre, kindermusik, and pre ballet).  

Attendance/Punctuality Requirements

Consistent attendance is required to master curriculum at each level. Missed classes should be made up at a level below the student’s current level.

Students must be punctual to class. No student will be allowed to participate after the first ten minutes of class. The student will be asked to observe the class and complete an observation form which can be found on the shelf at the reception desk in the lobby.

Injured dancers are encouraged to come observe class and complete an observation form so they are familiar with the curriculum, combinations and corrections being taught when they return to class. Absences should be called in or emailed to the academy no less than 1 hour ahead.

Students should be prepared and on time for class, 5-10 minutes early so that they can mentally and physically prepare for class (i.e. use restroom, put up hair properly, stretch, go over script, etc). Students who are not ready for class on time will not be allowed to take class.

Drama students in levels intermediate and advanced are expected and required to attend the stage craft days as it is part of their class curriculum. Missing stage craft days is highly frowned apon and is taken into consideration for future class level placement and roles given.

Communication

It is our goal to keep the AAPAC families well informed of all activities and events. To do this we use two methods:

E-mail – Updates are sent on a regular basis so it is important that we have a current email address for each family.  Families may want to include their upper level student’s email address as well.  If your email address changes during the year please be sure to inform the office. If you don’t have email you must note that at registration on the form. We will postage mail info only to people who do not have email or access to email.   

Bulletin Board/Door postings – important information is posted on the Bulletin Board in the stairway and in the lobby so please be sure to read them frequently.  If you are in the habit of dropping your child off at the academy you need to remember to come inside at least once a week to check the boards for new information, especially the weeks prior to a performance.

Rules & Etiquette

Students are expected to be courteous and respectful with each other and the faculty at all times.  A positive environment helps promote a quality program for all performers. AAPAC has a zero tolerance policy for those that portray disrespect, bullying, harrassment, harmfulness, discriminative, negative or inappropriate comments or acts. AAPAC discourages social cliques. Students must follow all rules and directions given by teachers.

If a student shows disrespect for a teacher or peer, is a disruption to the class, or breaks any part of the policies, the 1^st step is a verbal warning to the student, 2^nd step is speaking with a parent either via email, phone call or both, and 3^rd step is removal from the class or program altogether.

AAPAC is NOT a public school. We are a private school and can facilitate Oregon State and Federal Law of refusing service to anyone for any reason at any time.

Students who fail to attend 80 % of classes per term are eligible to be removed from participation in the performances/recitals at the director’s discretion.

Personal items need to be stored properly when at the academy (in the dressing rooms, in bags, cubbies, or hooks etc.) and trash needs to be thrown away or recycled. Water bottles and dance attire needed during class time (i.e. pointe shoes, character shoes/skirt) should be brought in with them at the beginning of class. Students are discouraged from leaving the classroom in the middle of class. Leave all other belongings (dance bag, backpack, school books, etc) in the lobby cubbies. Please use the restroom before class.

Lower level students need to be under parental supervision when not in the classroom and picked up promptly after class. There is a late pick up fee of $10 if a parent is more than 15 minutes late at the end of the day.  Siblings and "friends" may not be left unsupervised in the studio.

Please keep the noise level to a minimum in the lobby while classes/rehearsals are in progress.

An integral part of learning dance, drama and music is performance.  Performing is a privilege, not a right. Students are invited to participate in the semi-annual performances and attend all mandatory rehearsals leading up to the performance. Students are expected to perform unless they have been excused by the director at registration. To further clarify, once you are registered for the class it is expected that you perform at all performances and be at all dress rehearsals. Students with poor attendance or attitude may be un-invited to perform by the teacher/director. All adult students are given the option to perform and are not required to do performances.

The “Potty Policy” All students must be potty trained and be able to go to the restroom by themselves. Teachers cannot leave other students unattended to take children to the restroom. Parents/guardians of toddlers (i.e. creative movement/music students who may still need assistance in the bathroom) are expected to remain on site (either in the studio or in the lobby) to take their child to the restroom. Children that are still wearing diapers or pull-ups aren’t ready to take classes.

Academy Closings

There are no classes on the day of the dress rehearsals or performances. There are also no classes held on the First Fridays of August, December or June to allow for Registration and Open House Night, one month before each new term begins.

American Academy of Performing Arts follows Silver Falls School District’s inclement weather closings regardless of road conditions at the time of class. Announcements will be recorded on the studio phone (whenever possible) as well as on the main home page of the AAPAC website. If you are unsure please call the academy phone 873-0464 or the directors cell phone at 503-998-9947.

AAPAC is OPEN on all Silver Falls Public School Teacher Work days and Monday holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Presidents Day etc. AAPAC is closed for all major holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years Day, July 4^th , Spring Break and Memorial Day weekend (Saturday classes only—open on Monday).  

In the event that the instructor is ill, or if most of the classes students have called in sick, the instructor will call and email each parent/guardian/student a minimum of 1 hour prior to the class to cancel class for the evening.   

Dress Code

Dancers

Our Dress Code applies to all AAPAC dance students and company members. The dress code is designed to allow free movement and proper evaluation of body placement, as well as to teach self discipline for professional self presentation and excellent personal hygeine.  Adult students are welcome to dress comfortably as they deem appropriate.

Leotards must be simple classical style in one color. No halter tops or tutu's may be worn in class. No skirts (unless noted in level) or boxer shorts. Leg warmers and ballet sweater wraps are ok for warm-up.

Hair must be secured sleekly in a bun with a hair net. (Jazz & Modern students must wear their hair in a pony tail/braid securely away from their face.) Short hair must be pulled back neatly off the face as much as possible. Gentlemen must have hair cut neatly and off the face.

Dancers without ballet shoes, uniform, and improper hairstyle will be asked to sit down and observe. NO EXCEPTIONS.

No jewelry except stud earrings for class or on stage (unless part of costume). No colored fingernail polish allowed in class or on stage. 

Leather ballet slippers only. Absolutely no canvas ballet slippers!

Please review the uniform requirements for each class within the class descriptions.

Dress Code for ALL Students

Dress code for ALL students should exude professionalism and respect. The focus at our academy is on learning, projecting respect and creating a respectful and comfortable environment for all who enter.

Students must wear appropriate clothing while on AAPAC premises. Clothing should not be "revealing" in any way (no low-rider pants, no cleavage showing, etc). No gang related or inappropriate messages on clothing. 

If an instructor or the directors deems the attire "inappropriate", any or all of the following actions will take place: 1) the student will be asked to remove the item of clothing if possible. 2) If the item is not removable appropriately, they will be asked to leave for the day, or to go home and change before returning. 3) a parent/guardian will be contacted in regards to the issue. 4) Repeatedly breaking this rule may result in permanent dismisal from AAPAC.

Other Attire Rules for All Students

All dance students must wear street clothes or warm-ups (e.g. jogging suit) over the tops of their dance attire when coming to or leaving class. This is to protect your muscles from quick temperature changes to prevent injuries as well as to protect students from predators. Do not wear dance shoes outdoors as it destroys them and brings in dirt to the dance floors. Street shoes are not allowed on the studio floors.

During class time Drama and Music students really don’t have a dress code like the dance students have, other than that similar to what you would have at your school; nothing that portrays or suggests inappropriate language, pictures, or gang related symbols.

AAPAC is a professional environment and does not allow low-rider pants or clothing that reveals an inappropriate visual that would make other students or staff uncomfortable. Inappropriate logos or language are also not permitted. Any student who comes to class wearing inappropriate attire will be asked to either change or possibly be sent home from class, and the parents will be notified.

Where can I get my dance uniform?

AAPAC has most sizes of the uniform requirements in stock in our boutique at very competitive rates, including leotards, tights, skirts, jazz pants, ballet shoes, jazz shoes, warmers, hair supplies and dance bags. If we don’t have your correct size in stock we are happy to place an order for you, passing on our wholesale discount prices to you, which will arrive in approximately one to two weeks (or less). Any orders that must be returned or exchanged will be at the cost of the student, including shipping and handling charges. Attire may also be purchased at Dance Togs (in Beaverton) or online at Discount Dance Supply or Dancewear Solutions. Please visit our website’s resources page for details.

Performances

Costumes

Performing requires costuming. Ticket sales from our performances go towards paying for future productions (costuming, set, props, advertisements, etc). AAPAC re-uses as many costumes as possible or supplements with borrowed costumes whenever possible. Usually this covers most of our production needs without going too far over budget. AAPAC purchases the most expensive costumes from our budget first. Any costuming that couldn’t be covered by our budget, by being borrowed or reused, will then be asked to be purchased by the student/parent/guardian. This is usually based on luck of the draw depending on what’s available for each class. AAPAC is committed to keeping costuming purchases made by parents to a minimum and as inexpensively as possible.  

Donating costumes and outgrown dance attire to AAPAC is very welcome and encouraged! Handed down dance attire is given to dancers/families of the school that cannot afford to purchase the uniform. Reduce, reuse and recycle whenever possible by donating to AAPAC!

Performance Details

AAPAC has 2 large productions per year; the holiday show in December and the musical in June. We also have several community performance opportunities for students throughout the year, such as Thriller in the Streets (Halloween street performance), Health and Wellness Fair, Homer Davenport Days, Fine Arts Festival, the Oregon State Fair, and Silverton and Woodburn Farmers Markets, to name a few.

All students performing are required to attend the mandatory all cast dress rehearsal prior to the performances.  NO EXCEPTIONS.  Failure to attend the dress rehearsal will result in removal from the performances and possibly not allowed back to AAPAC in the future. Students who have met the attendance requirement throughout the term will be allowed to perform. 

Outside Performance Opportunities

Out of courtesy to AAPAC, its staff, and to its students, please be sure that before you audition for, or make a commitment to performing with another theatre, school or company that there aren’t any scheduling conflicts with AAPAC’s classes or performances. Find out these details prior to making the commitment.

AAPAC highly encourages all students to audition or apply for performance opportunities outside of AAPAC. There is much to be learned with each performance experience, and each teacher and director has different techniques, teaching styles and demands—all of which are very important to becoming a diverse and experienced performer. Keep a look out for opportunities with local theatres and dance companies, or get involved with your school theatre or music department if they have one. Even going out to see performances is another great learning tool, so be sure to check your local listings for plays, Broadway shows, dance companies, Symphony’s and so on.  

Private Lessons

A private lesson with one of the faculty members may be arranged by contacting the instructor or director directly. Visit our website’s resources page for contact information. Please respect the teacher’s class time and do not try to make arrangements with them between classes. A one hour lesson is typically $40 made payable to the individual instructor teaching the lesson.

AAPAC Goals

There are many reasons why people enroll in a dance, drama or music classes. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible for a small academy to satisfy all the demands of each student. Regardless of why you take our classes, we work hard to make AAPAC a place where everyone feels welcome. We stress proper technique and self-discipline, and push the students to work very hard because we want to help everyone reach their fullest potential. Discovering your personal potential (thus stressing diligent class work) is more important than solely rehearsing dances or scenes at every class.  However, we realize the need for enjoyment in class. We have a strict but loving demeanor with all our students and we lead by example. We hope that by loving the performance arts and by setting an example ourselves, that all students enjoy it as well. If you don’t enjoy some aspect of it, you should wonder if the performing arts are right for you.

School Philosophy

There is a happy medium for almost everything. We firmly believe that there should be both discipline and fun in learning the performing arts. Children should be encouraged to be active and to enjoy what they are learning. After all, performing is fun! However, especially in a performing arts class environment, there is a fine line between too much fun and chaos. Therefore, just like in any academy where to focus is learning, there are rules that need to be followed. We have high expectations of our selves (staff, direction, etc) AND of our students. If they are not followed there are consequences and disciplinary actions to be taken. There’s a lot more to teaching the performing arts than just technique, talent and skill; our philosophy is to teach self-discipline, respect, responsibility, accountability, diligence, patience, kindness, caring, team work and faith in your self. In fact, these attributes are the most important things to gather from taking these classes. With this winning combination of skills you can succeed in anything you want, be it the performing arts or otherwise, and that’s our goal at AAPAC.  

Scholarships

AAPAC is currently able to offer a small amount of scholarships (tuition wavers), which are entirely based on the amount of donations we receive during performances and other charitable events. Currently, these programs are “work scholarships” and are awarded by first-come, first-serve basis, by level of dedication and loyalty of student, and those of the greatest need. Work scholarships require an exchange of work for the classes (such as cleaning the studio, filing etc). Scholarships are awarded completely at the discretion of the Director of AAPAC; all that apply are not guaranteed that they will receive scholarships. AAPAC cannot guarantee that all who apply for the programs will be accepted. Students over the age of 9 who are applying for a scholarship must be interviewed by the director. This helps to determine the level of dedication, responsibility and the desire to learn. Scholarships awarded are earned and are not just a gift. Strict deadline for applications is by the night of Registration and Open House at the beginning of each term (First Friday in August, December or June). For more information or to obtain a scholarship outline, application and contract from the director.