Student/Parent Handbook 2012-2013

Printable Version of Student/Parent Handbook here.

The Portland Ballet 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 The Portland Ballet 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, whether or not a professional career in dance is planned.

CURRICULUM BALLET PROGRAM

NOTE: This program must be purchased for the entire 39 weeks over a 10-month period (September – June) and tuitions are not refundable. Please be sure that your child will complete the program before registering.

CLASS LEVELS

The ballet curriculum consists of eight levels of training (Pre-Ballet – Level VI) that are designed to meet the physical and psychological needs of the student at each stage of development. Students move through the curriculum according to ability and age and are evaluated for level advancement by the Artistic Director and faculty members.

Class Placement

Each year new and returning students must attend the mandatory placement audition in August. This audition allows placement to be based on the student’s most current stage of development. Summer program experience, as well as mental and physical maturation over the summer, can result in dramatic changes in a student’s progress. Therefore, attendance to this audition is critical to help insure proper level placement for the fall.

Great consideration is taken in the class placement process as well as the construction of class schedules and the assignment of teachers. Each level contains students within a particular stage of development. There will naturally be a technical range in each level. Students are placed according to their current stage of ability, physical and psychological development and age. Ballet is an exacting athletic art-form requiring mastery of many seemingly mundane but yet fundamental steps and movements. Students progress faster by spending the length of time necessary to master these fundamentals, rather than rushing ahead to the complex and faster paced steps of a more advanced level.

Each class level follows a carefully planned curriculum each year, requiring students to attend a specific number of hours of class each week throughout the school year.  We strongly advise against seeking outside training or private lessons, as this conflicts with the curriculum of The Portland Ballet.

TUITION POLICIES

Students registered for Pre-Ballet – Level VI and the Youth Company enroll for 39 weeks over a 10-month period (September – June).  Monthly installment payments are charged automatically to a credit card on file on the 1st of each month.  Payment by check (monthly or bi-annually) include a $10 per check processing fee.

Tuition is not refundable.  Students who do not participate in class or withdraw before the end of the school year are obligated for the full year’s fees. Students are eligible for pro-rated tuition if they must withdraw from classes due to prolonged illness, severe injury (verified by a physician’s written orders) or other unforeseen circumstances and upon approval of the Managing Director.

Students with outstanding accounts will not be registered.  A $20 fee is charged for returned checks.  Late payments due to declined credit cards are charged a $10 late fee per credit card attempt.  If tuition is received after the first of the month there will be a $10 late fee. If tuition is received more than 10 days late there will be a $25 fee; if tuition is received more than 30 days late there will be a $100 fee.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Financial Aid support is granted on a year-by-year basis for eligible families.  Applications for the 2012 – 2013 Curriculum Year are available online and at the Front Desk and must be completed and returned by the August 27th deadline.  Applications can only be turned in once a student has received acceptance and placement information from TPB.  Applications received after this deadline will not be considered until all other applications have been awarded, provided funds are still available.  Financial assistance is determined by a committee of artistic, board and administrative staff, based on financial need.

Scholarship students and parents must sign a scholarship contract.  It details the responsibilities and obligations specific to scholarship students.  If any of these responsibilities and obligations are not fulfilled, full tuition will be automatically charged to the credit card on file.  All scholarship students and parents must attend a Mandatory Scholarship meeting on Saturday September 15th at 3:00 pm.

Evaluations

Written evaluations are conducted mid-year for Curriculum Ballet students in Levels I through VI for both girls and boys. Goal sheets will be distributed in advance to each student and the 3 most critical areas of focus will be discussed with one of their teachers in a one-on-one 15-minute conference.

Additionally, girls and boys in Levels VI and Men VI may schedule an evaluation conference with the Artistic Director to discuss the student’s progress and goals at this time. Parents are encouraged to attend these conferences.

Conferences

Personal conferences may be scheduled with the Artistic Director by making a request to the front desk. Please avoid “catching” the Artistic Director or teachers before or after class for quick conferences. These discussions deserve our full attention and are more effective when conducted in a calm atmosphere.

Dress Code

Students are required to adhere to the following dress code:

Level

Leotard Style

Color

Tights Style

Color

Ballet Slippers

Color

Pre-ballet

Bloch CL5402

Pink

Capezio Child's Hold & Stretch Footed Tights 14C (non run)

Ballet Pink

Leather full soled

Pink

Elementary

Bloch CL5402

Pink

Capezio Child's Hold & Stretch Footed Tights 14C (non run)

Ballet Pink

Leather full soled

Pink

Level I

Bloch CL5405

Black

Capezio Child's Hold & Stretch Footed Tights 14C (non run)

Ballet Pink

Leather full soled

Pink

Level II

Mirella 201C

Black

Capezio Child's Hold & Stretch Footed Tights 14C (non run)

Ballet Pink

Leather full soled

Pink

Level IIIA

Mirella 201L

Black

Capezio Child's Hold & Stretch Footed Tights 14C (non run)

Ballet Pink

Leather full soled

Pink

Level IIIB, IIIC, IV

Mirella 201L

Black

Body Wrappers Adult TotalSTRETCH™ Supremely Soft Convertible Tights A45

Theatrical Pink

Leather full soled

Pink

Level IV/V, V/IV

Mirella 201L for Level IV classes, Mirella 202LM for Level V classes

Black

Body Wrappers Adult TotalSTRETCH™ Supremely Soft Convertible Tights A45

Theatrical Pink

Leather full soled for Level IV classes, Leather or canvas full or split soled for Level V classes

Pink

Level V,VI

Mirella 202LM

Black

Body Wrappers Adult TotalSTRETCH™ Supremely Soft Convertible Tights A45

Theatrical Pink

Leather or canvas full or split soled

Pink

Boys Pre-ballet, Men I & Men II

Cap Sleeve Leotard

White

M. Stevens Child Unisex Footed Tight 1097 - or tight leggings

Black

Leather full soled with white ankle socks & black sewn elastic

Black

Mens III/IV

Fitted T-Shirt (no emblems)

White

M. Stevens Child Unisex Footed Tight 1097 or M. Stevens Milliskin Footed Tights 1099

Black

Leather full soled with black sewn elastic

Black

Men V, VI

Fitted T-Shirt (no emblems)

White

M. Stevens Milliskin Footed Tights 1099

Black

Leather or canvas full or split soled with black sewn elastic

Black

Modern

Modern

*Please contact Kate Andries, kate@theportlandballet.org, for information regarding tutu orders.

All ballet slippers must have sewn (not tied) elastics. No warm-up shirts, leg warmers, skirts, etc., may be worn during class. Dancewear is to be kept laundered and in good repair. Please mark clothing and shoes with the student’s name. Pre-Ballet through Level VI dancers are not to wear underwear underneath their leotards and tights.

Girls: Pointe shoes (when applicable) must have sewn ribbons and elastics. Hair must be pulled back into a neat bun with a hairnet and no “whispies”. Short hair must be fastened securely away from the face. No jewelry is to be worn in class including rings, watches, plastic bracelets, headbands, and hair elastics around the wrists.  Note: Level III - VI girls can wear small earrings at the discretion of your teacher. Short black skirts are allowed for Variations and Pointe classes only. On Saturdays, girls in Levels IV/V and VI may also wear simply styled and solid-colored leotards.

Boys: Dance belts are required for students 12 and up. On Saturdays Men IV/V and VI may wear colored tights and/or a fitted colored t-shirt.

TPB’s dress code is designed to encourage unity and discipline among our students. Students not meeting the required dress code or whose uniform is dirty or torn will be asked to observe class and take notes on the Class Observation Sheet.

Pas de Deux

Pas de Deux class is for Level VI students or by special invitation. Elements considered when inviting students to participate include: work ethic, good attendance (in all assigned curriculum classes), and strength on pointe. The TPB staff will regularly monitor students to insure they are meeting the above requirements. Changes in the aforementioned criteria will affect the student’s ability to participate in this class.

Pointe Classes

Students on pointe are expected to bring with them into the studio before technique class a small pointe shoe bag containing:

• Pointe shoes
• Toe tape
• Small scissors
• Band aids
• Safety pins
• Needle and thread
• Toe Spacers/lambs wool or Ouch Pouches
• Any additional items they may require

Toes need to be pre-taped before technique classes. Students are asked NOT to leave the studio between technique and pointe. Students in Levels IV and higher will be given a limited time to switch from technique to pointe shoes (approximately 2 minutes). Students unable to change their shoes within that time will be asked to watch pointe and take notes.

Physical Requirements For Pointe Class and Pas de Deux

Ballet is the most physically demanding of all dance forms. Pointe work in particular is not only physically demanding but also requires that the student maintain an intense practice schedule and a body weight that is lower than average for most people. The reason for this is that ballet is an esthetic dance form that pays little attention to the ergonomic structure of the average human body.  Just as with most athletic activities, not maintaining optimal physical conditioning and body weight can lead to very serious (sometimes crippling) injuries in the worst case, and to overall poor progress at the very least.

We have constructed the class schedule to give students the correct number of hours of training required to excel in ballet. By regularly attending all of the classes scheduled for your level, by stretching and doing exercises at the studio and at home, and cross-training, proper physical conditioning will be maintained. We realize that maintaining the optimal body weight is more difficult for some than others. Metabolisms vary greatly from person to person as do family eating styles. For some students it is a matter of limiting their intake of sweets but for others it may mean restructuring his or her diet and seeking the advice of a nutritionist.

In order for TPB to accomplish the goal of teaching “correct ballet” we require that students desiring to pursue pointe work maintain excellent attendance, proper physical conditioning, and be at a body weight that is considered safe by the TPB staff.

Health

Students need to fuel their bodies well for classes and rehearsals. TPB is a junk food free zone. Students may consume only healthful food and drinks while at the studio, rehearsal or performance space. If junk food is found, it will be confiscated. Foods that are not healthful are not allowed in the building. Maintaining a healthful body weight will help insure correct ballet line, placement, technique, strength and stamina with fewer injuries. Students who are excessively light or heavy will be counseled and could be placed on school probation.

Open Ballet Classes

TPB offers a variety of open ballet classes for beginning/intermediate to advanced students. TPB encourages Curriculum Ballet students Level III and up to attend these classes when their curriculum classes are not in session. You will find the Open Ballet Schedule in the lobby and on our website. TPB Curriculum students will receive open classes at the ‘student’ rate.

Academic Coordination

Many schools grant physical education credit or exemption to students in exchange for dance instruction. Students may also arrange to obtain credit for Fine or Performing Arts Education. Please check with your academic advisor if this is of interest to you.

Rules and Regulations

As part of their training, TPB students are expected to behave in a responsible and disciplined manner and to adhere to the TPB rules and regulations. TPB reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any student whose conduct or attitude is found to be unsatisfactory.

Attendance

Students or their families must report ALL absences to TPB PRIOR to class time in order for the absence to be considered excused. Excused absences may be emailed to frontdesk@theportlandballet.org or called in to (503) 452-8448 prior to class.  A reason must accompany any excused absence for our records.  If a reason is not provided, you may be contacted to provide a reason for the absence.

Good attendance is critical to consistent progress and advancement in the Curriculum Ballet program. Poor attendance will jeopardize a student’s placement, participation in productions, promotion, or financial aid. Excused absences may only be made up in a lower level class. If the student is sick with a fever, or in any way contagious, please stay at home.

Students may not enter class late or leave class early without the teacher’s permission. If a student arrives more than ten minutes late, the teacher will have the student sit, watch the remainder of the class and take notes on the Class Observation Sheet. Injuries can result when a student arrives late and has not had a proper warm up.

Injuries

Ballet is a strenuous athletic activity. Students of ballet will experience minor aches and pains from time to time due to building muscle tissue and stretching tendons. Most minor aches and pains will go away in time. Should a particular pain start to become chronic, speak to your instructor and ask at the front desk for a Physical Therapy Request Form to arrange an appointment with the school physical therapist (Anne Huffington-Carroll). If the condition does not improve, the front desk can arrange an appointment with our school doctor (Dr. Zeller).  For some conditions an appointment with our Chiropractor (Seth Alley) can be scheduled.  For an appointment with our chiropractor, a signed authorization must accompany the student at the time of the appointment.  All student accidents and injuries in and out of ballet class must be reported to the front desk staff and their teacher immediately. TPB staff will document the student’s condition and any medical guidelines for activity. A doctor’s note is required to return to class after severe injuries.

If an injury occurs (either in or outside of class), please do the following:

• Notify the front desk immediately so that proper documentation can be made.
• Have your doctor fax a report on your injury to the school office in order to facilitate your recovery. Fax - (503) 452-1171
• We must receive written permission from your doctor allowing you to resume classes.
• Any student with an injury requiring limited participation in class or a significant leave of absence from TPB must meet with the School Principal or Artistic Director to set up a recovery plan before returning to classes.

Students who are injured and are therefore unable to participate in all of class must sit, watch the rest of class and will be asked to take notes on the Class Observation Sheet. Ice is located in the lobby if necessary. Once a student has stopped class they may not resume class or rehearsal until the next day at the earliest.

Water & Restroom Visits

TPB recognizes that water intake is a crucial element to athletic activity and we encourage students to make sure they are drinking a sufficient amount.

However, visits to the restroom during class disrupt the class and cause the student to miss valuable instruction time.  Water bottles must be kept with the student’s possessions and away from the barres and dance floor. Students (and parents of younger students) must regulate their water intake so that restroom visits can be scheduled before or after class only.

CLASSROOM/STUDIO BEHAVIOR

Students are expected to treat TPB staff with respect and a positive attitude.  Five minutes prior to the start of class, talking must cease whether in the hallway, lobby, dressing room, or studio.  This will give all of the students the opportunity to prepare his or her mind for ballet.  Teachers will not enter the classroom until all students are silent. There is to be no talking during class period. Excessive talking is distracting and disrespectful to teachers and classmates. Conduct that TPB constitutes as physical intimidation or injury, verbal or sexual harassment, or coercion may be grounds for expulsion. TPB maintains zero tolerance for theft or the possession of weapons. Conduct that causes material destruction or disruption of any TPB function is prohibited.

Conversation in the lobby and dressing rooms must be appropriate to be heard by all children and adults in the school. Gossip, vulgarity and explicit language are not appropriate studio conversation. Students are asked to maintain a professional attitude with regard to physical contact. Excessive lolling or physically intimate activity is inappropriate. Students unable to conduct themselves in an appropriate and professional manner will be asked to leave the premises.

Food and drinks, except water, are restricted to the lobby or outside ONLY and are NOT ALLOWED in any of the studios, dressing rooms, or bathrooms.

Cell phones must be turned off when entering the studios.  If a student is found using a cell phone during classes or rehearsals, it may be confiscated until the end of that students scheduled classes/rehearsals.

Students are responsible for the disposal of their garbage and are expected to treat the facilities, furniture, and equipment with respect.

Please check the space you use for discarded toe tape, tissues, water bottles, clothing, etc., when leaving the studio. The trash cans are located in the dressing rooms, bathrooms, and both studios. Water bottles must be recycled; the recycling bin is located in the lobby under the front desk.

Barres are not to be hung on or sat on as they might break or cause injury.

Mirrors are breakable and easily smudged; they are not to be handled or leaned on.

Students should not sit down to “rest” during dance classes. This causes the muscles to cool down and may result in injury by resuming exercise when cold.

Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol

The Portland Ballet is a non-smoking establishment. Smoking is prohibited for all TPB students on school property. Students disregarding this policy will face suspension and/or expulsion from TPB. Any student found using drugs, consuming, or under the influence of alcohol (including providing drugs or alcohol to another student) will face expulsion.

Cameras

Photographing or videotaping class requires advance permission from the Artistic Director.

Lost and Found

Items left in the studios will be collected at the end of the day and placed in the lost and found bins located in the lady’s and men’s dressing room. The lost and found is emptied on a monthly basis.

We encourage all students to label their shoes, tights, etc., to insure that the proper items are recovered.  Students should not leave valuable items unattended in the dressing room. TPB is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Gently used shoes, leotards, and tights may be donated to The Portland Ballet.  Please bring clean items to the front desk.

Communication

Email is TPB’s PRIMARY method of communication.  If email is not a convenient method of communication for you, please read the bulletin boards and our website carefully. These are all important resources for students and parents. Time changes, rehearsals and important notices and announcements are placed there daily and the answers to many of your questions can be found there.

Parents are asked to direct any comments, concerns or questions to the front desk staff who will contact the Artistic Director, Managing Director, Studio Manager, or appropriate teacher if necessary.

For questions regarding the following – please contact

• Tuition, scholarships, studio/theatre schedules, account information, studio policies, private lessons – Kate Andries, Studio Manager, kate@theportlandballet.org
• Placement, student/parent concerns, auditions, questions for Artistic Director – Michelle Davis, Registrar/Assistant to Artistic Director, michelle@theportlandballet.org

The front desk staff are not allowed to give out student or teacher phone numbers, therefore, we ask that phone numbers be exchanged on an individual basis.

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.

Parent Observation

Parent observation occurs in December. The dates and times by level for parent observation are available at the TPB lobby and will be posted on the bulletin boards.

Parent observation is a week of open studio where parents are welcome to come and watch classes in Studio A.  Due to limited seating availability, there will be a sign up sheet at the front desk for each class.

No talking, cameras, camcorders, cell phones, or loud pagers are allowed during classes. Special permission to observe at any other time must be arranged in advance with the Studio Manager and Artistic Director.

Parent Observation Etiquette

• PARENTS ONLY – NO SIBLINGS! We have very limited seating.
• Turn off all cell phones and pagers.
• No food or drinks are allowed in the studio.
• Please no talking or whispering during class.
• No cameras or camcorders.

TPB Spring Recital

Curriculum students in Pre-Ballet through Level VI are encouraged to participate in the annual TPB Academy Recital presented at the end of the spring semester. Students with the required excellent attendance record perform pieces choreographed for their classes by faculty members. Students must be currently enrolled and attending classes full-time at TPB in order to participate. This performance is a ticketed event. A participation fee of $50 for the first student and $25 for each additional sibling is due upon receipt of the participation letter sent out in January 2012.

HOLIDAY PRODUCTION/YOUTH COMPANY

Students in Level 1 and up are eligible for participation in the Holiday Production, limited by parts available.  Youth Company is by audition only for ages 14 and up.  If you plan on participating in the fall production or Youth Company, you MUST attend the mandatory meeting on Saturday September 15th at 2:00pm.  At least one parent as well as the dancer must be in attendance.  In order to participate, you must be available for all scheduled rehearsals, outlined in the contract.  You are allowed 2 excused absences not falling on ‘mandatory’ rehearsal days.  All absences from rehearsal must be pre-approved by the Artistic Director at least TWO WEEKS prior to the date of the absence.  Excessive absences may jeopardize your role and participation in the production.  Excused Absence Forms are available on the website as well as in the TPB lobby.