Student/Parent Handbook 2010-2011

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 nine months and tuitions are not refundable. Please be sure that your child will complete the program before registering.

Class Levels

The ballet curriculum consists of six levels of training (Pre-ballet – Level 5) 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.

Evaluations

Written evaluations are conducted mid-year for Curriculum Ballet students in Levels II through 5 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 5 and Men 5 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

Bloch CL5402

Pink

Capezio Child's Seamless Run Resistant Footed Tights 3C

Ballet Pink

Leather full soled

Pink

Bloch CL5405

Black

Capezio Child's Seamless Run Resistant Footed Tights 3C

Ballet Pink

Leather full soled

Pink

Mirella 201C

Black

Capezio Child's Seamless Run Resistant Footed Tights 3C

Ballet Pink

Leather full soled

Pink

Mirella 201L

Black

Capezio Adult Convertible Tights 15

Ballet Pink

Leather full soled

Pink

Mirella 201L

Black

Body Wrappers Adult TotalSTRETCH™ Supremely Soft Convertible Tights A45

Theatrical Pink

Leather full soled

Pink

Mirella 202L

Black

Body Wrappers Adult TotalSTRETCH™ Supremely Soft Convertible Tights A45

Theatrical Pink

Leather or canvas full or split soled

Pink

Fitted T-Shirt or Cap Sleeve Leotard

White

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

Black

Leather full soled with white ankle socks

Black

Fitted T-Shirt or Cap Sleeve Leotard

White

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

Black

Leather full soled with white ankle socks

Black

Fitted T-Shirt or Cap Sleeve Leotard

White

M. Stevens Milliskin Footed Tights 1099

Black

Leather or canvas full or split soled

Black

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.

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, and hair elastics around the wrists.  Note: Level 3 - 5 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 4/5 and 5 may also wear simply styled and solid-colored leotards.

Boys: Dance belts are required for students 12 and up. On Saturdays Men 5 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.

TPB Spring Recital

Curriculum students in Pre-ballet through Level 5 are encouraged to participate in the annual TPB Spring 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.

Pas de Deux

Pas de Deux class is open to Level 4/5 and Level 5 students by invitation only. Elements to be 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 en 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 required

Toes need to be pre-taped before technique classes. Students are asked NOT to leave the studio between technique and pointe. Students in Levels 4 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. 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 3 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.

Good attendance is critical to consistent progress and advancement in the Ballet Curriculum program. Poor attendance will jeopardize a student’s placement, participation in productions, promotion, or financial aid. Excused absences only can be made up in a class taken at a lower level. 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). 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.

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. Therefore, we ask that there are no water breaks taken during class and that students drink water after class. 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.

Behavior/Talking

Students are expected to treat TPB staff with respect and a positive attitude. 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.

Studio Etiquette

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

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 trashcans 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.

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 regularly.

We encourage all students to label their shoes, tights, etc., to insure that the proper items are recovered. Students must not leave valuable items unattended at any time.

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 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.

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. Please plan to stay for the entire class period (if you must leave during the class, do so only between the barre and floor work). 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 front desk and Artistic Director.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

The Portland Ballet admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accepted or made available to students at the Center.