POLICIES & PROCEDURES
2022-2023
2022-2023
Please read over our policies and procedures page carefully, as there is a lot of information covered throughout. On this page you can access important information on our Financial policies, Communication, Expectations, our Holidays calendar as well as our Snow Policy and Drop off and Pick Up information.
Financial
1. Registration -There will be an annual non- refundable registration fee of $36 per student ($16 for each sibling) which must be paid in full before a student is placed on the class list and allowed to participate.
2. Tuition Payments – Quarterly tuition payments will be due at time of registration and then again on, Nov. 2nd, Jan. 17th & March 14th
3. Late Fees- A $15.00 late fee will be added to ALL accounts that are 7 days past due. Payments are expected to be on time regardless of whether or not your child has been in class. Students will not be allowed to participate if accounts are two or more weeks late.
4. Returned Checks- A charge of $25 will be billed to your account for any returned checks.
5. Refunds – Forte Studios has a NO REFUND policy.
6. Costume Fees – There are additional costume costs involved in performing at the end of the year for dance and group voice classes (Not including Boogie Babies). These costumes are purchased during Quarter 2. All costume fees are due by December 15th. Once ordered, we cannot give refunds regardless of your child's participation in the shows. Participation is not mandatory but is highly recommended as part of students' education and a fun celebration of their skills and hard work during the season! Our shows are the highlight of our season!
2. Tuition Payments – Quarterly tuition payments will be due at time of registration and then again on, Nov. 2nd, Jan. 17th & March 14th
3. Late Fees- A $15.00 late fee will be added to ALL accounts that are 7 days past due. Payments are expected to be on time regardless of whether or not your child has been in class. Students will not be allowed to participate if accounts are two or more weeks late.
4. Returned Checks- A charge of $25 will be billed to your account for any returned checks.
5. Refunds – Forte Studios has a NO REFUND policy.
6. Costume Fees – There are additional costume costs involved in performing at the end of the year for dance and group voice classes (Not including Boogie Babies). These costumes are purchased during Quarter 2. All costume fees are due by December 15th. Once ordered, we cannot give refunds regardless of your child's participation in the shows. Participation is not mandatory but is highly recommended as part of students' education and a fun celebration of their skills and hard work during the season! Our shows are the highlight of our season!
Communication
1. Communication- Forte studios uses Email as its main source of communication. It is the responsibility of parents to be informed of upcoming events, tuition deadlines, rehearsals, etc. regardless of email status. Parents and students should be checking office message boards regularly as well.
2. Questions/Concerns – We do our best to provide the most professional, organized and friendly atmosphere possible. If you have a question or concern, we are here for you. However, we would appreciate if you do not approach the instructor during class time or between classes to discuss the matter. Leave a message at the front desk asking for the instructor to contact you as soon as possible. If your student is unhappy with something that happened during a class, please ask to speak to that instructor instead of going to the directors. Often there is simply a miscommunication. Going to the director before going to the instructor can complicate the matter and add to the negativity. If you are not satisfied after speaking to the instructor first, then by all means please talk to the director. Again, these matters need to be settled outside of class time.
3. Withdraw – Should you or your child decide to withdraw from a class, PLEASE let us know so that we can adjust our class plans and allow a new student to fill the empty space. If your child is absent for two weeks and we have not heard from you, we may assume that you have withdrawn, and the space will be filled. No refunds will be given.
2. Questions/Concerns – We do our best to provide the most professional, organized and friendly atmosphere possible. If you have a question or concern, we are here for you. However, we would appreciate if you do not approach the instructor during class time or between classes to discuss the matter. Leave a message at the front desk asking for the instructor to contact you as soon as possible. If your student is unhappy with something that happened during a class, please ask to speak to that instructor instead of going to the directors. Often there is simply a miscommunication. Going to the director before going to the instructor can complicate the matter and add to the negativity. If you are not satisfied after speaking to the instructor first, then by all means please talk to the director. Again, these matters need to be settled outside of class time.
3. Withdraw – Should you or your child decide to withdraw from a class, PLEASE let us know so that we can adjust our class plans and allow a new student to fill the empty space. If your child is absent for two weeks and we have not heard from you, we may assume that you have withdrawn, and the space will be filled. No refunds will be given.
Class & Student Expectations
1. Class Placement- Ages/Grades are simply a guideline. While students must meet minimum age requirements by Sept. 1st, instructors may occasionally override this in order to place a student in a class best suited for him/her regardless of age. We feel that once a student reaches age 11, he/she is mature enough to handle himself/herself properly during class with little discipline. At this stage, a student’s level is top priority over his/her age. For younger classes, we work to provide levels within more specific age ranges. Friends or siblings wishing to be in the same class will be placed in the class best suited for the lower level or younger student.
2. Class Contracts – Many classes will be implementing “Class Expectation Agreements”. These will consist of a list of age-appropriate expectations that instructors expect each student to follow. Students will review these expectations during the first class and then sign the “contract” in agreement of the expectations. A copy of the agreements will be available in the office.
3. Attendance – Students are expected to attend regularly. In the event of an unavoidable absence, classes may be made up. Please call the office to reserve your spot for a make-up class. Classes WILL NOT be refunded or credited due to student absences or snow days. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL TO INFORM US OF ANY ABSENCES. We need to know that our students are safe. We also often need to revise our class plans based on a student’s absence.
4. Tardiness - Students are expected to arrive early so that they are dressed, can use the bathroom, and are in the studio ready to begin class at the start time. Tardiness is disruptive to everyone involved in the class. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL TO INFORM US IF YOUR STUDENT WILL BE LATE. As a safety precaution, if a student is more than 15 minutes late for a class, he/she may be asked to spend a specific amount of time warming up on their own before joining the rest of the class. Executing certain moves without proper warm up can be very dangerous and lead to serious injuries. Students who are continually late, absent or disruptive may be dismissed from the class.
5. Dress Code/Class Behavior – Students are expected to dress properly and to conduct themselves in a respectful manner at all times. Continuous disruptive behavior is unfair to the teacher and to the students who want to learn. Students who continually cause disruptions in class will be dismissed. It is essential that all students be in proper dress code. Students who cannot follow these basic rules will not be allowed to participate. No refunds will be given. Parents are expected to support these expectations and explain their importance to children. No gum, candy, food, or drinks other than water are allowed in the teaching area. Vocal & Acting Students may dress comfortably. We prefer no midriff tops, super low-cut tops and no designs or ads promoting messages that could be offensive or controversial. Dance Student Dress Codes are more specific and can be found in the drop-down menu under "Dance". There is also an explanation for dress codes in dance.
Holidays/Snow Policies/ Drop off & Pick up
Holidays – We DO NOT always follow the same holiday schedule as Mt. Horeb Schools. We will be open for many Monday holidays as well as other days when there is no school. Winter and Spring Breaks may differ a bit from the schools. Please visit the “Important Dates to Remember” page for Forte’s holiday schedule.
2. Snow Policy – Forte Studios DOES NOT follow any school district closing for inclement weather. Should we need to cancel, we will immediately announce this on our office voice mail, post it on our website home page, post on our Facebook Page and email families. We will do our best to make a decision by 2:00pm on the day in question. A normal voice mail and website means that we have not canceled. Please be sure your child actually enters the building if you are just dropping them off. Classes will not be refunded or credited due to bad weather. A make-up class may be taken if we cancel or if you simply do not feel safe to drive on that day. If you plan to take a make-up class, please contact the office to reserve your spot. We always support your decision not to come to class if you do not feel safe to drive.
3. Parental Supervision - Students in 2nd grade and younger should have a parent present at the beginning and end of class. Students in 3rd grade and older may wait without a parent provided they are able to remain quiet in the halls and respectful at all times.
4. Pick Up – For the safety of your children, we ask that students under age 10 wait inside the door to be picked up. During bitter cold winter months, we prefer that all students wait inside to be picked up.
5. Lobby Noise – Please be aware that the lobby needs to remain as quiet as possible while classes are in session. Private voice students and office staff are especially affected by the loud noises in the lobby as classes dismiss.
6. No "Hanging Out" - While we love all of our students, they should not be hanging out here if they do not have classes. Our hallways are small and we simply do not have space for that.