2008 -2009 School Policies
Welcome to Starlight Dance Academy!  
This handbook contains basic rules and policies which apply to all registered students for the 2008-2009 school year.  
Policies are subject to change.  Starlight Dance Academy reserves the right to change and update policies at any time.  

ATTIRE & SHOES:
All students must be in proper dress code to participate in class.  Female students must wear a solid-colored, one-piece
leotard and tights, or a unitard.  
Leg warmers, ballet skirts, wrap sweaters and other fitted dance attire are permitted
at the teacher’s discretion.
 T-shirts, sweats and other loose clothing are not permitted in class.  These items obstruct
the line of the dancer’s body and inhibit the teacher’s ability to make corrections.  Male students may wear a plain white t-
shirt with dance tights, jazz pants or bike shorts.  All students are required to wear correct dance shoes for each class.  
  • Tiny Tutus: pink leather Ballet slippers.  
  • First 4: pink leather Ballet slippers, black Tap shoes.  
  • Jazz: black oxford or pull-on Jazz shoes.  
  • Tap: black patent or leather oxford flat Tap shoes.  
  • Ballet: pink leather Ballet slippers.  
  • Pointe: instructor will specify in class.  
  • Lyrical: tan sandal soles, foot thongs or Dance Paws.  
  • Hip Hop:  black Dance Sneakers.  
  • Modern:  stirrup or footless tights with bare feet.  
  • Tumbling: stirrup or footless tights with bare feet.
Hair must be pulled up and secured away from face and neck.
Jewelry is not permitted except for small post earrings.  

Please label all dance wear and shoes.  Starlight Dance Academy is not responsible for lost articles.  

CLASSROOM RULES:
1.        Students are not permitted in the classroom unless the teacher is present.
2.        All students must be in proper dance attire (including shoes, tights and hair) to participate in class.
3.        No gum chewing.
4.        Food, drink or candy is not permitted in the classroom.  
5.        Do not lean on or touch the mirrors.
6.        Do not hang on the Ballet barres.
7.        No street shoes on the studio floors.
8.        No Tap shoes on the Tumbling mats.
9.        Students may not operate the stereo equipment.
10.      Listen, learn, smile and have fun!

BEHAVIOR:  Students are expected to show respect toward their teachers and fellow classmates.  Disruptive and/or
disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.  We are committed to creating a safe and enjoyable environment for all
students, staff, parents, siblings and guests.  Starlight Dance Academy reserves the right to refuse service to anyone who
is disruptive and/or creates an unsafe or  negative atmosphere for our customers and guests.  

REGISTRATION:  The school year runs September through June.  Students may register for classes through
December as space permits.  New students are not accepted after January.  

STUDENT PLACEMENT:  Students are placed by both age and ability.  Placement for returning students is made
based upon age, ability and skill level, and attendance record.  Parents may request a placement evaluation be made by
the director if they have concerns regarding their child’s placement.  

STUDENT PROGRESS:  Every child progresses at an individual rate.  Regular attendance and at-home practice
greatly affect the rate at which your child will learn and improve.   Teachers are happy to discuss your child’s progress
and answer questions. Please be respectful of other students and do not interrupt or delay a class in session.  

ATTENDANCE:  Attendance is taken at every class.  Good attendance is crucial to the progress of the entire class.  
Make-up lessons are available.  Please see the front desk or call to find a suitable make-up class.  Make-up classes must
be taken within 30 days of the missed class.  

PRIVATE LESSONS:  Private lessons are available to any student who would like more challenging work or the
opportunity to refine technique in a particular discipline. Private lessons also provide reinforcement of class material for
any student who would like extra help. A schedule is available at the front desk.  Private lessons are open to all students
and may be scheduled with any teacher.  Lessons are $18 per half-hour or $12 per student per half-hour if sharing a
lesson.  All private lessons must be pre-paid at the time of scheduling.  Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in
advance to receive credit.  We reserve the right to charge for the full lesson if a cancellation is made less than 24 hours
before the lesson.  

TEACHER AVAILABILITY:  Starlight Dance Academy hires professional adult teachers.  If the scheduled teacher is
not available, Starlight Dance Academy reserves the right to substitute a qualified replacement.  

CLASSROOM VIEWING:  Classroom doors will remain closed while classes are in progress.  Classroom doors are
glass to allow parents to view the class in progress at all times.  Classroom visitation is held once a year in December.  
Parents may sit in on all classes on these designate days.  No one may sit in on a class any other day without the
permission of the director.

NEWSLETTERS/IMPORTANT NOTICES:  Regular newsletters and important notices will be distributed via
email.  This information is also available on our website and in our lobby.  It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to
obtain and read this information.  

LATE PICK-UP:  A charge of $10 will be automatically added to your account for any student who has not been
picked up 20 minutes following the end of the last class of the day.  (Monday-Friday classes end at 9:00PM)

WEATHER CONDITIONS:  Starlight Dance Academy does not follow any specific school district for snow
cancellations.  If the weather is bad, please call the studio or check our website two hours before class for a cancellation
notice.  Classes canceled due to weather or road conditions will be made up.

TUITION POLICY:  There is an annual non-refundable/non-transferrable registration fee of $20 per child.  Tuition is
calculated for the entire 35-week school year and divided into 10 monthly payments.  All classes receive the same number
of lessons throughout the school year.  Full tuition is due each month regardless of absence or the number of weeks in a
month.  There are no refunds or adjustments for absences.  Tuition rates are contingent upon signed liability release
statement.  Full tuition payment is due on or before the first class of each month.  Payments may be made online, in
person or by mail.  We accept cash, Visa/MasterCard/Discover or check payable to Starlight Dance Academy.  A $5.00
late fee will be automatically assessed if payment is not received by the 15th of the month.  Starlight Dance Academy
reserves the right to refuse lessons to any student whose tuition has not been paid by the 30th of the month.  All tuition is
non-refundable and non-transferable.  There is a $25.00 fee for all returned checks.   If we receive two NSF checks, you
will be required to pay the remainder of your tuition with cash, credit card, money order or certified check.  





















WITHDRAWAL:  The school year runs ten months beginning in September and ending in June.  Students may
withdraw at any time.  To withdraw, written notice of withdrawal must be received by the first of the month to avoid
being charged for the current month.  If a student withdraws from Starlight Dance Academy, all unused tuition is
forfeited.  

FUND-RAISING:  Participation in fund-raisers is optional.  Payment must accompany fund-raising orders at the time
the order is turned in.  
Starlight Dance Academy, Inc. will only accept CASH for fund-raising orders.  

Any/all money earned through fund-raisers sponsored by Starlight Dance Academy, Inc. will be kept in an account at
Starlight Dance Academy, Inc.  Your account will reflect fund-raising credits 7-10 days after the fund-raiser order due
date.  These funds may be used at any time to pay for costume deposits and balances, performance tickets, videos,
tuition, Starlight apparel or other Starlight related expenses as allowed.  You must notify Starlight Dance Academy, Inc.
when you would like to use your fund-raising money.  Starlight Dance Academy, Inc. will not debit your fund-raising
account without your permission.  You may check the balance of your fund-raising account at any time upon request.    
Starlight Dance Academy, Inc. will not send account balance statements to you.

At no time, can your fund-raising account be converted into cash.  Unused fund-raising credits are not refundable.  If your
child does not participate in the recital performance, you may use your fund-raising money for any of the previously
mentioned expenses.  Credits will not be refunded if your child becomes ineligible to perform due to excessive
absenteeism.  Fund-raising money will be forfeited if the student withdraws from Starlight Dance Academy.  Fund-raising
credits cannot be transferred to another student.  Any balance remaining in your account beyond July 31, 2009 will
become the property of Starlight Dance Academy, Inc.

All fund-raising merchandise must be picked up at the designated time.  All perishable products not picked up on the
delivery day will be donated to the Pittsburgh Food Bank.  We will not hold perishable items past the pick-up time.  
Starlight Dance Academy, Inc. is not responsible for merchandise not picked up.  
Starlight Dance Academy, Inc.   928 Route 910,   Emmerling Plaza,   Cheswick, PA 15024,   412-767-0400
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