Ballet Handbook
2024
Hello and WELCOME to the Presser Family!
Congratulations!!
You are about to embark on a journey that will go down in your family’s history as “that’s the year we did (name of show or ballet )”. Placeholders in time are great markers for remembering good times and great relationships.
This handbook is not meant to be read in one sitting, but to be used as a reference when needed. This will help manage your expectations of us and our expectations of you. We strive to make the arts available to everyone in our region and upholding the highest standard of performance possible.
We are a Pre-Professional production house and we model our practices as close to industry standards as possible. We want everyone to receive the education that most closely resembles professional “real life” in the arts.
Everyone comes from diverse backgrounds and experiences and these policies help insure sustainability for our future. Thank you for your cooperation. Dance Arts is the most expressive physical artform requiring talents from so many different disciplines. There are a LOT of people involved in one program or production. We are glad you’re part of the Presser family.
Truly,
Lois Brace Executive Director
Presser Arts Center
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
Registration Info and Tuition Fees
For all new students: registration must be completed online or in person Presser Arts Center. These forms are located on the website, under Dance Tab, clicking the button below, or may be picked up at Presser.
Returning students may register by phone (573-581-5592) or email (katie@presserpac.com). An updated Registration form must be submitted for each student in the Fall semester.
A non–refundable registration fee of $25 per family is due upon registration. Students who complete two consecutive semesters are automatically guaranteed a placement into the Dance Program for the following dance season.
Waiting Lists
A waiting list will be made for every class that becomes full. In the event that a student drops out of a class, dancers from the waiting list will be contacted to fill the empty space. If there are no students dropping from a class with a large waiting list, we will try our best to open a new class day and time to accommodate those on the list.
Tuition Rates
Tuition for the Children’s Division begins at $56 per mo. and is illustrated in the following table. Most children in this division will attend one class per week. There is a cost savings when paying for the entire semester.
A semester is 4 mos.or 16 weeks
Early Childhood Division Monthly Payment *Based on a four-week mo.Semester paid in full, includes 10% disc.
Creative Movement $56 $200
Pre-Ballet I $56 $200
Semesters will typically run: Fall: mid-September – mid-December, Spring: January - April
Tuition for the Junior Division As the following table illustrates, the price per class decreases in relation to the number of classes the student takes per week. Students in this division are encouraged to attend two (2) ballet classes per week before enrolling in additional forms of dance instruction (modern, etc).
A semester is 4 mos. or 16 weeks
Classes per week Monthly Payment Semester in full w/10% discount
1 $ 56.00 $ 200.
**Tuition Rates are not subject to a refund. Students are expected to attend or make-up
(See “Make-Up Policy” under Class Information) classes within the school semester.* Late fees = $15
Monthly Installments Monthly payment plan requires automatic payment plan
Tuition is due on the 1st of the month. Any student on a monthly payment plan must have a credit card held on file. This card will be charged on the 5th of the month IF tuition payment has not been received online at www.presserpac.com. Late Fees are $15. Should accounts remain delinquent after 30 days, the student will be unable to attend further classes at Presser Arts Center until payment is brought current, no extensions into makeup classes or refunds for missed classes during the delinquent period will be granted.
Discounts
Full Semester Payment: Tuition and registration payments made in full before the beginning of the school’s semester will be granted a ten percent (10%) discount on their bill.
Sibling Discount: Families enrolling multiple children in the school will be granted a fifteen percent (15%) discount on the second and subsequent child’s/children’s class tuition. The Oldest Child will pay in full.
Scholarships are Available
Please fill out an application online and submit to katie@presserpac.com
WorkStudy Program
PAC offers a Work Study Program for youth giving the opportunity to volunteer work hours at PAC during the school year or Summer to work toward their tuition costs for programming and Summer Camps.
HOW to apply for the PAC Work Study Program:
1.Fill out a Volunteer Application Form and write at the top “WORK STUDY PROGRAM” as early as 1 year and no later than 2 weeks prior to Program beginning.
2. Write a letter stating why you are interested in the Work Study Program
3. If you are contacted for follow-up you will be asked to interview with the Dance Director or Administrator
INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL/SECURE
CLASS INFORMATION
Presser Arts Center embodies a culture of creativity.
Diversity, Values and Inclusion are more than just words.
They’re the principles guiding how we build our board and staff to create a center that mirrors our region.
We have a multicultural region reflected inside our walls.
We are passionate about creating art, we are passionate about encouraging everyone to do their best work.
Children’s Division (Ages 3-7)
● Creative Movement (Ages 3-5) Designed for our youngest students to explore body capabilities & movement. Creative Movement allows for active minds while introducing ballet class discipline, coordination & rhythm.
● Pre-Ballet (Ages 6-7) Designed to introduce the fundamentals of ballet. Students will learn the ballet positions along with basic technique and age appropriate steps.
Junior Division (Ages 6 & up)
These students are required to take two ballet classes per week. They may also opt to take jazz class as an elective. Any student in this division will need to take a placement class in order for us to determine the appropriate class for them. These students really need to contact us to determine that.
● Ballet I-III (Ages 8 & up) Beginning with Level I, students will learn classical ballet technique with an awareness of alignment & discipline enabling them to progress to higher levels. Mastery of skill set is assessed by the instructor & determines class placement.
Jazz is offered for a 30 minute slot if student is enrolled in Ballet I.
Class Placement:
Students will be placed in a level appropriate for both their age and level of physical/technical development. All placement decisions are made to promote the best interests of the student. It is not unusual to remain in one level for more than one year. Students without previous dance training will be advised on available courses for instructions.
All incoming students with previous training must take a placement class at a level based on previous instruction. Placement will then be determined by the instructor or school director. Students in the Junior Division must take the required minimum classes per level as stated by the instructor.
Student’s levels are re-evaluated at the culmination of each semester. Notification of class requirements and recommendations will be sent home with students for the upcoming semester as determined by the instructor and/or school director.
All class placements are subject to the discretion of the instructor or school director.
Should you have questions regarding initial enrollment, contact our office for further assistance.
Class Cancellations
● Inclement weather: Presser Arts Center follows the Mexico School District weather cancellation policy.
o Faculty/Director/Administrator is responsible for contacting all participants to attend class or rehearsal if it is contrary to the Mexico School District’s decision. Many times, snow will impact the unpaved roads but not the paved roads, thus allowing some classes with participants whose residences are NOT impaired by the weather. If no one has made contact it is assumed the classes are cancelled following Mexico School District.
● Teacher Illnesses: Class schedules may be subject to change due to teacher illness. Makeup policies are below.
● Building Closures: If severe weather (tornado, etc.), a power outage or unforeseen circumstances necessitate the closing of any PAC program, PAC is not responsible for providing a makeup session, credit or refund. However, PAC will make every attempt to provide a makeup time IF it is within the available calendar schedule.
Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures
● Students may enter the front entrance.
● *Students waiting for their parent/guardian to retrieve them after class must wait inside the building vestibule.
● Presser Arts Center is not responsible for providing before or after class care for students or their siblings.
Students should be picked up immediately at the conclusion of class & will be asked to remain inside the building while waiting for their ride.
Attendance/Promptness
Students are expected to be in class each and every week in order to benefit the most from their training. Regular attendance as well as practicing at home will insure class progress.
All students should arrive at the studio either ready, or in time to prepare for class; change clothes, fix hair, and (with the exception of those in the children’s division) warm-up properly.
Tardiness can have a negative effect on the student as well as the entire class. Please make sure to be on time every week. Excessive tardiness may result in termination of lessons. Students arriving late must wait for the instructors’ permission to join the class as is traditionally expected in the art form. If a student is too late to participate they should observe the class, which is also a learning experience.
Injured students are still expected to attend class, observe, and submit a written assignment at the suggestion of the instructor. This will ensure continued learning despite limited ability to participate.
Absenteeism
Because the number of students per class is limited to ensure proper instruction, the school expects that parents and students will honor their commitment to their class and complete the entire semester.
Frequent or prolonged absences may result in students losing their spot in the class, demotion, non-promotion or the inability to participate in the annual performance. If a student misses 3 or more classes without notice, the school reserves the right to terminate the student from the class and no refunds will be provided. Students missing 3 or more unexcused classes in a semester will be unable to participate in any end-of-season performances at the discretion of the instructor.
Make-Up Classes
If a student misses a class for any reason, his/her parent or guardian must call the Dance Director (Lillian Brace) to report the absence. Students in Children’s Division & Open Division are encouraged to make up any missed classes but it is not required. All Junior Division students are encouraged to make up their excused absences within the semester time period.
No refunds will be granted for missed classes at the culmination of the semester.
School/Class Withdrawal
As the seasons are based on semester commitments, refunds on tuition or registration fees are not granted. As noted above.
Class Observation
In order to create a focused learning environment, we limit the amount of distractions to our dancers at all class levels and therefore, visitors are not allowed into the studio during class time. Although the school can appreciate the desire to support loved ones, we ask parents to view their students’ progress from the viewing windows. Students can often feel additional pressure and stress when trying to please a parent so please limit your observation if it is obvious the student is becoming distracted.
Sick Child Policy
It is our desire to provide a healthy and safe environment for all of the children at PAC Parents are encouraged to be considerate of other children when deciding whether to place a child under our care. In general, children with the following symptoms should not be dropped off:
● Fever, diarrhea, or vomiting within the last 48 hours
● Green or yellow runny nose, Eye or skin infections
● Other symptoms of communicable or infectious disease
Children who are observed by our workers to be ill will be separated from other children and the parent or guardian will be contacted to request that the child be picked up for the day.
Accidental Injuries to Children
In the event that a child or youth is injured while in our care, the following steps shall be followed:
1. For minor injuries, scrapes, and bruises, Instructors will provide First Aid (Band-Aids, etc.) as appropriate and we will notify the child’s parent or guardian of the injury at the time the child is picked up from our care.
For injuries requiring medical treatment beyond simple First Aid, the parent and/or guardian will immediately be summoned. If warranted by circumstances, an ambulance will be called.
Medications Policy
It is the policy of PAC NOT to administer either prescription or non-prescription medications to the children under our care. Medications should be administered by a parent at home. Exceptions to the medications policy may be granted to parents of children with potentially life-threatening conditions (such as asthma or severe allergic reactions). Parents of such children should address their situation with the Director/Instructor in charge to develop a plan of action
STUDIO INFORMATION
PAC BEHAVIOR POLICY
Studio Behavior
PAC works very hard with parents, students and teachers to promote and keep a positive environment and a safe, warm and welcoming culture. Each child that participates at PAC, and their families, are an ambassador of our brand, and must represent our CENTER appropriately. It is paramount for parents, participants, siblings, spouses and friends to follow our policies. A Behavior Contract is part of the Registration Form.
Additionally, any open condemnation by an adult of an artist, especially a minor, will not be tolerated by PAC Faculty, Staff, and Board. This applies at the Center, studio, parking lot, rehearsals, master classes, and Center functions.
Students are required to be quiet and respectful to instructors and fellow students upon entrance into Presser Arts Center, as multiple classes are generally being conducted.
Students are expected to be attentive during class, neat in the dressing rooms, and polite to fellow students.
Students are required to be quiet and respectful to instructors and fellow students upon entrance into Presser Arts Center, as multiple classes are generally being conducted.
Students are expected to be attentive during class, neat in the dressing rooms, and polite to fellow students.
Pulling on equipment, touching mirrors and general disruptions will not be tolerated.
Presser Arts Center is a private studio and reserves the right to dismiss any student from class who demonstrates inappropriate behavior, or upsets the learning environment of the school. Each disciplinary action will be accompanied by a phone call to the parent/guardian explaining the reasoning(s) for class dismissal. Should the disruptions persist disciplinary action will be determined on a case by case basis between the parent/guardian and the Dance Director.
Progressive Disciplinary Process
Although participation with PAC is voluntary, PAC may use progressive disciplinary action at its discretion, which may include any or all of the following disciplinary steps: counseling, verbal warning, written warning, suspension or termination.
There are certain types of performance problems or misconduct that are serious enough to justify accelerating these disciplinary action steps, including immediate termination, without going through the progressive disciplinary action process. Thus, depending on the severity of the problem and other factors, there may be circumstances, as determined by the Executive Director’s sole discretion, in which one or more steps are bypassed.
Violation of any of the following may subject a participant to progressive discipline up to and including termination (absenteeism and tardiness are covered by a separate attendance policy):
● Threatening or abusive language or behavior including bullying, physical assault towards others.
● Intentional damage to the property of PAC, another participant, instructor/director or a visitor of PAC.
● Engaging in activities that conflict with the PAC’s fiduciary, ethical and legal obligations.
● Theft or dishonesty, including a breach of PAC’s security or confidentiality, falsification of any business record, or the giving of a false excuse for absence from event/class/rehearsal.
● Violating the organization’s nondiscrimination and/or harassment policy.
● Conviction of a crime
● Deliberate interference with, delaying or restriction of production or the production of others.
● Temporarily leaving PAC during rehearsal time without permission or knowledge of a director or
instructor/staff.
● Violating PAC’s safety policies and practices.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
This is a family friendly establishment. Any person either under the influence, or that smells strongly like any substance (alcohol, marijuana, etc.) will be asked to leave the center, as it will be assumed that person is under the influence. At that time, we will be required to contact another parent/legal guardian to provide alternate transportation for the minor. Per Mexico Public Safety: “minors may not enter a vehicle with a party that is under the influence or assumed to be under the influence.” Per our policy, which is based on Public Safety recommendation, Failure to comply with the request to leave, and/or becoming argumentative, will result in PAC calling Mexico Public Safety to resolve the situation. Additionally, the person(s) being combative are at risk of being permanently banned from the center, and put their child or friends at risk of being permanently banned too.
To ensure a safe and efficient drug and alcohol-free workplace and ensure compliance with applicable law, the following policy has been adopted and will be observed by all employees/participants.
Student Belongings
Students should utilize the schools’ cubbies for all their belongings to avoid a hazardous situation by leaving items strewn throughout the dressing rooms or lobby area.
Cell phones should be turned off and are banned from class. Any disturbances from electronic devices may be deemed as a class distraction and subject to disciplinary procedures. Parents/Guardians are welcome to leave an urgent message for their student at the front desk if needed.
Food & Beverage
Water is the only beverage allowed within the studio space and front desk area. Any necessary snacks should be consumed in the front desk area only. Gum is prohibited in the entire Presser facility.
Lost & Found
Presser Arts Center is not responsible for any lost personal items, including but not limited to: jewelry, clothing, shoes, school books, etc. Please help us return lost items to you by labeling every item coming into the studio.
While we will offer a lost & found bin, please note every couple of months it will be cleaned out due to lack of space, and any items remaining will be donated to charity.
Tobacco-Free Policy
PAC Campus is a tobacco-free environment. No smoking or vaping is allowed inside the building, or on CAMPUS. Violation of this policy shall result in disciplinary procedures for participants.
STAY CONNECTED!
Open communication is an essential element to the success of the year at Presser Arts Center!
Follow the guidelines below to stay connected and engaged!
Email:
Email is our primary form of communication! Please add katie@presserpac.com to your preferred senders list. Sometimes our emails will go to your spam folder, so be sure to check here as well and mark any emails received as “not spam” so they will go to your inbox in the future. Be sure to check your email on a timely and regular basis.
Website:
● Student/Parent Resources
Did you know you can visit the Student/Parent Resources tab on our website, wwwpresserpac.com to find answers to many of your questions? Here you will find our calendar of dates, current class schedule, policies & procedures, dress code, online account access as well as frequently asked questions. This should be your first point of reference if you have questions!
Social Media:
Facebook: We regularly update our Facebook page with upcoming events, articles and exciting news!
Tune in to see pictures from classes and special events!
Please follow us here: https://www.facebook.com/PresserPAC
Phone:
Our phone number is 573-581-5592. Please feel free to contact us by phone with questions you are not able to find the answer to on our website! Please be sure to contact us by phone or email if your child will be missing class. It is important that we are aware when a student will not be present and will allow us to schedule a make-up class for dancers in a timely fashion.
Social Media Guidelines
In the rapidly expanding world of electronic communication, social media can mean many things. Social media includes all means of communicating or posting information or content of any sort on the Internet, including your own or someone else’s web log or blog, journal or diary, personal website, social networking or affinity website, web bulletin board or a chat room, whether or not associated or affiliated with PAC, as well as any other form of electronic communication.
Ultimately, you are solely responsible for what you post online. Before creating online content, consider some of the risks and rewards that are involved. Keep in mind that any of your conduct that adversely affects your performance, the performance of fellow participants or otherwise adversely affects employees, students, patrons, vendors or people who work on behalf of PAC or PAC’s legitimate business interests may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Be Respectful
Always be fair and courteous to fellow participants, employees, students, patrons, vendors or people who work on behalf of PAC. Also, keep in mind that you are more likely to resolve production-related complaints by speaking directly with your co-participants or by utilizing our Open Door Policy as opposed to posting complaints to a social media outlet. Nevertheless, if you decide to post complaints or criticism, avoid using statements, photographs, video or audio that could reasonably be viewed as disparaging to students, patrons, or vendors, or malicious, obscene, threatening, intimidating, harassing, discriminatory or retaliatory in nature. Examples of such conduct might include offensive posts meant to intentionally harm someone’s reputation or posts that could contribute to a hostile environment on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion or any other status protected by law or PAC’s policy.
Post Only Appropriate and Respectful Content
● Do not create a link from your blog, website or other social networking site to a PAC website without identifying yourself as a PAC participant.
● Express only your personal opinion. Never represent yourself as a spokesperson for PAC. If PAC is a subject of the content you are creating, be clear and open about the fact that you are an associate and make it clear that your views do not represent those of PAC, fellow employees, students, patrons, vendors or people working on behalf of PAC. Any comments directly or indirectly relating to PAC must include the following disclaimer: “The postings on this site are my own and do not represent PAC’s positions, strategies or opinions.”
Holidays and Building Closures
PAC observes the following Holidays:
1. New Year’s Day
2. Memorial Day
3. Good Friday
4. Labor Day
5. Thanksgiving Day
6. Christmas Eve
7. Christmas Day
PAC’s building will be closed on these Holidays.
Dress Code
It is the dancer’s responsibility to come prepared for class every day. This includes being dressed in dress code. Presser Arts Center dress code is designed to encourage unity and discipline among its students.
Instructors are aided by the dress code in that they are able to see the body’s form to ensure that the dancer is moving safely and correctly. A dancer should focus on developing technique and artistry without distraction of loose or cumbersome clothing. Any dancer who arrives to class unprepared without proper dress code will be asked to wear a classroom sample and return it before leaving the building.
Children’s Division (ages 3-7)
· Pale pink leotard
· Pink footed tights
· Pink full soled leather ballet slipper
· Hair in a bun
· Simple pink ballet skirt (optional)
· No baggy warm-ups/shorts
· No underwear under leotard
Junior Division (ages 8 & up)
· Black leotard
· Pink convertible tights
· Split/full soled leather pink ballet slippers
· Hair in a bun
· Simple black ballet skirt (optional)
· Pointe shoes (Ballet IV & up)
· No underwear under leotard
· No baggy warm-ups/shorts
Boys (Children’s and Junior Division)
· White t-shirt
· Black bottoms (preferably black tights)
· Black ballet slippers
· Longer hair must be secured out of face
· No baggy warm-ups/shorts
Jazz/Modern/Contemporary
· Any color leotard
· Black tights or black tight fitting shorts/pants
· Ballet slippers or jazz shoes for jazz/bare feet for modern
· Hair secured in a ponytail or bun
· No baggy warm-ups/shorts
Manners for Dancers
Dancers show respect for themselves by:
1. Being prompt for class
2. Being dressed properly for class
3. Having hair pulled back tightly
4. Not wearing their dance shoes outside
Dancers show respect for others by:
1. Keeping their hands to themselves during class
2. Waiting quietly for others to have a turn and for instructions from the teacher
3. Talking with one another only during share time
Dancers show respect for their teacher and the art of dance by:
1. Being properly dressed and ready for class on time
2. Listening when the teacher speaks
3. Always asking before leaving the room for any reason and upon returning, entering quietly
4. Always finishing every exercise, never walking off noisily or showing anger or aggravation.
Dancers show respect for the studio by:
1. Leaving gum, food, or drinks outside
2. Never hanging or leaning on the barres
3. Never running or doing gymnastics in the lobby or parking lot
4. Putting trash in its proper place
5. Always keeping all belongings zipped inside their dance bag
Parents show respect for the dance class, teacher and studio by:
1. Not entering dance room while class is in session
2. Making sure child has had the opportunity to go to the restroom before entering the class
3. Having students ready for class before entering the classroom
4. Having students at class on time and picking them up promptly after their class
5. Letting us know in advance, if possible, if a student will be absent
6. Making arrangements with their child’s teacher to make up missed classes
Clearly marking all of their child’s items with the child’s name and leaving their toys at home.
