Attendance Policy GDS expects all students to attend all classes they have enrolled in, consistently, barring any unforeseen illness. We do keep track of attendance week to week and if a student is absent, we do appreciate a message letting us know that they won't be in class. If a student does miss a class, a make up class may be taken in another level. We understand that many of our students participate in other activities and we support our dancers in all of their interests. On that note, we do ask that if a student knows they will be away from dance class for an extended period of time, that they conference with their teacher to find the best way to make up the classes they will be missing in a timely manner.
Covid 19 Addendum In the event that our area faces another full shut down due to the pandemic, we will immediately switch all of our classes to online. Classes will continue at the same time and day and students will still be expected to attend or be considered absent. In the event that a student is unable to attend their scheduled online class, they will be allowed to take a make up class in another level (online). We will be utilizing our online classes in the same way we do our in person classes. Technique and choreography will be taught and we will still finish the year with a performance. Now that we have experience with both teaching online and putting together a socially distant recital, we feel confident that our teachers and our students are equipped to deal with an unpredictable future and we will be able to provide consistency for our dancers and families.
Snow Day Policy GDS usually follows the Fayetteville Manlius School District on snow days and after school cancellations. If we close for a snow day, we will have alerts on our social media and local news sources as well as on the studio answering machine.
Financial Policy Each student is charged a $15 registration fee which guarantees their spot in class. When signing up for class, it is signing up for the whole year (September to June). Tuition may be paid in full by the week of September 14th for a discount of 5% or made in 3 installments over the course of the year. Installments are due September 14th, January 18th and March 5th. There is a $25 dollar returned check fee. All payments are non-refundable and all installments are expected regardless of the student's status in class. Late fees may be charged for payments not received within 5 days of the installment date. No student will be permitted to perform in the June performance if there are outstanding balances on the account.
Dress Code Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap Pink convertible tights, pink ballet shoes/black jazz shoes/black tap shoes, leotard (see chart below) and hair must be in a bun or held up and away from the face. Black shorts or black jazz pants, white tee shirt and black ballet shoes/black jazz shoes/black tap shoes. Flamenco Leotard or shirt, mid to ankle length skirt, tan character shoes or Flamenco shoes Black pants, white shirt, hard soled shoes or Flamenco shoes Musical Theater Leotard, tights, tan character shoes Black pants or shorts, white tee shirt, black jazz shoes Hip Hop Leotard or solid color shirt, black jazz pants or solid color shorts, jazz sneakers or non marking outsole sneakers Black pants or shorts, white or black tee shirt, non-marking outsole sneakers or jazz sneakers
Leotard Color Chart Creative Movement = Pink Pre-Ballet = Light blue Ballet 1 and Ballet 2 = Navy Blue Roots Division consult your teacher for specific color
* GDS focuses on inclusion and we will no longer require uniform designated by gender, but rather we offer the above choices for our students and their level of comfortability.