Parent/Student Etiquette Policy
Registration Policy
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. All registrations are processed in the order received. Class size limitations will be observed. We require a minimum number of six students to run a class. A family registration fee of $35 is due at registration.
STEPPING STONE DANCE STUDIO requires that you pay any balance due before you can register for classes.
You must complete the online registration to “lock” in your spot to class. Incomplete registration DOES NOT hold your dancer in that class. Please remember there are limited class sizes. (Therefore, VENMO cannot be used at the time of registration; you must use a credit/debit card or PayPal thru the system).
Tuition Policy
Tuition is due on the first class of each month.
Tuition Rates (Monthly Fees based on a 10 Month Payment Plan)
Tuition is based on a 10-month payment plan - Sept. 2024 through June 2025. This is to allow the same amount paid each month regardless of the classes attended. If you do not attend class, you are still responsible to payment. There is no prorated tuition schedule regardless of illness, vacation, conflict, etc. Payment is NOT refunded or carried over for classes missed.
Discounts offered at SSDS: (DISCOUNTS CANNOT BE COMBINED)
Annual Discount (10% tuition discount) - Full Year PAID IN FULL - must be paid by September 30th, 2024
Sibling Discount (10% tuition discount) for all siblings living in the same household – Dancer #1 – pays full tuition price - Each additional sibling receives 10% discount
Military Discount (10% tuition discount) for Active-Duty Military & Veterans (Military ID card required)
TUITION BREAKDOWN
1 CLASS PER WEEK - $50.00 PER MONTH
2 CLASS PER WEEK - $95.00 PER MONTH
3 CLASS PER WEEK - $130.00 PER MONTH
4 CLASS PER WEEK - $165.00 PER MONTH
5 OR MORE (UNLIMITED) - $200.00 PER MONTH
Payment Options:
Autopay is preferred. This can be set up in the parent portal. Tuition will be charged automatically on the first of every month. Other means of payment accepted: Cash - Check payable to SSDS - PayPal thru DSP- Credit Card (3.5% processing fee) - Venmo @ssdsdance (photo of a goat in a tutu.)
FAILURE TO MAKE PAYMENT WILL RESULT IN NON-PARTICIPATION UNTIL BALANCE IS PAID. SSDS DANCER ACCOUNTS MUST BE KEPT CURRENT.
LATE FEE - A $15.00 late fee will be added to tuition payments made after the 15th of the month.
RETURN CHECK FEE - $20.00 charge on all returned checks
Dress Code Information
Our dress code was established to promote the dancer’s freedom of movement and instructor’s observation of correct technique. All dance styles require solid color leotard, tan/pink tights, dance shorts/pants (optional), ballet skirt (req. in all ballet classes) Hiphop and Breakdance classes do not require leotard & tights.
All dancers must wear their hair up off the face (high pony tail) in all styles. Ballet/Pointe classes require a bun for all classes. Dance shoes used inside the studio should not be worn outside. Dancers will have the month of September as a grace period on dress code violations. Please visit Attitudes Dancewear/Amazon for all your dance wear needs! (Please see SSDS Dress Attire Worksheet for dance shoe styles)
Make-Up Policy
A dancer can make up missed classes. The make-up class should be in the same or lower level. We encourage consistent attendance as the curriculum is ongoing and cumulative. Too many absences will result in the dancer falling behind.
Private Lesson Policy
A private lesson is a great way for your dancer to work on their technique and to work on any issues they are struggling to fix in their normal classes. The cost is $25 per 30 minutes. If you need to cancel or reschedule your private, you must do so at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled private lesson. If you miss your private without canceling, you will be charged a missed private lesson fee (half of the regular cost). Private lessons can be made by contacting Ms Dana at danastone@steppingstonedancestudio.com
Tardiness Policy
All students are expected to arrive on time and in the appropriate attire. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you may be asked to sit and watch the class. Coming into a class that has already started may cause injury, as your muscles will not have been properly warmed up.
Sickness Policy
If a student is sick (including any fevers), please do not attend class. We do not want the dancer to get worse or transmit the disease to their classmates. If the student is not contagious and would still like to come and observe class, please email the studio. The student will be required to complete an observation worksheet while observing class.
Injury Policy
In case of a medical condition which prevents a student from dancing and exists for 30 days or more, please contact the studio to discuss the next step. Dancers may continue to attend and observe their classes, so as to not fall behind in the curriculum. If an injury occurs, please see a doctor as soon as possible.
Inclement Weather Policy
If the weather creates a situation we believe would be hazardous to attend class (hurricane, tornado or flood), we may cancel classes. Generally, we follow Bucks County weather closures. However, the weather may clear in time for our evening classes. The final decision will be made by 2PM. All severe weather updates can be found on our social media and sent via email.
Class Cancellation Policy
If a class needs to be canceled due to studio issues, we will reschedule class on the next available Saturday. If a class needs to be canceled due to a situation out of SSDSs control (such as bad weather, power outages, etc.), classes will not be rescheduled, and refunds cannot be offered. However, classes missed because of weather closures may be made up in a similar class according to our make-up policy.
Level Placement Policy
All of our classes are divided into different levels based on a student’s ability and technical knowledge, not necessarily by age (except for students under 7 years old). Each level’s curriculum is created with 3-5 years of technical training in mind. We believe that it is important for a student to be placed appropriately to get the most out of each class.
Our levels may not coincide with other local dance studios.
Transfer/Add Policy
If you are interested in transferring into a different class, or adding a new class, you may do so via your Parent Portal. If you are unsure of what level your child is ready for, please email the studio for help. There is no fee to transfer classes. However, if you transfer or join a new class after costumes have been ordered, there may be an additional costume fee.
Withdrawal Policy
In the case that you no longer wish to continue in your registered class, you may withdraw by filling out our ‘‘withdrawal form’’ located at the front desk. We do require at least 30 days’ notice. This means if you would like to withdraw by December 1st, you will need to fill out the withdrawal form and deliver it by November 1st.
Once your withdrawal from a class is complete, your spot in the class will no longer be held.
Costume Policy
Costume Charge will be posted to account on Nov.1st must be paid in full by Dec.15th.
All classes require costumes minus Dance Company.
Predance and Primary I and Primary II classes cost is $75.00 per class
Level I thru IV cost is $85.00 per class
Costumes of withdrawn students will be held through the June Recital. All costumes not claimed by July 1st will be donated.
Important Studio Dates
Important studio dates throughout the dance season are posted on our season calendar — please refer to the calendar for additional information.
SSDS Healthy Dancers Information
Dancers should remain well hydrated and are encouraged to bring a water bottle to class. Dancers are also encouraged to get an adequate amount of sleep and keep their body properly nourished. Dance training does not end when class ends—please continue your stretching and conditioning at home! Our goal is to keep each dancer’s body healthy and strong to prevent future mobility issues.
Photography/Social Media Policy
Instructors may occasionally take class photos or choreography videos to post on SSDS social media platforms and the SSDS website.
Please label all belongings. The studio cannot be held responsible for lost items. Any items that are found in the studio will be held by studio management for one month. If the item has not been claimed by then, it will be discarded.
Anti-Bullying Policy
Stepping Stone Dance Studio commits to an anti-bullying ideology. We provide a safe and supportive community that fosters a lifelong love for dance and creative expression. In order to guarantee that all of our dancers are able to best pursue their passion, we have implemented a comprehensive Anti-Bullying Policy applicable to all students, dance families, and staff.
Stepping Stone Dance Studio will not tolerate bullying in any form; physical, emotional, social, or otherwise. Since our goal is to empower others and embrace individuality, one documented bullying event may result in immediate termination of enrollment.
As per the policy above, Stepping Stone Dance Studio recognizes that bullying does not just occur between students. Parents or guardians who harass another student, parent, or Stepping Stone Dance Studio Staff member, may also have repercussions, which could lead to suspension or termination of student.
Please report all incidents of bullying you experience or witness to our Office Manager- Miss Yvette, immediately.
Studio Phone# 215-458-7076
Email: ssdsyvette@gmail.com
There will be no refunds given if a student is suspended or enrollment is terminated due to a bullying occurrence.
At Stepping Stone Dance Studio, respect and compassion are two of our core values. Our dancers have a right to learn and develop their art in a positive and respectful environment.
Stepping Stone Dance Studio Policies