1. Dancers must wear “dance appropriate” attire to class.  The instructor must be able to see the dancer’s body during class.  SUGGESTIONS:  leotard & tights, stretch pants, shorts & knee highs, close fitting shirts, etc.  PROHIBITED:  baggy t-shirts, sweat pants, baggy or long shorts, street / school clothes, etc.  Sweatshirts or sweaters may be worn during warm up time, but must be removable.  Dancers not appropriately attired may not be permitted to dance.

2. Dancers hair must be pulled back with no hair hanging about the shoulders and neck.  SUGGESTIONS:  pony tail, braid, pigtails, etc.  PROHIBITED:  loose hair, 1/2 pony tail (front only pulled back).

3. Highland Dancing shoes must be worn during class.  Highland Dancing shoes are essential to support the feet and guard against injury.  It is the dancer’s responsibility to keep track of shoes and bring them to class.   If a dancers attends class without this necessary equipment, the dancer will only be permitted to observe.

4. The first 5-10 minutes of class are designated as stretching/warm-up time.  Dancers are expected to sufficiently warm-up during this allotted time period, even if the instructor is not present in the studio.  If it takes the dancer an extraordinary amount of time to put on his/her shoes, it is suggested that he/she either (a) arrive early to put on shoes or (b) put on shoes prior to arriving at the studio.

5. Dancers are permitted to bring water or sports drinks ONLY to class.  Dancers should NOT bring pop, juice boxes, gum, snacks, meals, etc. into class.  Dancers should mark their water bottles with their names or initials.  Bottles left in the studio for more than 2 weeks will be thrown away.

6. Parents may observe the dance class on the first and third lesson of the month.  If parents choose to take advantage of these opportunities to observe classes, conversation must be kept to a minimum.  On the second, fourth and fifth lessons of the month, parents are not permitted to stay in the studio.  They may opt to wait in the waiting room during class while the door of the studio will be closed.  Guests (friends / extended family) are discouraged.

7. Monthly lesson payments must be made in full at the FIRST lesson of the month.  Payment is due in full at the first lesson HELD during the month.  This applies whether the dancer attends the first lesson or not.  If the dancers does not attend the first lesson, payment must be received no later than Friday of the first week.  Payments may be mailed or dropped off.  Any payments received after the first week of the month will automatically be assessed a $5 late fee per dancer. 

8. Missed lessons ACCOMPANIED BY A PHONE CALL may be made up.  Missed lessons without an accompanying phone call will be forfeited.  Excused missed lessons may be made up at any time.  Dancers may attend any comparable class OR may attend a scheduled make-up class.  Missed lessons MAY NOT be deducted from the next month’s tuition.  A phone call informing the instructor that the dancer will miss the class must be  made at least ONE HOUR before class is scheduled to begin or the class will be forfeited.

9. Classes cancelled by the instructor (due to illness, weather, etc.) will be rescheduled if a substitute instructor is not available.  If the dancer is unable to attend at the rescheduled time, he/she may (1) attend an additional comparable class or (2) credit one lesson towards the following month.

10. Tardiness of more than 15 minutes will result in forfeiture of the class.  No make up lesson will be allowed for lessons forfeited due to tardiness. 

11. Parking rules must be adhered to.  Dancers attending classes beginning during an “even” hour (4:00, 6:00, etc.) must park on the RIGHT side of the driveway.  Dancers attending classes beginning during an “odd” hour (5:00, 7:00, etc.) must park on the LEFT side of the driveway.  All drivers must pull as far forward as possible.  No more than one car per family, please.  DO NOT PARK ON  THE ROAD FOR ANY REASON.  DO NOT BLOCK TRAFFIC. 

DANCER EXPECTATIONS

1.         Dancers should bring a notebook or folder to class.  Corrections and/or new steps should be noted in this and used at home during   

         practice.  Please keep track of all handouts. 

2.         Dancers must practice at home between lessons. 

3.         Dancers must always behave in a composed, respectful manner.  Treat teachers, parents and your fellow students as you would like to

         be treated… GOLDEN RULE!

4.         Remember, you are representing the Hodgkin Highlanders School of Dance at competitions and events.  Behave in a way that will

         make us all proud!

PARENT EXPECTATIONS

1.         Parents should support and facilitate practicing at home.  There are many ways to encourage practicing... please see the instructor

         if you need ideas or motivational tools. 

2.         Please seek instructor approval before entering any competitive events.  We will work together to determine which events are    

         appropriate for your dancer.

3.         Costuming is an important part of Highland Dancing.  Please refer to our Costume Guidelines page and Links & Sources page for   

         guidance.  Please check with the instructor before making a costume purchase. 

4.         Encourage sportsmanship in your dancer and be a model of sportsmanship yourself.  You, too, are an outward symbol of the Hodgkin

         Highlanders School of Dance. 

5.         Communicate with the instructor if any conflicts or problems arrise.  Know that we want to hear from you before minor issues

         become major ones.