Welcome to the Graceful Planet Studio of Dance!
This will serve as your guide to The Graceful Planet and its philosophy of dance education.
We take our roles as mentors and teachers in your child’s life very seriously. It is our objective to inspire a passion for the art of dance in every child who passes through our doors. In the process, we strive to set the right example and help your child (and you) create memories that will last a lifetime.
Philosophy
The Graceful Planet Studio of Dance is committed to providing high-quality dance classes to enhance the overall development of your child. We provide a safe and child-centered environment to encourage our students to explore dance with qualified, nurturing teachers.
We believe that dance training encourages young people to develop a positive self-image as they increase awareness of their physical being. Along with improving coordination skills and developing muscular awareness, dance classes give children the freedom to express themselves through movement.
Key contact information for The Graceful Planet Studio of Dance:
4 Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Website: www.gracefulplanet@aol.com
Phone: 203-426-8215 Text or Call
Email: gracefulplanet@aol.com * fastest way to contact Grace
STAYING INFORMED
We work hard to make the dance experience organized and fun. Keeping you informed is one of our primary goals. Please read all newsletters and other school information.
Notes and important updates are sent via email and posted in your parent portal.
If you have any questions please check our website for the answers. If you cannot find the answer please contact me at gracefulplanet@aol.com
Weather Cancellations
School closures due to severe weather conditions will be announced at least 1 hour before your class. Notifications of weather cancellations will be emailed, posted on our Facebook page, and announced on the school’s outgoing voicemail message. Usually if the Newtown Schools close for weather we do too.
Dress Code Requirements
The Graceful Planet Studio of Dance maintains a dress code to encourage concentration and a sense of inclusiveness (variations in attire can be distracting and contribute to feelings of inequality). Uniformity in dancewear allows the teachers to assess how well the students are implementing the technique being taught, problems with alignment, and other important aspects of dance training.
Students should carry their dancewear, shoes, and other belongings in a dance bag. Please print your child’s name on the bag as well as on all of its contents.
Dance shoes should never be worn outside.
Long hair must be hair tightly secured and styled away from the face.
The Graceful Planet Studio of Dance also offers dancewear and shoes for individual purchase at any time during the school year in our online dance shop www.shopnimbly.com/gracefulplanet
Tuition and Expense Policy
Please call for details on discounts, payment plans and additional classes, 203-426-8215.
There is a $25 registration fee per family.
PAYMENT PLANS
All accounts must be enrolled in our auto pay payment plan program or paid in full at registration. Payment plans require a minimum of a 25% deposit.
Payments are scheduled for the 1st of the month.
Returned checks or denied auto-payments will be charged a $25 fee.
REFUND POLICY
All payments are non-refundable and cannot be applied to any other semester or programs at The Graceful Planet. Please be mindful of this and choose your payment plans with care.
Tuition does not include dancewear, shoes, costumes, recital tickets, or special events. We accept Master Card, Visa and Discover, as well as cash and checks.
Arrival and Departure
We encourage students to arrive 5 to 10 minutes before class starts.
For their safety, children under age 10 should be picked up immediately after class. Students ages 10 and older must be picked up no more than 10 minutes after their class is completed unless arrangements have been made, after all, it takes a village.
Attendance
All students are expected to attend their regularly scheduled classes. Each class offers a step forward in the educational process. A missed class could leave a child one step behind the other students. After the holiday break, choreography for the recital will be taught and rehearsed. It is important for children to feel completely confident with the choreography and the year-end performance. Missing class during this period could result in frustration.
Tardiness
Dance is a physical activity that requires the body to be warmed up in order to execute movement safely. Late students miss the proper warm-up and therefore may sustain injury. Students who arrive more than 10 minutes late may be asked to observe class for reasons of personal safety.
Illness
Colds, flu, and other contagious diseases occur frequently and spread easily among children. To help protect your own child’s health and to minimize the possibility of contagion, please keep your child at home if you observe any of the following symptoms:
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Nasal discharge that is green or yellow
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Complaints of ear pain
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Persistent cough
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Severe sore throat
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Eyes that are pink, burning, itching, or producing discharge
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Diarrhea or vomiting
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Fever
If these symptoms or other conditions deemed contagious are observed in your child during a class, you will be called to pick up your child immediately.
When your child has a fever, please keep him/her at home until the temperature returns to normal. If there are any lingering signs of illness, such as glassy or watery eyes, listlessness, and drowsiness, please keep your child at home. This will help to ensure that the illness has passed and that your child will be well enough to resume class activities the following week.
General Policies
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Use of the school telephone is limited to emergencies only.
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Parents and students should never interrupt a class in session.
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Only water is allowed in the studios. No food, drinks, or gum.
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We love babies and young children and appreciate the chance to meet our students’ siblings.
However, our priority is the safety of every child on the school premises. Children must be supervised at all times and are not free to run around the lobby or studio areas.
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Please do not dispose of dirty diapers inside the school.
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No cell phones or computers may be used during class time. (This means no emailing, Internet use, or text messaging.) In the waiting area you are welcome to use your electronic devices.
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Never speak negatively about teachers, students, or parents from other schools.
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All students must show respect for their teachers at all times. Inappropriate behavior could result in dismissal from the school.
Annual Recital
All students are invited to participate in our annual recital to be held each spring.
The recital offers our students a professionally directed performance that allows them to present to their families and friends the results of a year’s hard work, dedication, and progress. A big part of dance training includes learning through performance. Although performance opportunities can help prepare some students for a possible career in dance, they also contribute to children’s success in non-dance activities. The experience helps build self-esteem and confidence, which can result in better in-school presentations, improved social skills, and strong college and job interview skills. The rehearsal process is a tremendous learning experience as well. It helps the children develop retention skills, and by working with their classmates on a group performance, they learn the positive aspects of working as a team to create the best end result.
Recital tickets are sold several weeks before the production. Tickets will remain on sale until we are sold out. If tickets are still available they will be sold at the door.
We are all looking forward to having an amazing year! If you have any questions or concerns Grace is always available!