We are so pleased that you have entrusted us with your child. You can look forward to a wonderful year of learning, growing, and dance. The following policies are in place to enrich the lives of our students and their families through the Art of Dance. We uphold the values of commitment, integrity, leadership, hard work and a positive attitude. Connolly Dance Arts prides itself on using age appropriate music, costumes and choreography and keeping low instructor/student ratios. If you have any questions about our policies please email the studio at connollydancearts@gmail.com.

General Policies

  • Parents are not allowed on the dance studio floors without permission from an instructor.
  • No chewing gum is allowed anywhere in the studio
  • Dancers must use the restroom before class. Leaving during class time is discouraged
  • Students must wear a cover-up to and from dance class
  • Students must come to class in dress code
  • Students must have their dance attire and shoes labeled with their initial
  • Parents must supervise all accompanying siblings in waiting areas
  • Children cannot be left unattended
  • Please do not let your child enter the dance studios until the teacher calls them in for class. Teachers are responsible for students during class time only
  • The Connolly Dance Arts staff is not responsible for providing care to students before or after class. If a student is left at the studio unattended for over 15 minutes, a fee of $1 per minute after class ending time will be charged to your account. We understand that there could be extenuating circumstances that prevent you from coming on time. In that case you must call the studio to inform us and avoid the charge
  • Dance is taught with “hands on” teaching. Please be aware that our instructors may touch students to correct body placement, alignment, posture and to assist with proper steps. Your dancers may also touch while partnering or moving across the floor.
  • Doors will be locked 10 minutes after each class starts. Any student that is over 10 minutes late to class will need to schedule a makeup class, as they will not be allowed to enter the classroom. This is for your dancer’s safety as it is very important to complete the warm up before dancing.
  • Any student that is late to class may be asked to sit and watch. Prompt arrival time ensures that your dancer receives full instruction. You must inform Connolly Dance Arts of ANY health issues of your child
  • We keep Lost & Found items until the end of each month. (Items containing food or liquid will be disposed of weekly.) At the end of the month, any unclaimed items will be given to charity. EXCEPTIONS: Labeled items are held at the front desk until picked up or we reach the end of the semester. Items left after August 1st, including costumes, DVDs, lost and found, etc., will be discarded. You will forfeit the right to claim.
  • Connolly Dance Arts’ Dance year follows the Katy Independent School District School Calendar. The studio will be closed on Labor Day, Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break, New Year Break, Spring Break and Good Friday. Tuition prices will stay the same per month (September through May) despite months with 5 weeks or months with holidays.

Code of conduct

  • Students and parents will dress and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner while at Connolly Dance Arts studio and at all performances, competitions, recitals and events in which Connolly Dance Arts is being represented. Proper respect for the staff and fellow students is expected of all students, parents/guardians and siblings. Attitudes that are disrespectful, uncooperative, or aggressive do not have a place at Connolly Dance Arts
  • Students will not speak negatively about one another or the instructors
  • Any parent/guardian or student who disrupts class or approaches a teacher, staff member, another student or parent with the intent to cause dissent or contravene the policies and procedures of Connolly Dance Arts will be dismissed immediately
  • Any inappropriate or slanderous remarks about Connolly Dance Arts or its staff members on any social media site will be cause for immediate dismissal from the studio.
  • If you have a concern or grievance you must make an appointment with the studio director (Kathleen Connolly), or you are welcome to send an appropriate email to discuss the issue

Communication

Connolly Dance Arts will email each family with important information. Please read all emails to stay updated on the latest news. It is your responsibility to read all emails from Connolly Dance Arts, so you can stay informed of the latest news and information. Don’t forget to add Connolly Dance Arts to your contact list so the emails will not go to your spam file. In addition to email communication, information will be on the power point in the front of the studio or on the website While enrolled at the studio, the option “Send email to Family” MUST be selected under the “Opt out of Emails” portion of your Account information. That is our primary way to contact you about information. Important information is sent via email and we don’t want anyone to miss out.

Dressing For Class

Proper attire must be worn for each class. Please see the Class Attire list under the “Classes” tab on the web site. A cover up must be worn when entering or exiting Connolly Dance Arts.

Emergency Procedures

Parents are not permitted to pick up their children during an emergency evacuation (whether it is a drill or real emergency). Teachers must exit the building with their class roster and will be responsible for keeping track of all students. Children can be picked up once all are accounted for by CDA staff. Parents are free to accompany their children to the evacuation area; however, will not be permitted to take their child until instructors and/or a CDA staff member has accounted for all students in their class. The evacuation area is on the Emergency Procedure document which is posted in the lobby and in every studio.

Missed & Make-up classes

Any missed class may be made up in a similar style & level within one month of the missed class. Please check with your child’s instructor for their recommendations. No refunds or deductions are made for missed classes. You must give notification of a make-up class either by emailing or calling the studio before arrival to reserve your spot due to class availability. You must fill out the MAKE UP form found at the Front Desk prior to entering the class. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to the class start time to do so. A student may only make up a maximum of two classes per semester. There will be no make up classes permitted in April or the first week of May due to recital rehearsals.

Class Cancellation

There must be at least six students in a class for that class to be held. If a class falls below the six students during the year, it may be cancelled at any time throughout the year.

Late Policy

Students who arrive more than 10 minutes late will not be allowed into the class that day. This is to eliminate disrupting the class and to ensure appropriate warm up time for all students. Instructors will be locking the doors 10 minutes into the class. You will have the option of scheduling a make up class.

Substitute Teachers

The school reserves the right to provide a substitute teacher if the regularly scheduled teacher is ill or otherwise unable to teach classes. In the unlikely event that a substitute cannot be arranged, any cancelled classes will be made up. Connolly Dance Arts reserves the right to change teachers at any time during the season. Refunds or credits will not be given due to a change in class instructor.

Enrollment Cancellation

You may withdraw from any or all classes at any time by giving a thirty day notice, via email. No refunds will be given on tuition payments, however a credit will be put on your CDA account when we are given a 30 day notice. Credit on your account is good for 1 year from date of withdrawal. Credit may only be used for tuition of future classes, camps or workshops. It may NOT be used for performance tickets or online store items.

  • Registration fees are non-refundable nor will a credit be placed on your CDA account
  • If you drop a class between Oct 1st and November 1st, a $15 per costume cancellation fee will be charged , and the remainder of the fee(s) will be placed on your CDA account
  • NO COSTUME REFUNDS ARE GIVEN AFTER NOVEMBER 1st and no credits will be given. You will be contacted when your costume comes in so you can pick it up. If the costume is not picked up by June 1st of the same season it will be forfeited
  • Class Change/Add Costume Fee- If you change a class or add an additional class after October 1st you will be assessed a $15 per costume late fee. New dancers will incur this fee when registering after November 1st
  • Credit is good to utilize within one year from the issue date. Credit will be zeroed out after the one year mark

Performance Policies

Every year Connolly Dance Arts holds a Nutcracker Performance and a Spring Recital. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the students to show off their talents. There are various fees associated with both events. The fees are as followed:

Nutcracker

$180 Fee – This includes the performance fee, costume cleaning fee,rehearsal fee & digital download of the performance. Tickets to attend are an additional charge. This performance is a requirement for Company Dancers. Other dancers will be chosen, via an audition, and will receive an invitation from their instructor. Any dancer who participates in the Summer Ballet Intensive will be guaranteed a part in the Nutcracker. Not all students are chosen to perform every year. If your child is not performing in the Nutcracker you will not be assessed this fee. There is no costume fee for The Nutcracker.

Costumes

  • All costume fees must be paid in full by October 1st
  • If you drop a class on or after October 1st a $15 per costume cancellation fee will be charged , and the remainder of the fee(s) will be placed on your CDA account
  • NO COSTUME REFUNDS ARE GIVEN AFTER NOVEMBER 1st and no credits will be funded. You will be contacted when your costume comes in so you can pick it up. If the costume is not picked up by June 1st of the same season, it will be forfeited
  • Class Change/Add Costume Fee — If you change a class or add an additional class on or after November 1st you will be assessed a $15 per costume late fee. New dancers will also incur this fee when registering on or after November 1st
  • Costume fitting will be done by the staff during their class time

Spring Recital

  • Spring Recital Fee 2020-2021: $115/Student, $175 Family. *Includes Digital Download of ALL shows.
  • Recital Costumes (includes tights) 2020-2021: Preschool: $80 each * Level 1 & up: $90 each – Charged October 1st
  • Recital Costumes charged on or after November 1st: $95/Preschool, $105/Level I & up and $15 late shipping fee per costume.
  • If your child is not going to perform, you must notify us in writing no later than October 1st to avoid costume/recital fee charges to your account.
  • February 1st is the last day to confirm participation in the Spring Recital. (Pending costume availability)
  • The Creative Director, Kathleen Connolly, has full and final approval on all costumes, music and choreography. Connolly Dance Arts prides itself in choosing age appropriate costumes, music and choreography.

Recital Fee

  • Your recital fee is due on February 1st. This fee is used toward the theater rental, sets, stage, stage hands, etc. ·
  • After February 1st if your child is unable to participate in the recital, the fee will be credited to your CDA dance account