Cornerstone Ballet

Policies

CORNERSTONE BALLET & THEATRE

POLICIES 2020-2021

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you"

-Matthew 7:12a

A student registration form must be completed before the student will be allowed to join the class. A new registration/liability sheet must be filled out each school year.

Cornerstone’s curriculum is designed as a full-year learning program with two consecutive sessions: Fall and Spring. (We do offer separate Summer classes and camps) Therefore, students are encouraged to stay in the same class each session based upon placement. When registering, you register for a semester session. If you chose to opt out for Spring term please let us know. Because classes are based on enrollment, we do not offer refunds after term has commenced.

Payment: Payments are made by session (Fall, Spring, Summer) or split evenly and paid monthly. Each monthly payment is due before the first class that month.

Please make checks payable to Cornerstone Ballet LLC. Scholarships are available so please contact us if payment is a concern.

Trial classes: Students are welcome to participate in trial classes if available. Please contact us about setting up a trial class. Due to limited in studio numbers under COVID 19 guidelines we cannot be not as flexible as we have been in the past about trial classes.

Make Up Classes and School Closings: There is no refund for missed classes but make up classes can and should be taken. A student may take a class of any genre offered to their age/skill level as a make up class if a spot is available. We encourage make ups for inclement weather/emergency closings and will give you recommended classes OR schedule a make up class if it affects more than two classes or there is not an appropriate make up option. Up to two make up classes for illnesses/personal absences can be scheduled per term, please clear the dates with your instructor. We follow Loudon County Public Schools for inclement weather closings of DAY time classes. This will not always affect afternoon or evening classes. Please check out our Facebook page. It is the quickest and most reliable way to post open/closed status. For the 2020-21 school year we may be utilizing virtual options for some make up classes. Please make sure your child has a ZOOM account they can use for those cases.

Bullying: Cornerstone's goal is to provide a positive and enriching learning environment where students feel safe. Therefore we cannot tolerate bullying of any kind. If there is an occurrence, the instructor will contact you. If there is no change in behavior it may result in dismissal.

Other Behavioral Problems: The instructor will contact you in the case of behavior problems. In the situation that these issues make it difficult for other students to learn, dismissal is possible. We are willing to work with parents and do the best we can to prevent this situation without taking away from other students in the class.

It is very important to arrive on time for class. Repetitive tardiness and/or absence may result in probation from performances. Please arrive and be ready 5 minutes before your class starts. Be prompt with pick up at class dismissal. Each dancer/family will be permitted into the studio door one at a time and released one at a time. Please be prompt. The dismissal will begin within the last five minutes of class.

Audience: No parents are permitted inside the classroom except on the allotted Observation and Recital Days and for the beginning of the first class of each session. This allows the students to recognize and adjust to classroom etiquette with limited distraction. For our Fall 2020 term we will not have congregating inside the building. Parents may watch/ listen through the doors if they wish.

Food is not permitted in the studio or joining sanctuary.

Please bring your own labled water bottle.

Please make sure your child uses the bathroom BEFORE class.

Please make sure your child's ballet shoes are tied and tap shoes have elastics.

Always LABEL all shoes, uniforms, costumes and water bottles.

Thank you!

Enrollment/Liability Agreement

Please initial each box and sign at the bottom. Electronic signatures will be accepted for the 2020-21 school year.

◦ I have read, understand, and agree to follow by the policies as stated by Cornerstone Ballet, who has the right to dismiss any student for what it considers improper conduct or behavior.

◦ I understand and accept Cornerstone Ballet, its staff, instructors, and landlords/locations (Shepherd Gate Church) are not responsible for injury to myself or my child, whether based on allegations or not, in any way, by any reason of my participation in Cornerstone Ballet. I also affirm that I currently have, and will continue to carry, proper medical, health, hospitalization, and accident insurance which I consider adequate for my child.

◦ I understand and accept that dance instruction may include an instructor to physically touch a dance student during class time for purposes of alignment and correction of dance technique.

◦ I agree that Cornerstone Ballet and Shepherd Gate Church will not be held responsible for any loss or damage to any personal property brought onto the premises or at rehearsal and performance sites.

◦ I agree to pay the stated tuition and performance fees for participation in Cornerstone Ballet.

◦ I understand and accept that Cornerstone Ballet and Shepherd Gate Church are not responsible for the immediate medical needs of its students. Therefore, I agree to keep updated emergency contact information on file where a contact person may be reached during class, classes, rehearsals, performances, and related programs/events.

◦ I understand and accept that any photographs/videos taken during class, rehearsals, and performances may be used by Cornerstone Ballet for publicity or display purposes.

Assumption of the Risk and Waiver of Liability Relating to Coronavirus/COVID-19 The coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. Cornerstone Ballet LLC has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19; however cannot guarantee that you or your child(ren) will not become infected with COVID-19. By signing this agreement, I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that my child(ren) and I could be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by attending. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 during classes may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others. I understand masks are not mandatory but distancing will be enforced. voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury to my child(ren) or myself (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind, that I or my child(ren) may experience or incur in connection with my child(ren)’s participation in Cornerstone Ballet programming . On my behalf, and on behalf of my children, I hereby release, covenant not to sue, discharge, and hold harmless Cornerstone Ballet, its employees, agents, and representatives, of and from the Claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto. I understand and agree that this release includes any Claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of Cornerstone Ballet, its employees, agents, and representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during, or after participation in any Cornerstone Ballet program. I CERTIFY STUDENT WILL BE IN GOOD HEALTH WITH NO FEVER OR SIGNS OF ILLNESS EACH TIME THEY ARRIVE AT THE STUDIO. Should there be a need to reschedule classes due to Instructor illness if no sub is available some in studio classes may be taught virtually instead. We are taking signs of illness very seriously in order to keep everyone healthy.

Considerations and Procedures Regarding COVID -19

In Person Class Option:

Temperature screening upon entry
Hand sanitizer on site
Dancers will maintain social distance per CDC guidelines
Dancers assigned their own 4 x 4 taped space centre ten feet apart from one another
Maximum of eight students per class
Staff and students must be in good health and free of fever, cough and malaise
Closed water fountains. Students bring their own water bottles
Overhead ventilation
Recent and up to date air duct cleaning in the building
Ceiling fans continuously running
Large room air purifier continuously running
Interior doors will be opened bilaterally for increased ventilation
Exterior doors will be opened weather permitting
Student face coverings welcome
Staff face coverings during class times
Street shoe removal prior to entry
Limited student items permitted in studio
Studio cleaning between each class
Sanitation of any props used
Staggered class release times for reduced traffic
Students will be admitted into studio doors one dancer/family at a time
Students will be released through studio doors one dancer/family at a time
Closed lobby for reduced traffic

*Lobby will be used for student entry/exit on rainy/icy days. Face coverings must be worn in lobby area.

Tips for those choosing virtual lessons:

Virtual lessons are beneficial.

To make the most of them if you are able, provide a small dance area for your student. Many professionals have been posting live lessons online and most just use a chair and the space they have so I think it’s also beneficial for students to see you can dance anywhere with anything. However, certain things do help with mental preparation and optimal dancing for joint safety, etc at home by creating a dance space.

The best thing you can do if use a stand or something to prop up the device your student is using so we can see their full body for proper corrections.
A chair works as a ballet barre which are used in most dance classes regardless of genre at least here and there. You may also chose to purchase a small portable barre. Vita Vibe makes some great ones. You can also make one out of PVC pipes or (what I had as an adolescent) if you have a wall you can use simply sand a round long piece of wood and mount it on the wall.
Mirror- This is more for practicing without a teacher but it’s nice to have a floor length mirror students can prop up to see themselves to work on certain corrections. We always give “homework” for upper levels ;).
Flooring- small portable dance floors are great. Many are 4x4 or 5x5. You can also gather materials to make something. Thin foam pads with a board covered with a section of Marly also works on certain flooring. If you look online you’ll see lots of options for both DIY and for purchase. Again, this isn’t necessary for most dance levels but nice to have.
Stretch Resistance Bands and Yoga/Exercise Mat. For our Stretch Sculpt Stamina Class series, Pointe and Pre-Pointe students and students practicing dance fitness and stretching at home we highly recommend these two items. Stretch bands should be a “medium” strength in most circumstances. I use a thicker mat (1/2 inch) I got off Amazon that works great and provides good cushioning nfor joints when stretching.
Virtual classes ARE real classes. Even though being in studio is the most beneficial and we do alter what we teach and how when we are virtual we were/are pleased with what we could see and apply a lot of corrections virtually! We learned a lot of what works and what doesn’t on March-April. If virtual is the best option for your family please continue learning! Performing Arts are especially important at this time in history. They aid in expression, fitness, collaboration, confidence, public speaking and so much more!

Dress Code

Dress code is enforced at Cornerstone Ballet. Ballet students Level I and above must wear hair in a bun. Each level of Ballet/Tap/Jazz has a particular class leotard that must be purchased through our studio:

Tutu Leotard Dress: $25
Cotton Camisole Class Leotard $20
Short Sleeved Leotard $25
Transitional Dance Tights: $12
Jazz Pants: $30
Ballet Sweater (optional, for cold weather): $25
Wrap Skirts: $15

BALLET CLASSES: Class leotard, pink dance tights, pink ballet slippers, HAIR IN BUN
Boys: White T shirt, dance belt, boys tights, black ballet shoes
MUSICAL THEATRE, JAZZ & TAP: Class leotard, jazz pants, tan jazz/black tap shoes, HAIR PULLED BACK
Boys: Class Colored shirt, black jazz pants, tan jazz shoes/black tap shoes
MODERN: Class leotard, tan transitional tights, HAIR PULLED BACK
Boys: Black shirt, black jazz pants

PLEASE NOTE PERFORMANCE COMPANY MEMBERS WILL NEED ADDITIONAL ITEMS: PLEASE SEE OUR PERFORMANCE COMPANIES PAGE.

Shoes must be purchased elsewhere. In addition to classes, these uniforms will sometimes serve as costumes or partial costumes for showcases. Hair nets recommended for easy buns!

JULY 26-30, 9:00-12:00$160

Early Bird Registration by 4/10/2021: $150

Dance, games and craft!

*Wear dance/movement attire and bring dance shoes if you own them. Please bring labeled water bottle and nut free snack (s). In person performance showcase will take place at the end of the last day of camp with additional virtual performance the last morning of camp.