PERFORMING ARTS WORKSHOP

Studio/Program Policies

All policies are in place to ensure that all of our students and their families enjoy a safe, organized and comfortable experience while engaged in our programming.

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1. Attire: Dress codes for all classes are established for the benefit of all students to ensure not only a professional look, but to remove all distraction from the learning environment. To that end, please avoid sending students to class wearing costumes, tutus, fashion accessories, hats, tiaras or jewelry of any kind-- especially rings, necklaces, bracelets and hoop earrings (stud earrings are ok). Dress codes vary by class. Please see dress code policies for details about your child’s class(es).

2. Drop-Off/Pick-Up: All students age 11 and under are to be brought into the studio and picked-up after class by a trusted adult. We may call parents of students age 12-17 to verify whether a student is permitted to leave our care without an adult to accompany them. Under no circumstance will any child under the age of 12 be allowed to leave the premises without an adult, regardless of written or verbal consent. We kindly ask that students arrive for class no earlier than 10 minutes prior, and are picked-up promptly at the conclusion of the session. 

• Parents/Caregivers of children under 10 years old are asked to remain on the premises until students are called into class by their instructor.

• Parents/Caregivers of students who are not yet potty-trained are asked to remain on the premises for the entirety of their child's class.

3. Etiquette: We strive to create an atmosphere of respect and camaraderie amongst our faculty, students and their families. Performing Arts Workshop is not like the studios you might see on reality TV, and we plan to keep it that way. Some things to keep in mind:

• Mutual consideration and respect between teachers, parents and students is essential. We're all in this together!

• Looking to other students for inspiration is good. Making negative comparisons, however, only distracts students from achieving their own goals and fosters an unhealthy atmosphere. We want our students to work hard; focus on themselves; and be satisfied with their progress, regardless of what others may achieve. We also want them to work together; support one another; and be happy for each other's success. Rude behavior and critical commentary will not be tolerated. Our rule of thumb: there is never a reason not to be kind.

• We understand when children wish to perform their studio routines for other events unrelated to Performing Arts Workshop. In fact, we love to attend such performances (school talent shows, community exhibitions, etc.). Kindly request permission from the Director to use our class or stage material; and please understand that if a routine has not been performed at one of our own events yet, permission may not be granted to use the choreography, music and costume for other purposes. Disregarding this policy will result in immediate dismissal from the program without refund.

• In the unlikely event of an uncomfortable situation or misunderstanding, please communicate all concerns to the Director for speedy and effective resolution.

• Students may not enter a studio without being called in by their teacher. If a student is late to a class, the generally accepted etiquette in the professional world of artists is to (silently) make eye contact with the instructor from the doorway, and wait a moment for the "OK" to enter.  We appreciate your support of this polite procedure for students age 6 and older. 

• Parents/Caregivers are asked not to open studio doors or enter studios while classes are in session, as this can be incredibly disruptive. If you need to pull your child out of class early for any reason, please inform the front desk and they will take care of it for you. If you need to speak with your child's teacher, please make arrangements at the front desk to do so when class is not in session.

• All children who are not attending classes-- whether siblings or friends-- must be supervised at all times, and may not run freely throughout the waiting area, or enter the studios.

• Please refrain from inviting friends and family to view classes, as visitors will not be permitted inside of studios- for any reason- while classes are in session. Provisions are in place for periodic observation from the waiting area--weekly through October 7; then the first week of each month thereafter to show progress (except during the week prior to a showcase). 

• Strollers, skates, skateboards, tricycles, bicycles, scooters and the like are not permitted in the reception and waiting areas, nor in either of the studios. If these things must make their way to the Performing Arts Workshop, they must be secured with a lock outside of the building (skates and skateboards may be placed in the interior hallway). Many thanks for your cooperation and understanding that the Performing Arts Workshop cannot be held responsible/will not assume responsibility for damage, loss or theft of unsecured personal property which is not directly caused by the actions of our personnel.

• Food and beverage- with the exception of water-- are not permitted in the studios. Children may have a snack before or after class in the waiting area, but should not leave class to eat. We kindly ask that all food and beverage brought into the building is disposed of or taken home, upon exit. No gum, please.

4. Communication: The key to successful participation in PAW programming is to thoroughly read all e-mail and keep track of updates to our Parent Portal.  Most often, questions arise that have already been answered in written communications. We appreciate every family's diligence in this regard in order to avoid all preventable inconvenience to them and costly mistakes. Additionally, please note:

• Office hours vary depending on the schedule of classes. Please leave a voicemail when the office is closed to ensure a response and please allow 1-2 business days for our office to return non-urgent messages.

• PAW habitually sends e-mail reminders and posts updates to the Parent Portal. Please check your e-mail periodically for studio updates to keep your family on track during our school year. The studio and its staff are not responsible for families missing payment deadlines and incurring late fees; or missing important events and updates if they have not referenced the information provided via e-mail or the Parent Portal.

• In the event of an emergency cancellation, you will be notified as soon as possible by phone call or text message, followed-up by an e-mail confirming the rescheduled class.

• Follow us on Facebook (PAworkshopNJ) and Instagram (@performingartswkshp_nj) to stay informed.

• Calendar of Events will outline all planned closures, tuition due dates and other important dates. Please reference this on your Parent Portal or see the front desk for a hard copy.

5. Pets: pets will not be permitted in the building for their own comfort, and for the comfort of our clientele at large.

6. Smoking: Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the building at any time or within 50 feet of our front entrance.

Tuition/Payment Policies

• Registration after the first day of each class is prorated based on the number of classes missed prior to enrollment only. We subtract $12.00/15.00/$18.00 per class (45-min/60-min/75-min classes, respectively) from the total annual cost. The balance of fees is inclusive of registration and costumes, which are not eligible for prorate unless a child enrolls after the winter performance (in which case, the actual cost of the costume is deducted from the total amount due).

• Tuition is not prorated for absences. Make-up classes will be available for the 2019-20 season until March 31. Make-ups for voluntarily missed classes are a courtesy and not guaranteed.

• 2019-20 Year-End Showcase Participation Fee: $40 per student by March 15 / $50 per student after March 15. No discounts.

• Tuition does not include admission to any performance.

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Withdrawal Policies

• WITHDRAWALS MUST BE RECEIVED IN WRITING. Charges for classes will accrue as regularly  scheduled until written notice is received, after which time, any account adjustments will occur only from the date of notice, forward.

• Accounts paid in-full will be refunded only for classes not taken after 30 days from the date of written notice. No other fees will be refunded.

• ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS ON PAID MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS.

• Costumes are not provided after withdrawal and no refunds will be provided.

Please keep this information for your reference. PAW reserves the right to amend all policies as needed.