Street Address:
300 Main Street
Byron, GA 31008		 Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 9
Byron, GA 31008
Phone: 478-956-4512 Email: dance@mspatriciaschool.com

ABOUT US
(Important things you should know about Ms. Patricia's School)

ATTIRE

BALLET CLASSES - Tights and leotards are recommended for classes. You may wear any color ballet shoes during the year -- we use black tap and jazz shoes. As the recital nears, I will let you know what color will be needed.

TAP CLASSES - We will use the basic black tap shoe. Three year old beginners will not use tap shoes until January. Younger classes will use elastic ponytail holders instead of the ribbon ties. These will be changed out during their first class. Sixth grade and up may use hi-heeled tap shoes.

GYMNASTICS - Each week the class will do a different apparatus. You must wear a leotard; but can wear shorts over the leotard. Sweat pants and wind suits are fine to wear to class, but you will need a leotard on so you can remove the suit during class. It is difficult to spot a child in some suits due to the material. Blue jeans are not allowed as they do not provide the flexibility for gymnastics. We are flexible with dance and gymnastics outfits. During the warmer months, students can wear biker shorts, or unitards. During cooler months, they can wear a sweat suit over their leotard or a turtleneck under their leotard. Each student has individual taste in color and style. Comfort is an important aspect in your child's learning experience. Students may choose a style that they enjoy wearing, as long as it is functional and in good taste.
HAIR

The student's hair should be pulled back away from the face to ensure it doesn't get in the eyes for dance classes. During gym, hair should be secured with a soft ponytail holder if pulled up.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

FOOD, DRINK AND GUM - Please do not bring food or drinks into the studio. A water fountain is provided. Gum is extremely dangerous, and children are constantly reminded of the danger of having anything in the mouth while they are dancing or tumbling. Please help reinforce this rule. This is for their protection!

TOYS - Absolutely NO toys allowed in the classrooms. Please check your child's bag to ensure they do not bring toys to class. This creates a huge distraction.

HORSE PLAY - There will be no running or playing inside the classroom, while changing classes or in the hallway. Please do not run in your tap shoes. These shoes are very slippery, and you will fall and get hurt. Children are not allowed to leave the studio without a parent or designated representative coming inside to get them. This is for your child's safety.

CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT - You trust our staff with the education and protection of your child while they are in our care. We take this responsibility very seriously. Behavior that is inappropriate -- bad words, disrespect for teachers or other students, disobeying rules -- is not tolerated. Curriculum and music is screened carefully for content and age appropriateness. Whether we are in class, or at an extra-curricular activity such as a parade, we do everything in our power to ensure the children have fun while remaining safe and controlled.
SHOE EXCHANGE

We have a shoe exchange/donation box for dance shoes. Children's feet grow so fast, it is necessary sometimes to change shoes during the year. Check the box if your child needs a pair to use long term, or if they have forgotten their shoes for the day. If your child needs to use shoes from the box, come to class early and help locate shoes before the class begins. This ensures the best use of classroom time. If your child is using a pair of shoes long-term, mark out the name on the shoes, and replace it with your child's name, take them home so you will have them each week. When your child outgrows the shoes, return them to the box.
MISSED CLASSES

If your child misses a class, there should be a time during the week that they can make it up. However, the other class may not be on the exact curriculum level. As recital nears, it is important for your child to be present for each class. If they miss a class, they are missing important instructions on their recital routine. This can not be made up in another class. In the unlikely event that you should choose to discontinue classes, let me know so that you will not be billed.
DROP OFF AND PICK UP OF CHILDREN

When you drop off your child, if you do not walk in with your child, do not leave until you see him/her enter the building. When you pick up your child, they will not be allowed to leave until a parent, or designated representative is there. Please, let us know before you leave your child, if someone else will pick up your child. This is extremely important for your child's safety !!!
BATHROOM

Make sure your child goes to the bathroom before class. This becomes a big distraction for the younger classes, and once one child has to go, all of them will need to go. Please let us know if your child has a medical problem. There is a bathroom located in the hallway between the dance rooms. Please make sure your child uses the bathroom before entering the classroom and that they don't drink a lot before coming to class. This will help keep the class moving and on schedule and would be greatly appreciated.
DISTRACTIONS

Parents that wish to wait on their child are requested to wait in the waiting area. I ask that parents not wait in the classroom. We close the door during classes to reduce outside distractions and help in your child's learning process. We do realize how special this time with your child is and understand you want to share in the experience. However, this is a learning environment for your child, and we want to make sure they get the most out of the time with us each week. You will be able to see what your child has accomplished at the Christmas Show and again during the Gym Meet and/or Recital at the end of the year.
LABELS

Label everything your child brings to class by writing their name in the items. Please make sure that names are in ballet, tap, jazz and pointe shoes, bags, coats, sweaters, etc. This will help ensure your child's articles are put in their bag. Names should be in items before the first class and if your child changes shoes/bags during the year, their name should be added before the child comes to class.
DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS

Although the curriculum is geared to promote a fast-paced educational environment, children are required to sit or stand in a specific place, wait their turn, follow simple instructions and be quiet so the person taking their turn can concentrate. This is a problem for some children. If behavior problems occur, we will speak to the child and explain the consequences of their behavior. If the problem does not improve, they will not be allowed to continue for the remainder of the class (time out). If the problem continues, the instructor will meet with the parents to discuss the problem. Parents are paying for their child to learn, and learning can not take place with constant interruptions. It is not fair to the rest of the class when instruction time is spent correcting bad behavior. It takes away from the child that comes to class every week and is there to learn.
REGISTRATION

There is a registration fee of $25 for new students and $20 for returning students.
TUITION

Tuition is due on the first of each month, regardless of the number of classes attended. A late fee is charged after the 20th of the month. The full tuition is due during the month of December. There will be a 20% discount for each additional child in the family who takes a minimum of one hour.

ABOUT THE CLASSES

Dance Classes - These classes consist of ballet/tap, jazz, and pre-pointe and pointe with different levels of progression through the years. Listed below are the different levels for each class:

Beginner - This could range from the age of 2'/2 to 12 years of age. In these classes we concentrate on learning the basic barre skills such as Pile', Tendu & Passe'. The arm and feet positions are very important so your child can build on these in the years to follow. Coordination is an important aspect in becoming graceful. The tap skills follow the same order, basic tap steps, learning the different sounds your tap shoe makes.

Primary - Students increase their level of knowledge. Ballet, tap and separate jazz classes are offered. They work on correct posture for each child. At this level, there will be a tremendous change in your child's ability to control their moves, to remember the next step in a dance, and pick up on new steps in class.

Intermediate and Advanced - When they reach these two levels, the attitude in class changes. These students are usually very serious. We concentrate on arm movements, making everything flow with the music and working together as a class while performing.

Pointe - Pointe classes are offered at the Intermediate ballet level. Participation in a pointe class is in addition to a regular ballet class. Participation in pointe is only after a parent/teacher consultation. Students must be physically "ready" to take pointe, or there could be damage to the student's legs and back. Students will start in pre-pointe classes which will get the students on their toes; however, the class is targeted at gradually strengthening the muscles while learning the proper positions. They will learn the proper way to wear and care for their shoes and their feet, while learning strengthening exercises. Pointe is only for the serious ballet student as it requires a lot of determination, dedication, and practice. However, it is extremely beautiful and rewarding.

Gymnastic Classes - There are different levels for gymnastics, and they are listed below. Each week your child will work on a different piece of equipment such as the floor, beam, uneven bars, trampoline, pommel horse, tumble track, inclines, octagons, wedges, or vault. Various props will be utilized to aide in the skills taught.

2-1/2 Year Old Class - This fast-paced class is a combination classes and it introduces the younger students to gymnastics and dance. They will use a lot of props, brightly colored equipment, parachute fun and games in the gym to help instill basic gymnastics skills and dance moves. The class is 30 minutes and is extended to 45 minutes after Christmas.
Beginners - This class works on basic skills such as rolls (front, back, straddle), cartwheels and arm strength. I want to make sure each child is doing the turns properly so as they progress they can build on these skills.
Primary - With each level your child's skills increase along with strength. We always work to improve basic skills along with adding roundoffs, backbends, headstands, handstands and so on.
Intermediate and Advanced - As skills improve, students apply what they learn on the floor to different pieces of equipment. They go from doing cartwheels and rolls on the floor to the balance beam. With these two classes, the students work very hard in class (and at home) on control, springs and even basic tumbling skills.

Note: Each child is different in their skill and ability. Students are placed in a class that the instructors feel will benefit them most according to their age and ability level. This does not always allow friends to be in the same class.
PERFORMANCES

The curriculum is designed to be both fun and educational. Part of that education is to develop poise, confidence, and stage presence. Activities are designed to gradually expose your child to an ever-increasing audience size. The first exposure is the first day of class when mom and dad leave and the child, along with the remainder of the class interact as a unit. The classes put on a Christmas Show where they will dance to new or old Christmas songs. Parents, grandparents and all those other folks can come and watch. It is fun and provides the children with an opportunity to perform in front of a group. At the end of the year is a Recital. Although it is not required for students to perform in the Recital, it is encouraged. This is what your child has been working toward, and it's an important part of the learning/growing process. The Recital is held on stage with lights, music, costumes, and the whole works. Other performances may be added as the school year progresses.
OTHER ACTIVITIES

In addition to the Christmas Show and the Recital, there may be other activities that your child may participate in during the year. In the past, these have included participating in parades and performing at festivals. Any additional activities will be announced and posted on the bulletin board and this web site as the year progresses.
ADDITIONAL CHARGES

In addition to registration and tuition, there are other expenses. In addition to dance attire and shoes, a Recital costume will be ordered before the Christmas break. This is to allow sufficient time for the costumes to be made, shipped, and altered, if necessary, before Recital. Costumes vary in cost; however, they should be around $40 to $60. This amount is not due at one time and a lot of notice is given. There will be a recital fee of $25 to offset rental of the facilities and cost of the production. The recital fee is charged per family and not per person. This is done in lieu of selling tickets to the Recital. Studio and recital T-Shirts will also be available. This is optional. This should give you a good idea of additional expenses that are associated with your child's class.