For all students attending classes at our school:

• Housekeeping – We strive to keep a clean and tidy dance studio not only to create an enjoyable atmosphere, but also for the safety and comfort for all dancers on our floor.
• Leave personal items only in the bar area. There is ample space for your belongings to be safely stowed. No bags or coats are allowed on the floor as they may become a tripping hazard to dancers. Kasper Dance Studio does not accept any liability for your personal belongings.
• No street shoes are allowed on the floor, as the outside dirt can damage the surface of our floor and create sticking or slipping hazards to those dancing on the floor. Bring your dance shoes separately to change into when you arrive.
• No food, drink, or chewing gum on the floor during class or during breaks – see the above note about sticking and slipping hazards.
• Smoking and pets are prohibited on KDS premises as prescribed by local, state and federal laws.
• Dress code: Any comfortable clothing that allows for movement is acceptable.  Although dancing is an athletic endeavor, tennis shoes or running shoes are not the best type of footwear for dancing as rubber soles prevent smooth movement across the floor.  We suggest that you wear dress shoes that you might wear out to a club for dancing or to a wedding.  For woman, shoes that have heel support and an ankle strap are best.  For more committed dancers, shoes made specifically for ballroom dancing can be purchased – speak to your teacher about the best options and the types of shoes we sell.
• Dancing is physical exercise – you participate at your own risk and it is your responsibility to consult your physician to confirm your fitness capabilities before beginning any dance lessons. A doctors’ note may be required to begin a class if you have special physical concerns, or to return to activity after an absence from class due to injury, illness, or during pregnancy. Always make your teacher aware of any physical limitations or concerns that you may have.
• Arrival and Attendance
• Class will start promptly at the designated time.  Arriving a bit earlier to change your shoes and prepare yourself for class is suggested. 
• Arriving late to class can be disruptive to other students, distracting to the focus of a learning atmosphere and difficult on the groups’ progression in learning. If you arrive later than 15 minutes past the start time of class, it is up to your teachers’ discretion as to whether or not you will be allowed to join the class on the floor, or be required to only observe.
• Notifying us of missing a class, or if you are running late is an appropriate courtesy.  Please call to 773-545-0222 to let us know your circumstances.
• Street parking is accessible and available in the area. It is a student’s responsibility to abide by all local parking regulations and fees.  For evening classes, (after 6:45 PM) parking in the Koziol parking lot across the street is permitted ONLY with the appropriate parking pass in the window.  The pass may be obtained in the KDS office. Cars without the appropriate parking pass may be towed at the owner’s expense. Kasper Dance Studio accepts no responsibility for student vehicles, or any and all fines accrued as they relate to parking or any and all costs as it relates to accidental damage.
• Etiquette & Conduct
• In all group classes, you will be expected to rotate to different partners.  Our experience has shown us that dancing with different partners is not only the best way learn and retain the material, but it’s also the best way to make new friends!  Don’t be shy – we promise it will be fun.
• Care in personal hygiene is essential in any partner dancing. Please, make sure that your breathe, body odor, and clothing are all pleasantly clean and fresh
• Private video taping of group classes or KDS shows is strictly prohibited. Video taping of private lessons or in some limited circumstances for parents of children may be allowed.  Approval must be obtained from KDS teachers and management prior to any video taping.
• No Cell phones allowed on the floor. Please make sure cell phones are turned to a non-disruptive ringing mode during class. If you must take a call during class, you may excuse your self and take calls in our vestibule.
• If for any reason you need to leave the premises during a group class, please notify your teacher so we will not spend time either waiting on you or trying to locate you. You may leave the floor during class for a bathroom break when necessary without notifying your teacher
• We are thrilled to meet the many diverse personalities that join our school and truly believe that every individual’s personality should be allowed to shine.  That said, anyone who is expressing a difficult, overly negative, inappropriate or disruptive attitude will be dismissed from any class at any time at the teachers sole discretion.
• If you need to speak with your teacher regarding any aspect of your dancing, please make an appointment.  Our teachers have very full schedules while they are teaching at the studio, so unexpected conversations can be difficult to accommodate.  We will be happy to give you our undivided attention via phone call or personal meeting at a time that is scheduled specifically for you.
• Registration, Withdrawals or Class Changes
• Initial Registration should occur prior to the start of class.  You will be required to fill out pertinent documentation and make payment before attending any classes.
• Classes are non-transferable. Missed classed are not pro-rated or redeemable for cash (see section 5.) Make up classes for your absences are not provided.
• If for any reason you decide you would like to withdraw from a group class, you must provide a notice in writing to the management office. A refund may or may not be deemed (see section5.)
• Changing into a different group class can be done only through the joint authorization of the teacher whose class you are leaving and the teacher of the class you would like to join.
• Should there be any cancellation or changes to your regularly scheduled class time, we will do everything possible to notify you via phone and email contact information that you have provided to us.  Additionally, all class changes and cancellations will be posted on our website at kasperdancestudio.com. You are responsible to take note of your class changes to mitigate your inconvenience.
• Should Kasper Dance Studio cancel a class (very rare) this will result in the dance course session being lengthened to include the originally planned amount of hours for he dance course. Refunds or credits will not be given.
• Payments, Discounts and Refunds, Credits
• We accept cash, check and all major credit cards. A $30 bounced check fee will be charged for all returned checks. A cash discount may apply to some services offered.
• Initial down payments for first time dance courses must be made anytime prior to the start of the dance course. Full payment must be made no later than the first day of the dance course session.
• Existing dance course students should be prepared to pay for their next session of their dance course on the last class of the finishing session, but no later than the first class of the new session.
• Any payment made after the 1st class of the session for any dance course will be subject to a $5 late fee.  This fee will accumulate weekly until full payment is made. A student may be dismissed at anytime from a dance course due to lack of payment.
• Family discounts are given to those who have a family member attending the same, or any dance course at the studio.  The term “family member” is defined as a spouse, child, or sibling. The second family member will have $10 discount and each subsequent family member will have a $15 discount. This applies to group classes only.
• All students currently enrolled in a dance course may attend any other dance courses during the week (whose level is the same, or lower – with teacher approval) for a discounted rate of ½ the hourly class rate. This is subject to current KDS rates. Thursday seminar and private lessons not included in this doffer.
• Refunds and Credits: Classes will not be pro-rated for your absences planned or unplanned. Credits and refunds may be issued under limited circumstances.  Requests for such must be made in writing and approval is at the sole discretion of KDS management.
• Private Lessons
• Private lessons with KDS teachers are by appointment only.
• All private lessons must be pre-paid.
• Options to purchase a discounted package of private lessons may be available – ask your teacher for details.
• Private lessons are non-transferable and are provided only to the intended student. Additional students may not in join a private lesson.
• We have 24 hour cancellation policy. Payments are not refundable and the lesson cannot be rescheduled if less than 24 hours notice of cancellation is given.  If more than 24 hours notice is given, we will do everything possible to reschedule your lesson in a timely manner.
• Competitions and Events
• Kasper Dance Studio has a specific schedule of competitions and outside events that we attend each year.  A student’s participation in such events is determined by their teacher.
• Any student deemed prepared to compete does so at their own risk and must sign a KDS release form.
• Attending a DanceSport Competition is a fun, but serious and demanding undertaking. Students must abide by a teachers preparation plan in order to attend any and all outside organized events.  This may require, but not be limited to, additional practice time and additional lessons.  All students must have a clear understanding of the responsibilities that come with being a competitive student.  Because we want every student to be successful and enjoy competitive events, it is our goal to make sure all expectations are very clear. We welcome your questions and discussions about your ability to participate in such events.
• Deadlines for turning in appropriate forms and payments must be met in order to participate in any outside competition or event.  Students turning in late forms or late payments will not be allowed to participate.
• Expenses to participate in such events will vary.  Expenses may include but are not limited to:
• fees paid to organizers of the outside event,
• processing fees to KDS,
• preparation expenses such as additional lessons, practice time, costumes, makeup & hair styling,
• transportation expenses to and from the event, and
• teacher’s hourly rates or fees and teachers’ expenses at the event. (Pro/Am students should discuss these fees with their teacher prior to signing up to attend any event.)

Kasper Dance studio does everything possible to avoid excessive fees and keep costs as reasonably low as possible.  It is our goal to make such events both fun and affordable for students to be able to participate.

Additional information regarding Children’s classes:

• What Parents Should Know
• Parents may bring children to their classes no earlier than 15 minutes prior to their class time.  If there is a class in session on the floor, we ask you to please wait with your children in our vestibule until 5 minutes before class time. This will help alleviate distractions to the students on the floor.
• Please make sure small children have had a bathroom break before class, as this helps eliminate the need for “emergency” bathroom breaks during class.
• We want to ensure that all children are safe at our studio and when we are busy teaching on the floor, we cannot baby sit your children who are not currently on the floor with us. Parents should, under no circumstances, drop their children off or leave their children unattended as they wait for their class to start.  KDS teachers cannot take any responsibility for children who are not on the floor in their class. 
• Parents are welcome to wait for their children’s class to dismiss in our heated and air conditioned vestibule.  In very inhospitable weather, we welcome you to sit in our bar area.  We ask that you keep any conversations to a minimum and at very low voice level so as to not disturb the class in session.
• If you are running late to pick up your child, please call us as soon as possible.  This will help us ease a child’s concerns and make arrangements for them to wait for you
• Dress for children should be comfortable for movement but not sweat pants, sports wear or athletic wear.  We do require that boys wear dress pants and a shirt and girls wear a skirt.
• We expect children to be well behaved and respectful during class to fellow classmates, KDS staff and their teacher.  Teachers will speak to parents regarding any discipline or behavioral problems that may require a child to be dismissed from class.
• Payment for all children’s classes is due at the first of the month. A $5 fee will be assessed to all late payments.
• If you need to speak with your child’s teacher regarding any aspect of your child’s dancing, please make an appointment.  Our teachers have very full schedules while they are teaching at the studio, so unexpected conversations can be difficult to accommodate.  We will be happy to give you our undivided attention via phone call or personal meeting at a time that is scheduled specifically for you.
• Children will be given ample time for refreshment breaks during class. Please do not send food and soda for them, water is the best refresher during physical activity and no food or drinks will be allowed on the floor.
• In case of emergency, it is imperative that parents make sure that the contact information we have on file is up to date and accurate.
• If you child has any illness, injury or special needs, is vital that you notify the teacher so that we can monitor a child specifically during class.
• Kasper Dance Studio often attends competitive events throughout the calendar year with our children’s classes.  Please see the notes in under number 7 as it pertains to competitions.  Strict guidelines are enforced regarding costumes and appearance for competing children – they can be found at NDCA.org. You may also make an appointment to speak to your children’s teacher for the best possible guidance in these areas.

Kasper Dance Studio reserves the right to add, change or amend any of the above policies and rules. 3/1/14.

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