Free Trial Classes
We welcome and encourage you to come and try a class for free during our specified trial class weeks:
September 19-24, 2022
October 10-15, 2022
December 12-17, 2022
January 2-7, 2023
Leave us a message at 719.445.9497 or email us at info@turningpointeschoolofdance.com and let us know what class you’d like to come and try (class must be an open class - trial classes may not be scheduled in a closed or full class). We feel like this is a great way for you to get a feel for the studio, meet the teacher, and see what a great experience your dancer will have with us! Because our summer session is modified and only a June and July session, we do not have trial classes during our summer session unless you would like to come and pay the drop in rate.
Schedule Changes
Class Changes:
A student may drop and add classes depending on availability. To ensure proper costume orders class changes will not be allowed after November 30, 2022. Dancers wishing to change classes after then (but before January 30, 2023) must have the instructor’s permission and must purchase an additional costume.
Change Fee:
There is a Drop/Change fee of $10 per class for any changes made after your registration is confirmed (via confirmation email from Turning Pointe). Change fees will continue throughout the season. See withdrawal policy for drops.
Withdrawal/Drop a Class:
A student wishing to drop all of their classes is considered to be withdrawing from the studio. A student not showing up for classes or not paying the membership fee or tuition does not constitute a withdrawal.
To withdraw from the studio or drop a class, written notice must be given to our school administrator: you must email info@turningpointeschoolofdance.com on or before the 20th of the previous month or you will continue to be responsible for tuition payment for the next month.
Example: if you want to drop a class and send us written notice on October 28th, you will still be responsible for November tuition for that class. This is a 10 day notice and most studios require a 30 day or 1 month withdrawal notice. If a costume has been purchased for any withdrawn class and the student moves out of town, there is a $15 shipping fee per costume.
Make-Up Classes/Absences/Inclement Weather:
Tuition will not be adjusted or discounted based on the length of the month, absenteeism, school closures, vacations, holidays, inclement weather, or the need to deliver classes virtually due to government regulations.
We usually follow District 20’s schedule on snowy days- but there are also times where school is cancelled and we have dance classes because the weather clears up in the afternoon. If we are cancelling any classes due to weather, we will send an email, put a cancellation message on the announcement bar on the website, and we'll announce on Facebook/Insta.
Students may always make-up at any age/level appropriate class at any time with the exception of Peek Weeks. Please note that students may make up in the same level or a level below, but not in a more advanced class than they have been approved for in a placement class. Please check in at the front desk first when coming to a make-up class.
Fill out our ABSENCE FORM HERE
Rescheduling, Teacher and Class Substitution
• Turning Pointe reserves the right to reschedule or combine classes.
• Turning Pointe reserves the right to provide a substitute or replacement teacher as Turning Pointe may deem necessary.
• Turning Pointe reserves the right to deliver class content via an online system in the event that classes are not able to be conducted live for any reason including, but not limited to: weather, teacher absence, or governmental advisory.
Student/Parent/Teacher Relations
Email Communication:
To contact Tina directly email: tina@turningpointeschoolofdance.com
For most questions email our office at: info@turningpointeschoolofdance.com
To contact a Turning Pointe teacher email: teacher.turningpointedance@gmail.com with their name in the subject line.
Contacting Instructors:
Instructors can be contacted via email. All emails are listed on the Turning Pointe website or you can email teacher.turningpointedance@gmail.com and put the teacher’s name in the subject line to ask a question or request a meeting. Please do not try to catch an instructor between classes. Class schedules are very tight and our instructors would like to give your questions and concerns the proper attention.
24 Hour Rule:
We ask that if you have a concern, negative feedback, or are upset that you wait 24 hours before pressing send on an email or leaving a voicemail. We’ve found that this pause often helps settle emotions and puts things in perspective so we can proactively approach the situation and come to a solution that is workable for everyone!
Social Media:
We are on Facebook and Instagram! Become a fan and keep up with latest Turning Pointe Dance news! Use the hashtag #turningpointeco
Phone Calls:
Please leave a message when you call the studio and we will return your call within 24-48 hours. If you call but do not leave a message, we will not get a notification. You may also leave a message for a teacher at the studio. Please do not call or text any staff member on their personal phones. Due to varied work schedules, emails are best.
Disruptive Behavior:
Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. If this occurs repeatedly, the parent will be contacted. If it continues, the student will be dismissed from class that day. If a meeting with a teacher occurs, a written behavior plan will be put into place.
Injuries:
If a student has an injury, needs an accommodation in class because of injury/sickness, or cannot participate fully in class- teachers need a written note from the parent and/or doctor. If a student has an injury or ongoing illness and has seen a physician, we will need a signed release from your doctor for what they are released to do in class- we have these forms available at the front desk. Teachers need to hear from parents if there is a reason their child cannot fully participate in class (sickness, slight injury, etc). Thank you for your help and communication! Physician Release Form
Opening Class Doors:
Please respect our instructors. All classes are closed session. Do not open the door during class time. When classes are over, the instructor will open the door for the next class to enter and students will exit to the lobby.
Fall & Christmas Parent Programs:
There will be two informal programs during class times at the studio: a fall peek week in October and a Christmas program in December (last 10 minutes of class time). Please feel free to bring cameras or video equipment to these programs. To limit the number of people in the studio, it is possible we may record peek weeks and send videos to parents.
FALL: October 2-7 (all studios)
CHRISTMAS: Dec 4-9 (all studios)
Emails from Studio:
All registered accounts will automatically be enabled to receive email updates and alerts from the studio. You can update your email address on file through your customer portal. This is our #1 form of communication and it is the parents responsibility to read so they are informed.
Studio Rules
1. Hallways Must be Clear
Please remain in the lobby area while waiting for class to begin or let out. On program weeks when the studio is especially busy, all strollers are to be parked outside the front door.
2. No Horseplay
Parents are asked to keep students and waiting siblings from aggressive horseplay in the waiting areas including running and throwing/bouncing balls. Parents and siblings are not allowed in empty classrooms.
3. No Acrobatics
Students should not be performing any gymnastics in the halls or waiting areas.
4. Food
No soda, coffee, gum, or messy food in the main lobby areas. Only water is allowed in the studios. Please do not bring any nut products into the studio. We have students with severe nut allergies and must make the studio a safe place for everyone.
5. Student Drop Off
Students should not be dropped off earlier than 10 minutes prior to class. If your student is 10 or younger, please walk your student in or make sure they have gone inside their dance room before leaving. The building opens 10-15 minutes before the first class of the morning or afternoon. Students must remain inside the building until their ride arrives. Students left 5 minutes past their class end time are subject to a $10 charge.
6. Parking Lot
No student of any age should hang out in the parking lot without a parent present. Students may wait outside if a staff member or TA is present.
7. Time Between Classes
Student 11 and under cannot be left unattended between classes. If a student is in dance class under teacher supervision, parents may run an errand (please see bathroom info below). But students 11 and under not in class must have parental supervision in the studio.
8. Bathroom Break for Younger Students
If your child is not able to go to the restroom by themselves (this includes getting their leotard and tights on and off on their own), the parent needs to remain in the waiting area just in case their dancer needs to use the restroom during class. Teacher assistants can escort students to the restroom and bring them back to class, but will wait outside the restroom door and will not be able to help them get dressed. If your child is able to go to the restroom by themselves, you may leave to run an errand while your student is in class.
9. Trash/Diapers
Please do not leave any trash or books on the floor. It is everyone’s responsibility to help keep the studio clean, inside and out. We also do not dispose of dirty diapers.
10. Courteous
Please be courteous to fellow parents. Our lobby can become crowded and a little common courtesy can go a long way.
11. Carpool
To help the flow of traffic, EVERYONE needs to enter the parking lot through the north parking lot entrance (where TP sign is) and exit by the condo building. Please DO NOT come through the opposite way (from south to north) and try to drop off your dancer by the front door...this is not safe for drivers or dancers. If you are dropping off, please pull through the correct way and have your dancer exit on the right side of your car nearest to the building. Please do not park along the carpool lane as it is a fire lane- if your dancer does not come out right away, you will need to find a parking spot or pull through and circle back around.
12. Studio Use/Rental
Students may not use an empty studio to rehearse unless they have scheduled it through the office and paid a rental fee of $35/hour. In addition, a Turning Pointe staff member must be present at the studio. If the student is a minor, an adult needs to be present in the studio room. If the adult present is not a parent or guardian, a release must be signed. you have any questions, please email those to info@turningpointschoolofdance.com. To schedule a studio, please email Nicole at customercare@turningpointeschoolofdance.com.
Personal Belongings
1. Labels
Please label all shoes, dancewear, dance bags, coats, etc. with the students first and last name. Please write your dancers name on the bottom of their shoes. If not labeled properly, teachers will write your dancers first and last name on their shoes during the first few weeks of classes.
2. Lost & Found
The lost and found is located in the plastic bin in the lobby at the studio. Items will be donated at the end of each month. Please check these bins regularly. Turning Pointe Dance is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Classroom Etiquette
Attend class properly dressed and on time
No hanging on the barres
Do not enter the classroom without the instructor’s permission
No street shoes in classroom, no food or drinks (except water bottles) in classrooms
No chewing gum
Students are expected to behave with politeness, respect, and courtesy to teachers and peers
Students must have cell phones/electronic devices on vibrate or silent during class
What to Expect Your First Week
Lobby
The lobby is very crowded the first few weeks of classes. This will settle down after the first few weeks
Review
Like school, the first few weeks of class are review, and getting everyone comfortable with new classes and new teachers. This helps to make the students comfortable and the teachers can see if they are in the correct class
Class Level
If dancers have been placed into classes that are not correct for them –Don’t worry – we will find a more suitable class!
Parking
Parking is the #1 complaint with parents in dance schools around the nation. Please be careful to watch for children and do not park directly in front of the building to wait for your dancer to come out. If they are not at the door ready to get in your car, you must continue to pull through and circle around to allow for parked cars to exit and other cars to pull through. Parking is also available across the street and on Library Lane.
Shy Students/Separation Anxiety
The youngest dancers will often have tears or anxiety the first few weeks. This is normal. The teachers are trained to get children “on task” quickly. Please rest assured that we deal with this A LOT and sometimes there may be a few tears at first. Usually once mom is out of sight and we get them dancing, they quickly forget and have so much fun! If they continue to cry and be upset after a few minutes, we will bring them to you…but more often than not, they will be fine! It does take trust on the parents part, but please rest assured that they are in a loving and encouraging environment and we will do our very best to make them feel comfortable and secure. Please keep noise down at the window and don’t let siblings open the door or knock on the window. This will distract the dancers.
Bathroom
If your child is not able to go to the restroom by themselves (this includes getting their leotard and tights on and off on their own), the parent needs to remain in the waiting area just in case their dancer needs to use the restroom during class. Teacher assistants can escort students to the restroom and bring them back to class, but will wait outside the restroom door and will not be able to help them get dressed. It also helps if you can take them to the restroom before class begins!
Parents Leaving
Parents are permitted to leave during class and run an errand, get coffee, wait in the car, etc. while their dancer is in class. Please see bathroom policy below for the exception! Siblings may not be left unattended in the waiting room. bathroom, or studio…they must be with you. The studio closes 5-10 minutes after the last class for the morning/afternoon. Please be mindful of this if you want to have your dancer change after class or chat with other moms as teachers often need to leave to go to their next thing so please be considerate of teachers time. Students left 5 minutes past class end time are subject to a $10 late pick up charge.
Dottie Spotties
We have colored tape on the floor in the studios that we call “dottie spotties” for our younger dancers to easily find a place to spread out and dance and not hit their neighbor with their arms or legs (we also use this to teach spatial awareness and self space vs general space). This usually takes some training to get our baby ballerinas and tiny tots to stay on their dottie spotty…so this is something that you can help us practice at home! Also, we let them know that teachers are the only ones allowed to open the black studio door so that they are not running in and out of the studio during class, so this is also something you can remind them to prepare them for class.
Rewards
We give suckers or stickers as rewards at the end of class time for listening to the teacher and doing a great job dancing! For our 4-6 year olds our teachers give tickets for good behavior…if they save their tickets they can trade 10 of them in for a piece of candy or 100 in for a bigger prize (tickets carry on from year to year so they can use tickets from last year).
Observation During Class
Our lobby will continue to be open for seating to students waiting in between classes and Twirl parents only. (Parents of kids ages 7 and under may still accompany their students to enter class) We'll be opening observation curtains in the upstairs studios the last 10 minutes of class and parents may come in the lobby and observe during these short observation times to keep our capacity numbers manageable and maintain the peaceful learning environment our students have come to enjoy this year
Safer Studio Policy
Turning Pointe requires all staff and students to stay home when they are ill. In order to reduce community spread of Coronavirus, we follow best practices and recommendations from our local health department and from our industry association, More Than Just Great Dancing!® and Youth Protection Advocates in Dance. TPD understands that unlike older children and adults, young children cannot be expected to maintain social distancing at all times. Therefore TPD focuses on a hierarchy of measures beginning with keeping ill people home, followed by frequent hand cleaning and good hygiene practices, amplified cleaning, and curricular and facility adaptations to minimize contact and mingling where possible. Please note that the service TPD provides is dance instruction- whether the delivery be in person or online. Online dance instruction is a compensatory service.