Welcome to the Revised 2024-2025 Student Handbook!

~ Training in Excellence ~

~ Glorifying God ~

~ Student Mentorship ~

*New and returning students, please read carefully for important information regarding the Arise code of conduct, tuition fees, dress code, recital dates, other important dates, dropout policy, office hours, and more!*

This handbook has been designed to answer frequently asked questions and to put into your hands everything you need to know to get the most out of your time here at Arise. If you have any questions about the following information, please don't hesitate to call, email, or stop by the front desk.

Welcome to the family!

Naomi & Jennifer Turco
Owners/Directors

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Office Information

Arise School of Dance
119 Iber Road, Unit 11, Stittsville, ON  K2S 1E7
(613) 836 0005 / info@arisedance.com / www.arisedance.com

Current Office Hours - 2024-2025:
Mondays & Tuesdays: 12:00PM - 8:00PM
Thursdays: 9:00AM - 2:00PM & 4:00PM - 6:30PM
Fridays: 12:00PM - 6:30PM
Saturdays: 9:00AM - 3:00PM

Administration:
Naomi Gilman: Studio Owner/Director, Operations, Pre-Professional Program Director, Youth Ballet Artistic Director
Jennifer Turco: Studio Owner/Director, Financials, Junior and Adult Program Director, Youth Ballet Assistant Director
Merry Macuzzi: Pre-School and Recreational Program Director
Noelle Klassen: Administrator, Children's Ballet Assistant Director
Maggie Shew: Arise Social Media, Children's Ballet Artistic Director

Contacting Teachers
Questions for teachers should be submitted by email to the Arise office and not directed to teachers during or after your allotted class time. This will ensure that the teachers’ time at the studio is dedicated to teaching the students and that students receive the full amount of time allotted to them in class. Arise administration will pass on all communication to the appropriate teacher, who will then contact you by phone or email. If you’d like to set up a meeting in person, this can also be arranged through the Arise office.

Newsletters & Updates
We release a weekly newsletter every Wednesday called the “Wednesday Watchlist”. This newsletter contains important information you need to know to stay up-to-date and informed about your child’s classes. Please always open and carefully read this newsletter. Other notes and updates may be emailed to you through our online system. The emails will be from “Arise School of Dance”. Please do not unsubscribe to our online system or our Mailchimp emails while your student is taking class with us so that you don’t miss out on important information including fees, dates, and event reminders. If your email address changes, please update it in your online account and send us a note to let us know.

Cancellation of Classes Protocol
Arise does not cancel classes due to regular winter weather. In the case of extreme weather conditions or emergencies, Arise will notify you by email of classes cancelled. If we do not send out a notification, it means that classes are running as scheduled and it is up to those driving to exercise caution. In the rare event that a class is cancelled due to extreme weather, we are unable to offer makeup classes or refunds. This decision is made to protect the safety of students and staff.

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Code of Conduct

Arise School of Dance is committed to providing a safe and uplifting dance experience for all. To this end, parents and students alike are expected to follow our code of conduct. We endeavour to have clear and reasonable rules that are fairly and consistently implemented. Parents and students who choose not to follow the studio code of conduct will be removed from the studio and will be required to pay their remaining tuition. 

The code is as follows:

Dancers must maintain a positive attitude toward their classwork and be respectful in nature, word, and deed to their fellow classmates and the staff of Arise. Foul language within the classes, hallways, or when performing with Arise will not be tolerated.

Parents should encourage their students in a positive manner and trust the professional guidance given to their dancer by the instructors of Arise. Any kind of verbal, physical, or emotional abuse toward students, other parents, or the staff of Arise will not be tolerated, and disciplinary action will be taken. Legitimate concerns can be addressed in the manner described under “Contacting Teachers,” above.

Both dancers and parents must conduct themselves in a manner that promotes respect and encourages others to always be their best. Any actions, whether they be verbal, written, or physical that are perceived as intimidating, threatening, or otherwise hostile are strictly forbidden.  

We reserve the right to cancel a student’s registration if their behaviour—or that of the parent, family members, or caregivers—is disruptive or disrespectful.

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Studio Protocols

Attendance - Students not in an Arise Ballet company
If your student needs to miss a class for any reason, please submit the absence by logging into the Jackrabbit Parent Portal at least 2 hours before your class starts. Click on the three bars in the top right hand corner and select “Absences and Makeups”. Click on the green “Submit an Absence” button and enter the information requested. Please be sure to submit a reason for your absense. If a student misses too many classes, so that he or she is falling behind the rest of the group, you will be contacted to schedule a private lesson at your own expense. Private lessons range from $30-$65/hour depending on the need and tuition will be paid directly to the teacher.

Attendance - Students in an Arise Ballet Company
If you or your student think they must miss a class for any reason, personally contact the company directors, as far in advance as possible, so that you can work together to determine the best course of action.

Illness
If your dancer has a communicable illness please keep them at home and mark them as absent in your Parent Portal with a note as to the reason for their absence. 

We will update our illness protocol as needed to ensure the health and safety of our students and teachers.

Injury
If your dancer sustains a major injury (rolled ankle, etc) ice will be applied, the parent/guardian will be contacted and further medical action will be at their discretion. In the case of an emergency, Arise will first contact 911 and then promptly contact the parents, who will be responsible for any further medical action.

If your dancer has an injury that prevents them from dancing, they should still come to watch the class, since much can be learned through observation.

Changing Levels
Class level and placement are decided by the Arise directors based on the recommendation of the teachers. If a student is initially placed in a class that is too easy or too challenging, the teacher will consult one of the directors for a second opinion and then inform the parents of any necessary changes. At the end of each dance year, teachers will determine where students should be placed the following year based on their overall performance throughout the dance year.

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Payment Information & Other Fees

Junior, Pre-Professional, & Recreational Class Fees

• All fees are based on a 1 hour, once-a-week class. Registration for a 1 hour, once-a-week class costs $650 for the year. The tuition fee will be paid off in 10 equal monthly payments of $65 each. Classes that are longer than one-hour are calculated accordingly. HST is included in the price.

• A multi-class discount is automatically added to your account when you sign up for more than 2 classes per student. Discount rate: 3rd class = 10% off, 4th class = 15% off, 5th class = 30% off, 6+ class(es) = 40% off.

• A one-time $30 registration fee is charged per student, per year. Returning students are charged a $20 registration fee.

• Payment will be charged to the primary card on your account (credit or debit) on the first of every month for your full tuition owing for that month

• $15 NSF

   

Pre-School & Adult Class Fees

• All fees are for the full Term and will be charged in full on the first day of the month that the Term starts.

• Fall Term: mid-September - mid-December (14 weeks)

  • 45-minute class – $200 (charged September 1st)

  • 1-hour class – $266 (charged September 1st)

• Winter Term: January - March Break (9 weeks)

  • 45-minute class – $129 (charged January 1st)

  • 1-hour class – $171 (charged January 1st)

• Spring Term: March Break - mid-June (13 weeks)

  • 45-minute class – $186 (charged March 1st)

  • 1-hour class – $247 (charged March 1st)

• Mini-Sessions for Adults - 6-week sessions

  • 1-hour class - $120

• HST is included in all the prices

• A one-time $30 registration fee per student. Returning students are charged a $20 registration fee.

• If a term student (or adult registered in mini sessions) registers for the next term while still enrolled in the previous term, the registration fee will be waived.

• Payment will be charged to the primary card on your account (credit or debit).

• $15 NSF
  

Drop-Out Policy*
In order to drop a class you must notify the office in writing*

Junior, Pre-Professional, & Recreational Classes

• Before October 15: Account holder will be charged 20% of the year’s tuition. 80% of the year’s tuition will be waived and will not be charged.

• After October 15: Account holder will be charged 50% of the remaining tuition. 50% of the remaining tuition will be waived. Account holder may choose to pay the remaining balance monthly or in one payment.

Pre-School & Adult Classes

• Before the end of the first two weeks of the Term: Tuition reimbursed minus the cost of the first two weeks and the registration fee.

• After the first two weeks of the Term: No refund will be issued.

Other Fees & Costs

• Dress Code: Students must adhere to the Arise dress code in order to participate in classes. Please reference our dress code section for details on what they need and where these items can be purchased. Note that Arise carries some gently used items, so you can check at the front desk to see what’s available. Please note that Arise is not responsible for providing dress code items.

• Costume Fees: All year-long classes eligible to participate in the recital will be charged a costume deposit of $20/class on January 1st with their January Tuition. Eligible spring term classes will be charged at the start of the term. The remaining balance for the costumes will be due in the Spring. Depending on the class age/level costumes may range in cost from $40-$100, before the deposit.

• Photos: Arise holds an annual Recital Photo Day in May or June each year. Students are expected to participate so that we can get class photos with the entire class. Students wishing to purchase photos will receive solo shots along with class photos. Purchasing photos is optional.

• Snacks & Drinks for Sale: Water bottles, coffee, tea, and pre-packaged snacks are for sale in the waiting room for $2 each. We recommend storing some extra change in your dancer’s bag for emergencies.

• Recital Tickets: Recital tickets will go on sale in the Spring. Everyone who wants to watch the show will need to purchase a ticket. Children 2 years old and under are free if they sit on a lap.

• Volunteer Opt-Out Fee: Every studio family is responsible to sign up for one volunteer shift during the recital. For those who do not wish to volunteer, they may choose to pay a $50 opt-out fee instead. This will allow Arise to pay someone else to take your place.

• Logo-ed Clothing: Arise organizes a logo-ed clothing order before Christmas each year. This is a great Christmas present for the dancer in your family. Buying logo-ed clothing is not required, but it is a fun service that we provide you.

*All fees will appear in your Parent Portal. You will have received a prompt to log in to the Parent Portal upon registration, and you can access your Parent Portal from our home page.

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Community Building/Fundraisers

We strive to establish a strong community focus at Arise School of Dance, so here are few ways you can get involved. 

1. Participate in fundraising events

2. Chat with other parents in the Arise parking lot or waiting room

3. Carpool to the studio with friends! 

4. Pray for your fellow dance parents and the other Arise students 

Arise Fundraisers: 

1. Father/Daughter Ball

This is a chance for fathers/father figures to take their daughters on a date she'll always remember! The ball includes professional dance instruction in a series of ballroom steps that father and daughters can learn and dance together. Treats and beverages are provided.

When: Friday, October 4th AND Saturday, October 5th
Where: Arise School of Dance - 119 Iber Rd, Stittsville, ON K2S 1E7

2. Valentine’s Day Ball

This event is an opportunity for couples to have fun and spend time together for Valentine's Day! The Valentine’s Ball includes a sit-down dinner and ballroom dancing lessons. Additionally, on-site childcare will be provided. Arise does not ask our students to sell chocolates, cookies, or raffle tickets, so this is our one studio-wide fundraiser of the year. Come and help out your community! 

When: TBD
Where: TBD

How to get involved: 

1. Buy a ticket to the ball and attend with the special person in your life. Tickets available in the new year.

2. Sign up to donate food or money for the event. Sign-up link available at a later date.

3. Help advertise for the Ball by sharing the event with your friends, family, church, etc. Graphic will be available at a later date.

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Recital

Participation
All year-long students in our Junior, Recreational, and Pre-Professional Programs participate in the year-end recital and will be required to have one family member volunteer during the recital weekend. Pre-Dance and Junior Hip Hop dancers from our Preschool Programs who are registered for the spring term participate in the year-end recital. If you cannot participate, year-long students need to inform the office by December 15th, and term students by the first class of the spring term.

Recital Tickets: Our year-end show takes place at an Ottawa theater, and tickets go on sale approximately one month before the show. Everyone wishing to attend a show must purchase a ticket.

Volunteering: Each family must provide one family member to volunteer for the recital. You can either volunteer before the recital to help sew costumes or sell ads for our program, or you can volunteer once at a single show. You may choose to pay a $50 opt-out fee instead of volunteering.

Dates: TBD

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Stay Connected

Follow and Like us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to keep updated and help spread the word about who we are and what we do. To go the extra mile, rate us on Facebook and Google and leave a review!

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