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Mission Statement
Our Story
Teaching Methods
General Policies 
Flu & Illness Policy 
Fire Procedures 
Keeping In Touch

Mission Statement:

Dedicated to promoting a physically & emotionally positive lifestyle through dance education, performance, public service and enjoyment of the art of dance.

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What We're All About:

Rising Star Dance Academy was established in the summer of 1998 by sisters Korinne Hewitt (left) and Allison Banman (right).  Both experienced dancers, Allison and Korinne wanted to open a studio where dance skills were taught along with positive life skills.  They have chosen highly-trained instructors who also have proven interactive skills with youth.  R.S.D.A. emphasizes the teaching of dance techniques as well as encouraging personal/group responsibility, a healthy lifestyle and community involvement.  Their facility has sprung floors which absorb the impact of dancers' movements rather than causing wear and tear on bones and joints, full mirrored walls, barres and speed-control music systems to heighten the enjoyment of our dancers.     

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Teaching Methods:

Our staff provides current and effective teaching methods through continuing educational experiences in provincial and national dance centres.  Each teachers is an accomplished dancer; his/her combined experience, innovation and enthusiasm marks the teaching style at RSDA.

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General Policies:

For Safety's Sake: 

When parents or guardians are not at the studio to pick up their child, students must stay at the studio at all times unless they inform the front desk that they have permission to go  elsewhere to purchase snack or meals.  For safety reasons, dancers are not permitted to wear jewelry.  Hair must be tied back and secured off neck and face.

Promptness: 

Students are expected to be prompt for class and dressed in proper attire.  All students must be picked up promptly at the end of each class.  If you are going to be late, please contact the studio.  RSDA is not responsible for students before and after class.  Please do not drop your child off at RSDA without ensuring that the studio is open.

Attire/Equipment:  

Bring your dance attire, shoes, hair supplies, etc. with you every week and label everything.  RSDA assumes NO RESPONSIBILITY for lost or stolen articles.  Please leave all valuables at home.  Students are expected to stay in their dancewear and appropriate hair for dance at all times until they leave for home.

Required dancewear and dance shoes must be worn to all classes.  Failure to wear required dancewear to class could result in students being asked to sit out the class.  Repeated failure to wear required dancewear could result in termination of lessons.  Students are not permitted to wear jeans or shoes worn on the street or outdoors to any dance class.  For safety reasons, dancers are not permitted to wear jewelry.  Hair must be tied back and secured off neck and face.

Practice:  

We encourage students to practice at home and know their exercises, steps and routines.  RSDA encourages dance as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Attendance:  

Good attendance is very important but if unavoidable, a quick phone call or advance note to let us know that your child will be absent would be appreciated.  Classes are reviewed, but not always retaught, so good attendance is very important.  There are no refunds for missed classes, but make-up classes may be available until December.  Please check with your child's teacher or the front desk to find an appropriate class.  

Food & Drink:  

Food and drink should be consumed in the lobby only.  No food or drinks are allowed in the studios or change rooms, and water is only allowed in water bottles with sealed lids.  No gum or candy in classes!  Students must dispose of their garbage and keep their area clean.

Valuables:  

RSDA assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen articles.  Please label everything.  Leave all valuables at home.

Enrolment:  

There must be eight or more students in a class for it to run.  Classes that do not meet the minimum requirement will be combined at the discretion of RSDA, or charged at a semi-private or private rate.  No student will be admitted into class with any unpaid balance.

Class Schedule:  

Schedule is set by May of the previous dance year for the following fall session and is subject to change at the discretion of RSDA.

Class Withdrawals:  

Notification for withdrawal must be done in writing and submitted to RSDA in order for a refund to be processed.  The date of written notification (not the date of absence) is considered the departure date.  No refunds after November 30. Clients are responsible for all outstanding monetary balances (i.e.: costume orders, tuition, competition fees, etc.  No student will be admitted into class with any unpaid balance.  Once a student is registered, withdrawals are subject to a $30.00 administration fee.  

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If your child has a fever, they should stay at home, even if they seem to have a mild case of the flu. That way your child won't infect other children, including those who could develop severe illness. In most kids, the flu will run its course over a week, though the cough and fatigue can last a few weeks in some patients. For everyone’s protection, if your child comes to RSDA with flu-like symptoms, they will be sent home without being admitted into the studio. If your child is sick, please keep them home! People infected with the flu can infect others from one day before showing symptoms to up to seven days afterward. They are most contagious during the first days they start showing symptoms, when they have "a high viral load." It's best to keep sick kids home for at least five days or until they are able to resume daily activities, whichever is shorter. Please call the front desk at 669-2369 to advise us if your child will be absent from class.

How Can We Protect Ourselves?

Swine flu is spread from person to person in the same way as seasonal flu: through coughing or sneezing and by touching surfaces contaminated with infected droplets. Proper hand hygiene is one of the best ways to guard against the flu. Flu viruses can live on your hands for up to five minutes, and can live on hard surfaces, like countertops and telephones, for up to two days. To reduce transmission:

Questions?

If you have questions or are concerned that your child may need care, contact your health care provider or Health Links at 788-8200 or 1-888-315 9257. You can also get more information on H1N1 flu at www.manitoba.ca/flu. 

What We Are Doing at RSDA

» Hand sanitizer available in kitchen and front lobby area
» Barres, door handles and mirrors will be disinfected daily
» If students miss classes due to the flu, we will offer make-up classes until December

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On hearing the fire alarm, pupils will be instructed to leave the building in single file in a calm and orderly manner. All possessions will be left in the building.The teacher in charge of each class will indicate the exit route to be used and everyone must be directed to the predetermined Assembly Point.  Running is not permitted.  Anyone who is not in class when the fire alarm sounds (i.e. washrooms or change room) must immediately go to the Assembly Point.  No one is allowed to re-enter the building until told to do so by the Fire Service personnel in attendance.

RSDA’s Assembly Point is the Cavalier Hotel’s Lobby.  We feel it is far enough away from the premises to afford protection from the heat and smoke in a fire situation.  It is also a good position that does not put pupils and staff at risk by emergency vehicles responding to the incident.

Once at the Assembly Point, the teacher will conduct a roll call.  This is to ensure that no one remains in the premises.  All parents and visitors in the dance studio at the time of evacuation must be included.  Teachers will report to the Receptionist or Directors to verify that everyone in their class is accounted for or to inform him/her of the number of persons missing.  Parents will be notified to pick up their children at the hotel if we are not able to get back into the studio safely.  All staff of RSDA have received instruction regarding their responsibilities in the event of any emergency.

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We Like to Keep In Touch:

We are a green studio that is concerned with the environment, so all notes are sent via email or available on our website to eliminate paper waste.  Parents are responsible to check emails and RSDA’s website for all information, notes and invoices sent home throughout the year.  

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