Performing Group Policies
Placement Levels
We place students in our various levels based upon numerous criteria including maturity, performance, and ability. The idea is to group a student with other students of the same technical and performance abilities so that the whole group can dance to the best of their ability as a team.
We do not place students in levels based upon the numbers of years a student has taken dance or upon on the number of years they have been in the performing group. We do not base a student’s placement upon the friends that they have in various groups. The students are placed in groups based upon what they are currently able to do, and not upon what they might be able to do in the future.
If you feel that you have not been placed in the correct performing group level, please call the Studio so that we can have a conference and discuss this. We want all dancers to feel comfortable and confident in the level that they are placed.
Rate of Progress
A student’s rate of learning is personal and individual. Two students might start off in the same group, but we can never predict what a student’s rate of improvement will be. If one student progresses at a faster rate than the other, the two students most likely will not remain in the same group.
Our children are special. They deserve love and encouragement and need to be supported in their activities no matter what their rate of learning is. Please don’t ever suggest to your child or to the staff that a child, who is working very hard, is somehow less because they were not moved into the next higher level of a group as fast as another student was. Support and nurture your child in being the best they can be in the group level that is most appropriate for them.
Students Perform What They Know and What They Can Do Well
The performing group is faster paced than our regular classes. The students may be learning one to three numbers at any given time. Students, of course, are expected to practice and know their numbers; we, however, cannot predict whether a student will find it easy to learn more than one number at a time, or whether they will find it difficult. If a student is having difficulty learning several numbers at a time (whether because of absences, health issues, excessive homework, stress, or even because, given their level of development, they are simply not ready to learn this many dances) our current policy is to help the student by reducing the number of dances the student is required to learn. This might mean having them either learn one dance instead of two or three, or giving them an easier part in a dance.
If a Student is Concerned about their Level or Rate of Progress
If a student is concerned about their rate of progress, their level, or that they are not yet able to do some of the harder steps within their dances that they see their classmates doing, please call us. Students have many options to progress at an accelerated rate, and we are always willing to offer suggestions as to what the students should work on or the additional classes they may take to help them reach their goals faster.
Absences, Lateness, Injury
As a general rule, we expect students to attend all of their performing group classes and rehearsals and to attend 75% of all of their other regular classes. This being said, we understand that emergencies come up, that there are sometimes prior commitments, and there are illnesses. Most of your fellow dancers will accept a few prior commitments, occasional illness, and an emergency. They will not accept excessive absences or absences without an explanation that they view reasonable.
Prior Commitments; Absences, Arriving Late, or Leaving Early
If you have to miss any of the Performing Group Classes, or you need to arrive late, or leave early because of prior commitments, please contact the Studio as soon as possible. If an unexpected conflict comes up during the year let us know immediately. Sometimes we can work around these events if we know about them far enough in advance.
Note: Missing one Performing Group class for an important school event is generally not a problem if the student has attended all of their other classes. It becomes a problem when, for example, the student misses class one week for a special school event, misses another week due to illness, and then injures a toe and can’t dance full out on another. If a student has missed or can’t dance full out in three rehearsals (or parts of three rehearsals) in a short span of time, this can be a major problem. In this scenario, it will be up to the staff to decide what this student can participate in and what they can’t.
Not Being Able to Dance Full Out in Class
Iif you have an illness or injury you are still expected to attend your performing group classes unless your illness or injury is grave. You should try to dance or walk through class, or at the very least watch the class. If you are attending, but are for whatever reason, unable to dance full out (meaning giving it your all) with the group for more than 2 classes, we still have the problem that you are not actually physically dancing with your group members. We will be grateful that you are there watching (it shows your dedication and will give you a much better chance of catching up), but we still cannot fully work the dances, see what the dances look like, and we cannot make sure your partners are prepared. Even if you are in attendance, if you are not dancing, we may have to curtail what you do.
We have seen students trying to hobble through classes with an injury (because they are dedicated, because they want to dance, and because they don’t want to let their team down), but who in reality for their own safety’s sake and for the team’s sake should discuss with us the possibility of withdrawing from whatever upcoming event we have. We often hear a student or parent say, “I’ll be fine for the performance, I just can’t practice until then, but I know I can do it.” This position although extremely noble, is sometimes just not fair to the other members of the team, and can be physically dangerous to the student.
If you have any injury or physical limitation whatsoever, you must notify the staff and let us know the nature of the injury and what limitations you have, what the doctor has said, when your appointments are, and what the expected duration of the injury and recovery is. We need to know this so we know how to plan.
Students are Responsible for Learning what they Missed
If a student misses a performing group class or rehearsal, the student (depending on their age and level) is responsible for learning what they missed before the next class begins. We typically do not require Minis to obtain copies of classes, unless they are absent for several weeks. Older students will need to obtain a video of the Performing Group Class or Rehearsal that they missed. Students will need to bring a flash drive to the studio so we can place a copy of the class or rehearsal on the flash drive.
Conduct
Performing Group dancers must be courteous, kind, and respectful to all teachers and classmates (both those that are in the Performing Group and those that are not) at all times. This certainly includes when you are in the studio classrooms, the studio dressing rooms, and at all of our performances, conventions, and competitions. This also includes when you are out in public, when you email, when you text, and it also includes anything you might post on Facebook or similar websites.
You are role models for the other dancers at the studio, and they look up to you. We are a team and need to work together and treat each other like a team. Always encourage each other and stay positive. If there is ever a problem with students and/or teachers, please bring this (privately) to our attention immediately. We do not want any negative energy in this wonderful group. Please respect all dancers and teachers at the studio and especially at conventions and competitions. We are representing the Paul Klocke Dance Studio and want to foster a caring reputation of respect and teamwork.
Questions? Concerns?
We are very open to hearing any thoughts that you have.
We often hear from parents and students (months later) that they had a concern, but that they didn’t want to bother us with it. We appreciate that no one likes bringing up problems, but please talk to us (call Mr. Paul) if you feel that something is not working well at the studio. Please understand that we are often unaware of a problem until someone brings it to our attention.
If you have a concern, please contact Mr. Paul directly.
