A printable copy of the JMAD Studio Handbook
is available at the link below.

2023-2024 JMAD Studio Handbook

• Studio Policies
• Tuition & Fees
• Class Attire
• Recital Information
• Studio Calendar
• Studio Closings for Holidays

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2023-2024 Studio Policies

Behavior and Conduct
Joy McDaniel Academy of Dance and Gymnastics strives to be a positive, respectful, family friendly dance and gymnastics academy.
1. General

• Students, parents/legal guardians, guests, and any person(s) associated with students or parents/legal guardians are expected to be attentive, respectful, and polite to all JMAD instructors, staff members, fellow students, parents/legal guardians, and other persons present on the JMAD premises, at any event or function where they are representing JMAD (including but not limited to: performances, recitals, dance competitions, conventions, etc.)
• Gossip, intimidation, abuse, or disrespectful comments of any kind about JMAD, its staff, instructors, affiliates, students, and/or parents/legal guardians will not be tolerated whether on or off JMAD premises.
• Any grievances should be brought to the immediate attention of Joy McDaniel (Owner and Director) and not shared with other parents/legal guardians or students of JMAD past or present.
• The failure of students, parents/legal guardians, guests, and any persons associated with the student or parents/legal guardians to abide by these rules may result in the administrative withdrawal, suspension, or termination of the student.

2. Classroom

• Students should arrive to class on time, wearing proper attire (leotard, tights, etc.), and with the appropriate shoes.
• No chewing gum is allowed in the classroom.
• Students are expected to participate in class and behave respectfully toward instructors and classmates.
• Instructors are expected to make every effort to cultivate a healthy and respectful learning environment, and therefore reserve the right to implement class specific policies (including but not limited to: dress code, tardiness/absences, language, and cell phones). It is each individual instructor's responsibility to communicate any class-specific policies to students and parents.
• Regarding disruptive behavior in the classroom, instructors may discipline children by using time outs, or withholding rewards (such as stickers) as necessary. Instructors are expected to communicate with parent/legal guardians regarding disruptive behavior.

3. Social Media

• ​JMAD allows and encourages the use of social media to celebrate the hard work of our students and promote the art of dance and gymnastics.
• Slanderous, explicit, or abusive statements, videos, or posts made on any social media accounts including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc... toward, about or in association with JMAD, its staff, instructors, students, Parents/legal guardians, and affiliates will not be tolerated.
• Violation of this regulation may be grounds for immediate administrative withdrawal, suspension, or termination from JMAD.
• JMAD reserves the right to pursue legal action for any slanderous, explicit, or abusive social media posts that may cause harm in any manner to JMAD or its owners, directors, managers, instructors, or employees.
• It is highly recommended that parents/legal guardians supervise the JMAD related pictures and posts on their child's social media accounts.

Lobby Rules

• No horseplay: Parents are asked to keep students and waiting siblings from aggressive horseplay and running in the lobby.
• No tumbling: Students should not be doing any tumbling in the lobby.
• No food or drinks, except water.
• Courtesy: Please be courteous to fellow parents. Our lobby can become crowded, and a little common courtesy can go a long way.

Safety Rules

• Please be on time to pick up your child, and please do not leave your child early as supervision cannot be guaranteed because there are no breaks between classes.
• Please come to the door to pick up your child. Students under the advanced level classes will not be released to the parking lot without an adult.
• Please do not leave siblings in the lobby without a parent/guardian. The staff cannot be responsible for their safety.

Student/Parent/Teacher Relations

• Contacting instructors: Instructors can be contacted through the Parent Portal by selecting Contact Us and entering Attention: [Instructors Name] in the subject line of your message. Messages may also be left at the studio desk for instructors to call you back.
• Please do not call or text teachers at home on their personal phones – please respect the time they have with their families.

Parent Portal

• Parents/guardians have access to their studio account via the Parent Portal link on the JMAD website.
• From the Parent Portal you can send messages to the studio, view your registered classes, update your credit card, or bank account information, make payments, and more.
• Your Parent Portal can be accessed on our JMAD app available on the Apple App Store and Google Play store. In the app you can view and enroll in classes, make payments, manage your information, and receive notifications.

Communication

• Communication from the studio will be done by email. You are responsible for keeping a current active email address on file with the studio.
• If your email address changes, please login to your Parent Portal and make the change in your contact information.
• Important or emergency information will be sent by text messages. JMAD also uses the JMAD App to send out urgent messages/information. To receive these urgent messages, the JMAD App should be downloaded and PUSH notifications should be allowed.
• Information will be posted on the bulletin boards in the lobby. Please come in on a regular basis to check for new information.
• Social media: JMAD is on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Become a fan and keep up with the latest JMAD news and contests. (Use of photographs and/or videos on TikTok and YouTube require separate written permission from the parent/legal guardian.)

Personal Belongings

• Please label all shoes, dancewear, dance bags, coats, etc. with the student’s first and last name. Please write your dancers name on the bottom of their shoes.
• Please do not send toys or jewelry with your child.
• Lost and found Items will be placed in the plastic bin in the lobby. Please check the bin for any lost items. At the end of the dance year (May), any unclaimed items will be donated.

Attendance

• Regular attendance is imperative, as absences and tardiness can hold back an entire class.
• Please make every effort to have your child at every class. If your child must be absent from any class, please call JMAD ahead of time to inform them of the absence.
• If a student does not attend school due to illness, please do not send them to the studio.
• There will be no refund, nor any make up classes for missed classes.
• If a student misses 3 or more consecutive classes, the child may be administratively withdrawn and/or unable to participate in the annual recital with no refunds.

Withdrawal Policy

• In the event it becomes necessary to withdraw a student from a class and/or JMAD, the parent/legal guardian must complete a withdrawal form (available at the studio) and return it to the front desk before the 1st of the month.
• If the withdrawal is submitted after the 1st of the month, the parent/legal guardian is responsible for that month's tuition. The tuition will be paid by one of the following:
  • Automatic e-payment for those enrolled in Automatic e-Payments
  • Pre-paid May tuition paid at the time of registration for those enrolled in Pay at Studio/Parent Portal.
• The parent/legal guardian is responsible for any outstanding balance on the account. The outstanding balance is due at the time of withdrawal.

Inclement Weather Policy

• In the event of inclement weather, morning classes may be cancelled. A notice will be posted on the website by 9:15 am if morning classes are cancelled, and you may call the studio after 9:15.
• For afternoon classes, please call the studio or check the website after 2:30 to see if classes will be held. We do not always cancel afternoon classes because many times the roads are clear by the afternoon.
• There is one week of inclement weather built into our 32- week schedule. Classes will only be made up if 2 or more weeks are missed due to inclement weather.

Observation

• No observers are allowed in the classroom during classes.
• There will be Zoom observation days in October and January for weekly classes.
• Weekly observation is available with the Premium Tuition Upgrade.
• For 6-week classes, there will be a Zoom observation time the last class of each 6-week session.

Recital

• The annual recital is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2024.
• Mandatory Stage Rehearsals are tentatively scheduled for May 13-17, 2024. Students must attend their scheduled mandatory rehearsals to be in the recital.
• Since costumes add excitement and a professional quality to our recital, all our students perform in costume.
• Costume prices are approximately $70 each.
• Combination dance classes will have two costumes and other classes will have one per subject.
• Costumes payments will be divided into 2 non-refundable payments due in November and February.
• A non-refundable recital fee is due in February. The recital fee is $90 for one student and $110 for two or more students.

Photographs/Videos/Marketing

• Photographs and/or videos of students and/or their class(es) may be taken for the promotion of JMAD.
• Any photographs and/or videos may be used for, but not limited to brochures, literature, newspaper advertising, website, social media accounts, etc. (Use of photographs and/or videos on TikTok and YouTube require separate written permission from the parent/legal guardian.)
• Students’ names will not be included with the photographs unless the director of JMAD obtains separate permission from the parent/legal guardian.
• No compensation will be provided for such use.

Preparing for Class

• Students are to enter the dance room fully dressed for class and proper shoes on.
• Combination classes (Preschool, Advanced Beginner, and Intermediate dance classes) will need to have ballet shoes on each week when entering class. Please put tap shoes in a dance bag that they will bring into class with them. Put your child’s name on shoes and bag. The teachers and assistants will help dancers change shoes in the middle of class.

What to Expect your First Week

• The Lobby can be very crowded the first few weeks of classes. This will settle down after the first few weeks.
• Like school, the first few weeks of class are review. This allows everyone to get comfortable with new classes and new teachers. Also, teachers can evaluate students to be sure they are in the correct class.
• If students have been placed in classes that are not correct for them—Don’t worry, we will find a more suitable class!
• The parking lot can be very busy, especially as classes are changing. This is something that can’t be helped. Please be careful to watch for children!
• It is best to get your child in class on time, ready to dance.
• Younger students will be walked out into the lobby to the exit door for pick up.
• 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. It is not uncommon to have a few dancers on a few hips the first month of class!
  • The best way to ensure success is for parents to assure them they are going to have fun. Leave as quickly as possible and make sure the door is closed. Please keep noise down in the lobby, and don’t let siblings open or knock on the door. This will distract the students.
• Please have all students use the bathroom before class. Teachers will gladly take students if they do need to go during class, but this can be a disruption.

2023-2024 Tuition & Fees

Tuition and Membership Fees

• Membership Fee - A non-refundable $40 per student Membership Fee is due at registration. The Membership fee is processed automatically upon receipt of registration.
• Rollover membership will occur on May 1 of each year for currently enrolled students. With Rollover Membership, the membership fee will be automatically processed to the account or card on file on May 1 unless an opt out form is completed by April 25.
• Standard Tuition – Tuition is $68 per month for one class per week. A multi-class discount is available and is based on the total number of classes per family. Multi-class fees can be found on page 5 of the Studio Handbook. An additional discount is given to families enrolled in automatic e-payments using a bank account.
• Optional Premium Tuition is standard tuition plus a $5 additional monthly charge. This option includes the ability to watch your child's classes through the JMAD app on one device per account. This option is available September -April.
• For students registering after the first of the month, the first month's tuition will be processed to the account or card on file at the time of enrollment.
• Failure to pay tuition by the 20th of the month may result in your child(ren) being administratively withdrawn from JMAD.
• Tuition is based on 32 weeks of classes and payments are averaged out over 9 1⁄2 months. Our 32-week schedule includes an inclement weather week.

Annual Tuition Discount
A 10% tuition discount is available for students wishing to pay the entire year in advance. This offer expires September 5th. ANNUAL TUITION IS NON-REFUNDABLE
Late Fee
A late fee of $10.00 will be added if tuition is not paid by the 15th of the month.
Returned Check/Auto-E-Payment From Bank Account
A $25 Fee will be added to returned checks or returned EFT.

Payment Options

1. Annual Payment -Tuition for the year paid in full.

• A 10% discount will be given for tuition paid in full for the 2023-2024 year by September 5, 2023. This fee is non-refundable.
• Annual Tuition can be paid at the studio by the first class in August or by Automatic E-Payment to be processed on August 5, 2023.
• Premium Annual tuition option - a one-time $40 charge will be added to JMAD annual payment accounts that wish to upgrade to the Premium tuition option. This charge will be processed to the account/card on file on the 5th of September. This option includes the ability to watch your child's classes through the JMAD app on one device per account September - April.
• With Annual payment option, the following fees will be processed automatically if not paid prior to the due date:
  • Costume deposit of $55 per costume on November 9, 2023. The Costume Fee is non- refundable.
  • Costume balance on February 16, 2024. The Costume Balance is non-refundable.
  • Recital Fee of $90 for one child or $110 for 2 or more children on February 16, 2024. The Recital fee is non-refundable.

2. Monthly Automatic E-payments

• Monthly tuition can be paid by enrolling in automatic e-payments using a bank account or credit/debit card when registering.
• Families enrolled in automatic e-payments using a bank account will receive an auto-pay discount on their monthly tuition. A $25 fee will be charged to all returned bank drafts.
• A $10 late fee will be added to all declined/returned automatic e-payments if tuition is not paid by the 15th of the month. If a payment is declined/returned, the parent/guardian is responsible for verifying account information and making the payment either through the Parent Portal or at the studio.
• In choosing the Premium Tuition option, a $5 monthly charge will be added to my monthly tuition charge processed on the 5th of the month (September -April).
• Monthly Automatic E-payments for tuition will be processed on the 5th of each month, August-May, unless JMAD is notified in writing to discontinue them. If you need to change this agreement, you are responsible for changing your payment option and/or your account information in your Parent Portal; and May tuition will be due immediately if changing payment options.
• With Monthly Automatic E-payments, the following fees will be processed if not paid prior to the due date:
  • Costume deposit of $55 per costume on November 9, 2023. The Costume Fee is non-refundable.
  • Costume balance on February 16, 2024. The Costume Balance is non-refundable.
  • Recital Fee of $90 for one child or $110 for 2 or more children on February 16, 2024. The Recital fee is non-refundable.

3. Monthly Payments at the Studio or on the Parent Portal

• Tuition may also be paid in person at the studio each month by cash, check, or credit/debit card or paid on the Parent Portal by the parent/guardian.
• With this option, tuition for May 2024, is due when enrolling or when changing to this payment option.
• Tuition is due by the first lesson of each month, August-April. Monthly statements are not sent out unless the account is past due.
• In choosing the Premium Tuition option, a $5 monthly charge will be added to my monthly tuition charge and is due with tuition payment by the first lesson of the month (September -April).
• A $10 late fee will be added to tuition not paid by the 15th of the month. A $25 fee will be added to all returned checks.

6-Week Classes

• No Membership fee for six-week classes.
• Payment of $66 will be processed to credit card/bank account on file when registering for each session. Six-week classes are not eligible for Pay at Studio/Parent Portal Option.
• Premium tuition option for 2/3-year-old classes- $5 additional charge will be added to JMAD accounts that wish to upgrade to the Premium tuition. This option includes the ability to watch your child’s classes through the JMAD app on one device per account. This option is available the 2nd through the 5th weeks of each session.
• Six-week classes are not eligible for multi-class or auto-pay discounts.
• Six-week classes do not participate in the May Recital.
• For 2/3 year 6-week classes, there will be an observation on Zoom during part of the last class of each 6-week session.

Summer Sessions

• No Membership fee for Summer sessions.
  
• There are no discounts offered for the Summer Session.
  
• Payment for the summer session will be processed to the credit card/bank account on file when registering for each Summer session.
  
• Summer Session camps and classes are available on the JMAD website.

Attire for Classes 

Combination Ballet & Tap Classes Girls	Combination Ballet & Tap Classes Boys
Black leotard Pink Tights Pink Ballet shoes Tan tap shoes​	T-shirt Shorts or pants that they can move in (no blue jeans) Black ballet shoes Black Tap shoes​

Gymnastics Classes ​Girls	Gymnastics Classes ​Boys
Leotard (any color or style) Shorts may be worn ​White Gymnastic shoes	T-shirt Shorts or pants that they can move in (no blue jeans) Black gymnastic shoes or barefooted

Ballet Level Classes	Ballet Technique Classes
Leotard (any color) Tights (any color) Ballet skirt (optional) Booty shorts (optional) Pink ballet shoes	Black leotard Convertible pink tights Black ballet skirt ​Pink ballet shoes

Tap Level Classes	​Jazz Classes
Leotard (any color) Tights (any color) Booty shorts (optional) ​Bloch black lace-up tap shoes (if buying new ones)	Leotard (any color or style) Tights (any color or style) ​Booty shorts, jazz pants, or leggins (optional) Tan Jazz shoes

Contemporary	Hip Hop Girls & Boys
Leotard (any color) Contvertible Tights (any color) Booty shorts (optional) ​Ballet shoes or Footies	Comfortable clothes you can move in (no blue jeans) Girls - no crop tops - must wear long t-shirt or leotard Tennis shoes

6-week Pre-Ballet Class ​Girls	​6-week Pre-Ballet Class ​Boys
Leotard Pink ​Ballet shoes	T-shirt Shorts or pants that they can move in (no blues jeans) Black ballet shoes

6-week Toddler Music & Tumbling Girls	6-week Toddler Music & Tumbling ​Boys
Leotard ​Gymnastic shoes or barefooted	T-shirt Shorts or pants that they can move in (no blue jeans) Gymnastic shoes or Barefooted

​2024 Recital

Recital Date and Times

• The ANNUAL RECITAL is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2024.
  
• Recital times to be announced.

Mandatory Rehearsals

• MANDATORY Stage Rehearsals are tentatively scheduled for May 13-17, 2024.
  
• All students must be present and participate in MANDATORY stage rehearsals with their class(es) to perform in the Annual Recital.
  
• Any school graduation, concert/performance, or other significant event dates conflicting with any of the MANDATORY rehearsal dates must be submitted in writing to JMAD by February 1, 2024. After this date, there will be no alterations to the rehearsal schedule.

Costume Policy

• Costumes are required for performance in the annual recital. Costume prices are approximately $70.
  
• Combination dance classes will have two costumes, and other classes will have one per subject.
  
• The costume deposit of $55 per costume is due November 9, 2023, and the costume balance is due February 16, 2024. The costume deposit and the costume balance are non-refundable.
  
• Costumes will be distributed after Spring Break. Your account balance must be paid in full before your student can receive costumes.

Recital Fee

• A non-refundable Recital Fee is due February 16, 2024. The Recital Fee is $90 for one student and $110 for families with 2 or more students.
  
• The Recital Fee covers stage rental, scenery, lighting, programs, sound, and other facility expenses.
  
• More information will be available closer to Recital time.

Recital Payments

• Auto e-Payment Accounts: Fees for your student(s) will be charged to the card/bank account you have on file, unless you have already paid the fees by the due dates. (See Costume Policy and Recital Fee above.)
  
• Pay at Studio/Parent Portal Accounts: Fees are to be paid at the studio or on your Parent portal by the due dates. (See Costume Policy and Recital Fee above.)
  
• All costume deposits, costume balances and recital fee must be paid by the due dates. A $10 late fee will be added if fees are not paid by the due date.
  
• If any payments become overdue, you are responsible for working with the director of JMAD to set up a payment plan. Failure to pay the required costume fee and recital fee may result in your child(ren) not being allowed to participate in the annual recital.

Recital Program
Ads will be sold for our Recital program book. Selling ads is optional. There will be 2 award winners with the first-place ad seller wining a year’s tuition scholarship (1 class per week) to JMAD for 2024-2025 season. The Ad information letter and the Advertisement contract will be available by March.
Pictures
Group pictures to go in our Recital program will be taken at the studio in April. Individual pictures will also be taken at the studio at the same time as group pictures. Group and individual pictures will be available for purchase. Dates and times will be announced in the Spring.
Optional Recital Items

• Recital Digital Download - Our Recital is professionally recorded. Ordering information for the downloads will be available in April. Downloads are optional.
  
• Recital T-shirts - Recital T-shirt order forms for the 2024 Recital will be available in April. T-shirts are optional.
  
• Roses & Recital Bears – Roses and Recital bear orders will be available in April. Roses & bears are optional.
  
• Recital Experience Bundles – In March, optional items will also be available as a bundle at a discounted price.

2023-2024 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

August 2023
5 – 10:00-1:00 Open House & shoe fitting
10 & 15– 4:30-6:30 shoe fitting
19 -25 – 1st week of classes
25 – 4:30-6:30 Shoe Fitting

September 2023
2 -4 – No classes (Labor Day)
8 – 4:30-6:30 Shoe fitting

October 2023
TBA – Zoom Observation Week
9-15 – FALL BREAK
24-31 – Whacky Week (wear costumes)

November 2023
9 – Recital Deposits due
20-26 – THANKSGIVING BREAK

December 2023
TBA – Gymnastics Zoom Observation Week
TBA – Christmas Dance Performance
17-January 2 – CHRISTMAS BREAK

January 2024
3 – Classes start back
TBA – Zoom Observation week
29- Feb 3 – PJ Week

February 2024
16 – Costume Balances & Recital Fee due

March 2024
11-17 – SPRING BREAK

April 2024
TBA – Group & Individual Pictures
TBA – Production Picture & Rehearsal
27(?) – Arlington in April

May 2024
6-11- Studio Rehearsals
13-17 – Mandatory Stage Rehearsals
18 – RECITAL

Holidays

The Studio will be closed for the following holidays.

Labor Day - September 2-4, 2023
Fall Break - ​October 9-15, 2023
Thanksgiving - November 20-26, 2023
Christmas - December 17, 2023-January 2, 2024
Spring Break - March 11-17, 2023

Please stop by the front desk if you have questions or concerns.
We want your JMAD experience to be positive and rewarding.