AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DANCE 

October 2011 Newsletter

We hope that our students are settled into their routines for the new school year and are enjoying their dance classes. Just a reminder to please make sure that the office has been informed of any changes to your child’s dance schedule since registration (i.e. dropped, added or switched class(es)).  Both your monthly fees and the ordering of recital costumes are based upon our computer generated class records, so it is essential that those records be accurate!!  If in doubt, you may confirm your child’s class schedule with Marikay in the office. 

RECITAL COSTUME DEPOSIT:  It may seem early, but we are already making recital preparations.  In order to ensure that costumes are received in time for pictures, we try to get our orders placed by late Fall.  We will begin the process of measuring each student for costumes within the next few weeks.  WE DO ASK THAT A COSTUME DEPOSIT OF 25.00 PER COSTUME BE MADE BY OCTOBER 15^TH.  This can be included with your monthly tuition, or it may be paid separately.  If paying by check, please be sure to note on the memo of your check that all or part of the amount is to be applied to costumes!  Our 3 year olds will have one costume which = 25.00 deposit.  All 4 year olds, kinderdance and primary classes will have two costumes which = 50.00 deposit. Students enrolled in individual classes (i.e. tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop or lyrical) will have one costume per class which = a deposit of $25.00 times the number of classes in which the student is enrolled.  PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ONCE A COSTUME IS ORDERED FOR A STUDENT, THE PARENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT EVEN IF LESSONS ARE LATER DISCONTINUED!  If you are in doubt regarding your child’s participation in recital, please see us in the office immediately.  Please remember that the costume fees collected now are only a deposit.  The balance of costume fees will be due in January.  Recital dates are June 2^nd& 3rd.Rehearsals will be held on June 1st.   The recital will be held in the Jackson Hall at TPAC.

CLASS MOMS:  Each year we ask for volunteers to serve as “class moms” (or “class dads”).  This is a role similar to that of a room mother, and we would like to have at least one “class mom” for each of our preschool, kinderdance and primary classes.  The first order of business for those who volunteer will be the planning of a small class party at Halloween (see section below).   In addition the class parent will be asked to serve as a liaison between the teacher and the parents to help communicate information regarding costumes, recital, scheduling changes etc. Those who would like to volunteer for this position should notify the office OR their child’s teacher.  Each “class mom” will be given a list containing the names, email addresses and phone numbers of all the class members.  If anyone objects to his or her phone number/email being given to the class mom, please let us know right away. 

HALLOWEEN PARTIES:  All preschool and primary combination classes will have their Halloween parties during their class time the week of October 24^th.  The party schedule will be as follows:  Monday classes – 24^th; Tuesday classes – 25^th; Wed. classes – 26^th, Thurs. classes – 27^th; Friday classes – 28^th, Saturday classes – 29^th.    Children may wear costumes to class if they wish, or they may dress as a “dancer”.  Classes will be conducted as usual on party day with refreshments being served during the last 15 – 20 minutes.  Refreshments should be simple (i.e. juice boxes, cookies etc).    The “class mom” should ask for volunteers to bring the party refreshments.  We will announce a revised class schedule for Monday, October 31^stsince we know many children will want to go trick or treating on that night.  Monday classes, please watch for a separate email with

this information.

NASHVILLEPREDATORS AMERICAN ACADEMYOF DANCE NIGHT:  On Thursday, October 27^thMr. El’s Thursday and Friday hip hop classes & Mr. Kemmian’s Wednesday night hip hop classes will perform from 5:30 – 6:30 PM outside of the Bridgestone arena just prior to the Predator’s game. All families/friends of American Academy of Dance may receive discounted tickets to the October 27th game by calling Brian Goodheart at 615-770-2384.  Be sure to indicate that you are with American Academy of Dance in order to receive the discount.  For $25.00 you will receive an upper level ticket which normally sells for $36.00.  For $51.00 you will receive a Mezzanine level ticket with all-you-can-eat hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, popcorn etc.  This is a $75.00 value.  Those hip hop students who are dancing will have a special practice on Saturday, October 22^ndfrom 4PM until 6PM here at the studio.  Mr. El and Mr. Kemmian will make announcements in class this week regarding “costuming” for the performance.  We encourage all AAD friends and families to come and enjoy a fun evening!!

.MICELLANEOUS NOTES: 

• We will NOT be closed on Columbus Day nor during any school system’s Fall Break.
• We often have requests from parents for their child’s class list.  These contain the children’s names, mothers’ names, email address, phone numbers and mailing address.  If you object to this information being given to other parents in your child’s class, please notify the office immediately.  We never release client information to anyone outside of the studio.
• If you desire to speak to your child’s teacher, please leave your name and number in the office, and Marikay will ask the teacher to phone you.  It is very difficult for teachers to speak to parents in between classes as this delays the start of the next class.   
• In addition to emailing a monthly newsletter to all of our parents, we also post a copy on our website each month and post copies on the viewing windows of our dance rooms..  Please make it a top priority to read the newsletter since this is our primary means of communicating information to parents!!
• Proposed Picture Dates:  March 24^hthrough April 1st.  Please mark this on your calendar now.
• We realize that parking is often at a premium in our parking lot.  However, we ask that only those with handicapped tags use the handicapped parking space.  In the past the Hendersonville Police have ticketed cars that were parked in our handicapped space without the appropriate tags.