April 2010 Newsletter
Dear Parents:
Again this month our newsletter is packed with important information. At the end of the newsletter WE HAVE INCLUDED A “PARENT CHECKLIST” that recaps all of the items that you need to be aware of and attend to between now and the recital. We have also included the checklist as an attachment to the email. Please print this out for reference so that you don’t overlook anything important!! The body of the newsletter contains all of the details. Please read it carefully.
Lobby Etiquette: For the comfort and safety of all our patrons waiting in the lobby areas, all children must remain in the same waiting area with their parents and should remain seated, quiet and respectful of others who are in the building. We have received recent complaints regarding rowdy play going on in the hallways and lobby areas. Children should bring toys that they can sit and play with quietly – please NO balls. We realize that it can be difficult to occupy a very young sibling for 45 minutes or an hour. Please know that we do not mind parents leaving during their children’s classtime as long as they return by the time class is dismissed.
Recital Schedule Recap: Our recital dates are Saturday, June 5th and Sunday, June 6th. Please refer to the March newsletter or check with the office if you do not know which day your child will be performing. On Saturday, June 5th the probable start time for our “Mary Poppins” Ballet will be 5:00 PM. The ballet will be followed by the show featuring tap, jazz, hip hop(grade 3 and up) and lyrical dances which will start at approximately 6:30 PM. One ticket will get the ticket holder into both the 5:00 and 6:30 productions on Saturday. The dress rehearsal for the “Mary Poppins” Ballet will begin at approximately 11:30 AM on Friday, June 4th. The dress rehearsal for the 6:30 Saturday show will begin at approximately 12:30 on Friday, June 4th.
The Sunday, June 6th show will begin at 2:00 PM. The dress rehearsal for the Sunday show will be held on Friday, June 4th beginning around 5:30 PM. Both the shows and the dress rehearsals will be held at TPAC’s Jackson Hall.
A lineup of all the recital performances has been posted on the bulletin board outside of the office. PLEASE CHECK THIS TO SEE THE ORDER OF THE PROGRAM AND TO TAKE NOTE OF WHERE YOUR CHILD’S DANCES FALL IN THE LINEUP. ALSO PLEASE CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CHILD’S NAME IS SPELLED CORRECTLY IN THE LINEUP. Marikay types all of this information, and a typographical error is always a possibility – even though she tries to be very careful! We depend upon our parents to help us proofread!
Recital Tickets: Many of our parents have been inquiring about recital tickets. As we stated in last month’s newsletter, you will receive THREE tickets with your recital fee. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE PERFORMING CHILD MUST USE ONE OF THESE TICKETS. Dancers are seated with their parents before and after their performance, so they are required to have a ticket. This year we will utilize a lottery system to assign each family a specific day to come to pick up their tickets. On your assigned day you will come to the studio to receive the tickets that you have coming with your recital fee, and on that same day you will have the opportunity to purchase any extra tickets that you need. We WILL be utilizing reserved seating, and this year each family may receive UP TO 4 seats on the main level with all remaining seats being located in the tier. We have over 300 students performing in each recital, and this will ensure that all students and moms are able to be seated on the main level. Recital tickets will be given out contingent upon the following 2 criteria: FIRST, YOUR ACCOUNT WILL NEED TO BE PAID IN FULL BY THE DATE ON WHICH YOU PICK UP YOUR TICKETS – INCLUDING MAY TUITION AND ALL OTHER FEES. SECONDLY, YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE TURNED IN PAYMENT TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER FOR PICTURES THAT YOU WANT TO PURCHASE, AND YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE RETURNED ANY UNWANTED PHOTOS THAT YOU ARE NOT KEEPING. We will have plenty of seats this year since we performing in the big Jackson Hall. Therefore, if you need extra tickets at the last minute (above and beyond what you originally purchased) they will be able to be purchased at the door prior to the shows. However, keep in mind that last minute purchases will not be in the same block of seats as your original tickets. Extra tickets will cost $10.00 each. PLEASE NOTE: The studio will NOT buy back any tickets. Please take this into consideration when purchasing tickets, so that you do not end up with unwanted tickets!
Pictures: Pictures may arrive as early as this Saturday. We will send a separate email to notify you when they are here. You will pick up your picture packet in the office and will be required to sign it out. We ask that you return the packet within one week. All of the pricing will be printed on the front of the packet. You will remove the photos that you desire to keep and place the unwanted photos back in the envelope. Place payment for the photos that you are keeping in the envelope with the unwanted photos and return it to the office. When dropping off your envelope, be sure that you sign your packet back in! Please note that different poses are printed in different sizes. In other words, they do NOT print every pose in every size. If you want a particular picture in a size other than the size(s) in which it was printed, please refer to the instructions for ordering reprints that will be included in your package. Our dance studio has no control over the pose selection/printing process.
Program Ad: THOSE WHO PLACED ORDERS FOR PROGRAM ADS WILL NEED TO TURN IN THEIR POSE SELECTIONS IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIVING THEIR PHOTOS. The pose number will be located in fine print on the border of the picture. You may call us with your pose numbers, email them or record them on a designated sheet in the office. If you purchased an ad featuring multiple photos, be sure to indicate how you desire the placement of your photos on the ad layout.
Recital Tee Shirts: Each student will receive a commemorative recital tee shirt featuring this year’s theme, “Dance Party”. The cost of the shirt is included with your recital fee. WE NEED EVERYONE TO INDICATE THE SIZE THAT THEY WOULD LIKE FOR THEIR CHILD. We have posted a student list on the bulletin board. PLEASE take a moment to write in your child’s tee shirt size next to his or her name on the list!! Sample sizes should be available next week so that you may view them for sizing purposes. We ask that you take care of this ASAP, so that we can get our order in to the printer. Each year we do a finale dance at the end of each show, and all of the dancers are invited to participate. The finale dance will be taught in class. Keep in mind that participation in the finale dance is OPTIONAL!!! Those who elect to participate will wear their recital tee shirt in the dance.
Account Balances: Because the receipt of recital tickets is contingent upon your account balance being paid in full by the ticket sales date, we will email statements to all parents by MAY 1st so that you may see your final balance. PLEASE DON’T FORGET THAT THE $55.00 RECITAL FEE AND THE $3.00 PER COSTUME PICTURE FEES ARE NOW DUE!! Please note that the recital fee is different from the costume fee that you paid earlier in the year. Marikay will go ahead and post the May tuition charge to all accounts next week, so that you will receive the full payoff amount when you receive your email statement. Even though the May tuition will be posted early, be assured that it will not actually be due until the usual time – May 15th being the deadline. Auto debits will be run the first week of May, as usual. PLEASE NOTE that all account payments made AFTER MAY 15th will need to be made by cash or credit card. Checks will not be accepted after May 15th. Please email or call if you have questions regarding your account.
Summer Programs & Classes: We are offering a variety of classes and camps for students during the summer. These will include preschool classes; hip hop for elementary, middle school and high school students; a yoga/stretch class for dancers; a performing arts camp; a summer dance intensive; and a “Little Rock Star” camp. By May 1st you may visit our website and click on the “summer programs” tab to see the detailed listing of summer classes and fees. We will also have printed brochures detailing our summer programs that will be available in the office within the next few weeks. This year, you will be able to register for all of our summer programs online beginning MAY 1st. Online registration may be accessed through our website. Please spread the word about our summer programs to your friends and neighbors!!
Please be sure to let us know now if you will need shoes or dancewear of any kind before recital. We will place a final order within the next few weeks.
PARENT CHECKLIST:
* Make sure that you know which day your child performs. Check with the office if in doubt. Be sure you have the recital and dress rehearsal dates/times marked on your calendar.
* Check the recital lineup (posted outside office) to see where your child’s dances fall in the program.
* Check the spelling of your child’s name in the lineup. Report any errors to Marikay.
* Write your child’s tee shirt size next to his or her name on the student list posted outside of the office
* Check your account balance to make sure that all fees etc. have been paid. Final payments will be due no later than May 15th.
* Watch your email for the announcement regarding picture delivery. Pick up your pictures promptly from our office and return payment and unwanted photos within one week.
* If you ordered a program ad, select your pose or poses immediately upon receipt of your pictures and report your selections to the office
* Watch your email for an announcement regarding ticket distribution/sale dates. Tickets will not be distributed until just a few weeks prior to recital. A lottery system will be used to assign each family a specific date on which to pick up their tickets and purchase extras if needed. Decide how many tickets (in addition to the ones you receive with your recital fee) that you will need. Unwanted tickets will NOT be bought back by the studio.
* Let us know ASAP if you need us to order shoes for your child before recital.
* Visit our website or pick up a brochure to learn about our summer classes/programs. You may register online for the summer session beginning May 1st.
