Student Policies
Students need to be dressed as outlined in the Dress Code and hair should be tied back.
No gum, food, or drinks during class. Water breaks will be permitted at the discretion of the dance instructor.
No foul language. This includes foul language on T-shirts/clothing worn in the studio.
Our Promise to You
To be inclusive
To provide high-quality dance instruction
To create a community embodied by kindness
To provide a safe space to explore creativity
To use age-appropriate choreography, costumes, and music
To be patient and give you room to grow and make mistakes
To build you up when we see progress and change
To have fun
Your Promise to Us
To bring a strong work ethic
To release your fear of failure
To be loud: encourage one another and celebrate one another loudly, give positive feedback and energy to instructor and peers
To show kindness, support, and love to yourself, and your peers
To be accountable to your teacher, your peers, and yourself
To be disciplined in your dance practice
To show up on time, prepared to participate
To follow the dress code and grooming code of standards
To have fun
Guardian Policies
We ask families to drop their dancer off, and return for pick up at the end of class. We've found that dancers are much less distracted and can participate more fully when they don't have admiring faces on the sidelines.
We recommend going for a coffee, or even watching from outside the studio through the glass. Of course, if your child needs some extra support on occasion, we're happy to make an exception. We just want to minimize the number of people in the studio during class so the dancers can focus on following along and making new friends.
It is important to The Happening to resolve any conflicts or disputes through respectful forms of communication. If a conflict arises we ask that you wait 24 hours until you send your email addressing the issue. If The Happening staff receive written or verbal communication that is disrespectful or demeaning, the family will be asked to leave The Happening Dance Company. A refund will not be issued.
Attendance & Absences
Attendance is taken at the start of each class. You need to let us know if your child will not be in class at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled class. Any absences, planned tardiness, or extended leaves, such as vacations need to be notified by email to hello@thehappeningdance.com.
Students will get two unexplained absences and then we will be following up with a phone call and a warning. The next unexplained absence you will be removed from the class.
Regular tardiness for class will not be tolerated as it is such a disruption to the class and to the instructor. Students need to be on time and prepared for class! Students need to be 5 minutes early for class and prepared mentally and physically for their session.
If a student misses a week of class, it’s important to look to the Class Videos that we have set up for each class to learn and review choreography from video! You should also arrive early the following week and kindly ask a fellow classmate to review what was missed and be caught up by the time the class starts. The expectation is that students have an idea of what was missed, especially if there was a lengthy absence.
Repeated absences (even 1x/month) have significant impacts on the teacher, the class, and the absent student. Regardless of the circumstance, absences will limit a student’s participation in the year-end recital choreography and could have an impact on them moving up to the next level.
Anti-Bullying Policies
At The Happening Dance, we are committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment where every dancer can learn, grow, and thrive. We believe that kindness, respect, and inclusion are fundamental values that should be upheld by all members of our dance community.
DEFINITION OF BULLYING
Bullying is defined as any deliberate act of intimidation, harassment, or aggression towards another individual, whether physical, verbal, or social. This includes, but is not limited to, teasing, name-calling, spreading rumors, exclusion, physical violence, and cyberbullying.
EXAMPLES OF BULLYING
Verbal Bullying:
Name-calling or teasing based on appearance, dance ability, or other personal attributes.
Making hurtful comments or spreading rumors about another dancer.
Physical Bullying:
Pushing, hitting, kicking, or other physical acts of aggression towards another dancer.
Intentionally tripping or blocking another dancer's path.
Social Bullying:
Excluding or isolating a dancer from group activities or conversations.
Spreading gossip or rumors about a dancer to undermine their reputation or social standing.
Cyberbullying:
Sending hurtful or threatening messages via social media, text messages, or other digital platforms.
Posting embarrassing or humiliating photos or videos of another dancer without their consent.
Emotional Bullying:
Manipulating or coercing another dancer into doing something they are uncomfortable with.
Undermining a dancer's confidence or self-esteem through constant criticism or belittling comments.
Discriminatory Bullying:
Targeting a dancer based on their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability.
Making derogatory remarks or jokes that perpetuate stereotypes or prejudices.
Power Imbalance:
Bullying behavior may be more pronounced when there is a perceived power imbalance, such as when older dancers target younger or less experienced dancers.
Dancers in positions of authority, such as team captains or lead roles, may use their status to bully or manipulate others.
OUR COMMITMENT
We are committed to fostering a culture of kindness and respect where every dancer feels safe and valued.
We take all reports of bullying seriously and will investigate each case thoroughly and promptly.
We will take appropriate disciplinary action against any individual found to have engaged in bullying behavior, up to and including suspension or expulsion from our dance programs.
REPORTING PROCEDURES
Any dancer who experiences or witnesses bullying behavior is encouraged to report it to a trusted staff member or instructor immediately.
Reports can be made in person, in writing, or anonymously through our confidential reporting system.
All reports will be handled with sensitivity and confidentiality to protect the privacy of those involved.
SUPPORT AND INTERVENTION
We are committed to providing support to victims of bullying and will take immediate steps to ensure their safety and well-being.
We will work with all parties involved to address the underlying issues and promote positive behavior change.
We will provide resources and support services to help victims of bullying cope and recover from their experiences.
PREVENTION AND EDUCATION
We will educate our dancers, staff, and parents about the importance of kindness, respect, and inclusion through ongoing communication and training.
We will incorporate anti-bullying lessons and discussions into our dance curriculum to promote empathy and conflict resolution skills.
We will actively work to create a supportive and inclusive dance environment where every student feels accepted and valued for who they are.