Studio East Homeschool Drama Policies 2011-12

Registration and Payment

Students must be within the prescribed age range on the first day of class. Exceptions made only by special permission of the Education Director.
Registrations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. We will carry wait-lists for all classes that reach maximum enrollment and invite new registrations if space becomes available.
A non-refundable deposit of $25 per student per class is due at the time of registration. Payment options include Visa, MasterCard, check and cash. The deposit is applied to the tuition due at the semester due dates.
At the time of registration a valid credit/debit card number or post-dated check is required for the balance of tuition, which will be processed on the established payment dates. If registering for multiple classes and paying by check, a separate check is required for each class.
Tuition for full year Production Classes can be split into two sums, payable on regular Fall and Winter Session due dates.
An email reminder will be sent one week in advance of payment due dates.
In addition to our scholarship fund, we are happy to work with families who need to make alternative payment arrangements. Please contact Betty Gibelyou at 425-820-1800 x100 in advance of the payment due date to discuss a multi-payment agreement.

Tuition Deadlines

Full tuition for Fall Classes is due September 7, 2011.
Full tuition for Winter Classes is due January 4, 2012.
Spring Mini-Classes will be offered from April 30 – June 1, 2012, and payment information will be taken at the time of registration. You will receive a phone call to advise you we are charging your card when the class is officially a Go.

Homeschool Class Withdrawal and Refund Policy

If you withdraw:

Before 1^st class: Full refund, less the $25 deposit.
After 1^st or 2^nd class: You will receive a partial refund, pro-rated by the number of classes attend, less the $25 deposit.
After 3^rd class: No refund, but 50% of total class tuition will be held as a credit that must be used by August 31st, 2012.
After 4^th class: No refund or credit.
Based on availability, we would be happy to transfer your student to another class in the current year.
Studio East reserves the right to adjust classes and Instructors or to cancel classes based upon enrollment. Full refunds will be given for canceled classes.

Mini-Class Withdrawal and Refund Policy

If you withdraw:

Before 1^st class: Full refund, less the $25 deposit.
After 1^st class: You will receive a partial refund, pro-rated by the number of classes attend, less the $25 deposit.
After 2^nd class: No refund, but 50% of total class tuition will be held as a credit that must be used by August 31st, 2012.
After 3^rd class: No refund or credit.
Studio East reserves the right to adjust classes and Instructors or to cancel classes based upon enrollment. Full refunds will be given for canceled classes.

Tuition Reimbursement

We are happy to provide paperwork for you to obtain reimbursement for tuition from a school district or other educational agency. If the district or agency will pay tuition in advance, we’ll work out the necessary paperwork directly with the agency. If the agency will only reimburse after the class has ended, we will need you to pay us on our regular due dates and then seek reimbursement separately.

Scholarships

We understand that not all families can afford full tuition for our programs. Studio East has a Scholarship Fund which allows us to give partial scholarships to a limited number of deserving students. If your family needs financial assistance to participate in our classes, please submit your completed Financial Aid Form to the front office as soon as possible. Forms are available on our website, in person or by fax or email.

Work Study Opportunities

Students age 12 and older may be able to earn Tuition Trade for this and other Studio East programs by assisting classes and camps. Talk to Laura Shepherd, Education Director, for more information.

Emergency Forms

Students cannot participate without returning a fully completed and signed Emergency Form to the Studio on or before the first day of class. You will receive an electronic copy of the Emergency and Medical Information form attached to the email confirming your registration, and you can also find it on our website. You can keep it filled out on your computer and ready to print for your next Studio East program.

Special Needs

Studio East Instructors are usually able to create ways for children with special needs to succeed. Please write down any and all medications and any physical, emotional or behavioral challenges your child may have on your student’s Medical Information Form, and discuss them with the Education Director and/or with your child’s Instructor prior to the first day of class. This information will make our class instruction more effective and your child’s experience more rewarding. All staff and Instructors follow the Studio’s Confidentiality Policy, so your privacy will be protected. Please note that staff members cannot monitor or administer medications.

Absence and Illness

Instructors do appreciate notice if your student must miss class for any reason. Please alert the Studio if your student will be absent by calling (425) 820-1800.
If your child is ill, contagious and/or running a fever, please DO NOT bring him/her to class.
Studio East staff and Instructors cannot dispense medication to your child.
If your child has a condition which necessitates carrying and/or self-administering medication during class time, please share all pertinent information with the Education Director prior to the first day of class.

Food at Studio East

Due to limited space and time, anticipated clean-up and staff responsibilities, we cannot support any celebrations involving edible treats during Studio East programs. We will celebrate students’ birthdays with a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday” when you alert us in advance!

Drop Off and Pick Up

Our youngest students must be signed in and out at the beginning and end of class by a parent or guardian. You will find a notice on your class letter when applicable. Please ensure you have enough time to walk your student to and from his/her classroom each day.
We hope that all of our students will be in class promptly each day. Please let us know if you will be late or need to pick up your student before class ends.

Students may not be left unattended outside of class times. Arriving up to 15 minutes early is encouraged, but all students must have adult supervision until the official start time of class. Students must be picked up promptly at the end of class.

Class Observation

Parents are not required to stay on site during Studio East classes. Parents are allowed to observe and may be asked to assist in class from time to time in certain classes. However, we have found that students often participate more freely in class activities without parent observation, and so we encourage you to wait in the theater lobby if you prefer to stay on site during classes. If you feel strongly about observing the entire class process, please talk with the Instructor about the best way to accommodate you without negatively impacting the students. Please do not bring other children with you if you are observing class.

Communication

Most communication will occur via email. Please check your email regularly for class announcements. Studio East encourages open communication between Instructors and families. Instructors will be available briefly before or after class to answer questions. If you have a question or concern outside of class time, please feel free to reach the Instructor by leaving a message with our Education Director, Laura Shepherd, at (425) 820-1800 x108, or by email.

Code of Conduct

We at Studio East value each and every individual. In order to create an environment where each student has the freedom to grow, both as a performer and as an individual, Studio East does not tolerate the following:

Fighting with another student, staff, volunteer or parent
Destruction or theft of Studio East property or materials
Disrespect towards oneself or others
Use of inappropriate language and/or innuendo
Racial or sexual harassment (including inappropriate physical contact)

Student Responsibilities and Expectations

(Parents are expected to read and enforce these policies with their children)

Plan Ahead: Arrive on time with required materials and completed work.
Behave Respectfully: Treat teachers, parents, other students, and staff with respect at all times. Respect the space you are in and keep it clean.
Challenge Yourself: Strive to do your best work at every class, take initiative to stay ahead of deadlines, and give 100% energy and focus to class activities.