Studio Policies

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STUDIO ETIQUETTE

Fortitude Dance Centre is a positive, supportive and disciplined studio with a focus on building strong, well rounded dancers. We believe respect is important on all levels and therefore expect our dancers and their parents to treat all instructors, staff, and fellow classmates with the utmost respect. There is zero tolerance for bullying of any kind, foul language, and rowdy/disruptive behaviour.

Dancers are to follow the classroom rules set out by their instructors. For their safety, they will be asked to refrain from touching the mirrors and other classroom equipment unless otherwise instructed. The use of barres, mats, and props is a privilege. If the dancer is demonstrating distracting or unsafe behaviour (ex. hanging off the barre, swinging props around, etc.) they will be asked to discontinue use for the remainder of the class.

Parents, please do not leave your child(ren), dancers or otherwise, unattended in the lobby. Please be watchful to ensure the safety of your child(ren) and be mindful of the treatment of studio property. We cannot guarantee or provide extended supervision or care beyond the allotted class time. It is important that parents arrive at least 5 minutes prior to the end of the class in order to pick up their child(ren). For their own safety, dancers must wait inside the studio for parents to come in and pick them up. 

Parents are not allowed in the classroom while there is a class in session. Viewing opportunities are at the discretion of the instructor.

ATTENDANCE

Fortitude Dance Centre expects dancers to attend class regularly and arrive on time (hair back and dance attire on prior to scheduled class time). Parents are asked to notify the studio if a class will be missed. Classes missed for illness or vacation will not be made up or refunded. 

CANCELLATIONS/CLOSURES

Fortitude Dance Centre reserves the right to close facilities, change instructors, cancel any activity with insufficient enrollment, or combine programs in which attendance falls below the minimum requirement. Payment schedules remain the same regardless of holidays, inclement weather, or other closures.

Classes cancelled due to inclement weather are not subject to a make-up lesson unless otherwise decided upon and communicated to you by the teacher and director. FDC closures will be made known on the studio website, and social media pages by 4:00pm on weeknights and 8:00am on weekends. Students/families will not be called or emailed directly to be notified of such instances. 

PAYMENT POLICIES

A completed PAD Form, Credit Card Authorization Form, or full payment must be provided within 3 days of registration to secure your child(ren)’s place in the program. Full year upfront payment can be made via cash, debit, credit card, cheque, or e-transfer.

For the monthly installment plan, the first installment for September will be withdrawn/charged 1 to 14 days after registration. The remaining 8 payments will be debited from your account on the 1st of each month (from October to May). Monthly payments are made via recurring credit card transactions or pre-authorized debits (VOID cheque required). Any payment returned with NSF will be subject to a $45 NSF fee and the balance of the payment will be due in cash or e-transfer before lessons can continue.

Costume fees are due October 15th (non-refundable). 

PROGRAM WITHDRAWAL

Registering your child(ren) with Fortitude Dance Centre is a choice. It is also a choice for FDC to accept your child(ren) into our programs. At any time, both the participating family and the studio have the option of terminating enrollment based on negligence or behavior that is contradictory to studio policies. 

To withdraw from the program, 30 days written notice is required. Payment is expected to continue within these 30 days but all subsequent transactions will be cancelled. If tuition was paid in full, the sum of the remaining months will be calculated by the director and returned. There are no refunds on costumes deposits. Tuition will continue to be processed until a formal withdrawal notice is received.

COVID-19 

(Added May 25, 2020) (Updated July 1, 2023)

With the COVID-19 pandemic comes stress and uncertainty. As we look to the future, and begin registration for Season 6, we want to assure you that your tuition payments are protected. 

If we cannot commence in studio classes on September 9, 2023 we will start the season virtually. If classes are not running in person by October 1, 2023:

Monthly Payment Plan: no subsequent payments will be withdrawn until a clear in person start date is provided (and you give written consent to continue in the program). 

Upfront Payments: the sum of the remaining month's will be calculated and returned via e-transfer until a definitive in person start date is given. Should your child continue with the program when they resume, tuition will be due in full on the first day of in person class.

Should the studio be mandated to shut down during the season due to COVID-19, we will immediately pivot to online classes. Payment will continue within a 60 day time period. If a re-opening date is not established by the end of 60 days, all subsequent payments will be cancelled and a refund for the remainder of the season will be e-transferred back to those who paid upfront.