"Dance Southgate 2011-12"

Presented by Sickle's Dance Gallery

Welcome to Sickle's Dance Gallery's 40th Year of Dance Education.  We are proud to be offering our dance program to the residents of Southgate.  Sickle's Dance is committed to instructing dance lessons in a positive environment.  Our program is certified through Dance Masters of Michigan/America and the Cecchetti Council of America (Ballet Certification).   We are confident that we can meet the needs of the pre-school through advanced dancers.  The information listed below will guide you through this dance year.  If you have any questions, please call Sickle's Dance at (313) 278-1035 and I will return your call.

Dance classes will be held in the Southgate Civic Center, 14700 Reaume Pkwy, Southgate in the Loft and Conference Room. 

Tuition Payments 

All tuition payments are to be paid to the Southgate Recreation Department online at http://www.southgaterec.com/.  Recreation Office is located in the Ice Arena - 14700 Reaume Pkwy, Southgate,  MI  48195.   Payments can be paid in full for the entire year at a $150 discount, or by 4 installment payments. 

Payment                              

Payment in Full                                                                     $150                                     

Installment #1 (due at Registration)                                        $ 45                                      

Installment #2 (due Nov 9^th)                                                  $ 45                                      

Installment #3 (due Jan 25^th)                                                 $ 45                                        

Installment #4 (due Mar 21st)                                                $ 45                                      

Note:  Refunds to persons dropping classes will be made ONLY before the second class meeting, regardless of attendance.  Registration fee is not refundable.  There will be a $5.00 late charge per child per class for payments not received on time.  All tuition and late fees must be paid in full to participate in the recital.  

Recital Policy

A recital will be presented Wednesday, May 23rd in the evening at Southgate Anderson High School.    Dress Rehearsal will be Tuesday, May 22nd in the evening   Please reserve these two dates now.   All students wishing to participate in the recitals must meet the following requirements:

1. GOOD ATTENDANCE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.  A student with 6 or more absences will not be allowed to participate in the recital.  This will be strictly enforced.  If a student frequently misses class and does not know their recital routine, they will not be allowed to perform on stage.  It is not fair to students who attend class regularly to have their recital dance ruined by a student who is frequently absent. 
2. PERFECT ATTENDANCE DURING THE MONTHS OF MARCH, APRIL AND MAY. During these months we are very busy working on our recital dance and every minute counts. Let your instructor know if your child has a conflict or is sick (call 313- 278-1035) prior to the absence to be excused.
3. PURCHASE OF A RECITAL COSTUME FOR EACH SUBJECT THE STUDENT PLANS TO PARTICIPATE IN. $50 payment per costume due on November 1st. THERE ARE NO REFUNDS ON COSTUME PAYMENTS.
4. STUDENTS MUST ATTEND DRESS REHEARSAL. 
5. ALL TUITION PAYMENTS AND PAST DUE AMOUNTS MUST BE PAID IN FULL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RECITAL.   

Costumes for the recital will be selected by our staff.  The cost of these costumes will be the responsibility of each student.  A $50 costume payment is due by November 1st.    For most students, this $50 should cover your total costume fee.  For some older students, or pant type costumes, there may be a slight $5-10 balance due to more material, sequins or rhinestones.     Costume payments are payable to "Sickle's Dance Gallery" and can be given to your child's teacher.  We will distribute a costume payment form that can be returned with your payment.

There will be NO LATE COSTUME ORDERS made, and if you miss this date your child will not be able to participate in the recital.  We need to order costumes early in order to have them for spring pictures and the May recital.    

The fit for lycra costumes are to fit tight like a bathing suit.  Parents will have an opportunity to double check their child's measurement against the costume size chart and make any changes that you may desire (especially if your child is going through a growth spurt).  Costumes usually come in only 3 child sizes and 3 adult sizes and you may have to alter them slightly when they arrive.  We order costumes to fit for our recital date, not next Halloween.

DANCE SHOES:

If you are in need of new dance shoes, the following list will be used for the recital, with occasional exceptions.

        Ballet, Gymnastics - Girls: Pink Ballet Shoes   

        Tap - Black Tap Shoes

        Hip Hop  - Black Jazz Shoes

        Boys:  Black Shoes

Shoes can be purchased at Payless, Walmart or any dancewear supplier (Dancin' Feet on Eureka in Southgate).   **DO NOT buy TARGET BEDTIME SLIPPER, which they sell as a ballet shoe.  Dancers need a leather ballet shoe with strap across the middle. 

DANCE ATTIRE:

        Ballet & Gymnastics - Any color leotard & tights

        Tap & Hip Hop - Any color leotard or tights, or aerobic/workout outfit. 

NO Jeans or Street Clothes.  Dance attire is available almost anywhere children's clothing is sold.

Students must wear proper dance clothing and shoes and have their hair tied back while taking dance lessons.  NO food, candy, gum water or drink will be allowed in the dance rooms (to prevent slipping conditions on the floor).   

WEATHER CONDITIONS:

We will put a recorded message on the phone machine by the early afternoon if we cancel lessons due to weather, so a phone call to the dance studio (313) 278-1035 should be able to answer your questions. 

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Please have your child on time to dance classes.  The instructor will open the dance door once classes are to start and end.  Each extra time the door opens is a distraction to the children in class.  Be available to pick your child up as classes end.  It can be very upsetting to a child to not find their parent waiting.  There will be a lobby area set up for parents.  It is recommended that pre-school parents wait during the duration of their child's class.  Your child may have a restroom emergency, or need to know that you are close at hand. No babysitting or latch key service will be available. 

Parents and guests will be allowed to view one lesson per payment session.  Tentative first viewing will be Oct 26^th.  There will be 1 viewing date for each payment schedule, and viewing dates will be posted.  This will enable you to watch your child's progress each session.   After March, we will be busy working on our recital dances and more student concentration is needed without distractions.  During regular class weeks, only the Teachers and students will be allowed in the dance rooms.

Dance pictures in costumes will be taken in the Spring by "Picture Perfect Photography".  You will be given the price sheet and more information at a later time.  Group photographs for the recital program booklet will also be taken at this time.  Additional information on the recital, program booklet, and recital t-shirt orders will be given to you at a later time. 

If your child develops an illness or physical problem, please report it to your child's teacher.  Certain exercises should be avoided for some illnesses or muscle sprains to prevent further aggravation to the injury.

Vacation & Event Schedule:

September 21st                    Lessons Begin

Oct 26^th                            Tentative Lesson Viewing Day

November 23rd                    No lessons  - Thanksgiving Vacation

Dec 22nd - Jan 9^th                Winter & New Years Vacation -Lessons resume Jan 11th

April 11th                              Spring Vacation - Lessons resume April 18th

May 22nd                             Dress Rehearsal in pm - Southgate Anderson High School

May 23rd                              Recital in pm - Southgate Anderson High School

Thank you for your cooperation in advance.  We look forward to an enjoyable dance year and know your child's dance development will greatly expand throughout this year.

Any questions, please leave a message at (313) 278-1035 and I will return your call.  

                                                                               Chris Sickle, Director of Dance Southgate