REGISTRATION – Registration is formally held twice a year, but we welcome new students year-round! Registration held during August is for all three sessions with classes running September through June. Registration in March/April is for the Summer Workshop. Once a student is registered, they are considered registered for the remainder of the academic school year (fall-spring). Should a student feel the need to withdraw, a written letter must be submitted to the office (see refund policy).  There is a $40 annual registration fee per family, per school year. JSSB accepts payments in the form of CASH, CHECK or CARD. There is also a $30.00 fee for any checks returned by the bank. New students enrolling after a trimester begins, please contact us directly for tuition information.

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2023 - 2024 Session Dates

Fall Session: 9/11/23 – 12/2/23

Winter Session: 1/3/24 – 3/23/24

Spring Session: 4/3/24 – 6/9/24

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PAYMENTS – Payment plans, of any type, are not offered for Creative Dance I, II, & III and Level I, II, & III. These levels must pay the full session (see dates) tuition no later than 7 days prior to the start of each trimester. For Level IV through Company, we also offer offer a monthly payment plan option. 

 

Payment customization is not offered for any level.

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• Trimester Payments: The full trimester tuition must be received by our office no later than 7 days prior to the start of each trimester (see dates). 

• Automatic Monthly Payment (Level IV and up): Families who qualify for monthly plans must pay through our automatic system. Monthly payments are due on 15th of each scheduled month (see below). Please refer to your specific level for the monthly rate. Our monthly payment plans are designed as a courtesy in which Trimester tuition is paid over 3 installments, instead of 1 full payment before classes begin. With that being said, should a student leave our school mid-trimester, the remaining monthly payments for that trimester must be paid in full at time of dismissal. Our no refund policy does apply.

  • Payment Method: Automatic Monthly Payments require a simple Credit Card Authorization Form to sign up. With this form you authorize JSSB to charge your card automatically on the 15th of each scheduled month for your appropriate monthly tuition amount. Auto payments are hassle free and highly recommended for anyone who qualifies for Monthly Payments (Level IV and up). Late fees may apply for declined cards, please keep your card on file up-to-date. To sign up or for more information, please contact our office. ​​

 

2023 - 2024 Monthly Payment Calendar

Fall Session: September 2023, October 2023, November 2023

Winter Session: December 2023, January 2024, February 2024

Spring Session: March 2024, April, 2024, May 2024

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LATE FEES – To insure you’re not charged a late fee; we kindly ask that payments are received prior to or on due dates.  

1. Late Tuition

   • Trimester Payments: Tuition payments that are not received 7 days prior to the start of each Session, will result in a $20.00 late fee, which will be automatically added to the students account. If payments have not been received 15 days after the first day of the Session, students will not be allowed into class. At which point the account must be paid in full for the student to continue.

   • Automatic Monthly Payments: Payments are received by our office on the 15th of each scheduled payment month (refer to calendar). Please make sure your card on file is up-to-date! If a credit card used for automatic payments is declined, a $20.00 late fee will be automatically applied to your account. You will be notified by our office of this error occurs.

2. Forms: Throughout the year we may require various forms to be returned with payment, such as a performance form and fee. A $15.00 late fee will be applied to each past due form.

 

REFUND POLICY – No tuition payments are refunded. If a student is registered and withdraws before the session begins, the registration fee or deposit will be withheld.  A 90% refund will be given only with written withdrawal and must be delivered to the office one week prior to start of the session. Example: If the Fall Session begins September 14th, a written withdrawal must be received on or before September 7th to receive a partial refund. Once registered, students are considered registered for the entire academic school year (Fall-Spring). Students who miss classes or withdraw during a session will not receive a refund. No financial adjustments are given for missed classes. Missed classes cannot be transferred to another session. JSSB reserves the discretionary right to any and all refunds. 

 

MAKE-UP CLASSES & STUDENT ABSENCES & INJURIES – Classes canceled by the studio will be rescheduled for a make-up. If a student must miss a class, please notify the school and see the office for the best make-up class. Make-up classes are a privilege and will only be allowed if there is an opening in a similar and lower level class. All make-ups must be taken within the same trimester as the absence and are not allowed during Observation Days. There are no make-up classes for Character, Jazz, Modern or where there is not a comparable class.

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If students are not healthy and dancing on pointe four weeks prior to a performance, they will not be allowed to perform on pointe for their own safety.

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ADDRESSING FACULTY – Students and parents are kindly requested to refer to the faculty as Miss, Mrs., or Mr. (last name). We ask that the parents encourage this. Teaching assistants are referred to as Miss (first name).

                                                                                                                                                                              

COMMUNICATION – We work very hard to keep you informed by e-mailing our families weekly with updates regarding schedule changes, upcoming events and billing statements. However, it is your responsibility to keep up to date by reading handouts, e-mails, and checking the information board and website.

 

ATTIRE – Students must wear cover-ups and street shoes when traveling to and from JSSB or the theater. Changing of clothes and fixing of hair must be done in the dressing rooms. Girls do not wear underwear under their dance clothing. For classes and rehearsals, the school requires uniform leotards, tights, character skirts and leather ballet shoes; sold through the studio. Leather ballet shoes are required through Level VII and strongly recommended for all. Class attire varies by level and dancers taking Jazz or Modern must wear their uniform with black jazz tights and black jazz shoes. Long hair must be pulled back off the face and neck in a bun or pinned down so nothing is loose. By the time a student enters Level II, buns are mandatory. Hair must be natural color: blond, black, brown, or red are the only acceptable hair colors.  Temporary tattoos are not allowed. Only neutral nail polish is allowed and the only acceptable jewelry is small stud earrings for female dancers.

 

STUDENT ARRIVAL AND DROP OFF – Parents must be timely in dropping off and picking up children. Creative Dance children may not be left unattended before class or leave the building without a parent or guardian. All other late students should open the studio door and stand inside until the teacher places them. Students who have missed certain warm-up exercise will be instructed to observe class rather than take it, if the instructor feels that the student may risk injury. Continued tardiness in the upper levels is reason for dismissal from the school.

 

RECEPTION AREA – The reception area is also our office space, so we request that you do not wait during your child’s class due to the personal nature of some of our work. Parents are asked to keep young children quiet and take phone calls outside. Parents are also asked to refrain from taking video or photos of their child(s) classes. Parents and families may use cameras during observation days. No food or drink allowed in the office or studios, as well as no gum chewing in the building. 

 

SPEAKING WITH TEACHERS – We kindly ask that you do not attempt to talk to teachers before or after class. If we have concern about a student’s progress or behavior, we will contact you. If you have a concern that needs to be addressed, please contact us at info@jsvalander.com.

 

PERFORMANCES – Please note performing is an integral part of a dancer's training. Although you are required to audition, commit and decide if you can do it, it is expected by Level IV that all dancers invited to perform, will perform. This will guarantee your position in the school. Groups/dancers may be chosen for community outreach performances at libraries, nursing homes, festivals, etc.

 

Company dancers must be available on these dates. In order to maintain our level of excellence and present the most professional performances possible to the public, only students taking year-round will be considered for Nutcracker casting.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS – Scholarships are available for Company and Advanced Level dancers. Please contact the office for our Scholarship Form before the session begins. Once funds have been allocated, scholarship may be depleted until the following year. Scholarships are awarded on a year-to-year basis. For more information contact the office or download our Scholarship Application Form.  

 

EMERGENCIES – Please notify the office if an emergency arises at (815) 455-2055. Parents are asked to NEVER interrupt a class.

 

LOST AND FOUND – Parents are welcome to check the lost and found box. Names should be in all dance clothing and shoes. JSSB is not responsible for personal items left in the dressing rooms overnight. The lost and found is emptied regularly with the clothing being donated.

 

SNOW OR BAD WEATHER – Student safety is our primary objective and we will not put any child in danger due to weather. The studio will typically follow the Crystal Lake Public Schools decision on class cancellation for bad weather. Evening classes will be determined by road conditions and weather reports. JSSB reserves the right to cancel classes at our discretion.

 

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The school reserves the right to accept or reject students.