SCRIPPS PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY

All Will Dance. Each Will Grow. Some Will Fly!

Primary Division Handbook

Sophia G., Age 4 in 2009

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Scripps Performing Arts Academy founded by Angela Amoroso

is a quality professional training facility for dance, theatre & music. We promote the understanding that ballet is the foundation for all

the performing arts and most sports. Gymnasts, ice skaters, even professional football players, utilize

ballet to obtain personal excellence.

We provide a creative and nurturing environment that instills core-strength, mental focus and emotional intelligence by

developing con�dence and practiced teamwork without sacri�cing the core values of dance as an art form.

WELCOME 4-5 SPECIAL NOTES TO PARENTS 14-15PRIMARY/PRE-BALLET DIVISION 6 TUITION POLICIES 15-16TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFULL EXPERIENCE 8-13

PRODUCTIONS 17

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Welcome

Whether you just joined us or you have been dancing with us for what may seem like forever, welcome! We are so glad to have you here at the Scripps Performing Arts Academy!

Please take a moment to read over our new Parent-Student Handbook. We provide a full dance curriculum (Ballet, Pointe, Musical Theatre, Tap and Jazz) for children and adults as well as a professional music department, o�ering a variety of both vocal and instrumental training.

We o�er three to four major productions each year and a variety of musical theatre workshops and productions for students who choose to develop their performance skills.

We acknowledge the solid foundation ballet training provides and see it as the basis of all dance forms. As such, we include it in the curriculum for those that wish to pursue other dance disciplines.

For recreational and pre-professional dance students, we o�er professional ballet training along with other dance disciplines necessary for success in the �eld. The Ballet program at the Scripps Performing Arts Academy accommodates every type of student

from the age of three to ninety-three years old. For students looking to pursue a professional dancing career, whether it be concert or commercial, or for children, teens, and adults who want to enjoy the freedom of movement, we have a program that can accommodate your needs.

We have trained students that have been accepted to programs with New York City Ballet, Paci�c Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Houston Ballet, The American Ballet Theater, The Ailey School, Boston Ballet, the Kirov Academy and several other prestigious and well-respected programs across the country.

We have also had students go on to successful academic careers at Yale University, Boston Conservatory, Vassar College, New York University, Boston University, Northwestern University, Brown, Stanford University, Claremont McKenna, Scripps College, UC Berkley, UCLA, UCSD, University of California at Irvine and more!

Whatever goals you may have for your performing arts training, we’re ready to help you create a schedule that will get you there.

We feel privileged to welcome you into our performing arts family!

Former SPAA Student currently attending Houston Ballet Academy in the highest level of the Professional Division

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The Primary Divisionat the Scripps Performing Arts AcademySo… We heard your little one loves to Dance! We bet your tiny dancer has even been walking on their tip toes!

Let us explore together, how we can deliver the best experience for your child. Co-operative Parent/teacher e�orts are necessary to create a �rst dance class memory of Joy!

MY FIRST DANCE CLASS; WHY PRE-BALLET AND BALLET K-1?The Primary Division program at the Scripps Performing Arts Academy o�ers a unique combination of creative movement and an appreciation for ballet. We provide a loving, fun-�lled environment to stimulate your child’s imagination and enhance his/her social skills, posture, physical awareness, rhythm, developmental movement patterns and spatial awareness.

We use colorful props, costumes, make-up, imagery, original stories and musical instruments to encourage and stimulate the child’s imagination.

Children also bene�t through improved muscle development and coordination, increased self-control and self-esteem, and imaginative interactions with others. Experts have drawn connections with reading and math, while enhancing your child’s physical health and body awareness.

Our primary division programs are a prelude to formal ballet instruction and introduce children to music and movement through a structured progression that stresses creativity and group interaction. At the end of the primary division the children will have been introduced to ballet steps, terminology and the basics of dance. Students enrolled are eligible to enter the Children’s Division; beginning ballet classes.

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HOW TO PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR CLASS?AttireDance Clothing: Black leotard, pink tights, and pink ballet shoes.We require all students to wear the appropriate dress code. Students need real ballet shoes, not slippers which can be dangerous as they do not provide adequate traction. This is mandatory in order to provide the best learning conditions possible for all of our students.

We are aware that well-meaning parents and grandparents love to buy “authentic dance clothes” for aspiring ballerinas. Those are lovely for practice at home. For the class, it is an incredible distraction. Please no skirts that are not attached to the leotard or leg warmers. Please label all clothing with your child’s name, especially shoes!

Hair: This is part of the implemented discipline strategies that causes scientists to report on how the arts improve math scores and the like. When you desire to give your child the best experience possible, hair placement is imperative. Loose hair and pony tales are a danger to twirling, whirling dancers. It prohibits their vision as well as disables the instructor from correcting proper placement. Good habits that are developed from the beginning are a life long asset that you gift to your child.

Tap Shoes with Ribbons: Your child’s teacher will be replacing the black ties on your child’s shoe with black elastic. This encourages independence, allowing students to change their own shoes. Please do not use a special elastic band or decorations, as these are not as durable and break during class. Again, we are trying to avoid as many interruptions as possible. This promotes a better learning environment.

Left Shoe: the left shoe will be marked with a large L. Your child will be shown how to match the L in their shoe with the L that is able to be formed with their left hand. You may practice this daily and duplicate the L in all of their shoes.

HEALTHY SNACKS AND MEALS

Always have your young dancer come to class already fed. Healthy low sugar breakfasts for morning classes work best. Having a healthy snack ready (i.e. juice box, fresh fruit) when class is over is another good idea for hard working little dancers.

ENTERING THE ACADEMYPlease teach your child that when they enter a place where children are learning it should be with the same reverence as a Library. This is not meant to crush a joyful spirit but rather to instill respect for those who are already concentrating in classes that are in session.

INTERRUPTING A CLASS OR REHEARSALSBallet Etiquette: When a class or rehearsal is already in progress, it is appropriate to wait by the door for a sign/eye contact from the teacher for an appropriate time to join the class. If you need to speak to the instructor whose class or rehearsal is already in progress, it is necessary that you write a note and leave it in the o�ce communication box with the best time to reach you and someone will call you back. ALL CHILDREN deserve the opportunity to have an uninterrupted class

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ARRIVAL AT CLASSRestroom: Please make sure your child has used the restroom before class begins. During class, as soon as one child needs to use the restroom every young child needs a turn. You can imagine our dilemma. Thanks for your support!

Toys; Show and Tell. Please do not allow your child to bring in items to the dance room. Toys stu�ed animals, hair clips, jewelry etc. All are major distractions, more often left behind never to be found again. We can not be responsible for lost items.

Entering the Dance Room: Children may gather in the designated lobby area before class. At precisely the start of class your teacher will meet you in the front lobby and assist the children by forming a choo-choo train. They will be ushered in a group to their class. In this way, we greatly diminish separation anxiety for our young dancers. It is much easier to “leave mommy” and go on to have fun, rather than to be “left by Mommy.” So, please arrive a few minutes early, change, use the bathroom, etc, makes for a calm transition and positive beginning!

LEAVING THE BUILDINGIf you plan on leaving the building (i.e. to run an errand, shopping etc.) please let the instructor know.

OBSERVATIONPlease observe the school calendar for appropriate observation days. These occur once a semester. Naturally, if Grandparents visit from out of town they are welcome always. You are always welcome to peek through our observation windows.

At the Teacher’s discretion, you may be asked to arrive 5 minutes early to watch a short presentation by your child’s class.

Please keep a healthy distance away from the window in an e�ort to not distract the students.

PRACTICING AT HOMEWe do not encourage practicing “steps” at home. Rather play some of your favorite classical music. Let your child know who the composer is, add costumes, props and let’em whirl.

PERFORMANCESAll performance opportunities are optional. You and your child may choose none, one, two, or all of the productions that are o�ered at the Academy each year. You know your child best. As a sta� we encourage moderation for all of our students. During performance preparation, it is important that our dancers not miss their regular Creative Dance Foundation classes.

AUDIENCEIf you choose not to participate in a production as performers, we encourage you to participate as audience members. In this way, young minds learn how to be in the audience and how what they do on stage translates to those watching the show. It is also a wonderful way for children to learn proper audience manners for performances in general.

VACATIONAs summertime nears we often hear parents refer to how their children need “a break”. Certainly busy children may be on overload by June. However, a dance class for one hour, one day a week is not taking up too much time. Small children who take the summer o� are at a tremendous disadvantage when they return in the fall. Many times returning students need to repeat the basics and are not able to keep up with their peers who have continued all summer. We recommend no more than a 2-4 week vacation.

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IN CLOSINGWe are thrilled to give your child a happy and wonderful experience. With your help, we are sure to meet success. Please do not hesitate to ask questions. More importantly, we need your input. Please share with us your thought, ideas and how we can serve you better.

Make-Up ClassesTuition is calculated as an annual rate divided into Ten easy payments, taking studio closures and holidays into account. There are no refunds or adjustments for missed classes, cancelled classes, or studio closures. As a courtesy, we o�er you the option of making up any missed classes in a comparable class. SPAA allows for one weeks worth of class hours to be made up per calendar month. Make-ups for Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring breaks and classes missed due to Academy productions are not permitted.

The studio o�ce must be noti�ed on or before the day of the absence to ensure class credit. The make-up class must be taken within the same calendar month of the missed class and you must be a currently registered student to make up missed classes. Make-Up classes cannot be used to forgo tuition the following month.

The Academy reserves the right to employ a qualified guest teaching artist when the regular teacher cannot attend.

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Special Notes for ParentsDue to the high number of nut allergies, we are a nut free environment. Please do not send your child with ANY snacks containing nuts.

Please remember that the studio is not a playground. Children are not to play in the dance rooms and no one should enter the dance rooms without permission from a faculty member. Please keep a close eye on your little ones while you wait in the lobby.

Please make sure that you take your younger students to the rest room before their class begins to avoid having to interrupt their lesson.

Please do not try to speak with faculty members in between classes. Each class must start on time and there is simply not time in between classes to speak with you individually. Parents may schedule a meeting with a faculty member to discuss matters about their children by e-mailing the o�ce at info@scrippsperformingarts.com, leaving a note in the box, a message on the machine, or with the o�ce sta�.

If you are waiting outside of the dance room, please be conscious of your volume. Talking, laughing, and even phone conversations can be very distracting to the dancers in class.

Please do not wait to pick up your children on the carpeted area

of the hallway. Dancers arriving for the next class need to be able to enter the room quickly and it is a �re hazard to have the exits to the dance rooms blocked. For your convenience there is a lobby with reading materials and couches.

Although our School Year runs September to June, summer camps and classes are held in July and August. These classes may be registered for week to week, or by the month for your convenience.

Tuition PoliciesOur school year begins in September, the Tuesday after Labor Day and continues through to mid-June. Tuition is calculated as an annual amount, taking into account holidays and studio closures, divided into Ten even installment payments.

We thank you in advance for making timely payments utilizing our automatic payment system. If your family chooses not to be on auto pay, there is an additional $25 administrative fee per month. Payments are due at the time of registration and the �rst of the month, September through May.

There is a $50.00 registration fee per individual due at the time of enrollment. A registration fee will be charged to individuals returning after an absence of 4-weeks or more or if the individual is not registered for the new school year by the end of Registration Week in May.After September 1st, Families must pay tuition for their �rst month and June tuition at the time of registration.Checks or Credit Card payments returned for insu�cient funds incur a $35.00 transaction fee.Monthly payments are pro-rated as follows: Register 1st-15th pays full month at time of registration. Register 16th-31st pays half month at time of registration.When you register, you are committing to our full, year-long curriculum. You may withdraw at any time with the understanding that there will be no refunds for any unused tuition.Tuition and Production fees are NOT transferable or refundable.

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WITHDRAWALIf your child seems to be losing interest or has to withdraw from the Academy for any reason, we would be most grateful if you could inform us. Often, the problems that arise are easily solved, and we would like to have the opportunity to try.

ProductionsIn the event that you decide withdraw, written notice should be delivered in person, utilizing our withdrawal form available at the o�ce. You may withdraw at any time with the understanding that there will be no refunds for any unused tuition.Being able to learn choreography, memorize a song or lines and then perform that work for an audience is an important part of any artist’s training.

As a supplement to our dance training, we perform two all-school dance productions annually, The Nutcracker and our All-School Productions (which vary from year to year), and two Musical Theatre productions. All students are encouraged to audition as everyone will receive a part.

Casting is based on work ethic, behavior and attendance throughout the school year, performance at the audition, and technical aptitude for the roles. If there are only a few students technically ready for a role, they may receive it several years in a row. Special parts are given to students who have shown themselves capable of performing them with the artistry and skill required.

It is important to remember that casting can be changed or remain the same from year to year. You are not guaranteed a role simply because you have or have not done it already.

All ballet students who wish to participate in The Nutcracker must be enrolled in ballet classes from October through December. All students who wish to participate in the All-School show must be enrolled from January to June.

All Casting Decisions are �nal.

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3880 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 201San Diego, CA 92130

858.509.2624

9920 Scripps Lake Drive, Suite 105San Diego, CA 92131

858.586.7834

www.ScrippsPerformingArtsAcademy.comInfo@scrippsperformingarts.com

Sophia G., Age 13, 2019