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Student Handbook

Students and Parents/Guardians, please read through all of the policies and expectations below so that we may foster a welcoming and safe learning environment in our school.

GENERAL SCHOOL INFORMATION

 

SCHOOL MISSION

The SPAC School of the Arts guides students to empower themselves through artistic
discovery and arts education in an inclusive and joyful environment. Aimed at inviting in
multidisciplinary art forms taught by professionals in the field, SOTA is committed to
arts equity and values itself on expanding students’ local and global views.

 

REGISTRATION OFFICE HOURS
The registration office is open at the following times for inquiries, making payments,
and/or registering for upcoming classes.

  • Mon-Thurs, 12pm-8:00pm
  • Friday, 12pm-6:00pm
  • Phone: (518) 587-3331

 

SCHOOL EMAIL
To contact the school outside reception hours, please send an email. Email: school@spac.org

 

END OF TERM “SHARES”
Classes for ages 13 and under culminate in informal presentations by the students in the
class, called “Shares”. Shares are presented at the end of each term These
presentations are meant to be intimate to create a supportive and comforting
environment to celebrate each student’s creativity, growth, and achievements. For
that reason, attendance is limited. Please mark your student’s final share on your
calendar so you can plan to attend. More details will be provided by the class instructor
closer to the final day.

 

ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS & PROCEDURES

 

ATTENDANCE
Students are expected to commit to class attendance for the full semester. Our curricula
are cumulative and structured to build upon each class; weekly attendance is necessary
to be accountable to one another as part of an ensemble and work towards common
goals.

 

BE ON TIME FOR CLASSES
Students are asked to arrive NO LATER THAN 5 minutes prior to the start of class, so that
class can begin on schedule. Please be mindful of instructors and other students in the
class. Each student has an integral role in the class, and tardiness can negatively impact
the ability of other students in the class to learn and grow as a group.

 

STUDENT DROP OFF/PICK UP
NO adult supervision will be provided in the common areas, on the grounds, or in the
parking lot of the school before and after classes. The faculty and staff at SOTA will not
be responsible for unsupervised children.

For students under age 10: Guardians are required to drop off and pick up student(s)
promptly with the class instructor at the door of the studio where the class is being
held. Following class, students will only be released if a parent is present. Please plan
on dropping off your student at least 5 minutes before the start of class and picking up
promptly at the class’s scheduled end time.

 

STUDENT ABSENCES
If you know you will be late or absent from class, please notify the school by emailing
school@spac.org or calling (518) 587-3331, ext. 181 (Please leave a message if no one
answers.).

 

EXTENDED ABSENCES
If a student is ill or injured for an extended period (more than two classes), their account
may be credited so they may rejoin the class when fully recovered. Students must
provide written consent from a physician upon returning.

 

SICK POLICY
If students have a fever, nausea, vomiting, moderate-to-severe cough or runny nose, or
any significant signs of illness, they are asked to stay home and notify the school that
they will be absent by emailing school@spac.org.

 

WAITING AREA USAGE DURING CLASS
Guardians and siblings of registered students are permitted to wait in the common area
of the school while their student is taking class. Please be respectful of others by using
appropriate volume and language for conversations. Once the class is finished and you
pick up your student at their studio door, we ask that you exit the school building so
that others can utilize the waiting area while classes are in session.

 

CLASS CANCELLATION POLICY
If a class is cancelled for any reason (i.e., teacher illness, inclement weather, etc.)
students/guardians will be contacted at least 2 hours prior to morning classes and
before noon for all afternoon classes. Cancelled classes will be rescheduled or fully
refunded.

The cancellation of classes due to inclement weather will be based on the Saratoga
Springs City School District.

 

PRIVATE LESSON CANCELLATION POLICY
If a student cancels a private lesson, they may be given a chance to reschedule, at the
instructor’s discretion. Otherwise, no refunds, credits, or adjustments will be given if a
student misses a lesson for any reason (illness, personal conflict, etc.).

 

DROP-IN AND MAKE-UP POLICY
Certain classes offer a drop-in option. If a student enrolls as a drop-in, we ask that the
student register for class at least 24 hours in advance to ensure they are added to the
class roster.

If a student misses their drop-in class, we can offer them a make-up class as a courtesy
at the discretion of the instructor. Students must inform the SOTA Administrator of the
following prior to class:
• Which class they did not attend
• Which class they intend to take as a make-up (Note: must also be a valid drop-in
class within the same discipline and have space available)

 

TUITION AND PAYMENT

Tuition for registered classes is due at the time of registration. Initial payments must be
made prior to the start of the student’s first class. Students will not be allowed to
participate in classes without completing proper registration and submitting initial
payment of tuition. There will be no refunds or pro-rating of paid tuition upon a
student’s absence or withdrawal from class. Payment of tuition can be made online at
the time of registration, in person with cash or a check on the day of the student’s first
class, OR by mailing a check. Checks should be made payable to the “Saratoga
Performing Arts Center”. (Mailing Address: SPAC School of the Arts, 108 Ave of the
Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866)

SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE: Need-based scholarships are available through the
application provided on the school’s website www.spacschool.org. Paper forms
are available in the reception office. Scholarships provided with additional
support from M & T Bank.

 

REFUND POLICY
No refunds, credits, or adjustments will be given if a student misses class for any reason
(illness, personal conflict, etc.).

 

WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASS
Notice must be given in writing if a student chooses to withdraw from class. There will
be no refunds or pro-rating of paid tuition upon a student’s withdrawal.

 

DISMISSAL FROM CLASS
Student (and legal guardian) understands and agrees that negligent payment or noncompliance on behalf of the student and/or guardian regarding all policies and
agreements as detailed on this form could result in dismissal from classes. There will be
no refunds or pro-rating of paid tuition upon a student’s dismissal.

 

SCHOOL CONDUCT, GUIDELINES AND RULES

 

CODE OF CONDUCT
Respect between all teachers, parents/guardians, and peers is always expected. In
addition, all are expected to uphold the supportive and non-judgmental learning
environment that supports the inclusion of all individuals in the creative process
regardless of the individual’s race, age, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group,
religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or biological
sex. Any behavior meant to intentionally threaten this inclusive learning environment
(especially behavior that is intentionally disruptive, violent, and/or endangering to
others) will not be tolerated and may result in expulsion from the school.

 

USE OF COMMON AREAS
Noise levels are to be kept at a minimum in the hallways, restrooms, offices, and in the
common area outside the studios so as not to disrupt classes in progress. Inappropriate
language or topics are not permitted in common areas.

 

NO SHOES IN STUDIOS
Outdoor shoes are not permitted in the studios unless otherwise specified by school
staff or faculty.

 

NO FOOD, DRINK, OR CHEWING GUM IN STUDIOS
Only water is permitted in studios. Water must be kept in a thermos or bottle with a lid
or cap.

 

NO FILMING OR PHOTOGRAPHY DURING CLASSES
Students and parents/guardians are not permitted to film or photograph any part of
classes in studios unless otherwise given express permission from a school staff
member.

 

NO POSTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA WITHOUT PERMISSION
Posting pictures and/or videos to social media that contain children other than your own
without permission from a school staff member AND the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the
child(ren) pictured is strictly prohibited.

 

PLEASE WEAR NON-RESTRICTIVE & COMFORTABLE CLOTHING
Traditional dancewear is not required for dance classes unless otherwise specified by
the class instructor. Clothing for classes should be as non-restrictive as possible to allow
students to move freely.

 

PERSONAL PROPERTY
SPAC does not accept responsibility for any damage, theft, or loss of personal property
in the school building or on school property.

 

LOCKER USE
Please, do not leave valuables in school lockers. Do not leave anything in lockers
overnight. Locks are not provided by the school. SPAC does not accept responsibility for
any damage, theft or loss of personal property left unattended in school lockers.
NO SMOKING, ALCOHOL, OR ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE USE

Smoking (including tobacco, marijuana, and vaping) and consumption of alcohol and/or
illegal substances is prohibited in all areas of the school property. No person shall use,
sell, or promote such products of any kind on school grounds or in the school building.

 

NO CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
Corporal punishment of any student by any employee for the purpose of punishing that
student is expressly forbidden. In unique situations, reasonable physical force may be
used to:
• Protect oneself, or any person from physical injury
• Protect the property of the school or others
• Restrain or remove a student whose behavior interferes with the safety and
orderly operation of the school, if the student has refused to refrain from further
disruptive acts

 

NO WEAPONS/FIREARMS
Firearms and/or weapons are not permitted on school property. This includes any rifle,
shotgun, pistol, revolver, other firearm, knives, dangerous chemicals, explosives, or any
object which is not necessary for school activities, and which could be used as a
weapon. A weapon is defined as any instrument capable of firing a projectile, the frame
or receiver of any such weapon, a firearm muffler or silencer, any explosive device, or
any other instrument capable of inflicting bodily harm.

 

HARASSMENT PREVENTION POLICY
Harassment of any member of the school community (students, parents/guardians,
staff) is unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated. No member of the school
community shall be subjected to harassment or discrimination based on a person’s
actual or perceived race, age, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion,
religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or biological sex on
school property.

 

REPORTING AN INCIDENT OF HARASSMENT
Incidents of harassment may be pursued through informal intervention and mediation
or through the filing of a formal complaint (complaint forms are available in the
reception office). All reports are kept confidential. Students and parents are encouraged
to report bullying incidents to the school director

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