YOUTH
PROGRAM
HANDBOOK
The Student Handbook serves as a guide to the policies, procedures, requirements, programs and resources of the SADC Youth Program. Students enrolled at SADC belong to a multi-generational community dedicated to the advancement of learning and artistry in dance. As a community of individuals, the center has established standards of participation and behavior to help create an environment that is conducive to supporting a rewarding experience for every dancer.
The Student Handbook includes:
USE OF IMAGERY/ MEDICAL RELEASE/ VALUABLES
Shawl-Anderson Dance Center promotes a welcoming, inclusive environment where youth students feel physically and emotionally safe to take risks, experiment, learn, grow, and ask questions related to dance, dance training, and art-making.
When violations of the Code of Conduct occur
These details apply to all SADC settings, including the SADC space at 2704 Alcatraz Avenue, Temescal Arts Center, Shotgun Studios, rental theaters and off-site performances. SADC monitors and observes behavior that is happening before, during, and after classes, rehearsals, and performances.
How to communicate concerns
Youth Students should express their concerns and questions about students, staff, or faculty immediately to a staff member at Shawl-Anderson Dance Center. Those adults include: their teachers, teaching assistants, front desk staff, the Youth Program Director, the Artistic Director and the Executive Director.
Staff are to express concerns and questions about students with the Youth Program Director and/or with the Artistic Director or Executive Director.
Parents are to share concerns and questions with the Youth Program Director and/or with the Artistic Director or Executive Director.
All members of the community may at any time contact the Board of Directors. The board representative available to hear concerns is: Ann DiFruscia, Vice Chair.
Contacts
Jill Randall, Artistic Director, 510-654-5921, jill@shawl-anderson.org
Rebecca Johnson, Executive Director, 510-922-1693, rebecca@shawl-anderson.org
Ann DiFruscia, Board Vice Chair, board@shawl-anderson.org
Fall 2020 Distance Learning: Registration & Payment Policy
Fall 2020 Distance Learning: Refunds & Credits
(typical School Year): Registration & Payment Policy
(typical School Year): Refunds & Credits
ZOOM Summer Camps: Registration & Payment Policy
Summer Classes & Camps: Registration & Payment Policy
Summer Classes: Refunds & Credits
Summer Camps: Registration & Payment Policy
Please know that we are located at a busy intersection. Please comply with the following rules below so that we do not cause congestion and so that we can be good neighbors.
Absences
When a student will be absent, please email info@shawl-anderson.org as early as you know about the absence or call the Center at 510-654-5921 for last minute absences. We encourage students who miss class to arrange for make-up classes. Make-up classes may be scheduled in the current semester only. We cannot give credits or refunds for elective absences. The only exceptions are for family emergencies or serious illness or injury. In any such instance, please contact us so that we can make arrangements. To select a make-up class, email youth@shawl-anderson.org or info@shawl-anderson.org.
Attendance
All students should plan to limit absences and make attendance a priority. We strongly encourage students to make up missed classes. All students are expected to contact their instructor or notify the front desk when they have to miss class. When students miss class, this impacts your child's learning and holds back the entire class since teachers develop curricula that build on prior lessons. Thank you for supporting your child(ren)'s experience in dance. Teen Attendance: The SADC teen program requires students to miss no more than 20% of their classes during each semester. For the example, in the 21 week Winter/Spring semester, this means that for a 2 day a week class, no more than 9 excused absences, for a 1 day a week class, no more than 5 excused absences. More than 20% excused absences may result in not performing in the June show. Absences are excused by contacting the teacher ahead of time. This can be done by calling 510-654-5921, emailing youth@shawl-anderson.org, info@shawl-anderson.org, or telling the teacher directly.
Release of Liability and Indemnification
As the legal parent or guardian, I release and hold harmless SADC, its employees and staff, and its Board of Directors from any and all liabilities, claims, demands, and causes of action, arising out of or relating to any personal injuries (including death) and property losses or damages that may be sustained by me or my child(ren) in connection with any activit(ies) occurring in or upon the premises of, or any premises under the control and supervision of, SADC. I further agree to indemnify SADC, its employees and staff, and its Board of Directors for any and all liabilities, claims, demands, and causes of action arising out of or relating to me or my child(ren)'s participation with any activit(ies) occurring in or upon the premises of, or any premises under the control and supervision of, SADC.
Use of Image
I am aware my child(ren) may be photographed and/or videotaped, in connection with the activities of SADC. My child(ren)'s name(s) will not be associated with such image(s). I also understand that any written or verbal commentary from my child(ren) regarding SADC may be used in promotional materials. I hereby give my permission and consent for his/her image(s) and commentary to be included in any photographs, brochures, posters, flyers, videos, marketing materials, website content, and any other document. I release and hold harmless SADC from any and all damages, liabilities, and/or claims arising out of or relating to the usage of my child(ren)'s image(s) or commentary in any such materials.
Opt Out Option
If you need to opt out of any aspect of our image and commentary use policy, please let us know by emailing youth@shawl-anderson.org.
Decline - Marketing (print, online)
Decline - Social Media
Decline - Commentary (quotes)
Medical Emergency
As the legal parent or guardian, I give permission to SADC, its employees and staff, and its Board of Directors to seek medical treatment for my child(ren) in case of serious emergency, injury, or illness, including call 9-1-1 for an ambulance if needed. Upon registration I will provide SADC with telephone numbers where I can be contacted. I understand that SADC will contact me immediately if medical treatment is needed for my child(ren).
Valuables
All students should be aware that there is no place to lock up valuables at the Center. Students should bring all valuables into class with them instead of leaving them unattended in the dressing rooms. This includes wallets, purses, computers, phones, jewelry, expensive/desirable clothing and shoes, etc. Please consider leaving valuables at home to avoid theft.
*Please bring a bottle of water to class.
Ballet
Black leotard and pink tights, or white t-shirt and black tights, with pink, black, or white ballet slippers. Long hair in a neat bun and all jewelry removed. Warm-up clothing may be worn at the beginning of class with teachers permission. Students should remove ballet shoes and wear warm-up clothing when leaving the building.
Hip-Hop
Dance, sweat, or yoga pants, or bike/soccer shorts. T-shirts or tank tops that do not fall off the shoulders. Sneakers dedicated for indoors use only. Knee pads without plastic may be recommended by the teacher.
Modern & Jazz
Leotards, tank tops, tights, and exercise pants or leggings are all options. Hair should be up and jewelry removed. Students dance barefoot in Modern, and barefoot or with black jazz shoes in Jazz (depending on the class).
*Note that dance shoes must not be worn outside.
Pointe Shoe Information and Requirements for Shawl-Anderson Dance Center Youth Ballet Students
Advancing to pointe work is an evolution of dedicated and effective ballet training and is a positive experience for those ready to devote themselves to continuing and increasing their study of ballet. It is an exciting step in a dancers training and must be taken with thoughtful consideration both by the student and teacher.
We at Shawl-Anderson Dance Center believe that students can progress as ballet dancers successfully with or without pointe work and support each dancer in their own personal dance goals.
Facts about pointe
These facts will help you understand the basics of pointe work.
Physical Criteria
This will help you understand some of the physical and technical requirements and set some goals as you work toward pointe.
If you are interested in pointe work, your teacher will discuss a plan with you and your parents. Your teacher will determine when you are ready for pointe shoes and help you with the selection, fitting and purchasing of your first shoes. We look forward to positively supporting you in your training here at Shawl-Anderson Dance Center. You are welcome to set up a time to talk to any of your ballet teachers and discuss your ballet goals.
Dedicated pointe classes are offered on Friday afternoons. These classes offer the dancer a third class of the week to support optimal training. Some dancers chose to take additional classes, up to five times a week. A student may take the Friday pointe class without being on pointe.
Class Performances
Shawl-Anderson is a non-competitive program that focuses on technique and artistry for youth dancers. Our classes culminate with a year-end performance geared towards the celebration of community and the art form. Performance venue and intensity of production is scaffolded by age group to help teach the process of performance while maintaining a healthy focus on authentic development throughout the year versus producing performance material.
Our Fall semester ends with open classes for all ages and genres on the last day of the semester. Our teen modern, jazz and hip-hop participate in a shared performance on the final Saturday of the semester, held at Longfellow Middle School. This is a low tech free of charge sharing with an emphasis on dancing rather than production.
Our Winter/Spring semester culminates with a series of performances. Ages 3 to 6 will participate in an open class sharing highlighting the children’s growth over the course of the year. Children ages 7-10 will share the stage with three other classes on the final Saturday of the year at a showing held in our Studio One performance space at SADC. Dancers age 10 and up participate in a pre-professional style dance concert along with 9 other classes on a large scale theater at Laney College. Dancers perform with a tech crew, stage manager, lights, and learn the details of being in a professional dance performance. Information regarding our year end performance is shared with families in early March in our performance guide.
Performance Groups
Shawl-Anderson has a number of opportunities for those students who enjoy performing and want to participate in groups that focus on the creation of work and the practice of performance skills. For detailed information, please go directly to our performance group page.
YouthCo YouthCo is a junior performance company for students in grades 7-9. The YouthCo dancer is one who is dedicated to dance, loves to learn new choreography, has experience in ballet or modern style movement and is interested in performing. The work created will be based in modern technique, will be technically and artistically challenging, and will teach performance skills. YouthCo participants have the opportunity to work with local choreographers to gain experience in the creative rehearsal process. Each semester the YouthCo will have the chance perform one or two of their pieces at local festivals or SADC events. The year culminates with a performance at Laney College. Dancers apply for the class, no audition necessary.
BPG Ballet Performance Group (BPG) provides a performance opportunity for the ballet dancer currently in level IV through VI at SADC. The group meets once a week in a rehearsal style format. Dancers work with local choreographers to create contemporary and classical ballet dances designed to highlight the dancers technique and performance skills. The BPG dancer is one who is excited about challenges and performing and should demonstrate a focused commitment to the group. BPG will build a repertoire to be performed throughout the year at SADC salons and local festivals. The year will culminate with the end of the semester performance at Laney College. Students must be enrolled in Ballet Level IV to VI to participate. Dancers apply for the class, no audition necessary.
JPG Jazz Performance Group provides a performance opportunity for the jazz dancer currently in the advanced level at SADC. The group meets once a week in a rehearsal style format. The JPG dancer is one who is excited about a range of jazz dance styles and ready to take on the challenge of creating new work and performing. Dancers work with SADC faculty to create dances designed to highlight technique and performance skill. JPG will build a repertoire to be performed throughout the year at SADC and local festivals. Dancers apply for the class, no audition necessary.
SAYE The Shawl-Anderson Youth Ensemble is an audition-based pre-professional modern performance company for teens who are advanced in modern technique. Dancers meet for five classes a week including ballet and rehearsals. Auditions are the week following our June performance.
Updated August 22, 2018