Registration and Payment Policy:

• Nolte Companies courses are offered on a yearly basis. Registration takes place in the fall.  
• We accept new students throughout the academic year, and the monthly fees will be prorated.  
• All charges for classes are withdrawn from the client’s preferred payment method as indicated in Jackrabbit.  Automatic payments occur monthly on the 1st or the 15th of the month.  You may select your preferred automatic payment date via Jackrabbit registration.
• If you have selected an option other than automatic payment in Jackrabbit and you do not log in to pay your balance nor do you confirm through the company manager to withdraw payment, you will automatically be billed on the 15th of the month.
• All Nolte Companies offerings are a full-month commitment.  Anyone who needs to drop a class or program will need to give two weeks notice prior to the first of the following month; we do not give refunds for the month in which a student is currently enrolled.  

Illness Protocols:

Staff/Student General Illness Protocols:

• Any person with a fever (100.4 degrees and above) may not come into the building until they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducers.
• Those with extreme symptoms (103 degrees and above and vomiting, for example) are required to stay home 48 hours.
• If your student is absent due to illness, please notify the company manager.  
• If a student becomes ill during class, parents will be contacted immediately to pick up their child. The child waits with front desk staff and families will have a back-up caregiver on call.
• If a child gets sick in class (vomit), all students will exit the studio and move into the lobby. A front desk employee sanitizes and cleans up. The teacher keeps class together until the area is sanitized.
• If a child gets a nosebleed, they go immediately to the restroom. A front desk employee manages clean up and parent contact (if needed). The child waits with front desk staff, and if staying, can return to class when the bleeding subsides and hands have been washed.  

Staff/Student Positive COVID-19 Test Protocol:

• Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 is to isolate at home.  
• Everyone testing positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status:

• Stay home for 10 days from the onset of symptoms or positive test if asymptomatic.
• If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, AND you have a negative antigen or PCR test, you may return to Nolte Academy.  This includes being fever-free for 24 hours.  

Staff/Student Exposure to COVID-19 Protocol:

• If the exposed individual

• has been boosted
• OR

• completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months
• OR

• completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months
• OR
• Has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days

• the individual may continue to attend Nolte Academy programming as usual, wearing a mask for the next 10 days.  In the contact tracing process, all possibly exposed individuals will be asked to provide evidence of the above circumstances to continue attending programming.  
• We highly recommend any exposed individual test on day 5 after exposure.
• If the exposed individual develops symptoms they must get tested and stay home.

• If the exposed individual

• completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and is not boosted
  OR
  completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and is not boosted
  OR
  Is unvaccinated

• the individual must stay home for 10 days OR 5 days plus a negative antigen or PCR test.
• We highly recommend any exposed individual test on day 5 after exposure.
• If the exposed individual develops symptoms they must get tested and stay home.

• Any student that has to miss classes due to quarantining will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.  There will be no refunds or discounts for missed classes.
•  
• If Johnson County Health asks our community to shelter-in-place due to positive COVID-19 cases, all academy classes will go virtual until it is deemed safe by health professionals to resume in-person learning. There will be no refunds or discounts for classes.

COVID-19 Exposure Definition: An individual is considered a close contact when they have been within six feet of the COVID-19 positive individual for 15 minutes. If both the infectious individual and the close contact(s) are wearing face coverings consistently and correctly, it is NOT considered an exposure.

Instructor Illness Protocol:

• If an instructor is sick, there are three possible options for class continuation:

• Substitute may relieve teacher for in-person instruction
• If well, but quarantining, instructor may teach virtually to in-studio class (teacher is in hybrid mode)
• Entire class may go virtual

• In the event of instructor illness, classes will continue in one of the three possible options described above, and refunds or discounts will not be granted.

Staff/Student Expectations:

Masks:

Beginning July 5, 2022, all  individuals may choose to wear or not wear a mask while inside Nolte Academy.

We encourage anyone who is experiencing mild symptoms of illness (regardless of negative COVID test) to opt to mask, as this cuts down on the passing of influenza, strep, or other cold viruses and stomach bugs.  

Each person's choice is their own and will be respected by all members of the Nolte community. In other words, people will not be questioned, teased, micro-aggressed or otherwise harassed for their masking choices.

Hygiene:

• Please practice good hygiene as academy participants: Cover your cough, wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom and eating, and please stay home when sick.

Coming-and-Going:

• Families will promptly pick up their students at the end of class, cutting down on the number of people intermingling in the lobby area.  

Cleaning Protocols:

• Studio is professionally cleaned daily with sanitizing procedures (all surfaces and areas).
• Floors are deep-cleaned (disinfected) weekly.
• Student helpers and teachers are wiping down barres, stereo knobs, and doorknobs between classes.
• There are disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer in each studio.

Attire Considerations:

Please change into attire before entering the building, as dressing rooms will not be open. (If a student is in multiple classes, please dress for the most conservative class -- i.e. ballet -- and wear that attire to other classes). Students may layer their clothing for other classes. Students may keep a bag or backpack in the lobby. Attire may be purchased online at Discount Dance.

Creative Movement:

• Ballet shoes or socks, leotard and tights encouraged but not required, comfy clothes for dancing

Children's Dance 1 and 2:

• Females: Pink ballet tights, leotard of any color, hair pulled back out of face, pink ballet shoes, black tap shoes.
• Males: Tighter fitting pants and shirt, black ballet shoes, black tap shoes.

Kinder Combo:

• Females: pink ballet tights, leotard of any color, hair pulled back out of face, pink ballet shoes, black tap shoes.
• Males: Tighter fitting pants and shirt, black ballet shoes, black tap shoes.

1st Grade Combo:

• Females: pink ballet tights, leotard of any color, hair pulled back out of face, pink ballet shoes, black tap shoes, tan jazz shoes.
• Males: Tighter fitting pants and shirt, black ballet shoes, black tap shoes, black jazz shoes.

Tap:

• Black tap shoes. No jeans, loose-fitting breathable clothing including T-shirts, shorts, sweatpants and tights. No heavy jewelry. Hair should be out of your face to avoid distraction during class.

Ballet:

Leotards, tights & shoes

“Faustine” by Wear Moi (Ballet 1- Ballet 6)

youth sizes

adult sizes

Male dancers:

Fitted white t-shirt, black tights, white socks & shoes

Hair:

        Neatly pulled back out of dancer’s face in a:

• Bun
• French twist
• Braids

Jazz:

• Female dancers: Tan jazz shoes. Male dancers: Black jazz shoes.
• Leotards, half-tops, dance pants or booty shorts. NO baggy T-shirts, sweatshirts, pajama pants, or oversized clothing. No heavy jewelry. Hair should be out of your face to avoid distraction during class.

Contemporary:

• Half shoes or barefoot. Loose-fitting breathable clothing including T-shirts, shorts, sweatpants and tights. No heavy jewelry. Hair should be out of your face to avoid distraction during class.

Theatre Arts:

• Comfortable/work out or dance clothes only. No jeans, no streetwear, no shirts with branding or other wording.

Visual Arts:

• Art class can get messy. Please wear clothes that can get dirty and bring your own apron or large art shirt to put over your clothes.
• Aprons will not be provided at this time. Short sleeves are a good idea, as sleeves often get dragged through your artwork.
• Closed-toe shoes are suggested.

Family Communication Policies

Parent communication within Nolte Companies programs

If you have questions or concerns about:

• Billing, registration, calendar, general class schedules, or attendance please contact our company manager via email or phone (319.688.9289)
• Content of classes or student placement in Nolte Programs, please first email a director in your area of question:

• Dance:

• Leslie Nolte 
• Loren Williams (ballet)

• Theatre Arts:

• Kristen DeGrazia

• Visual Arts:

• Kyle Powell

• Affect

• Rylee Villhauer

• Pilates:

• Jennifer Evans

• Open Doors Dance Festival:

• Leslie Nolte

• Young Children’s Programming:

• Erin Taylor

• They will answer your questions as fully as they are able.
• If they or the family deems further action or communication necessary, questions can be directed to Savannah Moore, the company manager.  

• Interactions between peers/families, between student and teacher, or topics that are of a confidential or sensitive nature, and they pertain to and directly impact your student’s experience within Nolte Companies, please contact Savannah Moore, the company manager.

Professional Etiquette and Program Feedback:

We ask that all families communicate professionally with Nolte artist-teachers by sending them an email at their work address rather than texting or calling them personally.  They will then be able to address your needs, via email or, if your preference is to speak to them, they can set up a time to do a zoom or phone call.  The company manager may also be invited to attend if there is a meeting planned.

Misconduct Policy

• Any misconduct by students, family members, or Nolte staff will be swiftly addressed by meeting between concerned parties and the company manager.  

• Misconduct includes but is not limited to

• disrespectful language
• poor or spotty attendance
• participating in or perpetuating gossip about any students, family members or staff in Nolte programming
• consistently negative or any harmful behaviors towards other students, family members, or staff, including micro-aggressions
• bullying (see bullying policy)

• Any founded misconduct instances identified will be placed in the student/family/staff file.

• Three or more instances of misconduct over a trimester will result in possible dismissal from Nolte programs
• Three or more instances of misconduct over the academic year will result in participation in Nolte programs on a probationary basis as outlined in the situation-specific plan developed

Bullying Policy

Nolte Companies takes bullying very seriously and have a zero-tolerance policy regarding a founded bullying incident.  

• This means that if a report of bullying is brought to the administration, there will be an investigation into the incident.  
• If it is indeed a founded case of bullying, there is the possibility that the student or family perpetuating the bullying will be asked to withdraw from Nolte programming.
• If the student is allowed to continue as a participant in Nolte programming, it will be on a probationary basis, and a plan will be put in place to help restore relationships and change bullying behaviors.  
• If the plan is unsuccessful, the student will be withdrawn from participation in Nolte programming.

Bullying Definition

The definition of bullying, taken directly from StopBullying.gov is unwanted, aggressive behavior...that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.

In order to be considered bullying, behavior must be aggressive and include:

• An Imbalance of Power:

• People who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.

• Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.”

Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.

Types of Bullying

There are three types of bullying:

• Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things. Verbal bullying includes:

• Teasing
• Name-calling
• Inappropriate sexual comments
• Taunting
• Threatening to cause harm

• Social bullying, sometimes referred to as relational bullying, involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships. Social bullying includes:

• Leaving someone out on purpose
• Telling others not to be friends with someone
• Spreading rumors about someone
• Embarrassing someone in public

• Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. Physical bullying includes:

• Hitting/kicking/pinching
• Spitting
• Tripping/pushing
• Taking or breaking someone’s things
• Making mean or rude hand gestures

Positive Practice

Nolte Companies believes that, in most cases, students who are engaged and active participants in their learning have very few discipline problems. When needed, we carry out discipline focusing on positive practice.  The staff is trained to give a verbal re-direct that contains positive guidance and an opportunity for the appropriate behavior to take place.  There are clear-cut limits set that assist the student in developing socially acceptable behavioral and emotional controls.  The goal of disciplining students is to help them develop self-discipline and skills for success, not to adhere to a rigid set of rules.  

• Positive reinforcement is the first practice in any discipline scenario: staff is trained to emphasize a job well done and to verbally praise students for positive and wanted behaviors.  This often solves behavioral problems with most students.
• Sometimes a student may continue to exhibit a problem behavior.  In this case, staff are trained to follow the process outlined here:

• After positive reinforcement has proven to be ineffective, the staff will give a reminder to the student phrased as a positive re-direction, using a conversational tone.
• If this re-direction is ineffective, the staff member will then ask the student in a conversational tone if they would like to take a (brief) break.  That could be taking a quick walk, getting a drink, or sitting somewhere they can relax and re-set.  
• When a student returns from a break, they will be allowed to resume activities with a clean slate.  Staff is trained to start afresh with students after a break time.
• Any discipline issues that occur with your student will be reported the same day to parents/guardians utilizing the Nolte Companies Incident Report form.
• Any serious issues will be written up in an Incident Report.  

• If a child accrues more than 2 Incident Reports, a conference between the staff, parent/guardian, and company manager will be held to create an action plan for moving forward.  
• This action plan will be put into writing, and a copy will be given to the parent/guardian and one will be put in the student’s file.  

• Nolte Companies do not use any form of corporal punishment to discipline students (e.g. spanking, slapping, shaking) or any punishment that is humiliating, frightening, or causes pain or discomfort to a student.  Students are not restrained mechanically or locked in a room as a form of discipline.  No student shall be subjected to verbal abuse, threats, or derogatory remarks about the student or their family.  

Safety, Inclement Weather, and Emergency Protocols:

• Please secure your valuables. We are not responsible for items left unattended in our building.
• We take the safety and security of all our students very seriously. Please be sure younger children are attended at all times and older children are picked up promptly as their classes end.
• Please drive slowly through our parking lot and near our entrance.

Weather

• Nolte Companies will decide by one (1) hour prior to the beginning of class will be closed due to inclement weather.  Closing information will be posted on Nolte's Facebook page and communicated via email with enrolled families.
• In the event of inclement weather, studio closing/makeup classes will be handled as follows:

• For the first instance of closing for any one day of the week for hybrid/in-person classes, students may make up a comparable class any other day of the week, any other time during the regular academic year. Fully virtual classes will run as scheduled.
• For subsequent instances of closing for any one day of the week, hybrid/in-person classes will shift to Zoom for that day, OR students may make up a comparable class any other day of the week, any other time during the regular academic year. Fully virtual classes will run as scheduled.
• For ICon class cancellations, Monday/Wednesday classes will be made up on Friday at a later date. Tuesday/Thursday classes will be made up on a Saturday at a later date.

Injury or Incident

• A quiet area is provided for injured or ill students.
• Each student is observed for signs of injury upon arrival, and unusual injuries are reported on the Nolte Companies Incident Form.  All serious injuries requiring treatment or incidents taking place are reported on the Incident Form; parents/guardians receive a copy of this form.
• Minor injuries are treated with soap and water, a band-aid, and ice as needed by staff members.
• If a serious injury, including a head injury or dental injury, occurs, we call 911 and the student requiring emergency care is transported by ambulance to your preferred hospital as reported on the emergency medical information indicated in Jackrabbit.  
• Parents/guardians are contacted as soon as possible after calling 911.
• If a parent/guardian cannot be reached immediately, the emergency contact person is notified.
• Payment of any bills or charges incurred from the ambulance and/or other medical/dental care is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

First Aid Kit

Nolte Academy has a clearly labeled first-aid kit available and easily accessible to staff at all times.  The kit contains sufficient supplies to address first aid related to minor injury or trauma.  

Emergency Plan for Fire

• Teachers will lead the students out of the building and 911 will be called.  

• The students and staff will meet on the sidewalk to the south of the building.  Staff will ensure that all students are accounted for.  

• Another teacher will shut all windows, turn out the lights, close all doors, and then proceed to the meeting place.  

• The front desk will check all bathrooms for students and then proceed to the meeting place.

• Students and staff will remain in their designated area until emergency vehicles arrive.

• Caretakers will be notified and students will remain on the premises at the designated area until caretakers arrive.  

• If evacuation of the premises is necessary, the students and staff will walk to a safe place.  

• Caretakers will be contacted and made aware of the alternate pick up site.  

• Students and staff will return to the building when fire officials have determined it is safe to do so.

DESIGNATED MEETING AREA: The parking lot of the church just west of the Nolte Academy building.

SAFE PLACE OFF-SITE: The New Life Church

Emergency Plan for Tornado/Derecho

• The signal for a tornado or derecho is the outdoor tornado siren.
• The front desk employee will inform the teaching staff.
• Teachers will lead the students into the windowless hallways and dressing rooms and have them sit along the walls.
• The staff and students will remain in the designated area until the “All Clear” has been sounded.  
• If there is structural damage to the building, 911 will be called and determination will be made if it is safe to exit the building.
•  If it is necessary to leave the building, staff will follow the evacuation guidelines as set out in the Emergency Plan for Fire.

Emergency Plan for Severe Weather/Blizzard

• Nolte Companies will decide by one (1) hour prior to the beginning of class will be closed due to inclement weather.  Closing information will be posted on the Nolte’s Facebook page online and the academy’s answering machine.
• Should severe weather develop while Nolte programming is in session and the need arises to close early, parents/guardians will be contacted by email and/or telephone and asked to pick up their student as soon as possible.
• Parents/guardians may give permission for another designated adult to pick up their student.  If road conditions are such that driving is difficult or impossible, students, staff and any family members in the building will remain inside until roads are passable.

Emergency Plan for Power Outage

• The building is set up with emergency back up lights.  
• The front desk will inform the power company of the outage.  
• If it has been determined that the outage will interfere with continued operation of the building, parents/guardians will be contacted to pick up their students.

Emergency Plan for Bomb Threat

• The Emergency Plan for Fire will be followed.  
• The front desk will call 911 and inform the emergency personnel that a bomb threat has been received and will communicate as much information as possible about the caller and the message.  
• Any instructions given by the emergency personnel will be followed.  
• Staff and students will return to the building once the search has stopped and the building has been declared safe.

Emergency Plan for Lost or Abducted Student

• In the event a program is unable to locate a student, all students will be brought into the inner corridor.  
• Front desk staff and other available staff will immediately and completely search the grounds and the building while the other students are being supervised.  
• If the student is not found within 10 minutes, parents/guardians will be called and 911 will be notified.
•  A detailed description of the student, including what they are wearing and places they might have gone, will be given to emergency officials.  
• If the student is observed being abducted, 911 will be called immediately and a complete description of the student and the abductor will be given, if possible.  
• If advance warning is received that someone is coming to take a student, the student will be taken in the staff room where a staff member will stay with the student and the door locked.  
• When the person arrives to attempt to take the child, they will be encouraged to leave the premises.  
• If the person refuses, 911 will be called. No staff or student will leave the building until authorities have arrived.

Emergency Plan for Intoxicated or Substance-impaired Caretakers

• Staff will immediately alert the front desk employee of the situation.  
• The caretaker will be talked with about the danger of taking a student and/or operating a vehicle while intoxicated and asked if there is another adult who can be contacted to pick up the student.  The focus will be on the welfare of the student.  
• If the caretaker demands to take the student while in such a condition, the staff must release the student to the caretaker.
•  If and when the caretaker does leave with the student, the front desk employee shall escort the caretaker and child to their car to get the tag number, detailed description of the vehicle and the direction of travel at which time 911 will be called.

Emergency Plan for Intruder

An intruder or dangerous adult would include an adult exhibiting inappropriate behavior, bearing arms, and or showing signs of intoxication by either drugs or alcohol.  This also includes any person who is prohibited by court order to see or transport a student (this must be on file with Nolte Companies).  

• Staff will alert the on-site supervisor should an intruder enter the building at which time they will approach the intruder and inquire as to why they are on the premises.  
• During this time, teachers will ensure that all the students are accounted for.  
• If it is determined the intruder should not be on the premises, they will be asked to leave.  
• If the intruder refuses to exit the building or uses force or threat of force, 911 will be called.  
• If it is determined the intruder’s intent is to leave with a student or staff unlawfully, staff will take the student or other staff member into the staff room, lock the door, and call 911.
•  In the event that the person leaves the center before the officials arrive, staff will write down the license plate of their vehicle and a full description of the individual.  
• Staff will not place themselves or the student in danger by attempting to detain the individual.

If, at any time, there is a concern about a possible intruder or the safety of the children, the building will lock the doors (locked from the outside, not the inside) and anyone who wishes to enter will have to ring the doorbell.  In addition, in case of a life-threatening intruder, all staff will follow the ALICE procedure.  This procedure calls for immediate evacuation from the building.  The building will also begin a lock-down and follow the procedures as described above.