September 2019 Dance Newsletter

WELCOME!  A very special welcome to all our “new” dancing faces! We are so excited to have you be a part of our dancing family.  We have a number of fun things coming up and can't wait to have you join us.  We look forward to developing great friendships and memories with all of you.  Please read all our monthly newsletters carefully so you can stay up to date on announcements and activities.  DON’T FORGET: ALL NEWSLETTERS ARE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE!

View the special welcome video from the Director, Amy Simkins, HERE!

NEW WELCOME FOLDERS AND RELEASE FORM: Every Fall we have everyone sign a new release form. This helps us update our records and also reminds you of our policies. Dancers will be bringing their welcome folders home from class this month. Please bring the release form back to your next class. It can also be found HERE. We need your form turned in to have your dancer participate in classes.  Thanks for your help!

SEPT 13TH | PARENTS NIGHT OUT! Centerville Studio- 6:00-10:00pm  “Minions Party!”

Need a date night? Our Parent’s Night Out allows you to hit the town…with ADULTS ONLY!  While you get some much-needed “adult time,” your kids will get some “kid time!"  The best part is that they are in a safe, fun and friendly environment.  Our instructors will jam the night full of fun activities, crafts, games and more.  We will wear them out just in time for bed!  Cost is $15 per child and will include pizza for dinner! Our new extended night allows time to go to dinner AND a movie! Ages 3+ and must be potty trained. You do not need to be a current student to come! Register on our online sign up form.

SEPT 23-26th | BRING A FRIEND TO DANCE WEEK! We love bring a friend to dance week! Invite one friend to attend a class with you so they can see how much fun you have at dance! Friends will need to have a guardian sign the trial class waiver. This can be filled out at the studio.

FUNDRAISER- FAT BOY ICE CREAM! We want to give you the opportunity to help earn some money towards performances and class expenses by providing you with a few fundraisers during the year.  Our first fundraiser opportunity of the year will be selling FatBoy treats! Get a head start by looking over all the info on the calendar page of the website HERE!

CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCE! Our first performance of the year will be December 14th. We will be showcasing our dancers in 30-minute shows at “Dance For Life!” This is a benefit concert that supports our annual pajama drive! YOU NEED TO SUBMIT YOUR CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE! The consent is included on your policies waiver, or can be filled out online soon. Performance times will be emailed by October 10th. (Not for Diaper Dancers, Tiny Tots, Barely Threes, or tumbling classes)

PAJAMA DRIVE, BENEFIT CONCERT: Every year we reach out and touch someone's life by doing a group community service project.  We are going to join up again with our sister studios for a Pajama Drive. It’s time for our dancers and their families to get a head start on collecting pajamas and books for those in need.  All pajamas and books will be donated locally during the Holidays.   Start watching for those deals TODAY!!  We will need all sizes from infant to adult. 

PARENT OBSERVATION DAY: Parent observation day is the last 10 minutes of your child's LAST class of the month.  On this day please be courteous by keeping the noise level down and do not bring other young children.  We would like to minimize distractions as much as possible to allow for maximum progress in our classes.

ONLINE PARENT PORTAL: The account you created online can be updated at any time. From the home page on our website, www.dancetoexpress.com, click “parent portal” in the navigation, and then log in to update contact and billing information, see an itemized statement of charges and payments, register for new classes, view your schedule, and make payments. You can also reset your password any time.

FOR PARENTS OF PRESCHOOL DANCERS: Hello Preschool Dance Parents! We are excited to have a section each month in the newsletter just for preschool dancers!  This month our theme is “a need for speed.”  We are going to learn about all the different ways we can move.  We encourage you to get involved and have them practice their skills at home! This month we are focusing on: walks, jumps- using levels, plie and releve, curtsey/bow, arm placement, and smiling.

PRESCHOOLERS- ADD A PERFORMANCE CLASS TO YOUR SCHEDULE! Does your little dancer love to be onstage? Then our LEAP Program is perfect! This class is taken in addition to any Preschool Dance class or the Academic Preschool Program and is held once a week for an additional $25/month.  

Dancers will perform (about) monthly at local events and be required to purchase one costume ($65) for the entire year!  No audition required. Performance classes will start in September.  Register online or email the office for more information.

• Dancing Dolls Performance Group – ages 3-4. Mondays 6:15-7pm @ Btfl

• Little Leapers Performance Group – ages 4-5. Mondays 5:30-6:15pm at Bntl, Fridays 2:30-3:15pm at Ctvl

Attire – Girls: Leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, hair pulled back into a ponytail or bun. Skirt is optional.

STARS CLASS UNIFORMS AND DRESS CODE: We will be sizing dancers and handing out Stars uniforms as soon as they arrive (sometime mid-September!). Until then, any leotard is acceptable for class. Make sure to send your STARS dancer in pink tights and pink ballet shoes with HAIR IN A BUN! Please let us know if you have any questions! Our bun tutorial can be found HERE.

FOR PARENTS OF SCHOOL AGED TUMBLING/ACRO STUDENTS

Stretch of the Month Challenge: Lunge | Strength Challenge: Push Ups

We are so excited this year to have a “stretch of the month” and a “strength challenge” in our acrobatic classes! Encourage your child to work on these skills at home to help them improve even faster!  Be more involved by printing off the at home practice tracker HERE.

ADD AN EXTRA TECHNIQUE CLASS TO YOUR SCHEDULE! Join a Fast Track Class! 

Is your dancer ready for more? Taken in addition to a weekly stars or acro class, Fast Track classes will focus on technique and progress at an accelerated pace. 

• Fast Track Jazz (Kinder-2nd grade) Fridays, 2:30-3:30pm @ Bntl

• Fast Track Acrobatic (Kinder-2nd grade) Fridays, 3:30-4:30pm @ Bntl

ONLINE CALENDAR!

We have a calendar on the website!  Please refer to it for Holiday closures and studio events. If you use Google Calendar you can copy studio events directly into your calendar by clicking on the "add Google calendar" in the bottom right corner of the calendar.

Beating the Back-to-School Blues

“But I’m too tired!” 

It’s that time of year again!  School is back in session and after-school activities abound, meaning “I’m too tired” can become a frequent refrain from the backseat of your car.

It’s not uncommon for us to hear about young dancers who fall asleep on the way to class during the first month or so of school.  Getting used to a new schedule is not easy!  Some children won’t be shy about stating how tired they are after school is out; others just feel a little grouchy by the time dance class rolls around.  

What can you do to help turn this feeling around (and end your own exasperation)?  In our experience at Expressions Dance, the suggestions included here have the potential to completely bust those back-to-school blues!

• Create a fun “going-to-dance” ritual.  Whether it’s the music you jam out to on the way to class each week, or a family pizza night afterward, a special ritual can always perk up the day.  The routine built around attending dance class can have a tremendous impact on your child’s ability to adapt to their new schedule.

• Offer gentle, consistent reassurance.  While we all know that logic doesn’t always fly with children, sometimes they feel better just knowing you understand and are there for them.  Remind them that feeling tired after school is normal, and that the feeling will get better over time. Let them know that you’re proud of them for making an effort.

• Be prepared with water and snacks!  Children who are well-hydrated and who’ve had a light snack before dance class feel more refreshed and ready to move.  They have the energy they need to enjoy the experience and retain what they’ve learned.

If there is a “best part” about the back-to-school blues, it’s that they are temporary.  At Expressions Dance, we know that this period of time will soon become a distant memory, one replaced with the refrain of “Is it time to go to dance class yet?”  Consider yourself warned!

How to Make the Most Out of Your Child’s Classroom Experience

Dance lessons can be an awesome way to encourage your child’s personal growth!  At Expressions Dance, we’re not just teaching dance steps in our classrooms—we’re developing curious, compassionate young leaders and equipping them for success.   

We know that it can be a challenge sometimes to know what to do to offer support and encouragement for your dancer—especially if you are still new to the world of dance!  Here are four of our best tips for making the most out of your child’s class experience at Expressions Dance:

1.  Talk about dance at home

   • Although many of our young dancers take just one or two classes per week, dance is usually on their minds every day!  Read dance books together or listen to music and try some dance moves in the living room.  This helps keep your child’s mind engaged about dance in an extra-fun way—because they can share it with you!

2. Ask your child to teach you what they are learning

   • Since dance lessons are built on structure and repetition, teaching someone else can be a fun way to practice.  Even if your child is still working on remembering their steps, this can help exercise their memory!  (Plus, it can be pretty cute.)

3. Find out what your child likes best about class, or what they find challenging

   • Gain insight into what your child loves about dance—and what they think is hard—by asking them about their class.  Do they have a favorite step?  Have they made some new friends?  What do they like about their teacher?  These answers can help you understand what your child’s experience is like.

4. Voice your support

   • The way you praise your child can be very useful in helping them get the most out of dance class!  Use phrases like, “I love watching you dance!” or “I can tell you’ve been working hard.” or “Did you try your best?  That’s what’s most important.”  Your child’s confidence and enthusiasm will continue to grow with this kind of encouragement at home and at class.

We hope these four tips come in handy as your child progresses through our dance season and of course, we’re always happy to help with any class curriculum or programming questions you might have.  We’re so thankful you’ve chosen Expressions Dance for your child’s education in dance! 

Why is the Dress Code Important?

It’s a common question to hear from dance parents and students alike: What purpose does the dress code actually serve?  We’re glad you asked! Expressions Dance’s dress code was established for a few very important reasons:

• Safety

  • The number one factor in establishing a dress code is for all students’ safety in class.  A basic leotard and tights, along with hair pulled back and the appropriate shoes, ensures that there are no extraneous clothes or jewelry that can become hazardous.  The dress code also helps teachers see that students are using the right muscles and alignment in order to learn the correct movements in class. 

• Modesty

  • At Expressions Dance, we want every student to feel good about trying his or her best in class.  Following the dress code helps us make sure that everyone is appropriately covered ... but not so covered that their movement is restricted!  We know that kids can sometimes feel self-conscious, and we want to encourage their confidence by helping them feel comfortable with what they wear in the studio.

• Respect

  • A dress code is one way students show respect for their peers and their teachers.  It demonstrates an understanding of how a dance class operates, with minimal distractions and the ability to move easily for any combination of steps or choreography.  It shows that the students are prepared to learn and are willing to save their fashion statements for outside of class.

• Practicality

  • Because leotards and tights also often serve as a versatile base layer for costuming, it makes sense that students become accustomed to them during class time.  Just as swimmers wear swimsuits and basketball players wear jerseys, dancers wear leotards and tights to have the freedom of movement required to practice correctly and efficiently.

Everyone benefits with the dress code in place: dancers can learn comfortably and instructors can teach efficiently!  At Expressions Dance, we take pride in our dress code and are happy to help you with questions at any time.