January Dance Newsletter

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Happy New Year!

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PAJAMA PROJECT SUCCESS! Thank you to everyone that participated in our annual pajama drive and Benefit Concert, what a success!!  All the participating studios did an amazing job of turning a few heads by collecting a total of 1523 pajamas and 1631 books and $8000…WOW! What a great experience we shared together.  We were able to donate to: Safe Harbor in Kaysville, Utah Foster Care Foundation from Ogden to Southern Utah, and Secretly Santa in Bountiful, UT. Great job!

STUDENT JOURNEY NOTE- PUSH THROUGH THE COLD WEATHER AND WINTER BLUES! While we can’t stop the snow from falling, we can help our dancers beat the winter blues by warming them up with dance. The Winter months are the best time to be attending dance lessons since seasonal depression kicks in and there is not as much outdoor time to be had. Dance lessons get you moving, laughing, and make you forget about those icicles outside for just a little while! If your dancer is struggling to push through and come to class, it’s worth the encouragement! If you can just get them in the door, they are going to have a great time and leave happier!

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Parents Night Out: JAN 10th- BOUNTIFUL STUDIO: "POLAR BEARS & PENGUINS"

We have so much fun at our PNO, your kids won't want to miss it!  They will get to eat pizza, make a yummy treat, play some fun themed games, and lots more! Cost is only $15 per child. 6:00-10:00 pm. Must be potty trained. Register by phone or email.  Space is limited! Open to anyone! Kids do not have to currently be enrolled at the studio to come to PNO. Register online by noon on Friday: https://www.dancetoexpress.com/parents-night-out/

 GET YOUR RECITAL CONSENTS TURNED IN BY JANUARY 31ST!

We will be announcing this year’s recital theme by the end of this month! Stay tuned! It is going to be so much fun, teachers can’t wait to start working on our fun recital routines with their classes! All participants are required to submit the recital consent! You can fill out the consent form HERE. 

Not sure what recital is all about? Read about the benefits of recital and watch this highlight video.

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FALL ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN FOR ACADEMIC PRESCHOOL!

We are now accepting registration for Fall 2020 preschool at both locations!  The benefit to our preschool is that it INCLUDES our dance and tumbling classes!  Get it all done in one!  We offer it all and have the BEST TEACHERS around!  Space is limited! LEARN MORE

REFERRAL PROGRAM

Are you ready to save some money? Start talking up Expressions Dance to your friends! Tell them to use the coupon code "care2share" when they register and you will BOTH get $20 TOWARDS TUITION! Help us spread the word about our amazing program! We have open enrollment in lots of our classes this month!

BARELY THREES (2-3 yr olds) AND DIAPER DANCERS (1-2 yr olds)

Current dancing families with little ones are invited to join our toddler dance classes for only $40 a month. This combo class of dance and tumbling is lots of fun and will get a few of your toddler's wiggles out! Enroll online and get set up for a FREE trial class in January!

Diaper Dancers Classes for 1-2 yr olds (parent participation class)

  • Tuesdays 9-15-10am @ Bountiful

  • Thursdays 6:45-7:30p-m @ Bountiful

Barely Threes Classes for 2-3 yr olds (must turn 3 by Sept 1, 2020)

  • Tuesdays 10-10:45am @ Bountiful

  • Tuesdays 5:45-6:30pm @ Centerville

  • Fridays 9:15-10am @ Centerville

FOR PARENTS OF PRESCHOOL DANCERS- JANUARY THEME

This month our theme is "I Need A Hero."  We will be focusing on teaching our dancers important rules for safety and good manners! We encourage you to get involved and have them practice their skills at home!  Here is what we will be working on in class this month: echappe, step touch with jumps, hips- side to side, following directions, angry faces.

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PRESCHOOL DANCERS CAN NOW “EARN THEIR WINGS!”

We are excited about a fun incentive to help our preschoolers master their SKIPS! When dancers pass off skips at dance they will be invited to earn their wings at a “Fairy and Prince Tea Party!” on January 24th or February 28th.  Start practicing your skips at home so you can EARN YOUR WINGS!

FOR PARENTS OF SCHOOL AGED TUMBLING/ACRO STUDENTS

January Stretch of the Month- Hips  |  Strength Challenge- V-sits

We are so excited this year to have a “stretch of the month” and a “strength challenge” in our acro/tumbling 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.

HIP HOP CLASSES- SHOE POLICY

Winter is here! Please carry your hip hop shoes into the studio and change into them before you enter the classroom.  You will be asked to dance with no shoes if you don't have a dry pair! Thank you! 

TEXT REMINDERS! Stay up to date on current events! Subscribe to our text reminders for your classes. Text your class code to 81010.

  • School aged classes: @edschool2

  • Preschool aged classes: @edpsdance2

  • Little Leapers: @edcleap

  • Dancing Dolls: @eddolls

Congrats to our winner of $100 tuition for her 5-star review: Ashley Jensen!

If you didn’t get a chance to give us a positive review yet, we would love you take one minute to share with others why you love being part of our Expressions Dance Family. We really appreciate all your support! If you can’t give us a 5-Star rating, please email us your reason so that we can improve. We are continually striving to improve ourselves! Thanks in advance!

THANK YOU! A BIG thank you from all our teachers for all the thoughtful Christmas gifts! As always, we want to thank you for your support and appreciate you trusting your children with us! We love working them and look forward to what 2020 has in store!

**If you’re still reading this, stop by and say hello to anyone in the office this month and tell them you read the newsletter, and you’ll be given a small thank you from us for being so great!


What to Look for in a Preschool

Selecting a preschool that is best for your child can be overwhelming and daunting.  There are so many factors that impact your decision, and it is something that should be contemplated carefully.  Consider the following suggestions in finding a preschool that is right for you and your child.

A good preschool should take into account how preschoolers learn:

  • Students must be in an environment where they feel safe and secure. Visit some preschools. The environment should feel kid-friendly. It should be a warm, inviting place where your child wants to be. Teachers should be welcoming and engaged.

  • Students need to have continuous, connected learning. The things your child learns should be connected. Find a preschool with curriculums that are research-based and proven to be effective.

  • Students must have chances to explore and play. Children learn through play. They should have ample time to discover and explore without having to sit still and listen for long periods of time.

  • All students develop in their own way and on their own timeline. Children should be allowed to go learn and explore at their own pace and in their own way. Curriculum should be differentiated according to student level and be introduced at a pace appropriate for each.

  • Students should have opportunities to learn with just enough challenge. Challenges are an important aspect of development; but too much, and they will get frustrated; not enough, and they will get bored.

  • Teachers can be facilitators in learning situations. They should make comments, ask questions, and add new challenges as children are exploring and learning.

A good preschool should have a balanced program that focuses on every aspect of children’s development:

  • Intellectual Development:

    • Preschoolers learn best through hands-on experience. They need to be encouraged to ask questions, problem solve, and come up with solutions, as well as be creative in their learning. As they explore with blocks or cars or pouring water from one container to another, they learn about science and math.

    • Children are encouraged to develop language and literacy skills as they listen to teachers read aloud, have chances to explain and share, and are surrounded by a print-rich environment. Students should be encouraged to interact with each other, talk, and share.

    • A students’ creativity is encouraged through expression using many mediums: markers, crayons, paints, colored papers, scissors, etc.

  • Social development:

    • Teachers are present to help children resolve social conflicts, such as fighting over toys or taking turns in a game. They talk to the students about what is happening and share positive ways to solve issues. They encourage students to build problem-solving skills that can be used on their own in the next situation. Instead of always telling students what not to do, teachers should give students the skills and abilities to solve problems on their own.

    • Students are encouraged to engage in “dramatic play.” They create scenarios and pretend to be “the mom” or “the teacher” or “baking cookies.” Teachers provide stimulating opportunities that allow students to explore and express themselves.

  • Large motor development:

    • Preschoolers crave movement. They need to be allowed to move their bodies frequently. Students are learning to control their bodies and should be given ample opportunities to dance to music, exercise, imitate other body movements, and play games. These things promote coordination.

  • Small motor development:

    • At this age, students are developing their fine motor skills. Teachers should provide activities and opportunities for students to practice. This can include things like play dough, blocks, Legos, lacing cards and, for older students, scissors. Being able to control their hands and fingers is a skill students can improve.

    • The preschool setting is also a place where students can learn independence in things like dressing themselves. Zipping up coats, tying shoes, and putting on socks are all skills that students should work towards. Opening up their own snack or cleaning up their own spills encourages students to be self-reliant and independent.

  • Language development:

    • Students learn language through listening and speaking. As they engage in conversations, it is important that they have individual conversations with adults throughout the day. They need to feel important and receive that individualized attention from those of authority.

    • Preschoolers also learn through song. They should have lots of opportunities to learn through singing, simple rhymes, and finger plays. They should be encouraged to talk through show and tell or by telling simple stories.

A good preschool will focus on several areas of learning at the same time.

  • Language and literacy skills: Students should be listening to stories, helping recite parts of familiar stories, and engaging in discussions about books and characters. Students should experiment with writing, beginning with basic scribbles to letter formation to writing their own names.

  • Mathematics and science: Children can learn math and science as they explore with different toys and tools. Toys can be counted, sorted, organized, arranged, and built. Students can learn about the weather, animals, and their bodies. So many aspects of the world around them are accessible to students in the preschool classroom.

  • Social studies: Students can and should study about their communities. They can learn about different cultures and even teach about their own customs and traditions.

  • Art, music, drama, and dance: Children should be given daily opportunities for dramatic play. There are so many tools they can use, including dress-ups, props, singing, paints and paper, etc. Students are encouraged to express themselves through lots of media.

As you search for a preschool for your child, ask for referrals from trusted neighbors and friends.  This should be an exciting time! 

Did you know that Expressions Dance hosts an amazing preschool? Leap’n Learners Preschool was established in 2008 and is Davis County’s premiere preschool programs! Set up a tour today and learn more at www.goleapnlearn.com

The Benefits of Recital - Creating Lifetime Memories

The recital is known for creating special memories—both for the dancer and for their family and friends.  It is a sentimental moment in time for many parents, watching their child perform in front of an audience!  For most of our dance families at Expressions Dance, it marks the closure of one year’s journey in dance and “sets the stage” for the next.

After the recital, costumes become special mementos, programs become keepsakes, photos become scrapbook centerpieces, and DVDs often become your household’s most-watched entertainment!  The time may have passed, but the souvenirs remain … along with the personal growth each student has achieved.

One comment we often hear from parents after the recital is how their child won’t stop talking about it!  The excitement lifts them up long after the curtain has come down.  We love hearing about this kind of enthusiasm, and we hope you’ll keep the dance conversation going at home.  This is an excellent time to listen to what your child has to say about what they liked best or what was challenging.  Being able to reflect on the experience and communicate that to others is another awesome skill to develop!

 

Sometimes the memories made at recital aren’t the ones you’d expect.  Maybe your dancer became distracted at one point onstage and made a silly face that made everyone laugh, or maybe they forgot a step during the dance and seemed discouraged.  Live performances can be a little unpredictable like this, but with a growth mindset, you and your child can still choose to see the positive outcome.  Like how that silly face was sweet and entertaining, and grandma loved it.  Or that forgotten step?  What a way to show perseverance!

 

The lifetime memories made at the recital enrich our students’ knowledge and understanding of what a performance encompasses.  They create context for other performing opportunities, such as in theater or music, and they build the kind of confidence only experience can deliver.

 

Performing onstage is an incredible opportunity for dancers to share what they have been learning in class, and to showcase their progress from the beginning of the year to the end.  Learning how to dance is a gradual process, and some skills take years to fully master—but however big or small the steps are, it is a major accomplishment for anyone to perform in front of hundreds of people!  All the hard work is worthwhile when a dancer experiences the high fives and smiles and congratulations that the recital brings from classmates, family, and friends.

 

Whether it’s a young dancer performing for their first time or a teen dancer performing at the end of her senior year, recital achievements are incredibly special to celebrate.  Lifelong memories are made from those achievements—and for many dancers, a true passion for dance is ignited! 

December Dance Newsletter

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Happy Holidays! Wishing you and your family the very best this season. We enjoy the opportunity to work with your family and love teaching your children!

YOU COULD WIN $100 IN TUITION for January! We need your help! For every 5-star review you write (or update if you’ve done it before!) on our Google profiles, you’ll be entered into our drawing to win $100 in tuition next month! You can get four entries if you copy and paste your review to all four. We really appreciate all your support! Thanks in advance!

FROZEN FRIENDS CAMP DANCE BALLET PRESCHOOL

FROZEN FRIENDS CAMP! Who has a kiddo that loves Frozen? Register to attend our Frozen Friends Camp and we will give you an elegantly wrapped box with an ice blue tutu and special invitation to put under the tree this Christmas!

  • When: January 11th, 10:30-12noon

  • Where: Expressions Dance, Bountiful location

  • To sign up, click here

  • *Space is limited; no refunds or exchanges.

  • Gift boxes will be available for pick up Dec 9-20 @ Bountiful

PARENT NIGHT OUT BABYSITTING PARTY

PARENTS NIGHT OUT- DROP AND SHOP! We have SO MUCH fun at Parent’s Night Out! Mark your calendar for your DECEMBER DATE NIGHT and we will take the kids…Friday, December 6th from 6-10 pm at our Centerville location! We have lots of fun activities planned for the kids and you can enjoy a night out CHILD FREE! Cost is $15 per child and $12 for additional siblings. Pizza will be served at 6:15pm. Must be potty trained. Register HERE or in your parent portal!  Space is limited!

Dec 23- Jan 3 | NO CLASSES FOR WINTER BREAK! We hope you all have a wonderful December! Our schedule stays the same when we return on January 6th. The classes you are currently registered for will continue through June 2020.  NOTE: We charge the same amount every month for convenience and consistency to our families. Holidays and studio closures are factored into the season’s tuition amount and is then broken into even monthly payments.

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 PAJAMAS AND BOOKS ARE DUE BY DEC 14TH! On December 14th, we are hosting "Dance For Life," a benefit performance and pajama/book drive to support the Utah Foster Care Foundation and several other local Utah charities.  We are still collecting pajamas and books at the studios. We hope you will join us in this cause! 

Get Involved!

  • Our lobbies both have “pajama trees” next to the donation boxes. Pick a few snowflakes off the tree to purchase pajamas and books for kids in need this holiday season. Snowflakes list specific ages, gender of children, and pajama sizes that we are gathering.  It is not required to pick a snowflake; we are still accepting any and all donations!

  • We are also collecting monetary donations. This will go towards more jammies and books! Bring in cash or Venmo donations to @danceforlife and include the dancers name so the amount can go toward their service society recognition!

  • Get your friends and family involved in this amazing opportunity to make a difference! We have involvement letters you can share that are available HERE.

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Winter Service Project: Service Society Recognition

The “Dance for Life” project is an opportunity for our dancers to qualify to become a member of the “Expressions Dance Service Society.”  To meet the qualifications for Service Society, each dancer needs to donate 10 pairs of pajamas, or 20 books, or $50 in cash donations. We will also accept a combination of the three donations (ex. 5 pjs and 10 books).  We want to encourage students to put their hearts into this by asking friends and family to get involved and donate towards our project.  Students that meet the donation requirements will be recognized for their service with a certificate and collectable award. These credentials will acknowledge their involvement in a good cause and will look amazing on future college scholarship applications and resumes! We are so excited to have a program within our studio to help teach our students the importance of service and community involvement! How to get credit for your donations:  When you bring your donations to the studio, please make sure to fill in your totals by your name on the clipboard that is next to the donation box.

 HOLIDAY SHOW INFO

Our Stars, Hip Hop, Company and Preschool Dance classes are embarking on an amazing journey as part of our holiday show “The Night Before Christmas.” We have started our holiday routines and will be performing at Dance for Life on December 14th at Viewmont High School. We are super excited to see these darling kids take that step out onto the big stage!

Dance for Life is an amazing event hosted by Expressions Dance and several other dance studios. Proceeds from this event go to the Utah Foster Care Foundation and other local charities. More details on how you can get involved along with performance details for your dancer visit our website. All the details can be found at www.dancetoexpress.com by visiting our parent portal and clicking performance info!

Cast announcements were emailed out in November and can be found in your parent portal. Please reach out to the office at info@dancetoexpress.com if you have questions on your cast.

Performance times:

  • Company Cast: call time 8:30am, show time 9:30-10:15am

  • Leap’n Learners Cast: call time 10:45am, show time 11:30-12pm

  • Candy Cane Cast: call time 1:15pm, show time 2:00-2:30pm

  • Gingerbread Cast: call time 2:45pm, show time 3:30-4:00pm

Tickets to Dance for Life HERE

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS!

We can help you out this time of year! Great stocking stuffers could be new tights or dance shoes! We have limited studio beanies, hoodies, and water bottles available on our online store HERE! Order yours today!  While supplies last!

 FOR PARENTS OF PRESCHOOL DANCERS- DECEMBER THEME

In December our theme is "From My Heart to Yours."  Each class will be focused around Christmas!  This month we are focusing on:  gallop, moving your head, shoulders, 6th position (feet together), sharing, and toe touches. We hope you can find time to review these elements with your dancer at home.  It is a great way to get EVERYONE moving!!

 FOR PARENTS OF SCHOOL AGED TUMBLING/ACRO STUDENTS

December Stretch of the Month- Straddle  |  Strength Challenge- Superman

We are so excited this year to have a “stretch of the month” and a “strength challenge” in our acro/tumbling 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.

 HIP HOP CLASSES- SHOE POLICY

With winter weather approaching, we need to remind you that we CANNOT have wet, salty, muddy shoes stepping onto our dance floor. Please carry your hip hop shoes into the studio and change into them before you enter the classroom.  You will be asked to dance with no shoes if you don't have a dry pair! Thank you! 

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EARLY BIRD RECITAL SAVINGS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER!

Can you believe it, we are already preparing for our next big show! Coming up in June will be our Tumbling Exhibition and our year-end Recital. More details on these two events will be coming your way as we get closer! Recital commitments were done at the time of registration, however, it's not too late to sign up! SAVE $20 by registering for the recital before Dec 15th. Not sure if you have registered for the recital? You can see your recital registration by logging into your online account HERE.

  1. Click account login

  2. Click the dropdown menu (hamburger icon) in the top left corner

  3. View all my classes

    • There you will see the enrollment for recital pay in full or 7 installments

    • Company members are automatically enrolled in the show and will not appear here

  4. First installment payment for the recital processed December 1st.

Not sure what recital is all about? Read about the benefits of recital and watch this highlight video.

Head over to the online consent form to view the details and fill it out now! Sign up and save NOW!

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