SAFER STUDIO GUIDELINES
Thank you for continuing to follow the guidelines and helping us to remain a Safer Studio. Parents, thank you for keeping kids home if they are not well, and for your enhanced efforts to practice good hygiene. As we are going into regular cold and flu season, it is important that we continue our combined efforts to follow these guidelines. Please continue to monitor your children and do not send them to class if they have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, etc. Sending a child with symptoms to class in a mask is not an acceptable solution. Please keep children home when they are sick. We appreciate your enhanced awareness and efforts in keeping our students and faculty healthy.
CLASS REMINDERS
Potty before class, especially preschoolers!
No underwear under your leotard. Tights are dancer's underwear!
BE ON TIME! We have had a lot of latecomers and late pick-ups. It is very disruptive to our classes when you walk in late, not to mention unsafe for dancers to miss warming up. Late pick-ups are preventing our next classes from starting on time. Thanks for your attention to this manner!
IT’S NEW STYLE NOVEMBER
This month we are opening trials to currently enrolled students to try another style of class! Have you been thinking about trying Hip Hop or Tumbling? Jazz or Ballet? We would love to see you try a new stye this month!
CLICK HERE to join us for a complimentary class.
RECITAL INSTALLMENTS START NOV 1
Dance is the ultimate performing art, and dancing onstage at the recital serves as a powerful tool for building a child’s confidence in themselves—a confidence that easily carries over into a dancer’s home life, schoolwork, and friendships. So how can one special event create such a big difference? Read all about benefits of the recital HERE.
When starting class this season, you submitted the waiver that included details about our June Recital. All students are automatically enrolled to participate in the year-end recital and/or the tumble exhibition.
The automatic performance deposit of $75 for dancers or $45 for tumblers only processed on Oct 15.
Installment amounts will be processed with tuition from November-June.
To see your child’s participation schedule, go to your parent portal HERE.
Select "View All My Classes" in the top left navigation.
Your child’s registration for events in which they are participating will show there.
If you have not submitted your form, you can do that here: https://app.hellosign.com/s/4G1b4sAE
If you need to review the information, the Parent Guide includes all performance details.
NOV 14-18 FUN BUN WEEK
The third week of November is FUN BUN WEEK! Come to class with a fun bun (short hair can do crazy hair). Turn that bun into a masterpiece... Maybe it's a spider or a one-eyed monster!! We can't wait to see your creations!
STARS CLASSES- EARN YOUR “DRESSED TO IMPRESS” PIN FOR PROPER ATTIRE
Starting last month, STAR students will earn a sticker on their chart each week for having their hair in a proper bun for class along with proper attire of tights and their leotard. Once they fill up their whole row of stickers, they will earn their “Dressed to Impress” pin!
To earn a pin your dancer must:
Have her hair in a secure ballet bun (not a doorknob bun)
Use a hairnet
Use bobby pins to secure bun
WHY DOES MY SCHOOL AGE DANCER NEED TO WEAR A BUN?
MUSCLE MEMORY: Does your child have bangs or pieces of hair falling down in the face? How about little frizzies tickling their shoulders? In the middle of a dance, they may reach up and brush their hair out of their way. When a dancer does this all the time, after a specific step, or in a rehearsal, it becomes muscle memory, and they will continue to "brush their hair away" onstage, even if it is slicked back and pinned up!
TURNING TROUBLE: It's a problem for turns. For ponytails, dancers tend to close their eyes when they spot, or whip their head around. You cannot turn without spotting your head, and you definitely can't turn with your eyes closed. This is a safety hazard.
BALANCE AND ALIGNMENT: A ballet bun helps to center your balance. Having your neck visible allows the teacher to correct your alignment by making sure your neck, shoulder and back are placed correctly.
HELPS THE TEACHER: If everyone in the room matches perfectly, it is easier to pick out exactly where corrections are needed and who needs them. A shoulder or elbow in the wrong place, the head placement not being correct, or even trying to figure out who is turning the wrong direction can be disorienting if everyone's hair, clothing, and accessories are different. This is important because it helps implement proper technique.
BECAUSE THE TEACHER SAID SO: Even if there was no other good reason, your teacher has a rule in her class that needs to be followed. If you respect your child's teacher, your child will see that respect, and it will transfer to them. The overall atmosphere in our program will remain learning friendly, professional, and respectful.
EXPRESSIONS DANCE SWAG- IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS!
Cooler weather means sweatshirt weather! Pre-order your Expressions Dance crewnecks and hoodies today! These make GREAT Christmas presents!
Studio Blankets- Personalized with your dancer’s name
Studio Water Bottles- Personalized with your dancer’s name
Book “Sticks and Stones” written and illustrated by our very own Mr. Amy (Aron Simkins)This simple story follows Tisk and Tusk as they learn to choose FORGIVENESS and FRIENDSHIP over fighting. It is a great book for all ages and makes for a wonderful gift to anyone! We are so excited to get copies of this book in the studio store!
Order here: https://forms.gle/Zpni4v5bjNiP7RbS7
Orders are due by Nov 22 to guarantee items will be ready to pick up the week before Winter Break.
Nov 22-25: * THANKSGIVING BREAK!*
There will be no classes for Thanksgiving Break beginning Tues, Nov 22nd at 4pm through Friday, Nov 25th. (We will hold morning classes on the 22nd!)
Dec 17th: HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE: “CHRISTMAS COOKIE SOCIALS”
Our in-studio Christmas Cookie Social offers students a low-key, fun, and simple performance that allows dancers time in front of an audience to help them become more comfortable performing! Participation includes a cookie (of course), and a simple costume accessory rental (skirt, tutu, hat, etc.) given to dancers when they arrive. Female dancers in stars classes will wear their class uniform as their base costume. Preschool/Pre-K girl dancers need a black leotard for their base costume. Boys will wear blue jeans or black pants and a red or green tshirt.
Participation is $30.
Families will sign up online for a show time in the parent portal HERE.
Select “Enroll in a class” and select the special events season.
Scroll through to Dec 17th and find your child’s class type and teacher name.
Free admission for up to 4 spectators per participant.
Tumbling classes, Tiny Tots, and Diaper Dancers do not participate in the Holiday Performance.
CHRISTMAS PAJAMAS AND BOOKS CHARITY PROJECT
This year’s Christmas Charity Project is going to be even bigger than last year! We are gathering new pajamas and books to donate to those in need locally. We will be sending out an email that can be forwarded to family and friends about our project. Start bringing in your donations this month! Look for the donation box in our front lobbies. Help us beat last year’s total of 1701 pajamas, 1479 books!
We’ve opened up our Scholastic book program to ALL of our dance families for our Christmas project. Scholastic is an amazing resource with GREAT books at a GREAT price!! You can order $1 books and they will be shipped right to the studio. Visit Scholastic Books HERE and take advantage of this convenient way to donate to our book drive. Online orders are due by Friday November 11th.
FOR PARENTS OF SCHOOL AGED TUMBLING/ACRO STUDENTS
November Stretch of the Month- Back/Bridge | Strength Challenge- Wall Sit
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.
FOR PARENTS OF PRESCHOOL DANCERS- NOVEMBER THEME
This month our theme in dance is “E-I-E-I-O” We are going to have so much fun moving like horses and dancing with our duck feet. We hope you are having fun dancing with us at home!
This month we are focusing on: kicks, marching, ballet arms (port de bras)
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!
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. https://www.dancetoexpress.com/calendar-newsletter
TEXT REMINDERS
Stay up to date on current events! Reminder texts are sent out for closures and special events. Please make sure the primary phone number listed on your account is one that can receive texts.
ONLINE PARENT PORTAL
The account you created online can be updated at any time. Log in on the website to update contact and billing information, register for new classes, and make payments. You can also reset your password any time. https://www.dancetoexpress.com/parent-portal
STUDIO FACEBOOK GROUP
Join our studio Facebook group and be a part of our community HERE! Stay up to date on current events and connect with us!
COMMUNITY CONNECTION: BALLET WEST NUTCRACKER
It is a studio tradition to go to Ballet West's Nutcracker at Capitol Theater every year! This year we have FIVE dancers cast in the Nutcracker! Choose from the dates below based on your schedule or the night that your friends will be performing! Tickets can be purchased HERE.
December 2nd @ 7pm, 3rd @ 2pm or 7pm: Lexi B. and Kallie P.
December 8th @ 7pm, December 9th @ 7pm, December 10th @ 2pm or 7pm: Mia, Bella, Alli
UPCOMING EVENTS 2022-23
November 22-25: Thanksgiving Break, no classes
December 17: Holiday Performance @ Bountiful
December 21-Jan 3: Winter Break, no classes
January 7: Frozen Friends Camp
January 16: MLK Day, no classes
February 4: Valentine Ball @ Centerville
February 20: President’s Day, no classes
February 24: Skipping Party (preschool/pre-k)
March 31: Mom & Me Paint Night @ Centerville
April 3-7: Spring Break, no classes
April 10-21: Parent Peek Week & Rollover Rally
April 14 Tutu Testing (for Pre-K students)
April 17: Pathways for Dancers Meeting
May 20: Recital Picture Day @ Centerville
May 29: Memorial Day, no classes
June 2-3: Tumble Exhibition
June 10: Recital
June 12: Family Appreciation Pool Party
June 15: Banana Splits Pass Off Party
June 16: Last day of classes
June 19-21: 2023-24 Company Auditions
Dear Dancers and Parents,
We are so excited to tell you about our pajama and book drive. Together, with other sister studios, we are going to collect new books and pajamas for all children sizes Preemie to adult to be donated to those in need throughout Utah.
In 2009 a few studio owners decided that it shouldn't just be about dancing during the holidays, it should be about “making a difference” in someone else’s life! So many of us have grown up with the tradition of opening up a new pair of pajamas every Christmas Eve. Kids love pajamas! We felt like giving pajamas to other children was a way to help even our youngest dancers grasp the concept of giving. We have been collecting pajamas and books for the Utah Foster Care Foundation and several other local charities each and every year since. They are always so excited to see us and so grateful for new jammies right in time for the holidays!
PROJECT DETAILS:
Pajamas and books must be new, please NO hangers!
Pajamas are needed for all sizes. From preemie up to adults.
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!
Our studio has a goal for each dancer to collect 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 recommend having students purchase pajamas they would wear themselves to donate. This way they feel more connected to the project and the recipients. We are always in need of more adult sizes too, so spread the word!
Involve everyone around you! Ask for donations from your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. We have included a letter that we encourage you to share with everyone you know. We want to involve as many people in our community as we can. An email version will also follow this letter. Please forward it to your contacts.
We will be collecting pajamas at the studio, and the night of the benefit concert.
This is one of our favorite times of the year and we feel that this is a wonderful opportunity to teach our students about giving service. We want our dancers to be involved with friends and classmates in feeling the spirit of giving together during the holidays. We are a strong group of loving individuals and if we come together we can make a difference in someone else’s life! Please help us make our project a huge success!
Happy Holidays!
Expressions Dance and Preschool
