Closings
If you are ever unsure when we are open/closed for holidays and breaks, please make sure to check in the Parents and Students Handbook and also on the events page of our website. It’s always a good idea to add those dates to your phone calendar as well! Weather-related closings will be sent out through an e-mail, posted to our Facebook page, as well as on the “Cancellations” page under the About tab.
Boots & Slippers
Cold and bitter weather is on the horizon whether we like it or not. Please remember to take off your mucky boots when entering the studio and place them on a shoe rack, not just the mat (we don’t want anyone to trip!). We understand feet get cold in the winter and bringing slippers with you to the studio might be a good solution to keep your toes toasty while you wait in the reception area during your dancer’s class.
Lost and Found & Water Bottle Graveyard Is Overflowing!
With the colder weather upon us, it is always advised that you come to class with layers to remove once you start dancing. Because of this, our lost and found pile is overflowing along with our water bottle graveyard. Please have your child check both areas next time they are at the studio to claim their lost items. We will be donating any items left at the studio over the winter break.
Important Account Information
Please note that all accounts need to be up-to-date by December 10th in order for your costume to be ordered. If your account is not up-to-date at that time, there will be an extra $10 per costume fee to cover the extra cost of placing the dancer’s order separately. Ordering late will also run the risk of not receiving the costume in time for Picture Day or potentially Recital. Many costumes are made to order, which is why we need to order so early! Please e-mail [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
Acts of Kindness: Food Drive
We have extended our food drive for the Lee Church Congregational & The Barrington Food Pantry through the first week of December. Please bring any canned item(s) to help out the community in need. For every item brought in, you can enter to win a Joy of Dance reusable grocery tote! Please see the front desk receptionist to fill out your tickets. Drawing will now be held 12/9!
5 for $5 New Student Special
Do you have a friend who you think would love to join our dance family? Let them know about a special we are offering now! With fall sports ending, why not try new dance classes! Simply purchase a voucher for just $5 and you will be able to attend as many classes as you would like for 5 consecutive days. There are only 40 vouchers available, so don’t wait to tell your friends to contact the office via email or phone to receive theirs today. Don’t forget to tell them about our referral program! When they put you name down at registration, you with BOTH receive a $25 account credit after 3 months.
December Wingman Activities
In our December dance classes, we are discussing what it means to go above and beyond for others and to be grateful. Their Wingman activity this month involves an “act of service” which enhances the understanding of gratitude and humility, and provides you with a surprise gift! We hope the dancers are willing to share the discussions they have taken part in this month around this activity. How you can help: Discussions at home that include the idea that going above and beyond for others can happen at any time of the year, not just during holidays, will help enforce positive behavior and gratitude all year round. Questions like, “what are you grateful for?” and “how did you show you were grateful today?” will help your dancer learn the importance of expressing appreciation and developing humility and gratitude. Next April our studio will be investing in our community with give-back events, and over the coming months, we would like to start collecting ideas for ways the dancers can be of service. These two websites are just an example that contains activities children can get involved within the community to spark discussion with your dancer:
List of volunteering opportunities for teens by city
List of volunteering opportunities for kids
List of ways kids from toddlers to teens can volunteer
Holiday Break and PJ Week!
As a reminder, the studio will be closed for the holiday break from December 19th to January 1st. We are open Thursday, January 2nd. The last week of classes, December 12th-18th, before the break is PJ week! Dancers are welcome to wear their favorite pair of PJs to class all this week. Please make sure you are able to dance in your PJs or wear your dance clothes underneath.
French Lollipop Test
From December 12th- 18th(except Wednesday Shooting Stars who will have theirs on 12/11!), Ballet dancers age 5 and up will have their French Lollipop test. The French Lollipop test is designed to test the ballet knowledge they have been working towards all year so far. Even though Ballet originated in Italy in the 15th century, it was developed further in France, where it adopted French terminology. Dancers are tested on both the technique and terminology of what they have learned in ballet so far. This is a really fun “test” and nothing to stress over! If a dancer forgets a step, they can always ask a friend(or a teacher!) to help.
2019 Annual Sleepover
The Joy of Dance Sleepover will be February 1st! Dancers will learn a combo, share recital pieces, play dance games and have lots of fun! We provide pizza, snacks, and drinks. Drop off will be 5:15-5: 30 pm and pick up 7:45 am. Any dancer in classes for ages 8 and older can sign up. The cost is $30 per dancer and $20 for each additional dancer in the family. Space is limited and the fee must be paid when you sign up. Register Here!
Need a gift for the Holidays?
Have family & friends give the gift of dance this holiday season! Giving the gift of dance is a wonderful present from grandparents, aunts or uncles, or even family friends! Dance gift certificates are perfect for new OR already enrolled Joy of Dance students and we would be happy to make one for you. Email us at [email protected] for your gift certificate!
Student Choreography Showcase
For dancers 8 years old and up, the signup sheet for our Student Choreography Showcase is at the studio. There are only 3 months left until the audition, so it’s best to get started soon! The information sheet on the Showcase will be listed on the Recital page of our website soon.
Have a fabulous holiday season!!!
JoD Staff
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