Code of Student Conduct

CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

GUIDELINES 2019-2020

At Ngoma we aim to create a safe and happy environment for learning dance. In order to achieve this, please observe our guidelines below.

THE NGOMA SCHOOL GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS:

  1. All children and students are expected to show respect and kindness to teachers, adults and peers within our dance programs.
  2. Any foul language and bullying will not be tolerated, and may result in dismissal from the program
  3. Children and students are the responsibility of NGOMA staff during designated program times.
  4. The studio is not a play area, and children should not run around or play in it or play on the barre.
  5. All breakages must be paid for.
  6. Parents must take responsibility for child’s safety, behavior and well-being before and after their class.
  7. Parents are invited to observe their child’s class at an arranged time only with Education Director.
  8. In order to avoid wasting class time, parents and guardians should email registrar with any queries, and avoid entering the studio to chat with the teacher where possible.
  9. Water bottles can be brought into class.
  10. Drinking breaks are at the discretion of the teacher. [water ONLY.]
  11. Food or chewing gum is not permitted in the studio.
  12. Jewelry or nail polish should not be worn to class.
  13. All tattoos must be appropriately covered.

Fees:

  1. Fees are due by the specified deadline of each term.
  2. All fees received after the specified deadline are subject to incur a late fee. Discounts for NGOMA programs are based on financial need and merit.
  3. Pupils will not be permitted to participate in classes until outstanding fees are paid in full; At which point an extra administration charge will be added for late payment.
  4. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to make their payments via online portal in sufficient time to be received by the specified date.

PUNCTUALITY AND ABSENCES:

  1. Students should arrive on time for each class.
  2. When entering the studio late, wait for teacher acknowledgment. Please come in quietly without disrupting the teacher or other dancers.
  3. Parents are responsible for collecting their children on time. The teacher cannot be responsible for children who are picked up late.
  4. Absences should be kept to a minimum in order to maintain good progression in class. Regular absence can result in dropping behind the rest of the class, and a lack of confidence.
  5. All students should aim to have no more than one – three absence per term.
  6. Frequent absences may result in dismissal from the school.
  7. Students preparing for a performance or examination are expected to maintain excellent attendance, and if attendance falls students may be asked to withdraw from their performance or examination if it is felt that they will not be suitably prepared.

TERM DATES:

  1. Term dates run mostly in line with UMD’s academic calendar. There are however certain holidays where classes may run as normal, providing the studios are not closed. Please check our schedule for further information on term dates.
  2. All term dates and holidays can be viewed on our website.

CANCELLED CLASSES:

  1. NGOMA will not cancel classes; however this may be unavoidable in certain circumstances, for example in severe weather. There are no make-ups.
  2. Fees will not be refunded in the event of a canceled class.

UNIFORM AND HAIR:

  1. Pupils should adhere to their class uniform. This includes hairstyles for class. Uniform and hair requirements are in place, in order to maintain safety, hygiene, and a tidy appearance for dance class. Non-compliant students may be asked to sit out of class or possibly sent home till uniform is purchased. Uniform requirements are on our website www.ngcfddt.org.
  2. Girls must have their hair tied back neatly for all classes, with no hair covering their eyes.
  3. Girls must have their hair in a secure bun, using pins and a hair net. Pre-school children can wear a ponytail or bun.
  4. Boys should have hair well groomed.

NGOMA DANCE SYLLABUS AND EXAMINATIONS:

  1. Examination sessions and entries are made at the discretion of the teacher at the appropriate times during each term.
  2. Students will only be advanced to high levels following successful completion of examinations. Advancement is achieved once students reach the appropriate physical and cognitive stage of their training. This is at the discretion of the Teacher.
  3. Students are assessed entirely on an individual basis. Every pupil has the option not to enter for examinations but encouraged to do so for progression purposes. If a child does not want to take part in the examination, the child will not be automatically permitted to move to the next level. This is at the teacher’s discretion.

PERFORMANCES:

  1. Students are invited to participate in selected Dissonance Dance Theatre performances on specified dates.
  2. Excellent class and rehearsal attendance are expected for those performing, and exclusion may be required, if good class attendance is not maintained.
  3. Parents and pupils are expected to adhere to the guidelines set out in our performance letter relating to rehearsals, class attendance, uniform/hair/costume requirements, and parental assistance, fundraising, and performance costs.

SAFE TEACHING PRACTICE:

  1. All NGOMA teachers are trained and highly qualified.
  2. NGOMA teaching staffs undergo teacher trainings with Education Director annually; keeping up to date with any change in syllabus, examinations, and teaching strategies or similar.
  3. There is always an on-site teacher that holds a First Aid Certification.
  4. On occasions, it may be necessary for a teacher to touch a child in a professional manner in order to assist the child’s understanding of a specific movement, or exercise.
  5. If a child becomes upset within a dance class, the teacher may console a child by giving them a hug if feel it is necessary.
  6. All teachers teaching within NGOMA adhere to the NGOMA Center for Dance ‘Code of Conduct’.

CHILD SAFETY:

  1. NGOMA is committed to creating an atmosphere that enables children and young people to learn and develop in a safe environment.
  2. We recognize that it is a privilege to work with children and young people and that it is also a great responsibility. Parents/guardians trust NGOMA to look after their children and to care for them, give leadership, and keep them safe. This we intend to ensure.
  3. NGOMA will take appropriate steps to ensure that children and young people are not exposed to a reasonably foreseeable risk of injury, whether to their physical or mental health or well being.
  4. NGOMA is committed to the protection from harm and the safeguarding of all children and young people who attend its activities. NGOMA Center for Dance believes that all children and young people deserve to be treated with respect and kindness, regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion or disability.

WE DO NOT CONDONE BULLYING AND ABUSE.

EXAMPLES INCLUDE:

  1. Verbal/Emotional: name-calling, sarcasm, humiliation, rumor spreading etc.
  2. Physical: kicking, hitting, pushing, pinching etc.
  3. Sexual comments or unwanted physical contact.

THE NGOMA SCHOOL Child Protection Policy:

  1. To provide protection to all children and young people who attend our classes.
  2. To provide information to any staff or volunteers within our program, as to procedures that may be taken in the event of a child or young person experiencing bullying or reporting a case of child abuse.

THE NGOMA SCHOOL aims to:

  1. Provide a safe a happy environment for learning.
  2. Treat our pupils as individuals, and with the respect they deserve.
  3. Value them, and listen to any concerns they may have.
  4. Respond to any worries expressed by a child or young person, and alert the correct persons or authorities if necessary.
  5. Encourage all students to be kind and respectful to one another.
  6. Make sure all teaching staff are suitably trained and making any other necessary checks.
  7. Responsibly using children’s photographs.

Additional Parent Information:

  1. Ngoma corresponds mostly through email, and our text message software (we will not be too intrusive).
  1. Our school updates are available to families through our website and shared Google Calendar.
  2. Any questions or concerns can be emailed to Fran, Registrar, at registrar.ddtngoma@gmail.com.
  3. If you would like to leave a voicemail, our office numbers are 202-540-8338 (DC office) or 301-291-7481 (Largo office).
  4. Please hold on to your Active.com log in information, you will need it for all payments and registrations. Log-in the same way (Facebook or email); don’t switch. Clear Cache Folder/History.
  1. Code of Student Conduct will be updated – along with program details – and available on our website, www.ngcfddt.org.