ATTENDANCE POLICY
As always tuition is due on the 1st and late after the 10th and at that point a $15 late fee will be added to the account.Due to having a significant amount of past due accounts this year we are having to implement a new policy this year:
Any account that is over 30 days past due will not be allowed to continue dance classes until a payment has been made so the account can be caught up to date.We also have had to implement a new policy regarding our competition dancers: If your tuition is past due we will not be able to accept competition fees until that is caught up. If you come in to pay entry fees with a past due tuition balance the money will be put towards tuition and you will still owe for competition fees.

Please help us keep the studio a positive place for these dancers and keep your accounts up to date. We want the focus to stay on the dancers and their growth but do have to ensure we can pay our bills every month. It is very awkward for us to have to send letters and make phone calls about past due accounts so please help us by keeping your accounts up to date.

THE FINE PRINT
Even though the studio is about dancing and fun, The Carolina Strut is a business with bills and a staff to pay.  Therefore, we have a few rules and regulations that we need to make you aware of.
1. Tuition Policy
Tuition fees are due on the first scheduled lesson of each month.  The fee becomes past due after the 10th of the month.  Our bookkeeping service automatically adds a $15 late charge if payment is not received by the 10th of the month.  There is a locked mailbox out front. You can place your tuition check/cash in the locked mailbox if there is bad weather or if anyone is absent from the office. Please take into consideration that this is something we have to do without exception, if the studio is closed you may mail in your tuition or drop it in the locked mailbox out front.  Because we need the income on time to pay our staff and bills.  We can assure you that it is very awkward for us to have to enforce this policy, so please help us not to get into that situation, by paying the tuition on time.  We strongly encourage you to adopt the habit of paying tuition on the first lesson each month.

2. Payments
Payments can be made at the office desk by cash, check or credit/debit cards.  If the studio is closed and you need to pay you may drop it in the locked mailbox our front or mail it in to us.  We cannot accept credit card payments over the phone.

3. Returned Checks
We will resubmit a returned check for payment one time and a fee of $25 will be added to your account.  This fee plus the amount of the check will be due within 5 days of The Carolina Strut notifying you of the problem. 

4. Costumes
A costume deposit of $25.00 per costume is due by the end of October.  If you do not want to do a particular dance in the recital this is the time to let the front desk and your teacher aware of that!  Costume Balances will be given out and due by the time we break for Christmas.  If deposits and balances have not been paid the costume will not be ordered!!!!!  If your childs costume is ordered at a later date we cannot guarantee it will get here in time for pictures or recital!  Once the deposit has been paid you are responsible for the balance on the costume.  By paying the deposit you are telling us you intend to dance in the recital and you will need a costume.  There will be no exceptions to this COSTUMES MUST BE PAID BY CHRISTMAS!! 

5. Inclement Weather
In most cases the studio will be closed when the schools are closed.  There will be a message on the answering machine stating if we are open or closed.  At the same time if the schools are open and weather conditions worsen during the day we might need to cancel classes in the afternoon.  Inclement weather includes tornadoes, thunderstorms, ice storms, snow, hurricanes, etc.  We will make up classes missed due to weather.  Our inclement weather policy is based on whatever is best for our students and their parents.  If we decide to close the decision will be made no later than 1pm.  Please call the studio and listen to the answering machine (252) 726-0431.

6. Injury
Even though our staff is persistent on teaching the correct technique, accidents do happen.  If your child should be so unfortunate to have an injury while in class, we will take the appropriate action, including immediate medical attention if the senior staff member on duty feels it is needed.  We will contact the parents immediately.

7. Illness
We encourage dancers to follow the classes from the sideline while sick or injured, especially before recital shows or competition.  Watching the class will make it a lot easier to catch up with the rest of the class later. We do however have a policy that a child with a contagious disease or a fever must stay at home.  It will be the parent that has the final call when in doubt.  Make up classes for missed classes due to illness are available.  Please notify the office before the class starts if your child will not attend.

8. Contact Information
We use the information on file to notify you about important issues and in cases of emergency.  Please keep your contact information up to date at all times by submitting changes to the front desk.  This includes telephone numbers, mailing address and email address as well as we do send out emails from time to time.