Palmer’s Dance & Gymnastics Recreational Parent Handbook

Thank You For Choosing Palmer’s!

We are a family owned and operated business, established with the idea that children are the world’s most precious gift! More than 40 years of experience has allowed us to establish excellent, progressive programs…far outdistancing all other local clubs, studios, and park districts. Palmer’s has a “family” atmosphere characterized by the love, respect and dedication we have for our students.

Our mission is to provide an atmosphere where every child has a chance to reach his or her individual potential and goals. This mission provides the guideline for everything we do at Palmer’s. We measure our success not by the number of trophies on the wall, but rather on what each child can take with them once they leave the sport, such as: self motivation, increased self confidence, respect, leadership, friendship, nutritional and physical fitness, and being able to work with a wide variety of people.

Thank you for the trust you place in us to teach and mentor your children. We are aware of the magnitude of this responsibility and we pledge our best effort!

Neil Palmer, President

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.	How often is tuition due?
A.	We divide the year into six sessions, averaging 7-8 weeks per session. Tuition is due in advance of each session on or before each Priority Due Date. For your convenience we encourage you to mail in your tuition payments. It is important to understand; the benefits of our programs are realized over the long haul. Your tuition dollars pay for the emotional, social, and physical education that your child receives and not for a specified number of lessons in a particular session in a particular year.

Q.	What is the Priority Due Date (PDD), and why do you have it?
A.	Our Priority Due Date (PDD) is the last possible date by which Current Students may pay tuition in order to maintain their current class spot. After the PDD, our computer system automatically deletes unpaid students from the roster and new students are placed in vacancies. The PDD is approximately 2 weeks prior to the start of the next session. Please familiarize yourself with our Calendar of Sessions below.

Q.	Can I observe class?
A.	Parents and siblings are always welcome to watch the weekly progress of our students. Only two requirements: Viewing is limited to the upstairs reception area or ground floor lobby area. Parents and sibling are not permitted on the gym floor or in the dance rooms. Parents are not allowed to converse with students during class times. We have learned from years of experience that these rules are necessary. Yelling or correcting your child from the lobby or upstairs area is very distracting and could lead to serious injury!

Q.	Do you close when the schools have a “snow day”?
	We sit between many different school districts; therefore we do not follow the closing decisions of any particular district. Please call the office to receive any closing information. Such information will be updated regularly.

Q.	Do you offer make-ups?
A.	Yes, and no. As a courtesy, we offer make-ups in those classes where doing so does not jeopardize the safety or quality of that class. Due to the popularity of our classes, many run at full capacity, therefore we are unable to accept make-ups in them. Please make every effort to attend your regularly scheduled class time. Please see the Absences & Make-Ups section below for more information.

Calendar of Sessions

*If your child’s class day falls on a date that we are closed for a Holiday, please contact the office
to schedule a make-up class! Tuition will not be pro-rated for holiday closings.

Sessions: 2009 - 2010	Priority Due Date	* Closed for Holiday *
1. Aug.31st - Oct. 24th	July 20th	* Labor Day - Sept 7th

2. Oct. 25th - Dec. 19th	October 10th	* Halloween - Oct. 31st * Thanksgiving - Nov. 26th to Nov. 29th
Holiday Break Between Sessions: Dec. 20th through Jan. 2nd
3. Jan. 3rd - Feb. 27th	December 5th

4. February 28th - April 24th	February 13th	* Easter - April 2nd to April 4th

5. April 25th - June 19th	April 10th	* Memorial Day - May 30th to May 31st
Summer Break Between Sessions: June 20th through July 4th
6. July 4th - August 21st	(Call for new summer class times)

Student Status

CURRENT STUDENTS: To keep your spot in class

You must PAY TUITION BEFORE THE PRIORITY DUE DATE (PDD) to guarantee your class spot! Also, class change requests should be made BEFORE THE PDD to maintain priority over new students.

For your convenience, in addition to the session calendar that is sent home with students during the 1st week of each session, you will also receive a payment reminder approximately 2 weeks prior to each PDD; However, it still remains YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to know and honor the PDDs throughout the year! We are aware that rigid deadlines may seem harsh; however, the alternative to rigid deadlines is overbooked classes, not an acceptable alternative for Palmer’s students. If you are concerned about forgetting the PDD please ask our front office about our Multiple-Term Payment Option.

NEW STUDENTS:

FULL PAYMENT IS REQUIRED WITH REGISTRATION. New students may join at any time during a session as long as there is a vacancy in your desired class. If a class is full, the registration form will be dated and their name will be placed on a waiting list. After the Priority Due Date (PDD) the office will place new students into classes based on the order in which we received the registrations. If your child is moved from the waiting list into a current class, payment must be made in full prior to class attendance.

Joining, Dropping & Changing Classes Mid-Session

JOINING a class after the session commences

No problem! As long as there is a vacancy in your desired class, students may join at any time. Tuition will be prorated relative to your start date.

CHANGING classes mid-session

We will gladly accommodate class change requests (assuming there is a vacancy in your desired class).

DROPPING or missing a class mid-session

There are NO REFUNDS or credits for dropping or missing a class. ONCE REGISTERED, YOU ARE IN CLASS FOR THE ENTIRE SESSION, regardless of attendance.

Payment Procedures

PAYMENT SPECIFICS

Full payment is required with registration. Payment may be made by check, cash, Discover, MC or Visa (phone, or fax payments via credit card only).

To insure your account is properly credited, payments may be made in the office or placed in the “tuition drop box” located by the upstairs office (Unit F). Please do not give checks to teachers. Please make checks payable to Palmer Sports, Inc.

NSF Check Policy: If your check is returned for non-sufficient funds (NSF), a $25 processing fee will be automatically charged to your account.

MULTI-SESSION PAYMENT OPTION

Concerned about forgetting the PDD? No problem, simply pay for multiple terms in advance and LOCK-IN your priority status. In the event your personal schedule changes and you cannot fulfill your obligation to attend future terms for which you have paid, Palmer’s will of course refund all tuition you have paid toward FUTURE terms.

ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE

An annual administration/insurance fee is required of all students at time of enrollment, or each August if previously enrolled. This fee is NON-REFUNDABLE and is NOT transferable.
This fee defrays administrative and insurance costs, and if current, it entitles each student to priority status over new students, even if that student is not enrolled in class at the moment.

FAMILY DISCOUNT

At Palmer's, only the most expensive tuition in your immediate family, pays full price. All additional siblings are discounted 10%!

(Discount Does Not Apply To Team Students)

Absences & Make-Ups

TUITION PAYS FOR YOUR CHILD’S SPOT IN YOUR CHILD’S CLASS. However, as a courtesy, Palmer’s will offer make-ups when doing so does NOT INTERRUPT the safety or quality of class. Make-ups depend on safety concerns, space, equipment, and teaching ratios.
We view make-ups as a privilege, (many other area programs do not offer any make-ups). Palmer’s reserves the right to refuse to offer a make-up if we feel it will degrade the experience of those children who have registered for and paid for that class.

Program	Make-ups	Procedure / Notes
All Boys & Girls Pre-School Classes	School Year = Limit of 1 make-up per session Summer = Unlimited make-ups	May schedule a make-up in any other regularly scheduled pre-school class or Wiggle Time Open Gym. Must be scheduled in advance through the office (630) 351-8330.

All Boys & Girls School-Age Classes	School Year = Limit of 1 make-up per session (To be scheduled during open gym time) Summer = Unlimited make-ups	Will receive a FREE OPEN GYM pass Must be scheduled in advance through the office (630) 351-8330.

Tumbling for Cheerleading	School Year = Limit of 1 make-up per session (To be scheduled during open gym time) Summer = Unlimited make-ups	Will receive a FREE OPEN GYM pass Must be scheduled in advance through the office (630) 351-8330.

All Dance Classes	School Year = Limit of 1 make-up per session Summer = Unlimited make-ups	May schedule a make-up in any other regularly scheduled class. Must be scheduled in advance through the office (630) 351-8330.

Inquire about having us host your next birthday party!

Additional Rules & Policies

TRAFFIC FLOW

We occupy Units C, E & F, with entry made through the rear of the building (using door F only). For your safety, we ask that you enter through the NORTH driveway, and when leaving, please exit via the SOUTH driveway. This alleviates the congestion and promotes safety. Please do NOT park in front of the doorways or garage doors. For your child’s continued safety, please enter the building to pick up your child. No child is allowed to wait in the parking lot for pickup. Thank you!

PROPER ATTIRE & DANCE SHOES

Please come to class in proper attire:

Gymnastics	~	Girls	=	Wear a leotard. No tights, socks or jewelry. Hair must be pulled back!
	~	Boys	=	Wear a T-shirt tucked into athletic shorts (no buckles or zippers).
Dance	~	Girls	=	Wear a leotard. Each class type requires different shoes and apparel. Please refer to the back of the dance schedule for proper attire.

Shoes for all classes are available for purchase in our Pro-shop! Please contact an office staff member for help with shoe orders and sizing.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Smoking is not permitted in our facility.
Only registered students are allowed on the gym floor or in the dance rooms.
No siblings or friends are allowed on any equipment.
No gum, food, or drinks are permitted on the gym floor or in the dance rooms.
Children who have a break between classes must come upstairs to eat and /or do homework. There is a microwave available if you wish to send food with your child.
A water bottle is a must to send with gymnasts and dancers!
Students are not allowed to bring bags, shoes or clothing into the dance room or onto the gym floor. Please use the cubbies and lockers located in the lobby area for your gear. DO NOT LEAVE BAGS OR SHOES ON THE LOBBY FLOOR!
NO REFUNDS OR CREDITS will be given for any reason.
For the safety of all gymnasts and dancers, please turn off your cell phones while in the gym.