Darlington Art Center

Policies 2012-2013

Membership           Withdrawals            Absences            Discounts            Payment Plans & Late Fees            Scholarships
Parental Responsibility                  After School Club & Bus Transportation                  Birthday Parties

Additional Program Policies:      Private Music        Dance Recital        Preschool        Arts All Day

General Policies

Registration
Registration is required for all instruction-based activities at Darlington (classes, private lessons, workshops, camps, etc). By registering in an activity, you are agreeing to our policies and giving us permission to use any photos or video of you or your children for publicity.

Because we are a member-supported center for the arts, a non-refundable Family Membership Fee of $65 is required to enroll in all activities (except workshops). The Family Membership is valid from September 1 through August 31. The Family Membership Fee is tax-deductible and allows Darlington to maintain facilities, provide excellent administration, care for our instruments and studios, and fulfill our mission to serve the cultural needs of our diverse community. $1 of the Family Membership Fee is applied to our endowment fund. The Family Membership Fee will be pro-rated to $35 for activities beginning after March 1, 2013.

Families are encouraged to access Darlington’s new online registration system at www.darlingtonarts.org, in order to register for activities, check activity meeting dates and set up automatic billing for payment plans. Registrations are also accepted in our office and over the phone. We accept personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, money orders and cash. There will be a $30 returned check fee.

Tuition
Enrollment is guaranteed with payment. Classes, workshops and camps require full payment prior to the first class (34-week classes, private lessons and preschool may be paid in installments). Late registration for activities may be accepted upon approval with pro-rated tuition (associated fees will not be pro-rated). Early registration and tuition payment is strongly recommended in order to assure a place in class.

Withdrawals, Refunds & Cancellations
In order to sufficiently prepare for our programs, Darlington requires advance notice of withdrawals. Associated fees are not refundable.

• Group activity withdrawals made at least one week prior to the first class will be refunded 100% of tuition.
• Group activity withdrawals made within the week prior to the first class will be refunded 75% of tuition.
• Group activity withdrawals made on or after the first day will not be refunded or credited.
• Private Lesson withdrawals require a two week written notice. The remainder of tuition paid will be credited or refunded.

Darlington may cancel a class or workshop due to insufficient enrollment. A credit (of tuition and associated fees) will be offered for another class within the same Academic Year or a refund will be issued.

Absences
For all group activities, meetings canceled by Darlington will be made up or the student will be reimbursed. Student absences cannot be made up or reimbursed. Substitute teachers may teach a class without prior notice.

For private lessons, the academic year is comprised of 34 lessons. With the exception of scheduled holidays (refer to the Closures & Holiday Section), weekly lessons are continuous throughout the academic year. Students are allowed two absences within the academic year providing Darlington’s office is notified prior to the lesson. If an instructor needs to cancel a lesson, the lesson will be made up, a substitute instructor will be available or a credit will be issued.

Group activities and private lessons may be suspended for extended absences of 3 or more weeks due to illness, injury or other emergency circumstances, by providing written notice to the office. A doctor’s note may be requested.

Emergency Closures & Holidays
In the event of inclement weather, information about Darlington’s adjusted schedule can be found on:

• Darlington’s website at www.darlingtonarts.org
• Darlington’s main phone recording at 610-358-3632
• NBC10 listed by name
• KYW1060 listed by #1211

Classes and lessons will not be held on:

• September 1 – 4, 2012
• November 22 – 25, 2012
• December 23, 2012 – January 1, 2013
• March 25 – April 1, 2013
• May 25 – 27, 2013

Discounts
Private Music Lessons: Students who pay their tuition in full by September 1 will receive a 2% discount. Families enrolled in three or more concurrently running private music lessons will receive 5% off the tuition of the shortest lesson.
Dance Classes: Individual students enrolled in three or more concurrently running dance recital classes will receive 25% off the tuition of the lowest priced class. Private dance lessons that are eligible for inclusion in the spring dance recital are included.
Arts All Days: Individual students enrolled in three or more Arts All Days in the same semester will receive 10% off the tuition of the third and subsequent Arts All Days.

Payment Plans & Late Fees
Payment plans are available for private music lessons during the academic year, preschool and 34-week dance classes. Refer to the appropriate section below for details. Darlington’s online registration system allows automatic billing, which you can set up by visiting www.darlingtonarts.org. (Note: Families must re-enroll in automatic billing each year.) If you are in need of a special payment schedule, please contact the office.

Because Darlington needs to meet its financial obligations, including paying instructors’ salaries, we ask that all students pay tuition and fees on time. A late fee of $15 will be charged for payments made more than 5 days past the payment plan due date. Darlington may suspend instruction for students who do not meet their financial obligations.

Scholarships
Through the generosity of our funders, Darlington has a limited amount of scholarships for families in need. To be considered, please send a letter to the Executive Director by August 15. Your letter should include the reasons it is important for you/your child to receive instruction and the reasons you are in need of financial assistance.

Parental Responsibility
Parents have sole responsibility for children before and after scheduled class times. Please be prompt in both delivering and picking up your children. Certain programs (such as Camp and Arts All Day Workshops) offer Before- and After-Care, available in one hour increments, which are subject to Darlington’s Registration and Withdrawal policies.

Parents play a great role in their children’s success in their participation in the arts. Parents are encouraged to get to know their children’s instructors and attend special class activities. Parents are invited to attend the first 10 minutes of the first class in which their children are enrolled each semester. A Parent Week will also be scheduled mid-semester, in which parents will be invited to attend a portion of class.

Private Music Lesson Policies

In addition to the General Policies above, the following apply to Private Music Lessons

Private Music Lesson Registration and Tuition
Private lessons are based on a 34-week academic year beginning in September and running through May/June. Students reserve a lesson time and teacher by paying the Family Membership Fee. Tuition may be paid in full (see the Discounts section above) or paid in four equal payments due on:

• September 1, 2012
• November 15, 2012
• January 15, 2013
• March 15, 2013

New students may register at any time with pro-rated tuition due upon enrollment.

Private Music Trial Lessons
One trial lesson may be requested before committing to the entire academic year, at the cost of a single lesson. Group activity withdrawal policies apply to trial lessons.

Music Recitals
Darlington offers many valuable performance opportunities for students, including monthly recitals, an Honors Recital, and year-end Beaux Arts Recitals with their instructor. Upon registration in private music lessons, each student will be charged a non-refundable $10 Music Recital Fee. No admission is charged for music recitals, and there is no limit on number of invited guests.

Students are recommended by their instructor for participation in recitals. Recitals are a festive occasion and students and guests should dress appropriately. Instructors will guide students in proper recital etiquette.

Dance Recital Class Policies

In addition to the General Policies above, the following apply to Dance Recital Classes

Dance Recital Class Tuition
Dance recital classes run for the entire academic year beginning in September and running through May/June. Classes will meet 34 times, including the Dress Rehearsal. Tuition may be paid in full or divided into two equal payments, payable upon registration and on January 15, 2013. Discounts are available for individual students enrolled in three or more dance recital classes.

Spring Dance Recital
All 34-week dance classes will culminate with a performance in the Spring Dance Recital, held at a nearby off-site location. Upon registration each student will be charged a non-refundable $25 Dance Recital Fee. Each student will receive two recital tickets (additional tickets will be available for purchase at $7 per ticket with no limit). Recital costumes will be selected by teachers. Parents will be notified of costume style, size and price in December (estimated price is $35-60 per costume) and will have two weeks to submit payment or discuss changes in size.

The Dress Rehearsal/Photo Day will occur within a week prior to the Dance Recital, and is required for participation in the recital. More information regarding these events will be distributed in the fall. Classes may continue to meet after the Recital.

Preschool at Darlington Policies

In addition to the General Policies above, the following apply to Preschool at Darlington Arts Center

Preschool Registration and Tuition
Families may reserve a place in Darlington’s preschool by making a $35 deposit in addition to the Family Membership Fee.

Fall tuition will be due monthly on:

• August 15, 2012
• September 15, 2012
• October 15, 2012
• November 15, 2012

Winter/Spring tuition will be due monthly on:

• January 15, 2013
• February 15, 2013
• March 15, 2013
• April 15, 2013

Students enrolling late pay the Family Membership Fee and pro-rated tuition. They will begin regular monthly payments on all future due dates.

Preschool Parental Responsibilities
Parents should plan to attend the first day of preschool with their child, and will be invited to many special events throughout the year. Parents should also provide Darlington with a change of clothes for their child that will be kept on-site, as well as a large shirt to be used as an art smock. Parents should send a small snack and drink with their child each day, as well as appropriate outerwear for outdoor play.

Parents must complete an Emergency Form and return it to Darlington before or on the first day of preschool.

Preschool Holidays
Preschool will not meet on:

• September 26, 2012
• October 8, 2012
• November 6, 2012
• November 19 – 25, 2012
• February 18, 2013
• March 21 – April 1, 2013

Arts After School Club & GVSD Transportation Policies

Students attending Concord Elementary School, Garnet Valley Elementary School, Garnet Valley Middle School, Garnet Valley High School, as well as private schools using GVSD transportation, may be bused directly to Darlington after school on days they are enrolled in classes, private lessons or workshops beginning between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.

Students in AM Kindergarten at Concord Elementary School may be bused directly to Darlington at mid-day on days they are enrolled in the Kindergarten Arts Afternoon Program.

Students will be greeted at the bus stop and supervised until their class or lesson begins. Students may bring a packed snack, books, homework or other quiet activities. There is no charge for this program.

All transportation is handled directly through the Garnet Valley Transportation Office, and parents must make arrangements with the school district to have their child take the correct bus. Registration is required and an Emergency Form is due before or on the first day a child gets off the bus at Darlington. If a student will not ride the bus one day, please contact the office in advance.

Arts All Day Policies

Parents enrolling a child in day-long Arts All Day Program are required to complete an Emergency Form to be submitted before or on the first day the child attends the program. Students should bring two small snacks and a lunch. Before- and After-Care is available in one-hour increments, and is subject to Darlington’s registration and withdrawal policies (see the General Policies section.)

Birthday Party Policies

Parties may include up to 12 participating guests, including the Birthday Child. They include one hour of supervised instruction, workshop materials and a one-hour room rental for family and friends to celebrate.

Families are responsible for providing all food, decorations and other party materials, as well removing all of these items from the studio after the party.

All Birthday Party requests should be made at least one month prior to the desired date. Availability is dependent on studio and instructor schedules. A non-refundable $100 deposit is required to book the date; the remaining balance is due the day of the party. Additional fees may be applied for special requests such as after-hours parties, multiple projects, longer parties and additional guests.