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Music with Michaela - Participation Policy

Welcome to Music with Michaela! We are thrilled to have you and your child join us on this musical journey. Our classes are designed to create a fun and engaging environment for children to explore the world of music. To ensure a positive experience for everyone, we have established the following participation guidelines:

Your Participation is the Key:

Young children learn by imitating their grown-ups. You are the role model for your child as they form an attitude towards music making. In class, it is important for you to participate actively – sing, dance, drum, wiggle, and most importantly, have FUN! If your child sees you enjoying making music, they will be inspired to join in as well. Don't worry about singing off-key, forgetting the words, or having two left feet. We'll never criticize you, and your child thinks you're a superstar!

Silence is Golden:

Please refrain from talking during class, as it can be distracting for both children and adults. The silence between songs is a crucial time for the children to develop the ability to audiate – to be “thinking musically” even when no music is playing. This quiet moment allows space for individual reflection and may lead to your child expressing themselves through singing.

Siblings are free:

Siblings of registered children are welcome to join the class for FREE. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins are also encouraged to attend and share the joy of music with us.

Your Child’s Job is Done When They Arrive at Class:

We encourage active participation from the adults in class. However, all your child needs to do is show up. Each child has their own learning style, personality, and temperament. Your child does not need to sit still, pay strict attention, or mimic exactly what the teacher is doing. Young children are like "sponges" and absorb the rich musical experience of the class in various ways. Whether they are staring at the clouds, checking out their socks, practicing walking skills, or exploring the surroundings, they are learning music skills. As long as they are not posing a safety issue, let them do their own thing, and know that they are learning in their unique way

Please Arrive on Time:

We strive to begin and end our classes promptly to respect everyone's time. Please make every effort to arrive on time for your scheduled class. Timely arrival ensures that your child can fully participate in the Hello Song, a special moment that sets a positive tone for the class.

Non-Sibling Guests:

If you are bringing a non-sibling guest, a fee of $33 per class will be applicable for each additional child drop-in.

SING! Please do not talk during class:

Singing is a key element of our classes, and your active participation is crucial. You are your child’s primary role model; if you lose focus, the children may follow suit. When everyone is singing, the children are drawn into the positive musical energy of the class.

Photography Guidelines

Capturing and preserving precious moments with your child is wonderful, and we encourage you to occasionally take photos during our classes. However, to maintain a focused and respectful atmosphere, we kindly request your cooperation with the following photography guidelines: While occasionally snapping a picture of your child is acceptable, please prioritize actively participating in music-making activities with your child. If you wish to take photos, we recommend doing so during the play-along section to allow you to fully engage in singing and participating throughout the rest of the class.

Class Health Policies

The health and well-being of our families and staff are of the utmost importance to us. As we strive to offer a quality in-person experience, we have established the following health policies to minimize the risk of transmitting Covid-19 or other communicable diseases during our classes. Please be aware that our policies are subject to change based on evolving public health conditions.

Stay Home if You're Sick:

If you or your child are experiencing symptoms such as fever, sore throat, rash, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, cough, or other respiratory symptoms, we kindly request that you stay home. If anyone in your household has been exposed to a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19 or another infectious disease, please also stay home. Join us for a makeup class when you and your child are fully recovered and not at risk of being infectious.

Flexibility in Makeup Classes:

We understand that circumstances can change, and we encourage you to prioritize the health and safety of our community. Makeup classes are available for those who need to miss a session due to illness or other health-related concerns.

What to Bring to Class

Socks

For indoor classes we'll take off our shoes during class, so please bring socks for you and your child.

Waterproof Blanket:

For you and your sweetie to sit on.

Personal Instruments:

We provide shared classroom instruments, but encouarge you to bring your own instruments from home. Instruments Suggestions: Shakers, Drums, Tambourines, Maracas, Bells

Hand Sanitizer:

It's always a good idea to have hand sanitizer with you for quick and easy hand hygiene.

Comfortable Clothing

Dress in layers with comfortable clothing that allows for movement. Please consider the possibility of the classroom being less temperature-controlled due to open windows and doors as a Covid-safety precaution. Summer, Spring & Fall Semesters are OUTDOORS. Bring appropriate clothing for babe as well as sun screen, sun hat, etc. We aim to set up in ample shade but the sun can move during class! 

Make-Up, Refund/Credit, and Class Cancellation Policies:

We understand that life is full of surprises, and we aim to provide flexibility and clarity with our policies. Please take note of the following information regarding make-up classes, our refund/credit policy, and class cancellation procedures:

Make-Up Classes

Unlimited make-ups are allowed on a space-available basis. Make-ups must be taken within the current semester. Please schedule make-up classes in advance, they are subject to availability.

Class Cancellation Procedures

In the event that a class has to be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances such as a power outage or inclement weather, we want to ensure you are well-informed about our cancellation procedures and the steps we will take to minimize disruptions:

Refund/Credit Policy:

Tuition payment is due with registration. Payment plans may be worked out on a case-by-case basis; please contact us to discuss your specific situation. Registration fees are non-refundable. No tuition refunds are given after the start of the semester. If you withdraw before your first class, a credit towards a future semester will be issued. In exceptional circumstances, partial credit may be given if you withdraw after the first class.

Communication:

We will promptly send an email to all class participants notifying them of the cancellation and providing details on the next steps. 

Class Cancellation Policy:

If a class is canceled due to weather or any other reason, we reserve the right to provide a makeup class. The makeup class may be offered online, pre-recorded, or in-person at a later date. We will communicate cancellations and makeup options promptly to ensure minimal disruption.

Postponement Options:

When a class is postponed, we have several options for rescheduling:

  • Extend Semester: We may tack the missed class onto the end of the semester.
     

  • Rescheduled Day: We may reschedule the missed class on another day that is convenient for all participants.
     

  • Online Class (Zoom): In some cases, we may hold the class on Zoom to ensure continuity and engagement.

Thank You!

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with these policies as they help us maintain the quality of our classes and ensure fairness to all participants.

At Music with Michaela, we value and celebrate the individuality of each child and parent. Let’s create a supportive and joyful space for musical exploration together! If you have any questions or concerns about our policies, feel free to reach out to us.

 

Thank you for being a part of our musical community!

 

Warmly,

Michaela

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