• Hartford Children's Theatre
  • 360 Farmington Avenue
  • Hartford, CT 06105
  • Phone: 860-249-7970
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Hartford Childrens Theatre

Winter Drama '10: Policies and Procedures

January, 2010

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students for HCT’s Winter Drama School Program,

Please read the enclosed policies, procedures, and schedules carefully. Feel free to contact us if you have

any questions or concerns.

If your child has any special needs that could affect what we do in the classroom, including asthma,

dyslexia, or limitations on mobility, please take a moment to give me a call at 860-249-7970 ext. 10 or send an

email education@hartfordchildrenstheatre.org

We want to be prepared so every child will have a great experience!

Our SHARE DAY is an important part of our Drama School experience. Like a recital, our Share Day

gives each student an opportunity to perform a brief excerpt from their class work– as well as watch the

students from other HCT classes perform. This is a free performance! We encourage ALL students to attend &

look forward to seeing you there!

Our programs rely a great deal on word of mouth to fill enrollment. If you know of a child that would

benefit from our classes but whose family is not on our mailing list, let us know so we can send them the

information – or direct them to our new & improved website www.hartfordchildrenstheatre.org !

See you soon!

Lisa Foss

Education Director

EDUCATION DEPATMENT POILCIES & INFORMATION

1. Tuition - Tuition is not refundable. All tuition must be paid in full by the first class. There is a $25 late fee.

Please make all checks payable to Hartford Children's Theatre. MasterCard/Visa and cash are accepted as well.

Students may not attend class until full payment is received.

2. Attendance/Punctuality - Students are expected to attend each class/rehearsal and arrive on time. Students who

are frequently late for a class may be asked to observe, rather than participate in that class. Missing classes can

also reduce an individual student’s role in Share Day or performance. Please call or email the Education

Department if your child will not be attending class at least 24 hours in advance so your child’s teacher can

plan accordingly.

3. Classrooms - Drama Classes are held at the Immanuel Congregational Church, the Carriage House Theatre, and

in our classrooms at 360 Farmington Avenue. These three buildings are next door to each other. Once the

students are signed in, teachers will escort the students from the theatre to their classrooms and back. THEOBSERVATION OF CLASSES IS NOT PERMITTED. We will host an “open class” day mid-way through

the session, to give parents a chance to experience what a class is like. It is important that the teacher maintain a

disciplined class dynamic which is otherwise sure to be disrupted by the presence of frequent visitors.

4. Food/Beverages - Water bottles are encouraged (please label and do not share them). No other food or beverages

are allowed in HCT classrooms, rehearsal rooms, or performance spaces. Students are not permitted to chew gum

in class. If a child is taking multiple classes and needs a snack in-between, we ask that the food be sent with

the child in a sealed container. We also ask that students who bring food not bring peanuts or peanut

products. These policies keep the HCT Campus clean and insect-free while protecting students who may have

life-threatening allergies.

5. What Else To Bring? – In most cases students do not need to bring anything but themselves and a water bottle if

desired. Sometimes teachers will hand out scenes or music to be practiced at home that will need to come back

each week. Students who are in those classes should also bring a sharpened pencil with them each week. Teachers

will inform students if there is anything else they need to bring to class and parents will be notified. Please leave

electronics and other valuables at home, as HCT is NOT responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.

6. Dress/Personal Appearance - Appropriate dress is required for all HCT students. As a general rule, if you’re not

sure don’t wear it! All students should dress in comfortable clothing that allows them to move and be prepared to

work on craft projects involving paint, glue, or glitter. Students may be asked to remove shoes for certain

activities or if they are participating in a class in our Dance Studio. Please plan accordingly. Hartford Children’s

Theatre T-Shirts must be worn for the Share Day Performance. (Provided for your child upon registration!)

7. All students are required to sign and adhere to our Hartford Children’s Theatre Rules and AgreementForm (attached)

. We hold our students to a high standard of behavior to ensure a safe environment for all who

are looking to enjoy an experience in the creative arts! Please read carefully and know that we take everyone’s

behavior seriously because we care about the safety and enjoyment of all of our students! We’re here to have fun!

PARKING & DROP-OFF PROCEDURE

Parking - There is no parking available in the HCT parking lot during class meeting times. We need to leave

our driveway clear during class times so that a fire truck or ambulance would be able to get to our theatre

in the event of an emergency. In addition, our students need a lot free of traffic to safely walk in between

buildings. We recognize that parking at HCT can be inconvenient at times and we really appreciate it when families

make the extra effort to park in the requested places so we can keep the safety of our students our highest priority.

The places you CAN park are as follows:

• Mark Twain Parking lot across the street from HCT

• Immanuel Congregational Church circle lot along Woodland Street

• Street parking along Woodland Street and Farmington AvenueDrop Off & Pick Up Procedure – Our procedures are designed to keep our students safe and accounted for – as

well as to ensure that communication between the office and parents remains frequent! Please check your

student’s communication center folder regularly.

• Our sign in station for SATURDAY CLASSES is in the Carriage House Theatre lobby,

which is the gray building behind the Main HCT Office Building at 360 Farmington Avenue.

• The sign in station for TUESDAY CLASSES is in the Main HCT Office Building Board

Room located at 360 Farmington Ave.

• The sign in station will have a clipboard for an adult to sign and a file box of folders with each

child’s name. (For ease of use, all of our materials are put together alphabetically according to

the child’s last name.)

• The file box – called the Communication Center - is the best way we can communicate with

our families, and the Education Director has a folder in the front of the box if you have

messages for the office or special concerns that need to be addressed.

• Students will gather at the sign in station until their class time, and will be led to class by their

teacher. At the end of their class time, they will be escorted back to the sign-in station by their

teacher.

• Late-comers will be led to their class by the Education Director or alternate staff member.

Classes will not be held for late arrivals.

• Please send a note in with your child if someone other than the parent/guardian listed on yourchild’s Emergency Form will be picking your child up. All students must be signed out by an

adult at the end of each class. If you need an alternate arrangement, please seek approval

from the Education Director first.

• NO STUDENT is to be left unattended before or after classes. Please drop off and pick up

your student on time. (No sooner than 10 minutes before class begins, or 5 minutes after class

ends.) A late fee will be charged to your account if you are more than 15 minutes late for pickup!

HARTFORD CHILDREN’S THEATRE RULES & AGREEMENT FORM

PARENTS: Please cooperate with us by sharing these HCT rules and procedures with your child before they

attend our programs. Please sign and return this page. Please share with your child the importance of good behavior

patterns at classes and everywhere they go. The family’s participation in these efforts is crucial. We want your child to

have a wonderful time while keeping our programs safe and enjoyable for everyone.

HCT GROUND RULES

• Speak for yourself…not anybody else.

• Show respect…every person is important

• Listen to others…then they will listen to you.

• Avoid putting others down…performing is hard enough, we need your support.

• Take charge of yourself…you are responsible for you.

SPECIFIC RULES

1. Stay with your class, cast or group at all times. Do not leave your assigned room without permission.

2. Respect and obey all staff. (Interns, Assistant Teachers, Teachers, Office Staff and Volunteers)

3. Take pride in HCT and the equipment. Take good care of them.

4. Be mindful of what words you use; they can hurt and cause damage.

5. Keep your hands to yourself. NO FIGHTING.

6. Leave all toys and games at home for their safety - especially electronic toys and equipment.

7. Put your name on your personal belongings and place them in the assigned area.

8. Do not touch items belonging to others.

9. Follow the GOLDEN RULE: “Do for others what you would want them to do for you”.

10. Follow all rules. They are there to keep you safe.

DISCIPLINE

All students enrolled in HCT programs will be expected to follow rules established by the HCT Staff for the purpose of

safety and a smooth running program. The following steps will handle all discipline actions unless otherwise indicated:

1. Questioning from the staff to the student, followed by a reminder of company rules and proper behavior.

2. Verbal warning by staff or Teaching Artist.

3. Removal from activity and placement in staff office for remainder of activity time period. Behavior notice will be

recorded and given to Education Director.

4. Education Director will review the incident with the Student and Staff member. If warranted, the child’s parent or

guardian will be called.

5. If the child has a continual behavior problem the parent will be asked to meet with the Education Director and/or

Artistic Director for a conference. Children with major discipline problems will be asked to leave the program

without tuition refund.

BEHAVIOR WARRANTING IMMEDIATE REMOVAL FROM THE PROGRAM

NO EXCEPTIONS!

1. Fighting, physical intimidation or verbal threatening of another student or staff member.

2. Going to any location in the building other than assigned areas.

3. Use or possession of tobacco, illegal drugs, alcohol, firearms or weapons.

4. Theft, shoplifting or stealing of any form.

“I have read, understand and agree to abide by all of the above rules. I understand and agree to all disciplinary practices

listed above.”

Parent’s Signature Student’s Signature

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________

Printed Parent Name (please write clearly) Printed Student name (please write clearly)