6th Grade Social Dance and Etiquette Coordinator
Overview:
Coordinate the 6th Grade Dance and Etiquette Program, a tradition for Carlisle 6th graders for many years. Classes have traditionally taken place at Ellen’s Dance Studio in Billerica over a series of four classes. The goal of the program is to be fun and informative while promoting student’s self-esteem and providing students with knowledge of dance and etiquette. The dance portion of the program covers the basic principles of waltz, rhumba, swing and some group and line dances. The etiquette portion covers receiving lines, dining, letter writing, telephone manners, technology etiquette and common daily courtesies. Coordinator efforts include: securing dates at dance studio, outreach efforts to students and chaperones, arranging bus transportation to and from studio.
Details:
Typically, the program takes place in the spring – March tends to be best as it is in between sports seasons. Planning begins in January.
January/February/March
Coordinate the 6th Grade Dance and Etiquette Program, a tradition for Carlisle 6th graders for many years. Classes have traditionally taken place at Ellen’s Dance Studio in Billerica over a series of four classes. The goal of the program is to be fun and informative while promoting student’s self-esteem and providing students with knowledge of dance and etiquette. The dance portion of the program covers the basic principles of waltz, rhumba, swing and some group and line dances. The etiquette portion covers receiving lines, dining, letter writing, telephone manners, technology etiquette and common daily courtesies. Coordinator efforts include: securing dates at dance studio, outreach efforts to students and chaperones, arranging bus transportation to and from studio.
Details:
Typically, the program takes place in the spring – March tends to be best as it is in between sports seasons. Planning begins in January.
January/February/March
- Pick the 4 Friday dates: Watch out for MICCA (definitely check in with the two music directors), 7th grade play, holidays and sports (in-town and travel leagues). In past years, many of the boys were doing lax at the same time, which made it difficult. Doing classes in March can avoid this. Once you think you have four dates, clear them with Claire Wilcox. Remember that the dates do not have to be consecutive. Also, the class has traditionally been held from 5:30-6:45 (bus leaves the school at 5pm and returns around 7:15), but Ellen’s flexible.
- Book the dance studio and the bus (Bedford Charter Service – 781-275-9524). Ellen’s (978-667-3441) will send a contract, which you will return with a deposit. The balance is due at the first session. The Bus Co. will bill you at the end of the classes.
- Email Nancy Anderson and Bev Woolard with final dates and times, so they have them and can put them on the school calendar, and in the Buzz (even it’s only a brief notice and you haven’t yet chosen the dates or price – get the word out there!)
- Talk to the class treasurer about funds, and give them dates when checks will be needed. There should be plenty of money in the account from the Spaghetti Supper.
- Figure out the cost per student. This can be a little tricky, but count on less than 50% of the class participating. If the cost for the dance remains $95 each for up to 50 kids, and the buses run about $150 per day, you can figure it out. It’s ok to make a little money on this, since it is hard to know upfront how many will sign up. It is a good class event even if it costs the class a little to run. Be sure to figure in the cost of online registration payment, about 6% of the fee plus .30 per transaction. Make sure the online registration price reflects these additional charges.
- Talk to Dr. Mehler about scholarships. Since this is not a school or PTO event (it is a 6th grade class event), no one is in charge of scholarships. There is a note on the registration form that asks people in need to contact Dr. Mehler. If there was a need, he would then discreetly let you know, and the class would cover that child’s expenses.
- Put a notice in the Mosquito, and ask them if they want to send a photographer to one of the classes (usually they do). Also send an email to the parents of your child’s friends asking them to start talking it up – moms of boys particularly! Sample fliers are here and here.
- Update the registration form and online payment. The Class Treasurer or the PTO Web Content Coordinator can help you gain access to updating these pages on this website. When picking the registration deadline, keep in mind that people will call to sign up until the day of. The cut off is usually the week before, but in reality let people in up until the end. Be careful though, you don’t want to go over the number of approved people on the bus, which would necessitate a second bus and much added expense! Believe there are 47-person and 51-person buses. Four chaperones per week who must also ride the bus.
- Print registration forms and send home in backpacks and/or put it in the Buzz, PTO Newsflash and PTO website. Emailing specific contacts works best as well.
- Collect forms and payment. Make a deposit slip and give checks to Class Treasurer. Using a spreadsheet of names, payment, and bus attendance is important.
- Email reminder to parents about class – timing, clothes and shoes to wear, bus rules etc.
- Email chaperones with timing and rules. Keep folder with all of the registration forms with you on the bus in case of an emergency.
- Pay the bus company and figure out profit/loss.
- Thank you in Buzz and/or Mosquito.
|
|
2015_social_dance_studio_contract.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
social_dance_coordinator_outline.pdf |