November Newsletter

October 1st, 2023 – Volume 36 – Issue 2

Just a Note: Hello Dance Attic dancers and parents! We are off to a great start and everyone seems to be having a great time! Thank you for your patience during the first month and crazy new year! Please continue to be patient as we work out the kinks in the schedule and start to settle into a routine in the next month. will be making decisions and finalizing the schedule in the next couple of weeks and will keep you informed regarding specific changes. Keep up the good work and we look forward to another great month!

Schedule Updates: Please take time to review your dancers’ schedules in Jackrabbit Parent Portal to view any specific shifts to their personal schedules. Please CLICK HERE to access the most up to date Weekly Schedule. By this point, all of our Combo Class students have been assigned to their official Combo Assignment and this should be reflected in your Parent Portals and show you what the order of classes will be for your dancer. Please note that your dancer’s studio assignments might have also shifted.

Class Placement: TDA always does our best to make sure every dancer receives the proper level of instruction based on their skills and age. We want to make sure that our dancers are challenged, but not overwhelmed, and most importantly enjoying each of their classes.

With this in mind, TDA has assigned each dancer to the class that they feel is best for each student. We are excited for the start of the year and how these classes have already started to bond and learn together. Please just always remember that TDA wants to see your child thrive and succeed just as much as you do, and we ask that you support our knowledge and decisions.

Communication: Please be reminded that all direct communications or questions you have related to TDA should be expressed via email to info@thedanceattic.com Please send an email when you are going to be absent. When sending the email be sure to include your dancer’s name, the day and time of the class that they will be missing, and the instructor’s name. This way it is easy for us to get the information to the correct instructor. Please also be reminded that we do not send out emails to our mailing list for individuals for advertisements, missing items, announcements, etc. Our mailing list is reserved for Dance Attic business only.

Reminder: DO NOT send text messages to the staff for any TDA or business-related questions. Our studio email is checked several times a day so you don't have to worry that your message will not be received in a timely manner. This will help us to keep a record of your requests and absences as well as giving our staff their much deserve time off.

In This Issue: Just A Note Schedule Updates Class Placement Communication Impact Dancer of The Month Leaving Our Imprint T-Shirt Challenge Policy Notes Dress Code Reminder Tuition Reminders Upcoming Events Notes From Staff Meet Our Interns Class of 2024 Features Merchandise Updates What’s New Looking Ahead Costume Sizing Google Drive LinkTree Important Reminders Calendar Important Dates: 9/30: 10/1: 10/9-10/12: 10/24-10/30: 10/31: 11/3: 11/4 11/15

12/3 4/12-4/14

6/7-6/9

Merch Order Due Oct. Tuition Due October Donations Collection Monster Mash Week TDA Closed!

TDA Dance-A-Thon TDA Nutcracker Recreational Competition Fees Due TDA at Rolesville Christmas Parade TDA Recreational Competition Star Talent (Henderson) Tentative Recital Weekend

Impact Dancer of The Month: This Months “IMPACT Dancer of The Month” has been selected based on their dedication and improvement in class as well as their kindness towards their peers, families, and staff through their positive IMPACT they make on the studio environment as a whole. Our Impact Dancer will get to select a charity of their choice for The Dance Attic to make a $50 donation in their name. Once the charity is chosen by the dancer and their family, we will share that information with our families in the following Newsletter. This year is all about spreading the imprint of dance and all of these dancers will be doing just that! This Months Impact Dancer is…

BRYN KNODE! Bryn has gone above and beyond to start making an impact so far this season. By reaching out on the behalf of her classmates, showing respect to herself, her peers, and her teachers as well as making all dancers both new and returning, feel welcome. We can hear Bryn giving compliments to her peers from inside the lobby! Thank you, Bryn, for having such a positive Impact on TDA!

Leaving Our Imprint: This month The Dance Attic will focus our Imprint efforts towards the charities listed below. We have reached out directly to these two organizations and the items they are in need of are here. The Dance Attic Staff would like to Our Imprint: challenge our families to bring in three itemsLeaving for these charities this month!

Our collection week will be the second week in October (10/9-10/12). For any dancers/families that bring donations in during that week, you will be featured T-Shirt Challenge: in our Newsletter and social media as Imprint Challenge Dancers for this month! We look forward to supporting some fabulous causes with these two organizations and coming together as a dance family to do so.

Tri Area Ministry Food Pantry: CLICK HERE for their list of common needs! Specially this month, they are preparing for their Thanksgiving meals and are in need of Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing Mix, Gravy Packets (No Glass), Muffin/Biscuit Mix

East Wake Back Pack Buddies: Mac and cheese cups, 15oz large canned goods, 7.75 small canned goods, ramen noodles, individual cereal cups, oatmeal, snack bars, fruit cups, applesauce, sweet snacks, salty snacks, protein bars, peanut butter

T-Shirt Challenge: New this year, we want to see our Imprint on your lives away from the studio! Each Month we challenge our dancers to a specific photo contest to post in the comments on our Facebook page! We will gather them up together for one big post to share on our Page! What’s the rule?!? You have to be wearing your Red TDA 23-24 T-Shirt in your Monthly Photo to be featured! We look forward to seeing you in your shirts this month as you are showing off a Pumpkin for our TDA Family! We look forward to seeing your creativity shine, and we thank you to those who participate in our community challenge!

Policy Notes: The year is off to a good start. To ensure that everything continues to run smoothly and your children stay safe, we wanted to make you aware of a few important policies: • It is important for all dancers to be on their best behavior and listen to the instructor, not only so that they can learn, but also for their safety and the safety of the other students. If a dancer is not cooperating, the student will get a warning. If the behavior does not change, the student will be asked to sit out of class. If the behavior persists, we will call home.

• It is important that you pick your dancer up promptly. Please come at your child’s end time to the common area to retrieve your dancer after class. There will be a fee of $5 after the first 15 minutes and $1 for every minute after that.

• All dancers who are waiting to be picked up will remain in the overhang between the studios until parents arrive to pick them up. Please do not wait for your dancer around any corners of the parking lot. It is not safe to walk around the back of the building and we do not want students just hanging out in the parking lot. You may pull up to a parking spot and your dancer can walk to TDA or back to your car.

• When you drive into the parking lot, please keep in mind that there are children all around. There are several businesses that cater to children and we want to make sure everyone is safe. Drive slowly and carefully when entering and exiting the parking lot, and help us out by using the Traffic Pattern you can review in the September Newsletter.

• Please be sure to read all of our policies and procedures on our website: www.thedanceattic.com

Dress Code Reminders: There are lots of different styles and fashions for our dancers, and while we encourage you to express your own style, it is important for dancers to dress appropriately for class. All Dancers need to have the appropriate clothes and shoes by October 15th.

Leotards and Tights are required for all Ballet Classes. We want to see your body lines clearly. Boys may wear shorts and a shirt, but nothing too loose-fitting. Ballet shoes must be worn with strings tucked into the toe. For all other styles of dance, you can add leggings shirts etc. just make sure you can move freely.

Shoes: CLICK HERE to see a list of shoes for each class on our website. If you have a pair that are not this style, that is okay for now, you will just need the correct style by competition/recital.

Hair: Hair must be up and pulled back and out of your face for all classes. A Bun is required for all advanced ballet classes. Your bun should be secured and not have to be fixed throughout the day. If your hair is short, make sure you pin it back however you need to for class.

Tuition Reminders: Your first statement included September tuition as well as half of June 2024.

Tuition is due on the 1st of each month and is late after the 7th. You will receive an email statement along with the Newsletter on the 25th of the month prior. You may pay your tuition with cash or check at the studio, before the 25th of the month by handing it to the Front Desk Coordinator at front desk. If you pay with cash, put it in an envelope and write on the outside the dancer's name and the amount enclosed. If you pay with a check no envelope is needed, simply write the dancer's name in the memo line. Both of these should be placed in the locked drop box in the lobby or given to a TDA Staff member, again by the 25th of the month prior to tuition being due. Otherwise, your Jackrabbit account will automatically charge your Credit Card associated with your account on the 1st of each month for your total tuition due. If your tuition is not paid by the 7th there will be a $25 late fee applied. If it is still not paid, we will be employing a collection agency to collect the payments. We want everyone to be able to dance, but in the end, this is a business with expenses of its own that rely on your tuition to be paid! Thanks for your understanding and attention to this matter.

Upcoming Events: Master Classes Series: We are excited to be able to offer several different types of master classes throughout the year. It is very important that you sign up in advance for these classes to expand your dance training. Dancers who sign up and pay for classes by the posted deadline will pay $15 for the class. The rate will be $20 for those who wait until the day of the class. Also, you will not be guaranteed a spot in the class if you wait. These classes fill up and we want to limit class size to make sure that everyone is getting quality instruction. Some class price may vary depending on the guest artists and go check out our website to enroll today! After you enroll, you will receive an email on the Wednesday prior to the class giving you your assigned class time. On Friday we will send one more updated roster before the classes on Friday. Class times and level assignments vary based on enrollment and will be emailed out prior to the Master Class.

October 7th

October 21st

Fall Celebration: We will be having a fall celebration 10/24 – 10/27! All Creative Movement and Combo classes are invited to wear your favorite costume to class this week and get ready to perform! We will be taking lots of videos and pictures, and parents will be able to come in for a viewing the last 5 minutes of classes. See below for the Monster Mash Parent Arrival Times!

(Please note that our “I” classes will still have normal classes and be dancing with a few fun things mixed in) Creative Movement a: Creative Movement b: Creative Movement e: Creative Movement f: Monday Combo: Tuesday Combo: Wednesday Combo: Thursday Combo:

6:35 on Monday October 30th 7:05 on Monday October 30th 4:20 on Thursday October 26th 7:20 on Thursday October 26th 5:50 on Monday October 30th 6:20 on Tuesday October 24th 6:20 on Wednesday October 25th 6:20 on Thursday October 26th

TDA Dance-A-Thon: The Dance Attic is excited to announce that we will be partnering with the Bolt For Brooklyn LLS Charity for the month of November. To raise money for this charity, TDA will be hosting a DANCE-A-THON on Friday November 3rd! We welcome our dancers to come out and participate in such an impactful event. We are looking forward to an evening filled with dance, fun, and donations. The Bolt For Brooklyn charity has helped financially support many families in our community who are battling cancer. Just last year a Bolt For Brooklyn fundraising event was able to help out one of our own TDA families on their cancer journey. You can register your dancer for the Bolt For Brooklyn Dance-A-Thon by completing THIS GOOGLE FORM by Wednesday October 25th.

Upcoming Events (Continued): The Dance Attic Nutcracker Educational Experience The Dance Attic is excited to offer an optional Nutcracker Educational Experience to interested Dancers on Saturday November 4th! This experience is not required but will cost dancers $25 to participate. Your fees will go towards paying our staff to attend on a separate day, as well as facility fees, decoration, and other educational resources for the Nutcracker Educational Experience! One of our Directors, Ms. Hallie Hoy-Pardo will be directing this experience this season, and is excited to share the experience with all of the dancers interested in learning more about the Nutcracker!

If you are interested in participating in this season's Nutcracker Educational Experience CLICK HERE to let us know!

You must confirm by October 7th!

When & Where: November 4th, 2023 on site at The Dance Attic 9:00am-10:45am Session 1: All Creative Movement Classes 11:00am-12:45 pm Session 2: Monday & Tuesday Combo Dancers 1:00 pm-2:45 pm Session 3: Wednesday & Thursday Combo Dancers 3:00 pm-4:45 pm Session 4: All Advanced Classes How Will It Work: Dancers will be split into four separate groups and participate in 4 different stations, before entering their performance room at the end of their Session time. These groupings will be finalized and communicated once we have the list of dancers who are interested in participating in the Nutcracker Experience!

These stations will include: 1. Getting Ready for Your Performance!

2. History Of the Nutcracker!

3. Nutcracker Activity/Game!

4. Nutcracker Choreography!

Once we have completed all of the stations all of our groups will be recorded performing their assigned section of The Nutcracker Experience before being dismissed! Of course, there will be lots of pictures to be shared later on too!

Depending on enrollment, we will send a finalized schedule with times and further instruction as well. After we receive your confirmations we might cancel and combine certain groups, again depending on what we hear from all of you!

What to wear: Dancers will wear all black leotards, with pink tights, a bun, and their ballet shoes. Dancers will also need to wear a ballet skirt in the assigned colors to their group once we have the enrollment finalized! We will send this information only to those who have confirmed interest by the deadline, to help not cause confusion. You will receive a direct link to skirt options, but feel free to also find something similar on your own. We will have a few extra of each color on site on the day of!

We look forward to sharing this Nutcracker Educational Experience with each of you! It is going to be a great day full of learning and friendship. Please be reminded that your interest is due by October 7th on the link listed above. As always if you have any questions, please email us at info@thedanceattic.com!

Notes From Staff: Enjoy this new section of the Newsletter with notes and reminders directly from the wonderful TDA Staff.

From Ms. Ari: I would like to see all dancers in the correct hip hop gear for the coming season! Please see the examples below for options that are appropriate for hip hop class! Always remember that the looser the better. A good rule of thumb; tight on top and loose on the bottom or vice versa.

From Ms. Allie: Please make sure you are bringing socks that are thick enough to where you are not slipping around on the floor which can result in injury!

And please do not bring low cut socks... crew socks please! One more thing, if you are bringing socks bring BOTH. It keeps class running more smoothly when you are not constantly changing your sock to other foot.

From Ms. Abby: This is a specifically for our older dancers to be sure that you are packing your dance bag to match what you need for each individual class for the day. You need to be prepared for what your teachers are asking of you in your classes (tight versus loose) depending on style.

From Ms. Charleigh: For all Ballet & Pointe Classes, be sure to wear leotard and tights for every class. All Pointe Class dancers: I still feel we have some ankle & arch strengthening before getting on pointe - so please standby for next month’s newsletter for more direction on moving forward on purchasing pointe shoe. We anticipate potentially setting up a pointe appointment at the end of November, so be on the lookout for that information.

Meet Our Interns: Merritt Austin: Hi I’m Merritt and I have danced at The Dance Attic for 12 years! I’m a sophomore at Wake Forest High School where I also enjoy dance under the instruction of Ms. Hallie! My favorite thing about TDA this year is how we are reaching out into the community and showing people how fun, cool, and special dance can be! I am excited to be a part of the intern team again!!

Ella Black: Ella is a junior at Millbrook High School and has been dancing at TDA for the last three years. She is so excited to help recreate the amazing experience she’s had at this studio for the younger dancers.

Diara Carter: Hi l'm Diara and I've been dancing at the dance attic for 10 years. I'm in 12th grade and I go to Wake Forest High school and I enjoy being able to continue my passion for dance there as well. One of my favorite things about TDA is the connection and love for dancing that everyone shares there, and the strong relationships I have built in this studio. I am very excited and grateful to be an intern for the 2023-24 dance season at TDA!!

Maita Chingombe: Hi, I’m Maita and I’ve been dancing with the Dance Attic for what is now is my fourth year. I’m a Sophomore at Wake Forest High School, and I am also a part of the Dance Team there. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the TDA Intern Team and can’t wait to work with all the amazing dancers.

Kiana Gabrielli: Hi I’m Kiana and I have been dancing at The Dance Attic for now 10 years, 3 of which on the Company team! I’m a senior at Wakefield High School and hope to continue my passion for dance as I embrace college next year. The Dance Attic is my second home; a place where I can be myself and express my emotions through the art of movement. I have created so many lifelong friendships through dance, and gained a strong foundation of teachers who will always support me and be my number 1 fan through anything. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Now as I take on this last season, I am more than thrilled to be an intern and dance with the people and studio I love.

Faith Hidenfelter: Faith is so excited for her 11th and final year dancing at The Dance Attic! She has been a member of The Dance Attic Company for seven years, and has been a member of the Intern Team since the program began the 2021-2022 season. A senior at Enloe High School, Faith is also a returning member of the Enloe Dance Ensemble and the Honors Tap program. She is passionate in pursuing her dance education through every opportunity available to Faith is also a TDA staff member this year as the 2023-2024 Senior Apprentice, and is so grateful and excited to continue to work as a part of the Intern Team this year at TDA!

Class of 2024 Features: Each month we will recognize two of our seniors in our Class of 2024 Features. Read below to learn a little more about two of our awesome seniors.

Abby Yike! - What Impact has The Dance Attic made on your life? TDA is my first true dance “home”, it’s the first studio that I feel like I truly belong to and I have a place in. I have grown up here, I've been pushed to grow into who I am today within the walls of TDA, and I have seen myself grow into a leader. I have developed so many long-lasting friendships and hope that the memories I have made here will always stay with me.

How do you hope to leave your Imprint on The Dance Attic before graduation? I hope that I leave an imprint through the eagerness to help that I try my best to display. Always ask if a teacher needs help or even if you have a few minutes before class, go up to the front desk and ask Mommy Melissa if she needs anything (I promise her smile is SO worth it!). I hope that my eagerness to help teach the younger kids is shown and has an impact as well (even if it is just baby giggles), or even if you aren’t a part of the amazing TA group here, just giving a few words of encouragement if a fellow dancer seems to be having a hard time getting a skill down. I hope that with this eagerness comes amazing memories for all of you!

Crystal Rebollar! - What Impact has The Dance Attic made on your life? The dance attic has had a huge impact on my life because of the supportive environment and what it feels like to have a second home. They have shown me how to be a team player, and how working together can make beautiful art. Dancing at the dance attic has given me an escape during difficult times in my life. Spending time at the dance attic has taught me hard work and dedication leads to success.

How do you hope to leave your Imprint on The Dance Attic before graduation? The imprint I want to leave behind is that no matter what life throws at you to not give up, because there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I want to be an example of what it looks like to give unconditional love and support to each other. And to be a shoulder to lean on no matter what the need may be. I want my love and passion for dance to be my impact.

Merchandise Updates: • • •

You still have 4 days to order our TDA Custom Slides! Orders are due by September 29th! CLICK HERE to order yours today!

We still have sweatpants in stock as well! Sweatpants are still on sale, and if you would like to purchase, you can try them on at the studio and our front desk assistants will help get your item and assist you with the Venmo payment. Doesn’t look like there will be a second round of orders, so be sure to claim yours soon!

Also, we have limited sizes available, but if you would like to purchase additional Red TDA T-Shirts for you or anyone in your family, please see front desk administrators and they will assist you with that purchase!

What’s New? We are very excited about lots of new projects and initiatives we are taking on in our 36th annual dance season. TDA is proud of all of its staff, parents, volunteers, and dancers for always striving to be the best we can be and being so much more than just a dance studio. Instead, we are a family, and with some of these initiatives we are taking on this year, we are excited for more growth and community than ever before. Read below to learn about a few things we are doing this year.

• • • • • • • • • •

T-Shirt Challenges – As you see in this Newsletter, we are challenging our families with a monthly photo challenge, while wearing our TDA Shirt as we hope to spread our imprint into your lives beyond the studio.

Impact Dancer – One dancer each month will be chosen as our impact dancer of the month and they will discuss with their family a charity they would like to have The Dance Attic donate to with $50 in their name.

Class of 2024 Features – In each newsletter, we will highlight 2 of our fabulous seniors so you can learn more and support these fabulous dancers as they take on their final dance season.

Dance-A-Thon – TDA gives back with a Dance-A-Thon to support the Bolt For Brooklyn LLS charity. Looking forward to an evening of dancing, donations, and more to celebrate and give back to the community.

Nutcracker Educational Experience – Taking a new twist on The Nutcracker with a weekend event for dancers to learn and experience the story of the Nutcracker in an all-new way!

Adult Classes – Our adult classes have been such a hit, and we are excited to be swapping teachers around for adults to get opportunities to connect with more of our staff here at TDA. Titans Dance Convention – Our Competitive Dancers will travel to Durham NC, to take classes with professional working artists with chances to perform and receive scholarships.

Blood Drive – TDA will be partnering with American Red Cross Foundation as we will host a Blood Drive here at The Dance Attic. CLICK HERE to sign up today!

NYC – The Dance Attic Competitive Directors and Team start planning for a trip to NYC in December of 2024!

Affirmations – You can see QR codes hanging in all of the studios for dancers to give compliments to their peers and staff.

Watch out on social media to see what compliments are being given within the studio walls!

Looking Ahead: TDA will be participating in the Rolesville Christmas Parade on Sunday December 3 . For the rd

parade, as well as our TDA Competition in the Spring, dancers are required to wear/purchase this year’s TDA accessory.

We will be passing out our 2023-24 Accessory (Still a surprise) the first week of November, and you will be charged $5 for the accessory as mentioned in Policies signed at the beginning of the year on November 15th. It is really important for all dancers to keep their accessories as well as their Red TDA Shirts in a safe place throughout the season so they are sure to keep track of it for special events. Be sure to have your dancers name somewhere on both of these items!

Costume Sizing In Order to assist us with sizing for our costume orders, we are asking parents to help us out! In order to do so, we need everyone to work together and get measurements for each of our dancers. CLICK HERE to access to Google Form with measurement instructions and submission google form. In the description of the form, you will find more details regarding the measurement protocols. If you do not complete the measurement form, TDA Staff will use the measurements we take in the studio to make sizing decisions. This form is due no later than OCTOBER 25th and to be clear with all, there will not be any costume refunds, no exchanges all alterations are to be made by families and are not the responsibility of TDA.

Important Info and Reminders: • •

•

• • • • • • •

TDA Neighbors – Quilts Like Crazy will be having an event 9/29 & 9/30 from 10 AM-5PM. If we could do our best to park away from the closest parking spots on these days to ensure they have the parking needed for their event. They will be having a food truck and will need lots of space. Thank you in advance for helping us show respect to our neighbors.

Update on one of our dancers Nicole Flores who has traveled to Mayo clinic for treatment, from the family: She is home, and recovering from all the testing. We learned so much about her condition and came home with lots of recommendations and further steps to take. Nicole plans to come back into dance soon and is excited to see her dance family!

Always check the website for important information including the monthly newsletter. Announcements are posted on Facebook and via email as well. If you are a member of our Facebook page you will get LOADS of information and see our studio updates as well as games/pictures/announcements. We use this as a great way to communicate to our families and to spread the word about all things TDA to the entire Wake Forest Community! If you see a post, you are willing to share with your Facebook Family, feel free to share and tag The Dance Attic Page! Furthermore, it is important to check Facebook for quick reminders and announcements. If there is a change in schedule or other adjustments, we will always post on Facebook. With everything going on, it is a good idea to check social media often as it is a quick way for us to get the word out.

Write your dancer’s name on all dance gear (shoes, bag, jacket, etc.). If something is All lost and found items will be donated to Goodwill in January and June.

The Dance Attic has free WIFI! You can see the Wifi Network and Password displayed behind the front desk for your use!

Anytime you have an issue or are dissatisfied with something, PLEASE send an email. We need to hear your concerns, but during the check in time we need to be as quick and efficient as possible to get these dancers into the correct classes. Also, please do not discuss problems with other parents or dancers.

Please check your start and end times as well as your Studio in Jackrabbit. Things are still very fluid and changes are made every day. Thank you so much for understanding.

Hip Hop - All dancers should wear sneakers to Hip Hop. Any type is fine for now. We will let you know a specific style for performances at a later time. When your dancer is wearing their sneakers, make sure that they are clean and not their everyday shoes.

Dancers, please upload an image to your Jackrabbit accounts. This helps staff become more familiar with dancers.

Dancers are always leaving things behind at TDA. This year, if you lose something we would like for you to follow this procedure. Email the studio on the day of your class and ask if we can locate it. If we are unsuccessful, we will communicate with dancers and families, if need be, by the next week of class. Please do not ask us to send out an email to the entire studio to locate lost things. Too many things get lost daily for us to be able to do that. Thank you for your cooperation.

The TDA Google Drive: TDA will be continuing with our TDA Google Drive. This Drive will house all of the Newsletters, Important Updates, Music, Celebration Photos throughout the year as well as videos for the dancers to use to practice.

CLICK HERE to access the TDA 23-24 Google Drive. For our new members who have recently registered with us…

CLICK HERE to view September’s Newsletter to keep up with important beginning of year information.

The TDA LinkTree: TDA is excited to continue our Link Tree that serves as a hub for all of our dancers and families. You can use the QR below to scan and access the link tree on your devices.

These will also be available to scan while you are at the studio, and we can help you with any questions you may have. TDA Administrative staff will keep the link tree up to date with pertinent information for you to check in and see if you are up to date with all things going on at TDA!

Calendar: Now available is a live Google Calendar on our website to be update throughout the season.

Please CLICK HERE to view online!