Policies: of The Lancaster Academy for the Performing Arts!
Summary of Academy Policies: 2021-2022 (Subject to change)
Health & Safety:
All member families will be required to sign a waiver releasing Lancaster Academy and Lancaster First Assembly (“LFA”) from any liability related to COVID-19. Prior to the first day of classes on September 9, members will be required to respond to the statement with a “Yes”. Students will not be permitted to attend classes without agreement.
All members will be required to stay at home if they have had a fever within 48 hours or have experienced any COVID-19 symptoms within a 5-day period of time. A Health Agreement will be provided to the members. It will also be on the website. Prior to the first day of classes on September 9, members will be required to respond to the statement with a “Yes”. Students will not be permitted to attend classes without agreement.
Safety Guidelines:
Registration
Supply Fee:
Unless otherwise indicated with the Course descriptions, all books, music, supplies and other materials necessary for each class will be provided by the Academy. A supply fee of $25 is required for each student. This fee funds the purchase of choral music, instructional resource subscriptions, instrumental music, art supplies and other miscellaneous equipment and supplies that will be used for Academy classes. Art students will be required to purchase some supplies for their own personal use. Additional fees may be assessed for failure to return or damaged music.
Cancelation & Refund Policy:
If we are not permitted to meet in person (either by the state or LFA), the Board of Directors will meet to determine next steps and rescheduling.
Below you will find how we plan to handle classes if we are not permitted to meet in person.
It will be assumed that the class will pick up from where instruction stopped if we are given permission to meet again. Depending on if/when this occurs, we understand that we may need to reconsider the value of resuming these classes.
Reimbursement to members:
Participation
Attendance:
Students need to email the Executive Director and Instructor before missing a class or concert. Should a student miss more than two rehearsals or concerts, for any reason, he or she may be asked, at the discretion of the Instructor, not to participate in the end of semester concert. Attendance is taken at all rehearsals.
While we encourage students to stay home if they are sick or exhibiting any symptoms, we do still request that absences be kept to a minimum, as each individual’s participation is essential to the success of the entire ensemble. Students with excessive absences will only be permitted to participate in the concert at the discretion of the Executive Director and ensemble director.
Concert Clothing:
Students enrolled in all music classes must pay a deposit for provided concert attire, except Percussion. This is a one-time fee, not a yearly rental. Sizes will be swapped as needed with no additional charge.
*Prorated deposits refunds will be assessed based on years of involvement if the dress/vest is returned clean and in good condition at the end of the student’s entire participation with the Academy. (New this year)
Additional Concert Attire requirements:
Auditions/Interviews:
The following people must schedule a simple audition/interview AFTER registering for class.
Theatrical Performances:
Students need to be enrolled in choral classes to be considered for a part in a Lancaster Academy production, with the exception of the summer theatre camp for youth. However, that does not guarantee a part in a show. Auditions are required and we try to involve as many as we can. Should there be a need for cast members beyond what is available in Lancaster Academy classes, auditions will then become open to students outside Lancaster Academy. Costs for theatre productions are not covered with Class tuition. Costs will be announced with audition notices. Parents are required to volunteer if their student is in the show.
See a list of past shows at Archives.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities of Students:
Students are required to adhere to the following Code of Conduct:
Responsibilities of Parents:
Volunteering is required. The purpose of parental involvement in all areas is two-fold: it keeps our costs to families affordable and it encourages fellowship among families which fosters a greater sense of community between children as well as parents and staff. The following summarizes volunteering expectations for all parents:
Go to Child Safe.
Fundraising:
There will be several fundraising opportunities for you to help with this year. Tuition only covers a portion of the cost of running classes. Please consider how you can help to make sure these fine classes can continue.
All fundraisers are subject to the following guidelines as directed and suggested by the IRS 501(c) (3) and nonprofit law:
Health & Safety:
All member families will be required to sign a waiver releasing Lancaster Academy and Lancaster First Assembly (“LFA”) from any liability related to COVID-19. Prior to the first day of classes on September 9, members will be required to respond to the statement with a “Yes”. Students will not be permitted to attend classes without agreement.
All members will be required to stay at home if they have had a fever within 48 hours or have experienced any COVID-19 symptoms within a 5-day period of time. A Health Agreement will be provided to the members. It will also be on the website. Prior to the first day of classes on September 9, members will be required to respond to the statement with a “Yes”. Students will not be permitted to attend classes without agreement.
Safety Guidelines:
- Students and Staff will be expected to either wash their hands upon entering the building or use their personal hand sanitizer or sanitizer made available by Lancaster Academy, if available.
- Facemasks will be at your own discretion
- Lancaster Academy will operate within Lancaster First Assembly guidelines, potentially limiting access to certain areas and limiting freedom of movement around the church.
Registration
Supply Fee:
Unless otherwise indicated with the Course descriptions, all books, music, supplies and other materials necessary for each class will be provided by the Academy. A supply fee of $25 is required for each student. This fee funds the purchase of choral music, instructional resource subscriptions, instrumental music, art supplies and other miscellaneous equipment and supplies that will be used for Academy classes. Art students will be required to purchase some supplies for their own personal use. Additional fees may be assessed for failure to return or damaged music.
Cancelation & Refund Policy:
If we are not permitted to meet in person (either by the state or LFA), the Board of Directors will meet to determine next steps and rescheduling.
Below you will find how we plan to handle classes if we are not permitted to meet in person.
It will be assumed that the class will pick up from where instruction stopped if we are given permission to meet again. Depending on if/when this occurs, we understand that we may need to reconsider the value of resuming these classes.
Reimbursement to members:
- will be considered if 2 or more classes are cancelled by Lancaster Academy (due to state regulations).
- will be reimbursed at a prorated portion of the class fee
- will be made by the end of the fiscal year on May 31
Participation
Attendance:
Students need to email the Executive Director and Instructor before missing a class or concert. Should a student miss more than two rehearsals or concerts, for any reason, he or she may be asked, at the discretion of the Instructor, not to participate in the end of semester concert. Attendance is taken at all rehearsals.
While we encourage students to stay home if they are sick or exhibiting any symptoms, we do still request that absences be kept to a minimum, as each individual’s participation is essential to the success of the entire ensemble. Students with excessive absences will only be permitted to participate in the concert at the discretion of the Executive Director and ensemble director.
Concert Clothing:
Students enrolled in all music classes must pay a deposit for provided concert attire, except Percussion. This is a one-time fee, not a yearly rental. Sizes will be swapped as needed with no additional charge.
- Dress deposits are $50
- Vest deposits are $25
*Prorated deposits refunds will be assessed based on years of involvement if the dress/vest is returned clean and in good condition at the end of the student’s entire participation with the Academy. (New this year)
Additional Concert Attire requirements:
- Girls will need to wear flat or low-heeled black dress shoes. A simple pearl necklace is optional.
- Boys must wear black dress pants, white button-down dress shirt, black socks, and black dress shoes. Black bow ties will be provided.
- Sneakers, boots or flip-flops may not be worn on stage.
Auditions/Interviews:
The following people must schedule a simple audition/interview AFTER registering for class.
- All new instrumentalists joining Orchestra, Guitar Ensembles, and Hand Bells Ensembles.
- All new students joining Junior or High School Choir
- All students in Middle School Choir *
Theatrical Performances:
Students need to be enrolled in choral classes to be considered for a part in a Lancaster Academy production, with the exception of the summer theatre camp for youth. However, that does not guarantee a part in a show. Auditions are required and we try to involve as many as we can. Should there be a need for cast members beyond what is available in Lancaster Academy classes, auditions will then become open to students outside Lancaster Academy. Costs for theatre productions are not covered with Class tuition. Costs will be announced with audition notices. Parents are required to volunteer if their student is in the show.
See a list of past shows at Archives.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities of Students:
Students are required to adhere to the following Code of Conduct:
- Students are expected to come prepared to class by practicing their music at home, preparing lines for theatre classes and/or doing assigned art homework.
- No gum, food, or drink (except water) is allowed inside the church except in the fellowship hall.
- Students are expected to be on time for class. On the rare occasion that a student arrives late, the student will enter the class quietly so as to minimize disruption.
- Electronic devices are not to be used during classes, study halls or performances for any form of communication unless there is an emergency or permission is received from the Instructor or Class Monitor.
- No public display of romantic affection. Students are expected to cheerfully comply.
- No foul or obscene language or discussions of offensive or immoral topics.
- Students agree to have a cooperative, respectful spirit with Instructors, Volunteer Monitors, their peers as well as the building facilities. We are guests at Lancaster First Assembly church and must always respect their property and staff.
- Student attire should reflect modesty and godly values and show respect toward other students and teachers. Revealing clothing will not be tolerated. A warning will be issued to a student with questionable attire and documented by the Executive Director. Subsequent incidents for similar infractions will result in discipline. Instructors and the Executive Director reserve the right to require appropriate, non-distracting hairstyles and jewelry for any performances. Students dressed inappropriately or immodestly for performances will be sent home to change. Please see Information for details.
- Students are expected to adhere to the above conduct policies at Academy social events and Academy performances in the community.
- Should issues arise during an Academy program, it may be necessary to remove a child from the program. The child will remain under the supervision of the Academy until a parent/guardian arrives.
Responsibilities of Parents:
Volunteering is required. The purpose of parental involvement in all areas is two-fold: it keeps our costs to families affordable and it encourages fellowship among families which fosters a greater sense of community between children as well as parents and staff. The following summarizes volunteering expectations for all parents:
- Monitoring. This is the largest on-going time commitment as it is required for every Academy class. Every family must volunteer for this assignment. The only exception will be for parents of infants under 12 months of age. Younger children are permitted to accompany monitors for study halls and indoor recess.
- Facility Clean-Up. Lancaster First Assembly church requires clean-up as part of our rental agreement.
- Social Coordination. Socials are critical to building community for our students and families. Planning and executing social activities requires multiple volunteers.
- Volunteer your talent! The Academy can always use expertise and assistance with marketing, advertising, photography, videography, web design, etc.
- Concessions. For all shows, baked goods are provided by families to sell at the concession area.
- Production Assistance. Academy shows are not possible without extensive volunteer crews. All parents will be required to sign up for at least one crew. Volunteer crews include: costumes, set, makeup, house staff, concessions, meals, snacks, clean-up, advertising, and stage crew.
Go to Child Safe.
Fundraising:
There will be several fundraising opportunities for you to help with this year. Tuition only covers a portion of the cost of running classes. Please consider how you can help to make sure these fine classes can continue.
All fundraisers are subject to the following guidelines as directed and suggested by the IRS 501(c) (3) and nonprofit law:
- Students are only to participate in fundraisers approved by the Academy Board. For the safety of our members and the legality of any fundraiser, approval must be made from the Academy’s Board. Fundraisers done without the approval of the organization and the administration of the Board will be recognized as an “individual business” and will not be considered a tax-exempt fundraiser. All income from that fundraising activity may be considered taxable income.
- Tuition payments made by parents will be credited to each individual account. These payments are not tax-deductible.
- Straight contributions to the Academy (which may be tax-deductible) may not be earmarked and credited to support specific students.
- Students and Parents understand that the money raised is really the property of the tax-exempt organization.
- All amounts raised are used for the tax-exempt purposes of the Academy.
- The governing Board of the Academy, and not the students, parents, or teachers, must determine how the funds are used.
- Students or Parents may not withdraw funds to use as they wish and students may not transfer such funds to friends.
- According to IRS 501(c)3 regulations, participation in a fundraising activity is voluntary. Students and parents are not required to participate in a minimum number of fundraising activities or events to receive funds from the general fund. This organization does not engage in a “no work, no play policy”. To demand students work for their funds removes the idea that fundraising is voluntary and now becomes “work” for your share of the funds.
- Fundraising efforts can be utilized to raise funds to help reduce the cost associated with specific activities, such as performances, as determined by the Board.