does anyone have a handbook or list of expectations and rules that they would be willing to share with me for competition students and moms? Thanks

I copied this from another thread. I believe it was first found in a dance teacher magazine and might have been from Rhee Gold.



CODE OF ETHICS FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS

The essential elements of character building and ethics in competitive dance are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship. Please read carefully the following statements so we can assure that all parents and students gain the most positive experience from the company this year.
1. I will inform the school of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or of others.
2. I (and my guests) will be a positive role model and encourage positive sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy and deomonstrating support for the school's dancers and all other participating schools and students.
3. I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any judge, teacher, dancer, parent or school staff member.
4. I will not encourage any behavior or practices that would endanger the health or well-being of the dancers.
5. I will demand that my child treat other dancers, teachers, judges and specatators with respect.
6. I will prevent and stop my child from gossiping about other students and teachers at the school.
7. I will not participate in any badmouthing or gossiping about other students and teachers. Especially in the studio or at dance events.
8. I will respect the authority of the judges and competition directors during dance competitions. I will not question, approach, discuss or confront teachers or competition directors at the competitions.
9. If there is an issue, question, or concern, I will contact the office directly about the matter and not ask around about the issue. I realize most matters can be solved in a kind and professional manner if it is done promptly and through the office and not through discussing it with fellow parents first.
10. I fully understand that my child's happiness, education and well-being are the utmost priority to this school. All teachers and directors are on my side and we all want whats best for my child.
11. I will not question any choreography placement or costume choices. I understand that the process for selecting dancers, style, music, costumes and choreography is very detailed and well thought out. All choreographers and teachers are highly skilled professionals at Dance studio name and know that they have creative license to produce dances as they see fit.
12. I have compared all competition dates with my own personal calendar and have informed the office of conflicts.
13. I understand that being part of this company is a huge commitment and I will encourage my child to follow all the rules and policies.
14. I will enforce the company dress code and absence policy. I understand that if my child does not comply with the absence policy, he/she may be removed from dances or the company because of it.
I understand that Dance Studio takes everyone's behaviors and actions seriously and they want nothing but the best experience for everyone involved, especially my child. I understand that failiure to abide by the above rules and guidelines may result with my child being removed from the company.

Parent's Signature:____

dancetcher1, thanks for sharing your ethics code. Karma to you for your help!

We're not a competition school, although we do go to a few competitions each year. We don't hand out a handbook, but the week before a competition, all of the dances that will go to competition come to the studio and show everyone their dances and afterwards there is a meeting with all of the dancers, parents, and teachers.

Basically at this meeting, my SO explains what she expects to see from the students and parents. She expects them to have excellent sportsmanship (congratulating other dancers from different studios, clapping after other studios receive awards, being kind to others and helping others out when needed), that parents must also show good sportsmanship not only towards other studios and their students and parents, but to our OWN studio's parents and students. That they are not to argue with each other. If they have issues with a parent they are to completely put them aside because it is their CHILD'S day, not theirs, and they are not allowed to do anything to ruin it. She makes sure the students know that no matter what they receive, they have done well because they have done the best they can.

So in a nutshell, she makes sure that no matter what studio the other teams may be from, to always congratulate them, help out if it looks like it is needed, be kind to others, and be supportive to everyone at the competition.

Dear Jeannie,

I think you have a great SO. I wish all of the schools would tell their students and parents to be kind and supportive of each other and the other schools. It's nice to hear that other schools are encouraging this type of behavior.

thanks for posting about the SO talks.