School of Fine Arts
Policies and Procedures
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
Private Lessons
Tuition is per semester NOT per lesson. If students quit, they are still responsible for the semester tuition. Tuition is non-refundable. (Teachers take a student expecting to receive salary for that student. If students quit, the teacher has no way to replace that student).
The Fall Semester consists of lessons plus a recital. The Spring semester consists of lessons plus a recital. A $25 registration fee may be assessed.
One lesson per semester (if missed due to illness, extreme emergency or death in the family and the instructor is given notice as soon as possible, preferably by email, text, and phone call), MAY be rescheduled by the instructor for a make up lesson if the instructor’s schedule permits. Lessons will not be made up if they are missed or denied due to late payment. Students are responsible for paying for the current semester tuition in full regardless of student or instructor attendance.
One lesson per semester (if missed due to illness, extreme emergency or death in the family and the instructor is given notice as soon as possible, preferably by email, text, and phone call), MAY be rescheduled by the instructor for a make up lesson if the instructor’s schedule permits. Lessons will not be made up if they are missed or denied due to late payment. Students are responsible for paying for the current semester tuition in full regardless of student or instructor attendance.
If a teacher needs to miss a lesson, teachers will reschedule for make up lessons.
Students who are 15 minutes (or more) late for their lesson will be considered to have forfeited their lesson. This will be considered an unexcused absence and the instructor is under no obligation to make it up.
If student is running close to lesson time, please call or text the teacher and the Office while in transit.
If the teacher is late, the teacher must either extend the lesson time or re-schedule the lost time. Communication is of the utmost importance.
If a lesson is cancelled or forfeited by the student for any reason, the instructor may then schedule another lesson in the absentee time slot. The instructor is under no obligation to notify the parent or student who forfeits the lesson of the substitution. If the original student’s schedule changes, and they are able to attend the cancelled lesson, it is subject to the instructor’s schedule.
In the case of minors: Our instructors are background checked. Please allow the teacher to instruct your student while you are not in the room. We understand your eagerness to see their progress, but this can be a deterrence to their progress. We have windows in every practice room so that you can feel comfortable leaving your child in the practice room. Please hold an attitude of openness and trust in your teacher’s ability to do their job well. A good teacher will incorporate your student’s particular skills, needs, and interests–and the results may be surprising! If the teacher is okay with it, sitting in on a first lesson can provide information you may need. But for future lessons, please wait for an invitation, teachers may ask you to make an occasional, brief appearance at the end of a lesson. If we are having trouble with your student, the teacher will certainly let you know and may ask for your presence in lessons.
Thank you for your cooperation in these matters.
PARENTS AND SIBLINGS during lesson times
Parents, students, and siblings may wait quietly in the designated area, what we call the center classroom downstairs. Playing in the hallways may disturb other lessons or other classes, meetings, etc. happening on church property. Please do not explore the building or play with anything that is not in the designated area as the safety of your children is important to FBCA.
Of course, you are free to accompany other children outside, but we do ask you to have eyes on them at all times.
Eating in the designated area is allowed; however, we ask and appreciate all spaces be left clean. Please be respectful of the church facilities and throw away all trash. Thank you.
Parents, students, and siblings may wait quietly in the designated area, what we call the center classroom downstairs. Playing in the hallways may disturb other lessons or other classes, meetings, etc. happening on church property. Please do not explore the building or play with anything that is not in the designated area as the safety of your children is important to FBCA.
Of course, you are free to accompany other children outside, but we do ask you to have eyes on them at all times.
Eating in the designated area is allowed; however, we ask and appreciate all spaces be left clean. Please be respectful of the church facilities and throw away all trash. Thank you.
Group Lessons
These classes consist of a fixed schedule of a certain number of classes per semester for which the student pays in advance. Because of the nature of the group class environment, we will not be able to issue refunds or reimbursements for missed lessons (excused or unexcused) or withdrawal.
We are not able to schedule make-up lessons for individuals for any reason. If the teacher is to be absent on any given class day, the students will be notified ahead of time. A class will be made up at no additional cost to the student if this occurs or if the school has to close due to weather or a church-wide closure event.
TUITION
A one-time,non-refundable registration fee of $25.00 may be asked to accompany the application. Tuition is payable by the first lesson at the beginning of the term. Tuition may be paid in full or with approval, half of the tuition before the first lesson, with the balance due in 30 days.
Scholarships may be available. These are need based scholarships. Please contact the church for more information.
UA Scholarships may be used for tuition payments.
RECITALS
At First Baptist Church of Auburndale’s School of Fine Arts, we consider recital performance an essential element in the refining of our talent. The recital is also a wonderful opportunity for friends and family to celebrate in what the students have learned, and it’s an incredibly affirming time for the students themselves. For these reasons, we consider the recital a requirement for the over-all artistic experience. Please cooperate with the school by helping us to make this mandatory for students.
The student will come prepared to perform a specific piece assigned by their teacher, usually from memory. The recital date is posted at the beginning of the semester to give families plenty of time to calendar the event. Only physical health emergencies will be considered an excused absence.
Please make it a priority to attend this wonderful event each semester. Faculty are featured in recitals. Performing and watching their teachers perform in front of an audience takes instruction to a higher level.
PRACTICE
Regular practice is an essential element in refining our musical/artistic talents. In order to receive the full benefit of instruction, the student should make it their goal to practice daily the same amount as the lesson time (e.g. 30 minute class= 30 minute daily practice). Teachers will make practice recommendations based on the individual student’s needs.
Practice Hints for Parents of Young Students
Sit down with your child and look at his/her schedule. Choose a set time every day for practice. Insist that this practice time be honored. Provide a practice setting free of distractions such as phones, distraction from siblings, etc.
Check your child’s assignment sheet at the beginning of the week to see the teacher’s comments and assignments for the week. Check on your child’s progress throughout the week. Make sure he/she has accurately recorded the amount of practice time each day. Make sure your child finishes any written assignments and is prepared for each lesson/class.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
The School of Fine Arts follows the inclement weather policy of First Baptist Church of Auburndale. Please listen to local TV and radio broadcasts for information about closings. When bad weather develops during the afternoon, the School of Fine Arts reserves the right to cancel classes. Please call the church office: 863-967-4484, visit the church website: fbcauburndale.com, Facebook, or contact your instructor for cancellation notices or to determine whether a decision to close the building was made during the day.
SAFETY
Your child’s safety is our priority. Please adhere to all policies and procedures to ensure a safe environment. No child under the age of 12 (whether student or sibling) may be left without adult supervision on campus, in the hallways, or other areas of First Baptist Church of Auburndale.
Students under the age of 12 must be dropped off and picked up in the School of Fine Arts reception area by an adult or authorized sibling over the age of 16. Students 12 and over can be released to someone other than parents if an authorization form is completed.
For security reasons, if a student is late for any lesson without notification, the school administrator may call the parents to verify the child’s whereabouts. All of the practice rooms have a window. All teachers will have completed a background and security check.
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
Please feel free to discuss with your instructor any difficulties that you or your student might be experiencing with lessons. If you feel the situation is not being properly addressed, please contact Rhonda Johnson, the School of Fine Arts administrator, at 863-397-6611 immediately. If possible, put your concerns in writing. The School of Fine Arts and our instructors are dedicated to making sure your student has a quality and rewarding experience.