IMPORTANT PARENT & STUDENT INFORMATION

FOR 8th GRADE DANCE CLASSES - 2018
 

Dear 8th Grade Parents:

 

Thank you for registering your child for the 8th Grade Dance Classes presented by Dancing With Class and sponsored by O’Neill Middle School PTA.  Below is pertinent information you will need for class and to help things run smoothly for you, your student, the instructors and the sponsors. 

 

CLASS INFORMATION:

 

Dates:  Friday Nights on January 12th & 26th; February 2nd, 16th, & 23rd; and Thursday, March 1st

              (Note:  there is no class on January 19th due to the Science Fair)

 

Location:  OMS Cafeteria except for February 16th, which will be in the OMS gymnasium.  Please enter through the back athletic doors from the back parking lot.

 

Time:   Class runs from 7:00 – 8:30 PM.  Students should arrive 10 minutes early to check-in, retrieve nametags and remove their coats. Instruction time ends at 8:15, but students can stay and socialize until 8:30 P.M.  Please pick-up your child promptly at 8:30 PM, thank you. 

 

Early Dismissals:  If you need to pick-up your child earlier than 8:15, you must COME INTO THE CAFETERIA TO GET THEM. Students won’t be released early without a parent present.

 

Etiquette Night:  Takes place on February 9. The kids will learn specific social skills related to escorting/being escorted to a dance.  We will be providing snacks and drinks during this class period so please make sure kids are aware of their own allergies and food issues.

 

Parent Observation Night:  All parents are invited to join us on February 23 at the end of the last class for a demonstration/presentation of the dances the kids have learned.

 

DRESS CODE:

 

Please review the dress code carefully with your child to make sure they comply. These requirements come from the dance company and also meet the district’s dress code for middle school.  Students may be asked to leave if dress code is not followed.  If you have any issue please email the dance chair at sarahsue3274@gmail.com or nickling@comcast.net .

 

Gentlemen:

• Long-sleeved dress shirt and tie are required. Shirts must be tucked in, and shirt sleeves must be buttoned.

 

• Dress slacks are required. Jeans, sweatpants and shorts of any kind are prohibited.

 

• Dress shoes with socks are required. No athletic shoes, sandals or boots are allowed.

 

Ladies:

• Dresses or skirts of appropriate length (finger tip rule applies) are required per school dress code.  It is recommended that girls wear bike shorts or tap pants under their dresses/skirts so they are covered when raising their arms over their heads.

 

• Tights or pantyhose are allowed. (NOTE:  PTA will allow solid color leggings UNDER dresses/skirts (not in place of) due to the winter weather).

 

• Tops should cover shoulders and the 3-finger rule applies. Halters or spaghetti strap tops, etc., are only allowed witha cardigan or shrug worn over it.

 

• No low necklines are allowed.

 

• Jeans, sweatpants, and shorts of any kind are prohibited.

 

• Closed-toe, flats or very low-heeled dress shoes are required. No high heels, sling-back-style shoes, clogs, boots or athletic shoes are allowed.

​

CLASS RULES:

 

·       No gum chewing or food allowed during class time.

 

·       Please use the restrooms before and after class.

 

·       Please be on time for class. With over 100 students we need to begin and end on time.  Class begins promptly at 7:00 PM and ends at 8:15 PM.  Students may stay until 8:30 PM to socialize in the cafeteria following class.  All students must be picked up by parent/guardians promptly at 8:30 PM.   

 

·       No cell phones are allowed during class time. Please leave them at home or secure them in your coat pocket during class. Students will be allowed to have them back at the end of class if they wish to take photos. OMS PTA and District 58 will not be responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.

 

·       Please respect your dance teachers, parent chaperones and fellow students.  Listen to instructors and chaperones.  Please respect your environment.  Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and reported to school officials.

 

·       Please respect the dress code and dress appropriately for class. Students who violate the dress code may be asked to leave.

 

·       Students are required to stay for the entire class period unless a parent or guardian comes in to take them out of class.  Please advise chairperson if your student needs to leave early. 

 

·       If your child will miss a class, please email the PTA chairs (Sarah Dunn or Nickki Heiling) at sarahsue3274@gmail.com or nickling@comcast.net  in advance so that they are aware of the planned absence. If your child drops out of class for any reason, please advise the chairpersons at this email. 

 

·       The school office will be closed at night and staff is not available after school hours.  We will not have access to the switchboard or phones. In a true emergency, you may contact Sarah Dunn, Dance Chairperson, at 847-902-9948 during class if needed. 

 

 

CHAPERONE INFORMATION:

 

If you’ve signed up online to chaperone a class, here is what you’ll be doing.

 

-  Chaperones are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to class time (6:45PM).

 

-  As students arrive, direct them to the cafeteria to pick up their nametags and leave their coats on assigned tables (boys and girls). 

 

-  Students should use the restrooms prior to and after class only. Encourage them to do so before they enter the cafeteria. If they need to go during class, please make sure they return.

 

- During class, please monitor talking between students and make sure they’re paying attention to instructors. Keep your eyes and ears open to any issues. 

 

- Occasionally they lose track of what they’re doing so keep them moving in their lines and the lines straight so that instructors can see them from the stage.

 

- Chaperones will also make sure kids stay in the cafeteria during class time. Students are not allowed to leave class early unless a parent comes into get them prior to 8:15 PM. 

 

- Students are not allowed to roam around the building or go to their lockers, so keep the students between the cafeteria, restrooms and the rear athletic doors before and after class.

 

- At the end of class, make sure students remove and leave their nametags on the tables outside the cafeteria and gather up all their coats and belongings prior to leaving. Parents do NOT have to come in to pick up their kids once class is officially over.

 

- Chaperones are expected to stay until all kids have been picked up.

 

- If you signed up to chaperone and can’t make your assigned day, please check the sign-up website and see if you can switch with someone else or find someone to take your place.  We need all the help we can get and if you can’t find a replacement please advise Sarah Dunn at sarahsue3274@gmail.com as soon as possible!

 

Thank you!

 

Sarah Dunn & Nickki Heiling

Chairpersons