POLICIES AND GUIDELINES (HOW THINGS WORK AT FIDDLESTICKS)
REGISTRATION PROCESS
At Fiddlesticks registration is managed on an individual basis and involves a short informal visit for assessment prior to placement.
Placement in any class, workshop or in private lessons is determined according to space allowance, group dynamics and child readiness. Fiddlesticks operates on a child-first principle and adjustments may be recommended to placement at any point in the term.
PAYMENT OF FEES
Payment for a term of placement is due in full at the beginning of the term.
There is a one time registration fee of $50 per student.
Payment plans are considered upon request but partial payments must be submitted at the beginning of the term by way of postdated cheques.
Payments for trial lessons can be paid in cash or added into term fees. Fiddlesticks does not otherwise accept payments for single lessons.
Overdue fees are subject to a $25 late fee when 10 days past due the invoice date. This late fee will also apply to scheduled postdated payments should they be deemed NSF without alternate means of payment within the 10 day grace period.
NSF cheques are subject to a $45 charge.
Late payments will be assessed on an individual basis but will ultimately be cause of placement termination.
In an effort to make Fiddlesticks programs accessible to every child, full and partial bursaries are available to families that can prove need for assistance. Bursary placement is dependent on available space.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Fiddlesticks operates on the premise of fairness and full refund will be issued corresponding to 48 hours notice given for withdrawal from term placements. 7 days notice must be given for refund of workshop or intensive session fees.
Please understand that term fees reflect placement not attendance. This means that missed lessons for family holidays, common illness and scheduling conflicts are not considered for refund or discount.
MAKE-UP AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Fiddlesticks reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or combine classes. Should Fiddlesticks need to cancel a class or classes due to personal or administrative reasons make-up options will be offered. Should Fiddlesticks be required to enforce cancellation or closure due to unforeseeable circumstances, such as dangerous weather conditions or a community health risk make-ups will not be offered.
Lengthy absence of a child due to serious illness or major family crisis will be considered for refund or make-up. However, neither credit nor refund will be given for missed classes due to common illness, scheduling conflicts, tardiness or absence due to family holidays.
Make-up time will be offered if/when space/time allows and should not be expected.
AGAIN, please understand that term fees reflect placement not attendance. This means that missed lessons for family holidays, common illness and scheduling conflicts are not considered for refund or discount.
Whenever possible, advanced notice of absence is appreciated and even short notice is better than no notice. At Fiddlesticks, openings for private lessons and groups are offered to others to allow for enrichment opportunity and make-up options. When all families adhere to this principle, more opportunity and make-up time is available. Please text notice of absence or lateness (613 402 7034).
Make-up time is offered at the discretion of the teacher and must be scheduled during the period of registration.
Make-up credit cannot be carried over to a subsequent term or program.
HEALTH POLICY
Please cancel if your child is feeling unwell or needs to go to sleep!
If your child attends a lesson but seems too unwell or too tired for me to ensure a positive experience I will cease learning activities and will ask that the child be taken home.
Please consider the following when deciding if your child should attend a lesson or not:
1. Lessons are designed to meet each child at their challenge point and lesson activities demand focus and energy. Even with a gentle and flexible approach, sometimes the ins and outs of lessons are just too hard if not feeling well or really tired.
2. If a child is focused on not feeling well, dripping nose, caughing and sneezing engagement will be virtually impossible.
3. If Verity gets sick and is focused on not feeling well lessons are canceled.
4. Resistance becomes messy. If a child is not feeling well, they may associate uncomfortable feelings with the learning experience. Discomfort may transfer to general motivation and perception of subsequent lessons. Extra special efforts need to be made to sidestep this.
5. Creative continuity goes a long way and supports the connection we build on in early strings education. Rather than skipping the lesson consider checking in virtually for some ear-training/musicianship or extra theory and a chat or a gentle recap of lesson materials.
6. Teaching a musical instrument to a child is more about the child than the instrument. We need to work together always. If a primary support for a young learner with no strings or musicianship/literacy background, take the lesson yourself or use the time to check in about home practice, learning goals or to share how your child is feeling about music and anything else in their life.
IN THE MUSIC ROOM WITH VERITY
A basic premise:
When children learn to respect and care for instruments their connection to music and those they share music with is strengthened. Students are taught to ask before touching studio instruments and instruments belonging to others. Students are encouraged to look out for the needs and comfort of others.
Please support children over the age of 4 to manage their own instrument. Do not do all the things for the small people.
Children aged 9 and above are expected to tune, organize books and lesson notes, unpack and pack, rosin and appropriately greet and support fellow musicians without prompting.
If chairs and stands need moving, children are taught to take initiative and work cooperatively with the entire ensemble in mind - including teacher and parents.
Accountability and gratitude are part of the curriculum. I prompt students to say thank you to parents and to eachother.
Students unpack and wash hands prior to entering the music room.
**** Absolutely no outdoor shoes, coats, bags or cello cases in the cello room. Please hang book bags on door or chair.
Children enter the music room at the start time of their lesson. Please don’t wait for a welcome unless requested.
Private lessons typically run until the next student enters and overlap of two lessons can be expected. Please notify Verity if your child does not have time flexibility at the start of the lesson.
Please don’t hesitate to send an update by text regarding lateness or if your child is having a hard or tired day. Adjustments to lesson structure and expectations will be made.
Lessons are designed on an individual basis and are process oriented. Communication is key.
Practice expectations and management of student goals requires communication within the teacher-student-parent framework. Parents are expected to ask questions and ask for support when needed and may even schedule lesson time or take their child's lesson time for coaching purposes. Parents and caregivers are asked to regularly share information about learning difficulties, health issues, personal history or current happenings relevant to the well being of the child. Teaching approaches are most effective with a whole-child, big-picture perspective.
GUIDANCE POLICY
Fiddlesticks practices a preventative rather than a reactive approach to discipline based upon age appropriate and safe boundaries. Individual guidance for each child and communication with parents is aimed at establishing a basis for making choices and the understanding of the consequences that follow. Clear expectations, positive reinforcement, and mutual respect are unrelenting elements of the social environment. Guidance is a teacher-parent-child equation at Fiddlesticks.
Should a child exhibit inappropriate behaviour that is disruptive to the learning and enjoyment of others or harmful to himself/herself or another, he/she will be separated from the group or a lesson will be terminated. If the behaviour continues during subsequent classes or lessons and after efforts have been made to address the issue, the child will be asked to withdraw or placement will be adjusted accordingly.
DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP
Fiddlesticks operates in a residential neighbourhood and needs the cooperation of families to uphold a positive and supportive relationship with neighbours. Please be mindful of neighbours and always comply with parking regulations. Use the driveway for parking whenever possible. Complaints from neighbours can be a nuisance and may result in restrictions on Fiddlesticks operations.
Parents and/or caregivers are expected to mind their child(ren) both in and out of the studio during drop-off and pick-up time.
Children must not be left unattended on the front porch and all children must wait inside for their adult to collect them if attending lessons alone.
It is requested that parents dropping children notify Verity beforehand if their child will be attending without an adult so that measures can be taken to ensure the child’s safety before and after lesson time.
When waiting for a lesson or during your child’s lesson families are asked to remain in the waiting area directly to the left of the front door. In warmer months it is appropriate to wait outside on the front porch or front garden.
Please do not leave children under the age of 5 unattended in the waiting area.
Parents must notify Verity in advance of alternative persons collecting their child.
Fiddlesticks operates out of a family home and private areas are not clearly separated from the Fiddlesticks areas (car port, back yard, kitchen, living room, staircase and basement stairwell). These private areas are not marked nor child-proofed and are designated for the use of Verity, her family, their pets, and their guests only. Please help children to stay within the designated Fiddlesticks areas.
It must be understood that in the event of an emergency or if a child is left in Verity’s care before or after classes or lessons that they may need to accompany Verity into the kitchen, living room or back yard areas. In instances with advanced notice, a written consent will be requested.
Fiddlesticks is not responsible for any strollers, bikes or trailers left on the premises.
GROUP CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS - The door is opened at the start-time of a class and children are dismissed at the end-time of the class. For the safety of the children, the front door is sometimes locked during class times (age dependant). Parents or caregivers need to knock loudly, call or text if collecting a child early.
PRIVATE LESSONS - The front door is left unlocked and families are expected to come and go in a timely manner so as to not disturb lessons.
LIABILITY
Parents or caregivers agree that Fiddlesticks, Verity, her son Liam and their pets along with Fiddlesticks volunteers, Fiddlesticks staff and the property owners are not liable for any accident and/or injury sustained by child or adult whilst at Fiddlesticks. This release of liability is inclusive of regular scheduled lessons, classes workshops and events at 508 Tweedsmuir Ave in Ottawa, Ontario and/or any declared alternative location.
AUDIO VISUAL RELEASE
On the application form, parents or caregivers are asked to give permission for Fiddlesticks to use photographs, video and/or audio recordings of their children. Audio and visual data may be collected for Fiddlesticks archives, PR and advertisement and/or publishings. An audio visual release can be declined by stating No.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION
In the event of a declared emergency, Fiddlesticks will provide the best possible care for your child. Fiddlesticks' policy is to remain on the premises in the event of an emergency however, if necessary, children will be evacuated from the building and walked or driven to Dovercourt Recreation Centre at 411 Dovercourt Ave. Tel (613) 798 8950.
Community services and support are available at this location and we will remain at the recreation centre until all children are reunited with family or designated persons.
Verity can be reached at 613 402 7034 before and after class times. Please use text whenever possible if leaving an urgent message.