Students and staff are expected to show respect for each other and their environment. We promote a non-judgmental, non-competitive atmosphere where hard work and concentration are valued. We support each other in our work and play.
Attitudes and comments that degrade others based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status will not be tolerated.
Cell phones, beepers, headphones and hand-held computer games must be turned off while the student is in the building. Phones that ring during class may be confiscated by the teacher and may be picked up from the receptionists at the end of the day.
In an emergency during class hours, please call the school, not your child’s cell phone.
Attendance
It is our belief that a student of acting must train his or her instruments – the voice and the body. Therefore, actors need to learn body awareness and vocal flexibility as well as acting skills. All students are required to attend all three classes each Saturday - acting, dance and voice. We strongly recommend that students attend class every week. Students may not avoid a certain class by arriving late or leaving early.
If your child is unable to attend class, notification is required. Please send an e-mail to the attendance hotline at: playhouseattendance@gmail.com
If you do not have e-mail access, please call Kat Davis between 9am and 5pm only at 732-548-3656 or call the school on the morning of the absence at 212-688-3770. Please do not call the school (the 212-number) during the week.
Since there is only one section of each class, we cannot offer make-up classes.
If your child is traveling alone and you would like to check that he or she has arrived, you may call the school at 212-688-3770 and the receptionist will confirm that he or she has arrived safely.
Lateness
Please avoid being late to class. Late students interrupt the flow of the class and take away from everyone’s experience. Please leave ample time for traffic and other typical commuting difficulties.
If you must be late in bringing your child to class, please accompany him or her through the door and sign in with the receptionist. If your child travels alone to class, please send a note stating the reason for the lateness. Attendance is taken in each class. Students who are late to any class must check in with the receptionist for a late pass.
Information All questions or concerns should be addressed to the director, Kat Drinane Davis on Saturday or via e-mail at playhousejuniors@gmail.com or phone at 732-548-3656 between the hours of 9am and 5pm only. Never leave messages on the school machine (the “212” number.)
Holiday and End-of-Year Programs
On December 13th and April 25th, The Neighborhood Playhouse Junior School will host programs welcoming family and friends. All classes begin at 9:30 and are shortened so students are finished early. Families join us at the end of classes for sharing. Please check the website for specific times each year.
Snow Policy
As a general rule, we do not close for ordinary snowstorms. If it is dangerous for you to attempt to travel to school, please stay home. If there is an unusual storm and many events in the city are cancelled, we will cancel as well. You will receive an e-mail before 8am if we cancel. You may call to confirm – 732-548-3656 after 7am or 212-688-3770 after 8:30am. Due to scheduled building use, we cannot make up snow days.
Intensive Class
The Neighborhood Playhouse Junior School offers an Intensive Class by invitation only. To be considered,students must have attended the Junior School program for at least one semester and have an outstanding attendance record. The intensive class is open to students in grades 8 – 12 and includes an extra hour of professional training. Interested students should send and e-mail to the director during the semester prior to admission.
Intensive class students must be dedicated. Any unexcused absence or lateness is unacceptable and will result in a student being asked to withdraw from class.
School Supplies
Students should be prepared for class. At the beginning of the year, students are given a bag, pencil and folder for sheet music. These items are important and must be brought to class each week.
Proper dance attire is required during dance class.
Grades 1 – 5, girls: leotards with or without tights and hair tied back.
Grades 1 – 5, boys: fitted sweatpants or shorts and t-shirts.
Grades 6 – 12: fitted dance or gym clothing. No jeans or jewelry. Hair must be tied back.
All students should bring a water bottle.
Clothing for other classes should be comfortable and allow easy movement. Sneakers or other comfortable shoes are encouraged.
Drop-off/Pick-up
The doors open at 9am.
Students must wait in the lobby until directed to go up to their first class. We do not want students in unsupervised classrooms. For security reasons, adults other than staff are not allowed above the second floor office level. If you need to give your child a message or deliver lunch, please see the receptionists.
Please pick up your child promptly after class – we cannot be responsible for children waiting in the lobby for a sibling’s class to end.
Students in grades 1 – 8 are not permitted to leave the building until the parent or guardian arrives to pick them up. If you wish to allow your child to go home unaccompanied, please sign the appropriate line on the registration form.
Any change in a student’s normal pick-up schedule (i.e. going home with a friend, leaving early, etc.) must be communicated to the director in writing or by phone. Students are absolutely not allowed to leave early without this communication.
Childsitting
We offer a childsitting service for children in groups A and B. Childsitting is offered in the 4th floor lounge and includes an optional McDonald’s lunch. Please register with the receptionist in the morning by 9:30am. Childsitting ends at 1:30pm.
Lunch
Students in grades 4 – 8 may eat lunch in the student lounge located on the 4th floor. Students should bring their own food, since the vending machine is not always filled and working. If students choose to purchase from the vending machine, they must bring quarters; the machine does not accept dollar bills. Healthy foods that build and sustain the mind and body are encouraged; please avoid sweets and soda.
Students in the 9th – 12th grades may leave the building for lunch if the parent or guardian has returned the permission slip. They are permitted to go to the stores north of McDonald’s on the west side of 1st Avenue and/or Lenny’s on 54th Street and 2nd Avenue.
Students who choose to go out for lunch are expected to be prompt for the class following lunch. Students who are late two times will not be allowed to go out for lunch for the week following the second lateness.
Students may not chew gum or eat in classrooms.
Directory
A directory listing the names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of students will be compiled in the fall and made available to our families for personal use. If you do not wish to be listed, please notify the office on the first day of class.
Medication Medication should come to school only when absolutely necessary. Many medications can be given in time-release forms or dosages can be spread out so the medicines can be given at home. Medication must be brought to school by a parent or guardian, not the child. The medication must be in its original and clearly labeled bottle or container. Please see the director if medicines must be dispensed during the school day. We are unable to dispense over the counter medicines (such as Tylenol or Advil) without parental consent.
Registration
We must receive payment for the second semester’s tuition by December 6th, 2008 for the spring semester. Acceptance after December 6th is on a space-available basis only and must include the late fee. You will keep your place in class until December 6th. Students on scholarship must submit a request in writing to continue for the second semester.
Please mail forms with payment before JULY 1st, 2009 in order to secure your place in the fall class.
Students on scholarship must submit registration forms on time in order to continue receiving financial aid.
Donations to the Tuition Assistance Fund
Please consider making a donation to the Tuition Assistance Fund. We have many students who request tuition assistance and we would like to continue to allow them to attend class. However, with tuition so low, it is becoming increasingly difficult to absorb this expense. Please consider making a donation of any size so we can continue to be generous to all our families.
Lost and Found
There is a lost and found box in the main office. At the end of each semester, any unclaimed items are donated to charity.
Refund Policy
Regretfully, The Neighborhood Playhouse cannot issue refunds.
Expulsion Policy
A student will be asked to withdraw if, in the opinion of the school, his or her presence is considered to be detrimental to the school, or to the health and/or progress of the student or other pupils.
Sexual Harassment
The school is committed to maintaining a humane atmosphere in which individuals do not abuse their personal authority or power in interpersonal relationships. More specifically, the faculty, staff and students of the school will not condone actions and works which a reasonable person would regard as either gender discrimination or sexual harassment. Complaints of sexual harassment should be made to the Director. Every effort will be made to resolve problems on an informal basis. Prompt action will result in appropriate disciplinary action, if necessary.
Alcohol/Drug Use
The unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees is prohibited at all times on school premises or as part of its activities. The school is a Drug-Free Workplace as defined by Federal regulations. Students or employees found violating any local, state or Federal law regarding the use, possession or distribution of alcohol or other drugs will be subject to the full legal penalty, in addition to any appropriate school disciplinary action.
Disaster Plan
If we are instructed to evacuate, or it seems prudent to do so, we will walk to 1st Avenue and head north. The NYPD has assigned us to go to the Archdiocese of New York at 55th Street and 1st Avenue and await instructions. If it is not possible to remain at the Church, we will walk north up Sutton Place to safety.
Our outdoor evacuation site is the park on 54th Street and Sutton Place. Continue east on 54th Street until you see it in front of you.
Students will remain with their teachers. Every teacher has a list of every student’s home and emergency phone numbers. In the event of a disaster, you will receive a phone call to that number, so please be sure your contact numbers are up to date. Check your e-mail in an emergency, as it may be easier to contact you in that manner.
In this situation, no student, REGARDLESS OF AGE, will be allowed to go home alone. A parent or guardian must pick up all students. If we are at an alternate site, you will be told where to pick up your child via phone or e-mail.
The Neighborhood Playhouse is protected by the 17th precinct of the NYPD. Their phone number is 212-826-3211. They are aware that we have children in the building every Saturday and will guide us in an emergency.
Please know that your children will be cared for as if they were our own. Their safety is our first priority.
3/22/03
Class Times
Group H Grade 1 Only Please call for details
Group A Grade 2 Only 9:30 – 10:30 Creative Drama TBA 3C 10:30 – 10:45 Healthy Snack Lounge 10:45 – 11:30 Dance Nicole 3A 11:30 – 12:00 Singing David 3C
Group B Grade 3 Only 9:45 – 10:30 Singing David 5C 10:30 – 11:30 Creative Drama TBA 3C 11:30 – 11:45 Healthy Snack Lounge 11:45 – 12:45 Dance Nicole 3A
Group C Grades 4 and 5 9:30 – 10:30 Dance Nicole 3A 10:30 – 11:30 Singing Steven 5C 11:30 – 12:00 Healthy Lunch Lounge 12:00 – 1:30 Acting TBA 3B
Group D Grades 6 and 7 9:30 – 11:00 Acting TBA 3B 11:00 – 11:30 Healthy Lunch Lounge 11:30 – 12:30 Dance Heather 4A 12:30 – 1:30 Singing David 3C
Group E Grades 8 and 9 9:30 – 11:00 Acting TBA Theatre 11:00 – 11:30 Healthy Lunch 11:30 – 12:30 Singing Steven 5C 12:30 – 1:30 Dance Heather 4A
Group F Grades 10 - 12 10:00 – 11:00 Dance Heather 4A 11:00 – 12:30 Acting Darleen Theatre
