Studio Policies
Inclement Weather Policy
I’m not sure how to set a policy for inclement weather, especially on days when the local school district may issue a school closing. I certainly wouldn’t want students to feel they have to brave bad road conditions, and occasionally there may be municipal road…
Electronic Devices in Class
I would like to know what fellow teachers think about the following: Due to a growing phenomenon, I am seriously considering requiring all parents (and students) to please turn off their electronics devises while in the classroom. The continued use of cell phones for e-mailing…
Discontinuation Policies
A couple of years ago, I think, I put into place two related policies after getting ideas from the forums. 30-days written notice required to discontinue with forfeiture of any unpaid tuition, and pre-payment upon enrollment of 1st and last months of tuition. Combined, these…
30 Days Notice
I am considering asking for 1st and last months tuition and 30 days notice from families as a general policy when they sign up for my classes. For those of you that already do that, do you find that parents/students struggle with that at times…
Referral Program
I was wondering what each of you do for referrals? I give a $50 (US) tuition credit to the referring student on the 2nd month after the new student starts. I give $30 tuition credit to the referring student. I give $50 off one month…
Annual payment
I had a parent ask me about making one annual payment instead of paying monthly. This particular parent has a history of paying late (even with what I consider ‘pleasant’ reminders) so her request took me a little by surprise. While the vision of a…
Duet Questions—Unhappy Parent
Can I open a discussion about duets in general and how playing in public in a duet in approached? This is a response I sent to a parent who was not happy a student played a duet and not a solo at a Christmas Sing-a-long.…
New Teachers and Relationship Conversation
I’ve been having more attrition than I’m used to among students. Two, I think, are a temporary hiatus, and two others were over-committed in their lives and needed to rearrange something. I know I can’t take it personally when a student decides to leave, but…
Supporting Family Learning
I have had experience with non-student siblings being present at lessons. I have had one family all sit in and draw in coloring books with mum supervising whilst the eldest had lessons. The siblings were 5 and a baby/toddler. We were very focused, and as…
30 Day Notice & Trends
I’m curious to know how many teachers require a 30 day notice in their policies if a student (parent) decides to stop lessons and also how many teachers require the last month’s payment up front before starting lessons? I’m thinking maybe I should begin doing…