If you have any feedback on how we can make our new website better please do contact us and we would like to hear from you.
Welcome to Miss Mindy's Fun Facts and Random Dance Thoughts and Information page
Completely Informative, yet silly at the same time....
* Elastic in place of shoe strings in tap shoes makes it easier to slip them on and off.
* We all love to dress up, but the big princess skirts with leotards only make the kiddies trip when they are on the mats.
* If you mix pepsi/coke with H20 in a spray bottle and spray the bottoms of tap shoes, you will not slip around so much. You may also encourage your dancer to tap their little hearts out on the concrete outside to scratch up the bottoms of new tap shoes to avoid slipping as well.
* Tights are actually made to be underwear that keeps your muscles warm--a great thing for a dancer.
* Underwear, therefore is not necessary and looks really silly sticking out from under a leotard.
* Kids in combo classes with tap always start in tap shoes to save time. This way we are only changing shoes once.
* When you buy your ballet shoes, sew on the elastic and then tie the elastic (in the center of the front of the shoe) to the proper fit in a double or triple knot. Then, cut off the extra elastic. Any elastic sticking out should be hidden in the shoe, not in a pretty bow (that by the way never stays tied---funny thing, 3 and 4 year olds freak out when it's not in a bow.) Another great time saver, cause who can deny the little girl who wants her shoes tied to be just right?
* 15% of Preschoolers will cry when they leave mom or dad the first time in dance class. Once they get in class and start having fun, they forget all about you! The 1% we can't calm down, we bring back to you we promise. As moms though, crying is our specialty!!
* Will Miss Mindy Excuse you from class if you are not dressed properly? There is a good chance of it. If I don't excuse you, you will sit and take notes on the class that must be handed in to me. Preschoolers must draw. Just kidding!! Preschoolers only sit for a time out when dicipline is necessary and reaverting thier attention has not worked successfully. The bigger kids should be on the ball, though.
* A student with injuries should try to attend class and take notes so they do not miss material.
* If your child is excused from class, they will go to the PTO at the desk, notify them, sit there, and you will be called.
* Texting, phone calls, food, pop, and very unhealthy sugary snacks are not allowed in class.
* Parents, feel free to encourage practicing at home! Recital music will be available in the spring to reinforce this.
* I will also invite parents in to see accomplishments and routines even though you are not allowed in the dance area. It is by invite only though.
* Most questions should be addressed to Gale, Melina, or our PTO. Teachers are under strict guidelines to keep classes moving. The minute a parent stops a teacher to talk it's like being on the telephone at home--the kids go nuts!
* Run in your tap shoes if you would like a concussion.
* Parents are allowed to peek in the windows. The only reason we do not allow you IN the dance room is that it is a major distraction. How many of you have dropped off your kids at your sisters and the kids were angels? Then you took them home and they were shnookies. This is parent observation. A room full of children acting like they do when they are with mom and dad instead of acting like angels for us. We have no problem with you viewing what we are doing, we just don't have the luxury of closed circuit TV or a viewing window-unless you go outside, which you are 100% welcome to do.
* We let our students know that we are not babysitters and they are little people to us who are responsible for their own actions. Rules and procedures are reviewed in the first class and are listed in the handbook. Violating the rules does result in being excused from class.
* If your hair is not pulled up, I will accidentally step on it when spotting you in Acrobatics, and it will hurt.
* I do not play favorites, but the kids that know the dance and combinations during class will be put in the front for the other kids to follow also. However, in the recital, ALL children will get their turn in the front no matter what.
* Costume choices are non-negotiable. The only exception to this would be if the outfit was inappropriate. The good news is that we do not order inappropriate costumes, so once again, they are non-negotiable.
* Once your child is 8 years and older it's a smart thing to not buy dance shoes from Walmart or Payless.
*Never buy dance tights from a Kohls, Target or Walmart unless you want to buy a pair each month. In that case it will cost you more money than getting a good pair that won't run as easy from All That Jazz in Wexford.
* As unfortunate as it is, Costumes are expensive. Long gone are the days of $25-$35 costumes. As we've finally approached the well into the $50 mark for most costumes, I will spend many hours searching out the most inexpensive costumes for you. Even though the $80 ones are absolutely gorgeous and perfect for the song I'm using....
