Gym Policies and Guidelines for Students & Parents

It is our desire to keep rules or regulations to a minimum; however, certain basic policies are necessary to help avoid misunderstandings. We will be happy to discuss individual situations. If you have any questions, please contact our manager at the Front Desk.

Tuition Fees: Term Fees are due and payable on or before the 1st week of the new term. Fees may be paid by mail, at the gym, or by automatic payment set up at the Front Desk. Cash payments are accepted and receipts are issued accordingly. Cancelled checks also serve as a receipt. Fees may not be credited for missed classes, and prorated fees are only applicable on the initial enrollment month or the Flexi-Schedule term during the Summer.

Returned Check Fee: A $25.00 fee is charged to customers for returned checks or payments.

Tardies / Warm-Ups: Gymnasts should arrive on time for their scheduled workout time. If the student is more than 10 minutes late, the student will not be allowed to participate in the class. This is for the safety of the gymnast, as well as to ensure class structure. A proper warm-up is essential, and organization of class is vital to progression and learning. The warm-up time provides physical and mental preparation for class. When performed completely it also helps prevent injuries.

Attendance / Make-Ups: Only one make-up is allowed per term (8 weeks). Make-up lessons must be scheduled in advance via our sign-up list at the Front Desk, and no make-up lessons are given for scheduled holidays that the gym is closed.

Our make-up policy and procedure was developed to ensure the smooth operation of our program here at Stars & Stripes. Make-up lessons are a courtesy that Stars & Stripes offers, and in order to continue to make them available this policy must be strictly followed. Please do your best to be at each scheduled class, as make-ups make teaching consistency and student/teacher rapport difficult. The presence of an unfamiliar student can also affect the class and instruction, so we have adopted the policy of limiting one make-up per term.

Extended Absences / Discontinuing Program: If at any time you wish to discontinue your training, please notify our Office Staff and we will drop you from your class. You may re-enroll at any time during the year with no fee until the September renewal. Any student who is absent for two consecutive weeks and has not paid current tuition fees will automatically be dropped. The student must re-enroll to continue, and will be subject to a $2.00 Re-enrollment Fee.

Safety

Our training facility has been equipped with the latest gymnastics equipment available. We have also incorporated additional safety measures to help ensure that students learn under the safest conditions possible. The following rules are in place to promote the safety of both gymnasts and coaches, as well as the families of our members.

Training: Students are not allowed on the gym floor or the equipment unless under direct supervision of a staff coach. Students should not be on the equipment before or after their lesson.

Observation of Training: A viewing area is provided for parents. Please do not attempt to assist your child either physically or verbally during class, unless you are enrolled in the Mommy & Me class. Siblings of program participants must be kept in control while in the Observation Lobby, and should be attended by a parent at all times. Unless enrolled in a class, please do not go out on the gym floor or allow children out onto the floor. This rule has been implemented to comply with strict insurance regulations, as well as for obvious safety reasons. No flash photography is permitted!

Food and Drink: All food and drinks are allowed in the viewing area only. No gum chewing is allowed in the gym.

Dress Code: Girls are asked to wear a leotard. If tights are to be worn, they must be footless or stirrup type to avoid slipping on the apparatus. Spandex "bike" shorts or pants are permissible over a leotard.

Boys are asked to wear gym shorts (no zippers or snaps) and a T-shirt or tank top tucked in. Denim shorts or pants are not permitted.

No socks or shoes are to be worn. All students are to work out in bare feet or wear appropriate gymnastics footwear.

All jewelry (including watches, necklaces, long earrings, and ID bracelets) are to be removed prior to class time as they pose a safety hazard to the gymnast as well as the instructor (stud earrings are acceptable). Clothing with zippers, buttons, and snaps pose a safety hazard also, and should be avoided.

Students with long hair must keep it tied back in a pony tail to prevent hair from interfering with instruction.

Drop-Offs / Pick-Ups: Parents are responsible for their children until the start of class. Parents need to pick up gymnasts immediately following the workout. Please do not have your child wait for you outside the gym. If there is an unforeseen problem, please call the Front Desk.

Program Placement

Program Advancement: Advancement through the program is on an individual basis. It will vary depending on the experience, dedication, maturity, and aptitude of the individual gymnast. All new gymnasts who have previous gymnastics experience are to be evaluated by the Academy Director for determining the appropriate level in our program. Evaluations are also necessary for placement in the Advanced Academy.

Team: Placement on a competitive team is strictly by invitation. It is recognition of the hard work, skill level achievements, and dedication of the student. More hours must be spent in the gym and a higher standard of performance is expected. Except for vacations, absence from workouts may only be due to illness or injury. Gymnasts at the team level are expected to pay tuition year round.

If you would like to view our Rules and Regulations Acknowledgement Form (which is signed by all members upon enrollment), please click here.