Category: Uncategorized

Are you at a standstill for what to give your 2-5 year old dancer this year? How about a friend who loves to dance but hasn’t gone back to the studio in years?

Then we have the solution for you! Keep them moving this winter with this fabulous experience gift!

This holiday season pop up with us and save!

• 3 pop-ups on Saturday at 9 am (ages 2-5) – $30, save $6!
• 6 pop-ups on Saturday at 9 am (ages 2-5) – $60, save $12!
• 3 adult ballet/Jazz drop-ins on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm – $35, save $10!
• 3 adult tap drop-ins on Wednesdays at 8:15 pm – $30 save $6!
• 3 adult classes (both tap and ballet/jazz) drop-ins on Wednesdays at 7:30 – $65 – save $16!

Things to note:

To ensure availability pop-ups and drop-ins need to be pre-registered through our registration site. Upon purchase of a package, you will be provided with registration instructions.

Packages must be used by March 31, 2024, or the value will expire.

Certificate for gifting as well as a bag with some surprises included with purchase.

To purchase please see: https://dancestudio-pro.com/online/shootingstardancenj

For more on our pop up classes please see: Pop Up Classes

If you are reading this you are most likely registered for lessons at Shooting Star Dance Center.  Our 2023-2024 year will begin on September 16, 2023, and run until June 22, 2024.

Below you will find all the important studio information.  For returning families it is a good reminder and for new families, if you read nothing else this is the one to read and save.
 
Connect with us:

* Website – http://www.shootingstardancenj.com

* Email – info@shootingstardancenj.com (please note we have a 48 hour response policy, though many times it is much quicker)

* Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/shootingstardancenj

* Instagram – search for SHOOTINGSTARDANCECENTER

* Phone/Text – 973.298.0230 (If it is your first time texting us please let us know who you are!)

* Parent Portal – https://dancestudio-pro.com/online/shootingstardancenj   (super helpful for all your studio account information.  The email for logging in is this email, I can send the password if you don’t remember yours.)

***Please note phone calls and emails have a 48 hours return policy, though we do our best to get to them as fast as possible***

* Learn how to use the Parent Portal and what it can do: https://shootingstardancenj.com/all-about-your-parent-portal/ . Reporting an absence, updating your payment information, seeing the history of email and payments – it’s all there.

* Add our google calendar to yours.  You can click on the plus sign in the lower right hand corner to add it to yours. Don’t have google calendar?  You can see the calendar on our website here, or just refer back to the link above. Our standard closings are a week for Thanksgiving, 2 at the end of the calendar year, one week for spring break and Memorial Day weekend.

* Tuition:
As always if you cannot make auto pay on the 8th or have the payment the first class of the month please speak to me.  I am happy to work with anyone as long as I know the issue. 

* Withdrawing from class:
Notice must be given by email by the last day of the month before or you will be held accountable for the month’s fees. We do not give refunds or credits after your initial first 30 days of enrollment (applies to new students only). Please note recital fees are nonrefundable if the season is not completed.

*Cancellation of class:
If we need to cancel due to weather (after the emergency built-in week has been used) or some other unexpected circumstance, make-up options will be offered for classes canceled.

*Number of classes:
Our tuition is based on 34 classes a year, some days depending on closings may have an extra week or two. The year also includes one emergency day not charged for but there to use in case of snow. For Saturdays, if our emergency day is not used we will use it as a day off the day before Easter.

* Dancewear:
For new families: the $45 fee you paid covers your uniform.  We will contact you to get the size for your dancer.  Please remember shoes are not included. 

If you have gently used shoes you are not using we would be more than happy to clean them up and pass them on to the next person.  

If you want to purchase shoes new we recommend KaShe Dance and Designs located at 473 Centre Street in Nutley. 

Uniforms (but not shoes) for all new students are included in their $45 fee paid at registration.  We will contact you for sizes. 

All students in Sparkling Stars and Shining Stars will receive a bag that will stay at the studio with their own props and class materials and their shoes.

*Parking:

There is street parking on Broad Street as well as on Baldwin St. (across the street) and Pitt Street (by Town Pub) if you don’t mind the walk. There is also a large municipal lot behind the stores across the street. Enter behind the Town Pub on Pitt Street. Close parking is metered. Further up on Pitt St. and Baldwin, there is free parking. Please note that when sports are going on on Saturdays at Foley Field parking may be tricky.

*Referrals:
For each student, you refer to us you will receive a $30 credit once they pay for their first month’s tuition. Please make sure they or you tell us you referred them.  We can’t give credit to what we don’t know.

* Makeup lessons:
If you would like to make up a class that was missed please email me.  Makeup availability will depend on where there are openings either in an opposite class (weekday/Saturday) or in our pop-up classes.

*Birthday Parties:
We are happy to bring back parties to the studio. We are also available to come to a party and dance with the attendees. Please contact us to get started. Parties are typically Saturday late afternoon and Sundays as schedule allows.  Current students will save $75 on studio birthday parties.

* Donations:
We are happy to donate a class pack and swag bag to your event. We do some financial donations as well.   Please just ask.

* Community Events:
Need a performance, class, dance party, field trip, dance badge, or other movement-related activity?  Look no further!  We will work with you to get the event just right at a price point everyone is happy with.  Please contact us to get started.

* First Day of Class: 
Please see the below links for more helpful class information. 
Age 2
Age 3 
Age 4 and up

Something I did not cover?  Check our FAQ or please do not hesitate to ask!  I believe I have updated everything to reflect this year, if there are any questions please just ask.


Thanks,
Miss Katie

Here at Shooting Star the Parent Portal is a wealth of information. Here some of the things your portal can do:

• You can see every email we sent from the system. So if you need to go back and can’t find the email they are all there. Please click the messages icon (Quick links top right) or bulleting board icon (at the bottom of the page) and then select email history. I will also start posting the messages to the bulletin board as well.
• You can report an absence. Click More – Attendance – Report absence or click the attendance icon at the bottom of the page. We do appreciate knowing what is going on so a brief reason is appreciated but not mandatory to log an absence.
• From the Main Attendance Screen you can also see how many missed classes your dancer has and how many have been made up.
• Waivers: click more-waivers or the waivers button at the bottom of the screen. You may not have accepted the waiver in the system but may have digitally signed instead when we do VIP registration. You can also opt out of public photos in the same screen.
• On the main screen if you click Pay you can make a payment or update your auto pay method.
• From the main pay screen you can also see a history of charges and payments and change your password or update student and contact information.

Here is a video of some basic functions of the parent portal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avYmCf20Q5I

If you are reading this you are most likely registered for lessons at Shooting Star Dance Center.  Our summer 2023 session will begin on July 5, 2023 and run until August 12, 2023.

Below you will find all the important studio information.  For returning families it is a good reminder and for new families if you read nothing else this is the one to read and save.

Connect with us:

* Website – http://www.shootingstardancenj.com

* Email – info@shootingstardancenj.com (please note we have a 48 hour response policy, though many time it is much quicker)

* Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/shootingstardancenj

* Instagram – search for SHOOTINGSTARDANCECENTER

* Phone/Text – 973.298.0230 (If it is the first time texting us please let us know who you are!)

* Parent Portal – https://dancestudio-pro.com/online/shootingstardancenj   (super helpful for all your studio account information.  The email for log in is the email to which you received this link, I can send the password if you don’t remember yours.)

***Please note phone calls and emails have a 48 hours return policy, though we do our best to get to them as fast as possible***

* Learn how to use the Parent Portal and what it can do: https://shootingstardancenj.com/all-about-your-parent-portal/ . Reporting an absence, updating your payment information, seeing history of email and payments – it’s all there.

* Add our google calendar to yours.  You can click on the plus sign in the lower right hand corner to add it to yours. Don’t have google calendar?  You can see the calendar on our website here, or just refer back to the link above. Our standard closings are a week for Thanksgiving, 2 at the end of the calendar year, one week for spring break and Memorial Day weekend.

* Tuition:
If you are a new student there are no payments due for the summer as you paid at time of registration. For current students payment will be due the 8th. As always if you cannot make auto pay on the 8th or have the payment on the first class of the month please speak to me.  I am happy to work with anyone as long as I know the issue. 

* Dance wear:
For new families: Your uniform was covered in your summer fee.  We will contact you to get size for your dancer.  Please remember shoes are not included. 

For returning familiesIf you have gently used shoes you are not using we would be more than happy to clean them up and pass them on to the next person.  

If you want to purchase shoes new we recommend KaShe Dance and Designs located at 473 Centre Street in Nutley. 

All students in Sparkling Stars and Shining Stars will receive a bag that will stay at the studio with their own props and class materials and their shoes.

*Parking: There is street parking on Broad Street as well as on Baldwin St. (across the street) and Pitt Street (by Town Pub) if you don’t mind the walk. There is also a large municipal lot behind the stores across the street. Enter behind the Town Pub on Pitt Street. Close parking is metered. Further up on Pitt St. and Baldwin there is free parking. Please note that when sports are going on on Saturdays at Foley Field parking may be tricky.

*Referrals:
For each student your refer to us you will receive a $30 credit once they pay for their first month tuition. Please make sure they or you tell us your referred them.  We can’t give credit to what we don’t know.

* Make Up lessons:
If you would like to make up a class that was missed please email me.  Make up availability will depend on where there are openings either in an opposite class (weekday/Saturday) or in our pop up classes.

*Birthday Parties:
We are happy to bring back smaller parties for 7 or less children to the studio. We are also available to come to a party and dance with the attendees. Please fill out this form to get started.  

* Donations:
We are happy to donate a class pack and swag bag to your event. We do some financial donations as well.   Please just ask.

* Community Events:
Need a performance, class, dance party, field trip, dance badge or other movement related activity?  Look no further!  We will work with you to get the event just right at a price point everyone is happy with.  Please fill out this form to get started.

* First Day of Class: 
Please see the below links for more helpful class information. 

Age 2
Age 3 
Age 4 and up

Something I did not cover?  Check our FAQ or please do not hesitate to ask!  I believe I have updated everything to reflect this year, if there is any questions please just ask.

Thanks,
Miss Katie

It’s another Monday, school is done for the day but she is still rushing around.  You watch as she runs upstairs and in a flash she is back down leotard and tights on, dance bag slung over her shoulder ready to go.  You have just enough time to grab the car keys before she is out the door and halfway to the car.  

When you get there she is in the door quick as a wink, getting herself ready and greeting her friends before jetting into class.  You know while she is in there she will be treated in a fair, positive and respectful manner and it shows in the dedication she puts in and excitement she gets out of every class.  

Your dancer will be thrilled with an exhilarating adventure that will bring them more confidence, finesse and a solid dance foundation. They will love the excitement of a new challenge and you will love watching the amazing growth week after week.

Each class is 60 minutes long and are a combination of tap, jazz and ballet. Students at this level will begin to be a part of our community events, as well as the holiday show.

Hip Hop

Dancers have the option to add a hip hop class in addition to the combo class starting at age 5. The class is 30 minutes long and full of high energy moves set to popular music. This class can also be a standalone class.

Musical Theater

New for summer 2023! Come dance like the star you are! Beginning jazz dance combined with a whole lot of flair – no singing required! Dancers age 6-10 have the option of adding this class to a combo class or taking it as a standalone class.

What Parents say:

“We LOVE Shooting Star Dance Center! I have 2 girls enrolled and they both so look forward to going to class each week. The teachers are amazing with the kids and really help them to build their confidence in themselves through dance. I love the non competitive and fun atmosphere that the studio has. The kids are free to learn and love dance, which is the point :-)” – Danielle

For all our fall information please see 2021-2022 Season.

Ready to register? Please click here. 

Have a question? Please Contact Us

Want more information please enter your email below:

What a year it has been! I thank everyone for hanging in there with us during this most unconventional year.

What do I think next year will look like?

That being said – we plan to move a little back to the direction of our “conventional” year. What does this mean exactly?

• Classes will span September-June with breaks for Thanksgiving, Winter holidays, Spring break and Memorial Day. Check our calendar here for all the dates.
• Tuition will be broken up in equal payments (more on that later) and you have the option of a performance or non performance track. You can opt into performance up to December but know that the payments will be different as performance is a fixed cost divided over the # of payments.
• We will be planning a winter show (for grades 1 and up) as well as our June recital (which hopefully we can move back to the BHS auditorium).
• As things (hopefully) progress we plan to slowly add back in things like our PJ party, glow party, buddy boogie and family dance class. We may not get to everything this year but we look forward to cautiously starting to add them back in.

We have tweaked the schedule a bit as well during the week. In order to meet staffing needs and enable classes to run a little smoother we have shifted our 2-5 year old classes to Wednesdays and our 6-10 year old classes to Thursdays. Like our Saturday schedule this will enable students to move to the next time slot from year to year and ensures smoother staff planning. I will put the schedule below, and you can also see your individual email for your recommended class.

So what exactly is VIP registration?

VIP registration is open only to current studio families. By taking advantage of VIP registration you:

• Reserve your spot in class before it opens to the public (spots will still be limited next year, though opening up a little more)
• Early registration for any siblings not currently registered.
• Choose 10, 5 or 2 equal payments for your tuition. 5 payments (September, November, January, March, May) will save you $25 over the year and 2 payments (September and January) save you $50. After this closes you will only have the monthly payment option.
• Receive 2 extra tickets to recital for those who choose performance. You will have 6 tickets to recital instead of the 4 tickets that will be included with new registrations.
• 1 entry to our parents night out raffle. All VIP registrants will receive an entry to a drawing for a $50 visa gift card and a free PJ party (so dinner and babysitting!).
• Start earning referral credit for September tuition. For every person that you refer that signs up and pays their dancewear fee I will credit you $15 towards your bill for the first month. Once they pay their first month’s tuition you will receive another $15 credit toward the next month’s bill.

What does performance entail?

Just like this year performance is one fee that includes everything you need. This fee includes:

• costume(s) and all accessories
• one pair of performance tights
• 6 tickets to the spring recital
• Recital shirt for performer
• digital download of show
• Winter show costume rental (for grades 1 and up)
• 4 tickets to the winter show (for grades 1 and up)

What is not included?

• Dancewear (mandatory)
• Shoes (mandatory)
• Spirit wear (optional)
• Dance Photos (Optional)
• Events (Optional)
• Extra tickets to the shows (Optional)
• Parent recital shirts (Optional)

Please note: If your dancewear fits you do not need to purchase new even if the class moves to a different color. We also as always offer the shoes we have in our closet for free if we have something that fits. Everything else is offered but totally optional. This enables you to plan your monthly cost without any surprise fees.

So why VIP registration?

The most important reason to register early if you are coming back is so that I can plan and make adjustments to the schedule if classes close before I can open them to new students. I also do a lot of gift ordering and preparing over the summer and this gives us a number to start off with.

Please note that you are not bound to VIP registration. Things come up, situations change, people move unexpectedly. All I ask is that you notify me as soon as possible so we can continue to adjust our open spots.

2021-2022 schedule and prices (price in parenthesis is no performance price)

When looking at the chart please use the child’s age/grade in September. If you are not sure please reach out.

Please note tuition is invoiced on the 1st of appropriate months and due on the 8th when Auto pay runs. This includes September even though classes have not started. Payments are not refundable, if you choose to drop performance or classes during the year we cannot refund performance costs.

Ready to register?

Please fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/6rfBc9RSEfPJRV1o8 Please let me know if you have any questions.

Hello!

So the big question – what happens after the middle of March??

***Please remember that any and all of this is subject to change as the pandemic situation is constantly evolving***

The plan is to finish the year with another 10 weeks of class (a few days will have 11, due to being closed for Memorial Day weekend), which will run from 3/22 -6/12/21. Please note – you do not have to sign up for performance. You can take class and not perform. We will need a commitment though by mid March as we need to figure the details out by number of families participating.

We will end the year with a performance. Here is what I have so far:

• Location– Outside on the grounds of Oakeside Cultural Center (240 Belleville Avenue, Bloomfield). We are looking to utilize the grounds to the right of the mansion when facing it . This bigger area will enable a slightly larger audience with the ability to spread out.
• Date – Planned date Monday June 14th BUT rain dates of 6/15 and 6/16. Please be available for all if committing to performance.
• Time – TBD depending on number of performers. We are shooting for 3 early evening shows of about 35 minutes each. Company dancers will be the only ones involved in more than one show.
• Performance wear – We will be ordering for all performers :

1. Black t shirt with silver glitter print
2. Black logo shorts
3. Purple hair bow
4. Socks for our younger dancers and tights for our older ones

The outfit will be the same for everyone (with slight variation for our boys). This will alleviate time needed for costume changes and take the cost down dramatically. Older dancers will have an extra pair of shorts for class (anyone in the black uniform) and all dancers can use the pieces again whenever they choose.

• Cost: $100 for one child, $150 for 2. We will add this into the 10 weeks of tuition and divide into 3 payments.
• # of Audience members per family: This is unknown at this time. Currently they are allowing groups of 25 outside, but I expect that to change. When it gets closer that will be determined by mandates, but please be prepared that it will be limited and most likely need to be members of the same household.
• Video: We will be live streaming and videoing the recital again. Our new company has a pretty quick turn around time so you will be able to share the video with loved ones who cannot attend (it is a downloadable link) and they will be able to watch it live on Facebook if they choose.

Please know that I have put every thought and effort into finding a workable solution for this year’s show. My staff and I want the students to be able to perform and felt low key (and lower cost) was the best solution for everyone. By making a slightly larger show than last year it will give the opportunity to families to see a range of levels the studio provides. Also in order to help with transition time and to keep costs down we will be asking you to bring your own seating: blanket, chairs whatever works for you.

We hope to resume a glitzier show next year but are taking everything as it comes. I know for those who have participated in recitals in year’s past it may come as a bit of a disappointment to some, but I felt that people were stretched too thin this year and that this would be a most cost effective solution.

We will be sending out a google form late February asking who will be returning and who will be participating in recital. Feel free to come to me with questions as you think of them. Thanks!

Hello!

Welcome (or welcome back) to Shooting Star for our Winter 2021 session. Every week I will reach out by email on Mondays with announcements for the week. Sometimes it’s easier to put it on a webpage if you may need to refer back to it.

Things to note:

• Classes start today, Monday January 18th.
• This session lasts 8 weeks and runs from 1/18-3/13.
• There are NO CLOSINGS scheduled in this 8 week period.
• If inclement weather presents itself we will make the determination of the studio by 3 pm on weekdays and 8 am on Saturdays. We need to asses current and future weather reports as well as the condition of roads and parking lots before we make that call. We will email, text and post on facebook if we close. Make up classes can be arranged for closings due to weather.
• I am available by phone/text 973.298.0230, facebook messenger or email most of the day. Please know that I have 2 kids (6 and 7) at home doing virtual school so during school hours it can be rough to have a conversation on the phone. Please leave a message and I will call you back as soon as I get a quiet moment, or if I am at the studio when I am done teaching.
• Being that I can take calls from home, as well as run the business side with email and our software and tap into our security cameras so I can monitor the classes, my non teaching hours will be slightly reduced. I will still see everyone at least once every 2 weeks, I just ask if you need to speak with me you let me know in advance so I can make sure I am there.

If you didn’t get the welcome email or want to re-read it please see: http://eepurl.com/hki-Qf

Please note – since it is colder weather our dancers tend to be cold when they come in. Please have their uniform as their outmost layer when entering the studio for class. They are free to wear long sleeve shirts under their uniform and heavier tights if you have them. When they wear clothes over the uniform we spend a significant portion of class putting on and taking off the sweatshirts. I assure you we keep it warm in the studio and are almost constantly moving so it should not be a huge concern, but we appreciate your help with this. I fully encourage bundling up when heading outside of course – especially our older students.

Please remember doors open 5 minutes before class starts and ends and the waiting room is closed during class unless we are working out on separation anxiety with the dancer . Due to the waiting room being small and windowless as well as our cleaning protocol we may ask you to step out if you arrive before that 5 minutes and come in.

Everyone MUST wear a mask in the building.

Please remember if you have a tuition balance it is due by the first class. Please speak to me with concerns.

I am looking forward to getting back in and seeing our dancers. The rough plan is that we will continue to move forward after the 8 weeks and finish is June with an outdoor performance. This is the very rough plan. We are constantly reevaluating and will have more information to share the end of February.

See you on the dancefloor!

Miss Katie

Hello Everyone!

I met with the fire department Thursday and our COVID capacity is  15 in studio, though for the time being we are limiting it to 5 for 2-3 year olds and 7 for 4-7 year olds with the older kids having one class that tops out at 9.  This means that we are going to be looking at a bit of a different time schedule in some places.  At this point I hope you have read and reviewed the current policies for coming back in August.  If not they can be found here:  http://www.shootingstardancenj.com/how-we-reopen/ .  Please review that masks will be required for participation in dance class unless there is a medical reason.  That is the governor’s executive order and I mus follow it or risk being shut down not only temporarily but permanently.

Policies for recital this year can be found here: http://www.shootingstardancenj.com/recital-2020/ .  I may need to amend again as things change.

Now I need you to give me your vote so to speak.  We are offering 3 options – not coming back for August, virtual for august (with or without recital) and in person (again with or without recital).  Please only fill out the form of your choice.  If you opt not to participate in recital  after you have paid towards it you will  receive a $50 credit that can be used anytime in the next 2 years.

I understand masks may be a sticking point, you may not be ready to come back to the studio, or whatever your reason – they are all ok.  What is best for your family comes first when making this decision.  Our doors will always be open to you.

Please fill out the form that matches your decision:

We are not coming back : https://forms.gle/YM7Y9ndEisox6cgX7

We want virtual: https://forms.gle/jiKR9nMQqTirump88 (NOTE – virtual will be streamed alongside a live class, teacher interaction will be minimal, though I will do my best to monitor that while Miss Nicole is teaching.  Schedule will be released once we see who wants virtual and do our best to accommodate everyone.  Virtual can still participate in recital)

In person class: https://forms.gle/wjX3mYGJwuYY7SSd6

Again no right or wrong answers – but I do need everyone to fill out a form by Tuesday July 28th so I can make schedule changes and a virtual schedule before we open on 8/1.

Just one more thing – several people have asked about outdoor classes.  While we have a small patch of land behind the studio it is sloped down to the river and overgrown and wholly unsuitable for class.  Using a local park requires many permits (they only cover 3 hours per day, so imagine just a weeks worth), bathroom concerns, electricity use, even ground to dance on, and a way to section an area off not just to keep the kids in one spot but to keep the public out and insurance coverage.  As a legitimate business (instead of an independent who is doing the occasional class) it is pretty much too many hurdles to leap to take it off property.  As much as I would like to do it, it just isn’t possible at this time.

Thank you,
Katie