Instructors are responsible for providing safe, inclusive, high-quality instruction; maintaining current certifications; documenting student progress; managing attendance; handling incident reporting; maintaining studio cleanliness; and supporting the overall student experience.

All instructors must maintain current First Aid and AED certifications and ensure they are renewed before expiration.

Notify administration and renew before the expiration date. Instructors are responsible for tracking their own certification dates.

Quick and cheap Online Certification

The Aviary is a no TRASH space. We maintains zero tolerance for:

• Transphobia

• Racism

• Ableism (includes fatphobia)

• Sexism

• Homophobia

Names & pronouns
We use each student's chosen name and pronouns. If a student needs to update their name, ask them to email the studio.

No diet talk
Only appropriately credentialed instructors may discuss nutrition, and only when the student requests the information and the conversation occurs privately. Please discourage diet talk among students.

Instructors may dismiss any student who is disruptive, unsafe, or unable to follow staff instructions.

This includes class, private instruction, and Play Flight.

If issues continue, email Anne. A meeting will be scheduled with the student, instructor, and Anne.

• Students may not take photos or videos during class without instructor permission.

• Student and staff should never photograph or record other students without their explicit consent.

• Students and staff must be mindful of who appears in the background.

All staff must maintain current:

• First Aid Certification

• AED Certification

Instructors are responsible for renewing them before expiration.

• Stop activity.

• Assess the situation.

• Provide appropriate first aid.

• Complete an incident report.

Yes.

All injuries require an incident report, even minor ones.

The report must be completed before both the instructor and student leave the studio.

Fill out the Incident Report Form.

When:

• EMS is called

• External medical care is required

• An injury appears significant

• A student later seeks medical treatment

Call 911 right away for the following symptoms or situations:

• Major Trauma: Serious injuries from a bad fall, a head or spinal injury, a car accident, a gunshot wound, or a stabbing.

• Unconsciousness or Cardiac Arrest: Sudden collapse, unresponsiveness, or when CPR is needed.

• Severe Bleeding: Uncontrolled or heavy bleeding that will not stop.

• Heart Attack Signs: Chest pain, pressure, squeezing, or fullness lasting more than a couple of minutes, or pain spreading to the arm, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

• Stroke Signs (FAST): Sudden face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, or sudden confusion.

• Breathing Problems: Severe shortness of breath, inability to breathe, or bluish color in the lips, face, or nails.

• Other Critical Events: Sudden severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), poisoning, drug overdose, seizures lasting longer than 5 minutes, or a first-time seizure.

• Call EMS

  • Designate another person to make the call if possible

• Meet EMS outside if possible.

  • Designate another person to do this if possible

• Offer First-Aid

• Begin chest compressions if needed.

• Retrieve AED.

• Follow AED instructions.

• Once student is stable, call and continue calling/texting Anne until contact is made.

  • Designate another person to do this if possible

On the wall near the studio entrance.

For routine business, communicate through email.

When a response is needed within three business days.

Examples include:

• Last-minute instructor absences

• EMS-required injuries

• Serious safety concerns

Call and text Anne immediately.

• Find coverage.

• Email the confirmation to Anne with the substitute teacher cc’ed

• Notify affected students if possible

Refer to the Substitute Teachers spreadsheet. It lists:

• Who can sub for which classes

• Phone numbers

• Emails

If coverage cannot be found and sufficient notice exists, cancel the class through the appropriate process.

What if I become sick or have an emergency?

1. Cancel the class in CircusDB.

2. Email Anne.

3. If cancellation is under 24 hours, call or text students directly.

The automated notification system should not be relied upon for short-notice cancellations.

• Review roster

• Check student notes

• Review goals, injuries, and restrictions

• Confirm lesson plan

• Set up apparatus and mats

• Prepare progressions and spotting plans.

Yes. Instructors are expected to teach with purpose and progression rather than improvising entire classes.

Each 4-week session should have measurable goals that move students toward prerequisite skills for the next level.

Ask about:

• Injuries

• Pain or limitations

• Recovery status

• Training goals

  • Play Flight permission

  • Higher level permission

• Upcoming performances or auditions

Update CircusDB notes when needed.

New students will be green in CircusDB.

• Review their CircusDB profile before they arrive

• Introduce yourself

• Discuss any previous experience, injuries, or mobility limitations

• Have the class introduce themselves

1. Review their CircusDB profile.

2. Discuss their experience.

3. Confirm they can perform all required prerequisites.

4. Update notes with injuries, goals, or relevant information.

Students who don't meet prerequisites may remain in class for conditioning but should be directed toward a more appropriate level.

Any time information changes regarding:

• Injury status

• Level placement

• Progress toward goals

• Play Flight approval

• Behavioral concerns

• Significant achievements

Students may condition and work appropriate progressions temporarily, but instructors should guide them toward the correct level.

Students may bring:

• Water bottles

• Phones

• Keys

• Training props

• Dance shoes

• Hand sanitizer

Coats, purses, groceries, and similar items belong in the locker room.

Before touching aerial equipment, students must remove:

• Rings - including wedding bands and engagement rings

• Dangling earrings and necklaces

• Fitness trackers

Small hoops are okay, but must be taped over if they might catch on equipment.

Surface piercings must be taped over.

Before leaving the studio.

Best practice:

• During warm-up, or

• During cool-down

Never leave without completing attendance.

Most commonly:

• P = Present

• NS = No Show

• EX = Excused Absence

No.

Students must cancel through their CircusDB account. Otherwise they are considered a no-show unless the instructor manually excuses them.

• TAKE ATTENDANCE

• Clean and tidy your space

If you are the final staff member leaving the studio, even if there are classes later in the day:

• Turn off music

• Turn off PA system

• Check thermostat

  • Cancel hold

  • Set to auto/auto

• Turn off lights

• Lock studio door

• Lock building if no one is in the ballet studio

• Mats

• Training surfaces

• Props used during classes

• Chalk residue

• Visible floor debris

A vaccum cleaner, jet mop, floor duster, and broom are stored behind the marquee sign.

• Leave them loose, do not daisy chain them

• Use the defunkifier in the green container to mist them

Before leaving the building:

• Turn off music

• Turn off PA system

• Check thermostat

  • Cancel hold

  • Set to auto/auto

• Turn off lights

• Lock studio door

• Lock building door if no one is in the ballet studio

Generally, open enrollment begins two weeks into the current session, on Mondays.

Please see the Class Schedule for exact dates.

Check their account, they may be missing:

• Correct Credit Type
  Credits can only be applied to their specific class type. Aerial credits cannot be applied to ground based classes and vice versa.

• Active Credit(s)
  All credits expire 90 days from the date of purchase. If if the student was unable to use the credit before it expired due to class cancellations by the studio/instructor, please ask them to email the studio to discuss options.

• Required prerequisites
  They may not meet the age or skill prerequisites.

• Lead time
  Class registration closes 24 hours prior to the scheduled start time.

Beginning the Monday before public enrollment opens.

Schedules may still change prior to that date.

No. Students must purchase credits before enrollment.

• Students receive an automated email.

• Under 24 hours' notice requires direct phone/text outreach.

• Credits are returned to student accounts.

Early Cancellation (24+ hours before start):

• The class is credited back to the student’s account

• Credits must be used before their expiration date

Late Cancellation (less than 24 hours) or No-Show:

• No makeups, credits, transfers, or refunds

Yes.

Instructors are paid for all no-shows and late cancelations.

No. If a student cancels 24 hours or more prior:

• The class is credited back to the students account

In the student's Notes tab. Permission codes must exactly match the listed codes or they won't work.

Each code needs to be a new paragraph. Example:

SILKS1

TRAP1

Please see Class Levels and Permissions.

The system will not recognize it.

Open the student's Notes tab in CircusDB and enter: PLAYFLIGHT

Only grant this permission to students who can safely practice without instructor assistance.

Only students who can safely train independently without instructor assistance.

Unstructured training time for students who have demonstrated independent training competency.

No.

Staff supervise safety but do not teach classes during Play Flight.

Students are responsible for:

• Following safety rules

• Respecting equipment limitations

• Training within approved skill ranges

• Cleaning up after themselves

Students can make arrangement directly with an instructor, or complete the form on the Private Instruction page.

Individual instructors coordinate their own private lessons and enter them in CircusDB.

Go to the Retail section of CircusDB, then:

• Select the SIGN Up tab.

• Click +Add A Private or Party

• Change the Class Title to include the type and length of the lesson. Example: Pulley 60-Min Private Lesson

• Enter your name

• Enter the date and time

• Enter the students name

• Click submit

The student must have the correct credit in their account before the lesson is scheduled.

Click the lesson on the CircusDB schedule. Here you can update:

• Date and Time

• Class Title

• Duration (length)

• Instructor

Do not create an additional lesson.

The instructor provides the necessary promo code to purchase the correct credit.

• Solo lesson (1 student): private

• Split lesson (2 students): flyfriends

• Three students may require assistance from Anne.

• Email Anne for groups larger than three.

• Solo lesson (1 student): private

• Split lesson (2 students): flyfriends

• Three students may require assistance from Anne.

• Email Anne for groups larger than three.

Please direct them to the Private Instruction page.

Yes, provided:

• Space is available

• Activities are not disruptive

• No closure restrictions are in place

No.

Studio closures and breaks are used to inspect rigging, replace equipment, clean, and organize the studio.

Yes.

Instructors are expected to arrange the studio for their classes, provided it does not interfer with another class or event.