April 26 -   Tuesday Make Up classes (info was also mailed to Tuesday students)

April 29-May 2   -    Costumes handed out at beginning of each class;   1 parent encouraged to attend
Note: Costumes will not be released if any balances remain due.
If you have any questions re: your account, please contact Kathy.

Recital Handbook
Hard copy was mailed and you should have received it by now. It has also been emailed. Everything you need to know! Download the Handbook

Survey Monkey re: Recital DVD’s 2019
Your response & input are greatly appreciated!
A survey was emailed out re: decisions APA needs to make for Recital DVD production this year.

Contact APA
989-463-2983
Emails don’t go to the phone - texting with absence info after 2:00 is best.

Kindergym
Monday 6:00-6:30       Last  Monday session – Apr 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20 ($35)
Tuesday 5:30-6:00      or
Tuesday 6:00-6:30      Last Tuesday sessions – Apr 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28 (5 wks/$30)
Sign up today!

APA Spring Break next week!
Mar 22-31, no classes
Classes resume April 1

Make Up Classes for TUESDAY and THURSDAY
Friday, April 12 – THURSDAY – Normal Thursday Class Time
Friday, April 26 – TUESDAY – Normal Tuesday Class Time (No Kindergym, No Adult Tap)
We already had make-up for Wednesday classes. Please mark your calendar; these are most beneficial if ALL attend.  In addition to all the weather cancellations, most students have missed for illness or other. 
Please plan to attend these make up classes that we have scheduled for YOU!
These will be the only additional Friday classes except May 31 for MONDAY (original calendar for Memorial Day make up.)

Recital Handbook to come
A week or so after spring break, all will receive “everything you need to know” info for recital in the mail.
In the meantime, a lot of basic info is in the Costume Book, and posted in the studio.

Congrats!
- Lizzy Shaw received a Pi Delta Chi (Alma College) scholarship for summer dance!
- Francis Performing Arts Co 1 performed beautifully at Arts United on Monday! (choreo, Kate Troxell)
- Francis Junior Co performed three “Peter & the Wolf” on Tuesday!  (director, Carlee Gifford)
​       More performances in April!

Welcome Back! 
Polar Vortex Week is behind us!  Classes will get back to normal this week!
Remember:
APA does not close on days that schools have fog delays or various closings.
Last week was very unusual, and decisions will be made day by day and considering daily weather issues.
Please continue to make your own wise choices; text 989-463-0777 if you are unable to attend for any reason.
(This sometimes helps me make decisions studio wide; I don’t always know what roads are like outside Alma!) 
To check closings on questionable days:
www.apafrancis.com – 463-0777 voice mail – Facebook: /APAFrancis

Kindergym Classes
Monday Kindergym class will be extended to Feb 18 to make up 1 snow day (so far)
Tuesday Kindergym classes will be extended to Feb 26 to make up 2 snow days (so far)

Tap Shoes
Please check all tap shoes for lose screws (parents at home) and students before class.  We have a little screwdriver in each studio to tighten. If screws no longer “bite” into anything, you can try a wooden toothpick to “fill” or take to the Cobbler Shoppe for repair.  Our floors are getting scratched/dug up by some screws.  Thank you!
​
Second Semester Payment
2nd Semester Invoices have been emailed.  Payments are due Feb 15.
Pay Online (link at www.apafrancis.com) or by cash or check in our payment box
below magazine rack in back lobby.
Checks should have Student Name on memo line; these do not need to be in envelopes
if student name is on the check!
Cash should be in an envelope with Student Name/Parent Name on outside.
Thank you!

Costumes
are all ordered and confirmed.  I’ve even been working on the Costume Book!
There will be a slight credit for a couple “Mini” classes that have “2 for 1” costumes.  There will be a slight additional charge for some boys’ pants; and some additional charges for a couple upper level/Co classes.  I will be getting these credits and charges finalized to accounts and hope to get all accounts caught up and invoiced by Feb 3.

2nd Semester Tuition is due Feb 15
The majority of students will be the exact same amounts as you paid for Tuition for Sept, so this will not affect your budgets!
There are a few students paid in full for the year.  I can’t credit those until I invoice 2nd Semester, so if I miss crediting your advanced payment I apologize.  Please just contact me and I will adjust your account.

Dance Shoes
At this time all students should have their proper footwear for classes!  This is important so students are getting used to the proper shoes for recital!  The “borrow” tap shoes are for students who may forget their shoes on dance day!  These are not meant for long term borrowing!  Students should have their ballet and jazz shoes as well!  (Lyrical shoes or “foot undies” are to be determined for some classes and will be posted in Costume Book.)

“Found” shoes
are placed in a container between the 2 studio doors next to the little “hair supply guy”. They are not thrown into the big, purple, Lost and Found bucket.  I know how expensive shoes are and I put those in this separate “found” place so they are not buried under all the clothes and jackets in the purple bucket.  (You might want to check THAT out! 😏)

Come Home to Alma Parade!
APA has had the exciting invitation from Matt Harvey at Avalon/Tahoe in Alma for dancers to RIDE ON THEIR PONTOON BOAT in the Christmas Parade!
Sign up at APA or email!  We need to give them an idea of how many    dancers will ride!  We would also like some older dancers to possibly walk with our banner, if there's not room on the boat.
Dancers should dress festively and wear or carry lighted things!  (Lighted ornament necklaces, glow sticks from dollar store, etc.)
Thanks to Jen Wemple & Matt Harvey for making these arrangements!  Ava Harvey is one of our dancers, and we appreciate this opportunity for our APA family!

Santa Hats!
Also, Cheryl Barden has again volunteered to make personalized Santa Hats for you @ $5 each! 
Order form here - please hand in with $5 cash attached.
Hats have APA logo & dancer name on the white fur.  Thank you Cheryl for offering this again!

Christmas Tickets
Alma "Come Home to Alma" Christmas drawing tickets are being sent home this week.  Watch your dancer's bags for these!
- Tickets are being sent for all accounts paid in full by Nov 20.
- Write an adult name on ticket; you must be 18 to win. 
- You must be present to win (Friday, December 14 @ 8pm) so if you can't be there,
​       you might want to give your tickets to a friend!
- You can drop your tickets in jar on APA desk or directly in barrel at Alma Hardware.

AHS Band Uniform Fundraiser
APA is supporting and taking donations (another jar on desk!) for new uniforms for the AHS band.
Kathy will match up to $250 donated.
If you are an AHS Band alum like me and my son - and your life was enriched by that experience or music in general - please consider donating!
No amount is too small!  Coin - bills - checks!  (Write any check to "APA" so it can be cashed and used toward total band donation).
Thank you!

Come Home to Alma - Friday, December 14
Francis Performing Arts Companies & Alma Church of God Choir 
7:00pm @ APA - inside or from the sidewalk!
Join us for this fantastic annual event!
Parade - 5:00 line up
Dress festively and light yourself up for APA!  
Carry any battery lights, glow objects or drape yourself in those little battery operated lights!

Masonic Pathways Christmas performance - Monday, December 17
6:30pm @ Chapel @ Masonic Pathways
Also with the Alma Church of God Choir. Inside, warm and beautiful!

Halloween - Wednesday, October 31 - No classes!
Thanksgiving - Wednesday & Thursday, November 21 & 22 - No classes!  

Costume Fee Reminder
$50 per class Costume fee is due Nov 15. 
This will be invoiced October 31 so that it can be paid online if desired.
Payments can also be paid in studio by check or cash.
Costumes are ordered during Christmas break; all accounts must be paid in full (Fall semester tuition + costume fee)   so that costumes can be ordered.

Nutcracker Ballet
Gorgeous Grand Rapids Ballet production at Midland Center for the Arts!
APA students Jaina & Jordin Barden auditioned and are in this exciting ballet!
Congratulations!  We are so proud of you!
Get your tickets here.

December 7 @ 7:30pm
December @ 3:00pm & 7:30pm
December @ 7:30pm