FAQ's
Welcome to Russell Children’s Ballet School!
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We are so excited to get this dance season going here in our great community of Russell! We want to thank you for supporting RCBS! We are going to have so much fun this year!
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Where will classes be held?
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Starting September, 2025 classes will be held at our New Location 1027 Notre Dame, Embrun.
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​​What are the dates of the 2 terms?
Term 1: Monday September 8th - Saturday Dec 20th (15 weeks)
Term 2: Monday January 12th, 2026 - May 16, 2026 (16 weeks)
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Are there any days when there are NO scheduled classes?
Yes! PLEASE mark these on your calendars so that you don’t show up by accident!
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Monday October 13th - Thanksgiving
December 21st, 2025 - Jan 11th, 2026 - Christmas/New Year's
Monday February 16th, 2026 - Family Day
March 15, 2026 - March 29, 2026, inclusive - March Break
Friday April 3rd - Monday April 6th, 2026, inclusive - Easter​​​​​​​
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What is a “Dance Swap” and when is it held?
A “Dance Swap” is an event where you can buy and sell used dance equipment like bodysuits and shoes. We are holding it at the same time as our in-person registration. If you have something to sell, please email us at rcbsdance@gmail.com to make arrangements to drop it off. This will help us be organized before it actually starts. The success of this depends directly on who contributes to it. Please remember only items that comply with our dress code may be sold.
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Is there another way for me to buy and sell used dancewear?
Yes! RCBS also has a BUY and SELL Facebook Page. Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/874764573294750 to check it out!
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If I don’t go to the Dance Swap or can’t find what I need there, where can I purchase the uniform?
Great News!! We now have our very own online dance wear store! to find everything you need to get ready for your class! It is so easy to find your class by package/collection on the home page. Everything will be shipped right to your door.
There are also a few dance wear stores located in Ottawa.
They are Malabar, Audreys Costume Castle and Dancewear and Brio. You may also find some things at JOMA in Embrun, but I believe they only carry stuff for the very young ones.
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Are parents allowed to stay and watch the class?
Good question….this one can be tricky.
Parents/guardians can be a huge distraction, so we ask that you don't stay. Obviously, if there is a child that is having anxiety, we will make exceptions. Please make sure that you prepare your child for these expectations.
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Is there a time when we can watch our children in class?
We will be inviting parents at the end of October, at the end of the First Term and before March Break so parents can see their children's progress. Stay tuned for more info.
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Is there a Recital at the end of the year?
Yes! The exact dates are still to be determined
Recitals are May 2026 at Russell High School.
Rehearsal will be May 2026 at Russell High School.
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Will they have to have a costume for the Recital and is it an extra cost?
Yes they will. I will do my absolute best to keep costume prices low, but there will be an extra cost.
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Is the class uniform mandatory and do I have to have a bun in my hair?
Yes! It is important to come to class on time and wearing your proper uniform. This is for various reasons such as proper discipline, freedom of movement, and so that the teacher can correctly assess your technique. Hair should be pulled up into a bun with the bangs also pulled back if they are long. Buns for ballet class, ponytails for jazz, contemporary, tap and hip hop classes. If your hair is short, please try to wear a headband or barrettes to keep it out of your face. For safety reasons, please DO NOT purchase the fabric gym shoes. These are very slippery and can result in injury. There is a much more lenient uniform policy for adults. Please see the dress code page on the website.
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If I miss a class, can I make it up?
Unfortunately, at this time you can’t for most classes. If there is a similar class of the same level and you are not already taking it, then you can. We don’t always have duplicates of each class. So, try your best not to miss any classes.
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What happens in severe inclement weather?
If the weather is very severe like very bad freezing rain or snow so high that we can’t seem to get through it, we will cancel classes. The safety of our teachers and students is very important to us. Many of our teachers come from the west end of Ottawa.
We will notify all affected classes by email. We will also post on our Facebook page.
The official decision will be made by 7:00 am for daytime classes and 2:00 pm for evening classes.
If classes are cancelled, they WILL NOT be made up as this is something that is out of our control.
If you do not receive an email, the classes are running as usual.
Thank you for your understanding.
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What is your Refund Policy?
There are no refunds given to children over the age of 5 after classes have commenced. If children 4 and under have tried 3 classes and wish to not continue, we will issue a refund for 50% of the tuition. Refunds will be given if there is insufficient enrolment in a class, which would be less than 5 students. If we alter the timing of a class that does not work for you, you will receive a refund for the balance of the term.
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What is the best way to stay informed of any news and info?
We will do our best to email out info as it happens. However, please use our Facebook page and website in a pinch. Or as always, if you have a question, please feel free to call at 613-85-DANCE (32623)
www.facebook.com/russellchildrensballetschool
www.russellchildrensballetschool.com
If there are any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask. There may be an important one that we forgot to answer.
We look forward to seeing you in September!
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