Happy Friday, PSD Families!

This Friday FYI email is our primary method of communication to studio families - please save it for a time when you can read through it thoroughly and bookmark it for reference!

New & Urgent this week:

• The 2025-2026 Season Starts TOMORROW! We can't wait to dance with you this year. See below for tips for your first day!

• Believe it or not - it's time to start thinking about The Nutcracker 2025! See below for all information regarding Class Performance Commitments. Sign ups begin August 29th!

• PSD is performing at a Cedar Rapids Kernels game! See below for details and a link for discounted tickets!

• We are starting up some Mini Acro Private Lessons for the first semester - see details below!

• The Great Gatsby Ballet is coming to The Paramount in October - and PSD Families have access to discounted tickets! See details below.

• Stay tuned to these regular email updates - this is your primary source for all studio news!

Find all of the important dates for the year here: www.thepointeschool.com/policies - we list upcoming dates within the next few weeks in the Friday FYI as well for your convenience!

• August 16 - First Day of the 2025-2026 School Year

• August 25 - September Tuition and Costume Payments Process

• August 29 - Nutcracker Class Performance Registration Opens

• August 30 - PSD Night @ Cedar Rapids Kernels

• August 30-September 1 - Labor Day Weekend; CLOSED

• September 15-20 - Discover Dance Days

• September 19 - Nutcracker Class Performance Registration Closes

• September 20 - PSD @ the Downtown Cedar Rapids Farmer's Market

• September 25 - October Tuition and Costume Payments Process

We can’t wait to welcome your dancer when classes begin on Saturday, August 16! Here are a few tips to make the first week smooth and fun:

🕓 Arrive a few minutes early
Check in at the front desk if you need help finding your studio room.

👗 Wear proper attire
Check the dress code here, and make sure hair is pulled back securely. We can help you in our boutique if you need any supplies.

💃 Be ready to dance
Your teachers will introduce themselves and let you in at the start of class. Put on your shoes before you enter your studio room, and bring your dance bag and water bottles in with you.

📅 Attendance Matters
Regular attendance supports progress, teamwork, and recital readiness!
Miss a class? Dancers can make up classes through Spring Break.  Attend any class at the same level or one level below the missed class within two weeks of your absence - our team is happy to help you schedule your makeup (or, you can easily do so in your parent portal)!

Believe it or not - it's time to start planning for winter and our 3rd Annual Performance of The Nutcracker! Our Nutcracker webpage is now LIVE! You will find everything you need to prepare you and your dancer for a successful Nutcracker season. Check out thepointeschool.com/nutcracker regularly for updates.

Here are new updates to the website this week:

Class Ensemble Performance Information: Class ensembles will perform large group pieces in The Nutcracker, available for all dancers registered for a ballet class Level 1 and up. Class roles will be determined after sign-ups are complete. Dancers will learn choreography in their ballet classes, wear costumes rented from the studio, and participate in one dress rehearsal and two performances. Class performance is a package - and an amazing opportunity! Dancers must be signed up for this performance - it is not an automatic registration. See our webpage to view all information and commitments to participate with your class. Registration will open on Friday, August 29th.

Please join us for The Pointe School of Dance Night at the Cedar Rapids Kernels! This fun event will take place on Saturday, August 30th at 6:35 PM. Gates open at 5:30 PM, and the Kernels will take on the Beloit Sky Carp. Our very own Company dancers will perform in a special pre-game performance at approximately 5:50 PM on the first base side of the field. Stay after the game for Fireworks! Tickets are $15.00 each.

Tickets can be purchased online by using this special URL. Please select the section 106 when ordering your tickets online. If you do not want to buy your tickets online, you may also purchase them by calling the Kernels ticket office at (319) 896-7560. Please mention that you are with The Pointe School of Dance when ordering tickets by phone.

NEW! We are now offering monthly Mini Acro Private Lessons with Miss Laura throughout the fall semester! These are great for students looking for individual feedback for a specific skill or working towards a specific goal. These lessons are only offered on the specific dates below - giving the benefits of a private lesson at a great value.

These lesson dates are:

Saturday, September 6th - 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Saturday, October 4th - 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Saturday, November 1st - 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Saturday, December 6th - 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

• These will be 20 minute private lessons offered once a month and will focus in on 1-2 specific skills of your choice. **With teacher discretion - for example, we will not have your dancer work on aerials if they cannot do a cartwheel.

• All lessons are $25 + tax, due with this form at sign up.

• All time slots are first come, first serve.

• If you cannot make these dates or want more frequent lessons - please reach out to request a standard private lesson.

• Please fill out one form for each lesson if you are signing up for multiple dates.

If these lessons are successful, we will look into adding spring dates and options for multiple mediums (ex. hip hop skills, turns and leaps, etc.) in the future.

Grab a lesson spot today by filling out this form!

The Great Gatsby Ballet is a dazzling adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, bringing the Roaring Twenties to life with breathtaking choreography, stunning costumes, and powerful performances by a cast of 40 international dancers. It’s a fantastic way for young dancers to experience professional ballet at its finest while drawing inspiration from a story that is part of American literary history.

Duration: 2 hours (including 20-minute intermission)

Lobby Doors: 6:00 p.m.
House Doors: 6:30 p.m.
Showtime: 7:00 p.m.

Audience: For ages 8 & over

WBC Website: https://worldballetcompany.com/cedarrapids

All PSD Families have access to a ticket discount to this performance! 

Code: WBC15 (use at checkout here https://www.creventslive.com/events/2025/greatgatsbyballet or mention at the box office)

Discount: 15% discount on all zones

Dates: Runs through start of show. (10/8/25 at 7 PM)

World Ballet Company - Ballet Everywhere, Ballet For All.

The Creative Team behind The Great Gatsby: Renowned choreographer Ilya Zhivoy captures the passion of the novel’s central love story with a sensual, dynamic style. Celebrated LA-based film and TV composer Anna Drubich, whose work includes the music for the 2023 Oscar-winning Navalny documentary, makes her ballet debut with a rich, lively score that embraces the sounds of the Jazz Age. Theatrical costume designs by Sonya Vartanyan complete the production with sumptuousness and flair.

About the Company: Based in Los Angeles, and led by Sasha Gorskaya and Gulya Hartwick, World Ballet Company presents the most beloved and iconic ballets of our time in cities nationwide. Driven by the belief that ballet is for everyone, performances appeal to newcomers and seasoned ballet goers alike. The company attracts many international artists and comprises renowned professional dancers representing over ten countries.

Did you know that we offer free trial classes for new-to-The-Pointe families - and we have a sweet deal for you if you refer a friend to our program? Families can schedule a trial class easily - just have them send us an email and we'll take care of it!

When a family you've referred signs up, please have them list your name in the "Where did you hear about us?" form in online registration. We will send them a $20 gift card to our boutique to help them get the gear their dancer needs for class - and as a thank you, we'll send one to you, too! Trial classes are easy to schedule online, and are FREE for a limited time!

• Contact Us: [email protected], (319) 302-3880

• Boutique & Front Desk Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4:30-8:30 PM. Saturdays: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

• View our Studio Policies and Full Calendar

• Get Connected: Join our Studio-wide BAND App and our Family Facebook Community

• View our Dress Code requirements for all classes.

• Absences: Report you dancer’s absence through your parent portal with these instructions

Have a wonderful weekend!
- Miss Vanessa & your PSD Staff