Absence/Tardy Policies

  • Students can have one excused absence that is eligible for make-up per 10 lessons. (If a student has more than one excused absence, no make-up lesson will be offered and the student will not be charged, unless the teacher and student agree to make-up the lesson. Excused absences are defined as:
    • Any absence that was communicated 48+ hours in advance
    • Sickness or emergency
  • Please note that sicknesses should be communicated as early in advance as possible, especially as our teachers travel to teach students. If teachers are notified of a cancellation due to sickness 2 hours or less before the scheduled lesson time, families will still be charged.
  • Students cannot make up any lessons that are an unexcused absence. An unexcused absence is defined as:
    • 10 minutes or more late (or a no show)
    • Less than 48 hours notice of absence.
  • If a student reaches 3 unexcused absences within a semester (fall, winter, spring, summer), they will be asked to discontinue lessons until a new semester starts.
  • If a teacher is 10 minutes or more late to a lesson, that lesson becomes eligible for makeup. (This can either be done that same day by extending the lesson end time, or rescheduling to another day).

Communication Expectations

Communication with staff must occur through designated channels and during posted business hours. Excessive, inappropriate, or boundary-violating communication may be considered unmanageable behavior and subject to review under this policy

Pickup Policy

Mel O’ Musical/Drama is implementing a new late pickup policy to help protect our teachers and their time; we appreciate everything they do for us! Starting January 1, 2026, the following policies will be implemented:

    • We will offer a 10 minute grace period to every family/student after each class or lesson
    • For every 1 minute after the 10 minute grace period, families will owe $1. (For example, if class ends at 4:00, and a student is picked up at 4:16, that family would owe $6)
  • If a teacher needs to leave immediately at their class end time, for whatever reason, they must notify parents by email at least 48 hours in advance. Then families will be charged $1 per minute past the class end time. (For example, if class ends at 4:00, and the teacher emailed 48 hours in advance that students would need to be picked up right at 4pm, and a student is picked up at 4:05, that family would owe $5).
    • Families will be charged through Sawyer if it was a regular registered class, or through MMS if a private lesson stude

Recording During Private Lessons Policy

To help protect students, teachers, and staff, Mel O’ Drama may use fixed cameras to record video during private lessons conducted in instructional spaces such as lesson rooms and studios. Recording is intended for safety and security purposes only and is not used to monitor bathrooms, changing areas, or any other location where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists.

By enrolling a student and participating in private lessons, students and parents/guardians acknowledge and consent to the possibility of being recorded as described in this clause wherever cameras are in use and signage is posted.

Access to recordings is limited to authorized personnel with a legitimate safety, security, or compliance need. Recordings are treated as confidential and may be reviewed in connection with reported safety concerns, incidents, or complaints.

Recordings are retained for 30 days and then deleted in the ordinary course, unless they are needed longer for an investigation, claim, legal requirement, or to protect the safety of our community.

We do not share recordings except as necessary to address safety or security matters, with service providers bound to confidentiality, with law enforcement or emergency responders, in response to valid legal process, or as otherwise required by law.

For questions about this practice, or to request more information, please contact Mel Gillespie at mel@melomusical.org.