 HEY
KEEDS!
Mr. Answer Man here! I'm here to answer your mind-numbing questions about
the inner workings of Gymnastics of Ashe.
Here's how it works: you ask the questions, I give the brilliant answers!
Just like school only no annoying bells to wake you up!
QUESTION
#1 ...
"Mr. Answer Man, why do the parents sit in the Observation Room?
Why is there a sign on the outside that they can't see that says, Please
don't feed the animals? Just curious."
Good question young Shawna! Presently, we allow parents to watch classes
while in session. Why? We are very confident in our program and though
parents see our good days and not so good days, we believe they understand
how things can go sometimes, maybe a child didn't get a snack before class,
or maybe they are tired, or maybe they just got a talkin' to, or maybe
they feel under the weather, or for a number of reasons in their day to
day lives.
What
I am concerned about though is "SIDELINE COACHING".
Why? Because in so many gyms across the country, parents have caused
accidents by "sideline coaching". That means they talk to
or call out to their kids or wave or gesture. (Do not gesture, wave,
or call out to anyone on the gym floor.) This causes pressure and distractions
that in turn cause needless accidents. Also, young toddlers waiting for
their older brothers & sisters tend to wander out onto the workout
floor creating dangerous situations and injuries. So, our insurance says,
"If you are having a problem with this, then NO parents or observers
in the gym during classes!" and we say "Let's tell the parents
the situation they could be getting themselves into, so they can correct
the problem. "OKAY!" We like having insurance and won't risk
losing it or having an unnecessary injury happen to any of our students.
That's why the Observation Room was invented.
QUESTION #2 .....
This question comes from little Mary
"Mr. Answer Man, can I still take a makeup class from when I was
in gymnastics in the 3rd grade? Oh, I'm now 26. Thank you."
Sorry little Mary. We ask that you take your makeup lessons within four
weeks of the original absence. That's why we ask you to make class
attendance a priority! Tuition pays for YOUR child's spot in YOUR
child's class. As a courtesy, our program desires to offer make-ups, when
and where it does not interrupt the safety or the quality of class for
those children registered in the class. (At most, each child is permitted
ONE MAKE-UP PER MONTH, FOR AN ILLESS OR INJURY ONLY! Note that a program's
cost takes into account that program's make-up policy. (example = staffing,
etc.) Also, in checking our records, you did schedule that makeup back
in 1982 but never showed for it. This means we reserved a spot for you
in that class that another child could have used. You didn't show or call,
so you lose that makeup. Sorry. You must schedule these makeups, no walk-ins
to a class; A PASS IS REQUIRED. You may also take your makeup
in the form of a "Open Practice".
 QUESTION
#3 .....
Why does gymnastics cost more than some other children's activities?
Ahhhhh, good question Ms. Laura. First, keep focused on cost. Let's take
a look at some of the expenses: 1). Equipment, (TumbleTrak = $6,000.00,
Spring Floor = $6,000.00,
Beams = $1,200.00 per beam, Mats = $$$$$$.) As you can see, it's crazy.
2). The space to house all the equipment, along with you "rugrats"
and animals. 3). INSURANCE. Need I say more. 4). And to name another major
expense that is the most important to make it all work, is STAFF. Working
with young children is VERY "Labor Intensive", and we at Gymnastics
of Ashe have small ratios.
If we only were servicing adults in fitness, such as aerobics and weight
training, we could have much higher ratios, like 1 staff member to teach
an aerobic class of 30 or more adults. But with children it is very different.
This is only an example of where some of your expenses come from.
QUESTION #4 .....
Why do I need to give the gym a 30 day notice to withdraw from the
program under the "Monthly Tuition" plan?
I'm glad you ask this little Erin. First, businesses, programs, and schools
operate on the principle of supply and demand. In order to efficiently
staff classes, we need to know what the demand is. This can go both ways,
either over staffed or under staffed. In the past, we have relied on folks
to give a 2 week courtesy notice. Well folks, it just did not work. It's
like the RSVP on birthday invitations, people ignored it. So we adopted
the concept of 1st and last months rent. And guess what, it works. It's
the difference between knowing and not knowing, growing and not growing.
Just
for review, it goes like this:
Gymnastics
of Ashe reserves YOUR child's
spot in YOUR child's class each month. (NOT showing up for class is NOT
a notice!) If you wish to discontinue classes for any reason, you MUST
notify the office in writing, "BEFORE" the 1st of any given
month to apply your "last month's" deposit to. This is a 30
day written notice. If notice is not given, then your mommy and daddy
will need to pay for that month's tuition. Parents can always check their
"Parent's Handbooks", or registration form, which will govern
this policy. No exceptions regardless of month or attendance. (Medical
reasons require written acknowledgement from a licensed practitioner;
you will be granted a credit prorated from THE DATE WE RECEIVE IT.
QUESTION #5 .....
Mr. Answer Man, can Gymnastics
of Ashe offer other
tuition payment options for my mommy and daddy?
Excellent question Jessie. The answer to that is "YES"!! Gymnastics
of Ashe offers several new
payment options, with the goal of eliminating "tuition reminder"
notices and late fees:
SEE PAYMENT OPTIONS PAGE!
See the Front Desk for details on prepaying for multi-month packages that
"earn" the discount rates. And, it's convenient.
No "Last Month Deposit" is required!
QUESTION #6 .....
What can parents do at home to improve my child's gymnastics experience
in class ?
AAAAHHHHH!!!!! This inquisitive question is from Jill. This is a common
question asked by parents to us often!! The best thing to do at home is
work on improving his or her strength and flexibility. By improving strength
and flexibility, a gymnast will have more success when encountering new
skills and will be safe working out.
Mr. Answer Man suggest the Potato Chip Alternative: The
Potato Chip Alternative is a mini exercise program while your child watches
television or any other appropriate time. Instead of potato chips or other
snacks during commercials, do the following:
Daily Exercise
25 push-ups
25 sit-ups
Closed pike with 10 second hold
L-sit with 5 second hold
Straddle L-sit with a 5 second hold
Pancake with a 10 second hold
*Repeat up to three times a day
Good questions keeds! Be here next issue when Mr. Answer Man shows you
how to take apart your mom's dishwasher to see what makes it work! Bye.
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