Procedures

What to do on your first day at Spokane Gymnastics

On your first day, it's wise to come fifteen minutes early, both to handle the paperwork and also to let your child look around this odd, colorful place and get comfortable. There will be lots of other children, lots of noise and lots of parents - it takes a little time to absorb it all.

When you come in, talk to the Registrar. She will handle the paperwork and direct you to the changing room. Leave clothes and shoes in the cubbies. Cotton socks may be worn if little feet tend to get cold, but we love bare feet best. Then walk upstairs to the viewing area and wait there (best viewing here!) or by the entrance to the floor (very crowded here, not very good viewing from child height). At precisely the time class starts, an instructor will call all the school-age children for pad drill. At the same time, all the pre-school children will be assembled at the entrance to the floor. There, their instructor will meet and greet them before taking them to their pad drill and first event.

We strongly prefer that parents do not go out on the floor because they tend to get hurt out there. It is full of uneven, padded surfaces and steel equipment. We adults should recall that we are no longer flexible, strong for our size and fully alert to our surroundings! However, in the extreme case that a preschool child is frightened and will not go with his or her group, the child's parent may walk along behind the group with the child in tow. Sit beside the group's activities until the child is ready to participate. When that happens, excuses yourself quickly and return to the parent area - carefully!

What to wear to class

Dress is informal. For girls, the best dress from the standpoint of instruction is a cotton leo. A leo allows us to see exactly what position a child's body is in, the better to make corrections. Cotton is cool and it also gives the instructor a good grip if the need to spot (take hold of the child) should arise.

That said, if a leo is not available (we have an emergency supply behind the Registrar's desk), a T-shirt and shorts will do, but no belt (scratches the equipment). No jewelry may be worn and any removable dental appliance must be taken out. Hair must be pulled back behind the ears (to prevent pulling it out by the roots when doing skills - very painful) and secured with a scrunchy (An emergency supply of these is also at the front desk).

For boys, a tightly fitting t-shirt and short (not long, baggy) shorts will do, again to be able to see the body well. Loose clothing gets in the way of skills and hinders spotting. If the boy's hair is long enough, it should be secured in a pony-tail to prevent painful pulling out.

Snow Closures

Spokane Elite Gymnastics does not close for snow days, even when schools are closed or delayed.  Even in the most extreme weather our coaches have managed to make it to the gym and have been prepared to teach their classes.  To simply things, we have the policy to always offer classes unless there is a situation that causes the gym to be considered unsafe.  We will be here and offer your class but if you feel that it isn't safe to drive to the gym due to weather please remember that we have many make-up options.  We do not offer refunds or credits for missed classes.

Make-ups

The first make-up option, with prior approval from Nadine or Molly, is the appropriate age-range Open Gym. We offer Indoor Playground Monday - Friday from noon to 1:00 pm for ages 6 and under, School Age Open Gym on Mondays from 5:00-6:00 pm for children ages 6 - 12, and Open Gym on Thursdays from 7:00 - 9:00 pm for ages 10 and older. Finally, depending on availability you may choose Parent's Night Out as a make-up. Parent's Night Out is always the 3rd Saturday of each months from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm and the kids always have a great time while parents can have a date night.

Arriving on time to your class

We make every effort to start classes on time and have a pre-planned lesson for each class.  Every student MUST complete a full warm-up and stretch prior to doing any gymnastics.  If your child arrives less than 5 minutes late we will allow  them to join the class but they will be required to stretch.  If your child is less than 10 minutes late it is up to the coaches discretion as to whether the child may join the class; any child arriving more than 10 minutes late will not be allowed out on the floor and will have the option of a make-up class.  Please understand that this is for your child's safety as well as the integrity of the class in general.  Your courtesy is appreciated!