The ACHEV Back to School Dance is ballroom and swing dancing for 6th grade and older. It will be held at the beautiful Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura, which has a generous stage and dance floor, and beautiful view from the patio area.

There are many important details so you will be prepared to have the very best time! Please read carefully, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. The organizers are happy to answer your questions.

ACHEV has guidelines for events. They are included in full on the “keep this” page of your membership agreement. Here are the points that are relevant to dances:

• Be punctual as a courtesy to other members and our hosts.
• Parents are responsible for their children’s behavior and safety for the duration of the gathering. This responsibility may be delegated to another parent if necessary. No drop offs.
• Attire should be modest and appropriate for the occasion.
• Be respectful of both private and public property.
• Please clean up after yourself at all events.
• Thank the individuals who made the event possible.
• ACHEV activities are for members only, unless otherwise stated.

Parent chaperones are required for this dance. If you are unable to attend, you may find another parent ahead of time to chaperone in your place.   If the children under your care are outside on the patio, make sure to supervise them out there.  Children are not permitted to loiter in parking lot and other outdoor spaces other than the patio.  If the children under your care are on the patio, you need to supervise them there.

No Younger Siblings.  This event is for 6th grade and up only.  Younger siblings are not permitted at this event.  Babes in arms/nursing babies are okay.

Thank you for bringing a finger food to share. It will help us tremendously if you bring them on a serving plate or bowl (disposable if you prefer) to make it presentable and easy for those volunteering to manage the refreshment tables. ACHEV does not have an inventory of serving plates. Thank you.

You may invite friends you believe would enjoy this dance. Guests must be cleared in advance with the organizers. Please share all the information with your guests so they are prepared. Thank you.

Consider arriving a little bit before 7pm so that you have time to get through the check in line and are ready to start at 7.  We will have prayer and a mini-lesson, and we don’t want you to miss anything. =)

Cost: $15 per dancer. Parent Chaperones are free.  $30 family maximum.  Pay with cash or check at the door or pay in advance with Zelle to achevmail@gmail.com .  Zelle is the only form of electronic payment that we can accept.

ACHEV has a dress code for dances. This is the dress code for the Back to School Dance. It is enforced upon entrance. Come prepared, and be sure to share this with your invited guests. A good rule of thumb is if you are unsure, change into something that clearly meets dress code. Thank you for helping us uphold the dress code.

Boys:

• Collared shirts (button-up or polo), long sleeve or short sleeved.
• Slacks, NO jeans. Do not wear pants that look like jeans.  Slacks have slits for back pockets, not sewn on pockets as jeans do.  Slacks are pressed with a crease down the front center.
• Closed toe shoes: Absolutely no flip flops, socks or bare feet.   It is hard to dance when your shoes are super sticky/grippy on the dance floor.  If you don’t have dress/dance shoes, Converse/Keds type shoes work OK.

Girls:

•  Skirts or dresses knee length or longer. (This means touching the top of the kneecap, regardless of leggings.) If there is a lace overlay, the skirt underneath (solid fabric) needs to touch the kneecap.
• Slits in skirts cannot rise above the top of the kneecap regardless of leggings underneath.  If your skirt/dress just touches the top of the knee and it has a slit in it, it is too short.  You can stitch up a slit or use safety pins to close it up.
• Leggings or shorts are required if the skirt rises past the knees while twirling.  It’s a good idea to wear shorts or leggings under your skirts regardless of length.
• No low-cut, strapless, backless, or halter tops. No peekaboo cutouts.  Solid Straps need to be at least one inch wide.  No exposed cleavage, midriffs or bra straps.  If you aren’t sure, wear a cardigan over your dress.
• If your top is sheer or see through, you need to wear underneath solid straps that are at least one inch wide.
• Girls can wear a t-shirt under their dress or along with a skirt.
• No pants (other than leggings under your skirt or dress).
• Closed toe shoes are recommended.  We recommend no slingback shoes.  Absolutely no flip flops, socks, or bare feet.  It is hard to dance when your shoes are super sticky/grippy on the dance floor.   If you don’t have dress/dance shoes, Converse/Keds type shoes work OK.  If the girls want to wear heels, please bring a second pair of shoes that will be more comfortable in case they need/want to remove their heels.

Please view the visual dress code: ACHEV Dress Code for Dances In General

Thank you for sharing dance etiquette with your children and invited guests.

For Boys:

• Ask a variety of girls to dance.  They are waiting for you to ask,  Smile, offer your hand, and ask if she would like to dance.
• You may be nervous asking a girl to dance. That is ok. She is probably nervous waiting to be asked.
• Offer her your hand or your arm and escort her onto the dance floor
• When the dance is over, escort her off the floor and thank her for the dance.
• If we announce a Sadie Hawkins dance, and you decline an offer to dance, you will rest for the entire song.

For Girls:

• If a boy asks you to dance, graciously accept his offer unless you need to rest or take a breather, in which case you may say “no thank you”.  If you decline an offer to dance, you will rest for the duration of that song.
• If you stand with your friends in a closed circle, it is hard and nerve-wracking for a boy to ask you to dance. Make yourself available by opening up your circle.

For Both:

• Every dance has first time attendees. Make an effort to reach out to them and include them in your conversations and help them learn a few of the steps.
• Not everyone knows how to dance…that is ok. Everyone has to begin sometime.
• A Sadie Hawkins dance is when a girl can ask a boy to dance.  The boys are to do the asking unless we announce a Sadie Hawkins dance.
• Chewing Gum is not permitted at the Poinsettia Pavilion

Volunteers are needed to make the evening run smoothly. We need you. There are many ways to help.  Volunteer Sign Up Sheet is Here.  There is no sign up sheet to attend the dance, only a sign up sheet for helpers.  There is no limit on guests, but make sure to clear them in advance.