JaJa Circus School studio policies

Safety is paramount at Jaja Circus. There are inherent risks in all physical activities, especially within the Circus Arts where the risks can be mitigated, but not completely removed.

All members and students are expected to abide by the Safety Rules and Policies within our facility. 

Failure to comply with these rules may result in dismissal from class or Open Gym, forfeiture of any fees paid, and/or being banned from the facility.

There are no stupid questions: If you have a question on how something works within our facility, please ask an instructor or staff member!

JaJa Circus reserves the right to change protocols as necessary to support our community.

• Please keep all food and drink to the side of the training facility. No food and drinks allowed on the carpeted mats. 
• Students may use tightly sealed water bottles during class. No glass containers are allowed.
•  Please bring a water bottle and use the restroom before class so we can maximize our time together! 
• Smoking is strictly prohibited indoors.
• Only authorized personnel may access the storage areas and equipment closets.
• Any items left behind at JaJa Circus will be placed in a lost and found bin and donated/disposed of after the end of a session (approximately every 8 weeks).
• No items or equipment may be stored at JaJa Circus without previous permission granted. Items must be labeled and stored in a pre-determined location. If items stored at JaJa circus are left unused for more than 8 weeks they must be removed from the space by owner or will be donated/disposed of by JaJa Circus. 
•  Please let us know if you will be missing class for any reason, and stay home if you are not feeling well. If you need to make up a missed class, please contact circus@jajapdx.com to discuss your options.  
• If our bathroom or space needs attention, please let a staff member know.

• Students are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and responsible manner.
• Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the class.
• Any physical or verbal harassment of other students or staff will result in immediate removal from the facility.
• Students must follow all safety guidelines and instructions given by the instructor.
• Respect the space! Return all equipment to the state in which you found it. If you move mats, move them back. Return rosin, therabands, yoga blocks, etc., to where they are stored. Treat the equipment as if it is your own. Carry or roll mats instead of dragging them. Wear clothing that will not damage the equipment. Keep hands and feet as clean as possible. The gear will last longer if we all take care of it!
• Ask permission before offering feedback to others training in the studio. If a person says they do not want feedback, respect their wishes.

• All students (or their parent/guardian) must register via Momence through the registration page.
• All students are required to sign a liability waiver. 
• If a student registers for a class above their current experience level, and Jaja staff determines that they do not meet the pre-requisitees for that class, the class registration will be canceled and students may receive a credit to use for an appropriate level class.
• Students with existing injuries or limitations are encouraged to schedule a private lesson or reach out to Jaja staff directly to ensure they are fit to participate. 

• All cancellations must be made at least 24 hours prior to the start of the class or open training session in order to be considered to receive a credit towards an open gym.  
• Refunds will not be issued for missed classes. 
• In the case of a class being cancelled by the facility, a class credit or full refund will be issued.
• Classes may be cancelled if only 1 student is signed up within 6 hours of the start of class. (subject to individual teacher discretion). Students/parents will be notified and provided a refund or class credit. 
• All refunds for card payments are subject to a 5% administrative fee, except in cases where JaJa Circus cancels a class, workshop, or event. In the event of cancellation by JaJa Circus, full refunds will be given.
• Students who wish to drop out of an entire term after they have registered, but before the start of the term, will be charged a 50% cancellation fee. After the first class of the term, no refunds will be given. Exceptions are made only for cases of new injury or extraordinary circumstances, and only when a student contacts JaJa Circus promptly via email to request a refund. All exceptions are at the discretion of JaJa Circus management.
• For workshops/special events, a 50% refund is available until one week before the event, after which time no refunds will be given. The only exceptions are due to sudden injury or extraordinary circumstances, and only when a student contacts JaJa Circus promptly to request a refund. All exceptions are at the discretion of JaJa Circus management. No refunds will be given after the date of the workshop.
• For private lessons, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance via email to circus@jajapdx.com. In the event that a student must cancel a private lesson with at least 24 hours notice, they will have the choice of rescheduling, receiving an account credit, or receiving a refund minus a 5% administrative fee. There are no refunds or credits for cancellations with less than 24 hours notice.

• Notification of a missed class must be made at least 24 hours prior to the start of the class or open training session in order to be considered to receive a credit towards an open gym.

• All students must wear comfortable and appropriate clothing for their class.
• Students must wear close-fitting, non-restrictive clothing that allows for movement.
• Jewelry, accessories and any other sharp objects must be removed prior to class.
• Long hair must be tied or pulled back. 
• No clothing with buckles, zippers, or large buttons should be worn.
• Sequined clothing is also not permitted on apparatuses.
• Students must wear appropriate shoes or footwear, as specified by the instructor.
• Long, sharp nails are not permitted on circus apparatuses.
• If equipment is damaged due to not adhering to these policies the student will be charged a penalty of $350 to replace the equipment.
• Failure to wear proper clothing will result in the student being asked to watch or dismissed from class. 

• Instructors are not to advise students on rigging aerial apparatuses. All students who wish to rig apparatuses elsewhere are encouraged to seek the advice of an experienced aerial rigger.
• Students may not touch any rigging or circus equipment unless specifically given permission by a supervisor.
• Students must report any damaged or malfunctioning equipment to the instructor immediately.
• If you would like to hang your own equipment/apparatus in the space, please contact circus@jajapdx.com at least 24 hours in advance of your visit. We will try to accommodate you. There may be an associated fee.
• If you leave your personal equipment in the space, JaJa Circus is not responsible for any damage to your equipment. 

• Only students within the age range are permitted to participate in class. 
• Please do not arrive or drop your child off at the studio any earlier than 10 minutes prior to their class time. Children ages 11 and under must be accompanied by an adult until class begins. 
• Because warming up is an important part of safe training, students who arrive more than 10 minutes late will be allowed to watch, but may not be allowed to participate in class. 
• Refunds are not given for late arrivals.
• For everyone’s safety, we ask that our students contain their physical and vocal excitement when arriving and waiting for class to begin, and that their adults help them to do so.
• Youth students must be picked up promptly at the end of class.
•  Our coaches love that our youth students see them as friends and mentors. However, our staff will not reach out to students under the age of 18 online. If a youth student contacts a JaJa Circus staff member online, they are permitted to choose whether or not to accept, but if they accept any communications must be made public. 

• Group classes have a maximum capacity and are subject to availability.
• Adult classes are open to ages 16+
• Students may arrive 10 minutes prior to class to sign in and change.
• Students must register in advance to ensure their place in a class.
• Drop in sign ups must be made at least 15 min prior to class (exceptions are up to the discretion of the teacher). 
• Group classes may be canceled or rescheduled if the minimum number of students is not met.
• All guests and family members must wait on the edges of the studio and may not use the training facility for themselves.
• If guests or family members become distracting, they may be asked to leave. 
• Because warming up is an important part of safe training, students who arrive more than 10 minutes late will be allowed to watch, but may not be allowed to participate in class. 
• Refunds are not given for late arrivals.
• Students must follow all safety guidelines and instructions given by the instructor.
• Class levels are based on mastery of skills, progressions, and concepts that students must demonstrate before moving on to the next level. One session does not equal one level! Many students will spend several sessions in one level; everyone moves at a different pace, and staying in a level for multiple sessions does not mean you’re not learning! Classes are leveled and prerequisites are in place to help students learn in a safe, focused environment that best serves and honors their needs and abilities. If you have questions about class leveling, please talk to your instructor or email circus@jajapdx.com

• Open gym time is for practicing skills previously learned and is not a structured class.
• Do not use equipment you have not been trained on or try material you have not learned with an instructor.
• Open gym is available to students ages 16+. Students under the age of 16 are not permitted during this time. 
• Students must follow all safety guidelines and instructions given by the proctor during open gym time. 
• All equipment must be put away to its original location and all trash picked up upon leaving the studio. 
• Students are expected to share equipment and space during open gym. Be kind, take turns, and have fun together!
• Students are not permitted to teach and/or spot each other (including use of safety lines). 

• Private lessons may be scheduled by contacting circus@jajapdx.com
• Cancellations for private lessons must be made at least 24 hours in advance via email to circus@jajapdx.com. 
• In the event that a student must cancel a private lesson with at least 24 hours notice, they will have the choice of rescheduling, receiving an account credit, or receiving a refund minus a 5% administrative fee. There are no refunds or credits for cancellations with less than 24 hours notice.
• Cost for private lessons are as follows:
  • $80 - 1 hour private lesson
  • $95 - 1 hour semi-private lesson (2 people)
  • $110 - 1 hour semi-private lesson (3 people)

• A 50% refund is available until one week before the event, after which time no refunds will be given. The only exceptions are due to sudden injury or extraordinary circumstances, and only when a student contacts JaJa Circus promptly to request a refund. All exceptions are at the discretion of JaJa Circus management. No refunds will be given after the date of the workshop.

At JaJa Circus we encourage a culture of care for the health of others

• Please let us know if you will be missing class for any reason, and stay home if you are not feeling well. If you need to make up a missed class, please contact circus@jajapdx.com to discuss your options.  .
• If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, we ask that you please stay home.  Symptoms must be gone for at least 24 hours before returning to JaJa.
  • Fever
  • Severe sore throat
  • Fatigue (a lingering tiredness that is constant and limiting)
  • Stomach related symptoms
• If someone you live with is experiencing these symptoms please wear a mask at JaJa Circus.
• If you are experiencing mild symptoms such as sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, etc. we ask that you wear a mask while at JaJa.
• If a student has suffered a concussion, or suspects that they have, they will not be permitted to participate in any activities at JaJa Circus until they have been cleared to return to activity by their doctor. A doctor’s note is required to return to activities. A student must contact Jaja Circus promptly via email to receive account credit in the case of missed classes due to concussion.
• MEDICAL EMERGENCIES 
  • If you or someone else has a medical emergency (anything more than basic first aid), please notify the nearest staff member immediately. The staff person will assess the situation and may need to seek medical attention, call 911, and/or complete an incident report. 
  • Anyone who falls in a manner that could have caused damage to their head, neck or spine will not be moved and 911 will be called.
• NON-MEDICAL EMERGENCIES 
  • Fire, Earthquake or Evacuation – Staff, students and visitors should leave through the nearest exit. Staff should guide visitors to the nearest exit.
  • Lockdown Procedure – When there is an immediate threat making it more dangerous to exit the building than to stay inside, a lockdown procedure may be necessary. This is designed to secure the safety of all occupants of the building. If it is safe to exit the building, exit the building. If not, students, staff and visitors should go to the bathrooms and lock and/or barricade doors shut. Call 911 and wait for emergency services to give the all clear. 

• Students and guests may not take video of other students or of the instructor without explicit permission from the instructor and of everyone who will be filmed. Students are welcome to take video of themselves during class with instructor permission. The process of filming may not impede the progress or safety of the class.