WELCOME – we are looking forward to seeing you at your first cotillion, Club Cotillion or SEE program. We are confident that you will enjoy the program, and learn important social skills in the process. Please observe the following. Thank you.

DRESS CODE

Please note: Over 500 of our committee members have determined our cotillion dress code. To avoid any misunderstanding or embarrassment, we ask that you strictly adhere to the guideline. Please observe the following:

Ladies are required to wear: party dresses or dress skirts (no more than two inches above the knee), nice blouses, white gloves, hosiery, flats or low heels. Ladies, please NO pants, crop tops, denim, or flip-flops. We require our youngest ladies to wear white gloves (usually 4th grade and younger.) To confirm if gloves are required, please go to ‘Class Schedules and Registration’ on our navigation menu at cotillion.com and refer to your specific class description.

Gentlemen are required to wear: traditional sport jackets or suits, dress or khaki trousers, ties, and black or brown dress shoes. Shirts must be tucked in. Don't forget a belt to finish the look. Gentlemen, please NO Doc Martins, hiking boots, sneakers or other rubber-soled shoes. No cargo pants or jeans.

For gloves, girls and boys cotillion clothing and accessories, please visit www.cotillionclassics.com A portion of sales contribute to cotillion scholarships.

DROP-OFF & PICK-UP

JDWC requires students to arrive punctually and be picked up immediately after class. JDW, Committee Members and the facilities being used are not responsible for children before or after class. Carpooling is encouraged and will make drop-off and pick-up much easier. Specific instructions for your cotillion, if any, will be found in your class schedule email.

ARRIVAL AND ATTENDANCE

It is VERY IMPORTANT that students arrive before class begins. Chaperones will greet the students at the facility entrance. All students should be in class by the time it starts, as indicated in the schedule email.

Your attendance at each class is also very important. Absenteeism creates unbalanced classes, and instruction is progressive. Please do not come to class if you are ill.

PARENT INFORMATION

Parents are cordially invited to view any of the classes and encouraged to attend and participate in the Final Party. NO CAMERAS or VIDEO RECORDERS are allowed at the regular classes; you may take photographs or video at the Final Party. We respectfully request that parents dress appropriately and cooperate with our no alcohol policy. Specific instructions regarding sibling attendance at classes will be found in your class schedule email.

SCHEDULING CHANGES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Scheduling changes may occur due to extenuating circumstances, such as weather. If there is a class change, you will receive an email notice and the change will be posted here on our ANNOUNCEMENTS page of the website.

We appreciate all the parents who indicated an interest to chaperone and  will do our
best to schedule as many as possible.
Parents that are not chaperoning are welcome to observe classes (please respect the dress code of the facility).

DRESS CODE - follow the general guidelines for our students

• Ladies should wear an appropriate suit, dress or skirt (gloves not required)
• Gentlemen  should wear a coat and tie with dress slacks
• Theme Parties – you may follow the dress code or dress for the theme

ARRIVAL TIME – arrive 20 minutes before class begins

• Check-in with the instructor
• Assist with supervision of arriving and departing students

GREETING THE STUDENTS – students entering class will go through a receiving line

• If couples are chaperoning - gentlemen should have the ladies stand to their right
• Student introductions should include:  first and last name, a firm handshake, good eye contact and a gesture of respect
• Introduce yourself as Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., etc. to students you do not know, and as you normally would to your children's friends

DURING CLASS – you may be seated

• Count the students in the class to determine the number of girls and boys
• If you notice any disruptive or inappropriate behavior, please notify the instructor
• Only one student at a time may use the restroom. If you notice a group leaving together ask them to wait and/or return to class
• Please help us enforce our policy prohibiting video and photography during class (with the exception of the Final Party)
• Please respect our no alcohol policy and refrain from chewing gum

REFRESHMENTS (if served) – approximately 30 minutes after class begins

• Prepare the refreshments (filling glasses  ½ to ¾ full is about right)

Please remain standing behind the table:

• Students are instructed to thank you
• Chaperones are formally introduced once all the students are seated

LEAVING CLASS – stay until ALL students are picked up

• Students will form lines and say goodnight to the chaperones; handshakes are not necessary.

• Supervise the departure of the students at the designated exit
• Students are expected to conduct themselves properly outside class;  no running or conduct that will disturb others using the facility. Gentlemen may not remove coat or tie
• Again, it is very important that our chaperones stay until all students are picked up

 

If you cannot attend your scheduled time,
please notify your Cotillion Chaperone Coordinator to cancel.
We hope you enjoy the evening.  Thank you.

Following are some ideas for costumes for our theme parties. We encourage you to be creative and use your imagination. Please do not go to any great expense!

50s Party Costume Suggestions

Please NO gum, candy cigarettes, cargo or low rise jeans, and NO regular casual clothes. Look Cool!

Girls	Boys
Poodle Skirt	Letter Jacket
Capris	White/Blue Button-down Shirt
Plain White Blouse	Plain White T-Shirt
Bobby Socks	Rolled-Up Jeans
Cat Eye Glasses	Greased Hair
Saddle Shoes or Ked Sneakers	Cardigan Sweater
Chiffon Scarf	Leather Jacket
Ring on a Chain	Penny Loafers
Pony Tail	50s high-top sneakers (Vans)
Rolled-up Jeans	Sunglasses*
*Note: some cotillions do not allow sunglasses; please ask your instructor.

Around the World Costume Suggestions:

• United States: Uncle Sam, pilgrim, pioneer, Miss America, native American
• Spain: flamenco dancer or matador
• Mexico: sombrero with colorful poncho
• Scotland: kilt or plaid costume
• Germany: lederhosen, Hansel or Gretel style outfit
• Austria: Viennese long formal dress, long gloves, tux
• England: London police officer or British soldier, princess
• Italy: artist or gondolier
• Greece: Grecian god or goddess in white, Olympic athlete
• Canada: mounted police officer or eskimo
• Argentina: soccer player or carnival costume
• Caribbean countries: pirate, calypso dancer or fisherman
• Japan: martial arts athlete or Taiko drummer, kimono
• China: New Year's dragon or China doll
• Russia: Kremlin guard or Bolshoi ballet dancer
• Egypt: pharaoh or queen of ancient Egypt

More costume ideas can be found at Google or Yahoo. Please make sure your costume is suitable for dance.

Roaring 20s Party Costume Suggestions

Girls	Boys
Flapper Dress	Knickers
Long Pearls	Argyle Socks
Feather Boa	Fedora
Sequined Headband	Suspenders
Cat Eye Glasses	Zoot Suits
	Vests

Costume Party Suggestions:

• Walt Disney Characters – Mickey Mouse, Ariel, Lion King
• Fairy Tale Characters – princess, prince, pirate
• Movie Characters – James Bond, Legally Blonde
• Cartoon Characters – Sponge Bob, Nemo
• Historic Figures - pilgrim, statesman, astronaut
• Professional People – doctor, lawyer, farmer
• Sports Figures – soccer player, cheerleader, gymnast
• Book Characters - Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter
• Animals - dog, cat, rabbit
• Western Theme - cowboy, cowgirl, Native American