Programs & Class Structure Policy

At SWC Academy, we want every student to feel informed, comfortable, and confident in how our programs operate. This page outlines our program structure, communication practices, facility policies, and expectations — so you always know what to expect before, during, and after your registration.

Program & Class Structure

All programs at SWC Academy are structured in sequential blocks, with a standard base of four (4) classes per enrollment period (approximately one class per week over four weeks), unless you are registered for a drop-in session.

The total number of classes in a given month is determined by how many of your scheduled class days fall within that calendar month. For example, a month with five Mondays will yield five classes for a Monday program, while a month with four Mondays will yield four. Class counts are not fixed across all months and will vary accordingly.

Holiday Closures

SWC Academy follows the Ontario school calendar. When Ontario schools are closed for a holiday or break period, our academy will also be closed. We do not operate classes on the following days:

• New Year's Day – January 1

• Family Day – Third Monday of February

• Good Friday – Friday before Easter Sunday

• Easter Monday – Monday following Easter Sunday

• Victoria Day – Monday before May 25

• Canada Day – July 1

• Civic Holiday (August Long Weekend) – First Monday of August

• Labour Day – First Monday of September

• Thanksgiving Day – Second Monday of October

• Christmas & Winter Break – Typically from approximately December 21/22 through the first operating week of the new year (on or around January 5–7), varying by year

• Any long weekend associated with the above holidays

Specific closure dates may shift slightly from year to year depending on how the calendar falls. SWC Academy will communicate applicable closure reminders at the start of each program month (see Communication Policy below).

Automated Reminder Emails

Students who have consented to receive communications from SWC Academy will receive an automated 24-hour reminder email prior to each upcoming class.

Please note the following:

• If you do not receive a reminder email, this means there is no upcoming class scheduled in the system.

• Reminder emails are fully automated. If you have already received a notice from our team indicating that a class is cancelled, rescheduled, or falling on a holiday, you may disregard any automated reminder that arrives in conflict with that notice.

• We will always include a note within the reminder email advising you to disregard it if prior communication has been sent regarding a class not occurring.

Holiday Dates Within Your Program

When you register for a program, all class dates are automatically generated by the system at the time of registration, regardless of whether any of those dates fall on a holiday. This is a system limitation and does not indicate that a class is occurring on a holiday.

For example:

• If you register in September for a Friday program in April, and that program runs April 4–25, the system will list April 18 (Good Friday) as a class date. No class will occur on that date.

• If you register in September for a December program, all dates including those falling within the Christmas break will appear in your program listing.

Holiday reminders are sent at the start of the program month, not before. When your program month begins, you will receive communication notifying you of any holiday closures that affect your schedule that month. We are unable to send these notices in advance of the month starting.

All students who register over the phone are verbally informed of this at the time of registration. It is a standard part of our onboarding process to advise students whenever their program dates overlap with a known holiday period.

Communication & Legal Consent

SWC Academy complies fully with the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). The following outlines what communications you may receive from us and under what conditions.

Mandatory Communications (No Consent Required)

The following emails are legally required and will always be sent regardless of your communication preferences:

• Registration Email – Sent when you register over the phone with a team member

• Confirmation Email – Sent upon completion of online or phone registration

Optional Communications (Consent Required)

Any communication beyond the above — including reminder emails, holiday notices, schedule updates, and promotional content — is only sent to students who have explicitly opted in to receive communications at the time of checkout or registration.

If you have not provided this consent, we are legally prohibited under CASL from sending non-mandatory communications to you.

Checking Your Program Without Email Communications

If you have not opted in, or simply wish to review your schedule independently, the following options are available to you:

• Program Link – A direct link to your program details is included in your registration or confirmation email, listing all class dates at the bottom

• Online Account – Log in to your account on the SWC Academy website to view all upcoming class dates at any time

• Contact Us – You are welcome to reach out to our office directly with any questions about your schedule

Please note: Our office is open Monday through Thursday. We are closed Friday through Sunday, as well as on all statutory holidays listed above. Any inquiries submitted outside of office hours will be responded to when we reopen on Monday.

Facilities & Third-Party Venues

SWC Academy operates out of multiple rented ice facilities across the region. We are not the owners of these facilities, and other skating schools or programs may also operate out of the same venues.

• SWC Academy is not affiliated with any other programs, schools, or organizations that share our facility spaces.

• Any information received from facility staff, posted notices, or other programs at the venue does not represent SWC Academy and should not be treated as accurate on our behalf.

• All official information regarding your program — including scheduling, class changes, and policies — comes exclusively from SWC Academy team members via email, phone, or your on-site instructor who you have previously been introduced to.

Arriving at Your Session

Students and parents are responsible for navigating to the correct ice surface upon arrival. Our team does not provide step-by-step on-site directions, as this is expected to be handled independently upon arriving at the facility.

Upon entry, most facilities feature a directory screen or signage near the entrance indicating which ice pads are in use and by which groups. We intentionally operate out of smaller facilities where both ice surfaces are typically visible and accessible within 30 seconds of entering the building.

Please note:

• If you arrive and your instructor is not yet visible, do not leave the facility. Enter, look around, and check the available signage.

  • If you arrive and no instructor is present on site, this is a strong indicator that there is no class scheduled. In all of the years of operations, SWC Academy is proud to uphold our standard that our instructors have never failed to show up for a scheduled class. Our team is precise and punctual with all scheduled sessions.

• SWC Academy is not responsible for late arrivals or missed classes resulting from difficulty locating the ice surface, particularly at our smaller venues where navigation is straightforward.

We ask that all students and parents approach each visit with a proactive mindset — enter the facility, take a look around, and locate your surface before seeking additional assistance.

Schedule Changes & Facility Conditions

While we work to maintain a consistent and reliable schedule, there are circumstances beyond SWC Academy's control that may require last-minute changes, sometimes with as little as one hour's notice prior to class. These may include:

• Instructor illness or injury

• Facility changes or ice surface unavailability

• Ice condition concerns resulting from extreme weather (heat or cold affecting ice quality)

• Other unforeseen operational disruptions

SWC Academy prioritizes the safety of students and instructors at all times. We will not proceed with a class if ice conditions are deemed unsafe. In the event of a change, we will make every reasonable effort to notify affected students as quickly as possible within the constraints of the situation.

Code of Conduct & Zero Tolerance Policy

SWC Academy is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all students, parents, and team members — both on and off the ice.

We do not tolerate the following under any circumstances:

• Shouting, yelling, or raising your voice at team members

• Profanity or swearing directed at staff, instructors, or other students

• Derogatory, discriminatory, or threatening language in any form

• Disrespectful or hostile behaviour, whether in person, over the phone, or in written communication

  
  

We understand that scheduling questions and communication challenges can be frustrating. We are always here to help, and we handle every concern with patience and professionalism. Any individual — regardless of age — who engages in the above behaviours will be subject to immediate withdrawal from their program without eligibility for a refund, in accordance with our registration terms and conditions. This applies to both students and accompanying parents or guardians.

SWC Academy reserves the right to enforce this policy at our discretion in the interest of protecting our team and the broader academy community.