October 2026
📌IN THIS NEWSLETTER 📝
Unashamed T-shirts & DVDs
Bring A Friend Week
Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gifts
Hoffman Hills Trail Walk
Let's Go To The Movies Dress Up Week
Butter Braid Fundraiser
Giving Tuesday Save The Date
Christmas Parades Save the Date
Christmas PJ Dress-Up Week Save the Date
Cookie Walk Fundraiser Save the Date
SOTA Christmas Party Save The Date
Dance Revolution Save the Date
Looking Ahead Calendar Dates
👕 UNASHAMED T-SHIRTS & DVDs 🎬
Date & Time: Daily | During Studio Hours
Location: First Position Dance Studio
Returning families from last spring—we still have your Unashamed T-shirts and DVDs! We apologize that these are getting to you so late. Unfortunately, we did not receive them in time, and we weren’t able to get them to families over the summer.
If you participated in Unashamed, you can pick up your T-shirt and DVD at the studio this week!
Thank you so much for your patience and understanding!
💕 BRING A FRIEND WEEK 🎉
Date & Time: October 5–9th | Dance Classes
Location: First Position Dance Studio
We’re inviting all First Position students to bring a friend to class for FREE during Bring A Friend Week!
This is a fun opportunity for your child to share something they love with a friend and give them a chance to experience First Position for themselves. Friends are welcome to join a class that week at no cost!
Why Bring a Friend?
Our hope is that your child’s friend will enjoy their experience and consider joining us for SOTA (School of the Arts) for the remainder of the season!
A few things to know:
Friends may attend a class for free during October 5–9.
All guests must register through our website before attending.
Please invite friends who may be interested in continuing with First Position for the season!
Have questions? Email us at firstpositiondanceco.com —we’d love to help!
Invite a friend. Share your joy. Grow our First Position family! 💕
💝OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOX GIFTS 🎁
Date & Time: October 12–November 2 | During Studio Hours
Location: First Position Dance Studio
We have the exciting opportunity to partner with Operation Christmas Child and fulfill The Great Commission by sharing the love of Jesus to children all over the world!
All you have to do is pick up a box, take it home, fill it with clothes, school supplies, personal care items, toys, games, a “WOW” item, and a personal note/photo, and bring it back to the studio. Please also include $10.00 for shipping and handling, as well as the printing of The Greatest Gift, (the 12-week gospel program), and a New Testament Bible, plus the training of the pastors and teachers!
National Collection Week is November 16-23, so we need your boxes turned in to the studio by November 13. We will then drop them off at Peace Church, the Central Drop-off Location in Eau Claire.
Thank you for sharing the love of Jesus with children and families all over the world!
Stop by the information table in the studio lobby, talk to Leanna, or email her at admin@firstpositiondanceco.com for more information.
🍁 HOFFMAN HILLS TRAIL WALK 🥾
Date & Time: Saturday, October 17th | 9:00–11:00 AM
Location: Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area, Menomonie, WI [https://www.travelwisconsin.com/birding/hoffman-hills-state-recreation-area-204270)
Join us for a refreshing fall morning at Hoffman Hills! This family-friendly trail walk is perfect for everyone—whether you prefer an easy, leisurely stroll or want to tackle some of the more challenging trails. At the top, we’ll enjoy warm apple cider and hot chocolate together.
Bring your family, invite friends, and take this chance to connect with our community while enjoying the beauty of the season. Everyone is welcome!
🎬 LET’S GO TO THE MOVIES! DRESS UP WEEK🍿
Date & Time: October 26–30 | Dance Classes
Location: First Position Dance Studio
It’s time to have a little fun at First Position! Students are invited to dress up in their favorite movie-inspired costume for dance class during the week of October 26–30.
Come as a favorite character, movie star, or anything inspired by the big screen!
Please keep costumes age-appropriate—no scary or inappropriate costumes.
We can’t wait to see what our dancers come up with! 🎥✨
🥐 BUTTER BRAID FUNDRAISER 💵
Date & Time: November 16–December 4 | Dance Classes
Location: First Position Dance Studio
We’re excited to announce our Butter Braid Fundraiser to raise funds for the Dance Revolution Convention (see information below), dance class tuition, or the studio. This donation could be for your dancer, another dancer, or the general giving fund for First Position. Simply let us know your preference, and we will apply it accordingly.
Order forms and details will be sent home soon — so get ready to start selling, sharing, and spreading some holiday cheer (and Butter Braids)!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Miss Hanna for more information.
💰 Giving Tuesday 🗓️ SAVE THE DATE
Date: December 1
First Position is participating in Giving Tuesday! This global event is our biggest 24-hour fundraising window of the year, and we are calling on all SOTA families, First Position families, and community members to help us spread the word like wildfire.
We are hosting an online giving opportunity to support our dancers, along with a promotional kick-off party right at the studio. The donation link will go live exactly 1 week prior to the event.
We need your help! Start gathering a list of 20+ friends, family members, neighbors, or teachers you can invite to donate on this special day.
Mark your calendars, get your contact lists ready, and let's rally together to smash our goal in a single day! More details and donation links will be coming soon. If you have any questions, email us at admin@firstpositiondanceco.com.
🎄Christmas Parades 🗓️ SAVE THE DATES
Clearwater Winter Parade
Date: December 4
Bridge to Wonderland Parade
Date: December 5
We have an opportunity to be in the Christmas parades for Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls. We are working to get these squared away, so they aren't set in stone just yet, but wanted to get the dates on everyone's calendars because we will need ALL dancers and parents too (if they want)!
The dancers will have the opportunity to be on our float, walk the parade or dance in it, and we want everyone to join us! Parents and siblings are welcome to join!
We want to get a rough idea of how many people we will have in the parade by November 15. If you have any questions, or want to send in your RSVP, please email us at admin@firstpositiondanceco.com.
☃️ Christmas PJ Dress-up Week 🗓️ SAVE THE DATE!
Date: December 7–11
Ditch your dance uniform and come dressed in your favorite Christmas PJs! More information will be coming soon!
🍪 Christmas Cookie Walk 📅 SAVE THE DATE
Date: December 12
We are hosting a Christmas Cookie Walk as a fundraiser for First Position! Community members can come and choose a box of Christmas treats to enjoy during the holiday season. First Position families will donate the treats, and community members will fill a box with the treats they choose and pay for them, with proceeds benefiting First Position.
What families should know: SOTA families will be asked to make at least 2 dozen of a Christmas treat—or make as much as you’d like of your favorites. Ideas include cookies, fudge, bars, and truffles.
Volunteers needed: Families are needed to make desserts, and volunteers are also needed to help stock the platters for the event. A volunteer page will be coming out in the November newsletter.
Parent action: Bring treats, volunteer for the event, and invite/promote the event as much as possible.
🥳 SOTA Christmas Party 🗓️ SAVE THE DATE!
Date: December 18
Join us for the annual SOTA Christmas Party, for all SOTA students to come together and get to know each other better. This event is for SOTA students ONLY! NO PARENTS OR SIBLINGS!
The party begins for everyone at 5:00 PM, with staggered pickup times depending on your child's age group:
Lower School students will attend from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Upper School students (not staying the night) will attend from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Upper School sleepover participants will stay from 5:00 PM until 9:00 AM the following morning.
More details on what to bring and our White Elephant gift exchange are coming soon!
💃 Dance Revolution Convention 🗓️ SAVE THE DATE!
Date: January 29–31, 2027
Location: Chicago, IL
Get ready for an exciting 3-day Christian dance convention featuring professional dance performances and approximately 10–12 dance classes in a variety of styles!
The convention is primarily for dancers ages 13 and older. Dancers ages 9–12 may attend with a parent if there are at least three dancers in that age group.
Estimated Cost:
$285 convention ticket
Approximately $100 for hotel and gas
Food is additional
We will also be offering a Butter Braid fundraiser to help dancers raise money toward their convention ticket.
For now, save the date, and let us know if you're interested in attending! We will need a commitment and payment by December 15, 2026.
More details about registration, travel, what to bring, and other arrangements will be provided as we get closer to the event.
Looking Ahead | Calendar Dates 2026
November 23rd-27th | Thanksgiving Break | NO DANCE CLASSES THIS WEEK
December 1st | Giving Tuesday | Time to raise funds for our amazing ministry!
December 4th | Clearwater Christmas Parade
December 5th | Bridge to Wonderland Christmas Parade
December 7th-11th | Christmas PJ Week | Come dressed during class in your favorite Christmas PJs!
December 18th | SOTA STUDENT Christmas Party
December 19th | Cookie Walk Fundraiser
December 18th-January 3rd | Christmas Break | STUDIO IS CLOSED!
January 4th 2027 | Dance Resumes! | WELCOME BACK DANCERS!