FALL 2020 – COVID 19
Hello to all our dance families, old faces and new.
Welcome to a new year of dance!
First, thank you for registering for dance this season and trusting us in the “new normal.” Our registration has exceeded our expectations and we have every intention of living up to your hopes.
I am writing with information on what to expect during September at the dance studio. We will update this plan monthly – it’s the only way to go with the evolving information. Our hope is to work our way back to the way things were in February, but we all know that is going to take a little time.
One thing that will not change no matter the month or situation, is our mission of “Cultivating Artistry, Elevating Community”. Our over-arching goal for September is keeping the joy, friendship and love in dance. We plan to do this in the safest, most caring, and non-scary way possible. Our focus is the children’s experience.
So how will September look?
If your child or close contact is sick please do not send them to dance. We will do temperature checks and remove a child from class if we suspect they show any COVID symptoms. If in doubt we have to ask you to stay home.
For our Little Steps Classes age 3 – 5yrs and students in our Adaptive Dance Program
One parent or guardian may enter the building with the students – sorry no siblings. Adults are required to wear masks at all times in the building. Students under 5 years old are not required to wear masks but are welcome to do so. Those students 5 and older are required to wear masks when entering the building, in our waiting areas and when using the bathroom. Students do not need to wear a mask when in the actual dance studio rooms. We have hooks placed in the dance studio rooms for your child to hang their mask once dance class begins.
Once your child is settled we would prefer that you wait in your car, however you may wait in the building if you wish, but we should note that we have had to remove all chairs from our waiting area to free up space for social distancing. We do have seats available in our garden enclosure to the side of our building. Once your dancer has finished class, we ask that you leave as swiftly as possible as another class may be waiting to come in the building.
Students should come to class in their dance clothes. For the time being, our washrooms cannot be used as a change room after class into their everyday wear.
* please scroll to bottom to read about our new cancellation policy*
All other classes – Combo Classes, Boys Hip Hop, T/ween classes, all Performance Program and Advanced classes
Please do not arrive more than 10 minutes before class starts.
Parents of these students are not permitted in the building. You will drop your child at the door- the same as at school – to the smiling face (eyes) of one of our staff members who will be guiding traffic in and out of the building to ensure social distancing. Please follow the arrows when approaching the entrance. Students need to wear a mask into the building but can remove it once in the dance studio space. We have installed hooks for them to hang them on. We PROMISE that we have adults inside the building to help the children as they come in, Marie, Alicia or Brandi, plus our trusted TA’s will be there.
We will help the children get their dance shoes on, help them sanitize their hands and line them up on our special flower stickers before entering class. Please let us know if your child has an allergy to hand sanitizer so that we can have them wash their hands in the bathroom.
Students should not bring anything aside from their dance shoes, a water bottle and arrive in their dance clothes. For the time being, our washrooms cannot be used as a change room after class into their everyday wear.
Parents may wait in our new “garden” enclosure where we will have seats, in their cars or do errands.
Rest assured if your child is upset, we will call you. You can also call us on the office number 753 3213 if you want to check in.
Once the class is finished, we will bring the children out to the “waiting area” in front of the studio and wait with the children until all are collected. Parents of children under 10 are required to pick children up in person, we will not allow them to go to your car without seeing you. Please arrive on time to help keep our transitions between classes smooth and safe.
The staff will disinfect all touch surfaces between each group of students. Class exercises will be adapted to aid with physical distancing – no hand holding etc. However as said previously our goal is to do this in a subtle manner keeping dance class about dance and as “normal” as possible.
Our hope is to eventually ease these restrictions and allow parents of our younger children back in the class to watch through our viewing windows. We aim to be fluid and transition as required and appreciate your patience as we work through this together.
If we are ordered to close, classes will transition immediately to an online platform. The students class will remain at the same time, same teacher, same friends and will continue to progress on the lessons of the class. As soon as we are able to get the students back ( maybe rotating) we will. If you choose to withdraw, 1 months notice is required. We can not hold spaces as we have wait lists for several classes. We do not charge any cancelation fees and we are one of the few studios in town that allow families to pay monthly and not require semester/term/year payments. We wish to continue with this model, hence the 1 month notice requirement.
We have made each decision with the safety of our students and staff in mind. While entering and exiting their class it may feel like a new experience, but once they are in the dance studio the class feel as they always have – just more spread out!. Our priority as we begin dance is to make sure every dancer feels comfortable and at ease with the changes and can get back to the FUN part of dancing.
If you have any questions at all please drop me an email,
Marie Steffen
