Studio Safety Protocols and Procedures (including COVID-19)

We follow and monitor local, provincial, and federal recommendations as they are announced and make changes as/if necessary. Our safety protocols align with the BC Health Guidelines, which are updated and published here: https://bit.ly/BChealthguidelines 

PARKING, ARRIVALS + DEPARTURES:

Arrival and departure procedures are designed to ensure one-way traffic through the buildings and studios. This ensures the safety of all dancers.

ARRIVALS: ENTRY + DROP OFF PROCEDURES

HOPE STUDIO: Please arrive 5 minutes early. Park at the front of the building when dropping off and enter through the main entrance. Wait in the foyer with your dancer until a staff member to invites your dancer(s) into the class. There is to be no waiting inside during class. We are a drop-off only studio.

AGASSIZ STUDIO: Please arrive 5 minutes early for class. Park in the front parking lot and enter through the main entrance. Wait in the foyer with your dancer(s) until they are invited into class by a staff member and then exit the building. There is to be no waiting inside during class. We are a drop-off only studio.

IN CASE OF LATE ARRIVAL: Please enter the studio quietly and ensure the teacher is aware of your dancer’s arrival in class.

DEPARTURES: EXIT + PICK UP PROCEDURES

HOPE STUDIO: Please be on time to pick up your dancer(s) and park on the side of the building at pick up time. Students will exit the building via the far left entrance. Wait outside for your dancer(s) so that they can be safely handed off to you after class finishes.

AGASSIZ STUDIO: Please be on time to pick up your dancer(s) and park in the parking area at the back of the building. Students will exit the building from the back door. Wait outside for your dancer(s) so they can be safely handed over to you  at the end of class.

IN CASE OF LATE PICK UP: We will hold your dancer in the studio until you arrive. Please enter the front of the building to pick up your dancer(s) and make sure their teacher is aware that you are there to pick them up. Those arriving more than 10 minutes late will be assessed a $20.00 late pick up fee.

Please practice extreme caution when dropping off and picking up your dancer(s); it is busy with everyone coming and going.

HERE’S HOW THINGS WORK:

1. HEALTH CHECK + TEMPERATURE TAKING. We ask all families to check their dancer(s) temperature before they come to class to ensure that it is not over 99 degrees F (37.2 degrees C).  Anyone with a temperature that exceeds the temperature outlined should not attend class(es). Please ensure that your dancer is not overly active before you test them to avoid their temperature being artificially high. Please arrive 5 minutes early for class.

2. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR DANCER GOES TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE THEY ARRIVE. For everyone’s safety and to ensure maximum class time, please have your dancer go to the bathroom BEFORE they arrive at class, even if they don’t think they have to go. We can’t guarantee that there will be someone at the studio to help them if needed.

3. ARRIVE DANCE-READY. Your dancer(s) should be dressed and ready to go when they arrive. Put dance shoes on upon arrival. They are allowed 1 small bag for their dance needs. It should contain their shoes and water bottle (street shoes should be placed in their bag prior to entering the studio). Cell phones should only be used in the event of an emergency. Only dance shoes are to be worn in the studios, as always

4. ONCE INSIDE THE BUILDING: Dancers may sanitize their hands prior to entering the studio. Weather and safety permitting, we will have doors and windows open to maximize airflow.

5. ON-SITE WATER FILLING OPTIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. Dancing is thirsty work. Please make sure your child brings their own non-spill container with their name on it. If they attend more than one class, please bring additional (or larger) water bottle(s).

6. COMMON AREAS. We ask all parents/guardians to drop off their dancer(s) at their assigned entrance and either wait in your car or drop off and pick up as per the procedures outlined above. This contributes to the health and safety of our dancers, families, and teachers.

7. USE OF BATHROOMS. Bathrooms may only be used in an emergency. Please ensure that your dancer(s) go the bathroom at home before coming to class (whether they think they need to go or not). In addition to health concerns, bathroom breaks are very disruptive to class.

8. STAFF. Only healthy staff members (without symptoms) will be in the Academy.

9. CLASS SIZES. Most classes have a maximum of between 8-12 students each, depending on ages of dancers. We will adjust accordingly if required.

10. SEPARATE ENTRANCE + EXIT. We use separate entrance and exit doors to minimize crossover of students from different classes and maximize safety.

CLEANLINESS,HYGIENE, DISTANCING, ETC. (as required)

Hand Sanitizer. There is hand sanitizer in each studio. Our sanitizer contains at least 70% alcohol as recommended for COVID-19 safety.

Surface Cleaning. Surfaces are wiped down before classes start each day (this is a usual practice for us).

Deep Cleaning. The space will be deep cleaned weekly (this is a usual practice).

Sneezes and Coughs. We are encouraging dancers to cough and sneeze into their shirt or arms, not in their hands. If your child has either of these symptoms, please refer to #1 above before bringing them to class.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Do not bring your child to class if: they are coughing, sneezing, have a fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, painful swallowing, stuffy or runny nose, loss of sense of smell, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, body or stomach aches, chest congestion, diarrhea, vomiting, etc.

Do not bring your child to class if: they or anyone they are living with a family member is ill with any of the above symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Don’t bring toys or anything non-dance related from home.

Adhere to any and all government restrictions if they differ from what is outlined above. Refer to all current guidelines at: https://bit.ly/BChealthguidelines

Encourage your child to cough and sneeze into their arm not in their hand.

Remind your child not to not touch other children or their teacher.

Alert us if your child has COVID-19 and has been to the studio within the last 14 days so we can contact other dance families as/if appropriate.

As always, we take every possible precaution to ensure everyone’s safety, but we cannot guarantee it. Each family is encouraged to make their own decision about enrolling in dance. Classes may be held online in the event of mandated or unscheduled closures. The well being of our students, teachers, staff, and their families is a top priority,