Illness Policies
These policies are to help avoid the spread of illness in the studio. In the event of a pandemic, this page will be updated in accordance with any guidelines set by the CDC or MN Department of Health.
Please note that the wellbeing of our students is top priority. As such, the studio reserves the right to institute prevention measures that are stricter than those required by the CDC to help keep our dance families healthy.
Please note that the wellbeing of our students is top priority. As such, the studio reserves the right to institute prevention measures that are stricter than those required by the CDC to help keep our dance families healthy.
Before Class
1. Ensure that your dancer and all members of your family are healthy! Please keep your dancer at home if they or a family member is feeling ill or has been potentially exposed to any virus of concern.
* Dancers who are in the same household with someone who has any pandemic type virus need to follow the same isolation guidelines as the person with the virus for the duration of their illness, and then follow the guidelines for those exposed to the virus. Based on the experience of studio families, those who were in the same household as someone with Covid during the pandemic ended up with Covid themselves 80% of the time.
2. Make sure that your dancer has a mask that fits properly in their dance bag at all times. If masks become required at any point in the year, a sign will be placed on the door detailing when and where in the studio masks are required.
Any dancer recovering from any illness should follow current CDC guidelines for mask use during the recovery period.
*** Based on current research, normal face masks are required. Neck gaiters and face shields will not be allowed, as they do not provide adequate protection for the other dancers in the room.
* Dancers who are in the same household with someone who has any pandemic type virus need to follow the same isolation guidelines as the person with the virus for the duration of their illness, and then follow the guidelines for those exposed to the virus. Based on the experience of studio families, those who were in the same household as someone with Covid during the pandemic ended up with Covid themselves 80% of the time.
2. Make sure that your dancer has a mask that fits properly in their dance bag at all times. If masks become required at any point in the year, a sign will be placed on the door detailing when and where in the studio masks are required.
Any dancer recovering from any illness should follow current CDC guidelines for mask use during the recovery period.
*** Based on current research, normal face masks are required. Neck gaiters and face shields will not be allowed, as they do not provide adequate protection for the other dancers in the room.
Guidelines in Case of a Virus Outbreak
Arriving at the Studio
1. Dancers should be dropped off 5 to 10 minutes prior to the official start time of class. This helps avoid congestion in the entryway during the changeover period between classes.
2. Baby Ballet and Pre Ballet parents may enter to help their dancer get on shoes. Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to do so. Please adhere to a limit of one adult per dancer, and leave siblings at home or in the car if possible.
Parents of new and trial dancers will also be welcome to enter with their dancer the first week of class (please arrive 10 minutes prior to class start time).
3. If mask guidelines are in effect they will apply to all people entering the studio (dancers, parents, guests).
4. Please adhere to 4 people or one "car" of people in the hall at a time.
2. Baby Ballet and Pre Ballet parents may enter to help their dancer get on shoes. Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to do so. Please adhere to a limit of one adult per dancer, and leave siblings at home or in the car if possible.
Parents of new and trial dancers will also be welcome to enter with their dancer the first week of class (please arrive 10 minutes prior to class start time).
3. If mask guidelines are in effect they will apply to all people entering the studio (dancers, parents, guests).
4. Please adhere to 4 people or one "car" of people in the hall at a time.
During Class
1. Dancers should use hand sanitizer when returning from the restroom and after blowing their nose, etc.
2. Restrictions regarding distancing, etc. will be in effect if needed.
3. Due to the small amount of "non-dancing" space available in the studio, parents who would like to watch a class must sign up in advance with Miss Zachari. We have a limit of one guest observer per class. During the height of cold and flu season, observations may be suspended, or guests may have additional requirements, such as wearing a mask, to help limit the spread of germs in the studio.
4. Waiting areas will be open for dancers who arrive early for class, as well as dancers who have a family member in a back-to-back class and need to wait at the studio during each other's classes.
5. Parents will be able to use the waiting room as long as distancing requirements are not needed. Due to space limitations, please limit this to one adult per family. When possible, leave non-dancing siblings at home. If a sibling does need to come, please have them bring a calm, quiet activity to stay occupied, and have them sit next to you at all times.
2. Restrictions regarding distancing, etc. will be in effect if needed.
3. Due to the small amount of "non-dancing" space available in the studio, parents who would like to watch a class must sign up in advance with Miss Zachari. We have a limit of one guest observer per class. During the height of cold and flu season, observations may be suspended, or guests may have additional requirements, such as wearing a mask, to help limit the spread of germs in the studio.
4. Waiting areas will be open for dancers who arrive early for class, as well as dancers who have a family member in a back-to-back class and need to wait at the studio during each other's classes.
5. Parents will be able to use the waiting room as long as distancing requirements are not needed. Due to space limitations, please limit this to one adult per family. When possible, leave non-dancing siblings at home. If a sibling does need to come, please have them bring a calm, quiet activity to stay occupied, and have them sit next to you at all times.
After Class
1. Please wait for your dancer outside. This minimizes congestion in the hallway, and allows all dancers to leave the studio faster.
2. Baby Ballet parents should line up outside the door. Dancers will be released in the order that parents are lined up so they can come in to help with shoe changes. We have a limit of two families in the hall at a time when parents are helping.
2. Baby Ballet parents should line up outside the door. Dancers will be released in the order that parents are lined up so they can come in to help with shoe changes. We have a limit of two families in the hall at a time when parents are helping.
Masks
There has been a lot of debate over wearing masks during physical activity. Research shows that wearing a mask is safe as long as the following conditions are followed:
1. The dancer wearing the mask is able to put it on and take it off by themselves.
2. Rest and water breaks are given as needed.
3. Dancers gradually increase the amount of aerobic activity done in a mask each week to get used to it.
As such, please be aware that our class structure will be adjusted if there is a new mask mandate to give the dancers time to acclimate to dancing with a mask.
Dancers have been wearing masks without ill effects for many decades (for example, the Nutcracker prince and Rat King often wear full head masks while doing large jumps and fast steps in the battle scene).
1. The dancer wearing the mask is able to put it on and take it off by themselves.
2. Rest and water breaks are given as needed.
3. Dancers gradually increase the amount of aerobic activity done in a mask each week to get used to it.
As such, please be aware that our class structure will be adjusted if there is a new mask mandate to give the dancers time to acclimate to dancing with a mask.
Dancers have been wearing masks without ill effects for many decades (for example, the Nutcracker prince and Rat King often wear full head masks while doing large jumps and fast steps in the battle scene).