Tapps Performing Arts is a proud member of “Dance Safe”. This is a collective of studio owners and dance educators who banded together to create dance specific health and safety guidelines to keep students/ instructors safe while returning to the dance studio. These protocols were thoughtfully curated to abide by the Province of Ontario “Framework for Reopening our Province - Stage 3” guidelines as well as those supplied by local health units. We are strictly adhering to the protocols created by “Dance Safe”, as well as the guidelines provided by the Ontario Government and the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. We are proud of the work we have completed and are committed to providing the highest standards of safety regarding the COVID-19 pandemic within our studio.
Please see below outline of the procedures/policies regarding COVID-19
Health Screening
- Before entering the studio for the start of fall season, a COVID-19 waiver must be submitted via email for each student.
- Dancers are to complete the “Screening Self-Assessment” BEFORE leaving to come to the studio each day. Parents must be diligent in screening your dancer prior to leaving for the studio. Click the right hand menu button for further guidance on this.
- Anyone displaying symptoms of COVID-19, or anyone who has had close contact with anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, will not be permitted in the studio.
- The studio must be informed if anyone will be absent and if you are exhibiting symptoms or have tested positive.
- If a dancer begins to show any symptoms while at the studio, we will isolate them and notify the parent to pick up immediately. If an instructor exhibits symptoms while working, the same procedures will be followed.
- We will be in touch with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit if anyone (dancer/instructor) is suspected of having COVID-19.
- If a dancer is unable to attend class due to any of the above instances, they are encouraged to attend or watch from home via ZOOM, which the studio will facilitate.
Drop Off/ Pick-Up
- Students age 6 & under may be accompanied into the building by one adult. The parent can assist in putting on dance shoes etc., and then they must leave until class is finished. The parent must practice physical distancing during the pick-up/drop off time.
- Students age 7 & up are asked to enter the building independently. Dancers will be permitted to enter to building no earlier than 5-10 minutes before the start of class. Please wait in cars until a few minutes before class begins. Arriving, students will line up outside the main entrance adhering to physical distancing and the Instructor will facilitate entry.
- At the entrance, all dancers will sanitize their hands, outdoor shoes will be placed on racks and student will put on their dance shoes. Alternatively, we encourage dancers to consider keeping their outdoor shoes in their bag (within a ziplock or similar) rather than using the shelves.
- Dancers will be exiting through the door in the waiting room (not the main door) to help with the flow of traffic.
- One parent can wait outside the exit door or parents may wait in their car for their dancer to exit the studio.
- It is extremely important that parents are punctual in picking up students as dancers are not permitted to wait around inside after class has finished.
Prevention within Studio
Masks
- EVERYONE entering and exiting the studio will be required to wear a mask.
- Dancers/instructors will have the option to remove their masks once they are in class. We ask students to bring a labelled bag/container to store their mask when not in use.
- Dancers/instructors will wear masks when going to the washroom, between classes or any other time they are not actively dancing in their assigned studio.
Physical Distancing
- As mentioned, parents/siblings/friends are not permitted in the studio aside from drop off/pick up of young dancers. The waiting room is closed until further notice. This is due to reduced facility capacity as mandated by the government of Ontario and to help accommodate physical distancing within the building.
- Each studio has a maximum number of students allowed, depending on studio size. We have created physical distance boxes or markers on the floors in each of our studios to maintain 2m distance between dancers. They will place belongings on an assigned spot and proceed to their own dancing square/marker.
- Teachers will only be providing hands on adjustments if absolutely necessary. If the instructor must adjust or spot a dancer, they will be wearing a mask and will sanitize before and after.
Cleaning and Sanitation
- In addition to the main entrance, sanitization stations will be set up in each studio and the dancer/instructor will sanitize upon entry to each studio and before/ after using the washroom.
- All classes will be dismissed 5 minutes prior to their scheduled ending time to ensure proper sanitization between classes.
- Instructors will sanitize all common touchpoints within their studio between each class/ group.
- Washrooms will be cleaned/sanitized frequently.
- At the end of each day, the entire studio will be sanitized using a fogger that kills bacteria using a natural Health Canada approved disinfectant.
- Dancers/parents are encouraged to wipe all items with sanitizing wipes (shoes, water bottle) before and after coming to the studio.
What to Bring/ How You Can Help
- All students are to come dressed, ready for class and there will be no changing between classes aside from what can be quickly layered/removed. The change room is closed until further notice.
- Students can bring a small dance bag with dance shoes, water bottle(s), small hand sanitizer, mask (in a bag/container) and any outside clothing. Please do not bring anything extra.
- Please remind your dancer to greet with smiles and waves (no hugs, high fives etc), how to safely put on and remove a mask, and that the sharing of personal items is not permitted.
- Please encourage the use of the washroom before coming to the studio.
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In the case that the Provincial COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency Guidelines revert back to either Phase 1 or 2, we have plans to pivot immediately. We are so thankful for our community of supportive dancers and families. We are certain that these guidelines will be taken seriously as we work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19.