COVID-19 RESPONSE:
Dear Current and Future Atlanta Irish Dance Families,
Join us as we walk our dancers through our COVID-19 procedures. This video will act as a quick reference guide for current and future Atlanta Irish Dance students returning to the studio.
At Atlanta Irish Dance, we take the health of our dancers, instructors, and the community at-large very seriously. This includes both physical and mental health. We have seen both first hand and through the various news outlets what failure to take proper precautions against Covid-19 can do to a community. We are also aware of the emotional effects our new normal is causing. Because of this, we find that we are in a unique position to offer a safe haven for our dancers. We understand the responsibly that has been placed in our hands.
Using guidance from the World Health Organization, Center for Disease Control, CLRG (The Irish Dance Governing Body), and relevant Governmental authorities, we have put in place our Covid-19 response for Fall 2020 Classes. (Our 2020 Summer Camp COVID Response can be found HERE).
Atlanta Irish Dance parents share their opinions about our COVID Response.
We will continue to update these policies based on new recommendations and we will note any updates. Please read below for our policies & helpful videos. Stay safe & we will see you the week of August 10th for our Fall session!
Go raibh maith agaibh! Thank you!
Ms. Emma & Ms. Erin
Co-Founders, Atlanta Irish Dance
Atlanta Irish Dance Official COVID-19 Response:
Arrival Time - We ask that you arrive for your class at the time of class and no earlier. Please wait in your car or outside (6 feet apart) until the teacher invites you inside. Parents, caretakers and siblings may not congregate outside the studio during class hours.
Screening Dancers - All dancers and staff will have their temperature taken before entering the studio. Anyone exhibiting a temperature greater than 99.7ºF, cough, shortness of breath, or any other respiratory symptoms shall not be permitted to enter.
Face Masks - Dancers will be required to wear face masks while at the studio when not doing strenuous exercises. Teachers will wear face coverings the majority of class. On June 16, 2020, the World Health Organization issued a statement waring against the use of masks during exercise (See graphic), and the CLRG made similar recommendations. Atlanta Irish Dance will be following these guidelines, so that for any dancing over 24 bars in length, we will allow the dancers to remove their masks. However if you wish for your dancer to wear their face mask for longer periods, simply let us know!
Please provide a small bag for your dancer to place his or her mask in when we take mask breaks- this will prevent them from being placed on the floor or amongst their personal belongings.
Any masks that cover the nose & mouth are acceptable, but we have found that the single use disposable masks provide the most comfort and breathability. Why is that important? More comfort = less touching the mask.
Students are not required to remove their masks during mask breaks.
Please, do not reuse disposable masks.
Our Ages 3-4 Little Tots dancers are not required to wear a mask into the studio, but may do so if you wish (this is due to our concern that little tots will touch their mask often).
Air Flow. We will simultaneously open the garage door and front doors to allow for increased airflow whenever we can. We know that there are great benefits from more ventilation.
Dancers will need to provide their own mask. We consulted with a pediatrician about children wearing face masks while exercising in reaching this decision. **Please see our note below about face mask safety and children. Click HERE for a link to CDC's guide to masks and templates for DIY masks. Our Ages 3-4 Little Tots dancers are not required to wear a mask into the studio, but may do so if you wish (this is due to our concern that little tots will touch their mask often).
Limited Items and Guests - Please Arrive with dance shoes on and limit belongings to dance shoes and one large water bottle. Parents and siblings will not be permitted inside the building. Dancers will NOT be permitted to bring cell phones or other personal items inside-this includes our adult dancers.
Hand Washing & Sanitizer- Dancers will be asked to wash their hands immediately upon arrival before entering the dance area. Hand sanitizer will be throughout the studio - outside bathrooms and near exits. Dancers will be required to wash hands before eating any snacks.
"Zone" Teaching - The studio floor will be marked to spread out our students while they dance. All dancers will be required to stay within their 6ft x 8ft "zone" unless directed to move about the studio, or using the bathroom. If a dancers is asked to demonstrate a moving piece, all other dancers will remain in their zones in order to maintain a safe distance between all. Students will not use cubbies for their belongings - and instead keep their few personal belonging in their "zone".
Touchless Teaching, Greetings & Goodbyes - We will not be shaking hands or hugging at this time. Instructors will stand within their own "zone" and maintain at least 6' distance. Teachers will wear masks the entire time, teach “mirror facing”, and will wear gloves if helping dancers tie shoes, open water bottles, etc.
Drop Off and Pick Up: To expedite the change between classes and limit the number of people, Students will be Dropped off in the Front & picked up in the Rear of the building. Pick up will be "Elementary School Carpool Style". CLICK HERE FOR CARPOOL SIGN - please write or Type your dancer's LAST name on the Sign
Mandatory Reporting- In-studio families must inform the directors if they suspect their child or a family member has COVID Symptoms or has been in contact with someone who has developed COVID. If we are made aware of such a situation, the entire student body will be informed via email (the names of those affected will not be used) and any and all relevant classes will be discontinued for 14 days to prevent spread, in addition to other safeguarding measures. The dancer(s) involved will be required to show evidence of a COVID negative test after the 14 day window in order to return to the studio, and must be fever free without the assistance of ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Advil, Motrin, or Tylenol), without any symptoms of illness (diarrhea, vomiting, coughing), for 48 hours before returning to class. We are providing training to our instructors on identifying symptoms of Illness in dancers, the proper process of removing a potentially ill dancer, including isolation areas for potentially sick dancers. Dancers, please wear your uniforms to class as usual.
Virtual Classes- Students who cannot attend class or who do not wish to attend class in person, can attend virtually via ZOOM. Each class will have a unique zoom link, and dancers will log on and attend class as it occurs live. Instructors will interact with the student as if they are a member of the live class, having them dance along with the class and demonstrate movements as the instructor would at live class. We have tested this option with dancers of a variety of ages and are confident it will work very well with ages 5 & up. If dancers younger than 5 wish to use this resource, simply let us know: we are happy accommodate that request!
—-
**Guidance from pediatrician Dr. Hill (board certified pediatrician, member of the AAP who works with Northside Hospital and CHOA. Special interests include preventative medicine and infectious disease) regarding children ages 5 & older wearing face masks while exercising and general tips: Yes- children can wear masks to exercise. They can wear them as long as necessary. Exceptions to this would be medical reasons that make it dangerous to wear the mask (asthma, etc.). Masks only need to be worn when exposed to people outside the family and still need to remain 6 feet away when masks are on. Have children wash hands before putting their mask on and after taking it off. Always remove the mask from the ear loops. Masks should be placed in a bag and washed as soon as possible in the washing machine. If a child touches their mask while wearing it, have them wash their hands or use hand sanitizer.