Studio Reopening: Parent & Student Guidelines
As we move to reopen the studio on July 13 for summer classes and September 21 for the fall session, we want to share some guidelines to help you understand the changes that must be made in the wake of COVID-19. Please review the below guidelines and sign and return a copy of this to the studio prior to your first day back in the space. Click here to download a copy of our policies.
Protocols may change as safety guidelines and restrictions are modified. Personal Health Assessments
We request that parents perform frequent health assessments on students by taking their temperature frequently, especially the day that they are scheduled to come to class. If a student’s temperature is above 100.4 degrees, we ask that parents do not send their child to class for the next two weeks, and instead schedule make ups after a two week period of time.
If a student is experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea, we ask that parents do not send their child to class for the next two weeks, and instead schedule make ups after a two week period of time.
If a student or someone in their household comes in contact with someone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, we ask that parents do not send their child to class for the next two weeks, and instead schedule make ups after a two week period of time.
Personal Protective Equipment
We request that students and anyone assisting with drop off wear a mask prior to and during entering and exiting the studio. If a student needs a mask, they will be available for sale at the studio for $1. Students are not required to wear a mask during their dance class, and will be instructed to take their mask off once they are safely distanced from the other students in the classroom.
Sanitizer and hand soap will be available at the studio. We ask that parents remind their child to wash their hands and/or sanitize with sanitizer upon entering and exiting the building, after contact with a teacher or student, after touching a prop, barre, and/or equipment, a trip to the bathroom, etc. Teachers will also encourage frequent hand washing and sanitizing in the classroom.
Student Safety in the Classroom
Students will be assigned an area, six feet from the next, to place their dance bag, water bottle, and other belongings. This area is the only area students will come in contact with when changing their shoes, getting a drink, etc. A teacher will help the children as needed with shoe changes at their specific area, and will wear a mask when getting close to a child.
Dots or place markers will be placed on the ground, six feet from the next, when students are doing work in the center of the classroom. Students will be encouraged to stay in their spot unless otherwise instructed by their teacher.
Dots or place markers will be placed on the ground, six feet from the next, when going across the floor or when using the ballet barre. Students will be encouraged to stay in their spot unless otherwise instructed by their teacher.
Teachers will sanitize all props and mats both before and after use in the classroom to provide a safe environment for children. No outside toys or props should be brought into the classroom by a student.
Music students will wait in their cars until the teacher comes to the door to get them. There is a Plexiglas barrier between the teacher and student. The teacher will sanitize the keyboard and barrier before and after each class.
Classroom Exit
Teachers will start lining students up to leave class between 5-10 minutes prior to the end of the class, depending on size and age in the classroom. Students will be instructed to return to their areas, pack their belongings, put on their masks, and wait to line up.
Students will line up to leave out the classroom door in Studios A & B and out the main door in Studio C. Parents are asked to wait outside. A teacher will walk students to the exit into the parking lot to their parents. We ask that parents and caregivers make every effort to arrive 5-10 minutes prior to your child’s scheduled class pick up to ensure a seamless transition.
In the case that the parent or caregiver is going to be late for pick up, please call the studio to alert them. In the case that you will be late to pick up, the student will wait in the office with the office staff in Studios A & B or in the waiting room in Studio C with the classroom door open. Upon pick up, please again call the studio, and either a teacher or office staff member will bring your child out to the car.
Classroom Clean Up
Teachers will use the time between classes to sanitize anything that we used during class. This includes barres, areas, props, mats, and bathrooms.
Classroom Entrance
Teachers will bring students into the classroom via the classroom door in Studios A & B and out the main door in Studio C after the space has been cleaned and emptied of the previous class. Students will be instructed to immediately go to their areas for the start of class.
We are so very grateful for all of our students and families. Guidelines may be ever-changing as the situation evolves, so we ask for your flexibility and patience as we work through these new systems.
Studio Policies
Registration An annual non-refundable fee is required at registration. Sibling registration is free. Classes are confirmed with completed registration including payment plan. By registering, I authorize the Studio to electronically debit my bank account or credit card. Payment of Fees Tuition is paid by automatic bank account or credit card, Visa or MasterCard. Our preferred method of payment is checking account. Debit cards are not accepted. All withdrawals occur on the 1st of the month. The annual tuition for dance and music lessons is based on 30 regular classes for the period of September- June. Monthly fee equals 1/10 of the annual fee and is not based on number of weeks/classes in a month. All holidays and vacations have been accounted for. There are no refunds for missed classes or inclement weather closings. The first and last tuition payments must be paid by September 1st. October – May monthly tuition payments are due by the first of the month. Any NSF transactions will incur a $20 NSF fee.
Recital All students are automatically registered for the recital. If a student is not participating in the recital, a Recital Non-Participation form must be filled out by guardian, by October 31st. If a form is not filled out by October 31st, the account on file will be charged for costumes. No student or class is permitted to perform choreography or use costumes in any outside venue before the recital or end of competition season. All families receive a practice music file of recital songs, two recital tickets per child performing in the show, and a digital file of the recitals they perform in for free! ($90.00 value!) Costumes Fees Costume fees will be charged to the automatic bank account or credit card, V/MC on file. Competition & Performing Group costume charges occur on September 15th. Recital costume charges occur on November 15th. Costume fees are non-refundable once charged. Withdrawal and Refunds A one-month notice from the 1st of the month is required to discontinue any class. Withdrawal must be done with the school office, not the teacher. There are no refunds for withdrawals after March 1st; if a student withdraws after March 1st the account on file will be charged for the balance of the year’s tuition. There are no refunds for missed lessons. Dance students are permitted five make-up lessons per class, per season. Make-up lessons cannot be transferred from season to season, siblings or other programs. Make-up classes are available through April 15th. Mandatory Closure Should classes have to go online due to the guidance from the Governor of the State of NJ, we will follow the same class schedule. Tuition will remain the same. Private Lessons Cancellations and rescheduling must be made 48 hours prior to the scheduled lesson. Private lessons may be rescheduled up to two times a year. Rescheduling must be done with the same teacher based on their availability. "No shows" are not eligible for make-ups and there are no credits for missed lessons. Inclement Weather It is the parent's responsibility to go to our Facebook page or call the studio one hour prior to class time for information on school closings. Make up classes may be taken. Dress Code Required dancewear and dance shoes must be worn to all classes. Leotard colors: PS/PK pink, K/1 lavender, Grade 2&up black. Shoe colors: pink ballet, tan flat tap shoes, tan jazz shoes, tan lyrical turners. Boys wear all black shoes. Students are not permitted to wear street clothes or street shoes. Any dancewear or shoes that you need are carried in Sharon's Store. Click here to download dance shoe requirements for each class. Parent/Guardian Responsibility I agree to have my child dressed appropriately for class. I agree to drop off and pick up my child on time. I also agree to regularly check the studio calendar to ensure I am informed on dates and events. I agree to inform the studio of any address, telephone number or account changes. Photo Release The school is hereby granted permission to take photographs and/or videos of the students to use in brochures, web sites, posters, advertisements and other promotional materials the school creates. Permission is also hereby granted for the school to copyright such photographs in its name. Class Size A minimum of six students is required to keep a class open.
Waiver
By voluntarily participating in SSD&M in studio and/or zoom online programming, you acknowledge that all exercises and dance are undertaken at your own risk and unconditionally release the studio from all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law. SSD&M endeavors to provide safe, effective, and high-quality programs but makes no warranty or guarantee that specific services, products, methods, workouts, recommendations, or routines will be safe, effective, or suitable for everyone. Since dance and fitness classes/programs/events/instruction may involve strenuous physical activity, we recommend having a physician’s approval prior to participating. By electing to take part in our live or virtual programs, you either have obtained such approval or accept the risk inherent in engaging in physical activities. Even if done correctly and with proper attention to safety, fitness activities and the use of training/fitness equipment involves the risk of aggravating known or unknown pre-existing conditions, serious injury, permanent disability, or death. Risks include, but are not limited to broken bones, strained or torn muscles, herniated discs/spinal injuries, heart attacks, heatstroke/exhaustion, and any other soreness or illness. Risks of injury are particularly pronounced in a virtual setting where you are exercising on your own, without real-time supervision from our trained staff and in a location over which we have no control. SSD&M contractors are not physicians, nor do not hold ourselves out to possess professional expertise in medical matters. Any guidelines, programs, or advice provided are not intended to be construed as a treatment for any medical or physiological condition and carry no express or implied warranty of any kind. For all of these reasons, anyone participating in our programs (virtual or in-person) assumes and accepts all responsibility for their actions and physical conditions. Further, you waive, release, and discharge SSD&M contractors from any and all liability now or in the future. This includes any claims, damages, expenses, demands or causes of action for injuries or death; loss, damage or theft of personal property; or negligence that may be in any way connected to your voluntary participation in SSD&M programs/instruction (whether in-person or virtual), recommendations, equipment or property conditions, no matter where such damages may occur. I have read and fully understand and agree to the above terms of this Liability Waiver Agreement. I am signing this agreement voluntarily and recognize that my name serves as a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law in the State of New Jersey.