COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR IN STUDIO CLASSES AT THE YORK DANCE ACADEMY

The York Dance Academy has been in contact with the provincial government, municipal governments and the York Region Heath Department to confirm that we are following recommended safety protocols and we have approval and support from the towns of Aurora, Newmarket and Stouffville to open our studio doors!

  • Our administrative staff will wash their hands upon entering the studio. If they feel ill, they will be asked to stay home. They will wipe down all surfaces that will be touched by anyone entering the studio including all door handles, faucets; sinks, toilets and flush handles, soap dispensers, barres and any equipment that will be used during the classes that day such as mats and fitness balls.
  • All high touch surfaces and floors will be disinfected between class changes.
  • All administrative staff will practice social distancing while at the studio by remaining behind the desk once classes have started as much as possible.
  • Teachers and staff have been trained in COVID-19 safety protocols.
  • Teachers and staff will check their temperature multiple times throughout the day with a digital point and shoot thermometer provided by the studio.
  • Washrooms will be monitored by administrative staff and cleaned after each use. Students will request a washroom break and teacher will contact staff  to let them know it needs to be cleaned.
  • Students will wait outside with a parent/guardian, spaced six feet apart and will be asked a series of simple screening questions prior to entering the studio. Face masks are to be worn upon arrival and until screening questionnaire and temperature check with a digital point and shoot thermometer has been completed by a YDA administrative staff member and access to the studio has been approved. Students are encouraged to wear their mask while inside the facility; however, are not required to wear it while dancing.
  • In the event you have forgotten something, PPE will be available for students and staff at the studio.
  • Upon entering, students will be directed to use the provided hand sanitizer. They will also wash and sanitize hands before leaving. In addition, there will be opportunities to sanitize hands during class.
  • Students are encouraged to arrive to class already dressed in their dance uniform and have their dance shoes ready to change into at the front door.
  • Students are encouraged to keep personal belongings at home and only bring what is needed for class to the studio. A secure area will be provided for dance bags in the studio.
  • Students asked to bring two full water bottles with them to class. Filling of water bottles will not be permitted and any bottles left at the studio will be thrown away at the end of the night for sanitary reasons.
  • To ensure proper physical distancing when the use of multiple studios is required in Newmarket and Aurora, YDA has three separate entrances at the Newmarket location. Our lower level (studio C) has its own entrance and exit as well as two washrooms; our upper level (studios A and B) will be separated by a partition leaving each studio its own entrance, exit and washroom. Our Aurora location also has two separate entrances and exits with each studio having two washrooms. Further information on where students will be entering the building will be confirmed prior to the first day of class. Our Stouffville location has one studio and does not require multiple entrances.
  • Increased cleaning and disinfecting measures will be implemented outside of studio hours.
  • Physical distancing stickers and signage related to COVID-19 protocols will be placed around the studio as a reminder to follow safety guidelines.
  • Studio floors have been marked with tape and are larger than the recommended 6 x 6 foot squares, providing dancers more space to move and further distance themselves from others.
  • The perimeter of the room will also be marked with 6 foot spaces so that dancers can maintain social distance as they practice one by one across the floor exercises if applicable.
  • Students will be given a mat and/or fitness ball to use when needed for classes. These items will be disinfected prior to and following each use.
  • Class sizes have been reduced to follow provincial health and safety guidelines.
  • Classes will be scheduled back to back as much as possible so students taking multiple classes can stay in the same room and teachers will move between studio rooms.
  • Some class times may be reduced by approximately 10 minutes in order to accommodate the cleaning and disinfecting protocols between classes. The back to back schedule will help to reduce the need for this as well.
  • The studio lobby and viewing areas will be closed until further notice. Dancers will need to be picked up at the designated studio entrance immediately after class.
  • All choreography and training will be designed to comply with physical distancing guidelines but also be flexible so that it can revert to a less socially distanced format whenever that time comes.
  • If for any reason you are not comfortable or confident in these safety measures being taken at our studio, please contact us for clarification or keep your child home.
  • The following families should keep their dancers home:
    • Anyone uncomfortable with sending their child to the studio for any reason at this time. We have Zoom class options!
    • Anyone with a dancer or family member that feels ill.
    • Anyone living with an immunocompromised family member.
    • Anyone living or interacting with elderly people on a regular basis.