Celtic Ceilidh Dance Academy Safety Strategies
Updated February 6, 2021
The following mandatory safety strategies will be in place at Celtic Ceilidh Dance Academy for return to in-studio classes as of February 8, 2021.
Fit for Dance (Screening for Illness)
Before coming to dance each day, all staff and students must complete the Information Screening Questionnaire to determine whether they can attend or must stay home. Students who have any symptoms noted on the questionnaire that are not previously existing conditions, cannot attend dance. Visitors permitted in our studio will also need to complete the Fit for Dance Questionnaire before entering the building.
You can access the Fit for Dance form here, and a QR code is also posted outside the studio.
People with symptoms of COVID-19 or experiencing illness will not be allowed in.
We have posters on the doors reminding people not to enter the building if they feel sick, or if they have had close contact with someone who is ill or suspected of having COVID-19.
Showing Signs of Illness While at Dance
If a dancer or staff member shows symptoms during the class, they will need to go home.
When a dancer is sick, he/she will continue to wear a mask and a studio staff member will:
- bring the student to a private area away from others, if possible, or keep them at least two metres away from others,
- contact parents or guardians to pick up their child immediately, and;
- follow health protocols around personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning and disinfecting the area.
Safety and Well-being
If there is a case of COVID-19 at Celtic Ceilidh, we will work with Alberta Health Services accordingly:
- identify cases – identify close contacts – create isolation measures when needed – provide follow-up recommendation
- a COVID-19 case will not automatically lead to closure—it could be that only the group of students and staff who came in close contact will be required to stay home for 14 days
- parents will be notified if a case of COVID-19 is confirmed here and public health officials will contact those who were in close contact with the person
- dancers will shift to online classes if they are required to self-isolate
Handwashing and Sanitizing
Everyone who enters will be required to use hand sanitizer or wash their hands. Students and staff will be required to wash and/or sanitize their hands:
- before they enter the studio classroom
- after they use shared equipment and the barre.
- before eating
Students using the washrooms prior to entering the studio will be asked to use hand sanitizer again before they enter their classroom.
We will provide hand sanitizer in each studio to support these requirements. It is also encouraged that families send their dancer with personal hand sanitizer.
We will promote proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette with verbal reminders and posters throughout the building.
Physical Distancing
Per the Alberta Health requirements, students will maintain 3 meters of physical distancing during dance class at all times.
Other controls in place include:
- Controlled atrium access: students who have a dinner break between classes will clean their atrium table before and after eating. Dancers will physically distance to allow for 1 per table. Staff will disinfect all tables at the end of each night.
- Staggered class times: to prevent crowded hallways, students are asked to quickly exit the building after class to allow for the next class to enter on time.
- Floor markers: will be placed in the atrium to allow for one student at a time to enter, sanitize and proceed to class.
- Studio spacing: each dance classroom has been taped to allow each dancer 3 meters distance. Classes and choreography will be conducted to ensure they are not directly facing each other. This way, if a student coughs or sneezes, they are less likely to cough or sneeze directly into the face of another student.
Arriving at Celtic Ceilidh
As we navigate return to classes, dancers may be assigned an entry and exit door to use.
When students arrive at the school, they will enter with the passcode at the West entrance and follow physical distancing guidelines to line up when it is time to enter the studio and wait for staff to bring them into the studio classroom.
We have scheduled staggered entry times to limit congestion.
Adults bringing students to dance must stay in their vehicle for drop off, and maintain a safe physical distance between themselves and others. Parents and guardians of children who are under the age of 7 are permitted to bring their child into the building to meet the teacher, as long as they are wearing a mask.
Those who need to enter the school for any other reason must book an appointment with the office or store.
Parents/guardians of children in preschool classes only may wait in the atrium, ensuring physical distancing.
PPE: Wearing masks
Masks are an important way to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19, particularly when people are inside and physical distancing is a challenge.
All staff and students are required to wear a mask in any area of the studio or building per Alberta legislation, with the exception of during physical exercise. Dancers may leave their masks on while dancing if they wish. This will be left to the discretion of each dance family.
Please follow the provincial health guidelines for how to choose and wear a mask.
Traffic Flow & Dressing Rooms
We will use floor dots to help students maintain physical distancing within the building.
Dressing rooms at this time are off limits and students are expected to arrive ready to dance.
Due to the nature of our winters, we realize dancers will need to place their outerwear somewhere. Dancers may bring their outwear into the dance studio, provided they have one bag or bin which all belongings fit into.
We have also paced lockers and cubbies in the front hallway. Lockers have assigned for dancers with the highest need.
Inside the Studio Classroom
To ensure physical distancing, studios have been taped off in 3-meter dance areas.
Students will wash or sanitize their hands both before and after using shared items and the dance barre.
Barres will be cleaned and disinfected after each class if they are used.
Dancers are encouraged to bring their water bottles filled from home.
Floors will be steamed once a week and cleaned and disinfected in between classes unless the same students remain for the next class.
Dance rooms are fully disinfected each night with UV lamps.
Using the Atrium
We realize some dancers must remain at the studio for a break between classes.
Safety measures for the atrium include:
- Cushions have been removed from the sofas and chairs will be spread out, limiting the number of students allowed in certain areas.
- Supervisors will monitor high-traffic areas and remind students to adhere to physical distancing protocols.
- All students must wash their hands before eating and eat only their own food. Students are not permitted to share food under provincial health guidelines.
- At this time, the microwaves will be available to students under supervision.
- The tables and chairs on the atrium deck will be cleaned and disinfected between each cohort.
Dismissal Times
We are taking measures to prevent crowding in hallways and to support appropriate physical distancing, including:
- assigning a specific exit door to each student depending on class exchange needs.
- staggering dismissal times slightly, if needed.
Considering all AHS recommendations, classes may be dismissed 5 minutes early and there will be an additional 10-minute break between classes so each studio can be cleaned and prepared for your dancer.
High-quality Resources & Hybrid Classes:
To make sure we are ready to deliver excellent online instruction throughout 2020–2021, we have invested in new televisions, cameras, computers and internet for quality online classes as required.
Dancers who are either unable to attend in person or wish to remain online will simply sign on to their Google classroom to access the Zoom link for class. If you are continuing class online, please arrive 5 minutes early so that you dance instructor can let you in to the virtual classroom on time. If you request to join after dance has begun, you may have to remain in the waiting room until the next teaching break.
Should you have any questions about these strategies, please contact us at info@celticceilidhdance.com.
