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Intrepid Dance Company's

Procedures & Protocols in response to COVID-19

The following safety protocols have been developed in order to resume business as directed by the CDC and MDH.

**Updated protocols and policies (4/4/2022)

Recently the CDC has updated its guidelines on COVID-19 and is using a tracker to show the different levels of COVID transmission within the counties. Our current mitigation strategies have been effective, and levels of community transmission are decreasing. COVID positive cases are currently under the 5% positivity rate.

Intrepid Dance Company has always kept the staff, dancers, and their families in mind when working on their mitigation and guidelines.  We know that our dance community is made up of a range of school districts that attend each week.

Starting April 4th, 2022, Intrepid Dance Company will be shifting to "Optional" masking when dancers are attending their classes. This will not happen prior since we have a range of schools that have different spring breaks and I want to ensure those trips if any can happen. The following guidelines will also be effective with this change.

If your dancer attends class without a mask and someone within the classroom tests positive for COVID-19 your dancer is subject to the studio quarantine guidelines.  Those are as follows:

 

Dancers who are unvaccinated must do the following per new guidelines:

  • Quarantine 5 days and test on day 5

  • Dancers who are symptom-free can return as long as they have a negative test result - I do not feel comfortable just allowing a dancer to return to the studio without a negative test result.

  • Dancers with a negative result should still monitor themselves for any symptoms and if symptoms occur the dancer should isolate and notify the studio right away

  • Dancers should stay masked at all times in the studio unless getting a sip of water and stay apart when doing so


Dancers who are vaccinated must follow the following per the new guidelines:

  • No quarantine is required as long as they are up to date with all shots and show no symptoms (2 doses and booster if they are eligible to receive that, if they are not caught up they must follow the guidelines for unvaccinated dancers until caught up on all doses need)

  • Dancers should also test on day 5 they can return as long as they have a negative test result and are showing no signs of COVID-19. We want to do our part to slow the spread.

  • Dancers with a negative result should still monitor themselves for any symptoms and if symptoms occur the dancer should isolate and notify the studio right away

  • Dancers should stay masked at all times in the studio unless getting a sip of water and stay apart when doing so

  • If your dancer attends class with a mask and someone within the classroom tests positive for COVID-19 your dancer will not need to quarantine but monitor themselves for symptoms and you should notify the studio. 

We are proud of our families whose efforts help our dance community remain healthy by keeping kids home when they are sick and, when children do test positive for COVID, adhering to a 10-day isolation period. By taking these steps, we are prioritizing the health of our children, staff, families, and those who are immune-compromised and continuing to prioritize in-person learning. 

Intrepid Dance Company will continue to temp each child when they come to the studio and shift to cleaning our floors every other day but continue to wipe down frequently touched surfaces daily.  Our building will not be open to parents to view classes as our space is limited in viewing areas with some classes being very full this season and we want to ensure safety for everyone.  

**ADDITIONAL MITIGATION ADDED** (11/19/2021)

The current situation in Minnesota: On Tuesday, Nov. 17, State Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm announced that Minnesota is experiencing an out-of-control growth of COVID-19. Medical teams from the Department of Defense will arrive next week to relieve doctors and nurses at Hennepin County Medical Center and St. Cloud Hospital who are battling the increasing spread of COVID-19 across Minnesota.

 

With a continued uptick in cases over the last couple of weeks and our youngest population being affected more so than ever before, I want to do all that I can to slow the spread of the virus and keep your dancers, your family, and our staff safe we want to add another layer of precaution.

 

Should you be notified that your child or someone in the household has been exposed or considered a close contact with someone who has tested positive I am going to ask moving forward that those dancers stay home and utilize our virtual platform for their class. The studio should be notified by 4 PM either by email (info@intrepiddancecompanymn.com) or by texting the studio at (763) 208-0458 that your dancer will need to utilize the virtual platform to allow our staff time to get everything set up. Please state your dancer's Name and Class Day and time so that we can move as quickly as possible to make this happen for you

Covid Policies | IDC Decision Tree

**Back to Phase 2: (Starting September 13th, 2021)

UPDATE: Adopting the Universal Masking to start our 2021-2022 dance season.

Below you will find Intrepid Dance Company’s masking policy that we have adapted to start our 2021-2022 season.

Mask Policy

As we all know we are still navigating through a pandemic and working to find ways to safely move about our everyday tasks.  Intrepid Dance Company has been in contact with doctors and nurses of dancers who are currently enrolled in our dance program over the last couple of weeks at a few different hospitals and clinics. ((Abbott, North Memorial, Children’s Hospital of MN Infectious Disease Providers and American Association of Pediatrics).

Intrepid Dance Company serves a wide range of different area schools and districts and all those schools and districts have implemented the recommended Universal Masking policy set out by MDH and CDC to safely return to school and in-person classes this fall.  We feel that this is also the safest way to keep kids dancing in person versus a virtual platform if possible.  With the Universal Masking policy, we can limit shutting down and quarantining dance classes and moving the class to our virtual platform as well as limiting a certain period of quarantine based on exposures. 

Intrepid Dance Company will go back to its Phase 2 Additional Information of operations that were established for our return to dance on January 4th, 2021, which stated dancers ages 6 and above as well as our staff must be masked while in class as well as letting our dancers out of class 5 minutes early to allow for disinfecting of the dance room prior to the next class entering.  We will also be tempting all dancers entering the building and having them wash hands with soap and water or they can utilize the hand sanitizer at the front desk.  Parents will not be allowed to wait in our building but will be allowed to drop off and pick up their dancers in our younger-age classes.  Anyone entering the building will need to be masked while in our facility. 

  • All those coming through the studio door:

    • All who enter must wash hands or use hand sanitizer at the front desk before entering classrooms or the waiting area. Hand sanitizer will also be used as needed in the classroom. 

      • Disinfecting and cleaning to be done each night and with more levels of detail to all surfaces.

      • Each class will have its designated door to enter and exit the facility.

      • Dancers are required to take classes virtually if they are sick and are not allowed to come to the studio.

      • Class times have been staggered between 5 minutes to ensure the safety of transitioning students as well as sanitizing and cleaning prior to the next class coming into the studio.

Attire:

  • Proper dancewear including tights or leggings need to be worn along with proper footwear (See additional guidelines for clarification)

  • Dancers may bring a water bottle to class

  • Dancers are to go directly into their classroom, no lingering in waiting areas

Phase 3: (Starting June 21st, 2021): The studio will open to families based on MDH Recommendations. We will need all parents to still practice social distancing and if that is not maintainable we would recommend wearing a mask inside our facility. 

  • Students who have compromised immune systems will continue to practice via the virtual platform and/or have the option to wear protective gear.

  • Dancers will not be required to dance in a mask this summer, however, we are leaving the choice to our families if they wish to have their dancer participate in one and will respect the families' wishes and will allow dancer(s) to take mask breaks as needed.

  • All those coming through the studio door:

    • All who enter must wash hands or use hand sanitizer at the front desk before entering classrooms or the waiting area. Hand sanitizer will also be used as needed in the classroom. 

      • Disinfecting and cleaning to be done each night and with more levels of detail to all surfaces.

      • Dancers are required to take classes virtually if they are sick and do not come to the studio.

      • Class times have been staggered between 5 minutes to ensure the safety of transitioning students as well as sanitizing and cleaning prior to the next class coming into the studio.

      • Dancers will be allowed to leave the classroom one at a time to exit the studio through one of the two exits.

 

Attire:

  • Proper dancewear including tights or leggings need to be worn along with proper footwear (See additional guidelines for clarification)

  • Dancers may bring a water bottle to class

  • Dancers are to go directly into their classroom, no lingering in waiting areas

**Phase 2: (Starting January 4th, 2021): Additional information to Phase 2 

UPDATE: Per the new Executive Order issued by the Gov of MN, Masks are required at all times even while dancing in the studio.  

Attire:

  • Proper dancewear including tights or leggings need to be worn along with proper footwear (See additional guidelines for clarification)

  • Dancers may bring a water bottle to class

  • Dancers are to go directly into their classroom, no lingering in waiting areas

**Phase 2: (Starting July 25): Additional information to Phase 2 

UPDATE:  Per the new Executive Order issued by the Gov of MN, Masks are required to move around the building for kids ages 6 and above.  Children under the age of 5 are exempt per this new order, but we do highly recommend that they wear them if at all possible until they are safe in their social distancing boxes in the dance room.

*Phase 2: (Starting July 1): The studio will open to the instructor and small groups (10 & under including instructor) as directed by the CDC guidelines and social distancing.

  • No more than 14 allowed per dance class in Studio 2 and no more than 11 in Studio 1 including the instructor in accordance with the CDC and state regulations. Classes that need to be smaller will rotate dancers from week to week, and the class will be run simultaneously on a virtual platform.

  • Dancers cannot return to the studio until the additional waiver is signed and returned to Intrepid Dance Company

  • Only dancers, instructors, and administrative staff will be in the facility

    • We highly recommend and encourage that dancers wear a mask while in the studio to slow the spread of COVID-19, however per CDC and MDH guidelines if your dancer has trouble wearing them and/or trouble breathing in their mask it is permissible for them to remove their mask as long as social distancing is in place or dancers can stay home and take the class via our virtual platform.

      • UPDATE:  Per the new Executive Order issued by the Gov of MN, Masks are required to move around the building for kids ages 6 and above.  Children under the age of 5 are exempt per this new order, but we do highly recommend that they wear them if at all possible until they are safe in their social distancing boxes in the dance room.

    • Should you find anything in the studio guidelines, we recommend your dancer to continue via our virtual platform

    • Students who have compromised immune systems will continue to practice via the virtual platform and/or have the option to wear protective gear.

    • Parents of younger dancers can drop off at the designated studio door for their studio

  • All those coming through the studio door will be stopped to complete the entrance protocol each day.

    • Temperature is taken and recorded

    • Questions asked and recorded

    • All who enter must wash hands before entering classrooms and will need to sit on a star placed on the floor to adhere to proper social distancing. The sanitizer will also be used during class as needed. Each room will be assigned a designated bathroom that can be used only by those dancers and staff.

    • Disinfecting and cleaning of each room will be done prior to the next class coming into the studio as well as each night and with more levels of detail to all surfaces.

  • Class times have been staggered between 10-15 minutes to ensure the safety in transitioning students as well as sanitizing and cleaning prior to the next class coming into the studio.

  • Dancers will be allowed to leave the classroom one at a time to exit the studio through the door they entered for their class.

Additional Guidelines:

  1. Dancers must be dressed in required dance attire. Hair to be pulled back into a ponytail or bun.

    1. Due to COVID-19 Dancewear includes:

      1. GIRLS: Leotard and tights or Tank Top and shorts

      2. BOYS: T-shirt/Tank Top and shorts

    2. All dancers comfortable with walking to and from the studio door in just their dance clothes should do so.

    3. Older dancers who aren't comfortable with that should wear the fewest additional pieces of clothing possible over their dance clothes.

    4. Absolutely NO street clothes or street shoes will be allowed in the dance rooms

  2. Small dance bags can carry only dance essentials like shoes for class and a water bottle into the dance rooms.

    1. Age 3-4 will only wear ballet slippers for both styles of dances at this time

    2. Dancers ages 5 and older will bring dance bags into the dance room & change their own shoes.

    3. If your dancer has a medically necessary item, it should be carried in another small bag and the class teacher should be notified.

  3. Dancers should bring their own water bottle.  No water fountain will be used.

  4. No food allowed in the building unless medically necessary.

    1. If food is medically necessary for the student, please contact Melissa.

  5. MASKS:

    1. Since dance is an aerobic activity and wearing a mask could cause potential problems.

      1. We highly recommend and encourage that dancers wear a mask while in the studio to slow the spread of COVID-19, however per CDC and MDH guidelines if your dancer has trouble wearing them and/or trouble breathing in their mask it is permissible for them to remove their mask as long as social distancing is in place or dancers can stay home and take the class via our virtual platform.

      2. Teachers will wear a mask if they are in proximity to the student.

      3. Mask rules will be revised as additional information is provided by the CDC and MDH

  6. Staff will utilize the 10 minutes between classes to sanitize common touchpoints.

  7. As always, dancers need to stay home if they are sick. Dancers are also asked to stay at home if anyone in their family is sick.

  8. A virtual platform will still be maintained to include those that are not comfortable with sending their dancer to the studio.

  9. Parents making payments will need to login to their parent portal to do so ONLINE or can call the studio to make that payment over the phone.

safety
safety

Studio Traffic Pattern for each room:

This plan is very important to follow to be able to adhere to the guidelines and protocols listed above

 

Studio 1 (Studio is closet to our Back Door):

 

  • Dancers will enter the back door and remove shoes and have their health check completed.

  • Dancers will place their street shoes on a colored dot in the hallway then go to wash their hands.

  • Dancers will bring only their dance shoes into the studio through the door in the hallway and set all their belongings in their colored square or on their assigned x along the wall.

  • Each dancer will be assigned a colored dance square which they are to stay in

  • When we need to go across the floor, dancers will be spread out 6 ft apart

  • When class is finished dancers will gather their belongings and will be allowed to leave the classroom one at a time to exit the studio through the door they entered for their studio.

  • Zoom will still be offered for those not ready to return to in-person classes at the studio

 

**IMPORTANT NOTE** Dancers are NOT allowed to hug or touch hands while in the studio to help keep dancers and their families safe.

 

 

Studio 2 (Studio closest to the windows/Douglas Drive):

 

  • Dancers will enter the back door and remove shoes and have their health check completed.

  • Dancers will place their street shoes on a colored dot in the hallway then go to wash their hands.

  • Dancers will bring only their dance shoes into the studio through the door in the hallway and set all their belongings in their colored square or on their assigned x along the wall.

  • Each dancer will be assigned a colored dance square which they are to stay in

  • When we need to go across the floor, dancers will be spread out 6 ft apart

  • When class is finished dancers will gather their belongings and will be allowed to leave the classroom one at a time to exit the studio through the door they entered for their studio.

  • Zoom will still be offered for those not ready to return to in-person classes at the studio

 

**IMPORTANT NOTE** Dancers are NOT allowed to hug or touch hands while in the studio to help keep dancers and their families safe.

Studio 2 Layout
Studio 2 Layout
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