3 August, 2020

Dear Parents and Students,

As you may be aware, we have spent the last few weeks bringing students back into our building for some small in-person camps and intensives. I have had an opportunity to work with students on maintaining distance while working through classes. I have observed how students in a wide range of levels have handled our new procedures. I’m very pleased to report that they have adapted beautifully to our new way of life as it is at the present. 

In determining how to move forward in the safest possible way during this pandemic, we have sought guidance from a trusted network of reputable dance administrators, instructors and schools around the country, as well as local physicians. 

Last week, David Justin, the Artistic Director of NWA Ballet Theatre, and I participated in a conference with two sports medicine and orthopedic specialists from UAMS: Dr. Larry Balle and Dr. Ramon Ylanan. The purpose of the conference was to have the physicians review the Covid procedures that have been put into place currently by both the Conservatory and NWA Ballet Theatre, as both entities share studio space, and as we are both determined to make the health and safety of our dancers our number one priority. 

Drs. Balle and Ylanan have had an opportunity to share their knowledge about the virus, transmission, prevention, and the best practices with regard to participating in in-person activities with various athletic groups in the community. We sought their expertise to help guide our best practices for professional and recreational dance. 

When I shared our current protocols with them, they were extremely pleased to hear all of the different precautionary measures we have taken in terms of logistics, cleanliness and distancing. But their recommendation is that the safest operation of in-person classes at the Conservatory will be achieved by requiring all in-person students, teachers and staff to wear masks.

They spoke to concerns about mask wearing while children are exercising, and expressed that the only time they would not recommend that an athlete wear a mask was if they were participating in extremely strenuous physical activity for an extended period of time, and gave an example of marathon training/running . They also expressed that it is perfectly permissible to allow students to have "mask breaks" from time to time provided they are safely distanced from others. 

They also reiterated what I believe we all know: hand washing and sanitizing are of utmost importance. 

We are certainly focused on continuing with our cleanliness, logistics and distancing procedures. But per their recommendations and guidance, and in also researching the safety procedures implemented by our network of dance instructors and schools around the country, we have also decided to update our Covid procedures to make masks mandatory for all students, parents, teachers and staff entering our buildings, and for all students and teachers participating in in-person classes this fall.

We will continue to watch for guidance from the state government, and if/when restrictions and the masking mandate are lifted, we will reevaluate.

We realize that not all of our families will agree with this decision. If a parent or student does not wish participate in in-person classes because of the mask requirement, they have the option of transferring the student to a Zoom class option or to withdraw with no penalty and a full refund for any fees already paid toward the upcoming school year. Parents or students may contact me directly to arrange for a transfer or withdrawal.

I am currently researching the best mask options for dancers. I have personally ordered some Reebok masks to try, but over the weekend I visited a dance store that was selling these Bloch B-Safe face masks. My understanding is that these particular masks have been recommended for use by all Tulsa Ballet school students. I have purchased a package of these for my daughter to try in class, and look forward to giving feedback. 

Respectfully,

Jennifer Davis

School Principal

Dear Conservatory Family and Prospective Students,

I hope this note finds you and your family enjoying a safe and healthy summer. The schedule for the Conservatory's 2020-21 school year is now available and posted online. Early registration will open on Monday, July 27th for RETURN students previously enrolled during the 19-20 school year or 2020 summer programs. Regular registration for NEW students will commence on Monday, August 3rd. Our school year will begin Monday, August 31st.

As you consider enrollment for your child, I'd like to bring to your attention some changes we will be implementing in the interest of keeping our students as safe as possible, and allowing our families to participate in programming at their comfort level. 

~Common areas within the buildings will be closed. The lobbies, waiting areas, observation areas, ManCave and Shire will all be closed until further notice. A parent may escort their child into and out of the building before and after class, but we will not allow families to congregate/wait inside the building during classes. Additional details regarding logistics of entering/exiting the building and how to handle students' personal belongings will be addressed in detail. I have attached the procedures we will be following for the summer camps and intensives that are taking place over the next few weeks. I fully expect that I will learn a lot as we work through this first round of in-person classes, and will release the procedures for the school year once I know what might need adjusting.

~A 15-minute transition time has been built into the schedule between classes. This does not infringe upon the normal class duration. This will allow for easier entry and exit of the building with less congregation. It will allow our teachers to properly screen students on their way into class (temp checks) and to properly disinfect barres and equipment between classes. There are just a few classes that do not have the 15 minute buffer, but those instances only occur when students from the previous class make up the next class (for example: RAD 1 into Tap 1).

~All class maximum student numbers have been reduced from last year to ensure that we can keep students safely distanced (6-10 feet) from one another for the duration of the class. Class maximums have initially been set as follows:

Bentonville Studio A- 15 students

Bentonville Studio B- 11 students

Rogers Studio A- 10 students

Rogers Studio B- 7 students

Rogers Studio C- 6 students

~Students will have the option of enrolling for either in-person classes or virtual Zoom classes. Classes listed on the schedule with no asterisk will be offered in-person only. Classes marked with one asterisk (*) will be offered both in-person and accessible via Zoom. Classes marked with two asterisks (**) will be offered via Zoom only. This will allow students to participate at their comfort level. Please note: Students who enroll in in-person classes will have the option of taking a class via Zoom if they are feeling alright, but not necessarily well enough to pass the health screen for in person class. Zoom classes will also be available as make-up class options for classes missed for any other purpose. Make up classes will only be allowed in in-person classes if a reservation has been made with the school principal to ensure that class max numbers will not be exceeded. Students who enroll in Zoom classes will have the option to attend another virtual class option as a make-up if/when needed. PLEASE NOTE: When registering, if it is your desire to enroll in a virtual ZOOM option for a particular class, you will need to make sure that you select the class that specifically indicates that it is a ZOOM class. I will supply more details about what this will look like when the registration portal is all set up and registration link is sent out. Bottom line is that I will need to be able to delineate between who is enrolling to attend in-person versus who is enrolling to attend virtually via ZOOM.

~If at any point during the school year, the state government deems it necessary to close schools again, we will shift all classes to virtual learning via Zoom. 

~Registration fees of $25 per student will be assessed with the first month's tuition. However, Fanfare Fees ($35 per student) will not be assessed until it is determined that Spring Fanfare will take place. 

~ All students enrolling for in-person classes must have a COVID-19 liability waiver on file.

~ We appreciate your flexibility as we all attempt to move forward in a way that allows us to safely continue our students' dance education.

For your reference:

Jennifer J. Davis

School Principal

NWA Conservatory of Classical Ballet