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Saturday marked our first full day of e-classes and it was amazing!  So many happy kids and families were able to take classes at home - it was heartwarming during a difficult time.  As one parent commented:  

" I am utterly AMAZED at how my girls haven’t missed even ONE dance class through this chaotic time. "

For those of you who missed class, or just want to practice more, we will be uploading the videos from Saturday and today into our new Google Classroom very soon.  You will get an email with information on how to access this content as soon as it is ready.

SPRING BREAK MARCH 27 - APRIL 3

While we won't be having regular e-classes over Spring Break, we will be providing some bonus content so we can stay connected with our Encore Family.  We know many of you are disappointed to be missing regular Spring Break activities and travelling so we want to make sure we stay connected with our Encore Family!

In the meantime, stay COVID-free, and we will see you virtually soon!

 Please know - we are NOT CLOSED!  We are open during our regular office hours :).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NafCbUuY_cQ

https://www.facebook.com/encoreperformer/videos/238263150660997/

 COVID-19 UPDATE - today in Power Point just to keep it interesting ... :). 

We continue to assess our operations on a day-to-day basis. As of this update, we are planning to continue operations for Tuesday, March 17th with the extra protocols for COVID in place. We also continue to respect your decision not to attend and support whatever you decide. There is no judgment from Encore on that decision. 

We also continue to plan for life to return to ‘normal’, working hard to create and implement all the new online access for continuity of programming. We are confident that we will be able to provide the students with high quality virtual classes that will provide a continuation of the technical knowledge and choreography we’ve been working on in class. Even if we remain open and your child continues to attend classes you will have access to the online content so students can continue to practice so they won’t ‘miss a beat’. The aim is for a seamless return to normal activities and scheduling in a few weeks’ time.

We are also looking at offering bonus content at no extra charge. Some ideas we are currently working on:

• Free online stretch classes
• Virtual talent show
• “Open mic” online support sessions to help kids stay connected and reduce the feeling of isolation

Please email us with any other ideas that would help to support your family with content that keeps the kids active and engaged. office@encoreperformer.com

We will postpone billing for costume balances for the time being in an effort to make the best of the current stress we are all facing for the next few weeks. Please note as we continue to ensure seamless providing of services, albeit in a different format and under different circumstances, membership / tuition payments will continue to be processed to support our amazing staff for their continued service which I know many of you value. We’ve received many messages of support and appreciation – thank you! It really helps when we all bring out the best in each other and continue to show appreciation and respect.  

Lastly, #dancefromadistance– this is a hashtag started by a studio owner in New York to be used by dancers worldwide to help them feel connected during this time. Let’s let kids around the globe know they are not alone in their remote training! 

We are continuing to operate classes in our physical space. Everyone who attended this past weekend, from students to staff, took an active role in following the protocols we implemented to combat the spread of COVID.

According to Health Canada:

At this time, the public health risk associated with COVID-19 is low for the general population in Canada but this could change rapidly. There is an increased risk of more severe outcomes for Canadians:

· aged 65 and over

· with compromised immune systems

· with underlying medical conditions

Here is some parent feedback about our current decision to stay open with new protocols in place: 

“I appreciate the studio staying open and giving families the choice whether to attend or not, and the control measures being put in place. This will help give the kids some sense of normalcy in these times of everything else shutting down around them. Thank you for creating a safe and healthy environment. “

Just like bad weather, you have to feel comfortable about attending classes. It's your decision and we will support whatever you decide and place no judgment on that decision.  We're a family.

Further actions:

1. We are preparing online accessible classes to deliver to our students and families for those students not able or not comfortable attending classes. For those that continue to attend, this will be bonus material. Recital preparation will continue through these online classes so that we don’t fall behind on preparations. Our target date to commence these online classes is currently Monday, March 23rd.

2. We are preparing to start streaming Performance Division rehearsals starting Saturday, March 21st in an effort to keep all members involved in their team rehearsals should they not be able to attend physically.

3. We are offering a day camp from Monday, March 23rd – Friday, March 27th from 8-5pm daily. We're doing this in an effort to support parents who need help balancing childcare and work responsibilities. Camp is by donation only and will be capped at 20 campers per day. Registration will be on a first come first served basis. Our target date to open registration for this is Tuesday, March 17th.

4. We have added a page on our website to keep updates on our operations status. Simply go to https://encoreperformer.com and click on the bar at the top of the page to be taken to the page for easy reference on current status of operations.

5. We will continue to update and assess our operations status daily.

6. We will continue to enforce the protocols as outlined previously as preventative measures.

Thank you for your patience as we work to understand how announcements made by the government will affect our Studio and it’s upcoming events.

We have currently decided to remain open and will be assessing daily on our protocols for operation. 

At the studio:

• We would ask that parents who normally visit and come in to pick up their children drop-off outside and wait in their vehicles or return when classes are done.
• Please do not come into the studio unless it is necessary.
• Please do not bring siblings or guests into the studio unless it is necessary.
• We have stepped up the cleaning protocols and regimen at the studio.
• If any dancer OR family member exhibits ANY symptoms - please do not bring your dancer to the Studio.
• If any dancer exhibits ANY symptoms, they will be asked to leave the Studio.
• Just like bad weather, you have to feel comfortable coming.  It's your decision and we will support whatever you decide and place no judgment on that decision.  We're a family.

At this time all classes and rehearsals will continue to run on Sunday WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ELITE TEAM TRAINING. This class is being suspended temporarily because it involves having 60-70 individuals in a small space which cannot allow for safe distancing. 

We will continue to evaluate daily and through perseverance and diligence we will make it through until the virus curve has flattened.

That's the current plan and we'll send updates as we have them.

COVID 19
Things are moving so quickly I got a letter from my daughter’s school stating that they were not closing, followed up by seeing a social media post that all school are closing in a week.

I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT WE WILL OPERATE THIS WEEKEND WITH THE NEW SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE.

Please talk to your children in advance about the safety procedures we are asking to be followed for everyone’s safety.

We will reevaluate the situation daily and keep in touch.

We understand the concerns you may have about COVID-19 Coronavirus. We want to reassure you that we are taking every precaution to provide a safe and healthy environment for all participating dancers and dance families at Encore Studios. These include:

• Ballet barres and other high-touch areas in the studios including door handles, stereo knobs, etc. are being sanitized with Lysol spray and/or Clorox Wipes regularly.
• All preschool props have been sanitized and placed in a Ziploc baggie with the dancers' name on it so it will not be used by anyone else from week to week.
• All mats, yoga blocks, and other equipment have been sanitized and put away indefinitely.  If your child is in acro you are welcome to send them to class with a yoga mat for their own use only
• The content of acro classes will be adjusted for a few weeks to eliminate the need for 'spotting' various tricks.
• The staff will reduce contact when giving corrections that would normally require 'hands-on'.
• High touch areas in the lobby and other common areas including front desk surfaces, lobby door handles, bathroom fixtures, etc. are being sanitized regularly.   
• Additional hand sanitizer has been placed by each studio door to make it even more readily available than usual and all staff and students are being asked to use it when entering and exiting the studio as well as after coughing/sneezing/blowing nose/otherwise touching their face.
• There is a hand sanitizer dispenser to the right of the studio entrance by the Parent Café, and we have added additional bottles on our front desk counter-top as well.

Studio staff and families are being asked to be extra diligent in the following good health practices:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap & water after using the bathroom, before eating, after coughing/sneezing or blowing your nose, after being in contact with large numbers of people, and whenever they are soiled. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. 

We are incorporating a hand-washing song in all classes ages 3 – 6 to make this seem like fun.  We have also talked about replacing hugs and kisses with ‘pound’ing fists or elbow taps.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Take good care of yourself - getting enough sleep, staying hydrated & eating healthfully keeps your immune system strong!  Especially encourage your teen dancers with this as well!
• Make sure your child does not share their water bottle with other dancers.  *Teen Dancers*
• Stay home/keep your children home if they have a fever of 100* or higher or other symptoms of illness, and for a full 24 hours after.

Please note that sneezing and runny nose are not symptoms of coronavirus or other serious illness - they are symptoms of the common cold and/or allergies and do not require staying home.

• Stay home/keep your children home if they have been in contact with anyone suspected of having COVID-19 in the past 14 days or have traveled to the high-risk areas in the past 14 days.

Kindly note that the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as LOW for Canada. Public health risk is continually reassessed as new information becomes available. 

At this time Encore Studios remains open for normal operations, with the above precautions in place, and plans to remain open unless or until directed otherwise.  With past health epidemics such as SARS, we remained operational so we anticipate closing the studio will not be required.  HOWEVER, in the event that we are directed to close, we will have an option of streaming classes or sharing class videos so that preparations for the upcoming Stars on Stage recital can continue as planned. 

While students are experiencing flu-like symptoms, we request that you do not attend classes or rehearsals.   

We will continue to monitor the situation in relation to COVID-19 and will follow any mandatory actions issued by the government. 

Wishing you all a COVID-FREE Day!