Friday, 30 October 2020

MSD - COVID -19 UPDATE

MCCONNELL IRISH DANCE - COVID 19 UPDATE

Today Manitoba Health has announced Winnipeg will be moving to Provincial Response Level Red beginning, Monday, November 2nd, 2020.

In previous Public Health Orders Dance Studios have fallen under their own category, separate from Gyms / Fitness Centres and Sport / Recreational Activities. At this time it is unclear as to how the orders will affect dance studios in Winnipeg. With this in mind, we have been advised to wait for release of the Public Health Orders to determine how best to proceed.

We will remain open for regularly scheduled classes and Berkshire Feile tapings in Winnipeg and Brandon until Sunday, November 1st, 2020.

Should Manitoba Health Guidelines direct us to suspend in-person classes temporarily, we are well prepared to transition to Zoom on-line for all classes. We have two studios equipped with Webcams for instructors and assistants ready to work individually with students in Zoom Breakaway Rooms.

Once the Manitoba Health Orders are released, we will advise you of any further changes.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Thank you,

Shayleen McConnell Finucan (ODCRN)

Sunday, 4 October 2020

MSD - OCTOBER 2020 NEWS

MONTHLY UPDATES

OCTOBER 2020

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS
SCHOOL NEWS COVID-19 UPDATE IMPORTANT DATES STUDENT PORTAL & WEBSITE
SICK? STAY HOME & ZOOM IN SOCIAL MEDIA COMPETITION UPDATES
2ND HAND SHOES & COSTUMES HALLOWEEN COSTUME WEEK
SCHOOL NEWS
It's been a pleasure welcoming students for the first week of the 2020 - 2021 Season! Whether it be in-person or on-line through Zoom, we are very happy to see dancers back in class for another year of Irish dance.
We are delighted to kick off the season with our new Winnipeg studio and a return. Although we are not able to welcome parents and family at this time, we look forward to the day when we can hold a proper Open House to welcome all to our new dance home.
This season has commenced with many challenges due to Covid-19 and we wish to extend our sincere appreciation to our dancers and their families for their willingness to adapt to the changes in procedure due to the pandemic. We understand there is a lot of information to absorb with new Covid-19 policies and it can be difficult to keep up with. We understand the challenges for our dance families and we sincerely appreciate the efforts everyone is making to insure our dance environment is safe for all.
We thank you all our dancers and families for their continued support and we look forward to our 72nd Season in Canada!

COVID - 19 UPDATE
Please keep informed by reading updates prior to attending classes as procedures may change with government mandates.

COVID-19 PLAN - CLICK HERE
DROP OFF
For safety reasons, we ask all dancers to remain in their vehicles until the studio Open Sign is an instructor is at the door to meet students. It is not advisable for dancers to wait outside the studio early.
Parents are welcome to accompany dancers for line up outside, but please insure everyone is wearing a mask and physical distancing is practised at all times.
Parents are asked to wait until dancers enter the building before leaving the parking lot as we are doing health screenings for everyone entering.
PICK-UP
Please arrive 5 minutes prior to the end of class as we will be staggering exits for safety reasons.
If you're running late, we understand but PLEASE TEXT 204-793-8557 so we do not send dancers outside without someone to meet them.
DANCE BAGS
Please bring a backpack or duffle bag to contain their personal items (clothing, dance shoes, purse, cell phone).
All personal items must remain in the dance bag.
Please try not to bring any non-essential items.
MASKS
We understand wearing masks is very difficult for dancers during high energy activity and we are taking extra precautions to insure dancers have sufficient rest and water breaks. Dancers who are not able to wear a mask have the option to switch to on-line lessons until restrictions ease.
All ages - including dancers 5 & under
Line-up outside, during all dance time, and for exit.
Dancers should have their own masks with them, however if you forget, we have extras at the studio for them.
WATER BOTTLES
All dancers are encouraged to bring water bottles to class.
At this time, our water cooler is closed for use and the studio restroom cannot be used to fill water bottles.
Dancers who consume a lot of water during class are encouraged to bring large or multiple bottles with them.
Absolutely no sharing of water bottles is permitted.

DANCE SHOES & YOUNGER STUDENTS

Due to covid-19 restrictions, instructors cannot assist dancers in tying shoes. We understand this is difficult for our younger dancers and their parents but we have a few suggestions to assist.
Consider using ballet slippers (with elastic straps) instead of Irish soft shoes. We recommend black, which can use used for performances. Pink are acceptable for classes.
Use elastic instead of laces for hard and soft shoes. Both soft & hard shoes can be laced with elastic (tied off) so younger dancers can slip shoes on and off themselves.
For parents who are tying shoes at home (or in vehicles), we recommend dancers wear a larger slip on style sandal to wear over their soft shoes. This allows dancers to walk on concrete without causing damage or dirtying soft shoes while they wait for entry and exit the studio.

DATES TO REMEMBER


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OCTOBER 2020
Sunday Oct 11th, 2020 - No Classes (Thanksgiving)
Monday, Oct 12th, 2020 - No Classes (Thanksgiving)

Please note, classes will take place as scheduled on Saturday, October 31st, 2020 (Halloween)

STUDENT PORTAL & WEBSITE
The Student Account Portal allows families access to their account information, update their contact information, register for classes, pay their monthly tuition, and update payment information. Login requires a password, if you forget your password, please follow the links to re-set or contact us at info@mcconnelldancers.com for assistance.

STUDENT PORTAL

The Student's Area of the website has many useful resources including school policies, school calendar and important dates, Irish dance information, and practice resources (music & videos). The website requires a general password for entry to the student's area.

2020 - 2021 PASSWORD
mcconnell722020

STUDENT WEBSITE LOGIN


SICK? STAY HOME & ZOOM IN

We recognise dancers will be missing classes from time to time with flu season and covid-19 self isolation requirements. We appreciate dancers staying home when they (or someone in their home) aren't feeling well or are self isolating but we understand they will be missing dance class more often these days. With this in mind, we encourage all dancers to "Zoom In" to their regularly scheduled class when they aren't able to attend in person.

In preparation for students requiring Zoom classes more frequently, we have upgraded our technology at the studio to include a high definition Webcam and a large studio monitor so dancers in class can interact with those who need to zoom in to the lesson.

Please contact us in advance at info@mcconnelldancers.com to let us know when you're unable to attend in-person classes and we will send you a Zoom link to drop in to the live feed class!

SOCIAL MEDIA

We have an active social media presence and we encourage dancers and dance families to follow us and keep up to date with school activities.  Dancers and family are reminded to be respectful, positive, and kind at all times on school social media.


FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM    TWITTER YOUTUBE

FACEBOOK GROUPS
MCCONNELL IRISH DANCERS
A private group intended for current and former McConnell Irish Dance pupils to connect and stay in touch.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN GROUP

MCCONNELL IRISH DANCE BUY & SELL
A private group intended for current and former McConnell Irish Dance pupils to sell new and used dance items.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN GROUP
COMPETITIVE UPDATES

DIGITAL FEIS
Best wishes to our 14 McConnell Dancers who competed in the September 2020 Digital Feis. Results are expected within a week, so please stay tuned to your emails!
The Digital Feis scheduled for November 14th, 2020 has been CANCELLED.
All dancers are welcome to compete in Digital Feis, for more information on competitive Irish dance, please visit our the Competitive Division section of our website - CLICK HERE

CRN - CUMANN RINCE NÁISIÚNTA
We are pleased to announce CRN North American Western Region will be hosting an on-line competition at the end of October 2020.   All dancers are welcome to compete in Digital Feis, for more information on competitive Irish dance, please visit our the Competitive Division section of our website - CLICK HERE
SECOND HAND SHOES & COSTUMES
Due to Covid-19 MSDSA (McConnell School of Dance Student's Association) will not be holding an in-person 2nd Hand Shoe & Costume Sale at the studio. Instead, we have created a private group on Facebook where dancers and parents are encouraged to post their 2nd hand shoes and costumes for sale.
MCCONNELL IRISH DANCE BUY & SELL
A private group intended for current and former McConnell Irish Dance pupils to sell new and used dance items.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN GROUP

HALLOWEEN WEEK - WEAR YOUR COSTUME TO CLASS

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