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.
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.
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.
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.
STUDENT PORTAL & WEBSITE
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.
HALLOWEEN WEEK - WEAR YOUR COSTUME TO CLASS
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.
STUDENT PORTAL & WEBSITE
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.
HALLOWEEN WEEK - WEAR YOUR COSTUME TO CLASS
_20200818205458.jpg "McConnell 2020-2021 Schedule (1).jpg")
