Stambusky Studios—COVID-19 Policies and Waiver

Due to the ongoing conditions surrounding COVID-19, the decision to return to in-person dance classes at Stambusky Studios carries an inherent risk.  The following guidelines, based on guidance published and mandated by the Governor of California, the Yolo County Department of Public Heath, and the Centers for Disease Control, are intended to help mitigate some of that risk.  However, they should not be assumed to eliminate the risk of contracting COVID-19 entirely.  By electing to return to in-studio classes, you are acknowledging and accepting this risk of transmission.

In an attempt to minimize the risk of transmission, we—parents, dancers, and studio teachers all have responsibilities, which are summarized at the end of this document.  Willful failure to act in accordance with these responsibilities puts all studio families at risk and is cause for permanent dismissal of the student or teacher from the studio.  In the event of student dismissal for failure to adhere to Stambusky Studio COVID-19 Policies, there will be no tuition refund.

In the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 by a student or staff member:

  • Families will be notified of potential exposure

  • The studio will close temporarily for deep cleaning

  • Classes will be conducted via “Zoom” or other digital platform during the temporary shutdown

Stambusky Studios recognizes that our protocols may be more stringent than what your family typically practices.  However, Stambusky Studios has deemed them necessary to support the safety of students, parents, and teachers who may be in a known at risk-group, immunocompromised or living with/taking care of someone who is immunocompromised.  The protocols outlined below, along with any future protocols deemed necessary, are non-negotiable.  

Finally, the COVID-19 situation is fluid.  Based on evolving public guidance and mandates from the Governor of California, the Yolo County Department of Public Heath, and the Centers for Disease Control, Stambusky Studio COVID-19 Policies may also need to evolve and circumstances may change.  This may include further shelter-in-place mandates, which would necessitate conducting dance classes via a digital platform.  By electing to sign up for in-person classes at Stambusky Studios, you are acknowledging that there may be a need to switch to digital (“Zoom”) classes and there will be no tuition refund should your child elect not to participate in the digital classes.

Student Protocols

Before Arriving at the Studio

  • Dancers must bring their own face coverings to the studio.  Face coverings must:

    • Fully cover the nose and mouth and secure under the chin

    • Fit snugly, but comfortably against the side of the face

    • Be secured with ties or ear loops allowing dancers to move freely

    • Neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas, and face coverings containing valves, mesh material, or holes of any kind are not considered acceptable face coverings

  • Dancers must bring their own FILLED water bottles to the school.  There will be no refilling of bottles at the water station.

  • Dancers should be encouraged to use the bathroom before leaving home.  Use of the bathroom will be strongly discouraged unless it is an emergency.

    • High touch surfaces in the bathroom will be sanitized by a teacher after each use.

  • Dancers should come to the studio dressed in dancewear.  Changing in the bathroom will be strongly discouraged.

  • Dancers should bring only what’s necessary for class—dance shoes and water bottle.  All excess belongings should be left at home.

While at the Studio

  • Dancers will be allowed into the studio five minutes before class start (e.g. dancers may enter the studio at 3:55 pm for a 4pm class)

    • Please note, there will not be adult supervision available outside the studio/outside of class time. 

  • Dancers, parents, siblings, and those accompanying students to the studio will be expected to practice physical distancing, 6 feet between members not living in the same household, while waiting for class to start

  • Parents, siblings, or other people accompanying students to the studio will not be permitted to enter.

  • To encourage ventilation, the studio door will remain open when students are present.

  • Temperature will be taken at the studio door before entry into the studio.  Dancers with a temperature of 100.4° F or higher will not be permitted to enter and will be required to go home.

  • To promote physical distancing, dancers will be assigned a location for their belongings in the lobby and a square of designated floor space.  These will be their designated spaces for the duration of the season.

  • Upon entering the studio, dancers will sanitize their hands, deposit their belongings in their assigned location, change into their dance shoes, and go straight to the bathroom to wash their hands for 20 seconds.  Once hands are washed, dancers are to go to their designated physically distanced floor space and wait quietly for class to start.

  • Breanne’s office is off limits to students until further notice.

During Class

  • Face coverings will be required when taking class, until further guidance is issued by the State of California and Yolo County Department of Public Health

  • Dancers will be expected to remain in their designated physically distanced floor space for the duration of class, unless otherwise directed by a teacher

  • Dancers must ask permission to use the bathroom.  When finished, dancers must wash hands for 20 seconds and return directly to class.

  • Students will be dismissed in small groups to get water from their personal water bottle.  Once finished drinking, they must immediately put their face covering back on and sanitize their hands.

Leaving the Studio

  • Dancers will be encouraged to sanitize their hands as they exit the studio

  • Dancers must wear their face covering when leaving the studio

  • Dancers are expected to be picked up promptly.  They will not be able to wait in the lobby of the studio as teachers will be required to fully disinfect the studio before the next class.  Adult supervision will not be provided for dancers waiting outside the studio.

As stated earlier, we—the teachers, dancers, and parents all have responsibilities to support Stambusky Studios to promote a safe environment for conducting in-person classes.  Adhering to these guidelines will help minimize the risk of transmission and keep our dancers, teachers, and studio families safe.

Teacher’s Responsibilities

  • Each day before arriving at the studio, teachers shall ensure that they are symptom free without the use of temperature altering medications, such as Tylenol.  

  • If the teacher feels ill or has a temperature above 100.4°F, they will not be permitted to enter the studio or teach until symptoms subside and they are able to provide the studio owner with a medical released by a doctor that indicates they may resume teaching.

    • If a teacher feels ill or develops a temperature above 100.4°F during class, it is their responsibility to immediately notify the studio owner and to remove themselves from the studio.  If another teacher is not immediately available at the studio, the teacher shall socially distance all dancers outside the studio and notify all parents to pick up their dancer(s); the teacher will not leave students alone without a Stambusky Studios employee.  All remaining classes for the day will be conducted via “Zoom” or another digital platform and the studio building will be temporarily closed for deep cleaning. 

  • Teachers will wear their face covering while at the studio, taking care to make sure it covers both the nose and mouth at all times

  • Teachers will disinfect high touch surfaces in the bathroom after each use

  • Teachers will disinfect the dance floor between classes

  • Teachers will be in regular communication with parents regarding updates to the Student Protocols or changes to local, State, or Federal guidance/mandates.

Dancer’s Responsibilities

  • Each day before arriving at the studio, dancers shall ensure that they are symptom free without the use of temperature altering medications, such as Tylenol.  

  • If the dancer feels ill or has a temperature above 100.4°F, they will not be permitted to enter the studio until symptoms subside and they are able to provide the studio owner with a medical release from a doctor that indicates they may return to in-person classes.

    • If the dancer feels ill or develops a temperature above 100.4°F during class, it is their responsibility to immediately notify the teacher.  They will be removed from class and isolated, with supervision, near the open studio door until a parent or other approved guardian arrives to pick up the student.  Every effort will be made to continue class outside in a safe and physically distant manner.

  • Dancers will wear their face covering while at the studio, taking care to make sure it covers both the nose and mouth at all times.

  • Dancers have read the Stambusky Studios COVID-19 policies and have discussed their responsibilities with a grownup and are aware of their responsibilities

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

  • It is the responsibility of the parent to help monitor their dancer for symptoms of COVID-19.

  • By consenting to in-person classes at Stambusky Studios, the parent agrees not to use fever-altering medications, such as, but not limited to, Tylenol, to reduce their dancer’s fever such that it is below 100.4°F before bringing their dancer to the studio.

  • The parent shall notify the studio owner if their child has been in close contact with a COVID-positive individual or an individual suspected to have COVID-19.  The student will not be permitted in the studio for fourteen days after exposure, but will have the option of attending their regularly scheduled classes via “Zoom” or another digital platform.

  • It is the responsibility of the parent to be prompt when dropping dancers off and picking dancers up from class.  Because of enhanced cleaning procedures, adult supervision will not be available before/after classes.

  • In the event that the parent’s dancer is taken ill during class, the parent must make immediate arrangements to have their dancer picked up so as to limit exposure time of other students.


High Risk Activities

Finally, should the student to participate in a high-risk activity, they will be asked to refrain from entering the studio for fourteen days after the activity.  High risk activities are those that involve prolonged exposure to individuals from outside the student’s immediate family.  These activities may include, but are not limited to traveling by plane, train, or ship or attendance at an amusement park, water park, or concert.  As noted, these are merely examples of high-risk activities and ultimately the discretion lays with the Director of Stambusky Studios, Breanne Stambusky.  If you are uncertain whether an activity qualifies as “high-risk,” please contact Breanne.