COVID-19 INFORMATION

Now that the Traffic System has been removed, our Covid-19 guidelines are the following:

MASKS: Masks are optional for everyone, and student are welcome to wear one during the programme if they like.
DISTANCING: Physical distancing is not required, but we know everyone has different levels of comfort. We ask that you be mindful of others, and don't stand too close while talking.
IF YOU / YOUR CHILD TESTS POSITIVE: We ask you to please use common sense - if someone in your household has tested positive for covid-19 and your child/ren has symptoms (even with a negative test), please don't bring them to the programme.

Student and staff health and safety is a key priority for Initiate Dance. We have been (and will continue) keeping a close eye on regulations and advice around implementing the Covid-19 Protection Framework, also known as the Traffic Light System.

IMPORTANT: Below are the guidelines for the old Traffic Light system, and are no longer in use...

Below we have outlined the key measures we will have in place to protect our students, families and staff safe. As regulations and advice changes, this page will be updated. Our guidelines are informed by Unite against Covid-19 and Exercise NZ.

Please ensure you are familiar with the guidelines on this page, and check the page occasionally for any changes.

Vaccine Passports:

Following recent updates to Government guidelines, vaccine passes are not required for any students, staff and families. Parents/caregivers are able to enter our venues for pick up/drop off and sign in/out. We recommend keeping a 1 metre distance to others where possible.

Masks - in ORANGE LEVEL:

Parents/caregivers/family aged 12+ years old and over are encouraged to wear masks if not attending the class/programme, such as during drop off/pick up.
It is optional for students to wear masks during the programme/classes.
All staff will wear masks during sign in & out. Staff will not be required to wear masks during the holiday programme, or when teaching at afterschool classes.

WE ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN KEEPING EACH OTHER SAFE:

Parents/caregivers

Drop off and pick up students at assigned times
Masks are encouraged but optional
Sign your child/ren in to the programme/class
Keep a 1 metre distance from other families
Parents/caregivers are welcome to come into the venue during pick up/drop off. An waiting area will be set up for after school classes.
Advise staff of any late drop off or early pick up.
Parents/caregivers must be available to pick up their child/ren if the student gets any covid-19 symptoms during the programme/classes. It is recommended to then get a covid-19 test and phone healthline for further advice.

Students

Students aged 12+ years are encouraged to wear a mask when arriving and leaving the programme
Sanitise or wash your hands on arrival
Name your drink bottle and come with your own lunch
Place your drink bottle and belongings in the designated area
Masks are optional for students during the programme/classes, and we support any student who would like to wear one
Sanitise or wash your hands at the beginning and end of breaks, and when using games and colouring pens (we recommend bringing your own pencil case)
Keeping a 1 metre distance from other students/staff is encouraged when possible
Contact with other students will be minimised during 'Orange' – ‘air high-fives’ only!
Students cannot come to the programme/class if they are unwell, showing any Covid-19 symptoms, or if they are a household contact.

Teachers/staff

Teachers will not come to class if they are unwell, or if they are a household contact
Teachers/staff will sanitise/wash their hands on arrival and frequently throughout the programme
Teachers will encourage personal hygiene etiquette
Teachers/staff may be wearing masks during the programme, but are not required to
Contact during teaching and class content will be minimised during 'Orange'
Commonly touched items/surfaces will be sanitised before, during and after each day/term class.
If a student becomes unwell during the programme/class, our staff will contact the parent/caregiver immediately for pick up.

Venue Information

We are using shared/hired spaces for our holiday programme and after school classes, so other people may be onsite. However, we will endeavour to keep the students separate from these groups as much as possible. The venue owners will be responsible for the cleaning of the venues, however we will sanitise commonly touched surfaces before, during and after each day/term class, and will notify the venue manager if further cleaning is required. We will also aim to keep the venue space well ventilated.

What happens in my child/ren has covid-19 during the programme/class?

Students cannot come to the programme if they have ANY covid-19 symptoms, including if you have a negative covid-19 test - even if the student has a cold, spreading cold/flu symptoms can put other families at risk of needing to get tested and take time of work.
If a student has symptoms during the programme/classes, our staff will phone the parent/caregiver for immediate pick up. We recommend phoning Healthline for further advice.
The student can return to the programme once their symptoms have ceased (and any isolation period has been completed if appropriate).
Parents need to ensure they have a way to collect their child/ren early during the programme/classes if needed. In a case where students cannot be picked up immediately, our staff will endeavor to keep the student(s) separate with a different activity (ie. a colouring activity/watching class) until they can be collected.
An online option will be given to after school class students who are required to isolate in the form of recordings of the class and breakdowns of the dances, and zoom if possible.

Programme/Class Cancellations and Refunds

We have tried to offer a refund policy with both families and staff in mind, particularly given the uncertainty Covid-19 brings. Please ensure you are familiar with the refund policy when booking.

Holiday Programmes

If the holiday programme is cancelled due to health & safety restrictions/circumstances (such as Covid-19) more than 72 hours before the first day of the week, a full refund will be given to all students/families.
If the holiday programme is cancelled due to health & safety restrictions/circumstances (such as Covid-19) less than 72 hours before the first day of the week, the programme will shift to online/at-home delivery and a 50% refund will be given. The online/at-home programme will consist of a mixture of live stream (Zoom) and recorded classes.
If the holiday programme is cancelled on or after the first day of the week due to health & safety restrictions/circumstances (such as Covid-19), the programme will shift to online/at-home delivery and no refunds will be given. The online/at-home programme will consist of a mixture of live stream (Zoom) and recorded classes.

After School Classes

If after school classes are unable to go ahead in person due to health & safety restrictions/circumstances (such as Covid-19), classes will either shift to online (zoom and/or pre-recordings) or be cancelled (depending on the circumstances around restrictions and teaching staff at the time). If they shift to online, no refund will be given. If they are cancelled, a class credit may be given at a pro-rata rate.

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