How will you sanitize?

In the new schedule we have allowed time to clean/sanitize each studio between classes. We will be enhancing cleaning of high touch surfaces in restrooms as well. Hand sanitizer, soap, paper towels and tissues will be widely available throughout the studio for dancers and staff. Frequent hand washing will also be encouraged among students and staff.

What is your policy on masks/face coverings?

It is the expectation that face coverings will be worn where social distancing may be a challenge. When entering and exiting the studio face coverings should be worn. Face coverings are not required by the state of Arkansas while exercising and maintaining proper social distancing. We have set up the studios to be compliant with these guidelines so that students do not have to wear face coverings while active and dancing. We encourage cloth face coverings when practical while at the dance studio, such as going to the restroom in the middle of classes. Personal masks/face coverings can be worn, or RCDC can provide for those who do not have one and wish to wear one. The use of masks/face coverings is strongly recommended, especially when social distancing cannot be achieved.

What is the plan for social distancing in the classroom & during instruction?

We will be using a variety of systems in the classroom to keep dancers spaced.

1. Floor Grids
2. Dance bag storage in multiple locations - spaced apart
3. Colored Spots on the floor for guidance

What is the health screening process when I arrive?

When your dancer arrives to the studio, they will enter through their assigned door. A staff member or teacher will greet the dancer and ask the following health screening questions. We ask parents to take their dancer's temperature prior to coming to dance. Anyone entering the building must answer no to all the following questions to be allowed entry (per: Arkansas Department of Health) 1. Have had a fever of 100.4°F or greater in the last 2 days 2. Have a cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell 3. Had contact with a person known to be infected with COVID-19 within the previous 14 days. Since we have a zoom make-up class program, your children will not miss out on dance instruction if you act cautiously in keeping them home if they are not feeling well.

Are food & drinks allowed inside the studio?

At this time only water is allowed in the dance studio spaces. For competitive dancers who are present more than 3 hours in an evening, snacks and or a small dinner may be brought in their dance bag. There will be no kitchen or microwave available to use. Delivered food will not be accepted at the front desk (ex Bitesquad, Post-mates, etc).

Can I watch my dancer in class?

To maintain proper social distancing and allow space for dancers to enter the classroom safely, the lobby will be closed to parents and outside guests. Parents may escort their dancer to the classroom but are encouraged to please exit and wait in their car to make room for the next group of dancers entering the building. Preference in the lobby waiting space will be given to dancers who are participating in classes. While we know that parents want to stay and watch their dancer on our closed circuit camera system, by limiting the lobby we can effectively limit the amount of close contact between students, parents and staff during high-traffic situations and keep our community safe and keep our studio open for business. To give parents a behind the scenes look into the classroom, we will have our staff photographer in the classroom several times annually to capture images. We will also open the lobby back up to parents waiting, when it is safe to do so and the threat of COVID-19 has passed.

How do I know which door to enter through?

The week before your class begins (or upon registration if you are starting after 9/8/20) you will receive an email with detailed instructions. Each class is assigned an entry door. At the class start time, the door will be opened by a staff member and dancers will be welcomed into Rock City Dance Center. Teachers will escort students back to their assigned door for exit. We ask that dancers arrive just before their class start time, and be picked up on time. This will help limit congestion and the amount of close contact. If a dancer arrives late, they will need to enter through the lobby and check in at the front desk.

How are teachers & employees being screened?

Staff must have their temperature checked by digital thermometer prior to entry. They will also be subject to health screening and testing when necessary. RCDC staff will not be allowed to enter the studio if they are sick. Staff will also be assigned to specific "zones" within the studio and not be allowed to cross zones. This way we can limit nonessential cross-over.

Will the studio close if someone is sick?

We are doing all that we can to keep the studio open for In-Studio classes through this pandemic. Typically we align with the local school districts decisions regarding closure, however our setting and structure is not comparable to a full day school program. Our classes are shorter in duration, and our students/teacher ratio is much lower, and the number of dancers allowed inside each studio is very small. We will make decisions independently that best meet the needs of our studio, our community and our dance families. We are creating "zones" within the studio. If a case is confirmed, we can isolate and assess the risk within the affected zone without having to shut down the entire studio. Depending on the risk, one class, one zone, multiple zones or the entire studio may be closed for a period of 2-5 days up to 14 days for cleaning/disinfecting/contact tracing, in consultation with local health officials. Confidentiality will be maintained. If we need to close the class, zone, or studio will move to Zoom classes. These classes will meet during their normal time, on their regularly scheduled day, with their teacher(s) until we can get back in to the studio. Please see our decision tree for the most up to date information.

What should I do if my dancer is sick?

Stay home if you have a dancer that is sick or a family member who is sick. See our decision tree for the most up to date guidelines. (link is at the top of this page) If a dancer starts to run a fever or gets sick while at the studio, we will isolate the student and call parents to pick up the student up. Since we have a zoom make-up class program, your children will not miss out on dance instruction if you act cautiously in keeping them home if they are not feeling well. Sick dancers may attend the Bonus Zoom Subscription classes or the Zoom classes on Wednesday evenings as a make-up if they are sick or isolated/quarantined. Please email the studio for more information on what class would be appropriate for your dancer.

My dancer has to miss class, how can we make up?

Sick dancers may attend the Bonus Zoom Subscription classes or the Zoom classes on Wednesday evenings as a make-up if they are sick or isolated/quarantined. Please email the studio for more information on what class would be appropriate for your dancer. At this time, we can not allow dancers to make up with In-Studio classes they are not registered for. All make-up classes will be offered through Zoom.

Teaching often requires close contact (typically with toddlers). How will this be managed by teachers?

We understand that when teaching young dancers, close contact may be necessary. To the extent possible RCDC will put social distancing procedures in place. Teachers may use face shields, masks, and/or gloves where social distancing is not possible so that our dancers can receive the best education and experience possible from our staff.

Will there be a change in class sizes because of social distancing?

At Rock City we have always had low student to teacher ratios for all recreational classes. Due to our new procedures and required exercising spacing by the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines, class sizes will be limited. Limits will be determined by the age of dancers and the square footage of each studio. If a dancer needs to isolate or quarantine, they will not loose their place in the class. Tuition will need to be current and paid for the spot to be saved. If a dancer officially withdraws from the class, a spot will open up and may be filled by the next dancer on the waiting list. We will have waitling lists for all classes and will notify dancers of openings as soon as they are availalbe. Any dancers on a waiting list are welcome to register for our Zoom dance classes or Digital Bonus Zoom Class Subscription until a spot opens up in studio.

How can dance support your child during a pandemic?

Using the words of Aili Bresnahan, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Dayton: "Dance is good for people as individuals, as well as for society as a whole. Dance is good because it expresses human nature – it’s not just fun, although it is certainly fun. It’s not just exercise, either. At its best, dance is an extension and expression of who we are as human beings in ways that can allow us to share emotions that increase our sense of community and connection. This is why, in good times and bad, in times of war, fleeing homelands and during pandemics, kids still bounce, leap and spin. They are feeling. And they want to share these feelings with others. This doesn’t stop when schools go online. This doesn’t stop when parks and playtimes are limited by fears of contagion. Kids still want to connect with each other in physical and rough-and-tumble ways. And one of the ways they want to do this is through dancing." We at Rock City Dance Center are proud of the safe space we have created for our dancers here to explore their emotions, communicate with their peers, and express themselves. We are committed to keeping this space open and serving our community as best as we can during this global pandemic - it is so important to keep supporting our youth and providing them with safe spaces to explore their emotions during these challenging times.

Can I still take class online from home?

YES! We are offering digital zoom classes to dancers and families who are at high risk and need a way to dance from home. Digital Zoom classes are on Wednesday afternoon/evenings and meet once per week. When you register for one of these classes, you will also get access to the Digital Zoom Bonus Class package with up to 5 additional "fun" classes offered per week! More info on this program can be found here.

If I sign up for a Digital Zoom Class, will I still have a recital?

YES! We will have a special digital zoom recital option for all dancers who sign up for the Digital Zoom classes on Wednesdays. This will be an optional add on package and will only be available for dancers registered for these classes. This package will include a costume, costume bag, award and more! More info will be provided in October to Digital Zoom Families.

How will tuition be handled if a class or classes have to move to Zoom due to COVID-19?

At RCDC recreational tuition is an annual fee, based on 30 weeks of class. For the convenience of our families we collect this in 9 equal payments, payable on the first of every month September - May. If a class, zone of classes, or the entire studio has to close we will move to offering classes via Zoom. This could happen for 1-3 days, two weeks, or a prolonged period. While we are doing everything we can to zone off the studio and keep the studio open, we must face the reality of COVID-19 and make alternative plans to keep our community safe. Tuition will remian the same if a class is offered via Zoom. We will provide bonus classes and digital material to supplement their training to make sure that all families are still receiving the value they expect from Rock City Dance Center. Reasonable accommodations will be made to keep dancers dancing. We have scheduled 31 weeks of instruction in our annual calendar. This gives all dancers a flexible week of class for free, since tuition is based on only 30 weeks. We hope to not have to close and use this additional week, but with this week have flexibility to schedule and plan around COVID-19 and situations that may arise. To view our dance studio calendar please scroll down to the bottom of this page and click the link.

What is the Optional Magical Christmas Experience?

NEW THIS YEAR we are hosting a Magical Christmas Recital Experience!! Were you able to join us for our recital last year and experience your dancer as the star of the show? Well Imagine adding Santa, Elves and a whole lot of holiday fun and you have our Magical Christmas Recital Experience! We are still working out details, but the tentative dates for this experience will be December 11-13th here in the studio. More info will be released in October for dancers and you can sign up to join in on the fun!! This is an OPTIONAL event and not required. There will be additional fees charged to families that choose to participate, more info on the magic coming soon!

Are dressing rooms and locker rooms open?

At this time we ask that all dancers arrive to class dressed and ready with shoes. We have all common areas closed - and will not have dressing rooms or locker rooms open. Yes, dancers will have access to use the restroom during classes.

When do fall classes begin?

Recreational - The first week of recreational classes begins right after Labor Day. September 8-14th, 2020. School Calendar can be found here. Competitive Teams - Company, Apprentice & Boys crew begin classes and reharsals the week of August 10th, 2020. (Must audition to be a part of the competitive teams)