Covid 19 - Guidelines for reopening
These are general guidelines for Teachers, Parents, Students and Admin Staff concerning the reopening of our branches for students to come in to do classes.
We are currently targeting the 15th of June for some of the students to come back to the branches to resume their classes. However, we do need to follow the SOP set by the government on the opening of educational establishments as well as guidelines recommended by the RAD and ISTD. The SOP set by MKN does not recommend activities for children under 12 but does not prohibit it.
Though we have been successfully doing remote learning, research shows that learning is best done face to face and it is important for their mental wellbeing to have social interactions with their friends and teachers.
In light of the upcoming exams, our priority should be to students who will be taking their exams very soon. As part of the social distancing measures set out by our government to limit the spread of the Coronavirus, we will have to limit the number of students attending each class depending on the size of the studio as well as the number of people in each branch.
We are also in the process of installing internet access in all of the branches to support remote learning for those who are staying at home.
Measures to be taken
We are aware that we will need to limit the number of students in each classroom depending on its size. Small studios will have a suggested limit of 6 students. Large studios will have a suggested limit of 8 Students. The Fonteyn Studio Theater may have a limit of 10 students. In order to implement this, it is suggested that teachers may either.
It is envisaged that the teachers may need assistance with the remote operation of camera’s etc for the remote learning. However it is not expected that teachers will give instructions to remote learners while the face to face class is being conducted. It will be more of live streaming of the class to the remote students.
This setup will also facilitate for a number of students who may not be comfortable coming back to face to face classes yet.
Also, it is envisaged that it may be more appropriate for the older students to come back first as it may be more difficult to effectively implement social distancing for the younger students.
Protective measures to be considered:
Preparation of the premises
Measures before entering class
In class measures
Students exhibiting symptoms during class
Staff Well Being
Additional measures
References
These are general guidelines for Teachers, Parents, Students and Admin Staff concerning the reopening of our branches for students to come in to do classes.
We are currently targeting the 15th of June for some of the students to come back to the branches to resume their classes. However, we do need to follow the SOP set by the government on the opening of educational establishments as well as guidelines recommended by the RAD and ISTD. The SOP set by MKN does not recommend activities for children under 12 but does not prohibit it.
Though we have been successfully doing remote learning, research shows that learning is best done face to face and it is important for their mental wellbeing to have social interactions with their friends and teachers.
In light of the upcoming exams, our priority should be to students who will be taking their exams very soon. As part of the social distancing measures set out by our government to limit the spread of the Coronavirus, we will have to limit the number of students attending each class depending on the size of the studio as well as the number of people in each branch.
We are also in the process of installing internet access in all of the branches to support remote learning for those who are staying at home.
Measures to be taken
We are aware that we will need to limit the number of students in each classroom depending on its size. Small studios will have a suggested limit of 6 students. Large studios will have a suggested limit of 8 Students. The Fonteyn Studio Theater may have a limit of 10 students. In order to implement this, it is suggested that teachers may either.
- Split the class up into 2 equal time slots with students coming in shifts
- Take class groups alternately each week with the other group staying at home doing remote learning.
It is envisaged that the teachers may need assistance with the remote operation of camera’s etc for the remote learning. However it is not expected that teachers will give instructions to remote learners while the face to face class is being conducted. It will be more of live streaming of the class to the remote students.
This setup will also facilitate for a number of students who may not be comfortable coming back to face to face classes yet.
Also, it is envisaged that it may be more appropriate for the older students to come back first as it may be more difficult to effectively implement social distancing for the younger students.
Protective measures to be considered:
- Cleaning, including supplies of cleaning and handwashing products
- Testing and tracing
- Personal protective equipment (Face Masks)
- What to do if a student is unwell or a case of (COVID-19) is being confirmed
Preparation of the premises
- All surplus toys and equipment should be removed from the waiting area including magazines and reading materials.
- Waiting areas should be cleaned regularly
- Water fountains are to be closed (A plastic cover put over it) and students required to bring their own water.
- All contact surfaces are to be cleaned 3 times per day, this includes Door Handles, Counter Tops.
- Admin to demarcate areas for students to wait while maintaining social distancing.
- Admin to demarcate waiting distance outside the entrance.
- Admin is to demarcate waiting areas which are socially distanced as well as plan for ingress and egress paths which are socially distanced.
- Studios will have markings for the recommended social distancing of 3m for active sports.
- The MySejahtera/Selangkah Tracing QR code as well as Logbook to record visitors to the premises are to be prominently displayed.
Measures before entering class
- Any students exhibiting symptoms such as fever, running nose or cough are not allowed to attend class.
- Temperature of all individuals entering the branch is to be taken. Only those having a temperature of less than 37.5 degrees will be allowed in.
- Everyone will be required to scan and register at the door using the MySejahtera/Selangkah app or manually.
- For HQ, students should come up to their class floors using the lift and leave using the staircase. There may only be a maximum of 4 people in the lift at any one time.
- Staircase doors should also be held open with door stoppers so that students do not have to use the door knobs
- Parents are not permitted within the building and may only drop off and pick up their children. Waiting distances will be marked outside the building.
- Students should arrive in their ballet attire and return home in their ballet attire. Ballet shoes can be worn upon entering the studio and removed upon exiting the studio.
- Make sure that students wash their hands once they enter the building and that they do not intermingle with students from other classes.
- Students should wear masks until they reach their respective studios and begin class. Masks may be removed and stored in a clean envelope in their bags immediately before entering the studio and worn before leaving the studio. Hands should be sanitised after the ballet class before they put on their masks.
- For music classes, both Student and Teacher are to have their masks on at all times.
- Admin to clean all contact areas regularly. E.g. Door handles, counter surfaces.
- Students are to come already changed into their class attire. There should be no use of the changing rooms/bathrooms to change.
In class measures
- Class doors should be help open with a door stopper so that children do not have to repeatedly use the door handle open the door.
- Teachers are to ensure that the students are properly distanced during the class and assigned an area of the Barre which only they will touch. If the student touches an area of the barre used by another student that student should immediately wash their hands and the barre cleaned.
- Teachers should clean the barre before/after each class.
- Teachers must ensure that attendance is taken so that contact tracing can be done. This may be done using the MySejahtera app. Please get admin to help if needed?).
- Teachers should ensure that there is adequate ventilation during classes, to minimise airborne transmission, either by opening the windows or conducting the class without air conditioning.
- Any equipment or props used by a student is to be cleaned after use.
Students exhibiting symptoms during class
- If students exhibit symptoms during class, they are to be isolated and their parents called.
- If the student has used the bathroom it will need to be cleaned.
- All surfaces that the student has come into contact with must be cleaned.
- The student must be given a mask and Staff and Teachers assisting the student must wear a mask.
- Admin staff should follow up with the parent concerning the health status of the student in the following days.
Staff Well Being
- If an admin staff member or teacher is unwell they should not come to work and self isolate themselves at home.
- Parents should also be encouraged to make all fees payment online.
- All office staff must wear masks at all times as dictated by the SOP
Additional measures
- A video camera may be put in Studio 3 so that the class may be live streamed to Studio 4 next door. With this setup, 11 students may participate in the same class while socially distanced.
References
- SOP Sektor Sukan dan Rekreasi - Majlis Keselamatan Negara
- UK Government Guidance - Actions for education and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020
- Dutch National Ballet - Back in Class - https://www.danceeurope.net/dutch-national-ballet-back-class/