Hello Dance Family,
As you know, we have been following the news and government announcements closely regarding COVID-19.
After careful consideration, we have made the decision to finish Term 1 one week early, with last classes being Saturday, March 21
Reasons behind this decision
Up until now, we believed it was appropriate to stay open as long as the schools were open, with significant additional hygiene and social distancing measures in place.
As the situation has developed The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services have recently issued some relevant advice:
- Parents have been asked to “Consider whether your child/young person’s out-of-school activities are essential”
- Schools have been asked to “Cancel non-essential group activities such as study visits, extra-curricular activities, camps, and sporting events”
While there is no specific directive for us as a dance studio, we believe this advice applies to us.
There have been no cases of Covid-19 within our school, but we feel we have a responsibility to protect our extended community. Pausing our beloved dance, for the time being, is the gesture we can make toward flattening the curve.
This is a stressful time for the whole community, and we know coming to MSF has been an important outlet for many students and their families and we do not take this decision lightly.
When will we recommence?
At this stage, we expect a delayed start to Term 2.
We will continue to monitor the advice and be back with bells on as soon as it is appropriate, and we will keep in touch with you about this. Term 2 invoices will not be sent out until we have a starting date.
In the meantime, we will keep supporting your child’s dance journey
Classes may be on pause, but our dance family will adapt and continue to thrive together. We will be in touch regularly during the break with practice videos and fun activities so that our students can continue to engage with dance as much as possible from home. Please make sure you’ve signed up to all of our social media platforms and keep an eye on your email inbox so that you and your children can continue to participate.
We would also like to extend thanks to you our dance family for calmly getting on with it.
For coming to class with enthusiasm, embracing our new procedures, for keeping us informed of your decisions to stay home, and respecting the decisions of others. This situation has brought out the best and worst behaviors in society, and we are grateful (but not surprised) to be seeing the best from all of you.
A Poem from Chloe to all MSF kids
How you talk to your children about these events is, of course, a personal one. Younger children may simply need to know that there will be a break from dancing (like the summer holidays) and we will be practicing at home. Older children who are aware of the virus and its impacts may need a different approach. Chloe has written a heartfelt poem, attached to this email, to the students. If you think it’s appropriate for your child, we hope you might find it helpful to read some or all of it together.
In any case, you can assure your child that:
- MSF has not shut down- dance class will start up again when we can
- None of your teachers are sick
- During this time away from the studio, we will be busy gaining inspiration and ideas and planning choreography for our concerts, which we hope will be bigger, better and more magical than ever.
We do hope we have your continued support and we thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for the kindness, patience, and understanding you have already shown us in these uncertain times. In 14 years of business, we have jumped many hurdles, illnesses, had babies, moved twice and then the construction back in 2018. We were blown away by the patience, loyalty and understanding our dance families showed us back then when things didn’t go to plan, you stuck by us through it all. We never thought we would have to ask the same of you again so soon but here we are.
It is uncertain times for ALL, so please know you can always reach out to us if you or your child need anything.
We wish you all the very best. Stay safe and healthy and you will be hearing from us very soon.
Lots of love,
Kristie, Carla and Chloe.
