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3-20-2020

Good Evening NDA Family!
How are we all doing? Know that we are often thinking of our NDA Dancers and families! Hoping that you are all finding some time to make some memories. We miss you all already!
We have our online system up and running! We are thrilled to be able to continue on with our dance season and create a sense of “normal” for the dancers. We know it will be needed as this situation creates constant change and uncertainty. We want to provide as much of an outlet as we possibly can!
We are planning to continue with classes on a normal schedule, just instead of showing up at NDA you will log in from home! This is also going to allow us to have some new opportunities and fun with our dancers.
Below is a link for a video tutorial with Miss Candice on how to access your online classes, super easy!
We will also post directions on our website in a new tab labeled Online Class and Extras- this is where we will post our extras such as coloring pages as well!
We want to thank you for the encouraging words we have received this past week, please know they have meant the world to us and we want to do all that we can to help our dance family stay happy, healthy and safe. We always love to stay connected, so please come to us with anything! We want to be a place of calm and fun in a season of confusion and unrest!
Lots of hugs and prayers go out to you, our NDA Family! We are stronger together!
Miss Candice and the NDA Staff

 

3-17-2020

NDA FAMILIES

I never would have thought I’d be sitting here on a Monday morning writing an email about a virus that is truly changing by the minute and affecting so many of us in ways other than being ill. This week is Spring Break, so thankfully our studios and offices are closed, however, while we absolutely love our students and teaching, we have decided to pause and close the IN-PERSON studio for a bit.

We don’t want to be part of the problem. Some of our dancers live with people who have compromised immune systems and are in danger of being severely affected by COVID-19. Also, some of our dancers have asthma and other health conditions that could be dangerous if they become infected with COVID-19. The simple answer would be for those people to just stay home. But, I’m looking at the bigger picture. The CDC is currently recommending to suspend all non-essential gatherings for 8 weeks. To us, dance class is essential. It’s a release, a chance to connect, create, laugh, find joy and so much more. However, safety and the health of our dance family supersedes all.

Here’s the plan for NDA as of today:

This week is Spring Break, so there are no classes. Next week, the in-person studio will be closed and we will re-evaluate as a staff and come up with a plan from there.
While this will impact our classes inside the studio, we will continue to deliver the dance experience you know and love at NDA, just in a slightly different way. Now more than ever it’s important for your child to have normalcy and routine. The last thing we all want is for our children to play video games and watch television shows and movies all day. We need them to be active, move and use their minds. This is exactly what we’ll be providing you with during the closure of our physical locations. Thanks to technology we will be opening our digital doors and will be providing you with an online dance experience for your dancer to keep them moving, learning and having fun during this time.
Here are the details you need to know about our online dance experience:

We will be facilitating students practicing recital dances at home! This week our staff is creating videos of each recital routine including an image of the formations, as well as 4 counts of 8 of a routine, across the floor, barre routine, whatever would pertain to your dancers weekly class and level. These videos will be sent to ASAP.
Your dancers recital music can all be found in your parent portal by the end of this week as well as a Dropbox folder link that will be emailed.
We will also begin some online classes. We are in the process of setting this format up so more information to come in the near future!
We’ll also be adding some fun bonuses for your dancer during this time:

We will be giving certificates for donuts from ICON to each student who returns from this break with their splits!
We will also be offering a Family Dance Challenge! We will post a piece of choreography and music for the students to teach their family (mom, dad, siblings, even grandparents could get in on the fun!). You will record a video of your family performing this piece of choreography and tag us in it on instagram or Facebook! Our staff will choose the winner and that family will receive.
1st Place: $50 Gift Certificate to Highway 63 Diner

2nd Place: $25 Gift Certificate to Whiskey Road

We are taking this day-by-day and will let you know what our plan will be going forward when we know more about school resuming.

I am treating this the same as we would a weather related cancelation. This is a national state of emergency. We are not closing by choice. We are closing because it is the responsible thing to do to stop the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to practice the CDC and IDPH recommendations to prevent the spread of this virus. I will continue to keep in touch with my staff and communicate all plans with our dance families as needed.

Competition Dancers and Recital:

We have been in contact with our competitions and recital venues. We are all working together at this time to schedule any events that get postponed. As soon as we know more we will let you know.
What our families can do:

• Keep your eyes out for NDA’s virtual dance class links. These will be emailed as soon as they are ready. We are working this week on formats and new fun ideas/opportunities! We will also be sharing links to master classes from industry professionals as well.

• Dancers should practice and stretch. See attached stretch guide!

• Reach out to a dance parent or friend and see how they are doing. Let’s be there for each other.

• Dancers can facetime with each other and practice.

• Make up a dance or write goals.

• WASH YOUR HANDS! Take care of yourself.

• Know that we are trying to navigate through this the best we can.

I care about all of you and want everyone to be safe and healthy. This will all pass, I’m hoping sooner rather than later. If you have any questions please respond to this email, otherwise we will be in touch with further details as they unfold.

See you inside our online studio!

Sincerely,

Miss Candice