HalfSteps Health Policy and COVID-19 (March 13, 2020)

At HalfSteps, we are closely monitoring the situation regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in our community. Until the situation is resolved, we will continue to defer to the CDC and other health professionals on how best to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

According to the Manatee County Health Department, at this time, COVID-19 is holding steady at 2 cases in Manatee County, and there are two cases pending in Sarasota. We are planning on starting our Spring 2020 classes as originally scheduled, on April 13. As you know, this is a rapidly changing situation, and we have started planning for future scenarios in case it becomes necessary to cancel or delay classes. We will keep you updated and informed as the situation continues to unfold, and invite you to reach out to Tanya Li Roth, Director, at any time.

In the meantime, we have revised our health policy using guidance from the CDC  about best practices to prevent the spread of all germs and ensure your continued health and well-being.

2020 Health Policy for HalfSteps

We ask for your help in keeping all the members of our musical community healthy by following these protocols. Our classes may have immune-compromised individuals (including pregnant women) who may be more susceptible to viral respiratory infections, including influenza and COVID-19, so your vigilance and adherence to this health policy is extremely important. Our teachers reserve the right to send a family home from class if they feel these sickness protocols are not being followed.

Classroom Cleaning Protocols

• All instruments that were distributed will be disinfected between classes and the end of the day with hospital-grade sanitizing disinfectant.
• Instruments will be handed out during play along time for children to keep by their sides. We will no longer dump the instrument basket in the middle of the floor for children to explore.
• Classroom surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized daily.
• Some instruments and props may be taken out of circulation.
• Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will be available for use during class.

Family Health Protocols

• We ask that all adults and children wash their hands before and after class for at least 20 seconds. (Sing the “Hello Song” to all the members of your family: that'll be at least 20 seconds!) Please arrive a few minutes early to allow time for this.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Fist-bump, wave, or “foot five” instead of shaking hands or hugging.

Illness Policy

• If you or your child is sick, please stay home until you are fully recovered. If you or your child has had a fever, you must be fever-free for at least 24 hours (without assistance of fever-reducing medication) before returning to class.
• If you or your child becomes ill with something contagious after you were in class, please contact us immediately.

Makeup classes

Some classes still have one class left for the remainder of the Winter session. As of right now, since the Manatee County schools are closed until March 30, we will follow their lead and postpone the last class until at least March 30. If we cannot make up this class prior to the start of the Spring semester, we will allow families to carry it over as a makeup in next semester. As a thank you for staying home when you have had symptoms, we are allowing TWO makeup sessions to be carried into the Spring semester(one for the missed class due to COVID-19 response and one for a class you missed because you or your child was sick).

Please see our Registration Page to learn how we plan to help you keep the music going at home during this social distancing period, including exclusive video content for Spring 2020 enrollees.

Questions?

Contact Director Tanya Li Roth with your questions about this health policy or our plans for responding to COVID-19.

Let’s keep the music playing!