Coronavirus Update

Dear American Youth Dance Theater Community,

AYDT is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We are dedicated to staying informed on the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the NYC Department of Public Health regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Additional precautions are in place for all AYDT staff to maintain a clean facility. During hours of operation extra cleaning measures are in place by all staff, this includes disinfecting all doorknobs and handles, light switches and keypads, classroom props, and ballet barres and other commonly touched surfaces. Additional hand sanitizers have been added to each studio and disinfectant wipes are available throughout the school. Extra sanitizing measures to our nightly cleaning protocols have been implemented.

Staff members are encouraging students to clean their hands before class and after coughing, sneezing or using a tissue, and reminding children not to touch each other. If a student appears sick, teachers will ask the parent or caregiver to take the child home.

NEW ATTENDANCE POLICY:

  • If your child’s school is closed due to a confirmed case of exposure, please contact us immediately.  Your child should not come to class for at least 14 days and/or until it is confirmed you are not infected.
  • If you have come in contact with an infected person, please notify us immediately. Do not return to class for at least 14 days and/or until it is confirmed you are not infected.
  • If you are returning from an area that is on the CDC travel warning list, or recently vacationed on a cruise ship, you should not come to class for 14 days or until it is confirmed that you are not infected.
  • At this point we are continuing to hold classes. Due to the extenuating circumstances the attendance policy has been temporarily amended and all absences due to health concerns will be excused until further notice. Tuition will not be refunded for absences, but additional make up opportunities will be offered once the average extent of absences among our student body has been evaluated.

Guidelines for the Community:

  • Be sure to continuously wash hands for 20 seconds and keep hands away from your face to prevent infection.
  • Stay home when you are sick, and call your doctor if you are experiencing fever, or other flu-like symptoms.
  • If you plan to travel, please refer to the CDC’s travel advisories for updates.

From the CDC:

  • Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear between two and 14 days after exposure. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection and treatment is supportive.
  • Most often, person-to-person spread occurs among close contact (about 6 feet). Person-to-person spread is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This is similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. It is currently unclear if the illness can be transmitted from person to person when asymptomatic. It is also unclear if a person can get the virus when touching a surface or object and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

For more information:

AYDT follows the NYC Department of Education and NYC Mass Transit Authority protocols regarding school closings related to health and safety. We will continue to keep you informed.