HomeBase Fall 2021 Parent “Need To Knows”

September 20, 2021 - January 28, 2022 (Saturday classes begin October 2nd) 

 Welcome and thank you for trusting WR Arts during these times! We are excited for your child to safely re-enter the studio with new guidelines and procedures to keep everyone in our community healthy and happy. Please see below for the Frequently Asked Questions and all the Parent “Need To Knows”. We require all participants/ guardians of participants to fill out our Covid-19 Liability Waiver before the first class next week. Students will not be prohibited to start programming until the attached waiver is signed and returned to us. 

Studio Protocols & COVID-19 Safety Measures 

WR Arts is in this fight against COVID-19 with you. We ask for your patience and understanding as policies and mandates shift. To remain compliant with city and school mandated needs, WR Arts will only staff Instructors and Supervisors that have provided proof of vaccination prior to start of programming. All Instructors and Supervisors will remain masked for their duration of class time inside the studio.

Students must remain masked while in activity and will be given times and designated spaces to hydrate/ “take a breather” if needed.

WR Arts is following NYC Department of Health guidelines for Dance studios and fitness spaces. Participants/ Teachers over the age of 12 attending programming will be required to provide proof of vaccination. WR’s staff will make note of proof being shown, so as not to ask weekly. 

If your child is ill or has been in contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, notify us of your child’s absence immediately.

WR Arts has implemented the following studio safety measures and expectations of staff members:

  • WR Arts will provide a clean space, with hand sanitizer at your disposal, disinfected at the start of day, and sanitized continuously/ after each class. Hand washing for our Pick Up students will be monitored and encouraged.

  • The WR Arts ventilation system has been serviced and fitted with new filters. Additionally, in-studio air purifiers with HEPA filters have been installed. When able, all doors will remain open to better circulate outdoor air.

  • Teachers are masked and equipped with cleaning/ disinfectant tools when needed. Those feeling unwell or potentially exposed to COVID-19, will stay home! WR Arts has a healthy number of substitute instructors at the ready to help out! 

The Flow at 573 Metropolitan…

  • If you’re not feeling well or may have been exposed to COVID-19, please take class VIRTUALLY! Let us know as soon as possible so we may keep you and our community safe. We appreciate your self-monitoring of temperature and symptoms but when in doubt, we need you to sit it out/take class online.

  • Please wait outside before class time. The waiting area is effectively closed until further notice. No one will be permitted to wait in the reception area or anywhere else in the building.

  • Students will be escorted from outside to our dancing space by our staff only. With this, ALL DROP OFF STUDENTS MUST COME FULLY DRESSED AND PREPARED TO DANCE; At the end of class, students will then be escorted outside and dismissed directly to a trusted guardian. Students with late guardians will return to our studio space. Late guardians will need to contact us via text/ phone call; Please be considerate and show up EARLY to pick your child up from class.

  • Come well hydrated! Filtered water will only be available by purchase. Students will need to hydrate in advance of class or bring their own water. The length of class time has been adjusted to allow for less need for water & bathroom breaks for our youngest participants.

  • No bubble trouble. A 3-foot distance must be maintained at all times. Dancing spaces will be marked off for visual cues.

  • Mask up! Masks or other facial coverings that cover the nose and mouth must be worn upon entering the building and must remain on for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Students will be permitted to “step out” of an exercise when needed to temporarily de-mask until they feel better. Students with pre-existing medical conditions that make dancing while masked will be handled with extra care. Please be sure to fit your child’s mask properly in advance of programming. No “mask chains” and accessories will be permitted. 

  • Keeping extra clean. Common areas will be disinfected at the start of each day and then sanitized continuously throughout the day with close attention paid to high-touch areas such as door handles, ballet barres, and bathroom spaces. As always, Hand sanitizer will be available throughout our facility.

  • Our air ventilation system has been serviced and fitted with new filters. Additionally, in-studio air purifiers with HEPA filters have been installed.

The Basics

Studio Address:

573 Metropolitan Avenue, Basement Level. We’re located at the bottom of the outdoor stairs in front of the building. Please do not enter through the main tenant entrance. 

Program Dates & Closures

Fall Session: September 20, 2021 - January 28, 2022 (Saturday classes begin October 2nd) 

*Studio Closure Dates:

  • “Thanksgiving Day & Native American Heritage Day” Weekend 11/25 - 11/28

  • Winter/Holiday Break 12/24 - 1/02/2022

  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 1/17/2022

*Note: WR Arts Home Base closure dates DO NOT always align with the NYC DoE calendar. Days where schools are closed but WR is open, students may be dropped off at 3:15.

Drop Off and Pick Up:

Doors open 5-10 minutes before the start of each class for participants not taking part in our after school pickup program. All entry must take place through the first door at the bottom of the stairs. Please DO NOT drop your student off earlier than 10 minutes prior to the start of their class. 

STUDENTS MUST COME READY TO DANCE. There is little space provided for changing students into dancewear; In the event you’re unable to change your drop off student into leotard & tights, please come dressed in the all-gender option provided. 

Parent Pick up times:

1 class students 4:30 - 4:35 PM (Tuesdays 4:15-4:20)

2 class students 5:30 - 5:35 PM

Extended Day Students: 5:30-5:35 PM

Strollers/Scooters/Storage:

Please note: we’re located on the basement level with entry down stairs from the street, no access to an elevator, and no official waiting room. We ask parents to leave the studio/premises during classes along with any strollers/scooters//bikes/etc.

After School Pick Up Program and Extended Day

How does it work? 

Our caring crew of Teaching Artists arrive at partnering schools during dismissal, wait at the designated after school program pick space where students are dismissed directly to us. Our team accounts for all students and carefully walks to 573 Metropolitan Avenue (NOTE Scooters, Bicycles, strollers, etc. are NOT permitted during pickup by our staff and will be left at your child's school. In order to ensure the safety of all students, please plan accordingly). 

Prior to the start of class, dancers get approximately 30 minutes of "down-time" to snack and are able to relax under our supervision. At 3:30 students will enter their designated classroom spaces.

Extended Pick Up: 

Students taking a 4:30 class and participating in our Pick Up Program, will move into the small studio space and have time to work on homework or “structured free time” from 3:30-4:30. Students will be supervised and have a teacher on hand to help with homework or lead the group in a craft. 

Extended Day:

Students in a 3:30 class and enrolled in our Extended Day service, will enter the small studio after their class and have additional free time. Students will be supervised and have a teacher on hand to help with homework. Extended day pick up is at 5:30 

Please be kind and show up on time. WR Arts Teaching Artists leave at 5:45PM; Parents of students left to wait after 5:45PM will incur a $10.00 per 15 minute fee. This charge is NOT an extended day option. 

FAQs and Additional Information

What happens when my child is absent?

WR Arts must be emailed, called, or texted by 12PM if your child will not be picked up by our team that day - Unknown absences delay our pick-up schedule & lead to further disruption in the school's main offices. 

  • If your child is absent from class you will be offered 1 make-up class (they have the opportunity to try something new!) the last two weeks of the Fall session. 

This is my child’s first dance class - can I watch? 

While we’re so thankful that you’ve placed your trust in WR Arts, class observations outside of our scheduled Parent Observation periods are NOT permitted. We do our best to share bright moments safely on our Instagram page. Visit @WeAreWR to follow along.

Can I keep my child’s dance uniform at the studio?

Due to limited storage space, we are currently unable to house your child's uniform. After School students are responsible for bringing their dress code compliant uniform along with all necessary items (shoes, tights, leggings, etc) each week.

Alternate Guardians at Pick Up

We must be notified in advance via email or text if someone new is picking your child up. 

What snacks should I pack?

With a number of students with allergies, we kindly request you pack a Nut free snack for your child to enjoy. WR Arts will also have daily snacks available at an additional cost, if interested.  $1.00 Snack options (Fruit, Pretzels, Sun Chips) are subject to change day to day depending on availability. IF YOU DO NOT want your child asking for/potentially eating any of the above options, let us know! 

Cancellation Policy:

  • Cancel enrollment by October 14th to receive a prorated refund. 

  • No refunds for cancellations on or after October 15th. 

  • In the event a mandatory city shutdown occurs, all programming will be offered virtually. There will be no refunds or prorations for this particular shift in programming location. 

  • All credit/debit processing fees cannot be refunded after registration.

Dress Code

An important part of your child’s dance & theater arts education is being “class ready”. WR Arts dress code will return to implementation, to support a well-focused arts class experience. Be sure your child is prepared to dance in clothing that allows unrestricted movement; no jeans, jean shorts, school uniform slacks, dresses, or skirts (without shorts beneath).

Hair must be worn in a bun for Ballet classes or neatly pulled off of the face in a secure ponytail for all other classes. If your child has short hair, please secure hair off of the face with clips or a headband. Children with longer hair should also secure hair back with a headband.

Leotards, tights and shoes can be purchased online through Discount Dance Supply & Amazon but we encourage checking with local dance shops to enrich your child's dance experience. 

  • Creative Level Classes: PINK

  • Level 1 Classes: LIGHT BLUE

  • Level 2 Classes: NAVY or ROYAL BLUE; Students in split levels (1 and 2) may wear LIGHT BLUE as well

  • Level 3 and Advanced Classes: BLACK

  • WR’s ALL-GENDER: White, Black or Level Appropriate colored T-Shirt with BLACK leggings. NO wording on tee, with the exception of WR:ARTS studio tees. Please be sure T-shirts are well fitted. 

Home Base students must have the appropriate uniform and shoes for their class. For additional information about dress code follow this link.

In Case of Emergency, CONTACT

WR Arts: 917-847-5727 (call or text) 

info@WRarts.org

Nicky Guiland: wrnicky@gmail.com

Annamaria Diamant: wradiamant@gmail.com

Parents & Guardians are welcome to contact the WR Arts Staff during morning Administrative hours between 11 - 1PM M-F, to discuss any concerns. In case of an emergency text &/ or call 917-847-5727 for assistance. Please note EMAIL & TEXT are our preferred modes of communication.