Studio Precaution and Safety
Staggered start times
We’ll be allowing 5 students for each morning and afternoon start time with 15 minutes in between. This should allow us to get each group in and situated to avoid crowding at the door.
10 students or less
The studio space has been opened up and emptied out, a space where we can often host 35+ kids is now set up for just 10. There are two machines per table but one will be for morning and the other for the afternoon. There is no waiting area, this is a drop off only situation.
3.5 Hour sessions for camps and for week-long camps, full weeks only, also no full-day students
Kids will have much-reduced freedom to move around the studio for camps. Since they will also be wearing masks, a 3.5-hour time slot seems about right. This also gives us time to stager start and end times plus allow time to clean between sessions. Not allowing full-day students reduces exposure for each group of morning and afternoon kids in a given day or week.
Masks are worn by all employees and students
We will require all kids to wear their masks the entire time they’re here with the exception of dedicated snack time. We all know this is hard but also necessary in this “new normal”. I’m sure we’re going to be making tons of customized masks which I think will make it a lot more fun.
Lots of handwashing
Handwashing upon arrival, before and after eating, and end of class. Hand sanitizer will be available everywhere for between handwashing. We’re going through a LOT of soap and paper towels!
Scheduled snack times, no off schedule eating will be permitted.
Chester?
It’s really not fair for anyone, including Chester, to have an off-limits puppy in attendance. When possible he’ll be staying home. I do worry about his level of social interaction so I am excited to have him back in the studio eventually. Don’t worry, he’s not alone, there’s a “working from home” lap to sit on.
Dedicated workspace, and machines for each student for the duration of the week.
Sewing stations are placed six feet apart and all personal belongings will be kept at the station. Stations are now placed along the walls so there are no students across from each other.
Disinfection procedures between morning and afternoon sessions.
Hospital-grade disinfectant will be used on surfaces and bathroom facilities.
All tools are disinfected about once an hour including scissors, pens, pins, etc. Basically, if it’s able to get wet, we throw it in the disinfection solution.
We have installed an additional electrostatic filter on the central A/C system.
The studio will utilize an ozone system to automatically disinfect the entire studio space each night. Ozone has been shown to be effective and safe against viruses like Covid-19.