Mr. Ben in the Park – Fall 2020
UPDATED 15.02.21
In the face of COVID-19, Mr. Ben's Music has put the following policies in place:
UPDATED 15.02.21
In the face of COVID-19, Mr. Ben's Music has put the following policies in place:
1) CLASS NUMBERS:
While in the RED ZONE, we are limited to 25 people per class, including me. I have, however, capped classes at 12 children per class, which is generally fewer than 10 families and gives us lots of room to move while still maintaining safe distances.
2) LOCATION:
Our classes will be at Alexander Park (click for Google map) in the Ainsley Wood neighbourhood of west Hamilton, in the southeast corner. There is a free parking lot at the southwest corner, and then it's just a short walk across the field to the grove of trees where we'll be:
3) SPACING/DISTANCING:
WHEN YOU ARRIVE, I will have orange soccer cones spaced 15' apart. This gives each family enough space to dance and move while still maintaining distance from others. Please pick a soccer cone and stay near it; these classes will only work if we work together to maintain safe distancing. While I know it can be difficult, it's important that we corral our kids a bit to make sure we all respect and maintain appropriate space, so unless you are "bubbled" (or "podded"?) with another family in our class, please only interact from a distance of 6' or more.
4) WEATHER POLICY:
Every effort will be made to hold our class outside as planned, however in the case of substantial inclement weather, we may need to change course and do that morning's class over Zoom (what might that look like? Check out examples here! Mr Ben on YouTube).
Decisions will be made morning-of, so if it looks like the weather might not cooperate, please keep an eye on your email and/or our FB page!
If there is no announcement to the contrary, class will go ahead!
5) BATHROOMS (or lack thereof):
Unfortunately, there isn't really a bathroom on-site per se. There are bathrooms at the NW corner of the park, and I hope – but cannot guarantee – they'll be open. Please plan accordingly. NB: It is a public park, and I will be holding up to 8 classes per week, so I'm afraid over the long-term just letting your kids go in the surrounding bushes is not a great option either.
6) WHAT TO BRING:
Part One: Because we will be outside, please remember to dress for the weather, bring something to sit on, apply sunscreen, bring lots of water and possibly snacks, and if you have a beach umbrella and want to make sure you're in the shade, grab that too – lots of the spots are pretty shady, but not all of them are. As the weather cools you may want a blanket instead of course!
Part Two: Every week we'll use different kinds of percussion instruments, but due to our current circumstances you will need to bring your own – I'll email at the start of the week so you know what you'll need for that week's classes.
7) IF YOU ARE SICK:
If you or your child is feeling ill (fever, new onset cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing) please stay home; doing otherwise could risk the health and safety of everyone else in class. Please let Mr. Ben know if this is the case, as other families in that class will need to be notified.
If someone in your family who is attending classes tests positive for Covid-19, please do not return to class until you have been deemed virus-free by public health officials (usually after a 14-day quarantine).
While in the RED ZONE, we are limited to 25 people per class, including me. I have, however, capped classes at 12 children per class, which is generally fewer than 10 families and gives us lots of room to move while still maintaining safe distances.
2) LOCATION:
Our classes will be at Alexander Park (click for Google map) in the Ainsley Wood neighbourhood of west Hamilton, in the southeast corner. There is a free parking lot at the southwest corner, and then it's just a short walk across the field to the grove of trees where we'll be:
3) SPACING/DISTANCING:
WHEN YOU ARRIVE, I will have orange soccer cones spaced 15' apart. This gives each family enough space to dance and move while still maintaining distance from others. Please pick a soccer cone and stay near it; these classes will only work if we work together to maintain safe distancing. While I know it can be difficult, it's important that we corral our kids a bit to make sure we all respect and maintain appropriate space, so unless you are "bubbled" (or "podded"?) with another family in our class, please only interact from a distance of 6' or more.
4) WEATHER POLICY:
Every effort will be made to hold our class outside as planned, however in the case of substantial inclement weather, we may need to change course and do that morning's class over Zoom (what might that look like? Check out examples here! Mr Ben on YouTube).
Decisions will be made morning-of, so if it looks like the weather might not cooperate, please keep an eye on your email and/or our FB page!
If there is no announcement to the contrary, class will go ahead!
5) BATHROOMS (or lack thereof):
Unfortunately, there isn't really a bathroom on-site per se. There are bathrooms at the NW corner of the park, and I hope – but cannot guarantee – they'll be open. Please plan accordingly. NB: It is a public park, and I will be holding up to 8 classes per week, so I'm afraid over the long-term just letting your kids go in the surrounding bushes is not a great option either.
6) WHAT TO BRING:
Part One: Because we will be outside, please remember to dress for the weather, bring something to sit on, apply sunscreen, bring lots of water and possibly snacks, and if you have a beach umbrella and want to make sure you're in the shade, grab that too – lots of the spots are pretty shady, but not all of them are. As the weather cools you may want a blanket instead of course!
Part Two: Every week we'll use different kinds of percussion instruments, but due to our current circumstances you will need to bring your own – I'll email at the start of the week so you know what you'll need for that week's classes.
7) IF YOU ARE SICK:
If you or your child is feeling ill (fever, new onset cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing) please stay home; doing otherwise could risk the health and safety of everyone else in class. Please let Mr. Ben know if this is the case, as other families in that class will need to be notified.
If someone in your family who is attending classes tests positive for Covid-19, please do not return to class until you have been deemed virus-free by public health officials (usually after a 14-day quarantine).
