KSMA’s COVID-19 Statement:
June 4, 2020
Plans for reopening for Summer 2020
Our plan for the NYS Phase 4 reopening follows the very strict guidelines as set forth by the CDC for schools. The following is a guide to how KSMA will meet those CDC requirements in order to safely run multiple camp offerings this summer. The dates of our camps have been shifted to accommodate the likely start of Phase 4, with our first camp set to open July 6th. Please note that private lessons will continue via Zoom throughout the summer. You can see our Summer Offerings here.
KSMA will create an outdoor campus utilizing one large tent and multiple smaller ones. This will allow for the best possible ventilation.
- KSMA will maintain a social distance of 6 feet between students at all times (utilizing duct tape, chairs, and blankets to delineate). Limits on age and number of participants will be used to facilitate this as well.
- Daily morning health checks for symptoms and history of exposure will be built into the schedule and will be required of all participants, faculty, and staff.
- Masks will be required of everyone.
- Bathrooms and sinks will be sanitized throughout the day. Hand sanitizer will be available in multiple locations around the campus.
- Food will not be served or shared at the camp (students will bring their own).
- All classes will take place out of doors. The school will keep all windows and doors open throughout the day for good ventilation during necessary bathroom breaks.
- Social distancing will also be enabled by small ensembles (no chorus or orchestra).
- All employees will be trained in health and safety protocols.
- Local updates on policies and procedures will be strictly followed and communicated to participants, families, faculty, and staff.
- If a student becomes ill during the duration of camp, tuition will be refunded for any unused portion.
We have thought long and carefully about protecting the safety of our families, while still being able to offer camps that will bring joy to our students. You will see several changes we have added to serve both of these purposes.
Please register soon if you intend to come to any of the camps as we will need to plan, hire faculty, and acquire supplies as soon as possible. Or, if you have previously registered, please let us know which camp(s) you would like to attend. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Alice & Andy
April 18, 2020
We have now been teaching exclusively online for over a month and we are thrilled with how well our students are doing. The online format is a struggle for some, but many students are practicing more and doing really incredible work. We have begun to supply more video instruction for students to use and have dipped our toes into online group classes. The community is a special part of the Kanack School and we are very happy to continue to find ways to keep those connections during this time.
March 25, 2020
We are happy to say that online lessons are well underway and have been quite successful. Our faculty will continue to brainstorm and come up with creative ways to engage our students during this time. We are happy to accept new students to begin lessons online.
March 15, 2020
The Kanack School will begin using Zoom and other remote meeting platforms. Students can expect an e-mail early tomorrow, Monday, March 16th, with details about what platform their teacher plans to use, when their teacher plans to begin remote lessons, and details about how to do music lessons remotely.
March 15, 2020
Dear Kanack Students and Families,
Do to our concern for the health and well-being of our students and faculty and all of their families, we have made the decision to shift private lessons to an online platform. As March 15, 2020 all in-person private lessons and group classes will be cancelled until further notice. We will be spending the day getting information to our teachers about teaching online and we will give you information about their preferred platforms for lessons and how to get set-up. While all of our teachers prefer to teach in person, going online for the time being is our best option and can be very effective.
It is possible that not all of our faculty have the equipment to easily implement this method of teaching. If any of you have a spare laptop that could be loaned to the school it would be very helpful.
Because the whole point of going online is to promote social distancing to avoid the spread of this virus, our faculty has been asked not to do any in-person lessons either at the school or in their homes.
Group classes unfortunately will stop completely until we reopen.
A more detailed letter will be sent out early this week with more about the school’s policies concerning this very new situation.
We will be available to answer any questions via e-mail and will be at the school throughout the week to either take calls or respond to voicemails.
We will miss seeing all of your faces for the time being, but hope this decision helps to keep all of you and your loved ones safe and healthy.
Alice Kanack and Andy Barnhart
Directors, Kanack School of Musical Artistry