COVID-19 Guidelines – Ballard

COVID-19 Guidelines for Ballard Location

In order to stem the spread of COVID-19, Alpha Martial Arts in Ballard has created these guidelines and safety procedures for in-person classes. These guidelines include social distancing, limited class capacity, increased sanitary and cleaning measures, mask wearing for our staff and students per government mandate, and more.

We believe that in-person instruction is a vital part of your growth as a Martial Artist. We are truly grateful that we have the opportunity to offer in-person classes in addition to ongoing online instruction. With your help in following these guidelines, we can make in-person instruction available for all students.

Note: we have created a COVID-19 policy that all students and parents will be required to sign in order to attend in-person classes. It can be found here:

https://app.sparkmembership.com/Forms_Edit.aspx?formID=30108

Procedures

HEALTH

All staff members are wellness-checked before their shift. All students will be required to sign in and agree to being symptom free, as well as have their temperature taken. In addition, students and their caregiver will be asked the following questions before being admitted:

  • Have you had any close contact with a confirmed case of COVID recently?
  • Are you experiencing any shortness of breath, coughing, or sore throat?
  • Have you had a fever in the past 48 hours?
  • Have you experienced any loss of taste or smell within the last 48 hours?
  • Have you recently experienced any vomiting or diarrhea?

Students must stay home if they, or a member of their household, have a fever or respiratory symptoms, or have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days. Also, students will not be admitted if they answer YES to any of the questions above. Instead, they will be asked to attend class virtually.

 

HAND HYGIENE

  • Employees will wash hands and/or sanitize before and after each class.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available just inside of both front entrances. Students will be required to wash hands and/or sanitize before and after classes.
  • Hand washing posters are posted within bathrooms.

 

ENHANCED CLEANING PROCEDURES & VENTILATION

  • We have increased our cleaning frequencies and sanitation procedures in high traffic areas and high touch surfaces of the dojo such as doors, cubbies, floors & mats, counters, Wavemasters, and bathrooms.
  • We have invested in fog machines to disinfect the dojo. The fog machine uses Steramine Sanitizing Tablets, used in commercial and medical cleaning systems.
  • In addition to using fog machines to kill airborne and aerosol virus particles, we will have all doors and windows open to maximize airflow throughout the dojo.

 

MINIMIZED MIXING AND MINGLING

  • We have updated our schedule for classes to reduce mixing and mingling in support of social distancing recommendations. However, we understand that unlike older children and adults, young children cannot always be expected to maintain social distancing. Our staff will do their best to encourage social distancing.

 

FACILITY & CURRICULAR ADJUSTMENTS

  • The waiting areas and children’s play space will be closed unless specified. Parents/guardians are requested to wait outside during class.
  • Students will remove their coat, shoes and socks and put them in a cubby. If a student needs help putting their shoes back on, they will have to leave the dojo with their shoes off and have an adult help them outside. Students are asked to only bring necessary items with them into the dojo.
  • No food will be allowed in the dojo. Water bottles must be labeled. Take your water bottle home! For the safety of our staff we will no longer keep water bottles in lost and found.
  • Students will not bring sparring gear during the initial in-person lessons. Sparring exercises will be touchless and distanced.
  • Curriculum changes to support distancing have been implemented, such as no sharing of practice mitts and no-touch sparring. Mat Chats will be held spread out.
  • Class sizes have been modified to reflect current King County requirements, and to allow for social distancing.
  • Students will refrain from high fives and fist bumps.

 

BATHROOM USE

  • We request students to use the restroom at home before coming to class.
  • Bathrooms will be limited for emergencies and will be cleaned regularly.

 

MASKS

  • Our employees will be wearing masks per government mandate.
  • All Parents and students over the age of 2 are required to follow government mandates on mask wearing while in public places.

 

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE

  • You must sign up for class prior to arrival via our online scheduler. NO DROP-INS WILL BE ALLOWED. The scheduler is available in the Spark Membership App, or at this web page:

https://sparkpages.io/scheduler5/?g=wad&l=dI

  • Please enter using the South Door for all classes. Remember to follow social distancing while you await entrance. Do not enter the building until directed by a staff member.
  • At this time, we ask that parents wait in their cars or outside during classes to help with social distancing in the building. Please make sure your kids have footwear that’s easy to remove and put back on themselves.
  • Please limit parent drop-off to one person.
  • Students will exit using the North Door. Parents will be asked to wait outside for kids to be released. At the end of class, parents must be by the door to receive their child. Students may be released without a parent to receive them with prior permission from the parent.

 

GRADUAL RE-OPENING AND READJUSTING

  • We are gradually reopening with small class sizes and 15 minutes between classes for cleaning and sanitation. We will continue to follow any government mandates and are committed to readjusting to keep our students, staff, and families at home as safe as possible.
  • We are treating this reopening as a test to gauge student interest. If we don’t have enough students, we may reschedule or cancel in-person classes.

 

ONLINE CLASSES REMAIN AN OPTION

  • We will continue to offer online classes through at least the rest of 2020.
  • All classes offered in-person and live-streamed with clear video and audio for students in the dojo and at home.
  • Students who need to stay home for any reason can stay involved by logging in to class at home.
  • Parents are encouraged to observe classes while they wait through Zoom.

 

Phases of Re-opening

We follow the King County directives of phased business reopening. Currently the county is in Phase 2.

PHASE 1

All students and staff participate in distance learning.  School buildings open to essential personnel and teachers as needed.

PHASE 2 (Current)

Up to 9 students per class participate onsite with in-person instruction. (5 students for the first 600 sqft, and 1 student per additional 300 sqft) All other students participate in distance learning. Staff able to be onsite for the purpose of planning and delivering instruction, virtual and in person.

PHASE 3

All students from Stage 2, and additional students up to 10 per instructor can participate onsite with in-person instruction. All other students participate in distance learning. Staff able to be onsite for the purpose of planning and delivering instruction, virtual and in person.

PHASE 4

All students up to room capacity (-38) can participate onsite with in-person instruction. Staff able to be onsite for the purpose of planning and delivering instruction, virtual and in person.