The Graceful Planet Studio of Dance, located at 7 Berkshire Road, hosted an open house on Saturday, August 29, to educate the public how its COVID-19 procedures are allowing students to stay safe and continue their love of dance.

Owner/Studio Director Grace Harvey was on site to welcome visitors, as were half a dozen dancers enrolled at the studio.

Everyone wore masks, while also keeping social distance, and people were encouraged to walk through the dance studio. Private tours both in person and via Zoom were available, too.

Like many small businesses in Newtown impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Harvey said it has been an uphill battle for the studio to stay open, but she is fortunate to have “an amazing community of dance families” supporting her every step of the way.

The Graceful Planet Studio of Dance is implementing an assortment of safety measures to allow students to continue to enjoy dancing, whether in person at the studio or virtually.

“We follow all CDC guidelines,” Harvey said, sharing the studio’s COVID-19 precautions:

*Please keep children home if they are sick.

*All classes will be offered in person or on Zoom.

*If dancers or their families must stay in quarantine, dancers will be able to log in to class remotely.

*Class size will be limited according to CDC guidelines.

*Class start and end times will be staggered to limit contact and allow for disinfecting between classes.

*Studios will be disinfected between each class.

*The bathroom will be sanitized between each class.

*Students will enter through main doors and exit from doors in the studios to allow for one way traffic.

*Hands will be sanitized upon entering and exiting the studio.

*If the studio must close, all classes will continue via Zoom on their regular schedules.

*Boxes taped on the studio floors will help to promote social distancing.

*Everyone must have their own clearly marked water bottle.

*All teachers and students must wear masks.

*Free masks will be available at the front desk.

*An e-mail will be sent and a video will be posted with all the details before classes start.

Policies and procedures will be updated as needed to continue to adhere to the CDC guidelines as they evolve, she told The Newtown Bee.

“We pride ourselves on creating a safe, inclusive environment for all of our dancers and their families,” Harvey added. “We feature small classes, personal attention from the first dance class until graduation, age-appropriate costumes, music, and choreography — and fun!”

The Graceful Planet Studio of Dance offers ballet, pointe, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, pom pom, acro dance, contemporary, and modern.

Classes for preschoolers include Princess Ballerinas, Tot Hop & Tumbling, Broadway Babies, Pom Pom, Ballet, Ballet Jazz Combo, and Fairytale Dance.

Harvey added, “We have dance teams starting at age 5. My teams not only complete in dance competitions, they perform community service projects. They learn the importance of teamwork, community, leadership, and perseverance. We teach more than dance, we inspire the leaders of tomorrow.”

Registration is currently open and will continue until classes are full.

“Class size is extremely limited, so early registration is strongly encouraged. You can register in person or create an account on our website, and I will contact you via e-mail and get you registered online,” Harvey explained of the registering process.

Classes for the 2020-21 season start September 14, to accommodate students returning to school.

“As a mom, I know how hard it is to start a new schedule,” Harvey said. “We all want our kids to feel successful and not overwhelmed. I think giving everyone a couple of weeks and not starting everything at once is the best way to help everyone.”

For those who may have missed the open house but are still interested in learning more about The Graceful Planet Studio of Dance, call 203-426-8215 or e-mail gracefulplanet@aol.com.