Design Dance Programs will Remain Virtual
for Summer and Fall of 2020.

In an effort to contain the proliferation of COVID-19 and keep our community safe, Design Dance has made the decision to exclusively offer virtual programming in lieu of in-person programming this summer and fall of 2020. To learn more about Design Dance’s virtual learning options, please visit our Safe + Seamless Virtual Learning page.

To ensure you are receiving the latest updates our team, please subscribe to our Design Dance Families Mailing List.

Below are 3 resources we’re using to adapt to this health emergency and educational landscape.

1. ENGAGE IN VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING

As we all practice social-distancing, we know that a lack of movement can be one of the more challenging side effects for our mental and physical health. Which is why we’re continuing our work to provide virtual dance classes to our communities through the following options.

2. SUPPORT ARTS EDUCATORS.

As we move forward with cancelling programs in all of our partner schools and community centers, many members of our community are experiencing substantial losses of income in their day-to-day lives. While our business is doing the best we can to financially support our valuable network of educators, the stark reality is that as our programs cease operation so do our revenue streams.   

To support those teachers who make it their mission in life to support our youth, we’ve created an emergency Design Dance Teaching Artist Fund. If you’re able, 100% of your donation to this fund will be distributed to our contracted educators during this shut down.

3. EMPLOY SAFE HEALTH PRACTICES + LEVERAGE COMMUNITY RESOURCES.

All Chicago Public School locations will serve as food distribution centers starting Tuesday, March 17th. All families will be able to pick-up meals at their nearest CPS school beginning Tuesday, March 17th, between 9:00am-1:00pm daily. These free food boxes will contain three days of breakfast and lunch for every student per household.

Families are encouraged to stay home unless seeking medical care. For the most reliable information regarding COVID-19 updates, please visit www.chicago.gov/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. For school-specific updates, visit www.cps.edu/coronavirus. If you need help locating medical care, please reach out to the CPS Office of Student Health & Wellness at oshw@cps.edu or by calling the Healthy CPS Hotline 773-553-KIDS (5437).

Additionally, please be sure you and your families practice the health habits below to deter the spread of COVID-19:

  • Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

  • Avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Covering coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

  • Staying hydrated.

  • Utilizing hand sanitizer frequently.

Design Dance made-up for missed spring programming via the below class credit policies.

In response to COVID-19 program cancellations, Design Dance followed our emergency program cancellation procedures: 

  • If you had a student at a Chicago Park District location, Design Dance offered your family a credit in the amount of the classes missed throughout the shutdown. If you were registered for our Spring 2020 session at the Chicago Park District, we were unable to process cash refunds. However, we did offer families a free membership to our Virtual Dance Studio for the amount of weeks missed in their Spring Session OR the option to receive a class credit. If you believe you did not receive this email or this option, please contact info@designdance.net

  • If you had a student at a Chicago Public, Charter, or Private School location, Design Dance offered your family either a membership to our Virtual Dance Studio OR a credit in the amount of the classes missed throughout the shutdown. If you believe you did not receive this email or this option, please contact info@designdance.net

    • Please note that the value offered back to our registrants was made in conjunction with the specific school or after school organizations that Design Dance partners with. Different schools may offer families different value-back options.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at info@designdance.net or 312-361-0864 for immediate assistance.