COVID-19 Updates
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COVID-19 UPDATES

Last updated: May 31, 2022

The Usdan staff created this page to communicate our COVID-19 protocols for Summer 2022.

Usdan follows the guidance of New York State (NYS) and the Suffolk County Health Department. The following reflects the protocol in place on the date listed above. Due to the nature of the pandemic, we will operate with the understanding that policies can change, depending on cases in the region and recommendations from New York State and the Suffolk County Health Department.

Let’s work together as a community to make this summer safe and joyous.

Have questions about COVID-19 protocols? Get in touch by emailing safety@usdan.org or calling 631-643-7900 during regular business hours.

CONTENTS

The Big Picture

Protocols By Daily Schedule

Mask-Wearing

Cleaning / Handwashing / Sanitizing

Vaccination

Visiting

Positive Cases / Communications

COVID-19 Related Refund Policy

THE BIG PICTURE

Here are five important protocols we will adopt, which are detailed below.

  1. Masks will be optional on the bus and at camp this summer. 
  2. Positive cases will be isolated and contacts who have not developed symptoms will not be required to quarantine (regardless of vaccination status).
  3. All students will follow the same protocols, despite their vaccination status.
  4. Most studios at Usdan have varying degrees of fresh air. Usdan will increase airflow in studios with fans. 
  5. Fully enclosed studios will be “mask-recommended” and will have fans and HEPA filters in place to increase airflow.

 

PROTOCOLS BY DAILY SCHEDULE

ARRIVAL

  • Masks are optional for students from the time they board the bus or exit their parent’s vehicle. 
  • Students will be asked to avoid overcrowding, especially in spaces that are prone to overcrowding such as by the Green Sign, the Usdan campus entry point. Such spaces will be marked with signage. If a crowd begins to form, Usdan staff will ask students to disperse.

BUS

  • Mask-wearing is optional on the bus. Families should choose what they are most comfortable with. Should you want Usdan’s bus counselors to ensure your child is wearing their mask on the bus, please inform your bus counselor in-person or by texting or calling the number on your bus card.
  • Buses will be disinfected at the end of each day.
  • Bus windows will remain open by at least one inch to allow for ventilation.
  • Students who are required to wear masks due to a COVID-19 exposure should wear masks on the bus.

STUDIO TIME

Mask-Wearing

  • Masks are optional in all studios. Families should choose what they are most comfortable with. Should you like Usdan’s staff to ensure your child is wearing their mask in the studio, please inform us by emailing safety@usdan.org.
  • Some of our studios are “mask-recommended” studios due to limited airflow. These studios are:
    • A19, A20, A23, A25, M7, M12, M26, M29, T7

Outdoor Activity

  • Most studios will have outdoor space designated at their studio area while others will find outdoor spaces throughout the campus.
  • Faculty are encouraged to remain outdoors with their group as much as possible this summer.

LUNCH

  • Students will eat lunch at their assigned picnic area.
  • On rainy days, students will eat in their Major studio.
  • Lunch will be eaten outdoors at picnic tables weather permitting. Families opting to have their child social distance at lunch should inform us by emailing safety@usdan.org

FESTIVAL

  • Masks are optional at Festival. Families should choose what they are most comfortable with. Should you like Usdan’s staff to ensure your child is wearing their mask in the studio, please inform us by emailing safety@usdan.org
  • Students will be asked to avoid overcrowding, especially in spaces that are prone to overcrowding, such as entering, exiting, and inside the Amphitheater. Such spaces will be marked with signage. If a crowd begins to form, Usdan staff will ask students to disperse.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY

Swim

  • Masks will not be permitted in the pool. 

DISMISSAL

  • Masks are optional. Families should choose what they are most comfortable with. 
  • Students will be asked to avoid overcrowding, especially in spaces that are prone to overcrowding, such as by the Green Sign, Welcome Center, and when students pick up their ice cream treat at the end of the day. Such spaces will be marked with signage. If a crowd begins to form, Usdan staff will ask students to disperse.

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MASK-WEARING

​​The list below describes when masks are optional, recommended, or not permitted. It applies to students who have not tested positive for COVID-19 or had a recent close contact. 

Should you want your child to wear their mask at all times during the camp day, please let our staff know by emailing safety@usdan.org. Families are encouraged to choose what they are most comfortable with. 

Students who have been exposed to COVID-19 in their household will be required to stay masked on the bus and at camp, except when eating or drinking, for 7 days from the date of exposure. We recommend that students who have been exposed at camp stay masked on the bus and at camp, except when eating or drinking, for 7 days from the date of exposure. Please see “Positive Cases & Communications” section below for more details.

Activity

Optional/Recommended/Not Permitted
When student is on the bus

OPTIONAL
When student is walking the campus paths

OPTIONAL
When student is in the outdoor space of a studio or in a studio that has good airflow

OPTIONAL
When student is in a studio that has moderate airflow
(if your child is in a studio with moderate airflow, it will be noted on their program card)

RECOMMENDED
When student is in the pools

NOT PERMITTED
When student is traveling to and from, entering, or exiting the Amphitheater

OPTIONAL
When student is seated at Festival in the Amphitheater

OPTIONAL
When student is at lunch

OPTIONAL
When student is performing in the Lucy Moses Theater, Hillside Theater, or McKinley Amphitheater

OPTIONAL
When student is walking the paths to the bus lot or pick-up area

OPTIONAL

 

 

CLEANING / HANDWASHING / SANITIZING

  • Studios will be cleaned and disinfected, paying careful attention to high-touch surfaces such as tables and door handles.
  • Bathrooms will be cleaned and disinfected multiple times a day, with a more thorough cleaning done at the end of each day.
  • Students and staff will be asked to wash hands at regular intervals including, but not limited to:
    • before eating 
    • upon entering any new studio or space
    • after using the restroom
    • after using common items, such as sports equipment, computer keyboards and mice, and art supplies
    • after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose

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VACCINATION

  • All students will have the same privileges at camp this summer, despite their vaccination status.
  • We are requiring all staff and faculty to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations (absent of an approved reasonable accommodation in accordance with applicable law). 
  • We are encouraging, but not requiring, COVID-19 vaccination for students, but are analyzing the situation and reserve the right to change this policy.
  • Students who have received any COVID-19 vaccines are asked to submit a copy of their vaccine card in advance of camp.
  • Please submit to healthoffice@usdan.org.

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VISITING

  • We welcome parents and caregivers to attend our daily Festival performances as well as Theater Department shows and in-studio performances. 
  • There may be limitations on the number of families who can attend specific in-studio performances. Families will be notified of these limitations in advance of the performances. 
  • Via email and on our website at usdan.org/calendar, parents and caregivers will be notified on which days their child is performing on campus.

 

POSITIVE CASES / COMMUNICATIONS

We isolate positive COVID-19 cases and contacts who have not developed symptoms will not be required to quarantine, regardless of vaccination status.

If a staff member or student is suspected of having COVID-19 by the Health Office, they will be asked to leave campus as soon as possible. If they are unable to, they will be isolated until they are able to secure a ride home. Students or staff suspected of having COVID-19 must show a negative test result or clearance from a physician before returning to camp.

Positive Case/Exposure

Usdan Protocol
If your child tests positive for COVID-19
  • We require that they quarantine for 5 days from the day they tested positive or started to exhibit symptoms.
  • On day 6, they can return the camp.
  • On days 6–10, we require that they wear a mask on the bus and while at camp, except when eating or drinking.
If your child is exposed to COVID-19 in your household (e.g. sibling, parent, etc.)
  • They can come to camp as long as they have not developed symptoms.
  • We require that they stay masked on the bus and at camp, except when eating or drinking, for 7 days from the date of exposure.
  • Please closely monitor your child for symptoms.
  • If your child begins exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, they should not attend camp and be tested. If exhibiting symptoms, proof of a negative test must be shown to return to camp.
If your child is exposed to COVID-19 in their camp class or group
  • They can come to camp as long as they are not exhibiting symptoms.
  • We recommend that they stay masked on the bus and at camp, except when eating or drinking, for 7 days from the date of exposure.
  • Please closely monitor your child for symptoms.
  • If your child begins exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, keep them home and test them. If exhibiting symptoms, they must show the proof of a negative test to return to camp.

Communications

If our Health Office learns that a student or staff member in your child’s class tests positive for COVID-19, you will be contacted by our Health Office via phone or email as soon as possible and asked to monitor your child for symptoms. 

If a student or staff member outside of your child’s close contacts tests positive for COVID-19, you will be notified via email in our weekly COVID-19 report sent to all staff and students on the Friday of each week. 

Please report positive COVID-19 test results to the Health Office immediately.  

Between the hours of 8AM and 4PM:

  • Call the Health Office at 631-643-7900 ex. 10125.

Between the hours of 4PM and 8AM:

  • Email healthoffice@usdan.org and include the date of the positive test, date the symptoms began, and the date your child was last at camp.

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COVID-19 RELATED REFUND POLICY

COVID-19 refunds will only be offered due to camp closure, not for quarantine or isolation orders.

A refund of tuition will be given only if:* 

  • Usdan needs to close in-season due to COVID-19.
  • The refund would be based on the number of days a student missed due to the closure. 
  • Usdan announces camp closure prior to June 27, 2022 due to COVID-19.

*Upon closure, families will be asked to choose one of the following methods to process their refund: 

  1. Tuition refund
  2. Tuition credit
  3. Tuition donation

Have questions about COVID-19 protocols? Get in touch by emailing safety@usdan.org or calling 631-643-7900 during regular business hours.

 

***All policies are subject to change***

 

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