Dear MDU Family,
I am writing today with a proactive communication regarding the potential state-wide mask mandate repeal going before the Legislature on Thursday.
Regardless of the outcome, our business will continue to support a mask requirement (unless you have an exception) until further notice.
While it is true that we have had a negligible occurrence of COVID-19 in our programs since re-opening in June (.00025%, or 5 reportable cases out of over 20,000 heads in classes, and none for two months) Coulee Region public schools are in the process of welcoming their students back which introduces a new risk variable to our student population. Even if the mask mandated is repealed on Thursday, it would be unwise to introduce a second risk variable to our student population at the same time.
As a teacher and a dancer, I look forward to the day when this is no longer a talking point, but in the meantime, we will continue all of the Safer Studio™ measures that have brought us such success so far including keeping people home when they don't feel well, well checks for employees, ongoing facility cleaning with our Sparkle Squad, hand sanitation, and face coverings. Our community is turning the corner and we need to stay the course until we get there <3.
As always, we will continue to monitor the situation as we keep our focus on supporting the whole health of our students—including physical, social-emotional and, mental well-being—through dance classes each week.
Thank you for your support!
In partnership,
Misty Lown
Dear MDU Families,
All, thank you for your patience. I thought I could get this out yesterday, but Isabella's ACL repair surgery was rescheduled at UW-Madison Hospital yesterday! We are very thankful as it was canceled because of the quarantine. The surgery went great and she will be coming home today <3.
Parents, we thank you SO much for your support over the past weeks as we transitioned to distance learning and dancing safer at home. Together we have done perhaps some of the most important work of this season - that of providing kids an anchor to the familiarity and comfort of their friends, peers, and teachers during a very difficult time. And, yes we did some dancing! We even did some GREAT dancing! But, this season - more than any other season - we have truly embodied what it means to be MORE than just great dancing.
Now, it goes without saying that when we chose our theme for Recital of "Vision 2020" that finishing the last 8 weeks of our season at home was not what we envisioned. It's not what any of us envisioned. But, as I share the following plans to finish our 22nd season strong and prepare for the future, I am at peace with the care we have taken and the decisions we have made. At all times, and in all ways, we have gone above and beyond to provide love and life for our teachers, our students, and our families and will continue to do so as we move forward.
Our plans for Recital, Summer, Fall & More are described in this 20-minute video presentation and outlined below.
Watch Video
Coming Back Together:
We take the safety of our kids and families and our responsibility to our staff and the community seriously.
Any considerations to move towards face-to-face service is being done with the utmost care and consultation of our local leaders and authorities.
Recital Reimagined:
We will be offering two opportunities for families to reimagine recital and to showcase the accomplishments of our ALL of our students. Learn more at our
Recital Page.
Costumes
If you have not yet received your costume, you will receive a separate email regarding a time for Curbside Pick-up later this week.
Performance Company Competition and Ballet La Crosse Performance
Our team is working hard on rescheduling options for these events with vendors. Stay tuned for more information!
A Special Note for Seniors
As dancers, our hearts ache for our graduating seniors knowing that "Finishing Strong" for them is not just about ending the year well. It's about the finish line of their entire dance journey with us. Our teachers will be helping all our older students, but especially our seniors, process the rollercoaster of emotions that accompany loss in their classes during the coming weeks and helping them to know that it's okay to be sad about what "cannot be" and still be grateful for what "can be". They are not mutually exclusive. Sadness and gratitude are both valid, and normal, responses. But, as for much as this has been hard for our upper-level students, I am confident of this - THEY WILL RISE AND SHINE. So, it is in this spirit, that I ask ALL MDU families and students to help us in acknowledging all the pieces of the journey of our upper-level students and supporting them as we share their senior stories with you in the weeks to come and livestream a special Senior Night that they will be helping to put together as part of our Red Carpet Recital Experiences. Please keep your eyes peeled for those details and get ready to cheer them on <3.
Summer and Fall Schedules
As we look to transition from Safer-at-Home to Phase 1 of recovery we have a relatively high degree of confidence in sharing the following dates.