Updates: LCMS COVID-19 Information
March 14, 2020National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 29, 2021Letter to Families on March 11, 2022
Dear LCMS Families,
We would like to thank our musical community for the support and consideration that you have shown to each other throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We are heartened by the most recent announcement by the BC health authorities, and are writing to update you on our policies. We understand that there are different levels of comfort and we encourage our community to be kind and respectful to each other as we navigate these changes together.
Effective Tuesday, March 15, 2022, masks will no longer be mandatory at LCMS, and will become a personal choice, except as specified below.
Group Classes & Ensembles
Masks will continue to be required for parents/caregivers attending with their children in the Music for Babies & Toddlers and Orff classes, and for students in the Children’s Choir. In addition, some teachers will continue to require masks for their specific class or ensemble. If your class falls in this category, you will be notified separately.
Private Lessons
Teachers will set the mask policy for their individual studios. In addition, a student may request that their teacher wear a mask during the lesson.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Principal.
Sincerely,
LCMS
Last Updated: December 30, 2021
Letter to Families on December 30, 2021
Dear LCMS Families,
We hope you are all well and have enjoyed a wonderful holiday break. As we approach the start of the winter term, we would like to provide you with an update regarding our classes and lessons as well as some important health and safety reminders.
Private Lessons
Private Lessons will resume the week of January 3, 2022. Providing a safe and comfortable environment is our top priority, and faculty and/or students may request to have their scheduled lesson in-person or online.
Ensembles, Enrichment Classes and Group Classes All classes and ensembles including early learning, orchestras, fiddling and Suzuki violin prep and performance classes, will resume the week of January 10, 2022.
Masks Required
Masks must be tightly fitting and cover the nose, mouth and chin. Use of N95 or a similar high quality, properly fitting mask is highly encouraged.
Stay Home if You or a Family Member are Unwell
A reminder to please stay home and do not come to LCMS if you or a member of your immediate family are feeling unwell and experiencing symptoms of any communicable disease.
New – Proof of Vaccination for Adult Students
In accordance with the December 22, 2021 health order, all adult students over the age of 21 must now provide proof of full vaccination in order to participate in in-person programs. This is applicable to all programs/classes of any size, including private lessons. Adult students are required to provide proof of vaccination at the office prior to their next in-person lesson or class.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact us.
We wish you a Happy New Year and look forward to welcoming you back for 2022!
Sincerely,
LCMS
Last Updated: September 28, 2021
Letter to Families on September 16, 2021
Dear LCMS Families,
In keeping with the September 10, 2021 Provincial Health Orders, this notice is an update to the September 2, 2021 letter you received regarding LCMS health and safety policies.
Vaccination – Group Classes & Ensembles
Students participating in programs with 50 or fewer participants will not be required to show proof of vaccination. Proof of vaccination will be required for any students/participants 22 years of age and older taking part in group classes, ensembles and programs with more than 50 participants.
Vaccination – Concerts & Events
Proof of vaccination will be required for anyone 12 years and older to attend concerts, recitals and events with more than 50 attendees.
Our other safety policies remain in effect.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Sincerely,
LCMS
Last Updated: September 3, 2021
⇓ Download the Letter to Familes
Dear LCMS Families,
As we look forward to the start of the fall term, I am writing to share with you the health and safety measures that will be in place for the coming school year.
As you are no doubt aware, there have been two recent Provincial health orders pertaining to masks and vaccinations. LCMS takes our duty of care to our under-12 students, and teachers, staff and students who are older and/or immune compromised very seriously, and is fully supportive of these orders.
Vaccination Policy – Group Classes, Ensembles, and Concert Attendance
In accordance with health orders, proof of vaccination will be required for all students 12 years or older participating in group classes or ensembles. Proof of vaccination will also be required for anyone age 12+ to attend concerts, events, student recitals and studio recitals. Please note, vaccination requirements also apply to any parents participating with their child in group classes.
As the Provincial order is limited to group activities, proof of vaccination will not be required for private lessons. It will also not be required to enter/exit the common areas of our building for purposes such as child drop-off and pick-up.
Students/participants will be required to provide proof of vaccination to the LCMS office before participating in their first in-person group class or ensemble on or after September 13, 2021. Students turning 12 during the course of the year will be required to provide proof of vaccination at that time in order to continue in the class.
Vaccination Policy – Teachers & Staff
Providing a safe environment for our students, faculty and staff is a top priority. Our policy is that all faculty and staff teaching or working in-person at LCMS will have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and all faculty teaching group classes and ensembles will be fully vaccinated. This policy is effective on September 7, 2021.
Masks Required
Masks are required to be worn by all persons five years or older in LCMS indoor common spaces, classrooms and teaching studios. An exception will be made for the temporary removal of masks while engaged in an activity that cannot take place while wearing a mask e.g. winds/voice. Children’s Choir participants will be required to wear masks, and will be physically distanced in Rose Gellert Hall.
To avoid un-masked crowding outside the lobby entrance, everyone is asked to wear a mask while outside the building within the vicinity of the front door.
Ensembles, Enrichment Classes and Group Classes
Most classes and ensembles, including orchestras, fiddling and Suzuki performance classes, will operate at normal capacity, and will not be offered in hybrid or online format. Early learning classes and children’s choir will be taking place with reduced capacity and/or modified activities. Recognizing different groups have different safety considerations relating to the instruments being played and age/vaccination status of the participants, detailed safety requirements will be communicated to registered participants in advance of class start as required.
Waiting in the Building Discouraged
To avoid crowding in the building, students will be asked to arrive on-time, not early, and leave the building promptly after. There will be limited seating in the lobby.
Cleaning and Hygiene
There will be regularly scheduled cleaning of high touch surfaces throughout the building. Hand sanitizing stations will continue to be positioned at the lobby entrance and throughout the building, and hand sanitizer provided in each teaching studio or classroom. Sanitizer will be provided for the cleaning of pianos between students. All persons entering a teaching studio must clean their hands before and after the lesson.
Stay Home if you are Unwell
A reminder to everyone to please stay home and do not come to LCMS if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or any communicable disease. This continues to be a requirement, independent of vaccination status.
Questions Welcome
Health and safety is our top priority, and this letter is summary of our communicable disease prevention plan. If you have questions or concerns about the measures we are taking, please contact us. As always, the Principal is available by appointment.
We look forward to welcoming you this fall.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Granholm
Principal
