NMS Covid-19 Guidelines

Welcome

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we have carefully planned for safe, joyful artistic experiences. We have worked from a foundation of listening to expert advice, collaborating with our community, and placing safety at the center of all of our plans.

With input from medical professionals and government officials, we have developed science-based guidelines designed to keep our community safe. We are fortunate to have students ages 6 months to nearly 100 at NMS, and our procedures take into account the needs of all members of our community.

The NMS community is unlike any other. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we have all come together with patience, flexibility, resilience, and a spirit of cooperation. We know that our community will continue to work together to ensure the safety of all.

‍These guidelines are subject to change. Last updated: 3/14/2023

Student Covid-19 Vaccination Policy

Statement of Policy

Neighborhood Music School requires all students age 5 and older who participate in NMS activities in person during the 2022-2023 academic year to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and to submit proof of vaccination by the first day of their activity. The final day of the academic year is June 23, 2023.

Enrolled students who turn 5 during the 2022-2023 academic year must receive the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine within 30 days of turning 5, if they are not yet vaccinated, and the second dose within the medically recommended timeframe. Students must submit proof of vaccination following their second dose.

Parents/caregivers who participate in academic year lessons, classes, and/or ensembles with students in person must also be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and submit proof of vaccination by the first day of their activity.

Any 2022-2023 academic year student who does not provide proof of vaccination will be accommodated through online learning whenever possible, though we cannot guarantee the availability of online learning accommodations for all NMS activities.

As of June 26, 2023, NMS will strongly encourage, but no longer require, students to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Submission of Proof of Vaccination

Students and parents/caregivers need only submit proof of vaccination once prior to participating in activities in person at NMS. Proof of vaccination may include a photo of a vaccination card, a government-issued vaccination record, a provider-issued vaccination record, a QR code linked to a digital health record, or any other official record of vaccination.

Students and parents/caregivers may submit proof of vaccination in one of three ways:

Upload proof via your NMS account (it is recommended that you complete these steps on a computer):
- Save your proof of vaccination on your device.
- Log in to your NMS account here: nms.asapconnected.com/Login
- Click on “Documents” in the left navigation bar.
- Under “Student Documents,” click on “Browse” and then double-click on the student’s proof of vaccination.
- Click on “Upload.”
- Repeat upload process for all other students in your family, as well as parents/caregivers who will be participating in lessons, classes, or ensembles with a student.
Email proof to covid@nmsnewhaven.org.
Bring proof to the front desk at our main building and show us in person.

Confidentiality

Access to students’ proof of vaccination will be restricted to employees of NMS who need to know. Student privacy and confidentiality will be maintained at all times.

Administration of This Policy

Policy Modification
Government and public health laws/regulations, guidelines, and restrictions regarding Covid-19 and Covid-19 vaccines are changing rapidly as new information becomes available, further research is conducted, and additional vaccines are approved and distributed. NMS reserves the right to modify this policy at any time, in its sole discretion, to adapt to changing circumstances and needs.

Questions
For specific questions about the implementation of this policy, please direct your inquiries to covid@nmsnewhaven.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are booster shots required?
Booster shots are not required, though they are strongly encouraged for everyone who is eligible.

I study with my teacher in person, but not at NMS’s main building in New Haven. Do I need to submit proof of vaccination?‍

Yes.

I am a parent/caregiver who doesn’t go into the classroom or studio with my child. Do I need to submit my vaccination status?‍

No.

I prefer to study online. Do I need to submit my vaccination status?
No.

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Health

Every member of the NMS community has a role to play in keeping all of us healthy. We ask each individual to make a commitment to following all of our health guidelines. Together, we can keep each other safe at NMS.

Home Health Screening

Prior to entering our facilities, please complete the following Covid-19 home screening tool for you and/or your child:

Please answer each of the following questions TRUE or FALSE:

My child is NOT / I am NOT experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19, or of another contagious illness (for example, influenza).
My child is NOT / I am NOT currently under evaluation for Covid-19 (for example, waiting for the results of a viral test to confirm infection).
My child has NOT / I have NOT been diagnosed with Covid-19 OR my child has / I have been diagnosed with COVID-19 but have since been cleared to discontinue isolation.
My child is NOT / I am NOT subject to an order or request for self-isolation or quarantine by my doctor or a public official.

All answers must be TRUE for a student to participate in person at any activity at NMS.
‍If you answer one or more questions FALSE, please stay home and contact your teacher.

Covid-19 Exposure

We follow CDC recommendations regarding steps to take following exposure to Covid-19. If you have been exposed to Covid-19, please contact our Covid Coordinator, Gillian Eversman, at 203-624-5189 ext. 26 for guidance.
If you develop any Covid symptoms at any point following a Covid exposure, you must stay home.

Masks

Masks and bell covers are optional in studios, classrooms, and hallways at NMS.
Teachers may choose to require that their students wear masks and/or use bell covers while participating in their lessons, classes, ensembles, and/or studio recitals.
At all times, masks must be worn by audience members attending NMS performances and large events.

Social Distancing

Please respect social distancing, both in public spaces and within studios.

Hand Hygiene

Please wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
We particularly encourage you to wash your hands upon entering our facilities.
Hand sanitizer is available at the entrance to our facilities.

Vaccines

For the 2022-2023 academic year, ending June 23, 2023:

NMS employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted.
NMS students age 5 and older who participate in NMS activities in person are required to be fully vaccinated.
NMS students under age 5 are strongly encouraged to become vaccinated as soon as possible.
Parents/caregivers who participate in lessons, classes, and/or ensembles with students in person must be fully vaccinated.
Booster shots are strongly recommended for all who are eligible.
Partner programs that use our facility follow their own policies regarding vaccinations.

Beginning June 26, 2023:

NMS students and employees will be strongly encouraged, but no longer required, to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
Booster shots will be strongly recommended for all who are eligible.
Partner programs that use our facility will follow their own policies regarding vaccinations.

Covid-19 Case at NMS

If someone who has been to NMS tests positive for Covid-19, we will follow the guidance of the Health Department.

Main Campus at 100 Audubon Street

Ventilation

Wing’s Testing & Balancing conducted a thorough test and analysis of our ventilation system.
We have upgraded our air filtration as high as possible through the installation of MERV 13 air filters.
Fresh air is continuously brought into our building through our intake system.
There is constant air supply and return in each studio and office, meaning that air is constantly being exchanged in each room.
Our air filtration and air exchange rates both exceed CDC guidelines.

Entrance

The front door of our building is kept locked at all times.
To enter the building, please press the intercom button to the right of the front door.
Families and caregivers are welcome to enter the building with students.

Public Spaces

Families and caregivers are welcome to wait in the public spaces in our building while students are participating in activities. Please follow all health and safety guidelines.
Eating and drinking are permitted in the first floor atrium. Please do not eat in the hallways.

Cleaning

Between lessons, classes, and ensembles, faculty members clean shared surfaces on instruments and equipment, such as piano keys and ballet barres.
High-touch surfaces throughout the building, such as door handles and stairway handrails, are cleaned frequently throughout the day.
The entire building is professionally cleaned nightly.
All cleaning products used at NMS are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Satellite Locations: Guilford and Hamden Hall

While at our Guilford and Hamden Hall satellite locations, please follow all NMS health guidelines. Most building procedures for our main campus also apply at our satellite locations. The following guidelines are specific to our satellite locations:

Guilford

The facility’s ventilation system has been inspected and is working properly.
Families and caregivers are welcome to wait in the waiting area while students are having their lessons.
NMS cleaning procedures are followed.

Hamden Hall

In addition to following NMS guidelines, please also follow all Hamden Hall guidelines.

MAKE-UP POLICY AND ONLINE INSTRUCTION

Our Attendance and Make-Up Policies for Lessons, Classes, and Ensembles can be found here.

To further encourage students to stay home when they are sick, we will follow these additional guidelines for individual lessons:

If a student cannot attend their lesson in person due to Covid-19 symptoms, required quarantine due to Covid-19 exposure, or another reason, we will make every effort to teach the lesson online during the student’s normal lesson time. The student should plan on being available for an online lesson.
If a student needs to attend their lesson remotely, the student/parent should contact the teacher with as much advance notice as possible. Please remember that when faculty are teaching, their phones are off, so they may not be able to reply to your message right away. Please do not assume that you should come into NMS if you do not get an immediate reply from your teacher; please stay home and know that your teacher will reply as soon as they are able.

Thank You

We appreciate your dedication to the NMS community and all of your efforts to keep everyone healthy and safe.