Today is May 1, 2020 and this is what we know now...
What’s new?
We have been using our time very wisely and our leadership team has been attending online summits and clinics and business meetings. Our new Dance Director, Miss Olivia Boser has been able to get acclimated to her new role and she has some really fun ideas in store for our dancers when we are allowed to be together again. In the meantime, she has been instrumental along with Coach Amber in facilitating our Google Classroom and adding so many fun things to our facebook page. We have been cleaning and cleaning and cleaning and planning for every possible scenario we can think of that will allow us to bring smiling faces back in to our facility as soon as we are able. We are definitely going to be better than ever! We can’t wait for you to see the improvements.
Sadly, we have made the difficult decision to close our preschool classes for the summer. We feel that it is in the best interest of the little ones, since it is more difficult to control keeping hands away from our mouths and our nose and eyes, cover our coughs and sneezes at this age. Should we be allowed to bring any students back to the building, we will be using the current ocean gym for some of the Sharks, Level 1 and 2 classes over the summer months so that we can control social distancing and class ratios better than we can in the main gym.
NEXT WEEK:
Many of you have been enjoying the Google Classroom offerings and we are excited to announce that we will be continuing virtual classes during the month of May,via Zoom! Instructors will be able to lead the classes, provide instruction and give corrections this way.
You will need to register for these via the link on our website ( or below).
The cost per class type will be only $25 per month.
Dance for ages 3-5 will be held on Wednesday from 5:45 until 6:30
Dance for ages 6-9 will be held on Wednesday from 6:45 until 7:30
Gymnastics classes for
Preschoolers (Starfish and Dolphins, ages 3,4 and 5), will be held on Tuesday @3PM
Beginners (Sharks, Mini Muscles, Girls and Boys Level 1 and 2, ages 5+ with experience),will be held on Thursday @3PM
Intermediate (Girls and Boys level 3, completed 3 years of gymnastics) will be held on Tuesday @4PM and
Advanced (Girls and Boys level 4,5 and 6) will be held on Thursday @ 4PM
If you are unable to attend a class, you can email us and a link to the recorded class will be sent to you.
REGISTER for May Online Classes here
Summer:
Though we have no idea what the governor will be allowing, we have several plans ready for multiple scenarios and we are here for you! We have removed the preschool classes from our schedule but we will continue to offer online options for your little ones.
DayCamp is still scheduled to begin in June, though we are expecting to have to limit our numbers!
If we are allowed to have the joyous sound of giggles in our hallways, we know that many of you will choose to stay home this summer. We will continue to offer virtual and zoom classes for you. If you are able to come to classes in our facility, you will also have the option to add the online/virtual options at a substantial discount so that you can do both! We know that this has been a financial hardship for many so we are offering very reduced pricing.
Should we be able to open our doors, all dance classes will be offered at only $35/mo!
All 1 hour gym classes will be offered at just $50/mo and 2 hour classes only $80/mo! We will not be offering combination dance and gymnastics, although you can register for both individually. This will assist us in keeping the groups small and predictable while we struggle through the difficulty of this virus.
Add the online options to your classes for just $15/ month for a class!
Reminder:
Everyone that paid for April Recreational Classes will be issued a 4 week makeup pass/punch card. These will be in an alphabetical file at the front desk (separate from the open gym coupons).
Our summer months are based on 3 week months rather than 4, so to issue you a full month would cut many of you short.
If you register for summer classes, you can take an additional class 4 weeks throughout the summer. These “makeups” will need to be scheduled so that we are staying within class ratios. You will need to check in at the front desk for your makeup.
If you register for Summer or Fall classes, you can turn in your pass and a credit will be applied to your tuition. Each punch will equal the dollar amount that your April class would have been. (I.E. if you paid $72, each punch will be worth $18 toward tuition.) This can be used toward a siblings tuition as well.
If you register for our summer day camp, you may turn in your pass for a credit towards *day camp tuition. Each punch will equal the dollar amount that your April class would have been. (I.E. if you paid $72, each punch will be worth $18 toward daycamp.)
*If we are required to limit our day camp numbers this summer, we reserve the right to cancel this offer.
A punch can be turned in for a free open gym when we are able to offer those again.
You may use a combination of the offers above. (I.E. You may take two extra classes in summer, use one punch toward an open gym and 1 punch credit in the fall.)
Exceptions:
Milaca Divers and HIT members will be given their next session free of charge (can be redeemed in either Summer 2020, Fall 2020, or Spring 2021)or a sibling may use your credit.
Team and Company members will follow the same information as given out previously. Payments will continue on the 1st as normal and we will credit to the months of August to May.
In closing,
We are grateful for the support we have received from so many. Thank you for all the kind words of encouragement and compliments on our instructors and our program. Our staff of directors is using this opportunity and working diligently on ways to improve our curriculum and ultimately our program. We miss you all so much and we can not wait to hear the giggles and see the smiles in our facility again! Until then keep your chins up! I encourage you all to continue the stay at home restrictions, Minnesota is doing very well so far! Keep watching your google classrooms throughout April and don’t forget about the fun on the North Crest Kids Activity Center facebook page! It has been a tremendous joy to see the videos and pictures of everyone--keep it up! We still do not have staff at our telephone so please be sure to email questions and concerns to office@northcrestkids.com.
Staying Positive!
Miss Paula
~on behalf of the team at North Crest Kids Activity Center.
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March 26 updates from North Crest
Hello to our North Crest Community!
Congratulations! We have made it through almost 2 weeks of our country being pretty much shut down. It has been a busy time here at North Crest, with a lot of cleaning, organizing, planning, and adjusting to this situation we are all going through together. A lot of virtual workouts, at home strength work, and “homework” assignments began last week, and we have plans in place to keep this going for a while. North Crest is just not the same place without the children and to say that we miss them is a gross understatement. We have gone from changes happening so quickly initially-things we planned in a staff meeting one hour, had no relevance the very next hour, to now, where it seems like we have entered a time of just not knowing anything and a great number of people talking but saying the same things over and over. Our governor announced that he knows only that the time allotted for the recommended “Minnesota stay at home” and closure for all recreation and fitness businesses (which is what we fall under) was not sufficient and was extended. There is no definite end in sight and it seems that it will be a gradual increase rather than an “all clear”.
On the flip side, there are a lot of positive signs out there that our country and more specifically our state, is doing the right things to navigate this crisis. Testing capabilities have improved, treatments, drugs, and preventative measures have rapidly improved, and most of the country is observing the social distancing protocols to slow the spread of this virus to keep up with equipment and medical demands. We haven’t seen the rapid escalation that Italy saw, so let’s hope that is a sign that we are doing the right things.
“A lot of things are closed, but HOPE is not.”
Feeling stressed? (I know I have been guilty of sudden outbursts at my kids and husband.) Maybe try what I do..Pray. The peace you receive from laying your worries and concerns upon the Father is amazing. Another suggestion, turn your radio on to SPIRIT 92.9 or KTIS 98.5. I’m amazed at the number of times that just the right song comes on, or a story from one of the DJ’s changes my attitude or puts a smile on my face and gives me a better outlook or proper perspective on the day. Everyone is different, and that may not work for you but I encourage you to find a way to be purposefully positive. What the mind thinks, is so much more controlling than we know. “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t . . . you are probably right”. Sport Psychologists are saying to make sure that being purposefully positive is a part of your routine-first of course is to make sure you have routines that you are keeping up with, especially for children. Think about how you can keep atleast a morning and evening routine happening. Make checking the North Crest Kids Activity Center facebook page and your Google Classroom or TeamApp a part of every day. Take a deep breath, relax, smile, and we’ll all get through this together. North Crest Strong!
With all of that said, here is where we are at, at the end of this crazy day:
We previously cancelled our gymnastics, “Showtime Showdown” and regretfully with sincere apologies, we have to announce that we also must cancel our “Spring Dance Recital”. We are so sorry. We know that many of you have been working so hard. Even if we are allowed back in our building before the end of May, the Paramount Theater is not allowed to have that size of an audience. They have been told to cancel all audiences through the month of May, and that there will likely be further recommendations for June due to the size of the gatherings.
All recreational gym and dance accounts have been suspended and charges will not occur. As stated before, we will be very flexible with our absence policy for the March and April cancelled classes. Please note that we do not have our office staff in the building during this time. You do not need to disenroll at this time. Put simply, if you do, you will not receive information about how to go about receiving makeup information because you will no longer be on those class lists. You will be given time to discontinue, should you desire, if we are able to resume school session classes, but everything for you has been put on hold.
Google classroom directions and codes have been emailed to all recreational students so that they can participate in activities that will keep them active and working toward their gymnastics and dance goals. Be sure to also check out our facebook page and participate in the fun challenges there as well. We have been asked why we are not just putting the videos on Youtube. The answer is simply that many of our videos have music behind them for our dancers and without the music they are not as effective. Although we have music licenses purchased through Sesac and Ascap which give us permission to use the songs, youtube does not know that and they mute the music behind such videos and sometimes they take away all audio wherever music is present. In addition, we want to be sure we are providing North Crest patrons something specifically for those of you that have supported us financially and we do not wish to share the choreography that our teachers spend several hours on with the world...yes, I know that we can make them private on youtube, but I refer you back to the 1st reason.
If you need to communicate with us, please email office@northcrestkids.com. Our phones are not being answered at this time.
Team and Company program directors have developed on-line content (ie “homework”) for their athletes to stay active, stay in shape, and stay connected, through this break. Watch for updates to the information already there and be sure to participate in the facebook challenges...they add a ton of fun and allow us to all see how you are doing and keep us connected during the time that we are apart.
We will continue to communicate as much as we can to all of you. We will use our website, blast emails, and social media to disseminate as much information as we can. We apologize in advance if you get inundated with communications from us.
Enjoy some things you normally wouldn’t have time for, and have a great rest of your week and weekend!
Remember: “Life is like a roller coaster. It has its ups and downs, but it’s your choice to scream, or enjoy the ride!”
Some words of wisdom that I have been hanging on to: Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Hope to see you all real soon!
Thank you again for your patience and for being a part of the North Crest Community!
Missing You!
Miss Paula
(Updated on March 17th, 2020)
IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ. As a result of the CDC, MDH, and governors mandated order, effective Tuesday, March 17, North Crest Kids Activity Center is required to temporarily suspend all classes and activities at least until March 29 to do our part in controlling COVID-19. This situation is moving quickly, and we are trying to address it as best we can to protect the health and safety of our students and staff.
Please be patient during this process as we all navigate unchartered territory. Know that nothing brings us greater joy than having your kids in our facility. We are doing this to protect our families and because it has been required of us. During this down time, your directors will be conducting Spring cleaning early as well as taking the time to evaluate our lesson plans and add some fun and exciting things in for your children so that we can be better than ever!
We ask that you stay enrolled in classes. All account activity will be suspended. We will issue open gym passes for March classes missed and we will allow for make-ups to be scheduled for all April classes that might be missed should this closure be extended.
We can’t wait for the all clear to see all the wonderful faces of your children soon. One thing I DO know is this too shall pass and until that time we are all in this together. We are here for you as we know you are here for us. Thank you to all of you that have emailed us stating so. North Crest STRONG!
With over 500 families affected and 42 employees, this is a very difficult time. We will continue to monitor and reassess the situation and will provide another update when we have one. We look forward to welcoming you back to our facility in the near future.
Looking forward and thinking positively- our summer schedule has been posted online!
Please check it out and register now for the most convenient class dates and times.
There is no risk in this registration, as nothing for summer is billed until May 15 and depending on the length of
our downtime, this may be the best opportunity to get you the makeup classes you deserve!
With much hope,
Paula M. Stone
on behalf of your NC Staff
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(Updated on March 16th, 2020)
The information that we receive is changing on a daily basis, some is minute by minute even.
The constant information that we are hearing is to keep large groups to a minimum
and to do your best to maintain the 6 foot distance. In good faith, we will not be holding
regularly scheduled recreational classes (team and company refer to team app) this week, however, we will be sending out videos for all of our
active students so that while they are home they are able to remain active. This is especially
important at this time while they are not in regular school sessions to keep their brains functioning.
Clich HERE for a fun handout explaining some of the best reasons to keep your students active, and stay posted to view
the videos that we will be sending out. Although we will be sending the videos for everyone, we will still
issue open gym coupons for the absence as we promise in our absence policy.
What will happen next week still remains to be seen. Please be patient with us as there are many
voices to listen to and many opinions to consider. We will not have our telephone staffed
as we are limiting our staff in our building as well. Please email us with your comments and
questions at office@northcrestkids.com as this can be monitored remotely.
Our directors are currently working on the videos and the method as to how they will be
rolled out. Please stay tuned to your email for that information.
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(Updated on March 13th, 2020)
We are monitoring the CDC and MN Department of Health’s recommendations regarding preventative measures we can all take to manage a potential outbreak of COVID-19, or “coronavirus.” We are aware of the nature of this potential threat in our communities and will update you if further information requires it.
Here is information on the preventative measures North Crest has in place to minimize any potential impact on our communities and staff.
North Crest will follow the MN Department of Health’s (MDH) recommendations for prevention and closures.
North Crest will monitor school district closures, but MDH leads our decisions on closures.
North Crest is cleaned daily with products that are effective against infectious germs and we have put in place incremental surface wiping during business hours as well.
North Crest will put a hold on open gyms and recreational classes from using the foam pits.
North Crest provides hand sanitizers with a minimum of 60% alcohol content and provide hand soap in all restrooms.
North Crest will communicate any information we are made aware of regarding the spread of this potential threat through emails directly to families and on our website.
North Crest will continue to honor our absentee policy and open gym passes will be distributed for any absence or classes cancelled.
Here is how you can help:
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
If your child is sick, please do not bring them to class. Should a staff
member request that you not participate in class due to symptoms,
please be respectful of their request during this time.
Remind your family to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after
going to the bathroom, blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
(A good rule of thumb is to wash hands for the time it takes to say the Pledge of Allegiance
or for little ones, singing the alphabet song)
Remind your family to “cover a cough”.
Use the facial tissue provided at our facilities and throw out in trash receptacles.
A change in schedule:
USA Gymnastics has issued a notice postponing all sanctioned events through March 31.
The MN Department of Health has also made recommendations against hosting events that
are of a social nature where more than 100 outside patrons may gather. At that recommendation,
North Crest has chosen to cancel the Showtime Showdown, scheduled for March 28.
We will be issuing a credit to any accounts that
previously paid the entry fee.
Click on these links for further information: CDC (www.cdc.gov) and MN Department of Health (www.health.state.mn.us).
Please email us at office@northcrestkids.com if you have any additional questions or concerns.