​Grande Prairie, AB, October 27, 2020 – Peace Wapiti Academy's proposal to resume band class has been approved by Peace Wapiti Public School Division. The proposal, included below, follows guidance issued by the Government of Alberta. The following letter will be sent to parents and students this week. 

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Letter to Parents and Students

October 26, 2020

Dear Parents and Students,

I am informing you that band class has been approved for our PWA students starting on November 4, as long as we follow the proper protocols outlined by the Alberta Government and AHS. The most important thing is keeping our students safe at this time. Students must bring their instruments to class on November 4, and if they are using one from the school, it will be cleaned and ready for your student. Percussionists must have their own drumsticks in class. We will label all instruments and music folders which will be spaced out and stored. A second folder for music to practice at home will be handed out to students.

I have ordered one Conn-Selmer band playing mask for each student (see attached PDF). These masks have a hole to insert the mouthpiece of the instrument and when not playing their instrument they will close the gap. Students are responsible to launder these masks after each use and have them at school on band days. Flutes will wear a face shield and brass players will empty their spit valves on the absorbent pads provided and then dispose of them. Percussionists will wear disposable gloves when using other mallets that are shared in the band. As well, students will receive one bell cover for their instrument and I will launder them at school.

Students will hand sanitize before and after playing (and when they enter/leave the room). They will be spaced out 6m to socially distance which means the band group will be split in half. One group will play and the other group will be supervised in the classroom and will work on music projects, theory, composing etc. Class will run in 30-minute intervals with a 10-minute break in ventilating the room. The stage is one of the better ventilated rooms as we are part of the gymnasium and have high ceilings. All cases, instruments, chairs and music stands will be cleaned after every class.

If you have any further questions on this matter, please contact me at darcynielsen@pwpsd.ca or phone (780) 513-9504. Thank you for your support.

Darcy Nielsen
Peace Wapiti Academy Teacher

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Safety Proposal for Instrumental Music
Peace Wapiti Academy

October 21, 2020

1. Students shall mask when not actively engaged in playing and/or students will wear specially made masks for playing band instruments. The student is responsible to wash their mask like any other mask they use at school.
   
   
2. Wind instruments shall not be shared among students.
   
   
3. All music folders will be labelled and must stay in the band room.
   
   
4. All instrument cases will be labelled and when stored they will be spaced out. Cases will be wiped down after each use.
   
   
5. Percussion instruments shall be cleaned thoroughly between uses.
   
   
6. Students shall have their own sticks and mallets or wear disposable gloves when using percussion equipment.
   
   
7. Physical distancing measures shall be maintained while students are playing (2 m between students).  The length of the instrument will be considered an extension of the body. This will be facilitated by playing on the stage (high ceiling, good ventilation, larger space).
   
   
8. Each student whose instrument has a water valve will receive an absorbent pad upon entering the class. Water will be emptied onto the absorbent pad and disposed of after each class.
   
   
9. After each class, chairs and stands will be cleaned with school wipes provided by the school (used to clean classroom desks).
   
   
10. Students will sanitize hands upon entry and leaving the class.
    
    
11. All students will have bell covers (a polyester fabric cover that goes over the bell of the instrument). They will be washed after every class by the band conductor at the school.
    
    
12. Screens will be worn by flute players that block transverse wind over the tone hole (the air does not go down the bell).
    
    
13. Rehearsal time will be restricted to 30 minute intervals with a 10 minute break out of the room.
    
    
14.  Bell covers will be made (by parent volunteers) or purchased with the funds in the General Band Account. All masks will be purchased with the General Band Funds. Cost of items attached in this file.
    
    
15. Pads are $3 for 14 but they are large and will be cut into 3"squares, so that will make 3-4 smaller pads per large pad.
    
    

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