NO CLASSES MLK DAY – Monday, January 18th
Hello PNB Families,
There will be no classes on Monday, January 18th in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
We hope you have a happy and safe holiday!
About PNB School
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PNB School Office Closure
The School and PNB offices are closed from December 24-January 3. Zoom classes will resume on January 4th; and we will be reviewing the possibility of returning to in-person classes as soon as we can. As we receive a high volume of questions this time of year, we kindly ask that you reach out to us with your questions after we reopen. We will return email and voice mail messages as soon as we can after January 4th.
Happy holidays!
Summer 2021 Statement for PNBS Families
Dear PNB Students & Families,
As we look ahead to the Winter Break and beyond, many of our students have summer dance programs on their minds. PNB School’s Summer Course structure will look a little different than in previous years, so we wanted to share this information with you:
The ongoing challenges of the current situation continue to affect how we plan and implement our programs. With that in mind, we are rethinking our 2021 Summer Courses with two goals: to accommodate our own students who do not want to travel, and to allow students from around the country to attend PNB. We also are expecting continued restrictions on class sizes; and while we don’t know at this time exactly how restrictive this could be, we are weighing that factor into our Summer Course enrollment planning. Ultimately, we hope to offer the opportunity to study with us this summer to as many qualified students as possible; and we want our own students to have a safe option that doesn’t require traveling out of state.
All currently enrolled PNB School students in Levels I-VI are invited and encouraged to attend Summer Course classes at the Francia Russell Center (no audition required).
The Summer Course at the Phelps Center in Seattle will be open on a case-by-case basis only to students in Level VII, VIII, Intermediate Boys and Men’s Division students. We are committed to working with our upper level students to determine the summer experience that will best suit their needs at this time. Students in these levels who are interested in attending the Phelps Center Summer Course must notify the School office by February 8th, so we can plan class sizes accordingly.
Both the Phelps Center Summer Course and Francia Russell Center Summer Course are 5-week programs (July 12-August 13, 2021). Registration and program information will be available to families in late January/early February.
Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you in January.
Warm regards,
Denise Bolstad
Managing Director
Zoom Classes Have Resumed
Wednesday, November 18 2020
Dear PNB School families,
Please note: after the
unexpected cancellation of classes on Monday, 11/16, all PNB School Zoom
classes have now resumed at their usual times. Thank you for your
understanding.
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ALL STUDENT CLASSES CANCELLED MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15th
Sunday, November 15 2020
Dear PNB School Families,
You may have heard the latest announcement from Governor
Inslee today (see link below), issuing updated business restrictions as well as
revised guidelines for social gatherings in an attempt to lessen the impact of
COVID-19 on our communities. One of the updates includes the closure of indoor
service at fitness facilities and gyms; dance studios fall into this category.
From the Seattle Times:
Given these updates, PNB has once again suspended access to
the PNB studios for all students, beginning immediately. In addition, all
PNB School classes (in person and zoom) will be cancelled on Monday, November
16th, to give PNB Management time to review and potentially
adjust staffing at both the Phelps Center and the Francia Russell Center. We
hope to resume all classes as scheduled via Zoom on Tuesday, November 17th;
however, in order to comply with reduced building capacity mandates, we will
not be able to bring students into the studios, in pods or individually.
These new measures from the Governor are expected to last at
least through December 14th. We are extending the studio
restrictions beyond December 14th, through PNB School’s Winter
Break, and will revisit the situation to see if studio access might be possible
again after January 4, 2021. Of course, we will continue to follow guidelines
from King County Public Health, CDC, Washington Department of Health
authorities, and will keep you apprised of any changes or updates to projected
return-to-studio dates.
We understand and share your disappointment at this news, as
we just brought Level VII, VIII, and Men’s Division students back to the
studios. Although reverting back to strictly online instruction was a distinct
possibility moving into the winter months, it is heartbreaking just the same.
And while we are all working to maintain our physical health and safety, mental
well-being is equally important, so we want to take this opportunity to remind
you that PNB School’s Consulting Therapist, Josh Spell, is a tremendous health
and wellness resource for our School families. Josh is available to meet with
students one-on-one as needed, and can be reached at jspell@pnb.org.
As always, we will pass along any updates regarding
COVID-related impacts upon the School as they develop. Until then, keep working
hard in your zoom classes, and please reach out to us if you have any questions
or concerns.
Sincerely,
Denise Bolstad
Managing Director
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Meet Henry Lu! PNB School’s Consulting Physical Therapist
Thursday, November 12 2020
Did you know that PNB School has a Physical Therapy
Consultant? Henry Lu, PT, ATC has been working in orthopedic and sports
rehabilitation since 2003, and has over 10 years of experience working in Dance
Medicine and Rehab. Henry is available to meet with students at his office, Velocity Physiotherapy in Wallingford; and he welcomes
questions from PNB School parents regarding ballet classes and physical therapy
in this new age of online/at home Zoom instruction. (206) 905-8575; henry@velocityphysio.com
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Posted by PNB School
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THANKSGIVING BREAK
Wednesday, November 11 2020
Hello PNB Families,
PNB School will be closed Thursday, November 26th through Sunday, November 29th in honor of Thanksgiving. All classes will be held as normal on Wednesday, November 25th.
We wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe holiday!
PNB School
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Level IV Pointe Shoe Fitting Information
Wednesday, September 30 2020
Dear Level IV
Students and Parents:
The BIG DAY is near! Level IV is a milestone level at PNB School that
many students dream of reaching, as students begin pointe work. We share your
excitement at getting those first pair of pointe shoes! In the coming weeks,
students will be spending time in pointe class discussing what to expect during
the fittings. Teachers will explain how a shoe should fit, what to wear at the
fittings, answer any questions from students and/or parents, and what the next
steps will be once students have had their shoes approved by PNBS faculty.
After much discussion and
planning with our colleagues at New York’s Freed of London office, we realized
that virtual/IN-person fittings at the PNB studios will not be feasible for Level
IV students this year. However, we have a fantastic fitting opportunity
right in our own backyard! Rhea Whitfield Lwin, owner of On Pointe Dancewear in
Bellevue, has graciously agreed to fit all PNB
level IV students. Rhea has been working with
PNBS and Freed to provide the BEST fitting experience we need for our students.
Fitting details:
All
Level IV students must go through an in-person fitting in order to purchase
pointe shoes from On Pointe Dancewear. Pointe shoe fittings must be scheduled
ahead of time through On Pointe’s website: www.onpointebellevue.com.
Please make your appointment as soon as possible.
- Select the service “PNB Level IV
Pointe Shoe Fitting.”
- Please indicate your street shoe size in
the comments section - Each student must have their own
individual appointment - Please arrive with clean feet and
trimmed toenails - Students should wear clean tights to the
fitting - Face masks are required to enter the
store - Dancers’ families can expect to purchase
the following: 1 pair of pointe shoes, matching Freed satin ribbon, pointe
shoe elastic, toe pads, and a sewing kit. Each dancer will receive a free
mesh pointe shoe bag and a special PNB discount of 10% off for this
one-time purchase. It is possible that we might recommend additional
accessories based on individual dancer’s needs.
All shoes must meet PNB
School faculty approval before sewing.
On Pointe and PNBS faculty will make every
effort to find the best fit we can for each student. On Pointe has expert fitters, and they
are also aware of PNBS requirements. Some students may need to experiment with
a different type of shoe. The faculty will continue
to advise each student to find the best shoe for her foot; so once you
have purchased your shoes, please bring them to the next zoom class and your
teacher will approve them to be sewn.
Ø
A
special “Sewing Seminar” for
students will be held during scheduled pointe classes (on Zoom) after shoes are
given final approval. This seminar is for students and parents; we want each
student to do her own sewing, but parents should be there to help as
needed. Students should have their pointe shoes and sewing supplies at
each pointe class following the fittings.
We
know that this is a very exciting time for Level IV students, and we hope that any
questions or concerns you may have will be answered at your fittings and during
class time. Please contact the School if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Denise
Bolstad
Managing
Director
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Message to PNB School Families from Peter Boal and Denise Bolstad
Wednesday, September 23 2020
Dear PNBS students and families,
The School year has begun and while we usually mark this occasion with sounds
of excited students crowding hallways and the highly anticipated first parent
watch day; this year is quite different. Despite restrictions, we are moving
ahead with education and dialogue.
Today, as I walked the halls of the Phelps Center, I heard
young men speaking via Zoom with new faculty member Ikolo Griffin. They
discussed the challenges of double tours en l’air, while a younger set spoke to
Jonathan Porretta about new steps and new combinations. Circuit training,
pointe, variations, choreography, pre-pointe and modern were being broadcast
from every studio in Seattle and in Bellevue as hundreds of students resumed
their study of dance. Thank you for your patience as we explore the safest
practices and best technology applications for students, families, faculty and
staff.
One of our Professional Division students has approached us about starting an
affinity group for Black, Brown, Biracial, and Multiracial students and their
families. We are wholeheartedly behind this idea and invite all students and
parents who would like to participate in this affinity group to join us. PNB
consultant and diversity strategist Theresa Ruth Howard will facilitate first
discussions. Student-led and PNBS supported, School leadership will participate
and engage with this group on a regular basis in order to listen to
feedback and support the creation of safe spaces for students and families of
color.
PNBS is also open to the introduction of other affinity groups, and understand
that our approach to a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive PNB has many
intersections. If you have an idea for another student-led affinity group,
please contact Denise Bolstad at pnbschool@pnb.org.
We find ourselves living in an
altered world, and though we may not all be able to enter a studio at this time
or experience in-person instruction, PNBS is exploring every opportunity to
invite our students and families to be an integral part of how we shape our
future. I hope you will join us as we move forward and embark on a new
year and a new era for our School.
Sincerely,
Peter Boal and Denise Bolstad
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Posted by PNB School
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September 3rd Email Link for Families
Wednesday, September 9 2020
Hello PNB Families,
Below please find the link to the email that was sent to families on September 3rd. Please do not hesitate to contact the school office if you have issues accessing the email via the link.
http://bit.ly/PNBSBacktoSchool
Best regards,
PNB School
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