Re-Opening Plan: COVID 19
Sept. 10th, 2020: Update from Owner
Arc + Flame is still not cleared to run any classes for the general public, including open torch flameworking. This is based entirely on New York State’s mandates pertaining to COVID. As a result, we have postponed all classes through Sept. 30th, 2020.
We are actively interviewing candidates interested in our Welding & Fabrication Program set to begin February 2021. This program is directly partnered through Monroe Community College. For more information, visit the following link: https://www.rocafc.com/pages/career-training-program
Our Fall 2020 Welding & Fabrication Industry Certificate Program through Monroe Community College is currently able to run as a result of direct partnership with higher education [based on NYS Phase 4 COVID guidelines]. The same goes for our collegiate welding classes for engineering students through Rochester Institute of Technology and machining and HVAC students through Monroe Community College.
Despite reaching out to numerous government agencies at the county and state level for guidance, we do not have a clear date established to re-open or appeal the current restrictions. Our staff and facility have all mandated protocols in place based on direct guidance from the CDC and New York Forward, and we are ready to resume training individuals in a safe environment once we get clearance from Albany.
Our staff remains as passionate as ever about providing outstanding training experiences for our students and cannot wait for us to reopen. Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
Mike Krupnicki, Owner & Executive Director
August 31st, 2020: Update from Management
Arc + Flame is still not cleared to run any classes for the general public, including open torch flameworking. This is based entirely on New York State’s mandates pertaining to COVID.
Our Welding & Fabrication Industry Certificate Program through MCC is cleared to begin next week, along with collegiate welding classes for RIT and MCC. All other classes are restricted per New York State.
Sincerely,
Matt Wolff, Operations Manager
August 5th, 2020: Update from Management
Arc + Flame is still not cleared to run any classes for the general public, including open torch flameworking. This is based entirely on New York State’s mandates pertaining to COVID. We have scheduled classes September through December, and registrations remain open on our website.
We are open at the center for walk-in sales and conversation from 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday.
Our MCC Welding & Fabrication Industry Certificate Program is running (and has run since June 15th, 2020). Our upcoming program is also cleared to begin and run in September.
If you want to discuss or book future classes, purchase glass/merchandise, or say hello you are more than welcome to do so during our business hours. We do require a mask to enter and we will take your temperature (scanner used on forehead). We appreciate your understanding and cooperation throughout this time of uncertainty and frustration.
Sincerely,
Matt Wolff, Operations Manager
July 7th, 2020: Update from Management
Arc + Flame will be postponing classes due to additional interpretation of details surrounding New York State guidelines on re-opening businesses in Phase 4. We remain hopeful/optimistic that we'll receive approval from NYS to re-open within the month of July.
We are extremely disappointed because our team and facility are ready to open [with our updated safety and sanitation procedures and policies] after months of evaluating recommendations from the CDC and other governmental organizations.
Although New York State's Phase 4 guidelines allow for the re-opening of "Low-Risk Indoor Arts & Entertainment” there is a nuance that indicates “only medical and related schools may open at this time” or classes through higher education/collegiate training. Unfortunately, this information was buried within the NY Forward website for Phase 4 guidelines for businesses in arts education. Further guidance from the NYS Empire State Development has confirmed that New York state has not yet fully allowed all in-person classes/training as part of Phase 4.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation throughout this time of uncertainty and frustration.
Sincerely,
Matt Wolff, Operations Manager
June 30th, 2020: Update from Management
First and foremost, we hope you and your family are doing well despite the unprecedented pandemic our country and the world has experienced. After months of evaluating recommended procedures from the CDC and other governmental organizations, we have established updated policies and procedures for safely re-opening. The health and safety of our students and staff has always been the first priority of the Arc + Flame Center.
Currently, our facility is set to re-open on Monday, July 6th, 2020 based on our previously discussed initiatives and also approval under New York State's Phase 4 guidelines for "Indoor Arts & Education" category in the Finger Lakes region: https://forward.ny.gov/phase-four-industries. Unless the state prevents our industry from operating, we will begin running some classes starting next week.
Starting July 6th, Arc + Flame will resume standard business hours from 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday. All guests MUST wear a mask to enter the facility.
- Glass Flameworking and Glass Hot Shop classes will be delayed until the Fall. More details to be announced.
- Open Torch is scheduled to resume the week of July 14th with a capacity of 4 total renters. Also more details coming soon! Stay tuned.
We very much look forward to seeing our students back in class! There are 5 brief action items we'll need you as a student to complete before attending any class:
1) Read our updates: To give you a condensed summary of our new policies and procedures amidst the COVID pandemic, please read the message below [from June 5th, 2020] on this page from our Executive Director and Owner, Michael Krupnicki.
2.) Complete COVID Waiver: There is an updated waiver all students must sign in advance of class: Please click the following link, read, and digitally sign. If you have questions please contact us at info@rocafc.com or 585-349-7110:
COVID Waiver here= https://forms.gle/ZeuDd2Q73jUsBFub8
3.) Complete COVID Health Screening Form: All students and Arc + Flame faculty must complete. Please click the following link, read, and digitally sign. If you have questions please contact us at info@rocafc.com or 585-349-7110:
COVID Health Screening Form here: https://forms.gle/KwGmxknUV6q8KbBK7
4.) Complete Standard Waiver for Arc + Flame: All students must complete the standard Arc + Flame Center waiver. Please click the following link, read, and digitally sign. If you have questions please contact us at info@rocafc.com or 585-349-7110:
Standard class waiver here: https://forms.gle/8qHyqStaGp1YEiBx5
(*For students under 18, Guardian Waiver here: https://forms.gle/GGBjCmubg9ALKn1J6)
5.) Read these four bullet points:
- Mandatory mask wearing is required for everyone at all times while inside Arc + Flame until further notice.
- We will be using infrared thermometers to check the temperature of students entering the building. If you have a temperature, we hope that you understand when we ask you to return when you are healthy.
- Multiple hand sanitizer stations and quantities of disinfecting wipes will be located throughout the Arc + Flame building. We have purchased large quantities of hand sanitizer and will continue to actively maintain our supply. Everyone is expected to sanitize their hands frequently.
- If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, we ask that you do not enter our facility. Arc + Flame reserves the right to refuse any individual from the facility that is exhibiting flu like symptoms. During this time we will be liberal with refunds to dissuade students from coming to class when knowingly sick.
We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation. If you have specific questions with any of our updated policies, please contact us. We are doing our very best to protect the health of our guests and staff, while continuing to provide fun and educational classes.
Sincerely,
Matt Wolff, Operations Manager
June 5th, 2020: Message from Owner, Michael Krupnicki
To our friends of the Arc + Flame Center
Since we first opened our doors in 2012, the Arc + Flame Center family has appreciated the loyalty that all of you have blessed us with. We closed our doors March 23rd to do our part in flattening the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. From the first day we were closed, we have been planning for our eventual reopening. Our requirements for reopening are simple: take the recommended procedures from the CDC and other medical organizations, and only open if we can exceed them. The health and safety of our students and staff has always been the first priority of our organization. After weeks of preparation, we believe that we have met that standard.
Currently, we are categorized to reopen under “Phase 4” of New York State’s reopening plan. It’s not clear on the exact date this phase will occur. However, we are optimistically planning on opening for classes soon after the July 4th holiday. As we anxiously await approval from NYS to re-open, we’d like to provide you insight on our new policies to keep you safe and healthy while enjoying your experience at Arc + Flame.
Below is a condensed version of our updated policies. Extensive checklists have also been created for staff and instructors to follow before and after each class.
Arc + Flame Center COVID-19 Policies, Procedures and Protocols:
All faculty and all students will be expected to embrace a philosophy of community responsibility while at the Arc + Flame Center. Everyone who enters our building must willingly respect the understanding that others may have families and at-risk individuals that they go home to. None of us wants to get the COVID virus or give it to someone else.
Mandatory mask wearing is required for everyone at all times while inside Arc + Flame until further notice. We will have masks for sale if visitors do not bring their own.
We will be using infrared thermometers to check the temperature of guests entering the building. If you have a temperature, we hope that you understand when we ask you to return when you are healthy.
If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, we ask that you do not enter our facility. Arc + Flame reserves the right to refuse any individual from the facility that is exhibiting flu like symptoms. During this time we will be liberal with refunds to dissuade students from coming to class when knowingly sick.
Multiple hand sanitizer stations and quantities of disinfecting wipes will be located throughout the Arc + Flame building. We have purchased large quantities of hand sanitizer and will continue to actively maintain our supply. Everyone is expected to sanitize their hands frequently.
A professional cleaning service will be sanitizing Arc + Flame FOUR times each week. In addition, new policies will be implemented for cleaning frequently touched surfaces which includes TWICE DAILY cleanings carried out by staff and instructors.
A plexiglass shield has been installed at the front counter of Arc + Flame’s front desk to ensure safety between guests and administrative staff while completing transactions .
New signage is placed throughout Arc + Flame with distancing requirements, sanitation guidelines, and information from the CDC and medical community to encourage proper hand washing and hygiene. Guests will be required to practice safe social distancing guidelines at all times.
Each specific department will have updated classroom layouts of tables/chairs, personal protective equipment, and reduced capacity to ensure safe distancing. Individual tools and equipment will be sanitized before and after classes. Shared tools and equipment will also have updated procedures for instructors to disinfectant while classes take place. If you would like to utilize your own equipment, please contact Arc + Flame.
If you have specific questions with any of our updated policies, please contact us. We are doing our very best to protect the health of our guests and staff, while continuing to provide fun and educational classes. As recommendations for preventing transfer of the COVID virus evolve, our policies will evolve with them. Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to seeing you all back at the Arc + Flame Center.
Sincerely,
Michael Krupnicki, Owner
