Dear Jump Start Families:

This is Dawn Kocher, President of Jump Start Gymnastics & Kids Activity Center. I hope this email finds you and your family in good health during these unprecedented times. I wanted to take this time to update you on our situation here at Jump Start and begin to answer what I know will be many more questions.

The last seven days have been surreal. Like most people, I was concerned about COVID-19 but not initially convinced of the real health threat. As such, I was not prepared for the impact it would have on me personally, our staff and families and the business of Jump Start. I have been involved in this industry for over 38 years and never experienced anything like this.   We are dealing with a fluid situation that is changing daily and for which there are not always immediate answers or direction. I am in contact with my fellow colleagues and consulting with them daily to try to deal with this situation in a way that protects not only the health and well being of our Jump Start families and staff, but the business as a whole. I have already heard from fellow gymnastics business owners who know they will not be able to re-open after the health threat subsides. Our management team of program directors are working hard every day to make sure that Jump Start does not suffer the same fate.

As you know, we cancelled all classes and activities the week of March 16th -22nd in an initial response to COVID-19. Our regular spring class break is scheduled next week, March 23rd-29th.  Our original plan was to resume regular classes and activities March 30th.  In light of recent COVID-19 developments and the Illinois governor’s order to “shelter in place”, this will not happen. Today, walking through our ghost like facility, I was saddened by the realization that it may be a while before the usual joyful chatter of kids having fun while learning returns to Jump Start. All of us here are missing our kids so much! This is what we do, this is our lives, this is what we love!

I recognize that many of you have pre-paid for classes through April 26^th or May 24^th depending on which payment plan you use. I also recognize that it is unclear at this time when we will be able to return to our regular class formats. With that said, I am very blessed to have a management team committed not only to the health and well being of our clients but to the business as well.  They have been meeting daily to strategize, plan and prepare to continue offering quality programming during this uncertain time. I am very proud of the work they are doing to think outside the box and come up with ways to continue offering our classes and activities in a positive, safe and fun learning environment and interacting with our students and families.  We know your kids miss us as much as we miss them.  We also know that parents need to keep a level “normalcy” and have physical outlets to keep the children active during this time.  We are confident that our team has come up with a way for us to continue doing what we love to do and your kids to continue doing what they love to do. 

On Monday, March 23rd I will be announcing the details of online classes for our current and active students. Because we already have solid program curriculums and lesson plans in place, we are able to transfer these to an online format that will not only engage the students, but continue the learning and skill development until we can meet face to face again. I will also be announcing many Facebook live activities and events we have planned for all our Facebook followers to help engage children in learning, physical activity and fun while stuck at home. 

We want to continue to engage with our Jump Start family and support you through this time.  None of us know how long this will last. But, I am confident we will get through this together and one day we can all look back and know we learned invaluable lessons. We will continue to communicate with you through Facebook and emails as updates become available. Check your emails again on Monday for the details of our online learning program.  Please reach out and we will do our best to answer your questions and address your concerns. Thank you for your patience, and most of all thank you for your support

Stay healthy and continue to spread patience, love and kindness during this time!

Dawn Kocher, President