Birthsmarter Classes + Unexpected Circumstances
Friday, September 25, 2026
Weather, Travel & Other Things Beyond Our Control
New York City is an incredible place to live and work, but it also means that getting across town can occasionally be an adventure. We teach in Midtown, just off Fifth Avenue, and we know that weather, parades, protests, major events, transportation disruptions, and other city-wide happenings can affect how long it takes to get to us.
Our goal is not to pretend these things don't happen. It's to communicate early, make thoughtful decisions with the small group of people actually affected, and do everything we reasonably can to help you get the value of the class you've purchased.
Communication Is a Two-Way Street
When something unexpected is happening, our responsibility is to communicate with you as soon as reasonably possible. We'll use email, and other communication methods when appropriate, to let you know about changes to class plans.
Your responsibility is to check your email before leaving for class, particularly when severe weather, major transportation disruptions, or other significant events are expected.
When severe weather is expected
If severe weather is forecast, we will begin communicating with students at least two days before class whenever possible. We'll stay in touch the night before and again the morning of class as conditions develop.
- If New York City declares a state of emergency, we will move regular in-person classes\* online for the same day and time. Everyone registered for the class will be expected to participate virtually. If we move a regular class online because of weather or another emergency, the virtual class fulfills your registration. We will not offer refunds simply because the class was moved from in-person to virtual.
- We will make this decision based on the actual conditions affecting New York City, rather than weather happening elsewhere in the region. A storm in Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey, or another area that does not materially affect New York City will not automatically change our class plans.
- There may also be situations where the city recommends avoiding travel but does not declare a state of emergency. In those cases, we will make a decision based on the safety of our teacher, the circumstances affecting the majority of students, and our ability to safely operate the class.
- If you are unable to participate virtually because internet, power, evacuation, or another emergency-related circumstance prevents you from doing so, please let us know. If space is available, we will work with you to move your registration to another in-person class within two weeks. We will also work with you on another reasonable way to receive the value of the class.
When the class remains in person
If conditions do not require us to change the class, we will plan to hold it as scheduled. If a parade, protest, construction project, major event, traffic closure, transportation disruption, parking problem, or other condition makes getting to The Loft more difficult, that does not automatically entitle you to a refund when the class remains open and accessible.
We ask students to make reasonable travel arrangements and allow plenty of extra time when severe weather, major events, or transportation disruptions are expected. The Loft is open at least 30 minutes before class, and we have heat, air conditioning, bathrooms, tea, and coffee available so you are welcome to arrive early and settle in.
We will communicate when we know about circumstances that may make getting to us more difficult and give you as much advance notice as we reasonably can.
If something genuinely prevents you from getting to class despite your best efforts — for example, your car is stuck in a storm or your train is unexpectedly stopped — please reach out. We will do our best to help you make up the value of the class through a rescheduling option, virtual participation, or relevant on-demand content when possible. Because we have still incurred the costs of holding the class and your seat was reserved for you, we cannot guarantee a refund in these circumstances.
If The Loft Has a Problem
The Loft is in an old New York City building. We love the character of the space, but old buildings occasionally remind us that they are old buildings.
We will always prioritize safety and accessibility, while also doing our best to keep class running when a minor building issue doesn't prevent us from safely teaching.
The elevator
Our Loft is on the fifth floor, and we know that an elevator outage can be a significant issue.
If the elevator stops working but the building remains safe and accessible by stairs, we will plan to hold class as scheduled. We'll do our best to make the experience as comfortable as possible — including extra food, drinks, and plenty of gratitude for your patience — while we navigate the realities of making you walk up 5 flights of stairs.
If you cannot safely use the stairs because of a disability, mobility limitation, pregnancy-related limitation, or other access need, please let us know. We will work with you to identify a reasonable alternative, which may include moving your registration to another class, providing virtual participation, or offering a full-refund.
Bathrooms, heat, air conditioning, power and other building issues
We have two bathrooms. If one stops working, we'll ask everyone to be patient and share the other one. If we have a larger plumbing problem, we have arrangements to use bathrooms elsewhere in the building.
Similarly, if we experience a temporary issue with heat, air conditioning, internet, or another building service, we'll assess whether we can safely and reasonably continue class and make adjustments when possible.
If an unexpected building condition makes it unsafe or impractical to provide class at The Loft, we will make reasonable efforts to move the class online or to another location. If that isn't possible, we will reschedule the class or provide a refund.
A major building emergency
If a fire, flood, building evacuation, utility failure, structural issue, or other major emergency prevents us from safely using The Loft, we will first try to find another appropriate location or move the class online when that makes sense.
If we cannot provide the class in a reasonable alternative format or location, we will reschedule the class within two weeks, subject to availability, or offer a refund.
If Something Happens to Our Teacher
Very occasionally, something happens that prevents a teacher from getting to class or teaching as planned. If our teacher is delayed but expects to be able to arrive within approximately 90 minutes, we may delay the start of class rather than cancel it. We'll communicate with students as quickly as we can and keep everyone updated.
If we cannot reasonably get a qualified teacher to class within that window, we will reschedule.
If we ultimately cannot provide a reasonable alternative, we will offer a full-refund.
What if something goes wrong after class has started?
Sometimes the unexpected happens halfway through a class. A building issue, emergency, technology failure, or other circumstance may mean that we cannot complete the class exactly as planned.
If that happens, we will assess the circumstances and determine the most appropriate way to make sure you receive the value of the class you purchased. Depending on the situation, that may mean a make-up class, virtual participation, on-demand content, a partial refund, or a full refund.
We won't try to predict every possible scenario in advance because sometimes the right answer depends on what actually happened.
\*CPR Classes Are a Little Different
Because CPR classes require hands-on practice with mannequins, they cannot simply be converted to a fully virtual class when weather or another emergency prevents us from safely meeting in person. If a CPR class needs to be cancelled, we will make reasonable efforts to reschedule it within two weeks, subject to availability.
If you cannot attend the rescheduled class, we will offer a 100% refund of your registration, less the cost of the on-demand CPR course, which you will keep access to.
This allows you to receive useful CPR education immediately while making sure you also have the opportunity to complete the hands-on portion of the course.
Find live, virtual & on-demand classes and support groups near you: