Responsibility and Progress

Since implementing the Attendance Card program and Basic Training Homework Log for our students, we have seen a marked improvement of students desire to achieve and perform well. From fighting ability and fitness to leadership and organization, those who strive to keep up and seek feedback from instructors, we are now sure that this is a good program.

Our school puts a lot of responsibility on the student for their own success (and parents for the younger students). It's not easy. However, it makes everyone accountable for themselves. This is the essence of good citizenship and responsibility. Please treat your attendance card like a valuable object. In fact, it is!

What if I lose my attendance card? Answer: We will give you a new one.

Unfortunately, here's what will need to be done with a new card:

1. You will need to have all techniques re-examined before anyone can sign off on them.
2. You will have lost all the wonderful leadership, basic training and homework stickers that you earned (we cannot replace those stickers).
3. You will need to arrange with an instructor to arrive at class 30 minutes early so we can go back through our grade-book to re-enter your attendance dates.
4. You will have lost a wonderful record of your progress that can be used if you move to another school.

How can I prevent losing it?

1. Organize: Look at the Being a Star Student article we gave you. It contains tips for keeping everything for class in one safe place (binder with sheet protectors, duffle bag or backpack) .
2. Make a color copy of your attendance card after each class and keep it at home in a separate place.

Class Week-In-Review August 3, 2014

Drilling kicks for self-defense with Sifu Leonard

On Monday, we drilled all of the Yellow Belt striking techniques and included application with step-sparring. As usual, we worked up a nice sweat and learned about the tools in our arsenal.

Wednesday was a special treat, as Sifu Leonard stopped by and helped us do the same thing on Monday, but with kicking techniques. Using the kick as a push-away was a fantastic drill for getting distance before running from an attacker.

Thanks to Ramza for leading the warm-ups both days. On Saturday, we awarded some of our students with stripes for their belts: Ramza and Niabelle. Congratulations! We also had the great pleasure of having the help of Sensei Erjan. We have many green belt students who seemed to have forgotten their kicks and striking techniques. It is very important to practice what you learn so you can be a better student and leader. Also on Saturday, Ramza led the first stick fighting class. If you are interested in learning, put your name on the sign-up sheet in class. It is open to all ranks. Be sure to show up no later than 10 am to start.

We'll have a short month of classes in August. Please pick up a new calendar. Our focus will be self-defense during the month. If there are specific techniques to be signed off for on your attendance card, please tell an instructor to help you learn or review them. Please be prepared.

New Belt Stripes Program

This new, no-cost program will help encourage all students to continue practicing what they learn and seek promotion and leadership with more enthusiasm.

When a student of any rank from (White through 1^st Brown) has the sections below in their attendance card completed (signed by an instructor), an instructor will use the appropriate electrical tape color to put a stripe on their belt.

Red stripe:     All blocks signed off on attendance card.

White stripe:  All strikes signed off on attendance card.

Blue stripe:    All kicks signed off on attendance card.

Yellow stripe: Form/Kata/Hyung AND stances signed off on attendance card.

Green stripe:  All self-defense signed off on attendance card.

Each color has a specific meaning. They can be earned in any order. These stripes are symbolic of progress. Stripes do not indicate rank promotion. The student must also have all other sections completed on their attendance card, such as CLASS SESSIONS ATTENDED, PREVIOUS BELT REQUIREMENTS, FITNESS and TEACHING TIME.