Tuesday, March 1, 2011

March 2011 Newsletter

TUITION AND MEMBERSHIP CHANGES

Effective June 1st 2011 tuition and membership fees will increase. Keep in mind that you can lock in your current tuition by purchasing a "Lifetime Membership". This membership has always been optional and the purchase of a Lifetime Membership will lock in your current rates for the life of the school. Lil’ Dragon and college programs are exempt from lifetime memberships therefore on new memberships on and after June 1st will be affected. Yearly programs will change as follows.

Lil' Dragon's...........12 months @ $50.00
Lil' Dragon's.............6 months @ $55.00
Lil' Dragon's............Family (X2)...$90.00

College Students.........................$30.00

Regular Rates........12 months @ $65.00
Regular Rates..........6 months @ $70.00
Regular Rates........Family (X2)..$110.00
Regular Rates........Family (X3)..$130.00
Regular Rates........Family (X4)..$165.00

Lifetime Membership (Regular karate only) $50.00

BULLYING & YOUTH SELF DEFENSE

Bullying has become an epidemic with our youth during and after school. The prevalence of bullying and harassment in America’s schools indicate that students who experience harassment are more likely to miss classes and can impact a student’s ability to learn. Teens report that they have been verbally or physically harassed or assaulted during the past year because of their perceived or actual appearance, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, race/ethnicity, disability or religion. The majority of students who experience harassment in school, regardless of demographics or reasons for the harassment, never report these incidents of harassment to teachers or other school personnel. Although most teachers report that they would feel comfortable intervening if they observed harassment and many say they frequently have intervened, one in ten (10%) students who do not report these incidents don’t do so because they believe teachers or staff don’t do anything or are powerless to improve the situation. At American Karate we do not condone fighting unless absolutely necessary. We have a “three strikes and you’re out” rule. This means that if you are being bullied or assaulted you are to tell your teacher immediately and then tell your parents. It is the parent’s responsibility to contact the school system to find out what is being done and informing the teacher or principal that you are taking martial arts for self defense, strike one! The next time you are harassed or assaulted you must do the same, strike two!! The third time you are within your right to defend yourself, strike three!!! It is a harsh reality but keep in mind that even though you are defending yourself, you are still subject to policies of the public school system in regards to disciplinary action for fighting at school.

UPCOMING EVENTS

KANSAS SUPER FIGHTS
Tournament Director: Sandra Byrd
Saturday, March 19
McPherson Community Building
122 East Marlin
McPherson, Kansas
620-241-9019
pump_flex_kick@yahoo.com

MISSOURI VALLEY OPEN
Tournament Director: John Goertz
Saturday, March 19
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
600 N. Greenwich Road
Wichita, Kansas
(316) 516-4101
Ksseibukan@yahoo.com

ANNUAL PHOTO DAY
Our Annual Photo Day will be Saturday, March 19th at the karate school. Wheeler Photography will be at the school to take group and individual photos. Please be available for the annual group photo which will be at 10:00 that morning. After the group photo stay around for individual photos or photos with your classmates.

LIFESKILLS IN THE MARTIAL ARTS

Your children have a front row seat while you manage your home, do the laundry, make family meals, grocery shop, clothing shop, and pay bills. Many skills you teach with purpose and many more you teach by your actions. Life is full of twists, turns, and bends in the road. Parents want to raise their children to have the character, sense of humor, and grace to handle all situations they will encounter. In addition, parents want to prepare their children to function and live outside of the home. Lifeskills are just one aspect of the martial arts that we try to teach and instill into our students. The martial arts are much more than kicking and punching. Respect for oneself and others, integrity and compassion can be the difference between using the martial arts for bullying or truly defending yourself or coming to the aid of someone else using the minimum amount of force necessary.

Integrity--Exhibiting the highest moral, ethical and legal standards.
   * Doing the right thing-even when no one else is looking.

Teamwork--Placing a group or the teams success over personal success.
   * Gladly pitching in to help, regardless of whose job it is.

Trust/Respect--Seeing and believing in the good intentions of others. Interacting with others in a way that makes them feel valued.
   * Being polite and true to one’s word.

Care/Compassion--Demonstrating kindness, concern and empathy.
   * Exhibiting genuine concern for others.

Ownership/Accountability--Taking personal responsibility for one’s work, actions and feelings.
   * Accepting responsibility for and learning from mistakes.

8th ANNUAL SALT CITY CLASSIC

American Karate & Martial Science Hutchinson and Sedan attended the 8th Annual Salt City classic with twenty-two student competitors. Everyone placed with either first, second or third place trophy’s and fourth place medals. Ten of our students placed first in their respective kata divisions and had an opportunity to compete in various grand champion rounds. We brought home three grand champion awards and the top school award with the most students in attendance.

Shayla Johnson-1st 6-Under Kata, 3rd 7-8 Sparring
Woodly Yoder-1st 7-8 Novice Kata, 4th Sparring
Leah Bently-2nd 7-8 Novice kata, 4th Sparring
Barrett Yoder-4th 7-8 Novice Kata, 4th Sparring
Ian Ward-4th 7-8 Kata, 4th 7-8 Sparring
Jolea Wheeler-2nd 7-8 Int. Kata, 4th Sparring
Levi Geesling-3rd 7-8 Int. Kata, 3rd Sparring
Jaden Roggow-1st 9-10 Novice Kata, 3rd Sparring
Kristin Stowers-1st 9-10 Novice Kata, 1st Sparring
Nolan Clarke-1st 9-10 Int. Kata, 1st Sparring
Kaili Stowers-2nd 11-12 Novice Kata, 4th Sparring
Taty Huhn-1st 11-12 Int. Kata, 1st sparring
Becca Zimmerman-13-14 3rd Novice Kata, 2nd Sparring
Levi-4th 13-14 Novice Kata, 4th Sparring
Elliott DeWitt-4th 13-14 Novice Kata, 4th Sparring
Jordan Julian-1st Adv. Kata, 2nd Sparring
Lourdes Albert-1st 18-35 Novice Kata, 1st Sparring
Jeff Geesling-2nd 18-35 Novice Kata, 2nd Sparring
Dan Dewitt-1st 35-Over Kata, 1st 18-35 Sparring
Lori Francis-1st 35-Over Kata
Kathy Marquez-1st 35-Over Int. Kata, 1st Sparring
Missing: Annie Francis and Alyssa Francis

Kata Grand Champions
Shayla Johnson, 5-8 Underbelt
Jordan Julian, 13-17 Underbelt
Kathy Marquez, Adult Underbelt


NEW STUDENTS

Colton

Joshua

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