TUITION AND MEMBERSHIP CHANGES
Monthly tuition went up this month on single and family plans. Those that purchased Lifetime Memberships will have their tuitions locked in. Your membership will only change when you go from a single plan to a family plan or when you are on a family plan and add additional members. 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.
SPIRIT WEEK JUNE 20-25
Spirit Week is coming the fourth week of June. This is a special class that meets Monday through Thursday with all the black belts meeting on Friday evening. From Monday through Thursday everyone is in class together for an hour and a half to two hours. We will cover basic fundamentals of karate as well as the critical skills of kata, step sparring and self defense. This is the period of time when Mr. Williams gives his students a taste of the “Old Days”. Students are expected to work hard and not pace themselves but give all they have to give. This is a non-stop class. If you feel the need to take a break you will have to take one on your own. We may be having class in one of the area parks so make sure to bring a bottle of water.
On Friday the black belts have a special class where they are shook down on their kata, step sparring and self defense. On Saturday Mr. Williams will honor his students and their immediate family members with a bar-b-que at one of the local parks. This year the picnic will be at Rice Park at the shelter building from 1:00 until. We look forward to your attendance.
SUMMER HOURS
Summer hours for the adult karate classes will go in effect June1st through August 31st. All adult classes will be "open classes" on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The new schedule has been posted at the front desk and on bulletin boards.
Monday 7:30 - 8:30 Adult Open
Tuesday 6:30 - 8:00 Adult Open
Thursday 6:30 - 8:00 Adult Open
HOW DO I ACHIEVE A BLACK BELT?
Black Belt rank can be achieved in several ways. One way is to allow your ego to have you strap one on. This seems to be a common practice today. However, it is disrespectful towards those who worked hard to earn their way. Another way is to be recognized by a board of respectable and reputable black belts who respect you for your years of training and competition. The traditional way is to go through the belt system of your particular style and take the formal examination. This exam can be anywhere from 4-8 hours long.
It should be understood that black belt rank is an accomplishment in itself. When you make black belt you are on probation for six months to a year. Then you meet the qualifications for shodan (1st Degree). Additional dan ranks may be obtained every three years after first dan.
In many systems of the martial arts, second dan is considered an instructor level black belt. In this system you may also recieve an instructors certificate. This certificate is issued after 1000 hours of instruction under the supervision of the chief instructor.
All black belts are required to remain in good standing with his/her instructor. All black belts are required to shakedown yearly. American Karate black belts may be stripped of their rank for inappropriate behavior in the dojo or the community.
TOURNAMENTS AND SEMINARS
11th ANNUAL MIDWEST KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday June 11, 2011
Hays Recreation Center
1105 Canterbury Drive
Hays Kansas
Contact: Kevin Gottschalk
785-623-9570
karatefitness@sbcglobal.net
SAM'S SUMMER KICK OFF
Date and time pending
Contact: Sam or Jessica Price
620-669-9051
Hutchkarate@sbcglobal.net
KANSAS SUNFLOWER GAMES
Saturday July 16, 2011
Church of the King Church
5973 SW 25th Street
Topeks, Kansas
Contact: Tony Mielenz, 785-554-4220
anthonymielenz@yahoo.com
Please visit www.sunflowergames.com to register.