July, 2010
Newsletter, July 2010
Welcome – Sam Baltz, Sammual Walter, Liam Wickland, Scott Marsh, Ryan Cardwell, Riley Godbold, Logan Feist, Heather Feist, Shawn Feist, Kiefer Adams, Hayden Woodring, Evan McGowen, Bella Hartsough and Dakota Hartsough. We are excited to have you join our karate family. And, back from College, It is so great to have Mr. deNeui, Mr. Ballard and Mr. Ingham back in class!
Birthdays – Happy Birthday to: Teavin Foley – 2nd, Robyn Oliver – 3rd, Gracie McNicoll 5th, Brandon Rice – 8th, Micah Sperry – 8th, Colton Crandall 12th, Bob Upton – 14th, Jake deNeui – 19th, Carmen Noffsinger – 22nd, Mackenzie Rice – 24th, and Ryan Cardwell – 31st. We hope you all have an amazing birthday!
New Class Added – A new purple, brown and black belt Kid’s and Teens class has been added to the schedule and will be on Tuesday evenings from 7:15 – 8:15. This class will be fun, energetic and exciting! Many different black belts will be stepping in to teach and share their knowledge. We will experiment, create and expand on our skills. We will spend more time with weapons and over the course of the next few months we will be creating a musical weapons form. This is a class that we have wanted to add for a long time and now have enough upper rank students to see it through. FUN!!
Orange Belt Only Class - Begins Wednesday, August 4th and runs for the entire month of August. Teens and Adults are also welcome to attend if they can make it in at the 4:00 – 4:30 time. All orange belts are highly encouraged to attend! Students may stay and attend the 4:45 – 5:45 class as well.
E-Mail - Due to computer related issues, we have gotten behind on our newsletter and have not been able to send out e-mails. All of the student’s names, addresses and emails will need to be re-entered which we are working on at this time. We will be able to take information from your original enrollment forms and from the backs of your attendance cards. Please check the backs of attendance cards to be sure all information there is complete and up to date. Some families had more than one e-mail address that they wanted info sent to; be sure to include those as well. You will not have to re-sign up on the newsletter subscription on the web-site. That goes through a different program. The goal is to have everything back on track by the 12th of this month.
F.Y.I. - **We still have some tee shirts left and a couple pair of shin guards. The tees are $10.00 each and the shins are $7.00. **Thank you to Larry Roesner for helping us figuring out how to get the sticky off the mats and for supplying the cleaning solution. **We appreciate everyone supporting your school by purchasing your sparring gear, equipment and other martial arts related items through A.K.A. The recent purchases and upgrades to the school are because of your continued support. Thanks! **Couple quick reminders….Please, be extra careful in the parking lot as there are a lot of excited kids out there. We must all make safety our #1 concern. Also, if you must bring other children with you, then you must watch them, control them and clean up after them. Instructor’s time and priority should be on the mat with the students. **The Culligan water machine was a great addition. Students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles; however, we ask that you do not use the Culligan water to fill up your bottles. **Let us know if you are going to be away for 2 or more weeks during the summer by putting a note in the bucket on the counter. **We should have some new pictures on the web-site with-in a couple weeks. We have decided to have albums of each class offered with pictures that will remain there for people who are inquiring about our school and then an album that is geared more for the students that will be updated more frequently.
Black Belt Test – Nicki Breivik, Yvonne Tarr and David Holman tested for first dan black belt on June 19th. They did an outstanding job and after 3 hours and 10 minutes on the mat, they truly earned their black belts. In the fourteen years that A.K.A. has been in the valley, 28 students have earned the right to say “I am a black belt”. Congratulations, you are a special and rare group of individuals. Well done!
Community Service – Any student who would like to organize a Highway cleanup, please let us know and we will get the bags and vests for you. Hwy. 40 is always in need of a pick-up and because it is 3 miles, it takes more time and effort than the traditional 2 miles. Sometimes when we plan these events it is hard to pick a date that works for everyone, therefore we think it would be a great idea for the students to step up and plan them when it better suites your time. If one group could take one side of the road in July and another group take the other side in August that would be amazing. Let us know. We will schedule a clean-up as needed as well.
Kids & Dragon Class- Both of these classes are currently full and we have started a waiting list.
Belt Test - The next formal belt test will be on Friday, July 23rd at 6:00 p.m. We will not have classes on this day. Students are required to wear all white uniforms on belt tests. School age students must turn in their ITP form. Those students testing to 8th gup green belt and 1st gup brown are expected to break a board and those students testing to 6th gup blue and 2nd gup brown will need to turn in their karate resume. ** The next formal test will be in September. We would suggest that anyone who is anticipating testing at that time be very consistent in your training schedule. Be pro-active in your training; make it your responsibility to know the material and pay close attention to detail. Show us you want it!
Work-Shops – Don’t forget to get signed up for a Crime Survival Workshop or a Lil’ Dragon Warrior Camp. Check the web-site for more info.
Mat Chats – During the month of June we talked about ‘Accomplishments’. How challenging yourself and good old fashion hard work pays off. It makes you feel proud and helps to build your confidence. We talked about having the courage to step out of your comfort zone and do something that you are not to sure about. Conquering your fears and learning valuable life lessons along the way. We discussed “no guts – no glory” and we talked about chasing your dreams and not letting the “Nay Sayers” stop you from achieving your goals.
Another topic that came up in June was how we must use our martial arts skills everyday. We use our discipline, self control and patience. We use our strong spirit and perseverance, integrity and our character. The students listened to stories in which students and instructors alike had to rely on their mental martial arts at some point during the month. It was an awesome learning month! The Lil’ Dragons also talked about ‘disobeying.
Kudos - ** Kim Feist earned the “most improved” award at her school this year. Way to go Kim!! **Scott Marsh – Great energy! Way to set the example. **Kelcie Christenson – You Rock. **Nicki Breivik – You are a fantastic role model for me. Thanks so much. **Jerelyn Jones – great kicks! **Malik Heydon – Great to see your awesome attitude and motivation. **Andie Harshberger, - What an awesome Lil’ Dragon you are! You are so fun to watch. **Students and Parents don’t forget to put your kudos in the box. Everyone loves positive recognition.
Catalog Order – The next century order will be on Friday, July 16th. Please let us know if you need to place an order by Thursday. All male students are required to wear a cup/supporter to every class and all students must have a mouth guard. (Except Dragons)
Words of Wisdom – You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do. Henry Ford
You have to do what others won't, to achieve what others don't. Anonymous
It's how you deal with failure that determines how you achieve success. David Feherty
Have a spectacular July!
© 2007-2010 American Karate Academy Whitefish, MT 59937