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MVKS News, Views and Clues |
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Vol 3 Issue 4 |
April 2005 |
In this Issue
| Kids Art of the Month |
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Kenpo News |
- past and upcoming events |
School Seamstress Found
Deanna Smith has offered her services as the MVKS school seamstress. If your knack with a needle is nowhere to be found, hire Deanna for your sewing needs! I just got my new custom sewn uniforms and I must say she does a wonderful job. Deanna's rates are reasonable and she does her work in a very timely fashion. Look for her flyer on the bulletin board and get those uniforms patched!
Break-A-Thon Was The Best Ever
On Saturday, March 26th, over 35 MVKS students gathered at the Studio for our annual break a thon for St Jude Hospital. For many it was their first time trying this centuries old martial arts tradition, and you could feel their nervousness when they approached the cinder blocks for the break. The nervousness soon gave way to exhilaration and confidence as these students saw the tangible results from the power of their Karate strikes. What an awesome experience! Our goal was simple: to collectively break 250 boards to raise money for St Jude, a hospital that provides care for kids with cancer and other deadly diseases. St Jude does not charge these families for their care, so the money we raise goes to help pay for these services. At the time of this newsletter, we did not have a final dollar amount for the total monies raised, but it looks like we may have exceeded our goal of $2500.!! A very special thank you to all who supported this event, you really did make a difference in someone else's life, and you may have even saved a life. Pretty powerful stuff...
Black Belt Candidates Move On To Last Exam
Congratulations to Jim Rivard, Neal Berkebile, Jamie Davison, and Sam Taylor!! They are MVKS' newest Black Belt Candidates and are almost done the three month testing process to become Black Belts! On March 26th they passed their 2nd of three monthly exams to earn their Black Belts. Their last exam is this month, and I hope to promote them all to Black Belt in May. Like me, I am sure you have seen them working out quite a bit in the back room. Wish them well, and better yet, offer your help as they go through this wonderful process of earning their Black Belts!! Sadly, Sam Quimby injured his knee and will need to wait until he's healed before he can resume testing.
This Month At MVKS: Good News - Bad News
First, the bad news: The International Kenpo Camp scheduled for April 15th and 16th has been postponed until the fall due to scheduling conflicts.
Now, the good news: Mr. Veziris, my Judo teacher, will be conducting a Judo clinic at the studio on April 16th at 12:30. The topic will be ground fighting. All students are welcome, class size is limited, so reserve your space today! Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board.
Art Contest Extended
We only had two kids contribute to our art contest last month, so we're extending it another month!! Please draw a picture entitled " What I like best about Karate at MVKS " and you could win a prize! All pictures will go into our website's art gallery, and will be used in upcoming newsletters.
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- in my opinion... |
New Online Parent Center
I am very proud to announce that we have added a new section to our schools website, a Parent Center! In it, I decided to discuss some of the most frequent topics I am asked about in a FAQ format. It is my hope that over time this will provide a valuable resource to you - the parents - to read up on something that interests you, or to get some additional ideas on how you can best help your child. Topics covered ( so far ) in the Parent Center are questions like:
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How can I help my child prepare for promotion? |
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How can I help my child at home? |
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My child missed a week...what can I do? |
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How much or how often should my child practice? |
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Can my child attend morning classes during vacation? |
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We'll be gone for an extended period...will this affect my child's rank? |
Better yet, help us build this Parent Center by emailing me your questions or suggestions for topics that you would like to see discussed.
This will NOT replace your ability to discuss your personal issues directly with me! Ask me when you're at the studio, give me a call ( 672 - 3570 ), or email me and I will address your concerns.
Until next month ... JP
Check out the new Parent
Center
(Student Center login required)
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- Kenpo questions to help you along... |
In the technique Swinging Pendulum:
For Beginners:
- When performing the first move of this technique, what is the name of the block that you use?
- What does the name pendulum refer to?
For Advanced Students:
- Why is it necessary to step to 4:30 with your left foot in the first move?
Find more questions and tips for this technique in the library. {MVKS students, please visit the Monthly Techniques in the Student Center.}
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Kenpo News |
- continued |
Next Month: Mont Vernon Spring Gala Parade March and Karate Demonstration
Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 14th for the annual Mont Vernon Spring Gala. If you would like to:
-March in the Parade
Simply show up the day of the parade at the parade lineup spot (tba). We kindly ask that all students representing MVKS wear a clean, fully patched uniform. No t-shirts, please. Candy will be available to toss on the route, but bringing your own can't hurt, either.
-Participate in the Karate Demonstration
Sign your name on the sign up sheet on the bulletin board, but ONLY if you can attend ALL of the practices. Practices start Sat, April 16th from 2:00 - 3:00 and will be held weekly at this time until the day of the Gala, with a special practice that day before the parade. A pizza party will be held for the demo team after the demo!!
Next Month: Martial Arts Picture Day
Kickphotos USA will be visiting our Studio next month for
picture day. Capture the memory and experience, professionally!
Date and time to be announced.
New Ranks (March 25, 2005)!
"Learn the system, and learn to do it well."
Please congratulate these Students on a job well done!
Keep up the good work!
Brown/Black Belt: Erik Hayden, Mike Hayden
Red Belt: Evan Macentee, Cecilia Nichols
Green Belt: Ciny Herman, Gabrielle Herman
Blue Belt: Tim Harz, Leah Smith, Elisabeth Wilson
Purple Belt: Alexia Gorton
Orange Belt: Jaimie Cates
Yellow Belt: Susan Perkins, Luke Perkins
Also our Tiny Tigers:
Tiny Tigers Yellow: Kara Lendry
This Month At The Pro Shop
Get prepared for the Spring Gala Parade and Demonstration. Save $2 on a full set of patches for your uniform (Kenpo crest, assoc. patch, universal pattern and US flag). Get the set now for only $20! Look sharp, act sharp, be sharp!!
Happy Birthday!!!
Another year older and wiser....
04/05 ........................ Brandon Morehouse
04/08 ...................... Dan Quimby
04/19 ........................... Edith and Julius van Tassell
04/22 ........... Cameron Robertson
04/29 ..................... Emma and Jordan Kross
Welcome New Students!
Please take a moment and welcome our new students to the MVKS family!
Tiny Tigers: Harrison Frank, Dylan Amadon
Beginner Kids: Brendan Amadon, James Kibbie
Beginner Adults: Alice Kolb, Krista and Alexys Lumibao
Thought For The Month
A failure is not the end of the world. In fact, it can be a blessing in disguise. It can provide an opportunity for you to problem-solve and work on something until you get it right. Most things worth having aren't easily acquired, they have value because of the work needed to get them. When you think of some of the benefits Karate training can provide - confidence and self-discipline, to name a couple - these qualities don't "magically" appear just because you put a Karate uniform on, they are the result of the continuous cycle of failure to success. If you are like me, after a while you'll greet each new challenge with a smile!
What's New