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MVKS News, Views and Clues |
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Vol 3 Issue 11 |
November 2005 |
In this Issue
| Kids Art of the Month |
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Kenpo News |
- past and upcoming events |
Our Halloween Costume Party
On Saturday, October 29th, MVKS had its' annual Halloween Costume party. While in past years we had a costume class, we decided to let everyone in on it and had a costume party instead.
What a great idea, as students came dressed as Jack Sparrow, R2D2, and even an Oompa Lumpa! I also heard that the cast of Gilligan's Island was there, complete with the headhunters that used to inhabit their island!
Over 50 people attended, and had lots of fun playing party games like pin the leaf on the pumpkin stem, bobbing for apples, and a game of charades using technique names.
MVKS parents and volunteers brought lots of goodies, too, as no Halloween party is complete without candy and treats. A very special thank you to all who brought treats and helped with the set up and clean up.
This was by far the best MVKS Halloween celebration, and will be the one by which all future ones are judged. Check out the photos from the event on our website, just in case you didn't get enough laughs by seeing "Ginger" in person!
Vacation Note / Inclement Weather Policy
Our School will be closed for the long Thanksgiving weekend, with classes resuming Nov 28th in week 4.
With stormy weather here
(already!?), please call the Studio one hour before your scheduled class if
you're not sure if classes will be held. If the answering machine doesn't say
we're closed, we're open! Announcements will also be made on 95.7 WZID.
This Month - Catalog Shopping Week
As
November rolls in, our thoughts turn to the holidays, and you know what that
means. Festive get togethers with family and friends and....SHOPPING!!
We want to make that last part a little easier for you. During the week of November 14th thru the 19th, shop for the Karate Kid ( or Adult ) in your family while they're in class.
The Century Christmas Catalog is in, with many new great gift ideas in it. Just take one home and see for yourself! We will have staff available all week to answer any of your questions, and they'll help you place your order. Not sure what to buy?? Our staff can offer suggestions to fit your karateka's needs for their particular rank. Still not sure? Gift certificates are always a winner.
All catalog orders must be placed by the Nov 19th deadline to ensure on time delivery.
Kenpo Mini-Camp - November 9th
Well, we couldn't get a Kenpo Camp this Fall due to scheduling conflicts, but we have the next best thing - a mini-camp!! Mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 9th, as NECKF Director Steven White from Manchester, NH and Dr Len Brassard from Fitchburg, Ma will be teaching a couple of seminars at Dr Len's school in Fitchburg, Ma. I originally wanted to hold the seminar at MVKS, but because we wanted this to be an NECKF event, Mr Brassard's school was the best choice because his school is more central and he has more space. Our school will be closed due to this event, and I hope many MVKS students can make the short, half hour trip to Fitchburg. Need a ride? The Kenpo caravan leaves MVKS at 6:00 and should return by 10:00. Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board.
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- in my opinion... |
Karate on the Brain
Recently, I gave some advice to our young Black Belt Prep class about mental preparation for class. I told them that in my family, I remind my kids in the morning before school that they have Karate class that night. When they get home from school I remind them again that they have Karate class that night, and then get them started on their homework.
There are a couple reasons why I do this. One is to let them know what's in store for them after school, so if they forgot, it won't be a "surprise" to them when they have to go. Another reason is to keep them on task after school so they can manage their time and complete their homework before we leave. This structured time can be very empowering to a young person, as it teaches them that after all the tasks of the day are done, they can now focus on the things they enjoy to do. On an off-night it may mean they can now settle in and watch TV, read a book, play video games or play with their friends. On Karate nights, it's my hope that they can now mentally prepare for their next class. This means reflecting on their previous classes and thinking about taking steps to improve upon. This requires a positive attitude and an ability to visualize themselves performing their movements perfectly. THIS IS HUGE, because if a student has a vision in their head about how they'd like to perform in class, they've already started to succeed at it. Positive thoughts bring positive results.
Negative thoughts, or " stinkin' thinkin' ", as my Instructor calls it, bring negative results. Visualize them as being written on a piece of paper when you have them, so that you can crumple them up and throw them away, like the trash that they are.
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- Kenpo questions to help you along... |
In the
technique Shield and Sword:
For Beginners:
- Why do we give this technique the nickname "The flower technique"?
For Advanced Students:
- What is the purpose of the angle change before you deliver the right middle knuckle / right roundhouse kick combo?
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 - Family Week and Movie Night
During the week of December 12th thru the 17th, MVKS students can bring a family member to class with them all week, and we'll host a family movie night on Friday the 16th with a special Christmas movie. More info to follow.
Welcome New Students
Please
take a moment and welcome these new members to the MVKS Family!
TINY TIGERS Jacob Barnes, Kathryn Dechambeau
BEGINNER KIDS: Natalie Ellis, Sarah McGlauflin, Corissa O'Halloran
BEGINNER ADULTS: Kim DeChambeau, Al Frank, Shannon Quinlan, Chuck Ingham, Brandy Ingham
New Ranks - September 30, 2005
"Learn the system, and learn to do it well"
Please take a moment and congratulate these students on a job well done:
Brown Belt: Cecelia Nichols, Elisabeth White
Red Belt: David Infanti
Green Belt: Tim Harz
Purple Belt: Tristan Harz, Austin Quinlan, Erin Quinlan, Ryan Quinlan
Yellow Belt: Tim Driscoll, Harrison Frank, Jack Kronenfeld, Giovanni Lazzari, Samantha Picard, Edith van Tassell, Julius van Tassell
Also in Tiny Tigers
Tiny Tiger Purple: Camryn Quinlan
Black Belt Step Exam Scheduled
The next Black Belt Step exam is scheduled for Saturday. Dec 10th, from 12:30 - 2:00. All Black Belts that have met their minimum point requirements are expected to come. Check your cards, and schedule a private or two to qualify if you need to. Material covered with be the last completed set of techniques, as well as some random selections by me. Good Luck!
Happy Birthday!!!
Another year older and wiser....
(and a belated September birthday wish)
| 11/03 | .......... | Austin Quinlan |
| 11/07 | .......... | Jacob Barnes |
| 11/09 | .......... | Nathan Sanford |
| 11/10 | .......... | Dante Aguayo |
| 11/10 | .......... | Aleka Chouramanis |
| 11/12 | .......... | Ryan Quinlan |
| 11/22 | .......... | Tanner Harz |
| 11/29 | .......... | Tyler Harz |
Thought For The Month
Student:
"Teacher, how long does it take the average person to get their Black Belt?"
Teacher: "The average person will never achieve their Black Belt. That takes an above average person."
