Red Dragon Kenpo Karate Studio
Newsletter
May 2010
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!
Pierina T 2nd, Bradley J 8th, Tyler D 11th
Congrats to:
Zach F. Max C. and Ana C. – Blue belt
Next Test Date
Our next test date will be May 22nd @ 1pm.
NOTE: Graduation will be held on May 28th 7:00 p.m.
Pre-testing may not be mandatory for some but anyone wishing to pre-test: for practice or brushing up on older material, please verify with an instructor.
*All students listed on the whiteboard above the fridge have the material for their next belt goal, but are not guaranteed to pass the upcoming test.
** Please remember that all required patches must be in place before graduation. Please make sure your uniform is clean and in good shape for ALL classes. New uniforms may be purchased at any time.
Uniform Update:
Thank you very much to those who had properly adjusted the patches on their uniforms and are keeping
their uniforms clean. Your uniform represents you and your school.
Summer Camp: We will be hosting 2 sessions this year for summer camp. Many thxs to all our families that help support the studio every year by signing up early. Camps will be running from 8:00am – 4pm M-F We do limit space to assure safety and maximize time on all activities, so please turn in your deposit early.
June 21st – 25th
August 2nd – 6th
Parkour Day
Will be the 1st Saturday in June. Lets find an outdoor spot to play in and possibly clean up the earth a little.
Front Desk
Please keep in mind that only Mr. ,Mrs. and Marissa Casamento should be behind the front desk area.
Training with Zach Whitson
Mr. Casamento had the opportunity to train with Mr. Zach Whitson in Boca Raton Saturday May 1st in a Filipino martial art consisting of weapons such as sticks and knives that goes by names like Kali or Eskrima.
In June, a true Master of the sticks from the Philipines will be in Miami to conduct seminars along with Mr. Whitson if you have any interest, ask an instructor for details.
Heading to Hollywood
Mr. Casamento and a small group will be attending a Systema seminar on the other coast May 22-23.
The instructor will be Deadliest warriors (tv series) Maxim Franz from Vlads Russian martial art school in Toronto.
Mr. Casamento had also trained a few times with Sonny (who was Maxims partner on the show).
Brian can’t wait to ask if he can punch Maxim hard repeatedly in the torso like one can see on the show .
Kayaking/Mountain Biking Trip /Paintball /Park ?
We would like to know if anyone would be interested in forming a group to do some outdoor activities with students from Red Dragon.
A New Kid
Our local movie theater at Gulfcoast contacted us to have our demo team conduct a martial arts demo for promotion of the new Karate Kid movie on June 12th 1-4pm. This is a chance for BBC members to demonstrate your hard worked skills. Students and their families attending for support would be a appreciated.
Tournament in Naples
There will be a Kick USA tournament in Naples May 22nd. Mr. and Mrs. Casamento will not be able to attend but students are welcome to compete. Get with an instructor now if you’re interested.
Curriculm and Promotion Info:
All our students work on a 4 week cycle; 3 weeks new technique instruction and 1 week review. We allow for one new technique per week, as well as basics and form review. The techniques are taught and broken down for the students each class and questions are encouraged if anyone is having a hard time picking up their new technique. It is important for the students to know that their basics and forms for their level are taught on a “repetition” idea and sometimes forms are broken down in great detail. Any student requiring extra attention on their form or basics is encouraged to schedule a private lesson.
I would also like to acknowledge our younger students that have worked extremely hard and taken extra time to obtain each belt level. Taking the extra time to study the art and feel comfortable with your new material is not to be seen as a punishment but as an HONORABLE act. The student confident enough to work on all their weak points before testing will stand out as a leader to the teachers and more importantly, themselves!
A note for the students…. As you begin the higher belt ranks, the material becomes more challenging. There is NO set rule that says you must advance at the same level as another student. There is NO rule that says you, must walk out of class each week with a new technique. If you are not comfortable with a technique from last week, last cycle, or last belt rank…then you MUST be responsible enough to yourself to acknowledge that. I have one student in mind that has excelled in this task. She is honoring herself and the teachings every time she has asked NOT to learn her new technique of the week, but has said she was still having a hard time with another technique she would rather work on. Ms Kaitlyn I commend you for this!! Other students should follow this example and achieve their level of excellence on a task before moving on another. This can be said for all things, not just karate class.
Your training should not be seen as a race, and no parent should be forcing their child to achieve a belt if they are not ready or deserving. Rather, praise them for trying to be better and learning to stand up for themselves by asking for help. Any missed techniques can be caught up during the next cycle rotation when it will be taught again, or during a private lesson.
Please keep in mind, testing takes place after a student has had all material for the next level for at least 1 week. The student is to be proficient in their material, have had regular attendance and shown a good attitude and behavior in class. We do appreciate that some students learn the material quicker than others, but if the attitude in class has been repeatedly disrespectful in class, please do NOT expect your child to test. After each student is evaluated by instructors and talked to, then and only then will a student be invited to attend a belt testing.
Each student knows exactly what is expected of them by means of attitude and materials. If a student is missing any material for their next level of achievement it shows lack of responsibility in that student.