Here you can read about dojo news, announcements, and words from the Sensei.
New curriculum coming soon to the Pee Wee class!
03/04/10
I am pleased to announce some exciting changes to the Pee Wee curriculum. As of March 26th, 2010, we will be adding three more belt levels to our Pee Wee program, thus totaling five belts. In addition to added belts, six bars will be possible per belt. The belt structure will be as follows:
· White belt with six possible bars
· White/Black belt with six possible bars
· Yellow/White belt with six possible bars
· Yellow belt with six possible bars
· Yellow/Black belt with six possible bars
Each bar per belt will be earned for skills in each of our six martial arts disciplines.
a) Karate bar
b) Taekwondo bar
c) Kung-Fu bar
d) Brazilian Jiu-jitsu bar
e) Aikido bar
f) Judo bar
This will provide an expanded curriculum allowing students who start at four years old to continue developing their martial arts knowledge over several years. Also, because the curriculum is designed with the pee-wee in mind, this provides more opportunities to experience success and earn bars and belts. As for the implementation of this new curriculum, neither the student nor parent should see much of a change as we have been introducing the revised curriculum over the past several months. Now the students will be able to receive more recognition for what they have been learning.
Posted by Sensei Dan on 03/04/10 at 03:34 PM.
Update to Testing Protocol
03/01/10
Here are a couple of updates regarding our testing procedures.
1) In an effort to emphasize the importance of our Character Traits, and to help the students perform better when reciting them for their testing score, I am going to add a step to the “Intent to Promote” process. Before inviting a student who I am planning on testing, I am going to ask them to recite (on the spot) the two character traits required for their next rank. If they know them, I will give them their intent to promote. If not, I will wait to invite them to test. Hopefully, this will encourage the students to take more initiative in learning the character traits early. Students will still be required to recite all their character traits (including past traits) along with the two new ones the week prior to their test.
2) For those who are required to sempai (Green/White Belts and higher), we are amending the scoring model from an expectation of averaging one time per week to the following: An average of one time per week or a total of 25 sempai(ed) classes between belt rank tests…which ever comes first. For example, this may ease some of the scheduling problems for fulfilling sempai time as now sempai(ing) several classes in a day will help towards earning a total of 25 sempai(ed) classes between belt ranks. Once the 25 Sempai(ed) classes are earned that requirement is fulfilled and their testing score would be 100%.
Furthermore, to review the rationale for the Sempai requirement, the students are working towards earning a Black Belt some day. Those who have earned a USKS or US-AMA black belt are called “Sensei”, meaning “Teacher”. A teacher should know how to teach, thus time learning how to teach is a requirement. Other benefits of Sempai(ing) are:
A) An attitude of giving back.
B) Reviewing requirements, and developing a deeper understanding of the material. After all, a black belt symbolizes mastering the basics.
C) Developing leadership and public speaking skills
D) Helping the dojo to provide more individual attention to it’s student body
3) To conclude, I am posting the name of the student(s) who earned the highest score on their belt test. You can find these postings on our Facebook page and on our website blog. I want to encourage our students to work hard in class to prepare themselves so they can be the one to earn the honor of the highest score.
Posted by Sensei Dan on 03/01/10 at 03:20 PM.
Child belt test high score results: February 27th, 2010
02/27/10
Congratulations to all those who passed their belt test tonight. A special congratulation to Jalen C. and Chase D. for tying on the high score of 82%! Keep up the good work!
Posted by Sensei Dan on 02/27/10 at 09:39 PM.
Congratulations to those adults who passed their belt test on February 26th, 2010
02/27/10
Congratulations to all who passed their belt test last night. Everyone looked well prepared. Also, a special congratulations to Karl L. for earning the high score of 81%!
Posted by Sensei Dan on 02/27/10 at 09:02 AM.
Sensei is asked if he has a favorite martial art…
02/13/10
Sensei Dan is asked if right now he has a favorite martial art system...not including Karate. Watch to see his response.
Posted by Sensei Dan on 02/13/10 at 09:03 AM.
US-AMA website is back!
02/10/10
A special thanks to a former USKS student and now black belt training in Oregon, Sensei Allen Heaton for his hard work in getting www.us-ama.com back up and running...for a second time!
Students, keep checking back for more updates on the website to bring it more up to date.
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Posted by Sensei Dan on 02/10/10 at 03:04 PM.
Sensei talks about the Character Traits of Patience and Commitment
01/15/10
Posted by Sensei Dan on 01/15/10 at 07:02 PM.
Winner of Black Friday Video Contest is…
01/05/10
Congratulation to Brian Howard, director of the Pentagon Temple video and his cast. Pentagon Temple won the Black Friday movie contest with 66% of the votes! Please see Sensei to pick up your award.
Posted by Sensei Dan on 01/05/10 at 03:22 PM.
Sensei, Mary, and Sam Cavaliere welcome William James to their family!
12/23/09
William James Cavaliere was born on December 12, 2009 at 9:57 AM. Will weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. and measured 18 inches long. Mary and Will are healthy and doing well! We are so blessed!
Enjoy your holiday season! We look forward to seeing everyone the first Monday of the New Year!
William James Cavaliere
Mary, Sam and Will
Sensei and Will
Posted by Sensei Dan on 12/23/09 at 07:17 PM.
Sensei tells of some humorous memories from his martial arts training
