End of Judo Session Info

To all members and parents, here is information for the program. All of the instructors and PO Serrao wish you a happy holiday season and a healthy new year!

Toy Drive:

Please bring in unwrapped new condition toys for donation to the Nassau County Medical Center. We will collect toys until 12/14/11. We have been doing this for several years now and it is greatly appreciated.

Holiday Party:

We will have a holiday party on 12/21/11. We will do some judo games and have a grab bag ($10 limit). Also we ask parents to coordinate bringing in cupcakes, cookies, etc and napkins, plates and cups. The PAL will provide pizza and drinks. If your child has special dietary needs please bring in something that they can have and enjoy.

Testing:

Several returning students missed last session tests. They will be informed 12/7/11 to be prepared to test the following week. Please note there will be no testing for brand new students this session, which will take place next session.

Winter-Spring Session:

Sign up sheets will be available for the next session on 12/14/11. For anyone in the program already the fee will be $60 for anyone that signs up that night. The cost to sign up at the beginning of the next session will be $75. A 10% discount will apply for multiple children sign ups.

Adult Assistance:

We will be looking for parents' help in the following areas. Please let me know if you are interested.

Registration, attendance, making copies, delivering paperwork to PAL, bathroom monitor & help on the mat.

Please note: Starting the next session we will hold 3 x 30 minute sessions right after the regular class for any parent that wishes to help on the mat. After that we will holds 60 minute jujitsu/self defense work outs for the rest of the Winter-Spring session.

Please see me for details,

Sensei Rick Calabrese

Class in ON for Thanksgiving Eve

For all of you who were wondering, I spoke with the police officer in charge of Merrick PAL who stated that since the school is OPEN Wednesday night, November 23rd, Thanksgiving Eve, there WILL be class that night.
If we don't see you, have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Win a Trip to the 2012 Games to Watch Judo!

http://www.usjudo.org/documents/2011LUDUS_Ticket_Form.pdf

World Judo Day

World Judo Day Website is open as of October 3rd, 2011.
The IJF has launched today the website dedicated to the World Judo Day, which will take place on October 28th, 2011. The theme of that first edition of the event will be "RESPECT".
You can find all the information related to the World Judo Day at:
http://www.worldjudoday.com

New Fall, 2011 Session & Tournament info

Welcome to the new Fall, 2011 Judo seesion has started, and as you can tell, we have a LOT of kids on the mat. If your child is new to the sport of Judo, there are several points to remember. Judo is contact sport. While Judo is source of exercise and self defense (different to karate) children can get hurt. Safety is paramount, so before any children are taught how to perform throws and takedowns, they must be taught how to fall properly to avoid getting hurt. Unfortunately, until they get this right, it might seem boring, so please explain this to your kids. Students don't train for very long if they hurt the first time they get knocked down.

What's the difference between Judo and Karate or Tae kwon do? To explain it simply, first of all, Karate and Tae kwon do are essentially the same except for the country of origin. Karate is Japanese and TKD is Korean. Both Karate and TKD are essentially punches, kicks, and blocks. Judo is essentially Japanese wrestling, so if you're expecting to see Karate "stuff" at Judo, you won't.

If anyone is interested, there is a Judo tournament taking place on Novmber 5th in Smithtown. While the new students won't have trained long enough to compete in the tournament, they are more than wesome to spectate.
Here's the info:
Registration is at 9am, competition starts at 10am. Smithtown Judo is located at:
1219 Route 25A, Smithtown, NY.
Please e-mail John the age, weight, rank, and sex of each contestant or ifo you have any questions at jp.lucas@wellsfargoadvisors.com