Sr. Grand Master Sereff Tournament:  On Sunday, October 16th Senior Grand Master Sereff is hosting the annual tournament in Broomfield, Colorado.  This is the last tournament of the year! Students from all ranks are encouraged to participate; it is an excellent opportunity to practice one’s skill.  Accommodations and supervision can be made for students who want to attend without their parent/guardian.  We will leave early Saturday morning (Oct. 15th) and will return in the evening on Monday (Oct 17th).  Room reservations have been made at the La Quinta Hotel in Westminster, however, you may make your own arrangements if you prefer.   The cost of this trip is determined by the tournament fee, shared room expense and meals.  Specific information is available on the website and Facebook.  It is NOT too late to join us!  Let Master Todd, Mr. Bushor or Miss Bowing know that you would like to send your student.

Black Belt Testing: (By Master Todd)  On Saturday, November 5th in Kirksville, Missouri,  Mr. Bushor will be testing for his 6th degree black belt along with other Taekwon Do students of various ranks for promotion.  I would like as many students as possible to travel with me to support Mr. Bushor.  This is a great achievement for Mr. Bushor; please give this trip strong consideration!  Also, testing will be conducted by the USTF Testing Director, Grand Master Renee Sereff, 9th degree black belt.  She has many years of Taekwon Do experience, and it will be a great learning experience for all.  The testing is at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 5th therefore, we will leave for Kirksville very early that morning.  There is a celebratory dinner following the testing at 7:00 PM.  Room reservations have been made at the Days Inn in Kirksville, Missouri.  It is possible to attend the testing that day and drive back to Bellevue if you prefer to do so.  Specific details about the travel arrangements, cost and events will be handed out during class.  I will need to know who is attending this event no later than Oct. 20th so that dinner and room reservations can be finalized.

Battle of the Belts:  Master Todd took several of Axe TKD students to Kirksville to compete in the 23rd Battle of the Belts tournament.  Tournaments challenge not only a student’s skill but their mental strength and spirit as well. Competitors competed in Team and Individual Patterns, Sparring and Breaking.  The students did very well in this tournament.  We brought back 13 First Place medals, 8 Second Place medals, 6 Third Place medals and a GRAND CHAMPION.  Congratulations to all who attended and helped out with this event.  A special CONGRATS to Miss Ashleigh Ragone for her Grand Champion win!

Tuition: (by Mr. Bushor) As of November 1st, the Youth Center is raising their monthly class fees by $5.00.  This is still a lower fee than surrounding martial arts classes and there will still be NO annual contracts to train with Axe TKD.  Individual tuition is now $50 and the rate for two or more students from the same family is $75 per month.  The Youth Center requires payments to be made by first class of the month.  Axe TKD students must be in good standing with the Youth Center for all fees before they will be considered for promotion testing.  Please check with the front desk at the YC if you have any questions regarding your tuition.  Although there are no contracts with Axe TKD, there are procedures for absences which need to be followed.  If a student is going to miss a class, please notify the instructor before your absence.  This can be done via email, text, phone or a comment sent to the Axe TKD Facebook page.  Students who will miss an entire month need to notify the instructor with an explanation of the prolonged absence.  Also, the Youth Center requires a “Leave of Absence” or LOA be filled out for their records.  You will not be required to pay the monthly fee as long as the LOA has been properly processed at the front desk of the Youth Center.  Please keep your receipts when you pay your monthly fees in the event of an error.  Master Todd and the YC staff keep a close watch on those who are behind on payments.  Having your receipts can resolve any conflicts quickly should an issue arise.  Any questions regarding late payments should be addressed to the Youth Center staff.  It is also a requirement that all students must be up to date on tuition prior to any promotion testing consideration.

Axe TKD Jackets: (Miss Bowing) As cooler weather approaches, we want to remind students that there are jackets available for purchase.  We often wear these jackets to events when we travel as a group.  The jackets are black and red with the Axe Taekwon Do patch on the chest.  I have attached a copy of the flier with a picture of the style of jacket and the pricing.  Please email me your order at arbowing11@hotmail.com or give me your order between classes.  The deadline for orders is October 18th.

Stickers:  Mr. Bushor has Axe TKD stickers for sale.  These are great to put on vehicles, notebooks etc.  Make sure you have permission from your parents before putting these stickers on doors or windows because they will not come off easily.  There are two styles:   3”, weather resistant  (2 for $1.00) and 2” non-weather resistant  (4 for $1.00).

New and Returning Students:  Axe TKD welcomes all new and returning students!  Thank you for joining, and we hope you are enjoying your training.  I encourage all students to ask questions regarding the class or instruction to Mr. Bushor and Miss Bowing.  They should be able to address any of your inquiries.  Proper etiquette should be followed-stand at attention and wait for the instructor to approach you, bow and then ask your question.  When possible email your questions to them; this is often a faster way of getting your answer as there isn’t much time between classes.As our class continues to grow, I remind all of my students to support and welcome each other.  While this is a disciplined class in which we follow rules of etiquette and strict behavior, I feel that all students are a part of the TKD family.  All students should feel comfortable and enjoy their training.  Older students please take a moment to greet the newer students and introduce yourselves.  Remember they may be nervous or scared to approach you.

Assistant instructors:  Mr. Bushor has sent each of you a schedule of when you are to help instruct during the 5:30 class.  It is your responsibility to be on time and there during your scheduled time.  If you are going to be late or unable to be there, you must email Mr. Bushor and Miss Bowing and find a replacement.  Most of you have access to the Axe Facebook page and email so there is no excuse to not having your slot filled by someone.  Remember as a black belt you need to set a good example for the lower ranking studen  s.

Departures:  Mr. Finan, 3rd Dan is scheduled to leave in October for a year to Korea.  He will continue training/teaching there and return to the U.S. in 2012.  At this time, we are uncertain where Mr. Finan will be stationed.  Ms. Matos, 2nd Dan will also leave in October for three years to live in Spain.  She will return to Axe TKD hopefully when finished in Spain.  We wish them the best of luck and will see them off properly before they leave.

Calendar:

Oct 16th – Senior Grand Master Sereff Tournament, Broomfield, CONov 5th –

Testing in Missouri (Mr. Bushor for 6th degree

Nov 19th– Promotion Testing, Axe TKD

Dec 22nd – Holiday Party – Axe TKD

Dec 26th – 30th – Axe TKD closed for holidays

June 24-29, 2012 – Sereff World Camp, Estes Park, CO (you need Master Todd’s permission to attend)