| Answering parents' questions | |||||||
| by BUDDY AMATO | |||||||
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This week, I will once again answer questions from parents. The first question is from a parent in the Middletown area, "I heard, recently, that a local Karate School won a lot of trophies at a big tournament, were you or your school there?" First of all, I think I know who you are talking about, and let me set the record straight! This so-called tournament was an in-house event, where only the students of that organization competed against each other! Outside schools were not invited, and, as far as that school representing a town in competition, that did not happen! There is nothing wrong with in-house Karate events, but do not confuse them with open competition, that is like comparing a ground slug with a lion < the two are not the same in any way, shape, or form. If we are talking about the same event, the story should have said that this was an in-house event where the competition was among only that school's students and those of its sister schools, only as to not mislead people who thought this was an event that all schools competed in. However, it is noteworthy that these students did well in any form of competition, and my congratulations goes out to them all! The second question comes from a parent who has a student in a karate school in the area, ³If my child has earned a belt, is it proper or possible for the instructor to take it away, and tell the student he or she must re-earn it, simply because of a bad day at the school/DOJO?² This question has many answers because it has different examples. The first, and most obvious answer is that the instructor has the right to demote any student on the floor for any reason he or she feels fit to do so. However, in my opinion, this, for the most part, would be used as a threat to get the student back on the right path of discipline or to give the student a wake-up call. I have never demoted someone on the floor and not re-promoted them within a half an hour. If I did this, the parent would pull that child out of school, and no one would be the better for it. If a child is goofing off and the instructor has used other options, then, by all means, they should threaten to to take away that student's belt. This will sometimes work, but a stern talk in the office will also work, and this way you are not seen giving ranks and then taking them away. If a student continues to be a problem in future classes, they should simply not be invited to the next promotions. By doing this, you can avoid looking clueless by granting a rank, in the first place, just to take it away. The next question is from a parent who wishes to know if a black belt at one school is the same as at another. The answer to this is definitely not! Some school's standards are somewhat the same, but I have had some students come to me that were promoted to a black belt at another school that could not even wear a yellow belt at mine. This is not the parent or student's fault, but that of the teacher who simply didn't care to make corrections, and just let the student take up space at the school while taking the parents' money. Make sure you compare schools, and this means the product they produce. Sit in a class and watch the advanced students. Make sure their school is about quality and the students look like they are being taught and corrected. The final question this week is, ³Do all karate studios charge the same prices?² My answer, again, is most definitely not! Some schools have huge overheads or are franchises that are required to pay additional fees which must be charged back to the students. This is not to say that they are doing anything wrong to their clients. As far as I know, they do not use a gun to make the parent sign that contract! At my school, we are an open book as far as pricing goes. I give my prices right over the phone, and we do not use a contract. Some schools charge as close to $1,500 to $2,000 a year for two classes a week. Again, if the person wants to pay this amount, he or she writes the check. At my school, to give an example, if you decide to pay on a yearly payment it costs only $1,000, without a contract. Once again, some of these schools, that are charging a much higher rate, have to pay for things like rent, commercials, franchise fees, etc. I own my own building and my home is on top of it. I actually live at my DOJO, with my family, and am proud to say it is one of the largest on the East Coast. Then again, I have been at this business much longer and most of my competitors, so I have an advantage. Thirty-one years ago, when I was a senior in high school, I opened my first karate school. Back then, there were only two schools in a ten mile radius. Those were my school, and that of an excellent martial artist named Ray Martin. Since then, we have karate schools in almost every town, and some of them are great schools at that! Buddy Amato is a Hazlet business owner, who operates Amato's Karate and Weapons Academy. For more information, call (732) 671-9555.
Copyright Buddy Amato Amato's Goju-ryu Karate, Nunchaku, Bo-staff, Aikido, Sword, Kendo, Sais, Kick-boxing, Tai-Chi and more 589 Palmer Ave, Keansburg and is the author of Buddys Animal Kingdom, NJ 07734 (732) 671-9555 |
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