Dear Family Martial Arts Academy Students and Families,
I’m writing to you during these unprecedented times, when we are all be in called to make drastic and inconvenient changes due to the coronavirus pandemic. Added to the temporary closure of schools, eating and drinking establishments, orders to work from home, and now the Governor’s strict call to “shelter in place,” Family Martial Arts Academy is also being ordered to close. Further, “individuals are prohibited from patronizing businesses that are closed” pursuant to the order. We all play a role in slowing down the spread of this virulent virus.
We are in this together!
All of our instructors have been tirelessly working to build an online infrastructure for you so we can continue holding classes, provide you with instructional material for your home practice, and to continue plans for stripe testing and belt advancement.
Here’s a summary of our efforts to create a virtual and interactive dojo experience:
CLASSES –
- We are in preparation to hold most classes on our schedule using Zoom and/or Facebook Live.
- Stay tuned for invitations and meeting IDs to enable your participation in these classes.
- ONLINE INSTRUCTION –
- Instructors have been creating instructional videos and feedback methods for students to demonstrate learning and to test for stripes. These videos are currently being organized in such a way that current students and their families who have links can view them. Please stay tuned for links to your class material.
- ONLINE SOCIAL MEDIA SPACES –
- Select small groups have been pilot testing how we can maintain safe “physical distancing + social connecting” so that we can continue to experience the social community we all value in our FMAA Family. We will share more information as soon as we have the kinks worked out.
- FACEBOOK –
- As you know, FMAA has a public Facebook Business Page where we share photos and events and we celebrate student accomplishments. This is the place where you “check in” when you come to classes and events and where you can leave “reviews” about your experiences with us.
- What’s new is our private FMAA group, open only to our current students and their families to continue teaching and learning together. You can enter this group by clicking here: JOIN FMAA PRIVATE DOJO.
- All videos with green stripe lessons that were posted on our public page are being moved to this private group. Here you will have access to recorded curriculum and live streaming classes. We are so excited to make this available to you!
- STUDENT and INSTRUCTOR ONE-ON-ONE OPPORTUNITIES –
- In addition to what is listed above, each student (and parent if the student is a youth) will be assigned to an instructor or SWAT team member to provide individual private conferencing. This will be by appointment by means of a virtual meeting tool, such as Facetime, Zoom or other video calling service. Stay tuned for more information on this!
- JUNE GRADUATION –
- We are currently developing a strategy to proceed with testing in June, so stay tuned for that information, as well.
- BLACK BELT STUDENTS –
- Your work continues at home and our senior instructors are here to help and support you. You should have access to the ASKA Curriculum, and you will be provided with updated information that follows our higher-level training. Additional videos and customized lesson plans and practice will be provided to help you stay on track to graduate on schedule to your next higher level. Please know that your suggestions are welcome.
- In the coming days, you can expect a call from an FMAA Instructor to help you get started on one or more of the available online dojo learning platforms. I will also send another letter with specific links to lessons and instructions for how to interact with your instructors for getting your green stripe.
- Winners Never Quit – and we are in this to WIN!
- With kindest regards,
- Sensei Paul Keller
- 503-977-3300 Dojo
- 503-209-6915 cell/text
- paul.keller571@gmail.com
