BELT TESTING AND STAR AWARDS

To the parents of all Juniors and Teen students: AN IMPORTANT MEMO REGARDING BELT TESTING AND STAR AWARDS Our team has had an opportunity to experience the belt testing and promotion process over the course of last year and feel that it’s time to make some changes so that we can improve the experience for all our students by giving them more individual attention. Starting this month, we will be testing students on an individual basis. Prior to promoting to the next belt rank, each student will be individually pre-tested. Once the student has received their 4th black stripe based on attendance and behavior, the student will become eligible to pre-test. The pre-test will occur shortly after the 4th black stripe is awarded. The pre-test can occur before, during or after a class. Most students will not pre-test the same day they've received their 4th black stripe. There will be five areas each student will be pre-tested on:

1. Knowledge of the Curriculum

2. Spirit and Energy

3. Attendance, Attitude, and Protocol

4. Health and Fitness

5. Respect and cooperation at Home and School (students under the age of 17)
If the student successfully pre-tests for the next belt rank, they will be awarded a red stripe. If the student does not successfully pass their pre-test, they may attempt another pre-test at a later date. Each student will be given specific items to work on at home and in class during their pre-test. The lower the belt rank, the shorter the pre-test is. The higher the rank, not only is the pre-test longer but the waiting period between each rank may be longer as there are more areas of the curriculum to improve on. Once the student has completed the pre-test and has shown progress in the areas suggested by the instructor, the student will earn their next belt at the end of a pre-determined class. Parents will be notified before the belt is given so they may be ready to take pictures or invite family members to the class when the belt will be award.

PARENT / TEACHER APPROVAL – INTENT TO PROMOTE
When the student passes the pre-test and earns the red stripe, her or she will receive an intent to promote form or “ITP”. The ITP is a way in which we can work “with” you in many aspects of your child’s life when he or she is outside the dojo. At Satori Academy, we are not only training students to become better martial artists, but better people. The ITP must be signed by the parent and the child’s teacher before they are eligible to promote indicating that:

The child is respectful at home, school and any other location.

The child is completing his or her homework assignments on time and both the parents and teacher are satisfied with the child’s grades.

Additionally, to the discretion of the parents, the child is also making improvements in other areas such as chores, grooming, healthy eating habits, etc. Please feel free to consult with the instructors who will be happy to work with you to develop specific goals in these target areas.

SATORI STAR AWARDS – We will also be implementing a new star program so that the entire school is working on earning one specific star during a two month period. The concepts will be reinforced in huddle discussions and will culminate in a special star ceremony evening where we will present the stars and students and their families will participate in activities together.

JANUARY – FEBRUARY RED STAR READING AND WRITING
MARCH – APRIL ORANGE STAR PHYSICAL FITNESS
MAY - JUNE GOLD STAR HEROES / ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
JULY – AUGUST GREEN STAR ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
SEPT. – OCTOBER SILVER STAR SELF-DISCIPLINE / ATTENDANCE
NOVEMBER – DECEMBER BLUE STAR KINDNESS / SERVICE

We anticipate this new testing and award format will be the most useful and productive way to give your child specific goals and challenges and reward his or her effort. As always, we are always open to feedback and welcome the opportunity to work with you to bring out the very best in your child. Wishing your family a very happy new year, Shidoshi Nancy Walzog

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Announcements

Student Area

Satori Academy NJ Ning Network

Dojo Rules and Etiquette

Belt Testing and Star awards

Special Events

Promotion Schedule

Demo Team

Satori Demo Team

Weekly demo practices will be suspended for the fall/winter season. Practices will now only be held 2 weeks before a scheduled performance. Instructors will call all members to inform them of an upcoming demo team appearance and dates and times of practices.

All members of demo team, please continue to practice Combos 1 and 2, Basic Blocking Set and Wind Up at home so you are ready at a moment's notice!