Announcements
***** In Case of Inclement Weather, the Phone Number to check is *****
***** Piscataway Recreation : 732-562-2389 *****
Or just check this website at 6:30 PM before coming to class.
2009-2010 Events Schedule
Date of Announcement Message
Mar 05, 2010 : Yes, Martial Arts Class is OPEN Tonight, Friday, March 05, 2010. See you at class!
Feb 26, 2010 : Martial Arts Class is cancelled for tonight, Friday, February 26, 2010, due to School Closing / Snow Storm.
Submit your "Do Your Part" Worksheets on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 ... No Exceptions.
Feb 19, 2010 : Wrestling tournament on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at Piscataway High School; at the Back Gym, where we
hold our summer martial arts classes. Tournaments start at 9:00 AM, and ends approximately 4:00 PM.
Yes, wrestling is a martial art. It is a grappling style. No strikes, all movement, positioning, and leverage.
You do not have to stay the entire time. No entrance fee for spectators 12-years old and under. Only $1.00
for students 13 thru 18-years old, and $3.00 for adults. Come and observe, see if you can understand (even
a little bit) how one opponent can maintain control of their opponent, without any punching or kicking
involved. If you attend, be sure to save a flyer or a ticket stub to show that you were there. This proof will
also serve to be another bonus point credited to you during your Promotion for Rank Test in March.
Reminder : Your "Do Your Part" Worksheets are due on Friday, 02-26-10, NO Exceptions! No worksheets
for February will be accepted in March.
Thank you to all the families who participated in the Socks & Sneakers for Haiti donation. Your donations
and notes of encouragement will be gratefully appreciated by the people in Haiti who will receive the
socks, shoes, and sneakers you have provided. All students who participated in the donation drive
will receive a 50% discount on their Rank Promotion Test Fee. And 1 student from each Rank-Group,
will receive an Automatic Invitation and NO Test Fee for the next Promotion for Rank Test in March.
Feb 02, 2010 : Socks & Sneakers for Haiti; Print the document, read the details, Win your Invitation!
Jan 24, 2010 : Yes, we have class this Friday, January 29, 2010! Be there !
Do you know that if your are NOT "Doing Your Part", that you may not be eligible for invitation to the next
rank promotion test? January's "Do Your Part" Checklist must be submitted this Friday, January 29, 2010!
Jan 19, 2010 : My Daily Checklist was introduced 2 weeks ago. You should have already talked with your moms and dads about
this requirement. Every day, in all your actions, you should be asking yourself, "Am I doing my part"?
The January 2010 checklist must be submitted ONLY on Friday, January 29, 2010, NOT on Tuesday 1/26/10,
NOT in February. If you miss that Friday's class, then you must submit the checklist on the February 2, 2010
class with a note from mom or dad stating why you missed submitting it on January 29th. If you do not
submit the checklist, you earn a zero as your bonus point for January. The bonus points will be used in your
individual score sheet at the next test for rank promotion in April.
Jan 06, 2010 : Happy New Year to everyone! It was great to see such a big class on Tuesday 1/5/10. I would like to remind
all students who are 2-yellow stripes and higher, that your attendance for the 8:00 to 9:00 portion of class
is very important. It counts towards the number of attendance points you earn in order to be invited to the
next promotion test opportunity. The next test is tentatively at the end of March 2010.
As the senseis have said many times, you must find some time to practice on your own. And practice
correctly! Look at yourself in the mirror when you are practicing your stances, or your blocks, or your punches,
or just your overall body presence. Go through the mental checklists that we provide you during class. You
must show improvement from one class to the next ... or at the very least from one week to the next. If
you have any questions about whether you are doing something correctly, do not hesitate to ask one of your
senseis, or Sempai Mike, or Sempai Nick.
Yellow Belt students and higher, please visit the Equipment page on this website and strongly consider
investing in your sparring gear. You will definately need it.
All students, print out My Daily Checklist and review the chart with your parents. This document is needed
as one of the qualifications for registration in future test of rank opportunities. This document is also found
in the Documents / Forms tab.
Lastly, have pride in your appearance! Be sure you are able to tie your uniform (gi) properly. Be sure your
belt (obe) is tied on tightly and properly. Come to class "ready for battle" !
Dec 17, 2009 : Regarding Dojo Party on Tuesday 12/22/09, Moms and Dads, please bring 1 sturdy folding chair with you,
(2) if at all possible. I may need it for one of the events planned for the evening. Thank you.
Dec 08, 2009 : Updated Technical Requirements Posted
Dec 01, 2009 : Dojo 15th Anniversary Pizza Party Celebration
Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 7:00 PM, at the Piscataway Dojo
Your commitment and up-front payment is due Tuesday, December 8, 2009
This is necessary in order to plan for the amount of pizza, drinks, and supplies to purchase.
$8.00 per person for each Child or Adult planning to attend
Nov 30, 2009 : Check the Promotion Preparation page of this website ! Rank promotion testing in 2 weeks !
Tuesday, December 15, 2009 for current White Belt Ranks, and
Friday, December 18, 2009 for current Yellow Belt Ranks and Higher
A $10.00 Test Fee is requested per student. Cash-Only Please
Please register and submit your test fee payment to Mrs. Makmur on Tuesday December 8, 2009.
Nov 15, 2009 : There is Martial Arts Class is being held on Friday, November 20, 2009! We have a special guest attending
and teaching that night; Professor Cates. Please adjust your schedules and plan to attend.
Oct 22, 2009 : Click ===> See the Halloween2009 Announcement
Oct 22, 2009 : Print the 2009-2010 Events Schedule
Oct 20, 2009 : Halloween at the Dojo; On Friday, October 30, 2009, 7:00 to 8:45; Come in a costume, (Your martial arts
uniform is NOT a costume), Bring a carved or decorated pumpkin, for pumpkin competition! Prizes !
Stay tuned for more details ...
Sep 24, 2009 : No Martial Arts Class on Tuesday Sept.29, 2009 due to "Back to School Night" at Conackamack
Aug 24, 2009 : The Department of Recreation has changed the start date for our return to Conackamack Middle School for the
2009-2010 school year. The Children's Martial Arts classes will begin on Tuesday, September 8, 2009,
at 7:00 pm. Remember to arrive a few minutes early, as line-up begins promptly at 7 PM.
Jul 27, 2009 : The Department of Recreation has changed the summer schedule for Piscataway Martial Arts. Due to the
scheduling change, as well as Sensei Ray's planned vacation time, the LAST CLASS for the Children's Class will
be on Thursday, July 30, 2009.
Continue to practice at home. Practice what you know. And PRACTICE CORRECTLY! Do your strengthening
exercises; Push Ups, Sit Ups, Rectangular Stances, etc. Do your stamina exercises; Jumping Jacks, Bouncing
in place while doing punches, Down-Out-In-Up Drills, etc. For higher ranks, do your self-defense drills!
The FIRST Day for the 2009-2010 Session back at Conackamack will be Tuesday, September 15, 2009.
Most Important Announcement : In September, when you return to Martial Arts Class, ALL Students MUST
BRING THEIR CURRENT PISCATAWAY STUDENT I.D.! As you know, this program is only offered to residents
of Piscataway. Therefore, your student I.D. verifies that you are a Piscataway resident. If you do not have
a student I.D., your mom or dad must show their driver's license as proof of residency.
If you are a student who has just joined the martial arts program at the beginning of summer, and are planning
to continue your training in September, please be sure you have reviewed and submitted all appropriate
forms and documents; located in the Documents / Forms tab. The uniform order form is also on that page.
Jul 05, 2009 : The Summer program for the Children's Class will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays; not on Fridays!
There will be NO Children's Class on Tuesday, Aug.04, 2009 or Thursday, Aug.06, 2009. However, training
with Sensei Frank and the adult class is still available if you would like to keep up with your work outs.
The LAST Day for the Summer Session at the High School will be Thursday, August 27, 2009.
The FIRST Day for the 2009-2010 Session back at Conackamack will be Tuesday, September 15, 2009.
Jun 15, 2009 : Summer program for Children's Class begins on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at the Piscataway High School Back Gym.
Directions to PHS Back Gym : Take entrance road so that the football field is on your right and the band
parking lot is on your left. Follow the road all the way to the back of the high school. Find a place to park
on the side of the road. Enter through the double doors that lead into the weight-exercise room. Please
be very careful and watch your step as people may be using the equipment. Go straight into the basketball
gym area. DO NOT linger around the weight room! You will see where the class lines up once you are in
the basketball gym area. Summer uniform : gi-pants, white t-shirt with Piscataway Martial Arts Logo,
your belt.
The hours for the summer program are :
White Belts up to 2 Yellow Stripe : 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM
3 Yellow Stripe and Higher : 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a 2 minute water break at 7:30 PM
Firm Reminder : STAY OFF ANY EQUIPMENT WHICH YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY PERMISSION TO USE!
Between now and July 7th, please continue to work out and practice. Just because I have not been able to
post a current calendar in the training guide page of this website does not mean that you should stop
training on your own. Print your own calendar for June 2009 and CONTINUE TO PRACTICE! Submit your
signed June calendar to me on July 7th!
There is an opportunity for a maximum of 10 classes in the summer program (Tuesdays and Fridays). The
Friday classes may change or be eliminated depending on personal scheduling and class demand. These
summer classes will count towards the opportunity for rank promotion at the end of summer or the
very beginning of the new school year in September.
May 07, 2009 : All students are encouraged to be present at the Piscataway Street Fair on Saturday, May 9, 2009. Our dojo,
primarily the students of the adult class, plus a handful of senior students from the children's class, will be
performing at a scheduled demonstration. The scheduled demonstration is at 10:30 AM. Any student who
wants to be on stage during the performance MUST be present at our booth by 10:00 AM! The booth number
will be provided at class on Friday May 8, 2009. If you are participating in the street fair, this is what you
should wear ... Blue Jeans, Sneakers, your Uniform Jacket, your Belt. This applies also to students who
are performing with the adults. If it is raining, just send your thoughts and spirit to the folks who are there.
If it is NOT raining, try your best to attend and support our overall dojo. It would be great to out-shine
any other martial arts organizations that are there, just by a show of the number of students. Plus, you'll
probably get your picture in one of the local newspapers that cover the event!
Apr.09, 2009 : Yellow Belt ranks and higher, bring your Test Score Sheet into class on Tuesday, April 14, 2009. You will meet
with one of the senseis to review your performance, and identify how you can improve for the next test.
On Friday, May 1, 2009, Master Ernie Cates, Jr, also known as Master "Moose", will be at our dojo to
provide the Children's Class with a special training session. Master Moose has a wonderful style of teaching
practical and effective techniques in movement, grappling, and self-defense at all rank levels. You do not
want to miss this class! Since this is a special session, class starts at 6:30 pm instead of 7:00 pm, and
will end at 9:30 pm instead of 9:00 pm. It is best to at least come exactly on time, and if you have to
leave early, leave when you must. Just don't come in late AND leave early!
On Saturday, May 9, 2009, is the annual Piscataway Street Fair. Between our return-from-break class on
Tuesday, April 14th to Friday, May 8th, we will be working on a presentation coordinated with students
in the adult class, for the fair. You will be advised of your role and participation in the demonstration.
Remember, continued attendance of Friday classes count towards your attendance score! All Yellow Belts
and higher are expected to attend the advanced rank (8:00 to 8:45) class as well as Friday classes.
Mar.30, 2009 : Mandatory physical requirements testing on Tuesday, March 31, 2009. Participation in the physical testing
is needed in order to participate in the rank test on Friday, April 03, 2009. Also, review the Test Score Sheet
to become familiar with the areas that directly affect your test performance score.
Mar.30, 2009 : The next class after Spring Break is Tuesday, April 14, 2009. Special guests, Master "Moose" Cates, and
Professor Ernie Cates, will be providing our dojo with a special training seminar on Friday, May 01, 2009.
Also, Saturday, May 09, 2009 will be the annual Piscataway Street Fair. Plan on representing our dojo
by your attendance. More information on all the events will be discussed as the times draw nearer.
Mar.15, 2009 : The Promotion Preparation Tab has been posted. Review the requirements!
Mar.03, 2009 : Check your Attendance Percentage. Do you meet the attendance requirements? If the rank promotion test
happened next class, are you ready to show what you know?
Check the "Jan to Mar 2009" Tab for updated information ... regarding the Test Invite Date, and
Test Participation Registration Dates. Also read and understand the Test-Day-Section notes.
Feb.20, 2009 : No Martial Arts Class tonight, Friday 02-20-09. This was a last-minute notification from the Rec.Dept.
Feb.18, 2009 : Sparring gear is available from Sensei Ray. Go to Equipment Page of this web site for more details.
A few of our students are also involved in the Piscataway Wrestling program; including Joey, Justin, Christopher,
and Lyle. Come support your dojo classmates who are participating in a wrestling tournament this Sunday,
02/22/09 at Edison High School, 50 Boulevard of Eagles, Edison, NJ, starting at 9:00 AM.
Feb.14, 2009 : The new Attendance Percentages have been posted. See if you are "on-target" to meet the attendance
requirement to be eligible for invitation to the April 09 rank promotion test.
Jan.31, 2009 : Check the January to March 2009 tab to check on your January 2009 Attendance Percentage. It's in the
Attendance Requirement section of the page.
Sparring Gear strongly recommended for Yellow Belt and higher!! See Equipment Tab for list and pictures of
base level equipment. Pick up a gear-bag. Use it to bring all your gear to and from the dojo; sparring
gear, tambo, belt, bottle of water, etc.
Print out your February 2009 Training Calendar! Practice Properly! This will be collected at the end of
February. Go to the Training Guide tab for additional information.
Reminder to All Ranks ... Friday classes begin on February 6, 2009. Same hours as Tuesday class. Yes, this
counts toward your attendance record.
Jan. 13, 2009 : Click on the Training Guide tab to print out your training calendars.
Jan. 12, 2009 : Friday classes have been opened to ALL Ranks! All White Belt Levels are now included in Friday classes. The
Friday class hours will be identical to the Tuesday class hours. Check the "January to March 2009" tab for
the revised Friday class schedule. First Friday class is February 6, 2009!
Jan. 12, 2009 : Yellow Belts and higher, Sparring Gear will be required in order to participate in sparring on Friday classes!
Jan. 06, 2009 : The Anniversary Dinner was a wonderful success. Over 80 people attended! Many thanks to Felix Rivera who
introduced China Buffet to us. Many thanks to Sensei Tracy and Faye Medinets who worked on all the awards
patches. Also, thank you Mrs. M and Sensei Tracy for helping with logging in all attendees with wristbands.
Thank you to Sensei George and Sensei Frank for their introduction speeches. Thank you to Mike Enad for
the presentation of the handmade war-clubs. And most importantly, many thanks to all moms and dads and
kids for coming out and celebrating with us, even on a drizzly, icy night. Take a look at the list of students
who received awards.