Wow!  The school year is off and running and so are we at OKC!  What an exciting time for new beginnings.  There is a lot going on at the dojo between now and the end of the year.  Please take a moment to review this entire newsletter so you won’t miss out on a thing!

To all of our OKC Students – good luck with your classes in the year ahead.  Remember our thoughts for the past two weeks – make the most out of the school year ahead AND make the most of your karate training at OKC!  We’ll see YOU in class!

A dojo cannot survive without the support of its students!  We are excited to bring this chance to our students to help us grow.  First time ever, in our OKC history, that we have had a campaign like this AND we have already had a winner since starting this on September 6th.  Congratulations to Ethan Nguyen on winning a $50.00 prize for the signing of his little brother, Mason!

It’s easy to take part…just see Sensei Becky for an invitation slip, pass it out to a family member or a friend who you think would really like to train at OKC.  When they come in for their FREE TRIAL CLASS and if they decide to become an OKC member, you win!!!

Our campaign will run until the time of our Christmas Break, so get the word out and help us out – we can’t do it without YOU!

We are excited to welcome back our friends to this Saturday morning class beginning Saturday September 24th.  Don’t forget, we have a new class time for this…10:00-10:45 AM.

Be sure to sign-up today for your photo appointment.  Karate photos will be taken on Friday evening, October 7th, from 4-9 PM AND Saturday, October 8th, from 9AM-3PM.  Photo preview days will be on Monday, October 10th and Tuesday, October 11th during our studio hours.

Appointments are required.  Students need to wear their full, white gi for the shoot.  Become a part of our OKC history!  The minimal sitting fee guarantees your smiling face on our wall plaque for 2016 AND there is no obligation for you to purchase additional packages, but you just might want to…..Dan is a GREAT photographer!

Our BBC will meet on October 7th (group photo will be taken at 6:45 PM – all Black and Brown Belts, please be here for BBC 6-7PM.  Can’t make BBC, then come for the photo by 6:30 PM)

Other BBC Dates: 
November 4th 6-7 PM at the studio
December 3rd, Saturday, 5-9 PM for our  BBC Annual Spaghetti Dinner at Senseis House*

*No regular meeting for BBC in December due to our dinner.
**On BBC Fridays, our red belt students train from 4-5 PM

Our Costume Days will be held during regular class times on Wednesday, October 19th and Thursday, 20th.  Please choose ONE day to come and wear your Halloween Costume to class.  Please, no face make-up and if a mask is part of your costume, be sure you can see well so that you can participate in our activities.  Our studio will be closed on Halloween, Monday, October 31st.

Save the date, Friday, October 21st for our Fall High Marks and Performance Competition.  This time, grab your training partners and sign-up for our Team Kate Competition and Bunkai Events!  There may also be a Creative Competition Event where you can perform a kata you have made up, demonstrate your skills with a weapon, or show off your creative kibbon kumites with your friends.  Registration forms will be available the end of September.  Don’t miss out on the fun!

Our charity drive for the Fall 2016 runs NOW through November 13th.  Please bring non-perishable food items/canned goods; jackets/sweaters/sweatshirts you’ve outgrown; blankets/sleeping bags to our dojo and help support those who are living on the streets.  Our Annual Drive benefits Mary’s Kitchen in Orange.  Please remember donated clothing items must be clean and in good repair.  Thank you for your help!

Our Dojo Dollar Store will be open for business on Wednesday, November 9th and Thursday, November 10th after classes.  Remember, you can earn Dojo Dollars for good grades and special mentions from your school!  Don’t forget your Dojo Dollars on these special days and come shop ‘til you drop!

As a past chair-person of the Domestic Violence Initiative Committee for the Diocese of Orange, Sensei Becky will be addressing members of the Diocese of Orange on the issue of Domestic Violence on October 26th. 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Please show your support of those who are hurt by DV by sporting the color purple, either as an accent piece or article of clothing, during the month of October. 

If you OR someone you know is in an abusive relationship, there is help and support available and it’s just a phone call away.  For more information or for a referral to a domestic violence shelter, please call:
Human Options: 877 854 3594 / Laura’s House: 866 498 1511
WTLC (Women’s Transitional Living Center): 714 992 1931
Interval House:  714 891 8121
The National Domestic Violence Hotline:  800 799 SAFE

Be on the look-out for BIG SAVINGS on all of your karate needs!  Our sale will begin on November 1st and run through December 23rd .

Those who wish to give items as Christmas gifts, please submit your orders not later than Friday, December 2nd to help ensure on-time delivery for Christmas.

OKC will continue to provide self-defense training to recovering victims of rape and sexual assault through 2017.  Sensei Becky Davis will be presenting an overview of our OKC Women to Women Self-Defense Program on Tuesday evening, December 6th to victim advocates who volunteer their time as hotline responders/hospital responders for Sexual Assault Victim Services.

We are honored to be a part of this wonderful program in assisting those who come to us and honored to work with the wonderful folks at SAVS!

Our studio will observe the following holiday closings:
October 31st:  Halloween
November 23rd through November 27th:  Thanksgiving
December 24th through January 2nd: Christmas

I am often asked if we pro-rate tuition during these holiday times.  Please understand that OKC students’ tuition is based on a 28 day month (4 weeks).  We do not charge students for the extra days in every month that accumulate throughout the year.  These extra days each month make it possible for us to have the vacation time that we need to also be able to spend time with our families and friends.

Our flexible class scheduling makes it very easy for our students to attend extra classes either before or up to one year after these closings to make up any missed time.  We continue to be grateful for your continued support of us during the months that these holidays occur.

We are most aware that there are many martial art studios in our area from which to choose.  We are very grateful that you have chosen to be with us!  We are committed to providing the very best training opportunity for all of our OKC students and continue to look for ways to enhance our programs.

Thank you for being a part of our OKC family! 
Your presence here is important to us! 
Your support of our studio and our OKC Staff means everything!

We know it is our OKC Families that make OKC not just a good dojo,
but a GREAT ONE!

Special Note…Olivia was just too dog-gone tired to put her article together this time.  She has been too busy chasing squirrels, but sends her regard!  Look for her article when the new year begins – she should be rested up by then!!!