We are excited to announce that we are ready to re-open for in-person classes beginning next Monday February 22nd. We have taken this week to plan and prepare, so thanks for your patience. This email is rather lengthy, but it outlines important information that you need to know for classes. We also understand that some people may still not be comfortable or ready to return to in-person classes just yet. Our Zoom classes will still be available for those who wish to continue training at home. We are going to be trying out a hybrid style of teaching- teaching in person and running Zoom at the same time. Please note that this is a new way of teaching, therefore we ask for your patience as we venture down this path. Parents, please go over these important details with your students so they know what to expect when they come to class.
Safety Protocols
We have strict safety measures and cleaning protocols in place for the safety and protection of our students as well as our staff. Karate training in person will be contact free. We will be maintaining the required 3M distance on the floor. Spaces on the floor are marked off and students will stay within their space for the class.
- Entry to the building will be staggered. Please sure 2M physical distancing waiting outside and when entering the building.
- Screening will take place at the door as you enter. Screening questions will be asked, temperature will be taken, and hand sanitizer will be sprayed. If you do not pass the screening questions or your temperature is above 37C, you will not be admitted into the building.
- After the screening process, you will be directed to a designated chair. Wait there to be assigned a designated place on the floor. Training areas are clearly marked and spaced out to ensure maximum physical distancing.
- Everyone is required to wear a non-medical face mask while inside the building. Students must wear a mask during classes.
- Change rooms will not be available, so please come ready for class.
- Washrooms will be available if necessary and sanitized after each use. Please do what you can to minimize the possibility that you will need to use the washrooms in the school.
- Between every class, the instructors will sanitize the floor, chairs, railings, and doors with which students may have made contact.
Entry/Exit
- There are separate entry and exit doors to ensure physical distancing and flow.
- Entrance is at the main doors of the school facing the parking lot.
- Doors will be unlocked 5 minutes prior to the start of class. Doors will be locked a few minutes after class begins, so please ensure you are on time for class. Once the instructor begins teaching, they will not be able to leave the floor to let you in.
- Please take all belongings with you to your designated seat.
- Please take boots off and carry them to the boot tray at your seat. After class, carry your boots into the family room and put them on the mat by the windows. This will prevent salt and water on the mats. (parents- please make sure your child understands this point)
- Exit will be out the side door of the building that faces Charlton Ave. Parents- please meet your children at the side door at the end of class.
In-Person Classes
- Class sizes are limited in number therefore we will be utilizing the Booking System once again (info on the booking site can be found later in this email).
- It is extremely important to book all classes using the booking site, as well as remember to cancel any classes you can’t attend.
- The current class schedule for karate has not changed. For your convenience, the schedules are attached to this message but they can also be found on the booking site as well as the Student Portal on the website. Please book the classes for your belt level.
- All classes are 30 minutes in length, which allows for 15 minutes in between classes for cleaning. Parents please double check class times and ensure you are at the side door to meet your child at the correct time.
- Students are required to wear a face mask in the building and during class.
- Please come dressed ready for class with gi and belt as the changerooms are not available.
- The Open sparring class will continue for BBM members, both child/adult on Thursdays at 6:45. Please bring your sparring gear.
- Unfortunately, we are unable to offer Weapons classes on the current schedule. For beginner Weapons students or for those who wish review, you can book a private lesson on Saturdays (see private lesson info below).
Aero Kickboxing students
- The class schedule for aero kickboxing as changed slightly so please check the attached schedule for the updated times.
- Monday/Wednesday there are two 25 minutes aero classes.
- Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday there is one 45 minute class.
- After the screening process, please remove shoes/boots and head downstairs to a designated spot. Take all your belongings with you
- At the end of class, please carry shoes/boots with you to the bottom of the exit stairs and put them on there. This will help prevent too much salt/water on the floors.
Zoom Training
- We will continue teaching the same classes over Zoom. If you do not feel comfortable training in person, or if there are no spots available for in-person classes, you can still train at home.
- The Zoom link will remain the same as we have been using (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88283483975?pwd=ZmJDMWUwK0tyMXhtTFFvd0s0NVhWUT09) This is a recurring link so please keep it handy.
- Zoom classes will be run at the same time as in person classes. The laptop will be set up on the floor and you can train alongside your class online.
- This is a work in progress, so please be patient with us if there are technical glitches.
- Please keep in mind that the instructor on the floor will be focusing mostly on the students that are in-person, but they will do their best to keep an eye on the screen to help as needed. Questions will have to wait until the end of class.
Private Lessons
- Private lessons continue to be offered on Saturdays from 12-2 pm in person.
- Privates are available for any student (child or adult) who needs extra help with a particular aspect of their training.
- Each lesson is approx. 30 minutes in length and there are 4 spots available every 30 minutes.
- Please book your private lesson using the Booking System.
Booking System
- The booking system will be used to book ALL in person classes (If using Zoom, you do not have to book class, just open the Zoom link at class time).
- If you used the booking site to book classes last fall, you can just sign in and begin booking. The log in is your email address and whatever password you set up. If you can’t recall, you can reset your password.
- If you’ve never used the site before, you will have to sign up as a new client.
- Please book the class for your belt level.
- As we are limited in class sizes in person, it is extremely important that you cancel any class that you can’t make. This will free up a spot for someone else.
- If you need instruction on using the booking system, information is available on the booking site tab here on the Portal. There are a few videos that take you through the process of booking and how to cancel a booking.
- If you are looking for a timeslot and everything appears booked, please check back on occasion during the day, as there may be cancellations.
We look forward to seeing everyone who plans to return to training in-person next week. We will continue to keep you informed of any updates and changes as they become known to us. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out and let us know.