Patches

The only patch required on the uniform is the official school patch. Placement of the patch is on the front top left of the uniform top. The Black Belt Club patch should be on the right upper arm of your uniform sleeve, under the seam. The Academic Achiever patch is also on the upper left arm on your uniform sleeve, underneath the Black Belt Club patch. The American Flag patch should be on the right upper arm of your uniform sleeve, under the seam.

Academic Achiever Patch

To reinforce our goal to help your child receive better grades in school, we would like to honor all students that have above average grades in school. If your child has a 'B'average or better, she or he will receive an academic achiever patch to signify their outstanding achievement performance.

Sparring

Sparring is allowed once you reach the rank of Green Belt and is required curriculum for Blue Belt and up. Refer to the class schedule for sparring classes. Due to mandatory insurance regulations, all students who attend sparring class must wear foot gear, hand gear, chest protector, headgear, and mouthpiece. Students are required to bring necessary equipment to each class. This includes sparring equipment, boxing gloves, Arnis and Escrima sticks. Equipment is available for order at the school. Label all your gear after purchase. All gear looks the same and is very easy to lose or misplace. The school is not responsible for lost, misplaced or stolen equipment.

Special Events

Throughout the year, Ernie Reyes' World Martial Arts Association holds numerous events. These include the Black Belt Exam & Show, Kid's Night Out, Board Breaking, Pizza Party, Birthday Parties and more! Watch your monthly newsletter and school flyers for upcoming events.

Lost & Found

If you have left something behind, we have a Lost and Found. It is on top of the drink machine, located in the corner near the Women's locker room. All items are held for four (4) weeks before being discarded.

Children

Parents dropping off children should do so ten minutes prior to class and pick them up within five minutes of class ending. The school becomes very busy at class times, and we cannot be responsible for watching unattended children.

Viewing Classes

Parents, family and friends are encouraged to watch classes. We only ask that you respect the classes by remaining quiet and if you bring younger children with you that you keep them quiet and under control. Please do not leave younger children unattended in the school while you run errands. We cannot be responsible for watching unattended younger guests.

Tournament Competition

Periodically, we hold Ernie Reyes' World Martial Arts tournaments which are only open to members of the Association. These are an excellent way to put your hard earned skills to the test and to develop a sense of fair play in a controlled competitive situation. Competitors at all Association tournaments must pre-register before the event. No late entries or day of the tournament entries are accepted. Please see Program Director for more information.

Merchandise Orders

To order supplies you see on display, please see the front desk. Orders may take up to three (3) weeks depending on availability. Black Belt uniforms may take up to a month to arrive.

Karate Dollars

Students in the Lil' Dragon program periodically receive karate bucks for outstanding performance or behavior in class. These karate dollars can be saved and traded in for various prizes we have displayed at the school.

S.W.A.T.

The Special Winning Attitude Team consists of students from the Black Belt Club. Members are asked to be a part of this team by our instructors. Duties include assisting with classes, demonstrations, and competitions, as well as helping with tasks around the school.

Midwest Demo Team

To be a part of our Midwest Demo Team, you must be a Black Belt Club member and an active S.W.A.T. team member. Our Demo Team performs periodically at local events. You must practice hard, have good grades and develop superb technique to be a part of the Demo Team.

Holiday Schedule

We will be closed for the following holidays: New Year's Day, New Year's Eve, July 4th, Labor Day, Beggar's Night, Thanksgiving Day and day after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Notification of all holiday schedules will be posted around the school. We are closed the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. Refer to the schedules or monthly calendars posted for more information.

Most forms of martial arts began as methods for people to defend themselves. Different disciplines developed simultaneously in various regions, and as people travelled, and shared their knowledge, certain aspects became common among the many forms.

One of the commonalities among the martial arts is usually a system of rank, which is often indictated by the color of the belt worn by the practitioner. Our 12 belt levels before black belt are known as 'gups', with the lowest belt being a 12th gup, and the belt before the black belt being a 1st gup. In the Ernie Reyes' World Martial Arts Association, these are the belts:

Most martial arts disciplines also have multiple degrees of Black Belts, known as 'Dans'. The First Dan is a first degree black belt, the Second Dan is the next highest belt, and so on. Those holding 4th through 8th Dans are referred to as 'Masters', someone who holds a 9th Dan is a 'Grandmaster'.

In our association, each belt level is associated with a specific curriculum which must be mastered, The student takes a 'belt test' in order to demonstrate mastery of the curriculum, and when that is accomplished, the next belt is awarded. It usually takes between 4 and 5 years of practice (participating in at least 2 classes per week) to earn the rank of first dan, or first degree black belt.