Martial Arts Handbook
2023
Hello and WELCOME to the Presser Family!
Congratulations!!
This handbook is not meant to be read in one sitting, but to be used as a reference when needed. This will help manage your expectations of us and our expectations of you. We strive to make the arts available to everyone in our region and upholding the highest standard of performance possible.
Everyone comes from diverse backgrounds and experiences and these policies help insure sustainability for our future. Thank you for your cooperation.
Truly,
Lois Brace Executive Director
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
Registration Info and Tuition Fees
For all new students: registration must be completed online with Sam Scholting via his booking system : https://SSMartialArts.as.me/
Waiting Lists
A waiting list will be made for every class that becomes full. In the event that a student drops out of a class, students from the waiting list will be contacted to fill the empty space. If there are no students dropping from a class with a large waiting list, we will try our best to open a new class day and time to accommodate those on the list.
CLASS INFORMATION
Presser Arts Center embodies a culture of creativity.
Diversity, Values and Inclusion are more than just words.
They’re the principles guiding how we build our board and staff to create a center that mirrors our region.
We have a multicultural region reflected inside our walls.
We are passionate about creating art, we are passionate about encouraging everyone to do their best work.
Youth Division (Ages 7-17)
● Youn Wha Ryu is a mixed martial art incorporating aspects of karate, taekwondo, and judo.
No training or previous martial art experience is required for this class.
Comfortable loose clothing and a willingness to learn are required for this class.
This class will focus on training fundamentals and martial arts principles
Students are challenged to their own ability.
This class is taught in a non religious way while still respecting the traditions and history.
Our training principles are
● Be Patient
● Be Polite
● Be Alert
● Be Brave
● Do your Best
● Respect yourself and others
This Youn Wha Ryu class teaches a foundation in stand up striking using taekwondo
forms. The curriculum includes kicks, forms, self defense, and heavy contact sparring. Belt
promotions start at white belt, to yellow, to green, to blue, to red, to brown, and then black.
Students test for each belt. Testing for a new belt is a separate event every several months.
Students wishing to test are required to have a uniform.
The Benefits of Youn Wha Ryu are..
● Improve balance and flexibility
● Breathing control
● Self defense training
● Mind and body training
Adult Division (Ages 18 and up)
Youn Wha Ryu is a mixed martial art incorporating aspects of karate, taekwondo, and judo.
No training or previous martial art experience is required for this class.
Comfortable loose clothing and a willingness to learn are required for this class.
This class will focus on health and personal improvement.
Students are challenged to their own ability.
This class is taught in a non religious way while still respecting the traditions and history.
Our training principles are
● Be Patient
● Be Polite
● Be Alert
● Be Brave
● Do your Best
● Respect yourself and others
This Youn Wha Ryu class teaches a foundation in stand up striking using taekwondo
forms. The curriculum includes kicks, forms, self defense, and heavy contact sparring. Belt
promotions start at white belt, to yellow, to green, to blue, to red, to brown, and then black.
Students test for each belt. Testing for a new belt is a separate event every several months.
Students wishing to test are required to have a uniform.
The Benefits of Youn Wha Ryu are..
● Improve balance and flexibility
● Breathing control
● Self defense training
● Mind and body training
Tai Chi is a Chinese Martial Art practiced for defense training, health benefits and meditation.
No training or previous martial art experience is required for this class.
Comfortable loose clothing and a willingness to learn are required for this class.
This class focuses on student health and wellness.
This class is taught in a non religious way while still respecting the traditions and history.
Tai chi and Traditional Chinese Medicine are closely associated in their breathing
techniques and movements. These movements are: soft, continuous, calm, quiet, relaxed,
circular. This class will incorporate breathing elements of Qi Gong along with complimentary
martial art movements and drills. Tai Chi can help you live a peaceful, healthy and harmonious
life.
Tai refers to the largest or most supreme. Chi refers to the highest section, or peak, of a
roof. Tai Chi synergizes together and forms a new meaning that refers to the universe or
something that is immense. When one practices Tai chi the body enters a state of constant
exchange of yin and yang or firmness and looseness.
Practicing Tai Chi can..
● Improve balance and control
● Improve mobility and flexibility
● Promote relaxation and concentration
● Integrate into other exercises
● Expand your understanding of how the body functions
Class Cancellations
● Inclement weather: Presser Arts Center follows the Mexico School District weather cancellation policy.
o Sam Scholting is responsible for contacting all participants to attend class or rehearsal if it is contrary to the Mexico School District’s decision. Many times, snow will impact the unpaved roads but not the paved roads, thus allowing some classes with participants whose residences are NOT impaired by the weather. If no one has made contact it is assumed the classes are cancelled following Mexico School District.
● Teacher Illnesses: Class schedules may be subject to change due to teacher illness. Makeup policies are below.
● Building Closures: If severe weather (tornado, etc.), a power outage or unforeseen circumstances necessitate the closing of any PAC program, PAC is not responsible for providing a makeup session, credit or refund. However, Sam Scholting will make every attempt to provide a makeup time IF it is within the available calendar schedule.
Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures
● Students may enter the front entrance.
● *Students waiting for their parent/guardian to retrieve them after class must wait inside the building vestibule.
● Presser Arts Center is not responsible for providing before or after class care for students or their siblings.
Students should be picked up immediately at the conclusion of class & will be asked to remain inside the building while waiting for their ride.
Attendance/Promptness
Students are expected to be in class each and every week in order to benefit the most from their training. Regular attendance as well as practicing at home will insure class progress.
All students should arrive at the studio either ready, or in time to prepare for class; change clothes, fix hair, and (with the exception of those in the children’s division) warm-up properly.
Tardiness can have a negative effect on the student as well as the entire class. Please make sure to be on time every week. Excessive tardiness may result in termination of lessons. Students arriving late must wait for the instructors’ permission to join the class as is traditionally expected in the art form. If a student is too late to participate they should observe the class, which is also a learning experience.
Injured students are still expected to attend class and observe. This will ensure continued learning despite limited ability to participate.
Absenteeism
Because the number of students per class is limited to ensure proper instruction, the school expects that parents and students will honor their commitment to their class and complete the entire semester.
Frequent or prolonged absences may result in students losing their spot in the class, demotion, non-promotion or the inability to participate in the annual performance. If a student misses 3 or more classes without notice, the school reserves the right to terminate the student from the class and no refunds will be provided. Students missing 3 or more unexcused classes in a semester will be unable to participate in any end-of-season performances at the discretion of the instructor.
Make-Up Classes
If a student misses a class for any reason, his/her parent or guardian must call the Director to report the absence. Students are encouraged to make up any missed classes but it is not required. All youth Division students are encouraged to make up their excused absences within the semester time period.
No refunds will be granted for missed classes at the culmination of the semester.
School/Class Withdrawal
As the seasons are based on semester commitments, refunds on tuition or registration fees are not granted. As noted above.
Class Observation
In order to create a focused learning environment, we limit the amount of distractions to our students at all class levels and therefore, visitors are not allowed into the studio during class time. Although the school can appreciate the desire to support loved ones, we ask parents to view their students’ progress from the viewing windows. Students can often feel additional pressure and stress when trying to please a parent so please limit your observation if it is obvious the student is becoming distracted.
Sick Child Policy
It is our desire to provide a healthy and safe environment for all of the children at PAC Parents are encouraged to be considerate of other children when deciding whether to place a child under our care. In general, children with the following symptoms should not be dropped off:
● Fever, diarrhea, or vomiting within the last 48 hours
● Green or yellow runny nose, Eye or skin infections
● Other symptoms of communicable or infectious disease
Children who are observed by our workers to be ill will be separated from other children and the parent or guardian will be contacted to request that the child be picked up for the day.
Accidental Injuries to Children
In the event that a child or youth is injured while in our care, the following steps shall be followed:
1. For minor injuries, scrapes, and bruises, Instructors will provide First Aid (Band-Aids, etc.) as appropriate and we will notify the child’s parent or guardian of the injury at the time the child is picked up from our care.
For injuries requiring medical treatment beyond simple First Aid, the parent and/or guardian will immediately be summoned. If warranted by circumstances, an ambulance will be called.
Medications Policy
It is the policy of PAC NOT to administer either prescription or non-prescription medications to the children under our care. Medications should be administered by a parent at home. Exceptions to the medications policy may be granted to parents of children with potentially life-threatening conditions (such as asthma or severe allergic reactions). Parents of such children should address their situation with the Director/Instructor in charge to develop a plan of action
STUDIO INFORMATION
PAC BEHAVIOR POLICY
Studio Behavior
PAC works very hard with parents, students and teachers to promote and keep a positive environment and a safe, warm and welcoming culture. Each child that participates at PAC, and their families, are an ambassador of our brand, and must represent our CENTER appropriately. It is paramount for parents, participants, siblings, spouses and friends to follow our policies. A Behavior Contract is part of the Registration Form.
Additionally, any open condemnation by an adult of an artist, especially a minor, will not be tolerated by PAC Faculty, Staff, and Board. This applies at the Center, studio, parking lot, rehearsals, master classes, and Center functions.
Students are required to be quiet and respectful to instructors and fellow students upon entrance into Presser Arts Center, as multiple classes are generally being conducted.
Students are expected to be attentive during class, neat in the dressing rooms, and polite to fellow students.
Students are required to be quiet and respectful to instructors and fellow students upon entrance into Presser Arts Center, as multiple classes are generally being conducted.
Students are expected to be attentive during class, neat in the dressing rooms, and polite to fellow students.
Pulling on equipment, touching mirrors and general disruptions will not be tolerated.
Presser Arts Center is a private studio and reserves the right to dismiss any student from class who demonstrates inappropriate behavior, or upsets the learning environment of the school. Each disciplinary action will be accompanied by a phone call to the parent/guardian explaining the reasoning(s) for class dismissal. Should the disruptions persist disciplinary action will be determined on a case by case basis between the parent/guardian and the Director.
Progressive Disciplinary Process
Although participation with PAC is voluntary, PAC may use progressive disciplinary action at its discretion, which may include any or all of the following disciplinary steps: counseling, verbal warning, written warning, suspension or termination.
There are certain types of performance problems or misconduct that are serious enough to justify accelerating these disciplinary action steps, including immediate termination, without going through the progressive disciplinary action process. Thus, depending on the severity of the problem and other factors, there may be circumstances, as determined by the Executive Director’s sole discretion, in which one or more steps are bypassed.
Violation of any of the following may subject a participant to progressive discipline up to and including termination (absenteeism and tardiness are covered by a separate attendance policy):
● Threatening or abusive language or behavior including bullying, physical assault towards others.
● Intentional damage to the property of PAC, another participant, instructor/director or a visitor of PAC.
● Engaging in activities that conflict with the PAC’s fiduciary, ethical and legal obligations.
● Theft or dishonesty, including a breach of PAC’s security or confidentiality, falsification of any business record, or the giving of a false excuse for absence from event/class/rehearsal.
● Violating the organization’s nondiscrimination and/or harassment policy.
● Conviction of a crime
● Deliberate interference with, delaying or restriction of production or the production of others.
● Temporarily leaving PAC during rehearsal time without permission or knowledge of a director or instructor/staff.
● Violating PAC’s safety policies and practices.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
This is a family friendly establishment. Any person either under the influence, or that smells strongly like any substance (alcohol, marijuana, etc.) will be asked to leave the center, as it will be assumed that person is under the influence. At that time, we will be required to contact another parent/legal guardian to provide alternate transportation for the minor. Per Mexico Public Safety: “minors may not enter a vehicle with a party that is under the influence or assumed to be under the influence.” Per our policy, which is based on Public Safety recommendation, Failure to comply with the request to leave, and/or becoming argumentative, will result in PAC calling Mexico Public Safety to resolve the situation. Additionally, the person(s) being combative are at risk of being permanently banned from the center, and put their child or friends at risk of being permanently banned too.
To ensure a safe and efficient drug and alcohol-free workplace and ensure compliance with applicable law, the following policy has been adopted and will be observed by all employees/participants.
Student Belongings
Students should utilize the schools’ cubbies for all their belongings to avoid a hazardous situation by leaving items strewn throughout the dressing rooms or lobby area.
Cell phones should be turned off and are banned from class. Any disturbances from electronic devices may be deemed as a class distraction and subject to disciplinary procedures. Parents/Guardians are welcome to leave an urgent message for their student at the front desk if needed.
Food & Beverage
Water is the only beverage allowed within the studio space and front desk area. Any necessary snacks should be consumed in the front desk area only. Gum is prohibited in the entire Presser facility.
Lost & Found
Presser Arts Center is not responsible for any lost personal items, including but not limited to: jewelry, clothing, shoes, school books, etc. Please help us return lost items to you by labeling every item coming into the studio.
While we will offer a lost & found bin, please note every couple of months it will be cleaned out due to lack of space, and any items remaining will be donated to charity.
Tobacco-Free Policy
PAC Campus is a tobacco-free environment. No smoking or vaping is allowed inside the building, or on CAMPUS. Violation of this policy shall result in disciplinary procedures for participants.
STAY CONNECTED!
Open communication is an essential element to the success of the year at Presser Arts Center!
Follow the guidelines below to stay connected and engaged!
Social Media:
Facebook: We regularly update our Facebook page with upcoming events, articles and exciting news!
Tune in to see pictures from classes and special events!
Please follow us here: https://www.facebook.com/PresserPAC
Phone:
Our phone number is 573-581-5592. Please feel free to contact us by phone with questions you are not able to find the answer to on our website! Please be sure to contact us by phone or email if your child will be missing class. It is important that we are aware when a student will not be present and will allow us to schedule a make-up class for dancers in a timely fashion.
Social Media Guidelines
In the rapidly expanding world of electronic communication, social media can mean many things. Social media includes all means of communicating or posting information or content of any sort on the Internet, including your own or someone else’s web log or blog, journal or diary, personal website, social networking or affinity website, web bulletin board or a chat room, whether or not associated or affiliated with PAC, as well as any other form of electronic communication.
Ultimately, you are solely responsible for what you post online. Before creating online content, consider some of the risks and rewards that are involved. Keep in mind that any of your conduct that adversely affects your performance, the performance of fellow participants or otherwise adversely affects employees, students, patrons, vendors or people who work on behalf of PAC or PAC’s legitimate business interests may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Be Respectful
Always be fair and courteous to fellow participants, employees, students, patrons, vendors or people who work on behalf of PAC. Also, keep in mind that you are more likely to resolve production-related complaints by speaking directly with your co-participants or by utilizing our Open Door Policy as opposed to posting complaints to a social media outlet. Nevertheless, if you decide to post complaints or criticism, avoid using statements, photographs, video or audio that could reasonably be viewed as disparaging to students, patrons, or vendors, or malicious, obscene, threatening, intimidating, harassing, discriminatory or retaliatory in nature. Examples of such conduct might include offensive posts meant to intentionally harm someone’s reputation or posts that could contribute to a hostile environment on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion or any other status protected by law or PAC’s policy.
Post Only Appropriate and Respectful Content
● Do not create a link from your blog, website or other social networking site to a PAC website without identifying yourself as a PAC participant.
● Express only your personal opinion. Never represent yourself as a spokesperson for PAC. If PAC is a subject of the content you are creating, be clear and open about the fact that you are an associate and make it clear that your views do not represent those of PAC, fellow employees, students, patrons, vendors or people working on behalf of PAC. Any comments directly or indirectly relating to PAC must include the following disclaimer: “The postings on this site are my own and do not represent PAC’s positions, strategies or opinions.”
Holidays and Building Closures
PAC observes the following Holidays:
1. New Year’s Day
2. Memorial Day
3. Good Friday
4. Labor Day
5. Thanksgiving Day
6. Christmas Eve
7. Christmas Day
PAC’s building will be closed on these Holidays.
Dress Code
It is the students responsibility to come prepared for class every day. This includes being dressed in dress code. Presser Arts Center dress code is designed to encourage unity and discipline among its students.
For all classes- loose and comfortable clothing is needed to safely perform and move correctly. Activewear should cover mid-drift, chest, and must not be any shorter than fingertip length. The class is taught without shoes or socks, but please wear them inside the building. If you have questions please contact PAC administration directly.