Parent’s Corner
by Sije Veronica Sas
Fu For You Winter 2024
At the Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy your child has certain Rules and Etiquette they are expected to follow. There are also rules that we want parents to follow. As we’ve had a many new families join us in the last few years, I thought I would mention a few of them in this article.
Cell Phone Usage: Out of courtesy to others, please turn your phone to silent while in the Academy. If you need to take a call, please step outside to do so. Excessive noise is a distraction to students, instructors and other parents watching.
Front Entrance—Please Remove Your Shoes: We have always asked that outdoor shoes be removed when entering the Academy, except for the entrance portion of the lobby. Now that we are entering the winter months, please also stomp the snow and salt from your boots before entering. Most students train in bare feet, and we do not want them to accidentally bring water and salt into the Kwoon.
Only students are allowed past the wooden archway (onto the wooden floor area and beyond) and there should absolutely be no shoes in this area. Parents are asked to stay on the gray flooring and to not peek into the Kwoon from the doorway. The instructor may think that there is a problem and interrupt the class, so please stay back unless there is an emergency. If your child is in the pre-class waiting room, you can use the window by the computer to look in on them, or to get their attention.
Parent Waiting Area—Please Do Not Stand at the Railing or Sit in the Hallway: When watching your child’s class, please do so in the Parent’s Waiting Room. Lately, there have been many parents watching classes from the railing at the top of the stairs. This causes a few problems. Most importantly it is a safety concern! It becomes difficult to go up and down the stairs or to access the change rooms. Would you want your child knocked down the stairs because of congestion at the railing? Another issue is that the noise and movement from people at the top of the stairs can be a distraction for students and instructors during class. Students might not be focused on what their instructor is saying if they keep looking up.
Put Jackets in the Change Rooms: With the arrival colder weather, students will be wearing coats. These must be hung neatly in the change room. The shelves in the Kwoon are reserved for equipment bags only.
Proper Uniforms and Equipment: Students are asked to keep their uniforms clean and their gear in good repair. Depending on the age of your child, this might be difficult for them to do alone. If you notice your child’s sparing gear, or uniform, is starting to rip or is getting too small, it is time to replace it. The instructor might not let your child spar if they deem their gear will not protect them properly. If your kids have outgrown their school clothes, they have likely outgrown their Kung Fu uniform as well.
Adherence to these simple rules will help ensure a clean, safe learning environment for all students.