​Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy​​​​​
Martial Arts               

Students and teachers must be able to readily switch to online lessons at any point in the semester in order to register for classes.

A project is required for each class on the student's schedule.

Additional registration at location is required.

Register with your studio asap in order to complete and ensure your registration for the class.  
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All students must complete a project for this class. Ask your mentor for details.
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Choose your type of martial arts: TaeKwonDo, Karate, etc.  Weekly lessons and belt testing fees are covered along with annual membership fee for the student, if applicable, up to $350 per student for the semester.  Fees above $350 are the responsibility of the family. Uniforms, belts (if charged separately), and other club fees such as Black Belt Club, are not covered.  
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Here is a list of area martial arts dojos/dojangs that have been approved by the Partnership and background checked. 

Benton Harbor: 
                                       
                                    R.E.A.D.Y. Taekwondo               Spring 2021

                                     Grandmaster Al Smith
                                    1968 Pipestone Rd., Benton Harbor, MI 49022
                                     Contact: 269-325-2930
                                     email: grandmasteralsmith@yahoo.com
                                     www.readytaekwondo.org

                                     Ready Taekwondo is a non-profit organization run by Grandmaster Alvin Smith, 9th degree black belt. Not only will you learn excellent martial arts                                         skills, but the school focuses on training the whole person by focusing on discipline, respect for authority, self defense, and overall mental well                                               being. Ready Taekwondo teaches all ages and levels, and is proud of its support of students from all ethnic and social backgrounds.

                                     Taekwondo and especially R.E.A.D.Y. has shown the following benefits in student’s lives:
                                             1. Self Defense         5.School Grade Improvement
                                             2. Mentoring              6. Bully Prevention
                                             3. Weight Control      7. Respect for Authority
                                             4. Discipline               8. Obedience to Parents and Teachers

                                     Classes will be held virtually at home if we are prevented from meeting in person at the school. 
                                              Monday 5:30 - Open Gym
                                                            6:15 - All Ranks, Ages 4-12
                                                            7:00 - Adults and Ages 13+
                                              Tuesday 5:30 - White Belts
                                                             6:15 - Youth Color Belts
                                                             7:00 - Adults and Ages 13+
                                              Wednesday 5:30 - Open Gym
                                                             6:15 - All Ranks, Ages 4-12
                                                             7:00 - Adults and Ages 13+
                                             Thursday 5:30 - White Belts
                                                             6:15 - Youth Color Belts
                                                             7:00 - Adults and Ages 13+


Bridgman:                                          ​

                        Blue Knight Taekwondo - Chartered branch of the United States Chung Do Kwan Association    Spring 2021

                         Owner: Grandmaster Candidate Darwin J. Eisenhart, 7th Degree Black Belt (42 years teaching in Berrien County, MI)
                         (Former U.S. Army Field Artillery; Former Police Officer, S.J.P.D.; Former Director of Indian Education, Benton Harbor Public Schools)
                         Blue Knight Taekwondo Teaching Staff for Berrien Springs Partnership:
                         Sr. Instructor: Mrs. LuAnn Eisenhart, 3rd Degree Black Belt - Public School Liaison
                         Instructor: Justin M. Eisenhart, 2nd Degree Black Belt
                         Associate Instructor: Constance Cripps, 1st Degree Belt
                         Blue Knight Taekwondo Contact Info:
                         Address: 9880 Maple St., Bridgman, MI
                         Phone: (269) 465-9880
                         Website: http://www.blueknighttkd.com/partnership.html
                         Email: blueknighttkd@hotmail.com 

                         At Blue Knight Taekwondo, Partnership Students do not pay for training. There are no test fees.  Uniforms, bags, pads & equipment are provided free!

                      We will be conducting live individualized training with adequate social distancing in our 7,000 sq. ft training facility.  We have multiple online
                      resources & training videos available at all times, and are prepared to make virtual classes available online if required to do so.
                         2021 Spring Semester:  New students (White Belts) attend one day per week on Wednesdays (1 hour class), time depending on age group.
                       Yellow Belts & above attend one (or optional two days) per week on Tuesdays & Thursday (1 hour class), time depending on age group.
                         * Alternate class times and make up days are available, upon request, on Tuesdays and Thursdays during regular Taekwondo class times.  
                         Registration signed by parents of New Students, and White Belt Class #1 is available on any Wednesday in January 2021 after New Years Day.
                         New Students are recommended to register and start on Wednesday, January 6th at the times listed below for each age group:

                        Tuesdays - For Yellow Belts & Above
                        > 4:30 to 5:30 PM - North Gym:  Yellow Belts & Above, Ages 5 through 9.
                        > 4:45 to 5:45 PM - South Gym:  Yellow Belts & Above, Ages 10 Through 12.
                        > 6:00 to 7:00 PM - North Gym:  Yellow Belts & Above, Ages 13 & UP.

                        Wednesdays - For White Belts Only
                        > 4:30 to 5:30 PM - North Gym:  White Belts Only, Ages 5 through 9.
                        > 4:45 to 5:45 PM - South Gym:  White Belts Only, Ages 10 Through 12.
                        > 6:00 to 7:00 PM - North Gym:  White Belts Only, Ages 13 & UP.

                        Thursdays - For Yellow Belts & Above
                        > 4:30 to 5:30 PM - North Gym:  Yellow Belts & Above, Ages 5 through 9.
                        > 4:45 to 5:45 PM - South Gym:  Yellow Belts & Above, Ages 10 Through 12.
                        > 6:00 to 7:00 PM - North Gym:  Yellow Belts & Above, Ages 13 & UP.

                         A parent must attend the first visit & class at Blue Knight Taekwondo, 9880 Maple St. in Bridgman, MI, to sign the registration form.

                         Once registered, students may participate in any, or all of the classes in January according to designated age and rank groups.
  
                         The entire course will run from January 5th (January 6th for new White Belts), through June 17, 2021. Closed Federal Holidays.
                         The Partnership "Spring Semester" is equal to two of our semesters at Blue Knight Taekwondo (two for one price, & you pay nothing!)
                         - BKT Winter Semester, 11 weeks (Jan 6 thru Mar 18) - 2 week Spring Break - BKT Spring Semester, 11 weeks (Apr 6 thru Jun 17)
                         (Closed the last 2 weeks in March for Blue Knight Taekwondo Spring Break)
                         Note:  We are located in Bridgman.  If Bridgman Public Schools close due to severe weather conditions, we will also be closed.  
                         Check WNDU website, & TV station, and Blue Knight Taekwondo website for cancelled classes during the Winter weather.
                         The full 2021 Spring Semester schedule can be viewed on our website:  http://www.blueknighttkd.com/partnership.html


​Niles:        Niles-Buchanan YMCA - NOT OFFERING Taekwondo for the Spring 2021 semester   
                                   Contact steve.lage@yahoo.com and/or       Ages 5+

                           
St. Joseph:  Benton Harbor/St. Joseph YMCA:     Spring 2021  
                             
                             Karate                      Contact steve.lage@yahoo.com and/or cadams@ymcagm.org   
                             Classes begin 
                             Ages 12 and up =  Thursdays   Beginners 5 - 6pm   Advanced 6 - 7:30pm
                             Ages 7-12 = "LIttle Dragons"  Thursdays   Beginners 5 - 6pm   Advanced 6 - 7:30pm


                             Course Description:
                             Adult/Young Adult Karate Develop self-confidence, self-discipline, goal-setting, and respect for others, all while learning how to defend yourself through                                 studying a traditional Okinawan Martial Art, Isshinryu Karate. This ongoing course covers the complete system, beginning with basic blocks and strikes                                 and effective self-defense techniques, advancing with kata (forms), kumite (sparring), and advanced street- oriented self-defense techniques, giving you                               the confidence needed to stay safe.

                             Youth (Little Dragons) Karate COURSE OBJECTIVE - Through the discipline of Isshinryu Karate, students develop confidence, goal-setting, patience,                                   good manners, and respect for others while also learning easy self-defense techniques to help keep them safe. Drills develop good listening skills, gross                               and fine motor skills, focus, balance, coordination, and self-control. This ongoing course builds good character as they begin with the basic blocks and                                   strikes, advancing with kata (forms), kumite (sparring), and advanced self-defense techniques, giving them the confidence needed to stay safe.                                             *Students may purchase their gi (uniform), but it is not required.
                              Syllabus

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​*Please note: it is important to make as informed a decision as possible when choosing your student's Community Resource classes. Most locations will allow a student to drop a class after one meeting, at no charge if it wasn't a good fit for the student, but not all. Some classes plan ahead based on the number that have signed up and have purchased materials, hired teachers, etc. and there might be a fee for class time or materials given to the student if the student drops after one or two meetings. The school cannot pay for classes that students do not complete, so choose wisely; if you do not take the class off of your student's schedule by the deadline, you may be asked to pay for the class time incurred prior to dropping the class.

Syllabus 
​Teacher of Record: Sara Smothers