Hello Parents and Students!
Welcome to the Spring 2026 Semester with Sensei Sean, Sensei Ashton, Sensei David, and Sensei Kyle. Please be sure to read all information below, especially under "IMPORTANT NOTICE". That's where class changes will happen, homework, events, and other changes will be. Please read the "GENERAL INFORMATION" portion which has a “Before Coming to Class” section, “Dojo Etiquette” section, and the weekly schedule for each location along with the address.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE!
Please read this weekly for any last-minute schedule
changes, added classes, location changes, and other upcoming important events.
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A NOTE FROM SENSEI SEAN MILLIGAN
Hello, students and families!
I wanted to share a few photos from the day I was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps.
It was a long journey—one that took me away from class a few times along the way. Before becoming an officer, I had to complete Officer Candidates School, and I still have additional training ahead of me before I am fully trained.
One of the reasons the Marine Corps approved an exception to its age policy for me was my involvement in the community, including the leadership experience I have gained through our martial arts program. I want to thank all of you for being part of that program and for helping me develop the leadership skills I will need to lead Marines.
I will still have a few periods of training that require me to be away, but I will continue checking in whenever I can. As always, I am proud to see our instructors lead, whether I am present or away. We will continue working together as a team to help every student grow and reach their goals.
Commission Ceremony < USE LINK
HOMEWORK
o CLASS
HOMEWORK: CLEAN YOUR SHOES
o SUMMER
LONG HOMEWORK
§ TAKE
A PIC WITH YOUR UNIFORM! - Going somewhere exciting or even just around town?
Take a pic with your uniform on. Let's see how many locations we can get before
the end of summer! Show the picture to Sensei and receive a ribbon! You can
also enter the Summer Photo Contest. Information below.
·
One winner will be selected in each region:
Arizona, Midwest, Texas, and Florida.
Each winner will receive:
* A $100 Amazon Gift Card
* A 24" x 36" poster of their winning photo
How to Enter:
Email your photo to: summerphoto@activstarsathletics.com
Be sure to include the following in your email:
* Parent and student name
* Class location
* State
* Phone number
**Deadline to submit: August 1st**
You can also share your photo and see other fun entries in our official
Facebook Group:
ActivStars Athletics Karate Facebook Group
facebook.com/groups/3434086996665374
Let’s keep the energy going this summer—show us your karate spirit and join the
fun!
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STRIPE NIGHT/DAY FOR BOTH LOCATIONS
We’re excited to announce
our upcoming Stripe Night! Our belt system progresses through the following
colors: Yellow → Green → Blue → Purple → Orange → Red → Brown → Black. Between
each belt, students earn stripes that mark their growth and readiness for the
next level. How stripes work in our school: - White Stripe – First stripe
earned - Black Stripe – Second stripe earned - Next Belt Color – Third stripe
earned. These stripes run the length of the belt and represent technical
progress toward the next rank. We also award a tip stripe across the short end
of the belt when a student completes about one-third of the semester. This
recognizes steady effort, attendance, and improvement — a milestone within the
journey.
Stripe
Night celebrates progress, discipline, and consistency. We’re proud of every
student’s hard work and look forward to recognizing their achievements
together. Please attend in full uniform and ready to support your classmates.
See you on Stripe Night!
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ABSENCES
Perfect attendance
is needed to test for the next belt rank. Be sure to get those absences made
up. For more information on how and when those make up classes can be done
please see any of the secretaries at the check-in desk or you can email me
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SPECIALS/SPARRING [$4.00]
We will be having a 30-minute Specials Class at each
location. We will be switching to Sword after the summer tournament is over.
·
Ashton Ranch: 7:30 – 8:00 PM – Sparring
·
Freedom Traditional: 1:00 – 1:30 PM – Sparring
o
Learn sword techniques
o
Learn how to draw a sword
o
Swords are available for sale at the summer
tournament!! You can also get them using the links in the Get the Gear section.
***Sparring will end after the summer tournament. We will
switch to a foam, plastic, or wood weapon.
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GET THE GEAR
WOODEN
BOKKEN $20.99 (BEGINNER)
FOAM
BOKKEN $25.99 (BEGINNERS)
DAITO
BOKKEN AND SCABBARD $45.99 (INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED)
THE ITEMS ABOVE CAN ALSO BE PURCHASED AT THE SCOTTSDALE
OFFICE, THEY DO HAVE A STORE ON SITE. 16419 N 91st St a115, Scottsdale, AZ
85260 HOURS ARE 9AM-5PM. HOURS MAY VARY ON HOLIDAYS.
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GENERAL
INFORMATION
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ACTIVSTARS
ATHLETICS POLICY < PLEASE USE THE LINK
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BEFORE COMING TO CLASS
* Parents please be sure to check in online prior to coming
to class every week. Check in can be done prior to the student's day of class.
** You will not need to do this for the first class.
They were checked in during the registration portion of the process.
** Online Check-In can be done through the ActivStars
App or on the ActivStars Athletics Website (the link is in my signature below)
* Parents please check in with the class secretaries upon
arrival every week and sign the roster sheet. If they are not checked in in
person, then they will be marked absent.
** This is to ensure proper attendance for each
student
* Please be sure to read the attached Parent Helper
Guidelines below if you would like to participate as a Parent Helper
* All persons aged 18 and over must sign the yellow sheet at
the check-in desk to ensure the safety of the students.
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DOJO ETIQUETTE
* Students please bow before entering/exiting facing inside
of the dojo (gym/cafeteria)
* Students please take off shoes or wear karate shoes
** Shoes can be placed in a designated area provided
by the instructor
** KARATE SHOES can be purchased if your student does not
wish to go barefoot during class
* Students please bow before leaving the dojo
(gym/cafeteria)
* Students please use "Yes, Sir" or "Yes,
Ma'am" during class
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SCHEDULE
ASHTON RANCH
14898 W Acoma Dr, Surprise, AZ 85379
**Times are subject to change depending on class size and
belt ranks**
- 6:00 –
6:45 pm Beginners (all ages)
- 6:45 –
7:30 pm Yellow & Green Belts (all ages)
- 7:30 –
8:00 pm Specials/Sparring ($4.00)
- 8:00 –
9:00 Blue Belts & Above; Adults
FREEDOM TRADITIONAL ACADEMY
16066 N Parkview Place, Surprise, AZ 85374
**Times are subject to change depending on class size and
belt ranks**
- 12:00
- 1:30 pm Orange Belts & Above
- 12:00
– 1:00 pm Blue & Purple Belts
- 1:00 –
1:30 pm Sparring / Specials [$4.00]
- 1:30 –
2:15 pm Beginners, Yellow, & Green Belts (All Ages)
