Hello Parents and Students!
Welcome to the Fall 2026 semester with Sensei Sean, Sensei
Ashton, Sensei David, and Sensei Kyle.
Important Notice: Please review this section each week for class
changes, homework, event updates, and other important announcements.
General Information: This section includes:
• Before Coming to Class
• Dojo Etiquette
• Weekly schedules and addresses for each location
Helpful Links: My signature includes links to the ActivStars Athletics website,
the public and private Facebook pages for karate parents, Google Classroom, and
our website (smkarate.com),
where you can find the same information provided in these emails.
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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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HOMEWORK
o
BE SAFE FOR HALLOWEEN!!
o
BRING SENSEI ASHTON CANDY
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SCHEDULE CHANGES STARTING THIS WEEK
-
ASHTON RANCH
6:45 – 7:30 PM – BLUE & PURPLE BELTS
7:30 – 8:00 PM – SPARRNG/SPECIALS
8:00 – 9:00 PM – ORANGE BELTS AND ABOVE
---------------------------
-
FREEDOM TRADITIONAL ACADEMY
12:00 - 1:30 PM ORANGE BELTS AND ABOVE
1:30 - 2:30 BLUE & PURPLE BELTS
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STRIPE NIGHT/DAY
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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SPECIALS/SPARRING [$4.00]
STARTING
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2026 / SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2026 – WE WILL BE TEACHING
HOW TO USE NUNCHUCKS!!
PLEASE REFER TO THE GET THE GEAR SECTION TO PURCHASE
SAFE, FOAM PADDED NUNCHUCKS.
Sparring Class Overview
Each location offers a 30-minute Specials/Sparring class. Students must wear
full protective gear to participate.
Mandatory: Students at orange belt rank and above must
attend the sparring class.
Required Protective Gear
• Headgear with a face mask
• Hand pads
• Chest protector
• Foot pads
• Groin protection for boys
All required gear helps protect students during controlled practice.
About Sparring
Sparring is a controlled, light-contact practice that is strongly recommended
as students advance through the ActivStars Athletics program.
Students Will Learn To:
• Apply karate techniques in practical self-defense and sports situations
• Respond to scenarios involving multiple attackers or different weapon attacks
• Follow competition rules and demonstrate good sportsmanship
Sparring Schedule
• Ashton Ranch: 7:30–8:00
p.m.
• Freedom Traditional: 1:00–1:30 p.m.
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PLEASE NOTE!!!
·
Outside food or drinks are not permitted in the
dojo, except water. Especially the Gym.
·
Students and siblings must not run in the
staging areas. We are in a school, and we must follow campus rules.
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CHECK-IN AT LOCATION AND
ONLINE
1.
Online
Check-In: Please complete online check-in before coming to class each week.
Online check-in opens on Tuesday for that week’s class.
a.
First Class: Students are automatically
checked in for their first class when registration is completed.
2.
Arrival Check-In: When you arrive, please
check in at the location and sign the roster sheet so attendance
can be recorded accurately.
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DATES TO REMEMBER
·
NOV 14–15 – Karate Tournament at Washington HS;
open to students of all ages and belt ranks
·
SAT, DEC 12 – Testing Day @ Freedom
·
THU, DEC 17 – Testing Night @ Ashton Ranch
·
THU, JAN 14 – Ceremony Night [last class of the
semester]
·
SAT, JAN 16 - Ceremony Day [last class of the
semester]
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PHOENIX
VALLEY OF THE SUN KARATE TOURNAMENT < CLICK LINK FOR MORE DETAILS
& REGISTRATION
https://www.activstarsathletics.com/activstars-events/phoenix-valley-of-the-sun-karate-tournament
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2026.
Event Dates
·
Saturday, November 14th - Green Belts (Ages
9-older), Blue - Black Belts
·
Sunday, November 15th - White - Yellow, Green
(Ages 4-8)
Location
Washington High School
2217 W Glendale Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85021
Registration Fee: $71.00
Spectator Fee: $6.00 (ages 9 and up)
Eligibility
Open to all students of all ages and ranks.
____________________
GET THE GEAR
BLACK
SPEEDCHUCKS – CURRENTLY OUT OF STOCK
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GENERAL INFORMATION
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BEFORE COMING TO CLASS
Online Check-In
Please complete online check-in each week before coming to
class. You may check in before your student’s scheduled class day.
·
Online check-in can be completed through the
ActivStars App or the ActivStars Athletics Website. The website link is
included in my signature below.
·
You do not need to complete online check-in for
the first class; students were checked in during registration.
Arrival Check-In
When you arrive, please check in with the class secretaries
and sign the roster sheet. Students who are not checked in at the location will
be marked absent.
Parent Helpers and Safety Forms
·
If you would like to participate as a Parent
Helper, please read the attached Parent Helper Guidelines before class.
·
For student safety, all persons age 18 and older
must sign the yellow sheet at the check-in desk.
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DOJO ETIQUETTE
Entering and Leaving the Dojo
·
Students should bow when entering
and leaving the dojo, facing inside the gym or cafeteria.
Footwear
·
Students should remove their shoes before class
or wear approved karate shoes.
·
Shoes may be placed in the designated area
provided by the instructor.
·
Karate shoes may be purchased if your student does not wish
to go barefoot during class.
Respectful Responses
·
During class, students should respond
respectfully by saying “Yes, Sir” or “Yes, Ma’am.”
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FALL 2026 SEMESTER SCHEDULE
**TIMES/DATES ARE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE**
14898 W Acoma Dr, Surprise, AZ 85379
**Times are subject to change depending on class size and
belt ranks**
- 5:15 –
6:00 pm Beginners (All Ages)
- 6:00 –
6:45 pm Yellow & Green Belts (All Ages)
- 6:45 – 7:30 pm Blue – Purple
Belts
- 7:30 – 8:00 pm
Specials/Sparring ($4.00)
- 8:00 – 9:00 Orange &
Red Belts
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 and Above
- 1:00
– 1:30 pm Sparring/Specials [$4.00]
- 1:30
– 2:30 pm Blue – Purple Belts
- 2:30
– 3:15 pm Beginners, Yellow, & Green Belts (All Ages)
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ACTIVSTARS ATHLETICS SECURITY POLICY: https://www.activstarsathletics.com/company-policies
