Comments on: Texas Martial Arts Schools Should Fight Classification as Day Cares

By: Larry Ordonio

Larry Ordonio — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:07:41 +0000

I have owned and practiced a martial arts school in Texas for over 20 years. I do it part time know and passed it on to my son. The true martial arts school is far and few. The schools that you see now, is income generated and philosophy is now to make a million. This is fine. However, ‘old-school’ martial arts masters will not fight legislation, but, wants to only impart to the student and disciple real techniques and not baby sitting techniques. We, or should I say, I teach survival skills and techniques as passed on from generations past. There will be a way to continue to teach true form and techniques no matter what legislation is past. These ‘old-school’ masters know how to manuever legally. In realistic terms, no legislation will pass because you are talking about peoples survival, small biz survival. Texas needs to promote small business ventures not shut them out. It is the large school, profit-bound schools that want to eliminate the small schools in order to capture the market exclusively and fail to realize what their real rank is. Self-promotion, over stated ranks with no real experience. Those who fit this mold know what I am talking about and these ‘old school’ masters permeate all fabrics of the government, and interwoven into the academia of society. Some are even lawyers, councilman, and honest citizens.

By: Brian So

Brian So — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:35:05 +0000

Sadly, I have to agree with state on this issue. I also run a martial arts school as well. If we said that we don’t need the government and state regulate us then who can. If you are really doing a great job running After school program then you also have no issue of getting a license to run it. As a martial artist myself, I believe that we are a leader of our community and that is more reason for us to set an example to run a program like the way should be. let me put it this way if I knew that kindercare daycare teachers are teaching martial arts to my kids and they taught themselves by reading “martial arts for dummies’ I would pulling my kids out, demand the refund and report them to authorities. What would you do?

By: Kerri Maldonado

Kerri Maldonado — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:57:26 +0000

GOVERNMENT!!! That’s what it’s all about. They won’t stop till they own our kids. How is our country supposed to raise Olympians and professional athletes for the future if they are making it impossible for instructors to train our children? I will have to leave the state I love if this goes into effect, then move around if other states pass the bill. This bill can not be passed! We will have no rights at all soon. Shouldn’t this also have to include highschool football, basketball, track and volleyball…let’s not forget band, orchestra, choir and so on. If this passes they won’t stop! Every one needs to do their part and stop this bill and any bill similar to it in the future.

By: Mike Massie

Mike Massie — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 22:53:44 +0000

Thanks for the input, Wanda!

You’re right about the daycare regulations… they are there for a reason. And, I’m glad to know you are offering child safety classes in your center.

When there’s a suspected child abuse incident in our industry, it gets plenty of attention, believe me. Our industry magazines usually write on such incidents, as a way of letting other school owners and the public know when there’s a situation to be aware of… plus, it’s a given that it will make the local news, and I think that’s a good thing when the accusations are warranted.

I’ll email you regarding finding a karate instructor.

By: Wanda Lawrence

Wanda Lawrence — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 22:23:44 +0000

I thought you needed some true info about day care centers. The majority of the centers that I know teach child safety,abuse prevention and abduction classes,also. We also, teach good hygiene habits, social skills as well as signing,differ. languages and large and small motor skills. I have dance teachers and a karate teacher. I believe fully that all physical activities are wonderful for children.
We are fighting government, also, and fighting for our business because public schools are taking our children and they are not regulated as we are. We have a book that is 6 inches thick of rules that we have to observe.
Most of these I agree with,but you can innocently hire someone who would abuse children,also. No matter how many degrees one has, everyone who works with children should be regulated and even then adults make poor choices and can put a child in danger of getting hurt. Any mistake made in out industry has to be reported to the state, thus it is spread all over the news for teveryone to see. This is not so for other facilities teaching or caring for children. They can sweep it under the rug. That is why you see more about us. We are as dedicated in teaching and loving our children as you are and we are, also, fighting bills in Austin that could harm our industry and make childcare unaffordable for families. Hope this helps. I need a karate teacher know of one? Our after school is regulated and we have lost many of these to unregulated care, because it is cheaper, not because we don\’t do a good job.

By: Luis

Luis — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 06:32:47 +0000

WOW!!!! I didn’t know that this was going on. As a martial artistist and instructor, I will now pass this info on to other owners in New York. We must band together to protect our industry and livelyhood. It’s hard enough now, but with government involvement it will get more expensive for the “lil people” to live, thanks for the info and please keep spreading it along.

Luis Melendez
Prestige Martial Arts Academy
“THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR”

By: Danny Passmore

Danny Passmore — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 02:37:33 +0000

I looked up the word care in the dictionary, and by it’s definition, the children are being left in our care. Some schools within the state do provide tutoring which helps the kids do better in school and cuts down on behavior which leads to trouble or fighting. Some have peer leadership where older children tutor the new and younger children. This creates a sense of responsibility in the older children and a sense of belonging in the new ones. We need to be careful to remember that not everyone operates the same way.

I never thought about the select sports. That’s a great point. Tomorrow, I’m going to start trying to find statistics concerning daycares and child dangers (preditors, injuries, abuse, etc.) I don’t know if I can find any, but I am going to try.

Please let me know if you think of anything else. This is great help for us to try and help all martial artists. If this doesn’t bring us all closer, I don’t know what will short of war in our backyards.

By: Jeff Barnes

Jeff Barnes — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:49:05 +0000

The question comes to mind is that are we classified strictly for children or not.

There is a national law that recently passed which required anything ‘specifically sold’ towards children must have a lead free certificate. It forced us to sell a bunch of our stuff at discount to get rid of the old inventory that didn’t have the certificate.

However, going back to point… am I specifically focused on kids? If I teach an adults class does this mute the issue?

Time will tell… More than likely I will have to pay Uncle Sam the extra luxury of being able to run my business where children are involved.

Jeff

By: Mike Massie

Mike Massie — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 13:31:53 +0000

Happy to do so, Danny. Glad you’re helping to fight this as well.

Someone emailed to ask what they should talk about when they call, other than to ask their representative to vote “no”.

Good question. I’d like to point out that transport really isn’t the issue… it’s the purposely vague definition of what is and isn’t considered a “daycare” according to the language in the bills.

Explain that you don’t tutor kids, you don’t feed them, you just PROVIDE INSTRUCTION in the martial arts, period, and that your function is not to provide “care” for kids in your school. Therefore, since you only offer INSTRUCTION in a RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY, you should not be classified as a daycare facility.

Also point out that under these new rules, elite “select” soccer and baseball teams that have 2 hour, four night a week practices, and elite gymnastics programs that provide extended practice sessions would also have to be licensed as daycares.

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 08:01:18 +0000

Too bad to hear this. This will truly kill many small businesses. We have to do something about it.