Congratulations to all of our medal winners from the Ontario Karate Challenge tournament hosted by Don Warrener's in Brantford. All competitors demonstrated great sportsmanship, dojo spirit and performed to the best of their abilities.

MEDAL WINNERS
Filip Mikulja - Bronze Sparring
Bailey Chapman - Gold Kata
Chris Perry - Silver Kata
William Eddy - Bronze Kata
Jaden Schippanoski - Gold Sparring
Danika Faulhammer - Bronze Sparring
Sabina Kuhn - Bronze Kata - Bronze Sparring
Alina Cirlova - Gold Kata
Michael Dawe - Bronze Sparring
Max Faulhammer - Silver Sparring
Owen Kuhn - Bronze Sparring
Kyra Fradsham - Silver Sparring
Max Tauro - Gold Sparring
Quinn Lackie - Gold Kata - Gold Sparring
Bryan Baxter - Bronze Kata
Kirsten Fradsham - Gold Kata - Bronze Sparring
Alison Kimmel - Bronze Kata
Nicole Daust - Gold Kata - Silver Sparring
Julia Daly - Silver Kata - Silver Sparring
Jacquie Kimmel - Bronze Kata - Bronze Sparring
Brandon Bowern - Silver Kata
Ersin Ertan - Bronze Kata
Brad Hall - Silver Kata - Gold Sparring - Bronze Weapons
Nicole Couturier - Silver Kata
Ryan Harnum - Bronze Kata - Silver Sparring
Anna Brenneman - Silver Sparring
Scott Palmer - Silver Kata
Joe Sosnoski - Bronze Kata - Bronze Sparring
John Tauro - Gold Kata - Gold Sparring
Dale Beckett - Bronze Kata
Rob Kling - Bronze Kata - Silver Sparring
John Baxter - Silver Kata - Bronze Sparring

Winter is here and the possibility of “Snow Days” is upon us. Our primary concern when making decisions about cancelling classes is for the safety of our students, staff and families.

If we cancel all classes...
We will post the closure to our website between 2:00-3:00pm. When we completely cancel classes, we’ll only post a message to the website and to our voicemail. We do not call individual students.

If we cancel specific classes...
We will call the students registered in the class at the home number that we have. We will try once per student and leave a message if we can.

If the weather is bad, but we’re here for class.
If the weather gets bad or the roads are unsafe, we don’t want anyone to put their safety at risk to attend class. If you don’t feel comfortable on the roads, don’t drive to class just because we’re open. Students will not be penalized attendance marks for absences due to poor road conditions. Give us a call and let us know you can’t make it.

The media reports are full of information and advice regarding the upcoming flu season and specifically H1N1. We, at Driftwood Martial Arts have always taken personal health, safety and disease prevention seriously. This document is intended to inform you of the policies and procedures already in place for each flu season as well as some changes we have adopted to address the specific issues regarding H1N1.

Our Guidelines
STAFF: Any staff member or volunteer with flu-like symptoms will be advised to remain at home until symptoms subside. Understaffing is a possibility in the event of widespread illness. Classes may be cancelled if sufficient staff is unable to maintain teaching standards. Classes may be merged or modified in content to facilitate instructor absences and student attendance.

CURRICULUM: Karate is a contact sport. This emphasizes the need for symptomatic students to stay home. A student in attendance who presents symptoms may be asked to leave class, be asked to sit out during portions of class or be given alternate activities.

PROCEDURES: Cleanliness is a high priority at Driftwood Martial Arts. Training floors, equipment and public areas are sanitized daily using methods appropriate for the surface being cleaned. A stringent hand washing policy has always been and continues to be in place and enforced. Hand sanitizer is available in both training rooms and at various locations around the studio.

Any students who are seen sneezing into their hands or who may have put their fingers in their mouth or nose will be asked to leave the training area to wash their hands.

PARTICIPATION: Students with flu-like symptoms should not attend classes until symptoms subside (at least 24 hours after the fever breaks) and the student feels well enough to participate. Please stay home and take the appropriate steps to recover quickly and prevent the further spread of the illness.

SYPTOMS:
Almost always:
• Cough and fever

Common
• Fatigue • Headache
• Muscle aches • Decreased appetite
• Sore throat • Runny nose

Sometimes:
• Nausea, Vomitting & Diarrhea

Preventing Spread of the Flu:
• Wash hands often
• Keep common surfaces disinfected.
• PLEASE SANITIZE YOUR SAFETY EQUIPMENT!
• Cough and sneeze into your arm, instead of your hand.
• If you are sick, stay home until your symptoms are gone.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has made the following statement regarding daily activity:
“It’s important that people continue their daily lives during the pandemic. PHAC doesn’t recommend that anyone avoid going to work or community social events if they are healthy. In other crowded situations that cannot be avoided, extra precautions should be taken such as frequent hand washing, to avoid picking up the virus. Pregnant women or others who are at risk for complications might consider carrying hand sanitizer for the same purpose.”

Thank you for choosing Driftwood Martial Arts as your Platinum winner for "Favourite Martial Arts" in this year's Kitchener Record Reader's Select Awards. This is our 3rd year nominated and Driftwood Has received the 1st place Diamond Award in 2007 and 2008.

Congratulations to the other nominees and winners!

We've started a Facegroup book for the dojo, open to members, friends and family of Driftwood Martial Arts. A place to talk about dojo events and happenings and to share your experiences and photos. We'll see you there!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59398721945

2009 marks the 10th Anniversary of Driftwood Martial Arts. Watch for special anniversary events and specials. We're looking forward to our next 10 and hope you'll be a part of it with us!

We are currently seeking an enthusiastic Cardio Kickboxing instructor for our classes. Must be willing to learn our program. Pay based on experience. Members may contact Sensei or Darren if interested. Please forward your resumé in Word or PDF format to info@driftoodkarate.com

Driftwood Martial Arts now supports the "Personal Attendant for Leisure" card. For some people with disabilities, it is necessary to have someone's help in order to participate in leisure activities. A PAL Card allows persons with a disability to be accompanied by a personal attendant so that the may participate in designated City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo programs. The Pal Card allows that accompanying personal attendant to not be charged a fee for participating.

For more information on the PAL Card program, please contact the City of Kitchener or City of Waterloo.