Dear Kokushikai Judo Academy Members and Parents,

Sensei Matsumura and I hope this letter finds you and your loved ones in good health!

We sincerely thank everyone who was able to continue the monthly membership and/or make a donation during this time.  It has been with your support combined with the external fundraising that we have been conducting since June, that allows us to announce our re-opening plans for everyone! 

Now that the state of New Jersey has lifted some restrictions for indoor physical fitness classes we have designed procedures and protocol to welcome everyone back to judo and keep everyone safe. 

We will open with no-contact classes on Monday, August 3 with a maximum of 12 participants on the mat per each class.  Please see our reopening schedule on the website http://kokushikai.com/schedulefees.html for times and days. (More classes will be added to accommodate the demand.)

IMPORTANT: You must FIRST enroll in the class you want to attend through the Member’s Portal before showing up.  This is the only way we have to control the number of participants on the mat for each class.  KJA member accounts must be active to enroll, please contact Sensei for any assistance to enroll in a class online or help reactivating your member account. 

Log into the Member's Portal by clicking here: 
https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/jr3.0/ParentPortal/Login?orgId=505634

If a class is full and no other new classes are listed yet, we are looking into the option to allow remote participation by logging in through Zoom.  Only active KJA members will have this option as an in-person participation alternative.

According to the state of New Jersey, we are cleared for conducting private/semi-private lessons as well.  Some of you have already taken advantage of the private lessons option while many others have expressed interest to begin the no-contact classes.  

Returning members will see some changes to the dojo layout.  Please especially note our new entrance/exit protocol and screening procedures when it is time for your scheduled class.

• Class attendees should arrive wearing their uniform and carrying their own small gym bag to hold their shoes and any other belongings.  (Changing in bathrooms will not be allowed.)

• Arriving members will enter through the BACK, reception area side (Warren Road Side) while exiting members will leave the dojo out the FRONT door (Fair Lawn Ave. side). 

•  Players must enter and exit the dojo wearing their mask. if someone is already at the check-in table, please keep a socially distanced line while patiently waiting for your turn.

•  On the morning of each day of classes, players (or parents) will be e-mailed a Google Form link with the screening questions that must be completed and submitted.  The form must be filled out and returned for EACH day a player attends a class.  (It takes 5-10 seconds to complete and will reduce excessive paper.)

• Body temperature will be taken and recorded of each student as they check-in for a class and BEFORE shoes or masks can be removed. Players with normal readings may pass the table and enter the dojo. Next, players will remove their shoes and put into their bag, wash their hands (or use hand sanitizer) then carry their shoe bag to the other side of the dojo.

• The player then bows onto the mat, picks their open space for training and waits for the class to begin.  Individual practice spaces will be sectioned off to see easily.  Only 12 spaces per class will be available on the mat…this is why it is VERY important to enroll online ahead of time.  This ensures you are cleared to come to class and there is a space on the mat waiting for you.

• These are no-contact classes with emphasis on individual skill-based judo exercises.  Per the state of NJ, masks are not required to be worn during class since social distance will be maintained with a smaller capacity.  Even the opening and closing bow will occur while students are socially distanced in their designated spaces on the mat. 

• At the end of class, students will leave the mat with a staggered dismissal reducing congregation. Upon dismissal each player will collect their shoe bag already at the FRONT side of the dojo, put shoes on, sterilize hands at the hand-sanitizer station and put their mask on. A separated seating area will be provided for players to wait until they see their parent or person designated to pick them up.  Parents are asked to wait in the FRONT parking lot and be ready to pick up children 5 minutes before the end of class.

Other reminders and guidelines you will be asked to adhere to, are:

• Please note that if a student, enrolled in a class, is absent for two weeks in a row of the same class, the student will be automatically UN-ENROLLED from that particular class.  The next person waiting for that time slot will be notified to join.  Please only enroll in the classes that you know you will definitely be able to attend.
  

•  Also note that the starting number of classes and days of operation will be limited to allow for proper cleaning and disinfecting protocols between and after classes.  

• Per New Jersey Executive Order #157, spectators are not allowed at this time.
  

• Morning classes will be available!

• We have enlisted some of our High School and College level students to help conduct some classes with Sensei Matsumura and me.  This will also help to ensure all safety protocols are maintained.

We know that everyone may be having very different schedules right now and especially when school begins for kids.  Please feel free to let us know what days and times work for you and your family and we will see if we are able to incorporate these into the schedule with the all the other considerations in place.

We want to assure you that we are following all guidelines set forth by the state of New Jersey, and all infection control recommendations made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. As you know, we have always gone above and beyond to keep our dojo sterilized and clean for all our members but we also want to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agency’s recommendations.

We believe that the mind can grow and thrive in a clean environment when the body is challenged to develop strength, flexibility, balance and endurance through judo.  We look forward to seeing you again and helping you develop judo skills to last a lifetime!

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about the steps we are taking to keep you, and every student, safe in our dojo.

Sincerely,
Sensei Celita and Sensei Matsumura