Franz Karate, Ltd. / Aiki Te Ryu Karate Honbu Dojo Operating Policies - Effective since Nov 1, 2003

This area lists our general operating policies. Please refer to this section to help you with situations that may occur. Thank you. These Policies are in addition to our Student Policies Manual

Visitor Guidelines

We welcome parents and friends to watch classes. All visitors must be registered at the front counter and are to sit quietly in the designated area. Use of cell phones are prohibited and there is to be no eating, chewing gum or horseplay at any time. All children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult and not permitted to wander around the school. They must stay seated with the adult at all times. There is to be no smoking either inside or outside of the Dojo at any time. This includes in the parking lot or in your vehicle on our premises. Parent's are not permitted to speak during classes and this includes talking to their child while classes are in session. Any disruptions will result in the parent being asked to leave the dojo. Parent's are not permitted to teach their child or offer suggestions during classes. If you have a concern about the training please speak with the Sensei before or after classes. Thank you.

Disruptive Visitors - Any disruptive behaviors, improper etiquette or rudeness will result in the immediate removal of the person/person's involved from the dojo. It would be wise to remember that this is an authentic martial arts dojo with highly skilled black belts. Behaving in a disrespectful manner or challenging a black belt would be a very idiotic thing to pursue.

Membership Policy

All students must adhere to the rules and etiquette guides of Franz Karate Budokan Dojo at all times. Proper attire consists of a full Franz Karate Budokan Dojo uniform and groin protection for males. The school creed is a guideline for proper social behavior outside and inside of Franz Karate Budokan Dojo. Students not meeting these expectations will be disciplined accordingly which is up to the Sensei to decide, not the parents when it comes to martial arts training. Disciplinary measures may include sitting and watching classes to expulsion with no proration of monthly tuition.

Mandatory Event Policy

Martial arts at their core are about discipline. Through out the year our dojo and Franz Shihan will announce events that all students are required to attend. Failure to attend these events will result in possible removal of the student's ability to attend the next belt examination or other disciplinary measures. We are here to teach martial arts and that requires students to attend all mandatory functions of the dojo as announced. These can be found at our online Event Calendar. Some examples of these events include:

Fundraisers - In order to keep our tuition rates as low as they are we hold fundraisers throughout the year to offset the cost of purchasing / replacing equipment and covering the costs of insurance premiums. We also have a savings account that we place money into for our At-Risk Scholarship program. All students are required to attend and raise their minimum set amounts for these events.

Competitions - Even though we are not a sport based school our dojo hosts competitions each year. All students are required to attend and compete in these events. There are no exceptions to this at anytime. A martial artists that limits their knowledge of the arts has no real understanding of them. Competition accounts for about 5 - 10% of training in martial arts and these events help students to gauge their abilities against other people from other systems of the arts...as well as make new friends!

Seminars - from time to time Franz Shihan will arrange for a guest Sensei to attend and teach at the dojo. These seminars will be required as announced but many times they are highly suggested instead of required. Students should attend these seminars as Shihan never brings in any guest instructor who is not at least one of the top Master's in their martial art.

Black Belt Seminars - once a month Franz Shihan hosts a seminar at the Honbu Dojo for his students which focuses on the higher levels of our art. These seminars are mandatory for all students who are ranked Shodan Ho (1st Kyu) and above, no exceptions. It is also highly recommended that all brown belt students attend these seminars to prepare for the black belt exam.

Parents Dropping Off Their Children

Parents are welcome to drop off their children for classes no earlier than 15 minutes before their scheduled class is set to begin. Parents are also reminded that we are not a recreational program nor a babysitting service so please pick your child up within 15 minutes after their class has ended. We are not responsible for unattended children at anytime.

Uniform Guidelines for Students

Franz Karate Budokan Dojo students are required to maintain their uniform in the proper and traditional manner. Sleeves are to be hemmed to the mid forearm length and pants must be hemmed above the ankles at the minimum. Failure to hem the uniform can result in the student having to sit and watch classes instead of participating as these lengths are very important to safety.

Obi / Belt - The student's belt is their responsibility. In the event a student forgets their belt at home they will be given a disciplinary action by the Sensei. If the student loses their belt they will have to purchase a new belt at retail cost plus shipping immediately. Students who leave their belts at the dojo may or may not be permitted to wear them in class for a period of one month.

Patches - Certain patches are available for students to earn through our program such as weapon patches and academic achievement patches. Please see Franz Shihan for information on where these patches may be sewn onto the uniform.

Student Equipment / Item Policies

Our students must purchase their own equipment from our dojo. Any and all equipment not purchased through our pro shop will not be permitted for use in training at the dojo. Martial art tradition is for students to show support of their dojo and we expect this from all students regardless of rank.

Sparring Gear - Sparring gear is required of all students who train at our dojo. This must be purchased within one month of beginning training at our dojo and brought to every class. If a student does not have their gear they will have to sit out of that portion of class unless we have a lesson planned for them. Mouth guards are mandatory and must be in place before any student will be permitted to study Kumite. All males must have a groin supporter and cup for every class...no exceptions. Failure to not have the proper equipment as required and to not inform the Sensei that you do not have it absolves Franz Karate Budokan Dojo from any liability arising from injuries that could occur.

Weapons - As students progress they may be asked to join the Kobudo (Weapons) class which is a required part of their training. There is a one time weapons package that must be purchased through our pro shop before the student will be permitted to attend that course. All green belt level students must be part of the Kobudo course at the dojo...no exceptions.

All items brought into the dojo by the student, their family members or friends are their responsibility. We are not responsible for lost, stolen or misplaced items at any time regardless of before, during or after classes including special events held at the dojo. We are also not responsible for any items of the student lost, stolen or left at events outside of our dojo at anytime.

KUMITE / SPARRING POLICIES - READ AND KNOW THESE!

We teach the real deal at our dojo which involves the study of contact Kumite, or better known as sparring. Kumite is not fighting at anytime. The study of Kumite is to gain application ability using control, timing, distancing and focus of one's skills against an opponent in a controlled environment. It is never to become a game of who is better than whom nor who can beat who. During the study of Kumite any student who maliciously attacks or attempts to attack another student will be escorted off the floor and disciplined heavily. Attempting to harm another student can result in expulsion from the dojo and removal of all ranked earned. Our Kumite rules can be found by CLICKING HERE.

Attendance Policy

All students at Franz Karate Budokan Dojo are required to attend classes a minimum of two assigned training days per week. Students are to be on time and ready to go when the class is called to line up as it is disrespectful to your Sensei and the other students to be late and unprepared for classes. If you are late you must wait on the side of the floor until Sensei permits you to join classes. Repeated tardiness will not be tolerated at anytime and may result in belt rank dismissal (loss of one kyu rank). Students should be on the dojo floor, ready for class a minimum of five (5) minutes prior to the start of their class.

Holiday Closings / Inclement Weather Closings

Franz Karate Budokan Dojo will be closed as announced on our Event Calendar for the following holidays. New Years Eve / Day, Good Friday, Easter, Memorial Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day Weekend, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Other closings for holidays will be announced in the Newsletter and on the Event Calendar.

Inclement Weather - Franz Karate Budokan Dojo will be closed due to bad weather if the local school system closes that day. If Bryan City Schools close then the Bryan dojo will be closed. If Hicksville Local Schools closes then the Hicksville Dojo will be closed and so forth. In the event that a Level II winter weather warning is issued during class time we will call parent's to come get their children and close early. If a Level III Winter Warning is issued we will be closed.

Students and parents may feel free to call the dojo to see if classes are schedule or listen to FM 100.9 WBNO for closing information as well.

Policies Regarding School Age Children Who Study Martial Arts

It is the intention of all of us at Franz Karate Budokan Dojo to help school age students to understand the importance of training the mind as well as the body. Our dojo offers awards in the form of patches for students who attain honor roll. All school age children are required to turn in their grade cards to the dojo for review. These must be copies as we will not return them to student. Students can be held back longer for belt exams if they are not performing well in their academic studies but that depends on the circumstances. Some kids will do their very best and still get a "D" in a class. What is important is that they give it their all. Franz Shihan will gladly discuss children's grades with them at the parent's request.

Our policy is that we will not promote a school age child to Shodan Ho or Shodan (black belt) unless they have all "C" grades or above on their report card at anytime. Students who qualify to earn titles in sport competition may not be awarded their title nor attend the international events unless they have "C" level or above on their grade cards either.

We also welcome interaction with the child's teacher(s) at school. If you wish for their teacher and us to have open communications please inform the teacher at their school and provide us the contact information.

Belt Examination Policies

Students will be permitted to take an examination for their next belt level once all requirements have been satisfied to the Sensei's approval. The only person that decides when a student is ready to take an exam is the Sensei, no one else. We will discuss it with parent's if they feel their child is ready to move up and we have not permitted them to do so via meeting with Franz Shihan only (or Edington Sensei for Hicksville) in private. Many times people feel their physical abilities permit them to move up in rank but there is much more to becoming a black belt in our dojo than just knowing the physical requirements. We never based a person's ability to move up in rank on their ability to beat a higher ranked belt as that is sport and we are not a sport martial art dojo.

Belt Exam Forms - All belt examination request forms are due 1 week before the schedule belt exam. This form must be completely filled out and turned in with the exam payment. We do not accept credit cards for belt exam fees at anytime however you may pay by check or cash. Child age students are required to have their teacher at school sign their form as well. If there is a problem with the teacher at the school district please inform Kim Franz with all the important information needed to resolve this issue.

Tuition Payment Policies

Franz Karate Budokan Dojo students may choose to pay for their membership monthly. We accept only EFT for these payments from a verified savings or checking account with employment. If your payment bounces we will automatically add a $30 non-sufficient funds amount and withdraw in the next two days WITH your regular scheduled payment. Payments are attempted 3 times before we stop. If you bounce all 3 times that will be $90 in NSF fees. If you close your account and do not notify us we will automatically send your agreement to our attorney for legal collection action. Non attendance in classes does not signify non-payment. All students will pay their fair share of tuition for the entire length of their agreement regardless of attendance. Each student is expected to honor their agreement for the length of term they have committed themselves to train for. This is integrity and honor, both martial arts principles that are adhered to strictly at our dojo.

Dealing Tuition Payment Problems / Extended Absences / Vacation Time

Franz Karate Budokan Dojo understands that issues may arise during the course of your membership that may make paying your tuition difficult. We have implemented these policies for those situations and they are non-modifiable at any time.

Vacation Time - We do not pro rate tuition for missing classes due to vacation at any time. We do ask that students inform us when they are leaving and when they will return to classes if going on vacation.

Extended Absences - In the case of an serious injury, family problem, medical issue or other reasons that you will need to take longer than a 30 day leave from classes you must meet with Kim Franz to discuss options at that time. We do have the ability to freeze your tuition for one month at a time but this is subject to the availability based on dojo expenses if we will permit it to take place. If we freeze any agreement for the 30 day period it will extend the length of your current agreement for 30 more days with payments for the time frozen being due at the end of the agreement.

Loss of Income - In the event you have lost your current income by becoming unemployed we will work with you to lower your payment to our base minimum if possible depending on the circumstances. You must meet with Kim Franz to arrange this and it is subject to our discretion at all times.

Failing to Make Agreed Payments

In any event that you have failed to make your payment on time as outlined the entire amount of the agreement will become due and payable immediately. This includes closing the EFT account on file and failing to notify us properly before doing so.

Tuition Agreement Policies

All students at Franz Karate Budokan Dojo are on a time length tuition agreement. It is your responsibility to pay for said agreement for the entire length of the term. If, for any reason (including moving) you wish to terminate your agreement you must schedule a meeting with Master Franz and there will be a $50 termination fee and you will need to pay 35% of the remaining amount due of the agreement. We do not terminate agreements without this policy being followed strictly and must be notified 30 days prior to the request to cancel the agreement. All agreements will automatically renew 30 days prior to their expiration date unless we are notified in writing that you wish to cancel your membership. It is your responsibility to know your renewal date as we use a billing company for these matters. You must inform us in writing 30 days prior to the end of your agreement or else it will automatically renew at the current rate and for the same length of time as the original agreement.

Have an Issue - Scheduling Time with Franz Shihan

Franz Karate Budokan Dojo has an open door policy for all parents, friends and students. This policy states that any student or parent may call and schedule a time to meet with Franz Shihan to discuss their program. If an issue arises you may also speak with Shihan after classes are over or during normal open times at the dojo when classes are not in session. It is mandatory that all students and parents discuss their issues with respect or we will not listen to them. We welcome your feedback but this is a true martial arts school and if you fail to treat our black belt Sensei with the proper respect you will be asked to leave until you can return and discuss your issues in a proper manner as an adult. Franz Shihan is very open minded and has extensive understanding of many issues parents and students will face. Please listen to his advice carefully as the intent is to help you achieve even more from your martial arts training.