Welcome to 2024

I’d like to start off by thanking all the students and families that have joined us, and continue to support our school. JI-BEH has come along way in 17 years. For 10 of those years we taught out of my house. Then later transitioned to a small location on Main Street in Limerick. 2020 is when we found our current location here in Scarborough.

Every year is a challenge to improve. We want to push that narrative this year here at JI-BEH. This will be the 1st year we have to opportunity to send students to Connecticut, and test for their black belts. It’s a difficult and persistent process to stay the course. We want to make sure all students have the resources to succeed towards that goal.

Changes to the website

The website will be going through a transition this year. We will be morphing students personal pages into one student resources page. This will increase the school’s efficiency to pass on the much needed tools and information.

We currently have much of what a student needs on our site. However we hope to widen the scope of how and what is presented. Below is a list of sections we want to include. If their is a specific topic that you as a student or parent would find helpful, please let us know.

New Student Area

Rank - Rules - Terminology

Path To Black Belt - Testing

Student Videos - Forms and One Steps

Leadership Team

Sparring - Breaking - Tournaments

Uniforms - Gear - Weapons

WTSDA - Region 9

Events and Closures:

We do our best to highlight upcoming events and closures. At the school we post flyers and scroll pictures posts on our tv monitor. The best way to stay current on all activities and closings, is to visit the schedule and events pages.

The schedule page has our class times broken down by age group. Just below that is a calendar you can use to see that month’s activities. Plus additional events throughout the 2024 year.

The events page is where you will see complete details on the events. These classes do add to a students class time when considered for testing.

As always please reach out to Mr. Kafka if you have any question about events or closures.

Region 9 Tournament

Our regional tournament this year is scheduled for Saturday March 9th, in Connecticut. For blue belts and reds belts testing for black belt, it’s required to attend at least once to participate or assist.

This year Mr. Kafka will be presented with his 4th degree Master’s rank at regionals. It’s traditional for all black belts and masters to receive their rank at a WTSDA event.

Karate Kids Olympics

This is a tournament that is scheduled tentative date of May 18. We had a small group go last year and had fun. We’d like to rent a van to help with transportation. For students that have not competed, this a great starter tournament to kick start that interest.

Black Belt Camp

The tentative date is June 1 -2. This is open for red belts and above. It’s required to attend at least one camp for the black belt rank you will be testing for. For kids this is a day trip. Older students have a 2 day interaction with dorm room accommodations for staying over night. We had 5 JI-BEH students attending last year. Learning from guest Masters in the WTSDA and Masters from the New England region.

How can we do better?

Getting back to focusing on improving, we need your help. We’ll be sending out a survey to gain a better perspective of where to focus our efforts. We ask that you complete this survey and send back when completed.

Help Our Reviews

Small business live on reviews, and we’re no different. If you believe that we have earned your review. We ask that you go to our google listing, and or our JI-BEH Martial Arts Scarborough FaceBook page to lend a hand. This will go a long way to securing the quality of our programs.

Closing

I have many person goals to work towards in 2024. My hope is to share that intensity with many of you at the school. Help motivate you all in achieving progress towards a better life. Tang Soo!