As the winter months get into full swing, snow can become a major factor in our lives. Most of you who have been around for years know we rarely allow the weather to affect our classes. However, when road conditions prevent us from safely offering classes, we may close.

This year we want to make sure that students clearly understand if and when the school closes. For normal afternoon and evening classes, the answering machine message will be changed to indicate a closing at least a half an hour prior to the class start time. This should provide students the opportunity to check in before leaving for class.

With regards to morning classes, if Tuckahoe schools are closed or on a 2-hour delay, no morning classes will be held. You can check for closings by watching the Westchester News Channel, generally channel 12, or by listening to 1230 AM.

We will always make every safe effort to be there for our students. And we appreciate your patience as we face the upcoming winter months.

As most of you know, our monthly tuition is handled by Winmars. We feel this allows us to focus on what we do best, teach. Winmars handles many issues for us including billing and renewals. Please take the time to read all letters you receive from Winmars. Often they have to do with your agreement renewing.

For our 6, 12, 24, and 36 month agreements Winmars notifies you in writing a month before your current agreement is set to expire that you are going to be automatically re-enrolled for a 12 month agreement. You should receive a letter from them, on their letterhead. Once you receive this letter you have the opportunity to upgrade, downgrade, cancel, or automatically enroll for the 12 month program.

For those of you on 30 day notice programs. You will not receive any renewal information from Winmars. Your programs never need to be renewed because they continue to roll from month to month until you upgrade or provide a 30 day cancellation notice.

In any case where you are uncertain of your enrollment status or billing questions, please call Winmars at 1-800-598-6267. I'm sure they will have the information you need.

On December 17th, we will be holding our next school tournament. Since many of you have participated in tournaments before, you look forward to these events and know what they are all about. However, many of you are uncertain what a tournament is, and if you can participate. Here are a few of the most common questions we are asked about a tournament:

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As the temperature drops, it should be quite comfortable for students to wear their uniforms to class. Please remember that coming to class in a complete uniform makes it easier on the students to progress in the many skills that we try and teach them.

Additionally, the uniform makes certain activities in class safer and prevents minor scrapes and mat burns. So whenever possible students, wear your full uniform.

Promotions are always exciting and rewarding days. They are a day of celebration and recognition of months or years of hard work by a student. This month was particularly impressive as we had 5 students moving up in the advanced belts, TJ and Benjamin Hurd, Adam Limardo, and George and Elias Germanakos. 

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On Sunday November 6th, the New York Big Apple Open tournament was held. Open tournaments are competitions that allow students from various schools and styles to come together to measure their skill in sparring, forms, self-defense, and breaking.

Sensei Marc and Kristy Tarricone both participated in sparring and each won 2^nd place in their Black Belt divisions. For Kristy this was a return to competition as she has participated frequently, but not for some time. For Sensei Marc this was his first experience in an open tournament.

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