Character
Development
Program
Our Junior's karate curriculum features the S.T.A.R. character
development program combined with the Martial Arts Industry Association's Lesson
of the Month. S.T.A.R. and MAIA provides a framework to teach and reinforce the
values of respect, responsibility, discipline, and the eight virtues of Black
Belt which are Modesty, Courtesy, Integrity, Compassion, Gratitude,
Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit.
S.T.A.R means "Stop, Think, Act, Review" or "Success Through Accepting
Responsibility." This engaging, dynamic program encourages our students to be
responsible for their actions.
S.T.A.R is designed to teach students to:
· Accept the consequences of their actions
· Use the S.T.A.R - Stop, Think, Act, Review decision making model to solve
problems and resolve conflicts.
· Develop and improve self-confidence, self-esteem, and positive attitudes
· Set and achieve realistic goals
· Accept that attendance, punctuality, and reliability are part of being
personally responsible.
How S.T.A.R. was born
S.T.A.R is a program originally developed by the Jefferson Center for Character
Education, located in Pasadena, Ca. The Jefferson Center is a non-profit,
non-sectarian organization founded in 1963 with the express purpose of teaching
character education in both public and private schools. The
S.T.A.R program is currently in use in over 5,000 schools and 50,000 classrooms
across the country. The Jefferson Center focuses on the systematic teaching of
common values that cut across ethnic, cultural and religious lines. These values
include: honesty, respect, responsibility, integrity, courage, tolerance,
justice, self-confidence and politeness.
In 1995, Mike Rozumek a Uechi-ryu Karate Sensei, adapted the Jefferson Center
for Character Education's S.T.A.R. program for use in the martial arts. The S.T.A.R. program is fully integrated into our children's programs, and is in use
at more than 500 other karate schools worldwide.
How S.T.A.R. works
Every day your child is faced with conflicting messages on TV, in magazines, in
the movies, and on the school bus. S.T.A.R. is designed to reinforce the
messages you've been giving your child, and help them make good choices in life.
At the B.U.K.A it is our mission to
instill in students these very values. We believe this to be an ongoing process
and not something to be achieved in a month, or a year, but rather over a
lifetime. We chose the S.T.A.R program because it is a perfect complement to our
school philosophy. S.T.A.R provides an ongoing systematic method of teaching the
core values on which our program is based.
Our innovative program ensures that our students learn not only the martial
arts, but how to make the right decisions in life. The kicking, punching, and
other physical aspects of the traditional martial arts training we offer serve a
dual purpose: self-defense and self awareness. Because it is fun to learn how to
kick and punch, your child will listen to the karate instructor who skillfully
weaves more important skills into the lesson, such as how to get along with
others.
Each month we focus on a message or "Theme of the Month". Each theme is centered
around a core value, such as Honesty, Respect, Self-Discipline, etc. Throughout
the entire month we discuss the theme with our students and ask them to think of
ways they can incorporate it into their lives. As another reinforcement we
assign a monthly activity which is linked to the theme. Our students are asked
to participate in the activity. For example, one particular month the theme
might be "How can I be Honest and trustworthy?" The corresponding activity will
be: At the start of the month make a promise to your parents. At the end of the
month the student is to report in on how they fulfilled their promise. It is our
hope that through these teaching we will provide the children not only a
positive message about being responsible for their action, but good solid role
models which the can follow.
In previous years our junior students have raised
over $3000 for the Caritas Good Samaritan Hospital's Safety Fair and the
Muscular Dystrophy Association through separate kickathons held as a monthly
activity to earn a STAR Pin Award.
S.T.A.R Reward System:
As you are aware we all need gratification for our efforts, children especially. With this in mind we have developed a reward system for those children who participate in the S.T.A.R program. We start each month by giving the student a "S.T.A.R Home/School Approval form" The parents signature on the form indicates to us that the child has participated in the S.T.A.R theme and activity at home and has demonstrated good behavior. If we do not receive a signed form, the student will not be eligible for a reward. This signed form is due to the school by the third week of each month. Once we receive the returned form, we will evaluate the student's behavior and attendance at our school. Also the student must complete the monthly activity. If the student has met the criteria for S.T.A.R, he or she will be rewarded in front of the class with a Gold S.T.A.R pin to be worn on the uniform. Each S.T.A.R pin has a number engraved on it indicating the number of months the child has been participating. Each month the student turns in his/her old pin and receives a new one.
Upon completion of twelve successful months of S.T.A.R the student will receive a GOLD STAR PATCH to put on their uniform Jacket which is theirs to keep.
This is a fantastic program, and with your support and reinforcement of the monthly themes and behaviors at home together we can really make a significant impact on the behavior and the choices our children make in life.
Who Can Participate in S.T.A.R?
All of our students are eligible to participate
in S.T.A.R, it is now a regular part of our curriculum. We do not force students
to participate, however, we strongly encourage you to have your children
participate. After all, there is no other children's activity that teaches core
values while at the same time providing a great physical work-out. Why not reap
the benefits?
Brockton Uechi-ryu
Karate Academy
Inc
Cardinale Plaza
55 Oak Street Extension (N. Pearl and Oak Street Extension)
Brockton, MA 02301
Membership Dept. / 508-631-6687
Dojo /
508-583-2122
Serving All of Brockton, Stoughton-East
and South,
South Easton, Easton and North Easton, Canton-East , Randolph-West,
West Bridgewater, Bridgewater-West, Raynham, Taunton, Avon.
We are
located on Route 27, just off of Route 24, in West Brockton.
We have been at this location since February 2000