You have likely already heard the new Public Health protocols laid out by the provincial government. The full protocols are available here: https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-public-health-actions.aspx
In response to these measures, the BKA will implement the following changes to the adult program, effective immediately:
Adult Classes:
As of Thursday, Sept 16:
Implement Restrictions Exemption Program requiring proof of double vaccination from all adult members to be able to attend classes
“Check-in” table to confirm and document proof of vaccination before class
Proof of vaccination only need be presented once
Implement Restrictions Exemption Program as above for any youth program members wishing to also attend adult classes
Suspend high intensity interval/cardio portion of strength training; will reassess every 2 weeks
Suspend all partner work; will reassess every 2 weeks
To reduce numbers on the floor, Friday adult classes will no longer have a crossover period between 7:00 pm and 7:30 pm. Students may either arrive at the 6:00 pm start time, or at the 7:30 pm start time. Students who start at 6:00 pm are welcome to attend the full 3 hrs if they so desire.
Reinforce symptom screening before class
Symptom checklist prominently displayed at entrance to facility
Students are asked to review symptom checklist at home before class, and not attend if they screen positive
Continue with enhanced cleaning protocols, open windows for airflow, etc., as outlined in previously circulated Covid policy (available on website)
The BKA will continue to monitor, react to, and exceed recommended public health measures.
With regards to the Restrictions Exemption Program, proof of vaccination with both doses can be provided in the following ways:
Print out/screenshot of vaccination statement from https://myhealth.alberta.ca/myhealthrecords
Print out/screenshot of vaccination card from https://myhealth.alberta.ca/myhealthrecords (available as of Sunday Sept 19)
Hard copy/photograph/screenshot of vaccination sheet provided at time of vaccination
The BKA is committed to acting in the best interest of the health and wellbeing of its members, and fully supports this policy enacted by the provincial government. With this program in place, you and your fellow club members will be able to continue to train in an activity you enjoy, in a safe, responsible, and stress-free way. Not following this policy would have required a shut down of club operations for the foreseeable future and full transition back to ZOOM.
Thank you for your continued understanding and support as we navigate the pandemic.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
You have likely already heard the new Public Health protocols laid out by the provincial government. The full protocols are available here: https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-public-health-actions.aspx
The BKA is committed to acting in the best interest of the health and wellbeing of its members, and in enabling students to continue to train in a safe, responsible, and stress-free way. Of note, our existing Covid policy already follows many of the restrictions outlined in the latest provincial guidance.
In response to these new measures, the BKA will take the following actions effective immediately:
Youth Classes: Falls under “18 and under” restrictions.
As of Thursday, Sept 16:
Reinforce symptom screening before class
Implement temporary “check-in” screening table before class for at least the next two weeks
Symptom checklist prominently displayed at entrance to facility
Parents/students are asked to review symptom checklist at home before class, and not attend if they screen positive
Suspend all partner work; will reassess every 2 weeks
2 m social distancing at all times
Instructors will be masked at all times
Parent/spectator seating will be limited and distanced
Continue with enhanced cleaning protocols, open windows for airflow, etc., as outlined in previously circulated Covid policy (available on website)
The BKA will continue to monitor, react to, and exceed recommended public health measures.
For any older youth program students who also wish to attend adult program classes:
The adult program is subject to different restrictions and in particular will be implementing the Restrictions Exemption Program to be able to continue to operate. This means that youth program students will be required to provide proof of double vaccination in order to attend adult classes. Note that this only applies to students who wish to attend adult program classes. Students only attending youth program classes DO NOT need to provide proof of vaccination.
Proof of vaccination with both doses can be provided in the following ways:
Print out/screenshot of vaccination statement from https://myhealth.alberta.ca/myhealthrecords
Print out/screenshot of vaccination card from https://myhealth.alberta.ca/myhealthrecords (available as of Sunday Sept 19)
Hard copy/photograph/screenshot of vaccination sheet provided at time of vaccination
Thank you for your continued understanding and support as we navigate the pandemic.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
BKA strongly encourages full vaccination (i.e. 2 doses) against the Covid-19 virus for all members.
BKA commits to following all guidance set forth by the City of Edmonton and Alberta Health Services.
Summer classes may be taught outdoors in the grass or on the back tarmac if the weather allows. Please bring appropriate footwear for training outdoors.
During summer training students can choose whether to wear their gi or an athletic top. We recommend that students bring a gi top in their bag, in case of partnered work involving gripping.
Partnered Training
BKA will not do any group interactive drills for the duration of the Summer/Fall 2021 terms (i.e. rolling line, roaming striking shields, etc).
BKA will commit to offering both partnered and solo versions of drills for the duration of the Summer/Fall 2021 terms.
Notes on partnered activities:
If two students are comfortable working as partners in the class for drills, they are welcome to do so, but both partners must agree to this on an individual basis.
No student should feel obligated to work with a partner if they are uncomfortable doing so. Solo versions of all drills will also be offered.
If partnering, BKA asks that students stick with a single dedicated partner as often as you can.
If your partner is not available and there is another person on the floor available to partner, students may do so at their discretion and comfort level, and both must agree to this on an individual basis.
As a reminder, if you feel unwell, stay home.
BKA will continue to practice enhanced cleaning measures (see full documentation of Covid precautions) as well as providing hand sanitizer at all dojo entrances.
With the completion of the clinic series, we have shifted to fully in person classes for the remainder of the summer.We appreciate the continued training each of you has done on Zoom over the past several months.
Summer Term Class Schedule (concludes on September 5th, 2021). • Tuesday All Ranks Classes (6:30PM – 8:30PM) • Friday All Ranks Classes (6:30PM – 8:30PM) • Sunday All Ranks Classes (6:00PM – 8:00PM)
BKA Summer Celebration The BKA will host our return to dojo summer celebration on Tuesday July 20th, 2021 (from ~8:30PM-9:00PM). This is a delay of one week due to instructor and student availability. Come out and celebrate the accomplishments of the organization and its members over the past 18 months. Awards and rankings will be presented. The instructor team would love to get photos of everyone at this event, so if you can make it out, please attend! :-).
Effective Friday July 2nd, in person classes will resume at the Grandview dojo for Black Belts only on Tuesdays and Fridays (until the end of the clinic series). Black belts may still join classes via zoom if they prefer during this window. All kyu belts are welcome via zoom.
Effective Sunday July 4th, Sunday classes will resume at the Grandview dojo for all ranks (outdoors).
Effective Tuesday July 13th, all ranks are welcomed back to the Grandview dojo for all classes.
Sunday Zoom sessions will end with the class on June 27th. Tuesday and Friday Zoom sessions will end with the completion of the clinic series on July 9th.
Summer Class Times effective Tuesday July 13th: Tuesday/Friday Classes: 6:30PM – 8:30PM (All Ranks) Sunday Class: 6:00PM – 8:00PM (All Ranks)
Class Structure Notes
BKA strongly encourages full vaccination (i.e. 2 doses) against the Covid-19 virus for all members.
BKA commits to following all guidance set forth by the City of Edmonton and Alberta Health Services.
All classes for the month of July will be socially distanced.
Classes are planned to be taught outdoors in the grass or on the back tarmac. Please bring appropriate footwear for training outdoors. During summer training students can choose whether to wear their gi or an athletic top. We recommend that students bring a gi top in their bag, in case of partnered work involving gripping.
Should weather prevent us from training outdoors (heat or storms), we will move into the dojo, and remain distanced.
Partnered Work (tentative start: August 2021, subject to change)
BKA will not do any group interactive drills for the duration of the Summer 2021 term (i.e. rolling line, roaming striking shields, etc).
BKA will commit to offering both partnered and solo versions of drills for the duration of the Summer 2021 term.
Notes on partnered activities:
If two students are comfortable working as partners in the class for drills, they are welcome to do so, but both partners must agree to this on an individual basis.
No student should feel obligated to work with a partner if they are uncomfortable doing so. Solo versions of all drills will also be offered.
If partnering, BKA asks that students stick with a single dedicated partner for the time being.
As a reminder, if you feel unwell, stay home.
BKA will continue to practice enhanced cleaning measures (see full documentation of Covid precautions) as well as providing hand sanitizer at all dojo entrances.
Club Celebration Day on July 13th, 2021 On our first official class back for all members on (Tuesday July 13th), we will take some time at the end of class to celebrate the accomplishments of the members of our organization in the past year. Come out to support the organization, and your fellow club members! Pictures will be taken! 🙂
Thank you everyone. Please feel free to reach out to myself or Sensei Bernadine if you have any questions.
The grading in Alberta is now complete. Thank you to the Joseki Board members, and congratulations to the candidates at today’s event! Twenty-nine candidates, forty-three joseki members, one great day! We were thrilled to see well over 100 people in the zoom session throughout the day, and almost 200 more viewers on YouTube.
On behalf of the Bushido Karate Association and the SWKKF, thank you to everyone who came out to support the event today! Congratulations to everyone who graded today — and of course, a special congratulations to Sensei Mike and Sensei Adam on your Sandan ranks!
