This weekend, Isabella had a friend over from school. She gave her friend, Sophia, a candy and Sophia started choking on it! I cannot express the terror I felt as I saw her gasping for breath. .We all rushed to her aid and found Gessica giving her the Heimlich maneuver! The candy dislodged and after a few tears, all was well.
Gessica has learned CPR and first aid training in her babysitting course, but it was not her performance and skill that amazed us. It was her immediate action, confidence and determination. She did not panic even slightly and I believe this stems from her karate training. As Gessica always says, "Problem, solution, action!" Needless to say, we are very proud and grateful that she came to the rescue. She is now a hero to her sister Isabella and her friend Sophia, but she's also my little hero!
The girls have just received their violet belts and I'd like to thank you, Sempai Steve and Sempai Lori for instilling leadership in them. Please pass on our thanks.
Monica Sementilli, parent
Dear Sensei Bullard;
I am writing to express our thanks to you and your school for giving Jacob the life skills required to succeed in life.
Although Jacob has not been attending Canada's Best Karate for very long we have noticed him taking on more responsibility in daily tasks. Truth be known, it is because of Jacob that I get to work on time. My husband and I feel that it has a lot to do with the ”I Can Do It Myself” card which we leave on the fridge so Jacob remembers to check off what he has done that day.
Jacob has shown more confidence in himself with regards to school and what he is capable of doing at home. We also find that he sticks up for himself more and speaks his mind in a positive way if he does not like something.
Jacob shows a great deal of enthusiasm towards his Karate and looks forward to classes. He was part of another Karate school a few years ago and I did not have the same excitement when it came to those classes. For this reason we were hesitant about signing him up again. Every Saturday and Wednesday he is dressed and ready to go. He has said to us that it is because of the instructors and the fact that they make the program fun and never put anyone down. Jacob is happy and feels good about himself when he is finished.
Jacob also likes to discuss with us what he has learned. As a parent, I am really glad that the children are learning about ways to deal with bullying. Unfortunately, this is a very real part of a child’s world today. The skills that are taught in your school will help Jacob to better cope should he ever have to deal with this in school.
The other school that Jacob attended never taught any life skills. They only taught Karate, although important, will not teach a child how to deal with daily life. I know that Jacob is taking all of this in because he tells us as well as his younger brother what was discussed at that class.
I would recommend this school to anyone who is looking for a place to send their child. Although Karate is fun, life skills are very important. Your school teaches all aspects and empowers the children. Thank you for everything and keep up the good work.
We are writing to express our satisfaction with our son’s progress and positive experience at CBK. We signed up our son at CBK to improve his confidence level to express himself and fully participate in school and other settings. We have seen huge improvements in his confidence level and discipline. He was already doing well in school, but his teacher attested to improvement around his ability to confidently express himself in class.
We have seen a huge difference in his participation in CBK classes. He was a bit shy and reserved when he started, but now, he raises his hands to answer questions and confidently responds to questions and interacts with his classmates.
We also noted in all CBK instructors the care and time they take to teach the students. For instance, there was one class our son was having trouble repeating a particular step and the instructor made sure that he repeats it until he got it right. That was a magical moment!
We are also impressed by the staff in reception area and would like to thank her for continuing to answer our questions in a courteous and professional manner.
Every time you walk into CBK, it tells you in a subtle way that it is more than a Karate school. It is obvious by the family and community feel CBK exudes.
Thank you for being part of the healthy development of our son.
Arsema & Ghebray Yonatan, parents
Dear Canada's Best Karate,
I just want to say “THANK YOU ALL”!
It started one day when Armando expressed that he would like to take karate lessons. I suggested that we go and see how the lessons were and he agreed to it. Once we arrived, he started to cry and would not let go of me and immediately changed his mind. I knew that he really wanted to take lessons, so I was ready to make a commitment in bringing him everyday until he got his confidence and especially I was to have patience. We came in, sat down, watched everyone and went home. This went on for about three weeks.
One day, after Grace talked to Armando, he agreed to go in class and sit in the corner. This went on for about one to two weeks. He began to have confidence with Grace, Gillian, Adam and Alessandra. Then one night, I saw Sensei talking to Armando and the next thing I knew Armando was participating in the lesson. I could see that Armando was shy but also could see that he was happy, excited and glad that he did.
I asked him if he wanted to take more lessons and he said without hesitation and with excitement “Yes”! He finally was confident. Once he got his uniform he was glowing with excitement, felt even more confident and told all his friends at school that he was taking karate lessons.
Before Armando enrolled in karate, he was lacking in confidence. Now he has built his confidence. This is just the first step taken of the many steps to come ahead.
THANK YOU ALL!
Mrs. Maria Fraietta, parent
Dear Sensei,
I would like to take this opportunity to let you know how your karate school has affected my son Ryan in a very positive way. Last summer Ryan was on a rep soccer team. For Ryan it was a very experience. The coach managed to strip him of his self-esteem and he no longer showed the interest and confidence in soccer that he once had. He stopped having fun and only continued to go because he was raised to not be a quitter. This 11 year old boy was having trouble in many areas as a result of all this and one of them was his schoolwork.
He had shown much interest in trying new, and karate was his choice. Since coming to your classes his excitement has come back and he once again is showing true dedication and commitment to something he enjoys. Ryan will always work hard but having fun is also important to him. One night a few weeks ago he was telling me about Sensei Scott, and how he liked him. He told me that Sensei listens to him and, shows him respect something that was not happening on the soccer field.
His experience with Karate and the adults there have been such a positive one. He is again starting to feel good about himself and both y husband and I have always been very proud of him. Our children mean the world to us and we as parents are always praising them, but outside forces also have a huge influence on how our children behave and feel about themselves.
I want to thank you for the extremely positive influence you have has on Ryan during a time of his young life when he really needed it. You as leaders must realize the impact you have on these young minds and how you treat them is so important. Confidence, self esteem and feeling good about yourself are very important to all of us, and if you as teachers can continue to build that in our children, it will only make them better people.
Thank-you,
Beatrix Taylor, parent
Dear Sensei,
Last year my daughter, Lori, won a free trial membership at Canada’s Best Karate. We took advantage of this and decided karate was something for our family. We did not realize the extent of the benefits that would follow.
My son, Stephen, who has also joined Canada’s Best, was lacking in confidence and receiving adequate grades in school. He is now more confident and his grades have improved. Lori, who was confident and did well in school has had this reaffirmed.
Not only have the children realized physical benefits from karate, but they have found something that’s part of them. Like running is my own personal lifeline, so too has karate become the family’s lifeline.
We are all happier and more confident. Certainly going to a school that is surrounded by the love for karate, it has been easy to make it part of our lives and our hearts.
This week, at school, we had a speaker come to lecture us about bullying. This got me thinking as to the reason as to why I began my karate training.
I was in the fifth grade when I had my first bullying experience. I was friends with two girls in my grade and both were close to me. They were both in a fight with one another and I observed that one of them was bullying the other. Making this observation, I stepped in between the two of them, facing the one bullying the other and advised her to stop. As you could imagine, no one had the guts to do what I had done. Little did I know that being a potential hero for one person, led me to be the victim of another.
For approximately a year I had to withstand being a victim of bullying. I would make the attempt to stay away from the one who used to be my "friend," as she had become the bully. I withstood a year of taunting and fear. That is, until, another friend of mine told me about a new karate place opening up, "Canada's Best Karate."
I attended karate classes twice a week. After a while at training, I began to notice a change. A change in self-confidence and my abilities. I quit hiding from the taunting and the final time I was bullied was because I opened my mouth at home. For a while I hid from my family the fact that I was a victim of bullying. My mother, the terrific person she is, settled the "score."
It was only after that I had regained my freedom that my school grades, which were declining, had begun to increase. I was able to concentrate more on my studies, and less about if I could remain emotionally stable.
I just wanted to thank you for aiding me in my self-confidence and aiding me in recognizing my abilities. I am currently in the 11th grade and still striving for excellence, just as karate has taught me to. With the help of my father and my karate training, I have finally realized what I would like to do with my life. I plan to continue with my education and my goal is to become a surgeon (preferably a heart surgeon).
Thank you once again and I look forward to all of the hard work it will take to achieve my Black Belt.
Sincerely,
Alessandra Viola, student
Dear Sensei,
I wanted to share with you an amazing story within our family over the last 8 months. Last year we moved into Maple from downtown Toronto and our six year old son Tyler has a very difficult time adjusting to the change and experienced bullying for the first time in his life.
Over the next few months he became extremely aggressive and his self-esteem had dropped significantly. In almost every sport or activity we signed him up for, his poor behaviour and aggression ended him up in hot water. We didn’t know what to do to help him improved his behaviour, self-esteem and self control.
At that same time this past November, Tyler asked us to sign him up for Karate and after some apprehension we registered him at Canada's Best Karate. From the moment he walked into the Dojo, Tyler as been a changed boy. He is much happier and has matured greatly. He handles difficult situations with much more maturity and his self-esteem has risen ten fold. His social skills have improved and when we call him down to go to Karate, he drops whatever he is doing and comes bounding down the stairs with a big smile on his face.
Now, like any child, he still has things to work on, but the positive changes in Tyler have occurred in a big part due to Canada's Best Karate’s goal oriented Karate program and positive environment.
For two parents who had serious apprehensions about putting our son into a program that we though would foster aggression it in fact has taught Tyler self control and discipline and given him life tools to positively improve his interactions with others.
Thank you,
Anne & Wayne Burgess, parents
To: Canada's Best Karate
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Sensei Scott Bullard and the fabulous instructors and staff at Canada’s Best Karate for instilling a sense of confidence, responsibility and self-discipline in my two sons Leo (age 6) and Adriano (age 5).
Since starting in the Novice Program at Canada’s Best Karate and currently in the Junior Karate Program, I have noticed a positive difference in both my boys with respect to their confidence level and self-discipline.Both boys truly enjoy going to karate twice a week and participating in the special dojo functions that are offered during the year.As well, the extra incentive of earning responsibility stars each month helps keep the boys motivated to do well both in school and at home.
As a mother and a teacher I am happy to know that while learning karate, my sons are also learning real life skills with regards to handling difficult situations and how to defend themselves if the need arises.Just the other day my oldest son Leo told me of a situation that occurred in the school yard.An older boy was trying to hurt him during recess and without a second thought Leo used his blocking techniques that he had learned in karate class to defend himself.Leo was so proud that he was able to handle the situation and escape without injury.It is because of these instances that I am so grateful to Sensei Scott and the entire staff at Canada’s Best Karate for helping my boys on their journey towards becoming responsible young adults.
I wanted to write to you about the wonderful progress that our son, Tristan, has made over the past year. It all started when his school classmate recommended that he come to an open house to try some Karate classes at your dojo. I’ll have to tell you that we were very reluctant to bring Tristan because in the past he had been enrolled for Karate classes at a local community centre and it was a complete disaster. However since Tristan was willing we agreed.
We were totally amazed that, from the minute he entered the dojo and lined up with the other students and started to recite the “ Student Creed”, he was actually focussing and listening to the instructor and managed to follow along for the whole class. We were delighted; we told Tristan that he could come back for a second class and he agreed. Again he seemed to enjoy the class and follow instruction. We asked him if he thought he would like to join up and he kept saying, “ I’ll think about it”. We didn’t want to force him into something that he didn’t want to do but we could see the obvious benefits your teaching could offer him.
Finally after the 4th class Tristan announced that he wanted to join. Although Tristan immediately liked what he was hearing and on many occasions says that he wants to become a Sensei like yourself, we still had our doubts he would last more than 2 weeks. However, we signed him up hoping that the classes would teach him some discipline, how to focus and maybe make a friend or two.
Today, Tristan has exceeded all our expectations and is currently in the process of practising for his red stripe test to obtain his GREEN belt (and we didn’t even think he’d get to through the first white belt level!)
At home he has become more compliant and will help with chores when asked the first time and sometimes even without reminders! Bur the best part is that Tristan still says he wants to keep coming to Karate class and now we no longer see that black belt goal for Tristan as impossibility, but rather a probable reality.
Thank you Sensei and staff for allowing my son to participate and excel, despite his many challenges. We are truly grateful. To those who have any doubt, we would recommend Canada’s Best Karate in an instant, as your organization truly lives up to its name.
Sincerely
Mr. and Mrs. Latocha, parents
Dear Sensei,
I have been very pleased with Cassandra’s progress with her “I Can” chart. We have tried other charts before, but Canada's Best Karate seems to be the motivator she needed. Cassie has been faithful to many tasks (homework and making her bed) and is trying very hard to consistently tend to other tasks. Well done, Cassie! (And I appreciate the help.)
Sincerely,
Heather Arnott, parent
Dear Sensei and Staff at CBK,
Eugenio has only improved throughout the last month. He is very responsible with his expected daily chores. He insists on helping the family whenever there is a need. His maturity level has increased considerably and he has developed a more positive attitude. I am glad to say that karate has given our son the opportunity to thrive in areas that did not seem possible in the past. Canada’s Best Karate has certainly allowed our son to grow with a more positive and responsible outlook day to day.
Before attending karate, our son did not have the ambition to do well in any activity. Now, all of that is something of the past. He has had the opportunity of turning negativity around and making sure that anything is possible. We are so proud of him.
Thanks Canada’s Best!
Ben and Adele Spadafora, parents
Dear Sensei,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff at the dojo. My son Paolo has been attending Canada’s Best Karate for about a year and I have noticed a nice and significant change in him.
I’d like to explain this with a situation that happened about a month ago. We were at a family christening last month and Paolo took it upon himself to help the owner out with a few jobs. He noticed that everyone at the restaurant was extremely busy and so he thought that they needed some help. Without being asked he helped clean up the floor by picking up whatever he saw. He also went into the kitchen and asked if he could help there too. When he was all done he came up to me and said, “Are you going to tell Sensei everything I did today?’’ I was shocked to see that even at a family function he was thinking about Karate!
I have definitely noticed a change in his behaviour. He never used to think about helping other people before. He even helps me out at home. I really think Sensei and the school have had a positive effect on my son.
Thank you very much,
Marianna Pipia, parent
Dear Sensei,
For the past two months, Michael has continued to demonstrate great discipline both at school and at home. He is always diligent in carrying out his chores at home and his work at school. His teacher is constantly marveling at his effort and behavior which is gaining him much success in his education. We are all very proud of this very self-disciplined and mature little man!
We are convinced that karate is having a positive influence on him and for that we are very grateful both to you and this great martial art which you have chosen to dedicate your career to teach.
My children started karate in September 2001. My son Joshua was a shy and insecure seven-year-old boy who struggled in school. Since Joshua has been training at the school, he has become much more confidant. The “I Can do it myself” program has motivated him to become a great help at home with his chores.
When Josh started this program, he was reading at a level 3. For a grade 2 student, that’s a poor rating. As part of his “I Can” program, we started reading every night. I have never seen him so excited about anything like he is about doing well at karate school. I can proudly say that in a few months, his karate training has helped him improve to a reading level of 18. This is a tremendous change.
His improvements at school and his success at karate have resulted in his invitation to the Black Belt Club, which we consider a great honour.
I would just like to say that helping children to succeed is the greatest thing you can do for them. Thank you to Sensei Scott Bullard and his team of instructors and staff for their great support in helping my son to succeed.
We just wanted to write to let you know that since our daughter, Alisa, has started Karate, we have seen improvements in her.
When Alisa began Karate, we had two main objectives in mind for her. The first one being physical fitness/weight control. Alisa has had issues pertaining to her “bad knees”. She would frequently collapse because her knees would just give out on her in the middle of running or playing. The second objective was self confidence. Alisa has tried playing soccer and skating and simply did not seem to enjoy them at all. When she asked us if she could learn karate, we were pleased and eager to sign her up.
She is always ready for class and does not put up a fuss to attend. She really enjoys Karate, and we have seen the benefits from it. Her thigh muscles are strengthening, relieving the pressure on her knees. Her knees do not seem to bother her nearly half as much.
Having an extra-curricular activity different from those of her siblings, I think, makes it that much more special to her. Alisa seems more confident and happier. She is improving with her responsibilities at school and at home.
She is so very excited to have joined the “Black Belt Club” and I have never seen her so determined to achieve something like that she is to achieve her Black Belt.
We are very proud of her and her accomplishments thus far, more importantly, she is very proud of herself.
Thank-you
Tony & Sonia Cipressi, parents
I registered my daughter at your Woodbridge location immediately following her 5th birthday, her first class was in September. Prior to this, she had been asking to take Karate lessons and I told her she had to wait till her 5th birthday. She takes the Novice classes on Tuesday class with Sempai Steve.
I felt it was necessary to let you know how Sempai Steve and the classes have had an impact on my daughter Dalia. Her level of concentration in the class surprises me as well as how her balance and coordination have improved. (She is a normal, busy 5 year old, but I've noticed continued development and improvement in these areas) When we discuss her classes at home, her confidence is obvious. She is willing to demonstrate a proper punch, kick or stance for anyone who asks.
After having some conversation with Rose and Sempai Steve this past weekend, they have recommended that when her 20 Novice lessons are finished, she move up to the White Belt level. I explained this to Dalia and she was delighted with herself and even more happy that she will continue her lessons with Sempai.
I am looking forward watching her continued growth and development as a student of Canada's Best Karate.
As we have grown together with our kids over the past few years, my wife and I became increasingly aware of the constraint of time. It takes time to accomplish goals and a quality lifestyle for the family, the same time that rapidly transforms babies into adults with no turning back. We recognized the need to use our time wisely and to prioritize the activities that were important to our long term well being as a family.
Physical exercise was sorely lacking and we strongly felt that the kids needed more contact time with us to fine tune the values we want to instill in them – discipline, high energy fun and purpose orientation. CBK offered us a structured family program where we could work together towards a medium term challenging goal, learn transferable skills that would reinforce our values and have a ton of fun in the process at least twice a week.
Our experience so far has been great! Everyone is enthusiastic about coming to the dojo and we have never once had to remind the kids to get ready for training in almost two years. Our physical condition is much better than it has been in many years while the time spent together in focused training has drawn our family unit more tightly together. Importantly, the disciplines we are learning are transferring into other domains such as education, where the kids have assumed a more deliberate approach to setting goals and practicing exercises to achieve them.
We are thankful to Sensei Scott for the opportunity and our aim is to continue to progress together.
Thank you for taking the time to talk to us on such a busy day. Franco was so excited when he received your letter about the Instructor Program and, well, after the meeting on there was no choice in the matter. He is passionate about wanting to become an instructor at CBK.
Given that Franco has always demonstrated dedication and commitment to what he does - school, karate (black belt), swimming (bronze medallion), hockey (goalie), piano and to his family and friends - we recognize he considers CBK as part of his foundation in helping his achieve his goals.
CBK is his home away from home, like a special club with a great environment of friendly staff and lots of opportunities to make new friends and help other students. When he was four and half years old we registered him at CBK, hoping it would help in his self confidence, communication skills and in making new friends. And the exercise factor and self-defence was always important, too.
Canada's Best Karate far exceeded our expectations in how much it has helped Franco. He was never shy around family but when he started grade school he was different: quiet, shy, not too happy about going on stage at school. We knew we needed to get him enrolled in karate. CBK was our choice and we have never looked back since.
There were so many moments that Franco demonstrated his new found confidence that karate gave him, but the first one I hold so dear to my heart was the Grade One Talent Show when Franco performed his kata alone on stage in front of the whole school; even the teachers were in awe of how far he had progressed in his social and confidence skills! Given at the time we could only bring Franco once a week to karate, he managed to learn the long white belt kata and impressed the audience by his performance. We were asking ourselves “Is that really our son up there on the stage?”
By orange belt we were introduced to the Black Belt Club Program, which encouraged us to bring Franco more to karate at least three times a week. He loved setting goals and working towards those stripes and belts, never giving up. He trained until he succeeded with all the encouragement and support from the staff and students at CBK.
Franco gained so many valuable lessons in self defence and knowledge of how to handle a situation i.e. bullying. Yes, believe it or not there was a bully situation, a boy who picked on quite a few students, but Franco knew how to handle it and that situation went away quickly for him thanks to the skills taught at CBK.
We really appreciated the pep talks and extra help from the instructors when things got tough i.e. at blue belt and later on training for the black belt test and of course the physical conditioning test.
Oh, I will never forget his first run of six laps and the look on his face when his time was 18 minutes and his thoughts went to the student creed: "I will train ‘til I succeed" and we all watched as his time improved until we heard him say "Now I believe I can do it!!" We will always cherish that moment seeing our son truly believing in himself.
In June 2009 Franco received his junior black belt. We were proud parents that day and yes, there were some tears of joy shed. Franco slept in his new belt all night. He wouldn't take that belt off after Sensei put it on him. That belt was worn with a lot of pride.
Franco would not be the confident, determined, respectful person and honour student he is today without karate at CBK. He so enjoys the classes and all the special events CBK puts on, from the tournaments, Halloween parties, movie days, bring a friend days and of course the famous CBK picnic at Boyd Park. You and your staff are all great sports and the students and their families love it. Great environment!!!!!
We have really enjoyed the journey Canada's Best Karate has taken our son on and we look forward to Franco's next commitment at CBK to becoming an instructor.
Thank you for giving our son this opportunity. We are confident it he will find it very rewarding and help him progress to his goals.
Yours sincerely
Mario and Donna Spinelli, parents
Dear Sensei,
My wife and I are at a loss for words to describe the feelings we experienced this weekend at the dojo. From now on, whenever we enter the Dojo, it will be with a completely different outlook and emotions. What we saw in terms of support from your black belt students, as well as your Sempais and yourself, was very motivating and touching.
Anthony endured and experienced something this past weekend he will remember for the rest of his life! He carried his black belt with him for the remainder of the day yesterday and actually slept with it last night!
The last moments of yesterday's training were the most emotional moments my wife, myself and Anthony ever experienced since Anthony started with Canada's Best Karate in 2001. Seeing all the students in their final moments before getting their black belts, in sweat and tears, and surrounded by their fellow black belts and yourself as well as Shihan Mueller and Sensei Leigh will live in our memories forever!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at CBK for all the extra effort they put into everything they do. As a business owner myself, I know and recognize how important attention to detail is, and CBK shows it well. I have often heard the staff at CBK refer to the students as family and I couldn’t believe how true that made us feel when I received a greeting card in the mail from the staff when I had broken my ankle.
Matthew absolutely loves Karate and after his first belt ceremony he was hooked. He likes the fitness, the techniques and the fun he has in learning. He knows that karate is an individual effort and whether he succeeds or not is up to him. (The same is true in life). Karate has definitely increased his confidence reflecting positively in the other things he does.
Matthew’s Karate has proven to be a positive influence for the whole family. His little brother who is almost three can count to ten in Japanese. He watches Matthew practicing and he try’s to copy him. He tries to punch, kick and shouts ‘Stop Stranger’. The free Stranger Danger workshops you provide for child safety are great. Another example of how CBK cares.
Thanks for all the little extra things you do. They show and make a difference.
Joe & Anna Chiappetta, parents
Hi Sensei Bullard,
I would like to take this time to thank you for opening a Karate School that embodies the respect and most fundamental principles of the Martial Arts as I know it.
I am glad I finally stepped into your Dojo. Since my eldest son, Joseph, was born about seven years ago, I have been searching for a Karate School that would give both of my sons the best in Martial Arts training that they can get. After searching for many years, I have finally found the best.
Since the day I enrolled Joseph and Nicholas, I have known that the name, Canada’s Best Karate, is not only a name, but it is the embodiment of this establishment. It is proven by example that is set forth by the staff and students. I am so pleased to see the changes in Joseph. He even volunteers to help his brother in his tot class. Words expressed in any form cannot convey my appreciation appropriately.
