Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response

 

07.17.2020

We are pleased to announce that we have finally made our way through the 125 requirements that the state places upon us for resuming classes indoors and are ready to move forward. As we announce this, we recognize that the science is clear that outdoor classes are safer for all. With that in mind, classes will continue to be outdoors, but starting this Monday, July 20, we will be able to hold classes indoor when it rains instead of canceling them.

In order to do this, we want you to be aware of the steps we are taking to ensure our classes are as safe as reasonably possible for all who participate. The steps we are taking:

Masks

    • As with all businesses, masks are required within the dojo.
    • However, the state makes an exception for those engaged in exercise, so students are not required to be masked for class.
    • When indoors, all instructors will be masked unless they are actively participating in the exercise of the class, e.g., kickboxing.

Social Distancing

    • Students are required to maintain 14’ of separation from anyone else when in class. We have marked the floor with white marks to make this distancing easier. This limits indoor classes to no more than 9 participants.
    • No non-participants are allowed in the building, except in the following circumstances:
      • One at a time to use the bathroom.
      • One at a time in the office to speak with Sensei Per.
    • The standard 6’ rule applies to all non-exercise situations.
    • To allow for social distancing, students should not enter the dojo any earlier than 5 minutes before their class begins to allow the previous class time to exit.

Hand Hygiene

    • All students and instructors are encouraged to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before each class. Hand sanitizer will be available near the door as you enter.

Screening

    • Any student or instructor who has experienced, or been exposed to anyone who has experienced, any symptom of COVID-19 within the previous 3 days is required to not attend class.
    • Any student or instructor exhibiting any symptom will be required to leave.
    • The symptoms to watch for are: fever, cough, shortness of breath, and a sore throat.

Disinfecting

    • All regularly used surfaces (bathrooms, door handles, etc.) will be disinfected whenever there are indoor classes.
    • The state requires the floor to be disinfected after every class. Our research indicates that it is not possible to disinfect carpeting, but that vacuuming does help, so the floor will be vacuumed every day on which there are indoor classes.

Other steps

    • We will do everything we can to maximize outdoor airflow through the dojo.
    • There will be no shared use of equipment (weapons, pads, etc.). Any equipment used will be disinfected.
    • The water fountain will be turned off.

Thank you for walking with us through this difficult and trying time. We know the coronavirus has disrupted your lives in many ways, some far more than karate or fitness classes. We deeply appreciate your patience with us as we navigate the complicated reality of these days.

05.29.2020

The response to our reopening has been amazing. Because of that we are adding four additional classes to our schedule:

Tuesday 4:00-4:45    Up to Kihon Kata

Thursday 4:00-4:45  Kihon to Wansu

Friday 5:00-5:45  Kihon to Wansu

Friday 6:00-6:45  Up to Kihon Kata

05.25.2020

Plan for Reopening Pelletier’s Karate Academy
Friends,
Thank you for bearing with us in this chaotic and uncertain time. Earlier this week on the night before the state was to release the guidelines we would need to follow to reopen as of June 1, they changed course and delayed all gyms and fitness centers from reopening. They are currently saying that a new date for reopening will be announced sometime in June. However, we are allowed to conduct outdoor classes of fewer than 10 people and 1-on-1 instruction. So, here is our plan under the current restrictions.
KARATE
As of June 1:
  • Online classes: We will continue having online classes each morning. You may join live via Zoom or access them at any time later via our website (https://pelletierskarate.com). Monday and Wednesday will be for students up to Kihon kata. Tuesday and Thursday will be for students with Kihon kata on up. The focus of the online classes will be drills and getting in some physical activity. Students may do as many online classes as they desire.
  • Outdoor classes: We will have two in-person classes in the parking lot of the dojo each day Monday-Thursday. These classes are limited to 10 students and so you must sign up with Sensei Per (dojo@pelletierskarate.com) prior to attending class. Once you have paid, he will follow up with you regarding which classes you want to attend. Because of the state’s limit on the number of students in each class, each student is limited to two classes in-person classes each week. Obviously with these being outdoor classes, they are weather dependent. When you sign up for a class, Sensei Per will get a number to text if the class will be cancelled due to weather.
  • 1-on-1 instruction: each student will be able to schedule one 1-on-1 session with a Sensei each month. Given the large number of students and the focused nature of the work, these sessions will be 30 minutes long. To do so, contact Sensei Per and he will work with you to schedule a time. Additionally 30 minute 1-on-1 sessions with a sensei are available for $20 each. Contact Sensei Per to make schedule these.
  • You will notice some adjustments made to the pandemic. We will observe social distancing and maintain the recommended larger distances than six feet due to the more forceful breathing that physical activity brings. We will not be practicing sparring or self-defense in this time, though we will seek to incorporate in-air drills for some of the skills.
With the return of in-person classes we will be returning to our normal fees for classes. These bring you access to all three levels of classes: unlimited online classes, 2x/week outdoor classes, and a 1-on-1 session.
The weekly schedule:
Mon  5:00-5:45 up to Kihon kata
Mon  6:00-6:45 Bo
Tue.  5:00-5:45 Kihon to Wansu
Tue.  6:00-6:45 Wansu on up
Wed 5:00-5:45 up to Kihon kata
Wed 6:00-6:45 Sai and Tonfa
Thu   5:00-5:45 Wansu on up
Thu.  6:00-6:45 Kihon to Wansu
FITNESS
Unfortunately, the bags are difficult to move outside and the yoga trapezes have nothing to be hung from outdoors. Fitness classes will continue online for the time being. The cost for the fitness will remain at the reduced $35/mo because of this.
THE FUTURE
Our plan is to return to more normal classes as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the timing of when we are able to do so is not ours to determine; it is up to the state. As soon as they allow it and have released the guidelines we will need to follow, we will let you know and share our plans.
In the meantime, we continue to learn how to better live and serve you according to the shifting standards that the state releases. We appreciate your patience and grace as things sometimes change daily. We will, of course, be constantly evaluating what we do and seeking to adjust to best serve you, our friends and students.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us.
The website will be updated to reflect all of this in the next few days.
Your Senseis,
Shihan Sadie Landry, Deshi Sensei Matt Vattaso, & Dai Senpai Per Almquist

 

18 March 2020

We are closed indefinitely for the coronavirus. There are no classes.

With today’s executive order by Gov. Mills, all gatherings over ten people are prohibited in Maine. We will be reopening the dojo once the order has been lifted. Until then, we hope to be posting videos on our Facebook page for you to use to practice and work out at home.

17 March 2020

For Wednesday (03.18) and Thursday (03.19) we will be holding one kids class only at 5:30. Adult class and fitness (kickboxing and yoga) will be as normal. Thus the schedule for both days is:

Kids & Little Ninjas –– 5:30
Adult karate –– 6:30
kickboxing (Wed) or yoga (Thu) –– 7:30

15 March 2020

This past week has seen momentous change in the circumstances of our community. In the face of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we at Pelletier’s Karate understand that we all have many questions regarding it all and its impact on each of our lives. So much is not known currently and what is known is constantly changing. The CDC as well as federal and local governments are monitoring the situation and are making recommendations for the general public and updating their guidelines almost daily. So we recognize we are going to need to be flexible and adjust as circumstances shift. We ask your patience and flexibility through this all.

The primary measures that are being urged on all during this pandemic are social distancing, hand washing, and responsible self-quarantining. These, then, form the basis of our response to the coronavirus.

Here is where we stand at this point in time:

  • We will continue to hold our regular classes.
  • We will not be conducting partner drills, including all self-defense, to avoid unnecessary contact.
  • We encourage all students to wash their hands with soap and water on arrival at the dojo and when they return home after class.
  • If you have any symptoms of the cold or flu (especially cough, fever, or shortness of breath), stay home! We will miss you, but ask you not to come until you are feeling better. Anyone in the dojo who exhibits such symptoms will be asked to excuse themselves from class out of concern for everyone else in this time.
  • The Self-Protection seminar scheduled for Saturdays in April is postponed. We will reevaluate for May as things progress and circumstances develop.