TMAA Virtual Dojang is scheduled to go live Monday, March 23rd. We will update details on this page as we get closer to launch, so keep checking back for the latest news!
March 17, 2020
News regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly changing, and we at TMAA are working to be responsive to official/scientific recommendations. AISD announced that they are closing schools until April 3rd and have made it clear that they are preparing for being closed until at least May 1st. As we have stated previously, we are looking to AISD policy to inform our decisions about whether or not to stay open. Our primary concern, always, is the well-being and health of our students and their families, so we will also be closing as well.
The TMAA staff is cutting our Spring Break short in order to respond to these unexpected events. Though the physical Dojang will be closed, we are working to continue to provide instruction for our students online. Our goal is to have a Virtual Dojang up and running starting next Monday (3/23). We recognize that you are likely stuck at home, and we will be creating video content that can help you (or your child) continue to progress as a martial artist.
I will be sending updates between now and when we launch so that you can know what to expect and when to expect it.
I appreciate your patience with this disorienting turn of events. We recognize that for many, this is a very frightening time. The science that we are seeing makes it clear that the biggest threat of the coronavirus is not so much whether or not people get it, because its spread seems almost inevitable at this point. Instead, the threat comes from whether or not its spread is managed in such a way that our healthcare system can keep up with it. This suggests that doing what we can to limit social spreading is wise, but that panic is unnecessary (and likely unhelpful). So we feel that closing the physical Dojang is a positive move to this end.
As we get our Virtual Dojang up and running, please give us feedback. Once it is live, you’ll be able to post comments on each lesson, and we will be responsive. You can also contact us directly via email. This update was sent to all our students via email. You can find staff email addresses in that message.
March 12, 2020
Our primary concern as an institution is the growth, health and well-being of our students. We are not inclined towards panic, but we do recognize that current indications regarding the seriousness of COVID19 are concerning and worthy of caution. Our impulse is to have our response be as science-driven as possible. Because the information coming from the federal government at this stage is muddled at best, misleading at worst, we are instituting the following practical policies:
- Students showing signs of respiratory illness and/or fever will be asked to stay home. For special events (such as testing) that are impacted, we will offer make-ups.
- While in the Dojang, students and families
should follow these CDC recommendations:
- Avoid close contact with individuals showing signs of illness. If you see someone who seems sick, please let a staff member know.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth without first washing your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Please limit your use of the hand sanitizer that is available in the Dojang. What is out for your use represents our total stock and we are uncertain when more will be available.
- Students will be required to wash their hands before stepping onto the training floor. Please put on your uniform and then wash your hands.
- If you are the parent or guardian of a child student, please consider dropping your child off rather than staying to watch class. You are always welcome to watch class, but the fewer people are in the building at a given time, the less likely transmission is.
- The TMAA staff will clean commonly used surfaces regularly. If you have concerns about a particular area or surface, please inform a staff member.
- Martial arts training requires physical contact with others. If this is a concern for you or your child, you can opt out of this aspect of training. You or your child will be assigned alternative material to work on during class.
As the quality of scientifically clear information is released, we will modify our policies as needed. Currently, we plan to follow AISD’s closure policies.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding TMAA policy and COVID19, please talk to a staff member.
