Taekwondo Classes Making a Difference at CHSD170

There was a time, not so very long ago, when a school day was filled only with Reading, Writing, Math, perhaps a foreign language, and occasional arts or career-preparatory classes.

Today, however, Chicago Heights School District 170 is offering another area of study for a select group of students.

Students of the district’s STEM Academy, the REACH initiative (the district’s alternative educational environment), and select seventh and eighth grade students from Washington School currently are taking classes in Taekwondo, a Korean martial art that was developed during the mid-20th Century.

The aim of the classes is to instill in the students levels of self-confidence, poise, composure, and physical preparedness that will be beneficial both at school, and in the world at large.

The classes are taught by Fatima Sayyad, a black belt in Taekwondo and other martial arts, who conducts the program under the auspices of her 1st U. S. Team Sayyad in Bridgeview, Illinois.

“I am very happy with the progress that all of the students have been making,” she said, “and particularly with the students from the REACH program.”

“Those students, who came to REACH because of behavioral concerns at their home schools, have especially embraced the training’s cornerstones of self-discipline, leadership and respect.”

Taekwondo is characterized by an emphasis on head-high kicks, jumping and spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques. This emphasis on speed and agility is a defining characteristic of Taekwondo, one of only two martial arts recognized as an Olympic sport.

The students’ studies incorporate studying the history of Taekwondo, and exercises including stretching, breaking boards, kicking targets, and self-defense techniques.

“We were looking for a course of study that would enhance the capabilities of our students in a variety of ways,” said SD170 Superintendent Tom Amadio. “After researching the matter, it was decided that affording our students lessons in Taekwondo would enhance both academic and personal growth.”

“Through the Taekwondo regimen students are able to discover, develop, and enhance their skills of self-discipline, leadership, and athletic ability while improving their self-esteem,” Amadio noted.

The students from Washington School are piloting the study of Taekwondo in the hope of expanding the program as an offering for students district wide.

Teachers and administrators have praised the Taekwondo classes as having been effective in challenging students’ mental and physical talents. They agree that the training has helped many to realize that they possess special abilities and skills of which they were unaware before participating in this innovative program.