Deasy School Students Defeat the Bully without Fighting

Glen Cove, New York, January 13, 2016 – Principal Ken Craft invited GMA Martial Arts & Life Skills, located at 275 Glen Street in Glen Cove, to deliver two assemblies to the 300 Kindergarteners through Second graders who attend Deasy Elementary School in Glen Cove. Though the martial arts is frequently viewed as a physical endeavor, Sensei Hender Alvarado and Sensei Andrew Goldberg gave the students a mental workout by teaching them effective strategies for “Conflict Avoidance” through the valuable character developing lessons of the martial arts. Topics included “Strong Body, Strong Mind,” “The Slight Edge Principal,” “The Anti-Bullying Pledge,” and “The Courage to be an Upstander.”

The assembly began with an interactive discussion of the many life-skills that martial arts training develops. Select students were then invited up in front of their classmates to role-play various tactics to deal with bullying. “Since I was bullied as a child and understand the emotional and sometimes physical pain that bullying causes, I really wanted to teach the students some strategies that they can start using immediately,” remarked Sensei Andrew. The assembly culminated with Principal Craft wowing the students by dramatically performing a wooden board break in front of the student body. “Principal Craft, the teachers, and the students were very hospitable and we look forward to continuing to partner with Deasy Elementary School and other schools in our community to enrich the educational environment,” said Sensei Hender, owner of the karate school.

About GMA Karate & Kickboxing:

GMA Karate teaches children and teens discipline, increases confidence, and improves physical fitness and self-defense skills through the martial arts. Their iLoveKickboxing.com program allows adults to burn fat and tone muscle in a fun, family-oriented environment. For more information, contact GMA at: 516-801-2622, www.GMAmartialarts.com, or www.iLoveKickboxing.com.