Grand Rapids Gymnastics Academy
“Building confidence, self-esteem and leadership skills through dance and gymnastics instruction in a safe and positive atmosphere.”
January/February 2007 Newsletter
Summer Schedule Survey
We want to hear from you! Please take a moment to fill out the attached survey in regard to the summer class schedule. GRGA will continue to attempt to offer a variety of class options to meet the varying scheduling needs of our member families. We will have a summer class schedule available by the end of March.
Gymnasts of the Month
Oskar Jenson – Parent/Tot
Molly McDowell – Level 2/3
Cassidy Brink – Pre-k
Dancer of the Month
Molly Waldham
Competitive Season
The Grand Rapids Gymnastics Academy’s competitive season is in full swing and the gymnasts have been having great success. Team GRGA has yet to leave a meet empty handed as every level has brought home trophies in every competition thus far! Congratulations to all of our gymnasts and keep up the hard work. Also, a special congratulations to our new pre-team gymnasts: Amanda Kuechle, Autumn Stokes, Ally Erickson, LaRae Karjala, Jessica Vedbraaten, Shyla Weston, Anna Cerar and Hannah Waldham. Our pre-team gymnasts will compete in their first meet on March 10th, which will be held in Superior.
Friday Night Open Gym
Open gym is now held every Friday from 6:30-7:30 PM. This is a great opportunity for gymnasts to get extra practice working on skills and concepts that have been introduced in class. Cost is $5 per gymnast. Gymnasts must be GRGA members and be at least five years old to attend. Please watch the calendar in the lobby for any canceled open gyms due to competitions or other events.
Weather Policy
As a reminder, GRGA will cancel classes if school is canceled due to inclement weather. A make-up option will always be given for classes missed in this case.
New Class Additions
In addition to the current classes listed on the Winter Schedule, GRGA is offering several new classes. A Level 1 class has been added on Thursday evenings from 7:15-8:10. Also, ballet classes will be offered on Mondays from 3:30-4:25 and Wednesdays from 3:15-4:10. Please let the office know if you are interested in switching into or adding any of these new offerings.
Payment Policies
GRGA offers several payment benefits to its members. When a family has more than one child enrolled, the lesser expensive classes receive a 20% discount. This discount is also available for adding an additional class for a single child, such as a dance class. Families paying for 3, 6 or 12 months at a time are also entitled to a discount. The discount for three months is 10%, six months is 15% and 12 months is 20%. Lastly, we ask that payments are made on or before the first class of each session. If you are planning to discontinue attending or taking a break from classes, please inform the information desk or leave us a note in the payment box.
USA Gymnastics and GRGA
Grand Rapids Gymnastics Academy is a member of USA Gymnastics (USAG). USAG is the national governing board for gymnastics in the United States and selects the United States Olympic teams.
In addition to USAG’s affiliation with the Olympics, 98% of collegiate gymnasts are a result of the USA Gymnastics system.
As a member of USAG, GRGA is provided guidelines for instructing gymnastics in a safe and progressive manner. Although USAG does produce the top gymnasts in the nation, the goal for each club is to also provide a fun, positive atmosphere for every child that attends class. Whether it’s a child’s goal to be the next Mary Lou Retton or to just have fun and get some exercise, gymnastics is a great foundation for other sports and life. Below are brief explanations of the levels of gymnastics used at GRGA.
Pre-K and Beginner
In these levels, children work on the fundamentals of gymnastics on the floor, vault, balance beam and uneven bars. Additional focuses of class in these levels are on following directions, body awareness, coordination and peer interaction.
USAG Levels 1 through 3
Levels 1-3 are for children with gymnastics experience that have accomplished the requirements for advancement set forth by USAG. Skill progressions are taught along with increased attention to form and technique, flexibility and physical conditioning.
Compulsory Levels 4 through 6
Level 4 is the first level which gymnasts can begin competing at gymnastics meets. Gymnasts in Levels 4 through 6 are required to perform identical routines on all four events. By performing the equivalent routines, gymnasts are taught skills correctly and stressed the importance of mastering skills before progressing to the next level. These “compulsory routines” are the same nationwide and gymnasts may advance when a required mobility score is met at a USAG sanctioned event.
Optional Levels 7 through 10
After qualifying from Level 4 through 6 and into Level 7, gymnasts are allowed to compete in “optionals”. Level 7 through 10 are referred to as optional due to the gymnast having the ability to select their own choreography and skills in their routines. Each level has heightened requirements with each progressing level.
Elite
This is the highest level a gymnast can achieve in the sport. “Elite” gymnasts can only come through USAG and must test into this level after completing Level 10. Very few gymnasts ever attain this high level honor. Elite gymnasts are the individuals that are representing our country at national and international competitions. Most college gymnasts are Levels 9, 10 and Elite. United States Olympian gymnasts are selected from the Elite Level.
Grand Rapids Gymnastics Academy
Summer Class Schedule Survey
We appreciate your assistance by filling out this quick survey. We would like to hear from you, our valued members, in order to build the best possible schedule for the summer of 2007. This survey is confidential and anonymous. If you do not plan on attending summer session, we still want to hear from you. Thank you, GRGA.
1. Is your child enrolled in Dance, Gymnastics or Both? Gymnastics Dance Both
2. Will you be attending classes at GRGA this coming summer? Yes No
3. If your child is in gymnastics, which level is your child? Circle all that apply.
Pre-K Beginner 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
4. What time of day would you prefer to attend classes during the summer?
Early AM Late AM Early afternoon Late afternoon Evening
5. What day of the week and time would be ideal for your family to attend GRGA?
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat ________ AM PM
6. If GRGA offered a Saturday AM class this summer, would you attend? Yes No
7. If your child currently attends a 55 minute class, would you be interested classes that run 1.5 or 2 hours? Yes No
Which would you prefer? 55 minutes 1.5 hours 2 hours
Exercise only Fun only To compete To perform at shows
9. If open gym is offered in summer time, would you attend regularly? Yes No
10. Open Gym: What day of the week and time of day would work best for your family?
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Time of day: ______ AM PM
Comments:
Please deposit this survey in the “survey box” located in the main lobby.