Grand Rapids

Gymnastics Academy

“Building confidence, self-esteem and leadership skills through dance and gymnastics instruction in a safe and positive atmosphere.”

September 2007 Newsletter

Mark your calendars! GRGA will be hosting their first ever USAG competition on Saturday, November 10^th. Levels 4, 5 and 6 will be participating in this special event.

Over 150 gymnasts from 5 clubs are expected to attend the LSGA Championship to be held at Grand Rapids High School. LSGA stands for Lake Superior Gymnastics Association. Four clubs from Northern MN and WI along with GRGA make up the LSGA.

The Holiday Show is GRGA’s annual showcase for all dancers and gymnasts. New this year, GRGA will be separating dance and gymnastics into two events. More information regarding dates, times and costume orders will be available in the October/November newsletter.

This year, the $15 renewal fee is being collected in September. If you joined GRGA prior to January 1^st of this year, please submit your renewal fee with September tuition.

Through hard work and dedication, fifty students have earned the right to compete on the GRGA competitive team. We are looking forward to another successful season and we want to welcome our new members to the competitive team: Dani DelGreco, Felicia Furlong, Rachel Hopkins, Bailey Tillman, Mariah Stojevich, Nora Watland, Breaunna Thompson, Brittanie Topper, Brooke Justus, Morgan Justus, Abbey Marinucci, Mia Rudeck, Hannah Rudeck.

Missed Classes: each child is allowed two make-up classes per session when GRGA is notified of the missed class in advance. Make-up classes may only be made up through Sunday night open gym. All make-ups should be made up during the same session as the class missed. If your student will miss class during the last week of a session, make-ups may be done the following session. GRGA will not pro-rate for missed classes.

Payments: class tuition is due on the first day of class for each 4-week session. GRGA offers discounts when paying for multiple months, 3 months – 10%, 6 months – 15% and 12 months – 20%. Also, GRGA offers a 20% discount to the second child of each family in dance or gymnastics.

GRGA is affiliated with USA Gymnastics, the national governing board for the sport in the United States. USAG is responsible for selecting the Olympic squad every four years. USAG follows a level system, one through ten, that sets forth specific requirements to ensure gymnastics skills are taught in progressions. This provides a safe and nurturing environment for those involved in the sport. Check out the USAG website to learn more about the program:

Open gym will be held at 7:15 PM on Sunday evenings this fall. Open gym is for current gymnastics members ages six and up. This is an excellent opportunity for children to get extra gym time. Also, open gym is the only method available for gymnasts needing to make up a missed class.

Open gym will not be held every Sunday. Please see the calendar in the lobby or the Dates to Know on this newsletter.

The upstairs viewing area is set up for comfortable parent viewing. We have found that we have had improved productivity in classes by having the viewing area located separately from the training area. Also, the students have improved focus on the instructor and lessons. In addition, parents have the ability to come and go and socialize with other families. Since, there is limited seating, we ask that people please respect each other’s comfort and right to observe their child participating. We also ask that parents please help us by limiting eating to the cafeteria table supplied. Please do not allow children to eat in the television room, lobby or locker room. Lastly, we do not allow parents to gesture to the students or tap on the glass. This can create a safety issue and distract the children in class. Thank you very much for your support as we continue to develop an all-around program for the benefit of children in our community.

New this fall, GRGA is handing out a welcome packet to all new members. If you have just joined GRGA in September, please see the front desk for a welcome packet.