Classroom Etiquette
Written by Grandmaster Caprio

As a school grows quickly and the classes get fuller, it is very important that each student follow proper etiquette as far as respect and cleanliness. A few etiquette guidelines are listed below: 

For the safety of the all the students, there are few guidelines that should be followed.  For example, it should be forbidden to chew gum, eat candy, or eat anything during any of the classes. Jewelry can not only injure the person that is wearing it, but also other students.  Therefore, all jewelry and other valuables should be left at home, or locked up at the school.  Finger and toenails should also be trimmed in order to prevent a broken nail.  Ask anyone that has had a mat pushed into a long toe nail what the result was.  Any cuts or scratches should also be properly bandaged.  If the bandage falls off due to perspiration, throw it out in a garbage can and replace it as soon as possible.  Treat yourself and your fellow students with respect.

 Of course the most important and the most obvious rule of thumb would be personal hygiene.  Physical training in the martial arts makes many students sweat.  Please make sure measures are taken to eliminate as much offensive odor as possible.  The use of anti-persperant\deodorant is self explanatory.  To start with, you should always come to every class with clean underwear, clean towels, and a clean Gi or uniform.  You should bring your own towel so you do not sweat on the other students or on any of the equipment you may be using, such as the practice gear, mats, etc.  These rules should be strictly followed even if it means washing these articles by yourself by hand.

Martial arts training equipment that you use should be wiped down and put back in it's proper place after you are through using it.  This way the equipment will be where it should be and clean for the next student who wishes to use it.

If you are sick or feel that you might be coming down with something, please use your best judgment and common sense and stay home. It is very easy to make up a class or two and spare your classmates a trip to the doctor as well. A good tip, in class as well as in your daily life, is to wash your hands often. Germs are easily spread through casual contact. 

Try to arrive at the school with enough time to change and stretch a little.  It is very distracting to the other students if people are entering the class at different times.  We all realize that sometimes being late cannot be avoided.  If you do arrive late to class, stand at the door and wait for the instructor to acknowledge you and then ask permission to enter the class.  If the instructor permits you to enter, bow to the instructor (or whatever is the appropriate protocol for your school or system), then quietly go to the back of the classroom.  Walk close to the walls so as to avoid stepping around or over any students.

    If all students follow the same guidelines, it will make working out at their school all that much nicer.  Just as in your school, the relationship between all of the members of The Caprio Academy for Martial Arts is that of a family.  Grand Master Caprio, the instructors, other students and the school itself should be treated with the same respect that we would treat ourselves, our own family, and our own home.