Keeping Children Safe Afterschool with Kung-Fu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 17, 2004 -- El Cerrito, CA � Parents are in the middle of a crisis. The streets are riddled with fiercely hurried people, fast cars, and even gun-fire. So, what happens to kids in the dangerous gap of time between school dismissal and the parents� arrival home -- 3 hours later?

�Children are at a much greater risk of being the victim of a violent crime (murder, a violent sex offense, robbery, or assault) after the school day, roughly 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.�
�Chung, An-Me: Keeping Children Safe & Smart. Wash., DC: U.S. Dept of Educ., 2000�

The solution . . .an after school program that picks the children up from school, a program that has a generous and flexible pick-up time, provides homework assistance, has leadership/teamwork training, offer fun activities and a daily Kung-Fu lesson. You heard right, Kung Fu . . . as in martial arts.

Parents can find all this at Kung Fu USA Afterschool Program, located at 10557 San Pablo Ave. in El Cerrito, for kids 5 years and up, Monday thru Friday from 2PM to 6PM. The program is run by Sifu Toshgian (Tosh) Stone, Owner & Head Instructor.

�They don�t just do Kung-Fu here, they have lots of fun activities that keep my kids excited,� states Rosalind Welch, mother of three -- ages 10, 7 & 5 -- currently enrolled in the program, �In fact, my kids insist that they can�t miss one day-- they start kicking and screaming if you even suggest missing one session. It�s amazing.�

�We�re their extended family,� Sifu Tosh says in response, �their second home. Children should be delighted to come home each day. We make sure that this is what they experience here.�

The program . . .Students are picked up from school in the Richmond/El Cerrito area, upon arrival they reverently bow at the entrance, they change into traditional Chinese Kung Fu Uniforms and quietly greet their instructors respectfully before beginning homework. After homework, the children embark on several teamwork/leadership exercises. Lastly, they are given a full Kung-Fu lesson. Before dismissal the children are given respectful words of encouragement from Sifu Tosh.

The instructors Sifu Tosh (awarded East Bay Guardian�s Best Martial Arts Instructor in 2003) and his assistant Sufi Tenoch Cebreros (a trained child-care professional), emphasizes teamwork, discipline, control and respect in a nurturing yet challenging environment.

�We are not here to house kids, hold them or store them until the parents get off work.� Sifu Tosh Stone emphasizes, �This program is a conscious effort to make kids better people through discipline, physical movement, thoughtful contemplation and achievement."

The details . . .Kung Fu USA emphasizes 8-Step Mantis Style Kung-Fu. Students receive internationally recognized grading & certification.

Pricing schedules and family discounts are available. Parents interested in more information or wish to enroll their children in the after school program, should contact Sifu Tosh Stone at (510) 558-9528.

# # #