Pine Grove Students Learn the Art of Self Defense

There were plenty of kicks and punches in the Pine Grove Elementary School on Friday afternoon, but it was all in good fun.

Children at the school were wrapping up the last day of Break Free from TV Week in the Avon school district, which spanned April 29 to May 6, with a martial arts demonstration after school. 

Emphasizing control, self confidence and discipline, the class was led by Jocelyn and Jason Eaves of J&J Christian Pent-Sho Do. The pair teaches at the Wheeler YMCA in Plainville. 

“They are learning self control and basically being obedient,” Joselyn said. “And there is a confidence factor that comes with that.”

Joselyn said they teach Christian-based martial arts, and emphasize to the children that self defense should only be used when needed. 

This is the third year that Jason and Joselyn have come to Avon and given the demonstration to the kindergarten through fourth-graders. 

“It’s been very, very good,” Jason said of the children’s involvement. “It’s fun for them.”

The children were instructed on how to block, do a forward and back kick, punch and roll from the ground, and then how to combine the various techniques into one swift movement.

“Can you do it all together?” Jason asked the group of just over 10 children, which of course prompted an intense "yes" from the group.    

Children’s author Matt Novak visited the previous Friday for the start of Break Free from TV Week. A family picnic and scavenger hunt culminated the week this Friday evening, PTO member Carolyn Kimball said.

The week emphasized breaking away from electronic entertainment, and students were given the option of signing their names, to be placed on a bulletin board at the front of the school, signaling they had make the week-long pledge. Tacking up the papers on the bulletin board, Kimball said, shows the students that they’re not alone. 

“The majority of the school pledged to do it,” she said. 

To help get the children’s minds off not being able to watch TV, various events were held all week long, Kimball said. From origami and beading to dodgeball and a bike ride with the principal, there were plenty of activities for the children to choose from. Kimball said a group of volunteers puts the all of the events together each year. 

Among the favorites, Kimball said, are dodge ball and the martial arts demonstration, which she said always have a waiting list. 

“We found that we offer arts and crafts, outdoor and physical activities, and it just seems like the really physical activities fill up fast,” she said.

And, in keeping with the theme of getting the children outside and away from the TV, Kimball said the physical activities are great for the kids and get them moving. 

“It’s the original idea of TV turn off week -- get the kids outside, especially this time of year,” Kimball said.