Register For Maspeth School’s February Events
Martin Luther School (MLS) in Maspeth will open its doors at 60-02 Maspeth Ave. next month for an open house, a performance of classic fables and self-defense classes for women.
Students currently in grades five through seven are invited to visit Martin Luther School’s open house on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Teachers and administrators will be on hand to answer questions about academic, athletic and extracurricular programs, admission procedures, available modes of transportation and tuition and fees.
Guided tours will be offered to parents and students, giving all the opportunity to see the school’s newly-renovated, state-of-the-art science classrooms and conservatory, fitness center, computer lab and library. Current MLS students will be leading the tours of the facilities, offering a first-hand view on student life and activities.
“We’re excited at the prospect of broadening our mission to include the operation of a program for students in grades six, seven and eight,” said Head of School Randal Gast. “Our middle school program, just like that offered to our high school students, provides a Christ-centered education which maintains a culture of student success and a commitment to high expectations for all students. Our middle school students have the opportunity to participate in music, art and athletics, in addition to the challenging academic program, which includes robotics, technology and science.”
* * *
Martin Luther School’s Fine Arts Department Drama Club and Thespian Troupe 980 invite all to their presentation of “Fables from Around the World” on Friday, Feb. 3. This one-night-only performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria.
“Fables from Around the World” consists of three short plays. “The Princess and the Herd Boy” is a Japanese Folk Tale by which the ancient Japanese people explained the movement they saw of the stars Vega and Altair in the night sky. Sound effects and actions help tell this tale.
“Pepe and the Cornfield Bandit” is a Mexican fable about a family and their search to discover who is stealing their corn. With the help of a magical toad, they find the bandit and learn that not everything is what it seems to be.
Finally, “The Trolls of Glittertop Mountain” is a compilation of Norwegian folk tales. Gunnar’s bad behavior causes his parents and teacher to try the last resort to make him be good by sending him to the trolls. The trolls try various things to scare Gunnar, but it takes the clever trollgirl Hulda to make Gunnar see what is right.
Admission to this event is free; a free-will donation will be collected.
* * *
Martin Luther School has teamed up with Fearless Fighting Females to offer a series of self-defense and empowerment workshops for women of all ages on Saturday, Feb. 11. The series of seminars will be taught by Evon Reyes, a certified self-defense instructor.
This program for the average woman teaches the six basic principles of self-defense and moves that take advantage of a woman’s strengths to fight off an attacker. Women will learn methods for reallife scenarios that are easy to use and retain.
Each class is specifically designed with the students in mind, from eightyear old girls to women in their 80s.
The first seminar, titled “Silver Foxes,” will be held from 10 a.m. until noon and is a program geared for ladies over 50. Reyes will teach participants how to defend themselves if someone grabs them from behind or front, how to easily get out of a wrist grab and other methods to stay safe.
From 1 to 3 p.m., Reyes will hold a “Pre-teens and Moms” class for girls between eight and 12 years old and their mothers. Reyes will teach young ladies how to reduce their chances of becoming a target and how to handle themselves in uncomfortable situations.
Then from 4 to 6 p.m., Reyes will offer a “Teens and Moms” seminar for females between 13 and 20 years of age and their mothers. The instructor will teach the six basic principles of self-defense as well as how to defend one’s self in realistic scenarios, such as being pressed against a wall, attacked from behind or being choked from behind.
Finally, the school will host a “Girls Night Out” seminar from 7 to 9 p.m. for women 21 years of age and older. In this session, participants will learn how to fight back if they are being choked, how to defend against hits and what to do if they are confronted by a potential rapist.
Reyes is the founder of Fearless Fighting Females and a certified women’s self-defense instructor of the “Fight Like a Girl” and “Girls on Guard” programs. She is a black belt under Guro Sonny Mayo of the Doce Pares Filipino Martial Arts system.
Space is limited for these self-defense programs and a reservation is required; an admission fee is charged per person, per workshop.
For more information about these programs, to receive an application packet or to reserve a spot in the selfdefense workshops, call 1-718-894- 4000 or send an e-mail to info@martinluthernyc.org.
