To encourage each child socially, physically, and emotionally.
To help them understand how wonderful and amazing they are.
To create an atmosphere of learning, fun, and achievement.
April 2009
ANA Newsletter March/April 2009
PARENT’S NIGHT OUT!! April 4! 4:30pm-8:30pm ANA offers a night of activities for your kids.Notice the new time!! From 4:30 to 8:30 pm we provide pizza, crafts, games, snacks and more!Call or Sign up at the front desk!Cost: $20/members; $25/non-members ($15 second child)
Spring Break! Spring Break is almost here, and since ANA Sports is open as usual, we have some special events planned!! Spring Break Open Gym—come and stay as long as you can! Cost:$5/hr-Members$6/hr-Friends
Dates:Wed., April 8 or Friday, April 10 Time:11:00am—1:00pm
TUMBLEBUGS Parents, As your child’s first and most important educator, you know how important movement is. Children learn to move and move to learn! Educational gymnastics provide the quintessential movement for children and is part of the foundation for all sport because it teaches children how to control their bodies. Movement education through gymnastics fosters a child’s growing development.Gymnastics builds the whole body! Jumping, tumbling and climbing develop leg strength, while parallel bars, rings, ropes and handstands develop upper-body strength. Supporting the body in inverted skills, as well as lifting and swinging the body also develops strength along with spatial and body awareness. Flexibility, agility, balance and coordination are achieved through stretching and moving the body through many gymnastic positions. We incorporate obstacle courses in our program which give children opportunities to roll, crawl under, climb or jump up and over. In addition to being great fun, these obstacles teach motor planning, directional movement and sequencing.Young children, in particular, are just learning to move in these ways and obstacles enhance their growth. Educational gymnastics nurtures the muscles which maintains a healthy and fit body!
Practice Makes Perfect Preschool gymnasts can increase their flexibility at home by practicing a simple straddle stretch. Gymnasts sit in a straddle with straight legs, knees flat and knees pointing to the ceiling, toes pointed. Reach for the toes on the left side and then the right, no bouncing and count to ten. Don’t let the knees roll inward. Lastly, reach toward middle as far as possible without bending or rolling the knees.
U.S. Airborne News - Tiny Team Tryouts For girls ages 4 1/2—6 years old.Saturday, May 2, we will have a special tryout. Signup sheets will be on the bulletin board in April. Prep Opt Team—For girls 10 years or older who have mastered minimum skill requirements. Talk to Coach Cynthia if you are interested in this opportunity.
Summer’s Coming! Hooray!! We’re making plans for gymnastics and dance classes with our Flexi-schedule that allows you to continue your classes yet take vacations with your family. We’re also working on camps! The Summer schedule will be available by mid-April. Watch for it!!!
Advance Notice:The Spring Show!It’s coming in Term 5!June 1-5
Payment Reminder: The Priority Due Date for Term 5 is April 13—remember to pay by this date to get your $10 discount!
ANA’s Referral PolicyDid you know that if you refer your friends and they sign up for a class here at ANA, YOU will receive a $10 credit and so will THEY! What a deal—everyone wins. So please spread the word about the benefits of our classes!
Facility
We are proud to offer over 18,000 sq. feet of gymnastics and dance space. Our brightly colored, well-equipped gym is designed to help children learn and have fun.
In our Gymstars Recreational Gymnastics program, student evaluations will be done at the end of Term II and Term V. Accomplishments will be celebrated and recognized and evaluations sent home. Recommendations for next class level will be made by the coach at this time.
Make Ups
Although it is always best to attend your regularly scheduled class, we do allow two make-up classes per term. Please call the office to schedule a make-up class, as we do limit the number of make-ups in any class.
Friends and Family Viewing
We have viewing for all classes available through the lobby windows and a special viewing room.
Class Size
Our target class size is the following
Tumble Bugs Preschool
7 children
Gymstars Recreational Program
8 children
Dance
(Creative Movement & Special Needs
6 children
Dance
(all other classes)
8 children
Our Teachers
Our staff is trained in both gymnastics curriculum, progressions and safety techniques. Teachers and coaches are trained to build kids up by using positive reinforcement and encouragement.
Shelly Robinson
U.S. Airborne Women's Head Coach
Background
Quote
I have enjoyed coaching for the past seven years and have seen our team develop.
Kelly Rupp competed in gymnastics for 8 years winning 5 gold medals in state meet. She has coached Special Olympics (gymnastics), served on boards for disability related agencies, and served on board for local Youth & Wellness Center
EXPERIENCE
Northern Michigan Gymnastics, Traverse City, Michigan
Girls/women , 1979 - 1982
Coach level 5 & 6, compulsories and optional
Northern Michigan Gymnastics, Traverse City, Michigan
Girls/women Coach, 1994 - 1995
Coached developmental team/compulsories and optional level 8
YMCA , Traverse City, Michigan
Girls/women Coach, 2002 - 2003
Launched their new competitive program. Then filled in from time to time after 2003
Kelly is a licensed hair dresser and licensed Realtor with Keller Williams of Grand Rapids (click here to go to their site
Safety certified and a USAG professional member.
HONORS
Won Ms. Grand Traverse body building contest, Traverse City, Michigan, 1981
At ANA there is talent in the gymnasts and staff. The blend of nuturing, hard work, respect, and teamwork encourages an atmosphere of family here at ANA.
Brad Kenna
U.S. Airborne Men's Head Coach
Classes
Boy's Team, GymStars, TumbleBugs
Background
Mr. Kenna attended the University of Michigan where he was a member of the NCAA National Champion team. Brad has been coaching since 2002. He enjoys coaching both the boy's and girl's team.
Quote
I have enjoyed working at ANA and have seen all the benefits gynastics training gives to our young ones.
Heather has been dancing for almost 20 years; she spent most of that time on a competitive Team performing at Regional and National competitions as well as internationally. She had the opportunity to perform on a cruise line at the young age of fourteen the same year winning a junior title division at a regional competition. She began teaching dance in her teenage years, and has been unable to give it up.
She has been instructing competitively for five years holding several first places, as well as being awarded one of the top three directors in West Michigan area by a nationally recognized competition.
Her goal has always been to run a studio where students can learn in a professional environment with personal attention. She believes that we are here to inspire children to have confidence and faith in themselves; as they are our Inspirations.
Quote
Seeing my students gain confidence and grace is a gift that will last their whole life.
I have been coaching gymnastics on and off for the past 30 years, coaching everything from preschool to women's competitive gymnastics. My husband (Todd) and I owned our own gymnastics club in Holland, MI for eight years. I have been a USA Judge for the past 6 years and currently hold a level 10 rating. I also judge high school gymnastics and Special Olympics. I also work as a classroom aide for Zeeland Public Schools. I have been married to Todd for the past 18 years and we have two daughters, Kristen (17) and Kailee (15).
I love to travel, cook, and love classical music, especially Beethoven!
Quote
Aimee Goff
U.S. Airborne Team Coach
Classes Prep-optional
Background During the day Aimee is a kindergarten/first grade teacher at Grant Primary Center. She has taught there for the past 11 years.
Aimee is a former gymnast, competing at state, regional and national levels for Mona Shores High School and several club teams. Then she attended Central Michigan University. Aimee has coached kids of all ages in a variety of gymnastics programs including collegiate summer camps, recreational programs and team level at various gyms.
Quote I am very excited for this opportunity to work with your child. ANA feels like a great place to be!
About Us 
U.S. Airborne Women's Head Coach
U.S. Airborne Girls/Women Coach
U.S. Airborne Men's Head Coach
