“With all the violence happening to youth today, it is nice to know there are ways to educate our children. Master DiLeo and Master Bender, of the Altoona Academy of Tae Kwon-Do, have been helping our school for the past three years. Our students are taught important defensive skills to use in case of an attack or attempted abduction.
The students have responded favorably to their training and enjoy the presentation by the instructors. Their knowledge far exceeds anything I could teach my students about self-defense. We as teachers, feel better about the safety of our students knowing they have been given a chance to turn a potential harmful situation into a safe one. The skills taught by Master DiLeo and Master Bender are, and always will be, important to the protection of our children. They do not teach “martial arts”, but self-defensive tactics appropriate for elementary age students. They also stress that self-discipline and common sense are essential if one is to understand the techniques.
This year the Academy will be instructing not only the fourth grade but also kindergarten, first, second, and third. This will give the younger kids a chance to learn the skills that could someday save their life. Frankstown Elementary will continue to have the Altoona Academy of Tae Kwon-Do as a guest, a teacher, but most of all…a friend!”

Matt Stinson
4th Grade teacher
Frankstown Elementary School