The Rabaduex Reader
March 17, 2016
A letter from LISD's swimming coordinator
We would like to welcome you to the enhanced 2nd Grade Water Safety and Swim Program. We have set up a web site location on the LISD webpage for you to become acquainted with our facility and program.
We are introducing a new program this year for 2nd graders. In addition to water safety, our team of instructors will now be testing each student for water competency in a pool environment based on guidelines from the American Red Cross.
Although students will be evaluated on the first day of class, we want to emphasize that there is a place for all swimmers at all levels in this program.
Students who do not meet the American Red Cross guidelines after initial testing will work on becoming water competent by the end of the four-day program. Those who meet water competency standards will work on refining their swimming skills through stroke technique instruction.
As in the past, our staff will be using the American Red Cross Longfellow’s Whale Tales Program to teach safety and swim skills. Students will “do my part to be water smart” by participating in a variety of fun and educational safety lessons. These lessons begin in the classroom and are followed up with the instructor in the pool.
LISD takes the 2nd Grade Water Safety & Swim Program seriously because drowning is a leading cause of death among children in Dallas – Fort Worth area. Our goal with implementing water competency testing is for students to have an understanding of their swimming ability. Combining swim instruction with safety instruction will help your children to be water safe.
We look forward to seeing you parents on the last day of class at the LISD Westside Aquatic Center. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions.
Sherry McGuire, Water Safety and Swim Program Coordinator
Swimming Monday - Thursday
1. One towel
2. A comb or brush
3. A well-fitted swimsuit (one piece or tankini is preferred for girls)
(Optional: Goggles)The best plan is to have all of that in a separate draw-string bag so they can just grab that bag and head to the bus instead of rummaging through their backpack in an attempt to remember everything.