Why MCPS does not have swimming classes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a little surprised at the negative comments and the argument that there isn't enough time, because it's standard for learn to swim classes to be 30 minutes. That's enough for several drills. Do that twice a week for a couple months and it could have a real impact, especially for kids whose parents can't afford private lessons? Kids with more skills could swim laps, my 3rd grader who is a good swimmer would love to do laps for PE once or twice a week, she hates running but loves swimming. Great full body workout, really refreshing during warmer months.

I would rather the county subsidize lessons at our indoor aquatic centers for any children or teens who can't afford it, than to add yet another task onto the plate of our school system, which already has enough trouble delivering on its core mission: academics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a little surprised at the negative comments and the argument that there isn't enough time, because it's standard for learn to swim classes to be 30 minutes. That's enough for several drills. Do that twice a week for a couple months and it could have a real impact, especially for kids whose parents can't afford private lessons? Kids with more skills could swim laps, my 3rd grader who is a good swimmer would love to do laps for PE once or twice a week, she hates running but loves swimming. Great full body workout, really refreshing during warmer months.

I would rather the county subsidize lessons at our indoor aquatic centers for any children or teens who can't afford it, than to add yet another task onto the plate of our school system, which already has enough trouble delivering on its core mission: academics.

They do. It’s not the schools job to teach swimming. It’s exhausting listening to parents expectations. If you want swim lessons take your child. The county, city of Rockville and others offer low cost options and have low income assistance.

[Anonymous]

I went to elementary school in MCPS in the late 80's/90's and we definitely went the Rockville Swim Center every week for a few weeks in 4th or 5th grade for swimming in the middle of the day. I was on swim team already so it was kind of pointless for me but I remember they worked with a lot of my classmates on the basics.

[Anonymous]

Mcps SHOULD make swimming mandatory for all students in autism service related programs. Elope- drowning is one of the leading causes of death in autistic children.

But they wont.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a little surprised at the negative comments and the argument that there isn't enough time, because it's standard for learn to swim classes to be 30 minutes. That's enough for several drills. Do that twice a week for a couple months and it could have a real impact, especially for kids whose parents can't afford private lessons? Kids with more skills could swim laps, my 3rd grader who is a good swimmer would love to do laps for PE once or twice a week, she hates running but loves swimming. Great full body workout, really refreshing during warmer months.

The swim units are 2 weeks tops. No one is learning to swim in that amount of time.

[Anonymous]

We did it growing up. Starting in high school.

It helped no one - that’s too old to start in that setting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a little surprised at the negative comments and the argument that there isn't enough time, because it's standard for learn to swim classes to be 30 minutes. That's enough for several drills. Do that twice a week for a couple months and it could have a real impact, especially for kids whose parents can't afford private lessons? Kids with more skills could swim laps, my 3rd grader who is a good swimmer would love to do laps for PE once or twice a week, she hates running but loves swimming. Great full body workout, really refreshing during warmer months.

I would rather the county subsidize lessons at our indoor aquatic centers for any children or teens who can't afford it, than to add yet another task onto the plate of our school system, which already has enough trouble delivering on its core mission: academics.

+1 I would rather my kid's elementary school (which has no pool in or near it), have funds so that class sizes could fall below 28 kids. Even funds for a para to help the teacher would be nice--take your kid to swimming lessons on your own time.

[Anonymous]

No thanks. I'd rather have smaller classes and kids have less tech and more teachers in classrooms and have everyone reading on level by 2nd grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did it growing up. Starting in high school.

It helped no one - that’s too old to start in that setting.

At Marine Corps Recruit Training they taught a ton of adults how to swim in less than 2 weeks. Never too old to learn

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its unfair to girls who have just started their periods, which in 2024 includes 4th graders and up.

That has not been an issue for Gaithersburg Middle School for decades

What are you talking about? I bet it was an issue for thousands of girls. You just don't personally know them. Are you kidding me?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a waste of time. No one is learning how to swim in the limited time schools spend there. Go to the APS forum and read the threads about it. My kids all did it in 4th and 5th grade as a part of PE. It’s a huge waste of time and money.

They can learn how to float on their back and wave their hands. This would save their life in many situations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its unfair to girls who have just started their periods, which in 2024 includes 4th graders and up.

There are options for swimming on your period, even for girls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its unfair to girls who have just started their periods, which in 2024 includes 4th graders and up.

That has not been an issue for Gaithersburg Middle School for decades

What are you talking about? I bet it was an issue for thousands of girls. You just don't personally know them. Are you kidding me?

My oldest swam for PE and periods weren’t issues for her or her friends.

[Anonymous]

I am white and love to swim. But at my private school, a lot of the African American girls complained about the swim requirement. They said it was not good for their hair and that it was racially insensitive to make them do swim classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mcps SHOULD make swimming mandatory for all students in autism service related programs. Elope- drowning is one of the leading causes of death in autistic children.

But they wont.

Good point!