APS swim unit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was such a waste.

For kids who already know how to swim, it was worthless.

For kids who don't know how to swim, one week was way to short to teach them.

For non-swimmers, I would rather they give free vouchers to take the Arlington co swim classes so they actually could learn how to swim.

honestly- this is how I feel too. I know some of the kids who don't know how to swim. I have seen what the school swim class does. For one child it meant that he has gone from being afraid to put his face in to being willing to put his face in. That's great and I'm pleased he can do that. But if he fell into deep water- he'd drown. Getting them to the class took out a huge amount of instructional time- getting on a bus, etc.

incidentally- a couple years ago Marymount was offering free swim classes to any child who received free lunch. I'm not sure if they still are or if anyone took them up on it. Getting to Marymount for the classes is a challenge when you are FARMS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was such a waste.

For kids who already know how to swim, it was worthless.

For kids who don't know how to swim, one week was way to short to teach them.

For non-swimmers, I would rather they give free vouchers to take the Arlington co swim classes so they actually could learn how to swim.

honestly- this is how I feel too. I know some of the kids who don't know how to swim. I have seen what the school swim class does. For one child it meant that he has gone from being afraid to put his face in to being willing to put his face in. That's great and I'm pleased he can do that. But if he fell into deep water- he'd drown. Getting them to the class took out a huge amount of instructional time- getting on a bus, etc.

incidentally- a couple years ago Marymount was offering free swim classes to any child who received free lunch. I'm not sure if they still are or if anyone took them up on it. Getting to Marymount for the classes is a challenge when you are FARMS.

SIGH. The point is not to teach a child how to swim in one week. Everyone knows that's impossible. But it IS possible to teach a child a few basic life safety techniques and very basic familiarity with the water.--and that's what these programs do, and very well I might add. Since the program's adoption in the 1970s, no APS child has drowned. Arlington Parks and Rec ALREADY has drastically reduced swim lessons. Guess what? There are not a lot of very low income kids there! There are many, many reasons why a child doesn't have access to swim lessons--lack of parental involvement, lack of transportation, ingrained societal resistance to water.

You people in your UMC bubble--why don't you get that? I'm sorry your kid has to suffer for a couple of weeks in the pool. Yeesh.

[Anonymous]

There should be an easy opt-out. Lots of kids are already in the water 2-3x per week with swim practice and meets. Getting soaking wet and then going back to school on a cold day after learning nothing is uncomfortable and a waste of time.

[Anonymous]

My son is a very good swimmer and has regular access to a pool He still enjoyed the swimming. He did it in 3rd in the spring and again in 4th in the fall. My understanding is that they do break into groups. Some kids are allowed in the deep pool and others stay in the more shallow pool (this is W-L).

I agree. No one is expecting these kids to learn how to swim in a week but even getting over a fear of water is a great start. Panicking in the water can be deadly.

My son told me a child in his class wasn't allowed to go. His mother wouldn't sign his permission slip b/c he didn't know how to swim. It seems like such a missed opportunity for that child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There should be an easy opt-out. Lots of kids are already in the water 2-3x per week with swim practice and meets. Getting soaking wet and then going back to school on a cold day after learning nothing is uncomfortable and a waste of time.

My child is in 4th/swims 5 days a week and he'd love to do this. No reason to opt out even if they swim already. Its not a big deal in the cold. A week to get kids under water and a basic doggy paddle is a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is a very good swimmer and has regular access to a pool He still enjoyed the swimming. He did it in 3rd in the spring and again in 4th in the fall. My understanding is that they do break into groups. Some kids are allowed in the deep pool and others stay in the more shallow pool (this is W-L).

I agree. No one is expecting these kids to learn how to swim in a week but even getting over a fear of water is a great start. Panicking in the water can be deadly.

My son told me a child in his class wasn't allowed to go. His mother wouldn't sign his permission slip b/c he didn't know how to swim. It seems like such a missed opportunity for that child.

I can understand why a parent would opt their child who doesn't know how to swim out. There are a lot of kids and only a limited number of adults watching them. If, as a previous poster said, Marymount offers free swim lessons to FARMS, then maybe the PTA and the school could find funding for a bus to pick up kids from a complex with a high concentration of FARMS for 10-12 weeks (or more if you can find business sponsors) on the weekend, in addition to this water safety unit. I'm in FCPS and the school (I believe through the PTA) funds busses for weekend outings on a regular basis from a high FARMS complex and people close by also walk over to get the bus. I think it's an important issue. The PTA funds reduced prices for after school enrichment, I think this is an equally important (or more important issue).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is a very good swimmer and has regular access to a pool He still enjoyed the swimming. He did it in 3rd in the spring and again in 4th in the fall. My understanding is that they do break into groups. Some kids are allowed in the deep pool and others stay in the more shallow pool (this is W-L).

I agree. No one is expecting these kids to learn how to swim in a week but even getting over a fear of water is a great start. Panicking in the water can be deadly.

My son told me a child in his class wasn't allowed to go. His mother wouldn't sign his permission slip b/c he didn't know how to swim. It seems like such a missed opportunity for that child.

I can understand why a parent would opt their child who doesn't know how to swim out. There are a lot of kids and only a limited number of adults watching them. If, as a previous poster said, Marymount offers free swim lessons to FARMS, then maybe the PTA and the school could find funding for a bus to pick up kids from a complex with a high concentration of FARMS for 10-12 weeks (or more if you can find business sponsors) on the weekend, in addition to this water safety unit. I'm in FCPS and the school (I believe through the PTA) funds busses for weekend outings on a regular basis from a high FARMS complex and people close by also walk over to get the bus. I think it's an important issue. The PTA funds reduced prices for after school enrichment, I think this is an equally important (or more important issue).

Oh, you mean the PTAs that barely have anyone involved and have to beg schools like Nottingham to loan them 2 grand to throw a spring fling? Those PTAs? Yeah, why don't they do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be an easy opt-out. Lots of kids are already in the water 2-3x per week with swim practice and meets. Getting soaking wet and then going back to school on a cold day after learning nothing is uncomfortable and a waste of time.

My child is in 4th/swims 5 days a week and he'd love to do this. No reason to opt out even if they swim already. Its not a big deal in the cold. A week to get kids under water and a basic doggy paddle is a good idea.

My kid is a competitive swimmer, and isn’t looking forward to this unit. Dealing with changing in a chaotic locker room and returning to school with wet hair in cold weather sounds unpleasant to her, and me. If there’s an easy opt out we’ll take it. Getting other kids in the water and hopefully comfortable with some basics is worth it, for sure, but that can happen without every single 3rd/4th grader along for the ride. In fact, it would free up instructors to focus on the kids who need attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be an easy opt-out. Lots of kids are already in the water 2-3x per week with swim practice and meets. Getting soaking wet and then going back to school on a cold day after learning nothing is uncomfortable and a waste of time.

My child is in 4th/swims 5 days a week and he'd love to do this. No reason to opt out even if they swim already. Its not a big deal in the cold. A week to get kids under water and a basic doggy paddle is a good idea.

My kid is a competitive swimmer, and isn’t looking forward to this unit. Dealing with changing in a chaotic locker room and returning to school with wet hair in cold weather sounds unpleasant to her, and me. If there’s an easy opt out we’ll take it. Getting other kids in the water and hopefully comfortable with some basics is worth it, for sure, but that can happen without every single 3rd/4th grader along for the ride. In fact, it would free up instructors to focus on the kids who need attention.

If your child doesn't go swimming she will either end up doing busy work in the office/another classroom or will just join one of the classes that isn't swimming at that time (the whole grade doesn't go together) and basically have to repeat whatever they are learning that day. Just send them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Same as for kids who are math wizzes who have to sit through instructions about things they already know.

Seriously. Who are you people who think there's going to be differentiation in a swim unit when there is barely any for advanced kids in Math/Science/ELA?

I could see parents being pissy if they had to transport their kids themselves, but why are so many of you riled up about something that is – at worst – boring?

[Anonymous]

I love Arlington's commitment to swimming. You should go to a middle school swim meet. The kids on the team vary from very talented year-round serious swimmers to just making it across the people. It's wonderful. All kids should know how to swim. The swimming unit is just as important as the basketball unit. I think it's very affirming to send the message that all kids can learn to swim. They get more instruction in HS, too. I think it's fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is a very good swimmer and has regular access to a pool He still enjoyed the swimming. He did it in 3rd in the spring and again in 4th in the fall. My understanding is that they do break into groups. Some kids are allowed in the deep pool and others stay in the more shallow pool (this is W-L).

I agree. No one is expecting these kids to learn how to swim in a week but even getting over a fear of water is a great start. Panicking in the water can be deadly.

My son told me a child in his class wasn't allowed to go. His mother wouldn't sign his permission slip b/c he didn't know how to swim. It seems like such a missed opportunity for that child.

I can understand why a parent would opt their child who doesn't know how to swim out. There are a lot of kids and only a limited number of adults watching them. If, as a previous poster said, Marymount offers free swim lessons to FARMS, then maybe the PTA and the school could find funding for a bus to pick up kids from a complex with a high concentration of FARMS for 10-12 weeks (or more if you can find business sponsors) on the weekend, in addition to this water safety unit. I'm in FCPS and the school (I believe through the PTA) funds busses for weekend outings on a regular basis from a high FARMS complex and people close by also walk over to get the bus. I think it's an important issue. The PTA funds reduced prices for after school enrichment, I think this is an equally important (or more important issue).

Oh, you mean the PTAs that barely have anyone involved and have to beg schools like Nottingham to loan them 2 grand to throw a spring fling? Those PTAs? Yeah, why don't they do that.

Why so rude? You could just reply that the PTAs don't have the funds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be an easy opt-out. Lots of kids are already in the water 2-3x per week with swim practice and meets. Getting soaking wet and then going back to school on a cold day after learning nothing is uncomfortable and a waste of time.

My child is in 4th/swims 5 days a week and he'd love to do this. No reason to opt out even if they swim already. Its not a big deal in the cold. A week to get kids under water and a basic doggy paddle is a good idea.

My kid is a competitive swimmer, and isn’t looking forward to this unit. Dealing with changing in a chaotic locker room and returning to school with wet hair in cold weather sounds unpleasant to her, and me. If there’s an easy opt out we’ll take it. Getting other kids in the water and hopefully comfortable with some basics is worth it, for sure, but that can happen without every single 3rd/4th grader along for the ride. In fact, it would free up instructors to focus on the kids who need attention.

Wet hair isn't a big deal and your child should be used to it. Send them to school in their suit so there is only one change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be an easy opt-out. Lots of kids are already in the water 2-3x per week with swim practice and meets. Getting soaking wet and then going back to school on a cold day after learning nothing is uncomfortable and a waste of time.

My child is in 4th/swims 5 days a week and he'd love to do this. No reason to opt out even if they swim already. Its not a big deal in the cold. A week to get kids under water and a basic doggy paddle is a good idea.

My kid is a competitive swimmer, and isn’t looking forward to this unit. Dealing with changing in a chaotic locker room and returning to school with wet hair in cold weather sounds unpleasant to her, and me. If there’s an easy opt out we’ll take it. Getting other kids in the water and hopefully comfortable with some basics is worth it, for sure, but that can happen without every single 3rd/4th grader along for the ride. In fact, it would free up instructors to focus on the kids who need attention.

If wet hair is such an issue, send a swim cap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be an easy opt-out. Lots of kids are already in the water 2-3x per week with swim practice and meets. Getting soaking wet and then going back to school on a cold day after learning nothing is uncomfortable and a waste of time.

My child is in 4th/swims 5 days a week and he'd love to do this. No reason to opt out even if they swim already. Its not a big deal in the cold. A week to get kids under water and a basic doggy paddle is a good idea.

My kid is a competitive swimmer, and isn’t looking forward to this unit. Dealing with changing in a chaotic locker room and returning to school with wet hair in cold weather sounds unpleasant to her, and me. If there’s an easy opt out we’ll take it. Getting other kids in the water and hopefully comfortable with some basics is worth it, for sure, but that can happen without every single 3rd/4th grader along for the ride. In fact, it would free up instructors to focus on the kids who need attention.

If wet hair is such an issue, send a swim cap.

Swim caps don’t keep hair dry.