The Monday/Tuesday classes in June only have ADVANCED spots available.
As of right now, there are still open spots for all levels in each of the Wednesday/Friday times.
Please call or e-mail me with any questions or if you'd like to register.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
June Registration
I want to take a brief detour from the comments/suggestions to fill you in on our filling up!
May 31st will be the last day to register for a June swim class. There are still many openings in July, and that will remain open for about another month or so.
As much as I would love to keep registration open until the last possible minute, it is just not possible given the staff and budget we are working with.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, or if you'd like to sign up your child.
May 31st will be the last day to register for a June swim class. There are still many openings in July, and that will remain open for about another month or so.
As much as I would love to keep registration open until the last possible minute, it is just not possible given the staff and budget we are working with.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, or if you'd like to sign up your child.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Post-Lesson Questions/ Comments; pt. 4
I have been responding to the comments left on the post-lesson questionnaire form the May session. The previous responses can be found at the bottom of this post.
I hate getting comments that are negative. I'm sure nobody likes it. That being said, if you have a concern, please talk with me about it. I ask you to talk with me. Not shout or whine, or complain. Staying home with my children, I get enough of that!
I am more than happy to address your concerns and try to fix them or explain my reasoning. Really. I love to explain why things are the way they are, or to help resolve a problem. All I ask is that you are calm, cool and collected and at least want to find an answer or solution.
Some parents are concerned with their child's progression in the water. I am right there with them. After 6 classes, how can they not swim well? First off, this is our first year. Which is not to say we are all new at this. I am simply saying that just because there was no major improvement, does not mean that your child is not doing better. I am only pointing out that we do not have 2 or 3 stages of beginner classes, which would be ideal.
I am hoping that we do have enough children next year to support something to that effect. A Beginner I, Beginner II, Intermediate I, Intermediate II, etc. We just do not have the funding or staff for that right now.
I had a parent suggest that a progress report was given to the parents. I agree. It is nice to know how your child is doing. I am hoping that about midway through this next session we can offer a small report on the progression of our students. Just because your son isn't officially ready for the intermediate class, does not mean he isn't much better than when he began two weeks ago.
If you have questions about your child's progression, please talk with me or the teacher. Since I do not get the opportunity to work with all of the children, talking with the teacher is best. Ask me, or the instructor when would be a good time - right then, or maybe before the next lesson. We want to help the children. If we don't get any results, then our time is wasted, as well as yours.
Something else to consider is the fact that these are group lessons. Albeit smaller groups than some offered, groups nonetheless. Your child will not have as much progress as they may from private lessons. Please try to keep expectations realistic.
Also, children can plateau. Your daughter may have made great strides over the past few years, then she kind of stalls in the water this summer. Muscle development, mental development or desire can all play a part in this. A 5yr old may be able to get along fine in the deep end, but may lack the coordination at that age to perform freestyle & backstroke.
1) Same gender instructors
2) Lifeguard attention
3) Lesson time spent out of water
I hate getting comments that are negative. I'm sure nobody likes it. That being said, if you have a concern, please talk with me about it. I ask you to talk with me. Not shout or whine, or complain. Staying home with my children, I get enough of that!
I am more than happy to address your concerns and try to fix them or explain my reasoning. Really. I love to explain why things are the way they are, or to help resolve a problem. All I ask is that you are calm, cool and collected and at least want to find an answer or solution.
Some parents are concerned with their child's progression in the water. I am right there with them. After 6 classes, how can they not swim well? First off, this is our first year. Which is not to say we are all new at this. I am simply saying that just because there was no major improvement, does not mean that your child is not doing better. I am only pointing out that we do not have 2 or 3 stages of beginner classes, which would be ideal.
I am hoping that we do have enough children next year to support something to that effect. A Beginner I, Beginner II, Intermediate I, Intermediate II, etc. We just do not have the funding or staff for that right now.
I had a parent suggest that a progress report was given to the parents. I agree. It is nice to know how your child is doing. I am hoping that about midway through this next session we can offer a small report on the progression of our students. Just because your son isn't officially ready for the intermediate class, does not mean he isn't much better than when he began two weeks ago.
If you have questions about your child's progression, please talk with me or the teacher. Since I do not get the opportunity to work with all of the children, talking with the teacher is best. Ask me, or the instructor when would be a good time - right then, or maybe before the next lesson. We want to help the children. If we don't get any results, then our time is wasted, as well as yours.
Something else to consider is the fact that these are group lessons. Albeit smaller groups than some offered, groups nonetheless. Your child will not have as much progress as they may from private lessons. Please try to keep expectations realistic.
Also, children can plateau. Your daughter may have made great strides over the past few years, then she kind of stalls in the water this summer. Muscle development, mental development or desire can all play a part in this. A 5yr old may be able to get along fine in the deep end, but may lack the coordination at that age to perform freestyle & backstroke.
1) Same gender instructors
2) Lifeguard attention
3) Lesson time spent out of water
Friday, May 21, 2010
Post-Lesson Questions/ Comments; pt. 3
At the end of lessons, a questionnaire was filled out by the parents of the students. I have been responding & answering the comments & questions. If you missed the first two responses, there are links to them at the bottom of this post.
I had a number of parents comment on the lesson length. This is tricky. I completely understand where they are coming from, and having taught lessons, I understand the other side as well. Please let me try to shed some light.
A) One of the major things to first teach children about the water is safety. Whether they are terrified or fearless, they must learn how to be safe around water. Part of the time is taken up by reviewing the safety rules of the pool, and swimming in general.
B) Sometimes the skill level of the child is not necessarily what they need. I will elaborate more on progression in the next post, but for now I am talking about the out of water time. Let's take beginners. A 4yr old will have an easier time practicing freestyle & back stroke ares out of the water before trying them in the water. It is also easier for the instructor to correct their technique on solid ground, then in wavy water.
*I will address comments about the instructors in a future post*
C) There are classes when the slow migration to the water is helpful to those who fearful of swimming. Unfortunately we had no children this session that would benefit from such an exercise, so I am unable to plead our case on those grounds.
I understand that the out of water time is seen by most parents as a waste. I really do understand. We do need to make sure that these children do understand not to run. Where the deep end is. How to get help. That being said, I will do my darndest to make sure that the out of water time is less during these following sessions.
Some instruction on the deck is inevitable, but we will try to keep it to the bare minimum.
POST LESSON
1) Same gender instructors
2) Lifeguard attention
I had a number of parents comment on the lesson length. This is tricky. I completely understand where they are coming from, and having taught lessons, I understand the other side as well. Please let me try to shed some light.
A) One of the major things to first teach children about the water is safety. Whether they are terrified or fearless, they must learn how to be safe around water. Part of the time is taken up by reviewing the safety rules of the pool, and swimming in general.
B) Sometimes the skill level of the child is not necessarily what they need. I will elaborate more on progression in the next post, but for now I am talking about the out of water time. Let's take beginners. A 4yr old will have an easier time practicing freestyle & back stroke ares out of the water before trying them in the water. It is also easier for the instructor to correct their technique on solid ground, then in wavy water.
*I will address comments about the instructors in a future post*
C) There are classes when the slow migration to the water is helpful to those who fearful of swimming. Unfortunately we had no children this session that would benefit from such an exercise, so I am unable to plead our case on those grounds.
I understand that the out of water time is seen by most parents as a waste. I really do understand. We do need to make sure that these children do understand not to run. Where the deep end is. How to get help. That being said, I will do my darndest to make sure that the out of water time is less during these following sessions.
Some instruction on the deck is inevitable, but we will try to keep it to the bare minimum.
POST LESSON
1) Same gender instructors
2) Lifeguard attention
Post-Lesson Questions/ Comments; pt. 2
To re-cap, please let me know of any concerns you have during lessons. I would love to explain the reasoning behind it, or to fix the problem.
The first comment I addressed was a suggestion to have female students with female instructors. If you would like to read my response, you can click HERE.
Let's move on to the next comment.
I had a parent comment on the lifeguard. At times they seemed less then attentive, reading or doing other duties.
I have no issue with this comment, and I have taken steps to resolve this. While I know this guard personally, I realize you probably do not.
By no means an excuse, it is easy for a lifeguard to fall into complacency. The kids are with instructors, Cristi is walking around, it is warm...
I have spoken with this guard, and I am sure he will do better. If there continue to be issues, then I will have the joy of my very first firing!
I do in no way relish the thought of telling soembody they are no longer needed, but as a parent, I fully understand the desire for your child to be safe. Especially if there is someone being PAID to make sure of that!
This guard will be performing another task during this next session, and I expect them to do great. My new guard is very enthusiastic and I have every confidence that he will be great.
The first comment I addressed was a suggestion to have female students with female instructors. If you would like to read my response, you can click HERE.
Let's move on to the next comment.
I had a parent comment on the lifeguard. At times they seemed less then attentive, reading or doing other duties.
I have no issue with this comment, and I have taken steps to resolve this. While I know this guard personally, I realize you probably do not.
By no means an excuse, it is easy for a lifeguard to fall into complacency. The kids are with instructors, Cristi is walking around, it is warm...
I have spoken with this guard, and I am sure he will do better. If there continue to be issues, then I will have the joy of my very first firing!
I do in no way relish the thought of telling soembody they are no longer needed, but as a parent, I fully understand the desire for your child to be safe. Especially if there is someone being PAID to make sure of that!
This guard will be performing another task during this next session, and I expect them to do great. My new guard is very enthusiastic and I have every confidence that he will be great.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Post-Lesson Questions/ Comments
I asked my lesson parents to fill out a post-lesson questionnaire. While nobody wants to hear negative comments, I do realize that is the only way we can improve. While some did sting a little bit, I am know that they did have valid points. And now I am trying to build a thick skin!
One of the worst questions on the form asked if they would return for lessons, and would they recommend them to others. I had about 3 people answer "no."
Ouch.
I hate to hear that. I am hoping that maybe they will re-think their answer, or at least give us a second chance.
If you are signed up for lessons and there is an issue during them, please talk with me. While the feedback forms are only for my own personal information, I would hate it if somebody had a bad experience and we were able to fix it. Please speak up.
I understand confrontations are hard, and I honestly don't want to have anybody tell me they have a problem with how we are doing things, but that is unrealistic. I cannot fix what I do not know about.
Since the comments are anonymous, I will share some of them, and try to offer a response, or reason if necessary. Hopefully I will address some concerns you may have had, or if a parent is reading this, maybe they will have some more insight into how their issue was handled.
1) A parent requested that only female instructors work with female students. While this is a wonderful ideal, it is unfortunately unable to happen at this point in time.
If we were able to offer this, then the lesson cost would be much more, since we would have to divide up skill groups to allow for the gender appropriate teacher, which would mean we would need more instructors, more guards and more pay.
I am sure nobody wants to skimp when it comes to your children, but realistically, our price would have to be much more than anyone would be willing to pay. I would suggest to talk with myself, and request that your child be with the same gender instructor.
On the flip side, unless there is a major reason (and I am KNOW some folks have them), your child may respond better to a teacher of different gender.
If you have a strong feeling that your child should be with a teacher of the same sex, please let me know. We may not be able to accommodate everyone, but I do definitely want you and your child to be comfortable with the lessons.
One of the worst questions on the form asked if they would return for lessons, and would they recommend them to others. I had about 3 people answer "no."
Ouch.
I hate to hear that. I am hoping that maybe they will re-think their answer, or at least give us a second chance.
If you are signed up for lessons and there is an issue during them, please talk with me. While the feedback forms are only for my own personal information, I would hate it if somebody had a bad experience and we were able to fix it. Please speak up.
I understand confrontations are hard, and I honestly don't want to have anybody tell me they have a problem with how we are doing things, but that is unrealistic. I cannot fix what I do not know about.
Since the comments are anonymous, I will share some of them, and try to offer a response, or reason if necessary. Hopefully I will address some concerns you may have had, or if a parent is reading this, maybe they will have some more insight into how their issue was handled.
1) A parent requested that only female instructors work with female students. While this is a wonderful ideal, it is unfortunately unable to happen at this point in time.
If we were able to offer this, then the lesson cost would be much more, since we would have to divide up skill groups to allow for the gender appropriate teacher, which would mean we would need more instructors, more guards and more pay.
I am sure nobody wants to skimp when it comes to your children, but realistically, our price would have to be much more than anyone would be willing to pay. I would suggest to talk with myself, and request that your child be with the same gender instructor.
On the flip side, unless there is a major reason (and I am KNOW some folks have them), your child may respond better to a teacher of different gender.
If you have a strong feeling that your child should be with a teacher of the same sex, please let me know. We may not be able to accommodate everyone, but I do definitely want you and your child to be comfortable with the lessons.
May Session is Over!
As you may have guessed from the title, the May session is now over.
I am very pleased with how it went, and am very proud of my guards & instructors. We will only get better from here on out.
There are still some limited opening for the June session, and openings for the July session as well. I am working on setting up a link on the side so you can just click on it to go to our schedule... My strengths lie in swimming, reading, cooking and not computers. Given enough time, I will figure it out. Or bribe somebody to do it for me.
Thank you for all of your support. I hope you enjoy your summer. If you are still interested in lessons, please call or e-mail me.
I am very pleased with how it went, and am very proud of my guards & instructors. We will only get better from here on out.
There are still some limited opening for the June session, and openings for the July session as well. I am working on setting up a link on the side so you can just click on it to go to our schedule... My strengths lie in swimming, reading, cooking and not computers. Given enough time, I will figure it out. Or bribe somebody to do it for me.
Thank you for all of your support. I hope you enjoy your summer. If you are still interested in lessons, please call or e-mail me.
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