Students from Franklin Ave. Elementary School have been participating in the YMCA’s Water Safety Program. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – Franklin Avenue School has teamed up with the YMCA of Greater Westfield to provide an opportunity for kids to learn how to swim in the Safety Around Water program. The seven-week program, which is grant funded, teaches non-swimmers and limited swimmers how to be safe around the water and to have fun.
This is the first year that Westfield has participated in the program. YMCA of Greater Westfield Chief Executive Offer Andrea Allard said that all of the YMCAs in Massachusetts made a commitment to do something about safety in water. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages one to four, and the second leading cause of death for children ages 5 to 15.
“As a state alliance, all the state Y’s decided it’s something we all have in common. We can all make a difference,” Allard said.
Allard worked with Franklin Avenue Principal Chris Tolpa to identify second, third and fourth graders who are limited swimmers and non-swimmers, and who didn’t have the opportunity to take swimming lessons. The goal is to make kids water safe, so if they were to fall in the water, they would be able to get out of the water.
“They’re loving it. They’re in the water. They’re having a great time,” said YMCA CEO Andrea Allard. (Photo by Amy Porter)
“They’re loving it. They’re in the water. They’re having a great time,” Allard said.
The program has a curriculum which teaches children that water should be fun, not feared, if you know how to stay safe in and around water. In the program, children learn fundamental water safety skills, such as learning to push off the bottom of the pool as they are submerging to get back up to the surface while turning to grab the side of the pool; and to swim a short distance on their front, roll over on their back to rest, and then roll on their front to continue swimming to safety.
Swim teacher Kerry Cordis said children are learning the safe way to approach swimming. “You just don’t run and jump in the water. We teach them that barrier,” she said.
Cordis said the children in the program may not have been exposed to swim lessons, and some were afraid of the water, at the beginning. The lessons start with games, such as Simon Says, and Red Light, Green Light. She said they are catching on quickly, and those with a higher ability are starting to work on stroke development.
The children learn to swim a short distance on their front, roll over on their back to rest, and then roll on their front to continue swimming to safety. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Allard said third grade seems to be the optimal time to learn how to swim. “They are still open to learning, eager to learn. They are literally ready to jump in with both feet,” she said. Cordis added that they are not embarrassed that they didn’t know how to swim.
“Parents are really excited about the program, too,” Allard said. Several parents at the lesson expressed that excitement. One parent said she had been wanting to give her child swim lessons, but couldn’t afford them. Another said she wished it would go on all year.
“We’re happy to partner with Franklin Ave. We are hoping to replicate it again in the spring,” Allard said.
“It’s a great partnership between parents, school and the YMCA,” Cordis agreed.
