St. Cloud Area School District 742 recently partnered with the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA to include water safety into the curriculum for second grade students at Madison Elementary School and Talahi Community School. The program was able to launch largely in part because of a donation by Gate City Bank and Pilgrim’s Pride (through its “Hometown Strong” program).
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death among youth in Minnesota which is just one of the many reasons why Kaitlin Pohland, aquatics director at the YMCA, has a strong passion for water safety.
“Safety in Water is a YMCA-based program that runs across the country,” explains Pohland. “My director, Greg, and I … knew this program needed to happen in our area. In the Twin Cities, … this program is an after-school event or can be taken with swim lessons, and I didn’t want this class to replace any swim lessons. I wanted to get to kids that may not have the opportunity or means to do that. Equity is huge for me.”
Pohland approached District 742 with the idea of the water safety program incorporated within curriculum for second graders.
“The District was all in,” shares Pohland.
Pohland arranged for every second grader to receive a swimsuit, goggles and swim bag with the donations. Everyone starts at the same level with the exact same suit (including culturally appropriate suits), goggles and bag. Instruction starts in the schools. Pohland goes into the classrooms and begins teaching water safety. She brings lifeguard shirts, rescue tubes, instructor shirts, and lifejackets. She does this to create a sense of comfort and when the students go to the YMCA for their first lesson, they see a familiar face or recognize lifeguards and instructors.
“It’s been so fun!” exclaims Pohland. “They are doing so well. I had a plan and curriculum all laid out, and the first day they came, they blew me out of the water with what they were willing to do. I had to change it up. It’s been so cool.”
When the water portion of the classes began, many kids didn’t know how to wear a swimsuit. However, by the time water safety class was over, most students were diving under water to retrieve rings. Others were jumping around in the lazy river feeling completely comfortable and confident being around water.
“These kids are so excited,” says Pohland. “And now they know they don’t go into a water without a lifejacket.”
The first round of water safety instruction has been a huge success. Beginning in the fall, the water safety curriculum will continue in elementary schools in District 742 throughout the school year, and the students who’ve already been through the program can’t wait to share their experiences with this year’s incoming second graders.
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