Watch me! Watch me! Watch me!

If I had a nickel for everytime I heard this on Friday, I would be very rich! "Watch me (fill in the blank)!" was echoed frequently at the pool, just before the students performed amazing feats of underwater bravery and other stunts!

Speaking of watching, twice last week, I was asked by parents, "How do you actually watch 100 kids at the pool?" I thought I would share our secrets here.

First, we have an incredible number of rules and procedures for the pool and we tell the students up front exactly what we expect. We have great kids and they do rise to high expectations and, for the most part, do exactly as they are asked.

We prevent loss of items by leaving all our outer clothes on the bus. Students are only permitted to bring a towel, sunscreen, money and shoes onto the pool deck. They put their items in a designated area and are not allowed to leave items anywhere except the designated area. They purchase food and eat it in the concession area and responsibly clean up any mess or trash.

Also, we swim test the kids before they are allowed in or on the deck around the deep end of the pool. Once they have passed the swim test, we mark their shoulder with an X. We keep track of who has passed and we mark them with an X the following week. Several students passed the swim test so far this year that were not able to last year. For these kids, the X is a badge of pride and accomplishment.

We are in the pool actively interacting with the children. The kids enjoy the attention and we are close enough to see and hear what is necessary to keep kids safe. We require students to walk when they are on the deck and we do sit students out if they are behaving in an unsafe or inappropriate way.

Finally, when it is time to go, it is time to go!!! All students are expected to exit the pool immediately, get their shoes on, pick up their towel and get in their class lines when the announcement to do so is made. Each teacher makes sure that all students are in line before we go to the buses and then roll is called by name before the buses leave. The students know that the more efficiently they can get themselves together to be ready to leave, the more time they get to spend swimming the next time.

The bottom line at the swimming pool is that students need to stay safe and the teachers and I work hard to ensure this is the case.