GTS Monthly Newsletter: October

Genevieve McNally

Hello GTS:  

WHEW! This season is off to a rockin' start! We had our first meet this past Saturday, and it was indeed a memorable experience for everyone in attendance. We could not be more proud of all our athletes, especially our team's camaraderie. It is an unbelievable and moving moment to see our eldest and most seasoned athletes cheering on our youngest and newest members, bringing out the best in each athlete --event after event! Thank you, athletes, for making our team so special and welcoming! 

Parents, continue to sign up for the monthly meets and stay connected to ensure entry deadlines are met, and we can continue the fun all season long!  

GTS Registration 2023-2024  

  •  Please complete the registration for this season! ALL ATHLETES (yes, all returning athletes)
  •  Log into your Swims 3.0 to renew your athlete(s) registration
  •  Log into TeamUnify select the TU Registration Tab and complete the process

New to GTS: 

Click: Here is a guide to everything GTS for the 2023-2024 season. 

Please reach out to Coach Genevieve if any questions arise throughout the season. 

Parent Meeting:

If you missed the parent meeting no worries, check out the pdf here! 

Upcoming Practice Changes:  

  • October 13 
    • No afternoon practice for Shark & Senior Prep groups, due to the FST Pink Meet
  • October 28
    • No morning practice for the Senior group, due to the Great Pumpkin Distance Meet
  • October 30
    • Combined GTS Team Practice full of Halloween fun 
    • All groups will swim from 4:30 pm -5:30 pm
  • October 31: Happy Halloween! 
    • No practice for Fish and Shark groups, enjoy trick or treating with friends and family
    • Regular practice for Senior Prep and Senior groups

Upcoming Swim Meets:  

  • October 13-15: FST Pink Meet
    • Entry deadline: Monday, October 2nd
    • Meet Information is on TeamUnify
    • GTS please wear Pink to this swim meet!
    • Location: Carmody Recreation Center, Lakewood, CO 80227, USA
    • Please ensure you sign up your athlete as no late entries will be accepted
  • October 28-29: Great Pumpkin Swim Meet
    • Entry deadline: Friday, October 6th
    • Meet Information is on TeamUnify
    • Location: Mountain View Aquatic Center, Loveland, CO 80537, USA
    • Please ensure you sign up your athlete as no late entries will be accepted

Weather:  

Coaches will always use their best judgment and the assistance of the WeatherBug app to ensure athlete safety. If outdoor practice is deemed unsafe coaches will move the practice indoors. Coaches will never practice outside if lightning is within 10 miles of the pool.  

Upcoming Safe Sport Class:

Please remember USA Swimming is committed to providing a healthy and positive environment free from abuse for all its members.  USA Swimming’s Safe Sport program, a comprehensive abuse prevention program, consists of a multi-layered approach to keep kids safe, including required policies and best practice guidelines; mandatory screening, including criminal background checks and employment screening; training and education; monitoring, supervision, and mandatory reporting.  These measures are informed by experts in the field of child safety and are among the strongest safeguards found in youth-serving organizations. GTS is seeking to maintain this club recognition annually; thus, our parents and athletes must complete the following training. Please plan on the training taking about 1 hour to complete.

For Parents: 

For Athletes (12 years & up):

Guidelines For Covid And Other Illnesses:

This is the time of the year when all sicknesses (Covid, cough/cold, flu, etc.) are more prevalent. If your athlete(s) is experiencing any symptoms of illness, please Coach Genevieve as soon as possible and stay home. If your athlete(s) have symptoms, they are sick. It does not take a positive test result to come to that conclusion. In the case of Covid, a positive test result may not come for 2 or 3 days, but the first few days of symptoms is when you are most contagious.

These are the CDC guidelines for Covid, but they should apply to any illness.

  • The first day you have symptoms is Day 0 (zero). The CDC encourages you to test for Covid if you have Covid symptoms, but the RED FLAG should be symptoms, not a positive test result.
  • Days 1 through 5 are isolation days. Stay home. Stay away from other people. Wear a high-quality mask if you must go out.
  • Day 6 is the day you can leave isolation, as long as your symptoms are improving, and you do not have a fever. You do not have to have a negative test to leave isolation.
  • The CDC encourages the use of a high-quality mask for Days 6-10.

High School Athlete Reminder: Cancellation/Hold Policy:

As high school girls season approaches many athletes will be participating in their school programs. We can accommodate both practice schedules. Please communicate your athlete's needs and schedule challenges so we can work with you to create a successful game plan.  

Hold Policy:  


If you wish to put your GTS membership on hold, this will allow you to still receive team emails and will hold your spot on the team for when you return. You will need to notify Coach Genevieve, in writing, by the 1st of the month prior.  A hold fee of $250/family will be incurred along with your last month of team dues. Holds last a maximum of 3 months.
  

Example: If a swimmer wishes to put their membership on hold in March, the written notice would be needed by February 1, and the swimmer would be charged their final team dues for March as well as the hold fee of $250.   
 

Cancel Policy:  

If you wish to cancel your GTS membership, you must notify Coach Genevieve, in writing, by the 1st of the month prior.   An early termination fee of $180/family will be incurred along with your last month of team dues, with exceptions made only in the case of an athlete going away for college or an injury, with a physician’s note, that prevents the swimmer from participating. All annual prepaid will also be charged a cancelation fee.  
  
Example: If a swimmer wishes to cancel in March, the written notice would be needed by February 1st, and the swimmer would be charged their final team dues for March as well as the termination fee of $180. 

Also, when a Greenwood Tiger Sharks membership is canceled at any time that membership will be taken off the team email list. To be added back to the email list, the swimmer would need to notify Coach Genevieve to get reinstated to the team. However, there is no guarantee that your spot will be available upon your return.  
 

Sincerely,  

Coach Genevieve & Coach Andy