***ATLA NEWS BLAST***

Coach Rhi Jeffrey

Good morning team,

 

We had an interesting first day back (thanks weather!!) but we are officially rolling on SCY 2023-2024!! Hang with me this week for all these updates, I know there is a lot of information here, I just want to make sure you are all prepared!

 

PARENT MEETING

  • There will be a virtual parent meeting THIS SUNDAY at 6 PM via zoom.
  • This is open to all parents who need to ask questions or feel they need more information on the 2023-2024 season.
  • We will cover things that are included below in more detail if needed, as well as swim meet info/protocol, and a few other seasonal odds and ends. We also will be asking any questions anyone has.
  • Those of you who have been on the team for a while most likely do not need this information but we welcome anyone who wants to attend!
  • I will post a link to the zoom meeting on the website and via email this Friday.

 

COMMUNICATIONS

  • All communications this year will be coming through this system. Please make sure the email you signed up with is receiving these updates.
  • If there is an additional email you would like the information coming to, please reach out to me with that email address (even if you have before) as I am creating a new group to forward the information to so there are no duplicates. 
  • Please download the OnDeck app for push notifications. This is the quickest way for me to get in touch with you all should something change. 

 

POOL RULES

Lightning

  • As you guys witnessed yesterday, there is a lightning policy in effect at the PIP and the same is in effect at the YMCA. If there is lightning within a 10 mile radius, we are out of the water for 30 minutes from the LAST lightning strike seen.
  • Sometimes we play the waiting game; depending on what time of practice we get pulled out (30 mins at the beginning could still give you a solid 30 mins at the end) or how long the storm lasts, swim could still be possible that day.
  • When the weather is yucky, make sure your swimmer has a way to contact you should practice end early or just keep an eye on your email/TU app for an update.

Pick-Up & Drop-Off

  • Both facilities have asked that we have a 15 minute pick-up and drop-off window at practice. 
  • If you have to bring your swimmer to the pool earlier than 15 minutes, you MUST stay with your swimmer until a coach arrives.
  • If your swimmer arrives before a coach, they are not allowed on pool deck without one.
  • We are the last people in the building at all of our practices. 15 minute pick-up after practice is really really important as the facility is already closed, cleaning crews need to come in, and facility employees need to go home. These facilites both stay open later just for us!

At the Pool

  • All swimmers must take a shower off before they enter the pool. This is a state law.
  • No food, drinks or glass on the pool deck. Water is allowed, gatorades, sports drinks, etc must be in a sealable bottle.
  • All bags must be in a locker. If there is no room, bring them out to the bleachers. Nothing on top of lockers please.
  • Changing stalls are for a quikc change, nothing should be left in them.
  • Toilet stalls are for bathroom use only, no changing in toilet stalls.
  • No cellphone use in the locker room.
  • Per USA Swimming rules, coaches are not permitted in locker rooms when swimmers are present. Coaches will do a final sweep of the locker rooms after swimmers are cleared.
  • Per USA Swimming inurance, there are NO PARENTS ALLOWED ON DECK during practice time.

 

TEAM EQUIPMENT & STORE

  • Team equipment list can be found here
  • We have two team store options at the moment, K&B Sportswear and SwimOutlet.
  • Prices are comperable with both, some items my be cheaper in one place than the other.
  • Team suit on there is NOT our racing suit. We are working with Q Swim this year for our team suit so Arena cannot discontinue the pattern I always choose (LOL)
  • Team racing suits should be posted in a week or two.
  • While we try to be flexible with practice attire, it is best to wear one of the suits like the ones in our team store even for practice.
  • If your swimmer's suit has extra skirts or frills, if you wear a rash guard or swim shirt to practice, it does change how the swimmer needs to move through the water because of the added weight; especially swim shirts as they hinder the ability to move the arms and shoulders through the water unencumbered. We strongly encourage moving into one of the training suits listed on these sites. 

 

POOL MEMBERSHIP & DRYLAND

  • I am still waiting on membership pricing from the YMCA for dryland. I know some of you have been told by the front desk you do not need a membership for either, this is not what I was told by the executive director. Once I hear from him what the plan is, I will let you know.
  • If you are wanting to start dryland today, you may have to go with a regular membership for now until I know what they are planning to do for us. If you'd like to wait on dryland until then, that's ok!

 

PARENT VOLUNTEERING

  • There are a few ways you can help us out as parents: timing (meets), officiating (meets), parent communication, and event planning/hosting to name a few. These all can work towards your fundraising requirement as well (two birds!).
  • TIMING: If your swimmer attends a meet, the best way to watch them is right in the action on the deck timing! Most meets require teams to provide a certain number of timers, so this is a super helpful way to volunteer your time (no pun intended). In addition, if your swimmer ends up in a distance swimming event on a Friday or Thursday evening those require the parent to time their own swimmer so it is also great practice! 
  • OFFICIATING: Being an official is super important, not just for our kids but for the entire LSC (local swimming committee - New England) and sport. Officials are at their lowest numbers we've had so there are a lot of opportunities to grow! ATLA covers all fees associated with becoming an official as well as offers a way to work off fundraiser goals. In addition, every meet a parent officiates for their swimmer will have all ATLA fees waived at that meet. If you'd like to learn more about becoming an official, please reach out to a coach or you can read up on it here.
  • PARENT COMMUNICATIONS: We are looking for few parents who would like to be our points of contact for the other parents on the team. This would be to annouce parent events (meetings) or meet sign up reminders, spaghetti dinner plans, carpool info, etc. This is one of our bigger ways to work off fundraising goals as well! 
  • EVENT PLANNING/HOSTING: Another big way to work off fundraising requirements is planning or hosting team events. Since we have been on the smaller side (60 swimmers) we've had a few team events at parent's homes or neighborhoods. We are also open to event center rentals or pavillions for bigger parties, and we would love some help with planning and coordinating those events as well. 

 

Thanks all and see you at the pool!