SHST Weekly Newsletter - February 17, 2025

Sarah Franklin

Practice Starts Next Week & Lots of Fun to Come

HIGHLIGHTS & NEWS

Hello SHST Families - We hope everyone is enjoying mid-winter break! 

  • New swimmer assessments have been cancelled.

  • All practice groups will be emailed on Sunday, Feb. 23rd. The schedule and more details are below.

  • For those new to the team, parents sign up to bring dinner(s) (breakfasts for summer practices) to our wonderful coaches. Mark and Paul really appreciate it! Sign up here for 2025. THANK YOU!

  • Mark your calendars for our team kickoff dinner on Friday, March 14th! More details and other fun events listed below!

  • Please read on... everything you need to know is below!

 

Practice Groups and Practice Schedule

Swim practice starts on Monday, February 24th. Practices are Monday through Friday and swimmers may attend as often as they like. Our coaches recommend that swimmers attend practice at least three days a week in order to progress throughout the season. Click here for more information.

Swimmers will be placed in one of four practice groups prior to the start of the season. You will receive an email on Sunday, February 24th stating which group your child/children are placed. Remember, practice groups are based on ability and motivation, not age. We recommend you give it at least two weeks of practice before requesting a change to another group. Questions regarding your child's practice group should be directed to Mark Anderson.

Practice Schedule

Swim practices start on Monday, February 24th and go through June 13th. 

Group 1             4:00 PM - 4:40 PM

Group 2             4:40 PM - 5:25 PM

Group 3             5:25 PM - 6:15 PM

Group 4             6:15 PM - 7:25 PM*

*on Fridays Group 4 practices from 6:15 PM - 7:10 PM

A few important notes about practices:

  • We ask that parents of groups 3 & 4 not hang around the pool deck/watch practices.
  • Due to the nature of the landscaping, we ask that all swimmers wear shoes when entering the site to keep the pool clean.
  • Practices will change from the afternoons to the mornings starting Monday, June 16th.
  • For more information, please read Getting Prepared for Practice.

 

Volunteer Assignments

Except for those of you involved with the "Fun" Committee (who will be notified soon), Family Commitment volunteer assignments will be sent out later in March. In the meantime, read more about the Family Commitment, or if you have questions about volunteering please contact Kerry Dahnke.

We are looking for a volunteer to join the Champs Dinner committee. This is a a party planner's dream volunteer job! Champs Dinner is our end of the season celebration, including dinner and an awards ceremony. It will be on Sunday, June 29th. Contact Erin Hill if you are interested in this opportunity.

 

Help Feed Our Coaches

For those new to the team, parents sign up to bring dinner(s) (breakfasts for summer practices) to our wonderful coaches. Mark and Paul really appreciate it! Sign up here for 2025. THANK YOU!

Fun Activities for 2025 Begin!

Friday, March 7: 11+ Pizza Night
Pizza night for our 11+ swimmers will be Friday, March 7th and will take place directly after group 4 practice. Parents, please pick your swimmers up by 7:15p.  
 
A reminder about the evening…The older swimmers grab some pizza, chat about weekend plans, high five the coaches, and head out to start their weekend...sometimes shoveling food in their mouths as they walk out the gate. :) We only serve the food after Group 4 swims but this event is for all 11+ swimmers. So if your 11+ swimmer is not in Group 4, it's up to you if you want to bring your swimmer back to the pool. Please keep in mind, this event is very quick and it is only for the swimmers (no parents). It lasts about 10 minutes from about 7:05- 7:15 ish.
 
Friday, March 14: Season Kick-Off Team Pasta Potluck Dinner 
Let's Get Ready To Rumble at the team Pasta Potluck on Friday, March 14th 6p-8p at the Clubhouse! This family Fun event is a great opportunity to meet new families, learn more about the season from Coach Mark and Coach Paul, enjoy a night with this amazing community, and win prizes! 
 
Families are asked to bring the following: 
  • Last names A through E: Bring a salad to share (with serving utensils)
  • Last names F through Z: Bring a pasta dish to share (with serving utensils)
The Fun Committee will provide lemonade, sparkling water, and cookies. 
 
This event is also a fundraiser for the team. We sell raffle tickets ($20 for an arms length of raffle tickets) with the chance to win some fun prizes, so be sure to bring some cash…and long torpedo arms! 
 
Note that Group 3 practice will end at 6p and Group 4 practice will be canceled on 3/14 for the Pasta Potluck.  
 
Friday, March 21: SLIC Store
8U swimmers will be coming home with plastic yellow coins each Friday. These are Seal Lion Incentive Coins or SLICs for short. Your swimmer can collect them and then "spend" them at our SLIC stores for little prizes and candy. We will have two stores during the season. The first one is on March 22nd. The shop will be open from 4:30-5pm in the courtyard at the pool. Note for group 2 8&U swimmers: the SLIC store will be closed after group 2 so your child needs to shop the store before Group 2 begins. 
 
Friday, March 21: 9/10 Movie Night
Attention all 9 and 10 year old swimmers: Friday, March 22nd is Movie Night! Wear something comfy, bring a sleeping bag and pillow, and come watch a movie with your friends after practice! Swimmers will enjoy dinner followed by some yummy treats for the movie!  
 
Friday, March 28: 8 & Under Movie Night
Attention all 8 and under swimmers: Friday, March 8th is Movie Night! Wear something comfy, bring a sleeping bag and pillow, and come watch a movie with your friends after practice! Swimmers will enjoy dinner followed by some yummy treats for the movie!
 

IMPORTANT DATES FOR ALL SWIMMERS

Saturday, February 22nd: New swimmer assessments - CANCELLED

Sunday, February 23rd: You will receive additional information via email about practice group placements. 

Monday, February 24th: Practice begins!! More information below.

Friday, March 7th: 11 & Up Pizza Night

Tuesday, March 11th:  Last day to drop from the team and receive a refund - email Mara Bailey-Olson.

Wednesday, March 12th: T&B Sports will be at the pool for swimmers to try-on team uniforms (4pm-6pm).

Friday, March 14th: Pasta Potluck @ 6-8pm. More information below.

Friday, March 14th: Practice will end @ 6:00 for Group 3; Practice cancelled for Group 4 due to Pasta Potluck

Monday, March 17th: Last day to order Uniform gear from the online T&B store. More information below.

Friday, March 21st:  SLIC Store & 9/10 Movie Night. More information below.

Friday, March 28th: 8 & Under Movie Night

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....

A Note from Coach Mark

Hello All,

Welcome to the 2025 Sleepy Hollow Swim Team/Marin Swim League swim season. We are excited to announce that Paul Birich is back to coach the Sealions. Paul has coached SHST with me for over 10 years. He is a super addition to our team and is available for private and group lessons. Please email him at [email protected] if interested. 
 
We have many new swimmers this spring and it will be fun getting them up to speed. We also have lots of very good returning swimmers who will help guide and lead the team. Getting to know each swimmer better and giving kids some attainable goals is my objective each year.
 
What is important to me are the little things we do every day at practice. These things have very little to do with swimming. Checking in, making eye contact, saying hello and how are you, and using our manners are huge on our pool deck.
 
As always, if there are any special needs, please let me know in confidence. My email is [email protected].
 
I am looking forward to seeing everyone very soon.
 
Coach Mark

GO SEA LIONS!!!

 

Paul's Lessons and Swim Clinics

Private Lessons and Swim Clinics with Paul are now open for registration. Early season is the best time to work on technique and set good habits and intentions for the season ahead. 

Register here for Lessons and Swim Clinics

 

T&B Sports Uniform & Swimsuits TRY ONS at the pool

On Wednesday, March 12th, our vendor T&B sports along with parent volunteers will be at the pool allowing swimmers to try on gear. You will be able to make all purchases of our Team Uniform & Swimsuits online starting March 1, including Sea Lion TYR swimsuits, sweatshirts, parkas, sweatpants, pajama pants and caps.
 
The online store will close March 17th and all merchandise will hopefully be ready before our Practice Meet on April 19th. If you have questions or need help with sizing, please contact Winona at T&B Sports ([email protected]) or visit their store in San Rafael.
 

Parking and Driver Safety

Please be aware of increased pedestrians and bikers around the Clubhouse, with the start of swim team. Be very careful when walking along and crossing Butterfield Road. Help teach our Sea Lions to be responsible pedestrians and bikers. If driving, slow down and focus. When dropping off your swimmer and/or parking for practice:

  • Do not park in front of the Clubhouse, this is strictly for drop off.  

  • Park perpendicular (not parallel) in the gravel spaces to maximize space for other people.

  • Please don’t ever park in the no parking zones across from the Clubhouse or in the handicapped parking spot in front of the Clubhouse - not even to wait for your swimmer after practice/if you remain in the car.

  • Please do not let your child "jump quickly out of the car" in the middle of the road.  This is not safe!  Please take the extra minute and use the drop off circle.

  • Use the dirt walkway in front of parked cars, and do not walk on the bike path on Butterfield, behind parked cars.

  • Do not block driveways or mailboxes.  Please be respectful of our neighbors!

  • And again, please slow down, and watch out for Sea Lions and parents crossing Butterfield and riding and walking in the bike lanes. These Sea Lions are all of our children!

Meets

Our first meet is Saturday, April 19th and is our Practice Meet. This meet is just for Sleepy Hollow Swim team swimmers to record their first times and for our volunteers to get comfortable with their poolside jobs. April 26th will be our first Dual Meet which will be a home meet. To have a look at our full Meet schedule look here and for more information on meets look here.

 

No Dogs

Please remember that the Sleepy Hollow Homes Association forbids dogs at the Clubhouse and pool area.  Swim team families MAY NOT BRING DOGS to practices or meets.  Dogs may not be tied up or left outside the gates and fence in front of the Clubhouse ,  even if you are just running in to drop off your swimmer. Please help us abide by this SHHA rule and leave your dog at home. Thank you!
 

Donations

As a volunteer based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, we rely on swimmer registration fees and generous donations to help us operate while maintaining and building upon our incredible community. Donations specifically help us do this while expenses and costs continue to rise. Donations to our team also help us fund the many FUN events that we host during the season where kids build camaraderie and get to know each other outside of the pool (movie nights, karaoke, casino night, etc). 
 
Every dollar and donation counts! You can donate any amount to our team HERE, and/or donate/sponsor a specific Fun event HERE. Your donation will be tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. 
 

Big shout out to our donors this season:

The Grimm/Spooner Family 
The McMaster/Dixon Family 
 
We really appreciate your support!

Use the code above to shop at Sports Basement from February 10-20, 2025 and receive 20% off.