Swim School

SPRING 2023 SWIM SCHOOL TERM 

Tues & Thur classes end June 8; Mon & Wed Classe end June 12.  Saturday classes end June 17

SUMMER 2023 SWIM SCHOOL TERM – GENERAL INFORMATION

Classes will start the week of July 8.  CLASS SCHEDULE -SUMMER 2023 Registration Opens on June 13, 2023, at 8:30 am

This Summer the APS Aquatics will offer Swim Schools twice a week in the evenings (4 weeks), and once a week on Saturdays (8 weeks).  We will also have two sessions that will meet in the mornings (Monday-Thursday), for 2 weeks.  Classes will be at Washington-Liberty and Yorktown ONLY.

Mon-Tue-Wed-Thu – July 10 – July 20 (Mornings)

Mon-Tue-Wed-Thu (2) – July 24 – Aug 3 (Mornings)

Monday & Wednesday – July 10 – Aug 2 (Evenings)

Tuesday & Thursday – July 11- Aug 3 (Evenings)

Saturday – July 8- Aug 26 (Mornings)

 APS AQUATICS SCHOOLS REGISTRATION:  If you are new to our program, please read the registration instructions below.  

Returning Participants

1. Go to our Self-Service Portal
2. Log in to the child’s/participant’s account.
3. Using the Page Menu (on the left) or a drop-down menu if using a mobile device, select REGISTRATION
4. You will be redirected to a “registration” page.  SELECT  “Session “x”
5. The registration page will open with a description of the Courses offered.
6. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and
   • Select ” I am registering for a class”
   • Open the FEE drop-down menu and select the corresponding fee (child/adult, Arlington resident/non-resident)
7. You will be taken to the Participant Waiver.  Please review and Check “I have read and understand the terms of this agreement”
8. You are now ready to select your class using the Drop-Down menu at the very top of the page:  “Please select a class name”
   • The class offerings are grouped by Pool.  Please note the pool designation at the start of the title:  Wakefield (WK); Washington-Liberty (WL); Yorktown (YT)
   • Participant’s details will appear if you are logged in to Self-Service.  Please ensure that you are registering the correct student, and not a sibling or parent.  Make necessary changes.
   • Advance through the pages using the “next” button
   • Include any medical or unique needs your want the staff to know about your child
   • The final screen is a summary of your registration.
9. Select “BUY” to be directed to the payment page and complete your registration.
10. You will receive an Invoice with no balance due that will also serve as your receipt.
11. Class confirmation will be sent via email 3-5 days before the first day of class.
12. You may register on the waitlist.  You will not be charged a class fee if registering for a waitlist.  If space becomes available you will be notified, and the charges will be processed.

If you have any questions, please call 703-228-6263,  703-228-6217 or 703-228-6264. We anticipate our phones will be busy during the first few hours of registration.  Your call will be returned in the order it was received and within 24 hours.  Thank you for your patience.

RESCHEDULING AND CANCELLATIONS

1. Please contact the Aquatics office or email us if you need to reschedule or cancel your registration.  703-228-6263 or 703-228-6264

FEES, CANCELLATIONS, AND REFUNDS

The APS Swim School sessions are 8-Lessons of 30 to 45 minutes (depending on the Course).  Lessons are scheduled either twice/a week on weekdays or once/a week on weekends, except in the Summer when daytime sessions are also available.

All Swim School fee sales are final.  If your plans change or you find the program does not meet your child’s needs, you may contact us by email to request to cancel your registration.  Please note that refunds will NOT be issued for any reason after the first lesson of the series is complete.  There will be NO makeup classes or refunds due to inclement weather including electric, snow, and ice storms that may cause the pool(s) to close.  Refunds or makeups will be issued if APS must cancel the course or a lesson due to events and circumstances within APS’s control.

An income-based fee reduction is available.  Please access the  Fee Reduction Form download it to complete and submit it via email to helena.machado@apsva.us.  Be sure to include a scan or picture of the supporting documents. We will work to turn it around in 48 hours.

SWIM SCHOOL COURSES DESCRIPTION

The APS Swim School is based on an innovative and learner-focused approach developed by Starfish Aquatics Institute. This program and its learner-focused curriculum use an “ages and stages” format which facilitates the acquisition of skills across different skill levels and ages and is a proven approach to help preschool, youth and adults develop a foundation of swimming and safety skills with a focus water safety and self-rescue.  Below, please find a brief description of the different courses (levels) to help you determine the best fit for your student.

B&T Swim School (Babies & Toddlers (6 months to 3 years old): The purpose of this course is to foster in very young children a high comfort level in the water while at the same time training the adults in water safety and drowning prevention.  This course does not teach children to swim or to survive in the water.  The focus is on confidence building, fun, and loving experience.  The course is organized into five (5) learning phases that include trust and comfort, body positions, submersion, air recovery, and rollover and forward movement.  One adult must be in the water, and a second adult is welcome.

Pre-K Swim School (3-5 years old): In Pre-K, students will develop a high comfort level in the water and a readiness to swim.  Children who are developmentally ready will learn functional swim skills.  Instructors use creative, fun activities in the water to introduce the children to fundamental skills including submersion, body position and air recovery, direction change, forward and rotary, and integrated movement as well as important water safety and self-rescue skills.  Sessions are 30 minutes in length. PreK & Swim School Core Skills and Achievement Stages

Swim School (6-13 years old):  Pre-requisite: Children under 6 years old must be assessed by an instructor.  Instructors use age-appropriate, self-paced but challenging learning activities to allow students to develop core swimming competencies – submersion, body position and air recovery, direction change, forward and rotary, and integrated movement.  The course is organized into five (5) learning phases (or grades) and benchmarks include submersion, jumping in, recovery, float, and kick, change directions, glide, and move using overarm pull with a kick.  Safety benchmarks include using a lifejacket, assists, treading water, and survival float.  At the completion of the GREEN Phase, the swimmer will be ready to enroll in STROKE SCHOOL.  PreK & Swim School Core Skills and Achievement Stages

Stroke School (6-13 years old): Pre-requisite: Completion of Swim School GREEN phase or equivalent skill level.  The stroke School curriculum builds on fundamental skills acquired in Swim School and develops endurance, freestyle refinement, and learning stroke techniques for backstroke, butterfly, and breaststroke This course is structured into five (5) learning phases – Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly, and endurance.  During the Green Phase swimmers will learn starts and turns, training methods, and water safety skills.  After completing the GREEN Phase of Stroke School, the swimmer will be ready to enroll in the Swim Academy or join a Swim Team.  Stroke School Core Skills and Achievement Phases

Swim Academies: Pre-requisite: Completion of Stroke School GREEN phase or equivalent skill level. 

• Aqua Academy (Fitness Focus) – Swimmers will continue to improve and refine the four strokes, and learn starts, turns, and training strategies; introduction to advance swim skills such as surface and springboard diving will also be introduced. The Coaches will provide a 40-minute workout swimming workout followed by 10 minutes of new/advanced skills. This Academy aims to provide a swim team-like experience without the pressures of competition.
• Orange Academy (Water Polo Focus) – Swimmers will be introduced to the fundamental skills needed to become proficient Water Polo players. Skills include treading water, throwing, shooting, and game strategies. Participants will receive technical instruction and engage in scrimmages. Class time will include 15-20 minutes of strength and endurance training and 20-30 minutes of Water Polo specific skill development

Adult Swim School (14+ years old): Students will work in groups of similar skill levels and work on developing core swimming competencies such as front and back floating, air recovery and introduction to deep water.

Adult Stroke School (14+ years old):  The adult stroke school will focus on stroke development and refinement and include strength and endurance drills.  Participants must be able to float and streamline on the front, back, and side, or have basic knowledge of the freestyle and backstroke, and be able to tread water for 1 minute and be comfortable in deep water.

AQUATICS SCHOOL CURRICULUM – DIVING SCHOOL

Springboard Diving – Level 1 (6-13 years old):  This course will introduce participants to diving safety, proper use of the springboard, and fundamental dives based on the student’s demonstrated skill level.  Students must be able to swim 25 yards and tread water for 60 seconds.

LOG ROLLING COURSE DESCRIPTION 

Log Rolling School (6-13 years old):  Students will learn the art of log rolling.  Logrolling, as a sport, began in the late 1800s during the great logging when the timber industry used rivers to move logs to the mills. Thousands of logs floating down rivers frequently jammed, so men were hired to prevent the jams. As soon as the men stepped onto the logs, the logs would spin, dumping them into the water and giving birth to the expression “It’s as easy as falling off a log!” In order to stay dry (and alive), the rivermen had to learn to roll the logs.  Logrolling is a fun and exciting way to be active and develop balance and strategy skills.

SWIM AND FITNESS SCHOOL FEES (Effective Summer Session 2023)

Non-resident participation in Swim School will be dependent on space availability.