'Swimming is lifelong skill': YMCA, Plain Local partner to give lessons to first graders

Amy L. Knapp
·4 min read
CJ Anderson, a first grade student at Frazer Elementary School, takes swim lessons with the help of instructor Glenda Lehmiller at the Eric Snow Family YMCA in Canton as part of a partnership between the YMCA and Plain Local Schools.
CJ Anderson, a first grade student at Frazer Elementary School, takes swim lessons with the help of instructor Glenda Lehmiller at the Eric Snow Family YMCA in Canton as part of a partnership between the YMCA and Plain Local Schools.

CANTON – Seven-year-old CJ Anderson wanted to take swim lessons but was nervous.

His dad, Cortney Anderson, said the youngster loves water but fears it.

Five weeks ago, the first grader at Frazer Elementary School joined his classmates for their first swim lesson at the Eric Snow Family YMCA.

Swim instructors at the YMCA have been able to calm CJ's fears and now his dad jokes that he is making him nervous while he watches him show off the skills he has learned in the lessons — with a giant smile on his face.

The lessons are part of a partnership between the YMCA of Central Stark County and Plain Local Schools. Through a donation, the YMCA can provide swim lessons to all first graders who attend Plain's six elementary schools — 413 students.

"It's great to get them in the water as soon as possible," Eric Snow Family YMCA Executive Director Jennifer George said. "Kids are naturally curious around water and we want them to be safe."

Brandon Bussey, director of marketing and communications for the YMCA of Central Stark County, explained the mission of the YMCA of the USA is to eliminate drowning. The Safety Around Water course allows children to learn to respect the water and build confidence to stay safe in and out of the water.

Ben Mitchell gets help from instructor Glenda Lehmiller as first grade students from Frazer Elementary School take swim lessons at the Eric Snow Family YMCA in Canton as part of a partnership between the YMCA and Plain Local Schools.
Ben Mitchell gets help from instructor Glenda Lehmiller as first grade students from Frazer Elementary School take swim lessons at the Eric Snow Family YMCA in Canton as part of a partnership between the YMCA and Plain Local Schools.

Generous donor provides funds for YWCA-Plain Local partnership

Mary Beddell, public relations director for Plain Local Schools, said the district is pleased to be able to partner with the YMCA and provide the swim lessons at no cost to the students. The district provided a towel, goggles and a bag to students.

For the past few years, first graders at Taft and Barr elementary schools have taken swim lessons at the Y. It wasn't until this year they were able to expand the program to all first graders.

"For us, we have a strong partnership with the Y and we are always dreaming up things and they don't always happen but we were able to make this one work," she said.

Beddell said many parents asked for the program to be offered to all first graders.

A generous donor who wanted to focus on youth development made the partnership possible, said Ben Wheeler, vice president of operations for YMCA of Central Stark County.

Ben Mitchell gets help from instructor Glenda Lehmiller as first grade students from Frazer Elementary School take swim lessons at the Eric Snow Family YMCA in Canton as part of a partnership between the YMCA and Plain Local Schools.
Ben Mitchell gets help from instructor Glenda Lehmiller as first grade students from Frazer Elementary School take swim lessons at the Eric Snow Family YMCA in Canton as part of a partnership between the YMCA and Plain Local Schools.

In the past, funding was limited, he added.

Wheeler said they started the pilot program with Taft and Barr before COVID. He's excited they are able to expand the program to provide life skills.

The goal is to continue the swim lessons as a long-term program with the district, he added, noting there is potential to expand to other districts

"We're really excited," Wheeler added.

First grade students from Frazer Elementary School take swim lessons with instructor Jeff Miller at the Eric Snow Family YMCA in Canton as part of a partnership between the YMCA and Plain Local Schools.
First grade students from Frazer Elementary School take swim lessons with instructor Jeff Miller at the Eric Snow Family YMCA in Canton as part of a partnership between the YMCA and Plain Local Schools.

'Water can be fun but you do have to have a great respect for it.'

The 45-minute lessons are held once a week for six weeks. The students are transported from school to one of the YMCA's nine branches. Lessons were held at the Eric Snow, North Canton, Myers Lake and Lake branches.

"A lot of it is learning respect for the water," George explained. "Don't run around the pool. No pushing and shoving. ... Water can be fun but you do have to have a great respect for it."

Instructors evaluated students' skills in the water. Some students didn't want to step foot in the pool while others were willing to jump right in, she said. The students were separated into groups based on their skills.

George said it is an evolution for the students. They start by learning how to get in and out of the water and then getting used to the water. Then, instructors can get kids to put their heads under the water and learn to blow bubbles, and the skills grow from there.

Students also learned about properly wearing a lifejacket and when it should be worn.

"A lot of kids need steps to get comfortable," George said. "Drowning is preventable. If a child falls in the water, they can survive. Knowing how to swim is a life lesson."

Parent Hannah Cindrich dropped in on a recent class to check on her 7-year-old son Giovanni Palomba, a student at Frazer.

The family has a Y membership but her son hasn't taken any swim lessons, she said.

Plain Local school resource officer Deputy Steve Shaffer takes to the water to support first grade students from Frazer Elementary School as they take swim lessons at the Eric Snow Family YMCA in Canton as part of a partnership between the YMCA and Plain Local Schools.
Plain Local school resource officer Deputy Steve Shaffer takes to the water to support first grade students from Frazer Elementary School as they take swim lessons at the Eric Snow Family YMCA in Canton as part of a partnership between the YMCA and Plain Local Schools.

"He's wanted to take swim lessons but he is a four-sport athlete. There isn't much time," Cindrich said. "This is great. He respects his teacher and listens."

As summer draws near, Cindrich's grateful that her son is learning about safety around the pool.

"He's done well," she said. "He started in the first group and has since moved to the second group. He does well when he is proud of what he has accomplished. This is a huge thing."

Franni Toth and Da'Mari Lilly-O'Neal, classmates at Frazer, have enjoyed coming to the Y for lessons.

Da'Mari, 7, joked the best part is getting out of school. He also enjoys playing basketball in the water.

Franni, 6, has taken swim lessons before and enjoys when she gets free time to play in the pool. The pair agree it was good to learn how to safely get out of the water.

They also agreed — the deep end is the scariest part of lessons.

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.

First grade students from Frazer Elementary School take swim lessons with instructor Jeff Miller at the Eric Snow Family YMCA in Canton as part of a partnership between the YMCA and Plain Local Schools.
First grade students from Frazer Elementary School take swim lessons with instructor Jeff Miller at the Eric Snow Family YMCA in Canton as part of a partnership between the YMCA and Plain Local Schools.

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Central Stark YMCA, Plain Local partner to teach first graders to swim