PRACTICE SCHEDULE:   Our first day of practice is on Tuesday, May 31.   Our practice schedule for the next few weeks is the following:
 
May 31 - June 20, we practice in the evenings only, M-Th.

    6:00 - 6:30 pm ages 4-6
    6:30 - 7:15 pm ages 7-10
    7:15 - 8:00 pm ages 11-18

The complete practice schedule for the season can be found on the website (http://fourseasons.swim-team.us) under TEAM INFORMATION/PRACTICE SCHEDULE.

COACHES:
We're pleased to welcome our new head coach, Laura Walbert.  She brings experience as a swim team coach and teacher. Additionally, we welcome back 2 popular coaches from last year - Alex Price and Melissa Lacher. Last, but not least, we welcome a competitive college swimmer, Kristen Callahan, as our 3rd assistant coach. You can find their bios on the website under: TEAM INFORMATION/COACHES.

PAYING YOUR FEES:
Your child will not be able to swim in practice until you have completed the registration, which includes paying your $75 non-participation fee.  Please bring checks, made payable to FOUR SEASONS SWIM TEAM, to practice with you.

WHAT TO BRING TO PRACTICE:  
swim suit, goggles (optional),  swim cap or hair tie (optional), a towel (or 2), sweat shirt/pants (for after practice on chilly evenings), and a pair of running shoes (for dry land practice).

GETTING STARTED:
We are very excited to be welcoming many new swimmers to the team this year. Of course, it's great to see so many famiiles returning for another season too! Please get to practice early so you can check that your child(ren) is registered and paid.  Swimmers will meet coaches in the grassy area.  During the first week of practice the coaches will be focused on getting to know the swimmers and assessing each swimmer’s current skill level.    Parents can help the coaches by
getting your child to practice on-time, and avoiding the temptation to coach your child during practice.  It makes the coaches' jobs harder. If you’d like to discuss your child’s needs with the coach, please wait until the end of the evening or leave a note for the coach.   

Please remember that the lifeguards are responsible for the safety of the pool.  Swimmers and families are expected to follow all pool rules and be respectful of  the lifeguards and coaches.

We know that many of you are very busy with end of school year activities and the last weeks of spring sports.  You do not  need to let us know when you will be missing practice.   We look forward to seeing you at the pool as often as you can get here.

TIMER TRAINING:
We need many volunteers to serve as timers during each of our meets. It's not a complicated job, but we want everyone to understand the current procedures. So, while your swimmers are at practice, we're asking all parents to go through a brief timer training session. This session is for exerienced and inexperienced timers to ensure that everyone understands the same procedures.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation! 
 
WEATHER: 
As you know, evening thunderstorms are very common in Northern Virginia at this time of year.  We cannot enter the water or be in the pool area when thunderstorms are present. Weather conditions can change rapidly and it may not always be possible to provide advance notice if we need to cancel practice.   The lifeguards are responsible for determining when it is safe to enter the pool area.  Please make sure your child has a plan to get home if a thunderstorm begins during practice.  We ask that parents of children 8 and under remain at the pool during practice (or designate another responsible person).

The website will be updated, and an email sent, when we know in advance that practices will be cancelled.

We look forward to seeing you at the pool!
   Diane and Jeremy Smith
Co-Presidents, Swim Team Board