by Madison White Franks
The Northern Neck Family YMCA and Lancaster County Public Schools recently partnered for the 11th year to teach second graders how to be safe around the water.
“We have a great relationship with Lancaster County Schools,” said YMCA senior operations director Liz Allen.
“The second-grade water safety classes are an important service the YMCA can provide. With our county surrounded by water, it is only right that we be responsible to offer these students an opportunity to learn to be safe in and around the water,” said branch executive director Mark Favazza.
“The partnership with the schools is central to the program’s success. Our school district’s decision back in 2006 to partner to provide these lessons has now enabled the YMCA to provide 1,381 children the opportunity to learn basic swimming and water safety skills that build confidence in their lives,” said Favazza.
“Since the school’s decision in 2006, the program has spread to all our neighboring counties as well. Our school district was truly a leader in child safety by entering into this partnership,” he said.
“We are grateful to the YMCA for providing this valuable service to our students. In a community that is as dependent on the water as ours, swimming is a skill that will last a lifetime for these students, not to mention the safety that comes from knowing how to swim and how to be safe around the water. This is another great example of the strong partnerships in the Lancaster community,” said superintendent of schools Steve Parker.
The classes extend two weeks, Monday through Friday. Five classes completed the program. The public school classes concluded last week and Chesapeake Academy began this week.
