Good afternoon, 

It has been a very busy week, but the icing on the cake is watching everyone in the pool progress! I'm emailing you for 3 important reasons: there are two more opportunities to compete before YMCA Championships; I need to clarify requirements in order to compete at the championship; and, there are a few housekeeping items I want to go over to ensure EVERYONE is aware. Please read the entire email. 

Your swimmer(s) work hard all year, and our aim is to provide them the opportunity to showcase all their progress. Our YMCA championship meet will be at Georgia Tech on Sunday, February 25th. There are requirements to qualify: your swimmer(s) MUST compete in at least 2 YMCA sanctioned meets (not including the championship OR high school sanctioned meets) in order to compete at the championship. If you have yet to meet the requirement, there are TWO MORE SWIM MEETS LEFT before the state meet:

1. Saturday, February 3rd:  Canton YMCA (this meet was organized at the last minute to provide swimmers more opportunities to fulfill the 2 meet minimum) PLEASE let me know VIA EMAIL if you will be able to swim in the meet at the Canton YMCA by Saturday, January 27 at 5:00 PM.

2. Saturday, February 17th: Northwest YMCA (the LAST regularly scheduled meet) Please let us know of your intent to swim on the event page.

HOUSEKEEPING AND REMINDERS:

• ALL SWIMMERS UNDER 13 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT at all times. You may walk the track or work out while your child is attending swim practice. YOU MUST BE IN THE BUILDING and YOU MUST pick your child up on time. ( Example: If their practice ends at 5:15 PM, you must be on deck at 5:15 PM.)
• Please do NOT be more than 20 minutes late to practice, unless it was already communicated . If you are late, do not allow your swimmer to walk on the deck unprepared, regardless if their tardiness is excused. They must be ready to jump in the moment they step foot on the pool deck, or they will wasting their own time and lose opportunities for instruction. Our swim practices are planned weekly, so it disrupts EVERYONE when swimmers arrive unprepared. Swim team practice begins promptly at the scheduled time. They are NOT 'drop in' or suggested times. Please remember that your swimmer is not the only swimmer in the pool. If you made arrangements with Coach Anna, I need you to provide Coach Cat those arrangements in writing.
• Encourage and remind your swimmers to bring a water bottle to practice - NO GLASS!!!!! Coach Cat will allow them to get water from the fountain, but it is more efficient and accessible if their water bottle is already on the pool deck. 

Thank you all for your support and for the opportunity to serve your family! I look forward to hearing from you all.

MS