TOLEDO, Ohio — Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5-14 in the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control reports 4,000 people in the U.S. die from drowning every year. Of those, 1,000 are children. Because of that, Washington Local School District aims to keep its students safe and counter that statistic by offering swim classes.
The eight-week program started Tuesday for second graders at Silver Creek and Meadowvale elementary schools. Meadowvale's principal, Melissa Hall, said they are working with the West Toledo and Francis Family YMCA locations.
"Our Greenwood Principal, Bill Cullen, it's been a dream of his to have swimming for all of our Washington Local Students for a very long time," Hall said.
The classes are optional for second grade students, but the school does encourage all families to check them out and consider enrolling.
"For us to see our students who have never encountered water, who are afraid of the water, to overcome that fear and to have such joy in playing and learning and being around all their friends and peers, has been a really wonderful experience for our whole district," Hall said.
Students go to the sessions at the YMCA pools. Each session is 45 minutes, with 30 minutes of instruction and 15 of play, and students are split into three groups according to skill level. After, they're brought back to the school.
"We provide transportation to and from the (YMCA.) The district has provided all students with a drawstring bag, towel and swimsuits, and swim caps when needed," Hall said.
Hall said the district had already seen success with swimming classes at other elementary schools last fall, so she's happy they are able to bring it back.
Thomas, who is the son of 5th grade teacher Colleen Aiken, is among 60 students getting lessons. He said he has good experience with swimming, but the class has taught him how to get in and out and tread water.
Thomas says his favorite part is the last 15 mins.
"We get to have some time to swim and fun swimming," he said.