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City & School District Receive Funds For Swim to Survive Program

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed February 20, 2015 2:30 PM

Summary

On Friday, February 20, representatives from the City of Nanaimo and School District 68 were pleased to be presented with a cheque for over $21,000 from the Lifesaving Society for the Swim to Survive Program on the pool deck at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre.

The Swim to Survive program, which runs from February to April, teaches children at the Grade 3 level the minimum skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. The grant will cover the cost for every Grade 3 student in School District 68.

The cheque presentation was held during a Swim to Survive session with students from Forest Park Elementary.

Link to Strategic Plan: Community Building Partnerships

Key Points

  • The Swim to Survive Program is a partnership between School District 68 and the City.
  • The Lifesaving Society of BC awarded the City and School District 68 with a cheque for $21,972 to aid in the Swim to Survive Program.

Quotes

"Partnerships are key to the success of this community. Working with the school district for the Swim to Survive program is an important step to keeping our children safe in and near bodies of water. Thank you to the Lifesaving Society of BC for their support of this important program."

Bill McKay
Mayor
City of Nanaimo

"In our classrooms each and every day, our students learn the fundamental skills to succeed in life. The Swim to Survive Program may not be in your typical classroom but it does offer the essential skills required to survive. On behalf of the Board of Education, I want to thank the Lifesaving Society and their partners for their support of this unique program for all our Grade 3 students."

Steve Rae
Board Chair
School District 68

Quick Facts

  • The Lifesaving Society projects that if every Canadian learned the Swim to Survive standard, the drowning rate would be reduced by half. Their goal is to provide the training to 50% of Grade 3 students in BC within a three year period.
  • The Swim to Survive program is one of many designed by the Lifesaving Society to ensure safety in, on and around the water.
  • The Swim to Survive program consists of three in-water lessons of 45 minutes each, focusing on a sequence of three skills: roll entry, tread water for one minute, and swim 50 metres.

Images

Swim to Survive Cheque Presentation
Swim to Survive Cheque Presentation
Left to Right: J. Blain, S. Kimler, J. Solomon, K. Domes, J. Olesen, J. Kipp, J. Poulin, R. Harding
Swim to Survive Program Participants
Swim to Survive Program Participants
Swim to Survive Program
Swim to Survive Program
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Contact:

Damon Johnston
Assistant Manager of Aquatics
City of Nanaimo
250-755-7593
Jacquie Poulin
Principal
Forest Park Elementary
250-758-6892
Dale Miller
Executive Director
Lifesaving Society - BC & Yukon Branch
604-341-7475

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