Based upon the results from the Red Cross Basic Swim Skills survey, conducted by SOAC in June, 2021, SOAC has requested that the Ashland School District consider implementing a Pilot Swim Program of elementary school students at some time in the near future.  Such a program would be implemented with a user agreement with Ashland Parks and Recreation and be conducted at the Daniel Meyer Pool with certified swim instructors provided by APRC. 

The survey results indicated that 35% of Ashland’s 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade students were not capable of performing all five Red Cross Basic Swim Skills.  The participation rate of the survey was 24%.  It is feared that many families in the 76% who did not participate may be at financial risk, and therefore their children probably also have not been enrolled in any swim classes and are not water-safe. 

In order to insure that ALL Ashland children are water-safe, and that ALL Ashland children are offered the opportunity to learn how to swim, SOAC and APRC are requesting that Ashland School District consider implementing this Pilot Swim Program, and ultimately include swim class as part of the regular curriculum for all students.  Talks with Ashland School District are ongoing at this time.