HAMILTON — In the winter, there’s skiing, snowboarding, and now there’s swimming lessons.

Thanks to a grant and a program, the Darby School District was able to incorporate swimming lessons into its curriculum.

Darby first grade teacher Morgan Pelkey ​​says the lessons are the highlight of her students’ week.

“They’re having fun. I’m pretty sure it’s their favorite part of the week. Last time I came on a Tuesday, first time the next day, swim, swim? Is it swimming?” Pelkey ​​said.

Swimming lessons don’t just teach swimming skills, but other skills as well.

“I think they’ve been really good at teaching the kids to just get in the water when it’s their turn and really listen,” Pelkey ​​said. “And I saw them practicing more of their floaters, their basic survival. skills, which is great and I know it will lead to more down the road, but I feel like they were really good at teaching them, basic push ups and other things that I can use right away. You know, if they’re in a situation where they have to help themselves.”

It’s also a way for students to shine in school, but outside of the classroom.

“I think it was super cool and really beneficial for us. I feel like it gives students a chance to shine that maybe doesn’t usually shine as much in your academic settings, some of them are finding that this is their niche and it’s really exciting,” Pelkey ​​told MTN.

Also, the increase in just three lessons makes the bus ride worthwhile.

“Just being able to see, like, they’re all growing a ton, even like over the three lessons, seeing them get a lot braver and, you know, they’re like, they’re swimming on their own a little bit and they’re not really panicking, you know, when the teacher lets go for a second. So they’re doing really well,” Pelkey ​​said.

Fer Schreckendgust with Bitterroot Aquatic Center explained the importance of the program.

“What the bottom line is, we’re seeing kids with more abilities. These first-class programs with Corvallis and Hamilton, we see, we have fluent swimmers. Children we can turn our backs in the water, children who are safer in the water. We also teach a water safety program along with it, touch or throw,” Schreckendgust said. “Be careful on the ice, things like that … it’s basically getting these kids to float and swim and be comfortable in the water.”

But these skills learned in lessons can also be a springboard for a lifetime of swimming in any environment.

“We’re hoping to progress them to competition or any swim team environment, which is our goal and the basics, to save lives. It’s all about saving lives,” Schreckendgust said.

Safety is also a top priority when teaching toddlers how to swim.

“Just getting that water, education, that safety, getting rid of that number one fear aspect, we’re really trying to focus on non-swimmers as much as possible,” explained Schreckendgust. “We just want them to be as safe as possible. in any water environment, so they are our number one priority. But we see the long-term effects of this program in our regular group lessons.”

“I think parents are excited about it. They’ve been very supportive of the program and they’ve been very helpful on both ends,” Schreckendgust continued. “I know Darby posted about it earlier before this program started this season, and their parents, the parents’ comments on social media has been huge and so positive. It’s great, it’s just a fabulous program.”

With a warm pool on colder days, the start of the swim lesson is easier for students to jump in and start learning basic skills.

“We are so lucky. We can supply it with our hot water. We have a heated indoor pool. It’s 91, that’s right, so we don’t have to go through that cold water experience. We can go in right away. It’s like being in a bathtub. We’re having a blast,” Schreckendgust said.

And there’s only one word to describe the next generation of confident swimmers.

“It feels fabulous. Anything we can do to help our community grow and thrive. That’s what we’re here for. And we feel so lucky to be where we are and to give the best we can with what we have. Of course, we’re always looking to expand, to offer more services in the winter,” said Schreckendgust.