fifth and sixth Graders Study the Fundamentals of Swimming

Story and images by Quinnlyn Carpenter ’31

Have you ever wished that there was a category the place you may be taught to swim? Khannie Dastgah, Middle School PE Teacher and Director of Aquatics Programs and Facilities, determined to crew up with Middle School Science Teacher Callie Bambenek to make a category for fifth and sixth graders throughout Winter Term. 

After the scholars’ morning courses finish, they stroll as much as the pool, get modified, and leap proper in. When requested, “What made you choose this class,” Abby Podgorny ’32 mentioned, “I had it last year and thought it was really fun because I love diving.” She then went on to say that she in all probability gained’t do it subsequent 12 months, simply because she has already carried out it for 2 years and desires to strive one thing new. But she additionally mentioned that she would advocate this class to her different classmates.

You are in all probability eager to know slightly extra concerning the two great coaches who educate this class. Well, Dastgah (Coach Khannie) is the primary trainer, and Bambenek (Mrs. Bam) is there to help her. Coach Khannie is a lifelong swimmer. She has been teaching swim for 37 years and has been at MICDS for 9 years of these 37. She additionally swam as a child. She began on a aggressive crew after which swam at St. Louis University. Coach Khannie went on to inform me about why she wished to educate swimming. She mentioned, “I followed my dad’s footsteps. He was a swim coach so I learned from him. I saw how rewarding an experience it was, and I saw people could really use it as a life skill, so that is why I decided to continue his legacy.” As effectively as doing a category throughout Winter Term she additionally does swimming as a category that the scholars soak up PE. That is definitely one of many explanation why she selected this class. She mentioned, “The classes are longer and it’s a continuous nine-day unit so there is more chance to be able to work on skills, but during PE classes they are shorter so I feel like I have as much time to cover as much material, and in this class I am able to cover more material.”

The second coach, Mrs. Bam, is a Middle School Science Teacher with a giant swim background. She swam competitively when rising up. In an interview, she was requested why she wished to assist with this class. “A: Just learn from Coach Khannie because she is the best and I think that all of this is really inspiring to me. And B: to help students to strengthen their confidence or grow in their stroke is me living a little side dream of getting to help these people.”  She additionally shared that one factor that she has noticed on this class is that one of many college students who had simply began swimming was capable of swim all the best way to the flags with none assist, like a swim belt or flippers, inside six days. She mentioned, “Self-confidence—that’s a big takeaway from this class. I hope they realize how far they have come, and I hope they are able to see their own growth, whether that’s treading water, swimming without safety belts, or learning how to do their breathing.”

Because this class is for all, there are people who find themselves swimming for the primary time, individuals who swim competitively, and even individuals who have solely swum of their yard. Kate Liden ’33 is among the college students who has solely swum in her yard. When she was requested why she selected this class her reply was, “I wanted to swim and my friends were doing it.” She additionally talked about that she would undoubtedly advocate this class to her buddies as a result of it was a number of enjoyable, and he or she additionally was very completely happy that she may hang around together with her buddies within the class. 

Swimming may switch over to completely different sports activities. Viaan Kenguva ’32 mentioned, “I play soccer, and swimming helps build up stamina to help you run across the field without getting tired.” He has been swimming for about 5 or 6 years, however that is his first time taking swimming as a winter time period sport. He additionally mentioned, “I chose this class because I wanted to learn and teach.” 

The sport has been round for a few years, however previously few years it has grown so much. And thanks to educate Khannie and Mrs. Bam, the scholars at MIDCS may have an opportunity to strive it out and see in the event that they wish to develop the swimming inhabitants.