Weeks 4-5

Happy Father’s Day! Already it’s Week 4 in Piranha-land. Lots going on, so read the full email for details:

 Necessary reminder first: Food and clean up at pep rallies. We go over this every week, but it bears repeating. (1)There is no food/eating allowed in the clubhouse. This means on the couch, on the floor, at the little table. This is ALWAYS true (we confirmed with the board that NO ONE should be eating in the clubhouse), and sometimes the lifeguards and managers look the other way, but again, no food in the clubhouse. Full stop. (2) Please keep an eye on and clean up after your own swimmers or make sure they clean up after themselves. 

Thanks in advance and here’s the fun stuff:

WEEK 4: June 21-27

Practice:  Morning Practices Begin! (preferred)

• 13+: 7:30am-9:00am
• 9-12: 8:45-10:00am
• 8 and under: 9:45-10:30
• Little Piranhas: 10:00-10:30 OR 10:30-11:00 (we assigned to groups last week. If you haven’t been evaluated or don’t remember please come at 10:00 your first day and we will assign you!). Remember that LPs are NOT ELIGIBLE for afternoon practice. We don’t have coaches in the water and it is not safe for them.

• Please remember that 8 and under and Little Piranha swimmers may not be dropped off for practice without a caregiver. Older siblings must be 13+ to qualify as a supervisor for younger siblings. This is for your swimmer(s) safety. For older swimmer(s) please use your judgment about whether you should drop off or stay.

Afternoon Practices (optional alternative if you cannot make morning practice - due to camp, appointments)

• Tuesday and Thursday: All ages EXCEPT LPs. 5:00-6:00pm
• Sign-up on Swimtopia and update there if you cannot come. Please do not just no-show
• No coaches in the water at these practices, so plan accordingly based on your swimmer(s) skill level.
• Reminder that this is a replacement practice, not extra. Swimmers should not do morning and afternoon.
• Please remember that 8 and under swimmers may not be dropped off for these practices without a caregiver either. Older siblings must be 13+ to qualify as a supervisor for younger siblings. This is for your swimmer(s) safety. For older swimmer(s) please use your judgment about whether you should drop off or stay.

B Meet and Fort Hunt Relays

• June 22: B Meet #2 vs. Riverside Gardens @ MHC 6:00pm. Swimmers arrive NLT 4:45. Warmups @ 5:00. Volunteers arrive setup: 4:15, First half Marshals 4:45, Concessions 4:30, Announcer 4:45, Others NLT 5:20 (first shift) or 6:45 (second shift).
  • Lucky you - still a few volunteer slots left! Thanks to those who have already signed up. We still need the following: Sign up HERE!
  • For the whole meet we still need 1 data entry person
  • For A shift we still need: 1 concessions cashier
  • For B shift we still need: 1 concessions workers, 1 clerk of course, 2 marshals, 1 stroke and turn (must be certified/trained) 2 timers and 2 team area parents
  • Swimmers: If you did not sign up by 6pm yesterday (Saturday) you will NOT be able to swim in tomorrow’s meet. You are more than welcome to still come and cheer on your teammates!
  • Suggested pack list: team suit, or green or black suit; team cap (NO caps with other team logos allowed); 2 towels; healthy snacks & lots of water; sunscreen, optional hat/sunglasses; card games or travel activities; spirit wear & green accessories.
  • Once the meet begins, swimmers must stick to the team area so they don't miss an event or slow the meet down. This is a safety issue. Parents if your kid comes to find you, make sure they told a coach where they are and then return them to the team area ASAP. Oh hey, this one’s important so we’ll say it again: Swimmers, stick to the team area! Let a coach know if you leave!
  • Swimmers can leave the meet when they are finished swimming. HOWEVER, let a coach know you are leaving before you go.
  • Leave cell phones/electronics/valuables at home, or keep them secured inside your bags. We cannot be responsible for any valuables in the team area.
  • Concessions will be open! Please visit and eat. Please be sure that your swimmers save candy or soda for AFTER they finish swimming. Please also be sure to send your swimmer back to the team area to eat.
  • One more note about the team area: Parents must NOT be in the team area. We have a volunteer slot for a “team parent” if you want to help out! Otherwise please keep your kids in and yourself out!

• June 24: Fort Hunt Sportsman Relays, at Stratford Recreation Association pool 2300 Brinitzer Way, Alexandria, VA 22308
• This is a fun relay meet that we try to gear towards swimmers who typically do not get to swim in A meets (Note: we say try because there are some wacky age group rules for this meet. Sometimes the only way to make it work is to include A meet swimmers). If your swimmer is interested and available, please be sure to mark their availability NOW. If they are not marked available, they will not be considered for participation since the turn-around is so quick. We will hopefully have entries done by the end of morning practice on Tuesday. There are also a few volunteer spots needed for this meet too!

Team Breakfast

• June 23 : Donuts! After each practice. Please sign up on SwimTopia to help set up, serve, and clean up, and to bring extras like fruit and juice - we still need more help for this - especially for Little P’s and clean up!!

Team Picture Day

• June 25: Picture Day! Thursday is picture day for swim, dive, and tennis. (Swim goes first). Flyer is attached with information about ordering and times. Please, please, please be sure that swimmer(s) arrive fed and hydrated. Our goal is NO SWIMMERS PASSING OUT. It will be hot. We know it is earlier than normal, but that is for the light and the HEAT. We are looking for 2 parent helpers - please let us know if interested - you get discounts on pictures if you help!

Pep Rally

• June 26: Pep Rally: Halloween/dress up!, 6-8pm.

• Pot Luck Dinner! Bring a dish to share. Please deliver NLT 5:50 and bring enough for a crowd. Bring water or Gatorade for your swimmer(s). Please no soda.
• Last Name A-H (Dessert – cookies, brownies, etc)
• Last Name I-O (Main – meat, pasta, etc)
• Last Name P-Z (Side – veggies, fruit, etc)
• Come eat, play games, dress in costume if you like, and bond with the team! Everyone (including LPs) welcome! This is not just for A meet swimmers!
• Please note that this is NOT a drop off event for swimmers 10 and under. Stick around and meet/mingle with other parents. It makes swim team way more fun.

A Meet

• June 27: A Meet #2 vs. Kings Ridge @ MHC: Swimmers arrive 7:45 for MHC warmups at 8am, setup volunteers and ice drop off at 7am, announcer by 7:45, other volunteers NLT 8am.We need a LOT of help for this meet. So please sign up for a job. Selected swimmers only; more information to come as to who is swimming and what you need to know. Quick note: Even though you can see in SwimTopia as we build the meet sheet, please do not share information with your swimmers or make plans until we let you know that it is final. Sometimes we put swimmers in as placeholders and then move them around. We promise we will tell you when we are done! Watch your email! If your swimmer cannot attend (no matter their age group or level), please mark that in SwimTopia TODAY. Please identify yes OR NO. Note that failing to do so just makes more work for us!

WEEK 5: June 28- July 4

June 29: B Meet #3 vs. Hayfield Farm @ Hayfield Farm 7820 Hayfield Rd, Alexandria, VA 22315 : 6pm. Information to come.

June 30: Piranathon & Team Breakfast 8:00 – 10:00am. Each year, the Piranha Nation takes a day to give back to our community by swimming for donations to a local charity. This year we have chosen to support Educate Fairfax, the 501(c)3 non profit education foundation that supports Fairfax County Public Schools. Funds will be used to purchase school supplies for students in need at both Washington Mill Elementary School and Riverside Elementary School. Link below can be sent to out of town family and friends for donations too!

• This is an optional, all-family event that is geared toward fun & fitness along with community support.
• Link for donations - Mansion House Swim Team Swim A Thon

July 3 - Pep Rally: USA Out! 6pm. Info to come.

July 4: A Meet #3 vs. Hollin Meadows @ MHC:Info to come. Mark availability (yes or no) right now please and thanks.

REMINDERS and TO-DO LIST

MARK SWIMMER AVAILABILITY - please and thanks! (If you haven’t already – and a thousand thank-yous to everyone who has.) A response is required for all A and B meets, whether swimmers are available or not.

PICK A VOLUNTEER JOB while you’re there.

Check out the results and ladders while you’re there too! When you go to the schedule/sign up calendar - once a meet is complete you can go back and find links to the results from the meet as well as the updated team ladder!

Pool use before 11am: Kids and adults are NOT ALLOWED in the main pool outside of practice until the pool opens at 11am. This includes lap swimming for adults. No exceptions. There are no lifeguards and we could be significantly fined by the county. Kids 6 and under can swim in the baby pool ONLY with direct parent supervision.

As always - let us know if you have any questions!

P4L,

Rebecca & Heather