Trying to get something serious going with Citiparks -- my city, my toys

More info with extra links at the blog, https://blog.swimisca.org/pushing-my-city-to-re-establish-swim-lessons-swim-teams-and-an-all-city-sports-camp/

Parent University - organized by Pittsburgh Public Schools and hosted at Duquesne University

PPS Public Hearing -- speaking

Statement from Mark Rauterkus

I am Mark Rauterkus. 

We reside at 108 S. 12th Street on Pittsburgh’s Historic South Side. 

I am a former PPS Varsity Coach. I led the first city league team of any sport to a WPIAL Sectional title. I also had the privilege to coached the first PPS athlete to win a WPIAL event and set a WPIAL record.

I directed Swim & Water Polo Camp as part of PPS Summer Dreamers for 10+ years. At the peak of the program we coached more than 200 students with 35 employees at five different sites for 27-days, including running the Liberty Mile.

I'm an afterschool provider with other nonprofits. 

I'm on the Take a Father to School Day Committee too, did PPS Sports Reform Task Force and other community projects.

Presently I'm webmaster with the International Swim Coaches Association.

Vice President for the World Aquatic Federation of Schools and Universities. – WAFSU.org.

My sons are proud PPS graduates, and I’ll be happy to share proud dad updates on their whereabouts after my 3-minutes have expired.

In my view, the swimming pool is the best learning laboratory ever. It is a classroom where students get to learn thousands of lessons.

Swimming – so when a family vacation happens people can enjoy themselves and come home, not in a coffin.

Physics, biology, training, goal setting, accountability, safety, hospitality, – and above all, Teamwork.

Sports, swimming, water polo – is about playing well with others. Sadly, that’s not being developed at our pools in the city.

The Olympics are happening in a matter of days. We have two OLYMPIC Swimmers from PA. Good luck to Josh Methaney from Upper St. Clair – now a IU Hoosier.

At the Swim Trials, high school swimmers were striving to make the team from Mt. Pleasant and Bedford, PA.. An Oakland Catholic grad was racing in finals too.

Sadly, in the city, we’re not creating literate Olympians here.

The city isn’t hosting its swim meet, nor teaching lessons.

There used to be dozens of PPS teams in meets for Elem Schools and Middle Schools. It is sad as to how that experience has been allowed to evaporate.

I do all these things internationally, and when I put in an ESSER Grant Proposal in December of 2023, I don’t even get a score or a call back. Seven great letters of reference, and not a peep from PPS.

https://read.swimisca.org/esser-pittsburgh-public-schools/

Meanwhile, we are very happy to be utilizing the swim pool at PPS Oliver High School throughout the winter with the Renegades. I gathered folks (adults and HS kids) every Monday evening to play water polo. We had a fine year. Some players went to events in Ocala, Florida and Cleveland even.

This summer, we had 30 people playing water polo at Citiparks Ammon pool – Bedford Ave, Hill District – every Tuesday and Thursday, 6 to 7:30 pm. See the poster on my Facebook page.

Consultants are here! 

My invite is clear. 

I will be happy to meet with them to explain what SHOULD happen at PPS pools. With a little cooperation and latitude, the aquatics programs could be a bright start for the district and generate jobs, community engagement, scholarships, sponsorships and wellness. – PLUS – I dare say, over time, REVENUE.

Rather than having our district and city in decline – we’d be retaining kids and their families.

Call me: 412-298-3432

Mark@Rauterkus.com

WAFSU.org@Gmail.com

The swim pools are the low rungs on the ladder for civic engagement. The activities there should be for all ages too.

Ironic how many of the issues before the PPS Board today are matters that citizens battled against as they were hatched by Mark Roosevelt. Get rid of those 6 to 12 schools. We knew that they were a bad idea. 

But, it is the parents and community that knows best. Listen. Engage. Let's build that capacity at the PPS pools. 

PITTSBURGH BOARD OF EDUCATION

PUBLIC HEARING

JULY 22, 2024

6:00 P.M.

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

CONFERENCE ROOM A

1. Ja'Bree Wiginton - Organization

412 Justice

Estudiantes preocupados

2. Shirley Hill - Retired PPS Teacher

Unfair treatment of Montessori teacher. Lack of Black teachers at Carrick High School. Scheduling concerns at Carrick High School.

3. Karen Sloan - Parent

Montessori Administration Concerns

4. Shannon Striner - Parent

Town Halls are performative

5. Gina Grotelueschen - Parent

PPS Fulton Parents

6. Lauren Abt - Parent, Community member

Frustration multiplied

7. Jalayne Allison - Organization

412 Justice

Concerned Student

8. David Abt - Student

Course offering at Schiller

9. Meredith Knight - Parent, Community member

Extend the Timeline for the Facilities Utilization Pan for better process efficacy, community feedback and future-proof planning

10. Laura Mullen - Parent

Facilities Utilization Plan

11. Jacquelyn Schriver - Family member

Ripple Effect Counseling, LLC

Do not close Fulton. These students matter. Their educations matter just as much as any of Pittsburgh resident.

12. Katy Rank Lev - Parent

Lainey Davis

Plan to increase or maintain enrollment?

13. Martha Riecks - Parent

Concerns regarding school closure plans and strategies

14. Goldette Shields - Organization

Shields Of Joy

Grieving and health awareness in the schools

15. Jessica Merlin - Parent

Jessica Merlin

16. Jala Rucker - Parent

412 justice

Don’t close Manchester school

17. Angel Gober - Organization, Community member

149.99

Stop the FU Process

18. Lily Allman - Student

A Student's Perspective on the School Closure Process

19. Valerie Webb-Allman - Parent

Rushed process leads to terrible outcomes

20. Lauren Stuparitz - Teacher/Staff, Parent, Community member

412 justice. Education rights network.

Closed Minds Close Schools

21. Andrea (Andy) Kubis - Parent

Attracting Families to the District

22. Jude Abt - Student

Manchester

23. Alice Valenta - Parent

Disappointment

24. Walitta Abdullah - Community member

Not providing testimony

25. Laura Gallagher - Organization

Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network and 412Justice

Not failing schools, as some say, but schools that are being failed

26. Debra Hall - Community member

None

27. Emily Sawyer - Parent, Other substitute

And the band played on

28. Marcia Bandes - Community member

School Closures

29. Pam Harbin - Community member

Stop the facilities utilization - AKA school closure - plan. Accountability for authentic community input and access

30. Rachel Schlosser - Parent

Authentic Community Input

31. Holly Munson - Parent

Stop the school closure process and start listening to what students actually need

32. Lars Munson - Student

Don't close schools

33. Rita Porterfield - Parent

The Silence Is Deafening

34. Jude Porterfield - Student

I've Had Enough of It

35. David Munson - Parent

Stop the school closures

37. Ghadah Makoshi - Parent

Accessibility and Accountability

38. Naomi Chambers - Parent

Concerned Parent…

39. Laura Petty - Organization

Advancement Project

School Closures Harm Children and Families

40. Paul James Dell - Parent

Response to initial facility presentation and listening sessions methodology

41. Jazlynn Worthy - Parent

The Foundation for the Future

42. Annette Hall - Parent

Taking away online public hearing attendances is taking away accessibility for many

43. Mark Rauterkus - Parent, Organization, Community member, Other Afterschool partner & former scholastic coach

Renegades Water Polo, International Swim Coaches Assn, World Aquatic Federation of Schools & Universities

Swimming, our pools are the best learning labs - yet under utilized

Swim lesson program

Current Wave to U CAN Swim with ISCA's LAP from Mark Rauterkus

Forming, WPIAL Swimming & Diving Alumni Group -- accepting founding members

Visiting the ISHOF pool, years ago

Obama Golfing Team with Coach Mark

The solution chatter

Sadly, PPS, by and large, fails to understand some of the basics of life.

What does PPS want? It says "safety" is the top priority. 

For many, to amp up the safety factors makes life feel more oppressed. Confinement, surveillance, oppression, ridged authority, supervision with gatekeepers and control is their rulebook guide.

“In order to get people to do what you want them to do, you have to understand what motivates them."

PPS doesn't always have a good grip on what motivates the youngsters.

You also have to know how to present yourself and your product to get their interest, their trust, and

ultimately their willingness to call you, visit you, or send you their talents, energy and enthusiasm. 

There are transactions to be made here. Money is a part of it with the citizens paying the taxes, of course. Others can choose to vote with their feet and depart the city. 

Human psychology has not changed in ten centuries.

As a coach, I don't wish for safety as a top goal. It seems to me that safety is an artifact of responsibility, learning, betterment, engagement, devotion and improving results. 

When we win, we are safe. When we win, we show up. PPS is losing the safety battle and losing in achievements in education and sports.

Catherine gets ink in the Wall Street Journal

https://rauterkus.com/catherine-is-in-the-wall-street-journal-over-the-counter-hearing-aids-article/

Meanwhile, I'm publishing news from 1985.

Candidate Thompson quote

THOMPSON: Oh, let me just say briefly on the environment, our rivers are uninhabitable, and basically we're putting tons and tons of raw sewage in the river. Other cities, Cleveland and Columbus, they've decided that they want to live in a world with clean water, and we've decided to countersue the government because we want to live in a world of filth and feces. So we need to stop putting feces into our rivers.

#BANG!

PPS School Board PAC

https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/new-pac-focused-on-racial-equality-in-education-endorses-pps-school-board-candidates/Content

Not sure what this means?

Wondering if there are people who run for school board as a stepping stone? 

The vote went in favor of the extra tax for the parks

Citiparks Swim Meet

Outreach letter to families of summer campers

Mark Rauterkus
Head Lifeguard at The Pittsburgh Project
412-298-3432 = cell
https://4Rs.org


Dear Swimmers and Guardians of TPP's Summer Camp 2019:

This summer has been filled with many achievements with swimming, SKWIM and other pool activiites -- and this note details some dreams for future participation for you:


Parents & Guardians should come to to the pool and see your child swim -- soon.

Our summer isn't over and there are plenty of opportunities to keep swimming in the weeks and months to come.


1a) TPP's pool is closing at 7 pm on August 4. Come to the pool from 1-7 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

1b) All kids and adults are invited to drop in for SKWIM game play from 6-7:45 pm every Tuesday & Thursday at Citiparks Ammon Pool on Bedford Ave & Memory Lane, Pgh Hill District.

1c) All kids are invited to sign up a SKWIM CLINICS at Allegheny County's North Park, 11:30 to 1 pm, M-F, (week 1) August 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, and
(week two) August 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, 2019. Summer is not over yet. Links to the County's sign up at https://4Rs.org - See other side.

1d) We want to field a TPP team in a SKWIM tournament on Saturday & Sunday, September 7 and 8, 2019, at Citiparks Highland Park Pool. Shallow water. Kids & adults. If interested, email Coach Mark Rauterkus, Mark@Rauterkus.com.

1e) For six Sundays this fall, from 2-4 pm, we'll be able to play SKWIM at Moon High School Pool. Sign-ups required. Great pool.

1f) Coach Mark's Saturday Swim School provides opportunities to swim, play SKWIM, and get Lifeguard training throughout the year, often at Oliver HS and/or Allegheny MS.


Thanks for the consideration. Let's keep building strenght and fitness in the water so that next year can be better than ever with a swim team and more games with outside groups.



Mark Rauterkus
412-298-3432
mark@rauterkus.com

Fwd: Lifeguard certification class for 15 and older anyone welcome

----- Forwarded message ----

Hello, We have a lifeguarding class for new and re-certifications April 12-14th. This is open to anyone 15 years or older. Feel free if you know anyone who might want to be a lifeguard to pass it along or anyone who needs a re-certification before the summer.  See below for more details. Thank you, Mike Kristufek MLAC General Manager   LIFEGUARDING CERTIFICATION COURSE With CPR/AED and FIRST AID TRAINING American Red Cross-Certified Course Instructors – Alycia Miller Program Location: Mt. Lebanon High School, 155 Cochran Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228 American Red Cross Program --- Lifeguard Certification Program Dates: Session 1: April 12th-14th 5:00pm-9:00pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm                                 Click here to register Qualifications/Requirements: Applicant must be at least 15 years old as of May 20th (proof of age required) Applicant must have the ability to swim 300 yards freestyle/breaststroke (under no time limitation) Applicant must be able to complete the deep-water brick test in 1 minute 40 seconds; (jump/dive into the deep end of the pool to retrieve a weighted brick and carry/swim with it to the shallow end)     Lifeguarding certification $260 Lifeguarding Recertification Only $200.00 Pre-registration is required/space is limited. Payment due prior to start of the session  f you have any questions, please reply to: coachmikek@mlacswimming.com

Mt. Lebanon Aqua Club (MLAC)
1110 Pinewood Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15243 United States

412-Blast Email: Great time for a community cleansing. Schedule enclosed for your consideration.

Some are saying that today is "historic" in regard to the Supreme Court nomination drama unfolding in Washington D.C.

I think it is time to take a deep breath, jump in a swim pool, practice and model "playing well with others," and of course, wrap up by taking a good scrub, shower and cleansing. Let's prepare to live a another day.

I'm on a mission to promote "playing well with others," and can you your help, as soon as tonight and tomorrow and throughout the days to come.

Background:

The focus of my swim coaching for the past decade has been in the city of Pittsburgh, Now, it is growing to a much wider reach. I'm still at some city school pools, but we're offering aquatic experiences at South Park, Mt. Lebanon, Chartiers Valley and Moon.

9/27

Tonight, Thursday, the adult water polo players, https://Renegades.4rs.org, are going to help out with a game night with the new squad of scholastic players we call Pittsburgh Combined, https://waterpolo.cloh.org at South Park High School.

9/28

Tomorrow, Friday, from 7:15 to 9 pm, kids and adults (mentors, guardians, parents, coaches) are invited to our first SKWIM and water polo practice at the new, indoor, high school swim pool at Mt. Lebanon. Rookies welcome. Fun aquatic game play with a disk. Learn and perfect appropriate counter-attacks, offense and defense.

MeetUp page:

• https://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-free/events/254993954/

Gratis try-outs too.

10/2

Then on Tuesday, from 7:30 to 9 pm we go to another venue for the first time, Chariters Valley's high school pools. There we've got two pools and can play water polo in the deep tank and younger kids can work on teamwork, sportsmanship, fitness and swimming with the SKWIM disk and mentor leaders in the other pool.

MeetUp page:

• https://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-free/events/vjzwgqyxnbdb/

Summary:

Sign up. SKWIM up. Scrub up and by all means -- live another day in healthy ways in our robust communities.

Peace.

Thanks for the consideration. Hope to see you, squeaky clean, out and about in the community soon.

Call if you have any questions or want to be removed from this list. Feel free to pass along the invite to others as well.

----

Mark Rauterkus Mark@Rauterkus.com

Executive Director of SKWIM USA, a 501(c)(3)

The Pittsburgh Project - swim coach and head lifeguard

Middle School Swim Coach at The Ellis School

Former Varsity Boys Swim Coach, Pittsburgh Obama Academy

Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team, https://waterpolo.CLOH.org



https://CLOH.org



412 298 3432 = cell

For the record -- Obama varsity records

Girls 200 free relay, 2013

Nicole, 27.20

Hannah, 28.15

Wendy, 28.24

Sarah, 25.80

Total = 1:49.39

Boys 200 free relay, 2013

Tommy, 23.77

Yoka, 22.94

Ben, 23.10

Erik, 22.83

Total = 1:32.64 = 8th in WPIAL

Boys 400 free relay

Tommy, 52.66

Yoka, 50.12

Ben, 52.89

Erik, 50.40

Total = 3:26.07 = 8th place in WPIAL

Obama swim times will never be the same.

MeetUp in Mt. Lebo

• https://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-free/events/254993954/

Video interview about water safety and SKWIM

• https://mark.rauterkus.com/2018/09/19/interview-about-skwim-and-water-safety/

Launching a website that challenges web visitors with a set of quizzes on water safety at https://SKWIM.us.

https://SKWIM.us

Fwd: Political 'Purism'

------ Forwarded message ---------
From: John H

Attached are two interesting articles in one attachment dealing with what is termed 'political purism', or the idea that those who pretend to be liberals or progressives when they are really moderate conservatives (think Democratic Party establishment) deserve to be called out on their falsity.  The first article by Paul Street, who is apparently responding to personal attacks on him for being a 'purist' for making such calls on a regular basis.  As most of you know who receive these missives, I have a great deal of respect for Paul Street and his willingness to speak the truth, as best as I know it, about our abominable two party political system which serves only the interest of the corporate, financial and military elite.  The second article by Rob Seimetz appears to take a contrary position (although I'm not certain that it actually does) in stating that this may, in fact, distract us from the goals of developing a strong political force to deal with the critical issues facing all of humanity today.  Try to read them both and form your own opinions.

John

Link: Articles: Reflections on Radical "Purism" - a PDF read