Talking to the swim coaches about SKWIM & Water Polo

Play SKWIM with the game's inventor at 1 pm on Saturday, June 22 at Northside pool

A special friend is coming to town for a short visit, and we're going to be hosting a special event -- a SKWIM game with the inventor of SKWIM, Kevin McCarthy, from the state of Washington.

Get your friends and family and join us at 1 pm at outdoor pool at The Pittsburgh Project, 2801 North Charles Street, (corner of Wilson), on Saturday, June 22, 2019. 

All ages and abilities welcome. Pay $3 at the gate to enter or free with your city pool tag.

This summer we got a mini-grant from Pittsburgh Play Collaborative to spread the aquatic game throughout the region -- and champion water safety as well as the concepts of playing well with others, sportsmanship, teamwork and plain-old fun! 

Plus, this summer, we're happy to report that the pool at The Pittsburgh Project is open again -- unlike in 2018 when serious plumbing upgrades became necessary. A wonderful staff has gathered too.

If you can't make it on Saturday, we also gather to play water polo and SKWIM every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6 to 7:45 pm, weather permitting, at Citiparks Ammon Pool on Bedford Ave in the Hill District. 

More updates throughout the summer with our google calendar at https://4Rs.org.

BTW, one of my goals is to get a new bottom on the pool at The Pittsburgh Project for next year -- and a SPORTS COURT bottom seems perfect for UWH and our needs. Come check out the pool and offer your ideas. 

Fwd: Scholar Athlete Award 2018-19

---- Forwarded message ---------

From: American Water Polo

We are accepting nominations for the 2018-19 American Water Polo Scholar Athlete.  We are honoring any AWP athlete who qualifies under these set of criteria: Student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale). If no GPA scale is used, then an 87/100 is required. If your school uses a different grading system, please include an explanation in your submission. Athletes must be a member of American Water Polo. Athletes of all ages are eligible.  Athlete must present his or her report card or transcripts in one of following ways: Email information to member@americanwaterpolo.org (PDF, Screen Shot,) Fax (610) 277 7382 Mail in to 129 West 4th St Bridgeport, PA 19405 The deadline for this award is June 30th, 2019 If you have any questions, contact Damon Newman at member@americanwaterpolo.org Click here to unsubscribe. American Water Polo 129 West 4th St Bridgeport, PA 19405 610 277 6787

Fwd: Carol Scholarship Application 2020

---- Forwarded message ---------

From: American Water Polo <service@findjoo.com>

Hi Mark Rauterkus, Ron Gonen, a former athlete from the University of Massachusetts and Young Athletes of America Water Polo Club, has established a $5,000 scholarship available to water polo athletes aged 14-19 who exhibit leadership or the potential for leadership based on the values of teamwork, sportsmanship and community. Named in honor of his mother, the purpose of the scholarship is to provide an athlete with limited financial means the opportunity for high level training and instruction. Funds can be used for academic endeavors such as private high school tutition with a water polo team. Attached is the formal application process. The deadline for the application is July 1st, 2019 Please send all application material to office@americanwaterpolo.org Contact us with any questions. Click here to unsubscribe. American Water Polo 129 West 4th St Bridgeport, PA 19405 610 277 6787

Fwd: WWPCoach-Online water polo tool

------ Forwarded message ---------

From: WWPCA <info@wwpcoach.org>

Display problems? View this newsletter in your browser. The First Ever...water polo online tool!!  Have a question or want to register and start using WWPCoach-Online, please contact Paul Metz (WWPCA Director of Coaching Education at directorcoacheducation@wwpcoach.org

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

Great times at Highland Park Pool for water polo games with NCAA teams and Renegades

Wow. Great day. Thanks Citiparks.

Trib coverage of water polo at Highland Park Pool on Saturday

https://TinyURL.com/water-polo-trib

Pass the word. Bring a lawn chair, snacks and some cold drinks in a cooler. Plus, your swim suit, of course. Pool opens in the shallow end at 1 pm. Just pay the day rate if you don't have a pool tag. 

Fwd: Hot in the city -- invite to play well with others

Hi Friends,

A few invites to consider and pass along, mostly wet and cool -- in these hot times in the region.

#1. 

At 6 pm on Tuesday, July 3, we've been invited to an informal swimming time trial and follow-up game of SKWIM at the Greensburg Country Club. 

#2. 

At 7 pm, July 4, is the start of our traditional Independence Day open house at our home on 12th Street in the Historic South Side, Both of our sons are expected to be here too. 

#3.

From 6 to 7:45 pm on July 5, all are invited to Citiparks Ammon outdoor swim pool, corner of Bedford Ave and Memory Lane, for another of our regular Renegades (Masters) Water Polo practices Plus, we've been playing SKWIM in the middle of the pool too for kids and those not up for the full game of water polo. A reporter is expected, so we'd love to have a nice turn-out. 

#4.

Pittsburgh Combined is looking for high school and middle school swimmers who want to play competitive water polo this fall. We have players from South Park and Mt. Lebo and some from the city too. See attached PDF. This is a non-league team, so students from any school can combine to play our pending "club" schedule. Practices are starting. 

#5. 

Our camper kids at The Pittsburgh Project have been going to the pool at Riverview Park and playing some SKWIM, while our Northside pool is under construction still. But, I've also been able to go elsewhere to lead informal game days at other pools as well. We had a great time at the South Hills Country Club last week. If you want to bring your group to us -- or if I can bring our equipment (disks, fins, etc.) and some players to you -- please call or email and let's set up a joint play date.

Stay safe. Hope to see you soon.

--
Ta.


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

Sabbatical for 2018: PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim & Water Polo 

Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team

http://CLOH.org

412 298 3432 = cell

Time to apply for the 2018 staff for our efforts with Summer Dreamers: Swim & Water Polo Camp and more

The 2018 efforts are going to include a site at U-Prep in the afternoons with PPS Summer Dreamers Swim & Water Polo. Other help is needed on the Northside in the mornings with The Pittsburgh Project. In the evenings, swimming is going to happen at Citiparks' outdoor pool at Ammon Rec Center on Bedford Avenue and Memory Lane on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Monday evenings we expect to go to north to Moraine State Park for open water swimming.

Wednesdays, Fridays and weekends are the times we keep reserved for travel to other pools around the region.

draft of a new slide deck on issues with PPS

Issues from Coach Mark Rauterkus concerning Pittsburgh Public Schools from Mark Rauterkus

Aquatics and Pittsburgh Public Schools

PPS Community Schools v2.0 from Mark Rauterkus

Tip: You might want to view this on the SlideShare site so it can easily go to full screen.

Ask for the PDF or Keynote if you want parts or all of it.

Tuesday's game of water polo at CMU gets a re-do on Thursday

Earlier this week, I took these photos, then was the on-deck referee, for a water polo scrimmage from 9 to 11 pm at CMU. 

Come out tonight for a re-do. Perhaps we'll get some visitors in town to join the Pittsburgh Masters for the Collegiate Club Championships at Pitt that starts on Friday morning.

Pittsburgh and North Allegheny Water Polo Squads meet up on Sunday afternoon

City middle school water polo confab with North Allegheny Tigers on Sunday afternoon.

Let's fund Water Polo as a sport at Obama

See my expanded comments to the school board and superintendent asking for help to expand water polo at Obama. Talks of one possible next step for sport reform.

http://cloh.org/wp/archives/596

Water Polo is happening at MACS

Love the energy and improvements with the water polo. Next, I am excited to take the squads to the next level and really COMPETE. Those lessons open up new chapters to learning, discovery and understanding in how to play well with others. Games are scheduled in the days and weeks to come.

You are invited: Saturday Swim School at Oliver High School, 2323 Brighton Road, Pgh 15212

Arsenal Middle School and its afterschool program with the BGC and NLA that includes water polo

Link to the form for kids and guardians to fill out is here.

First Water Polo Game scheduled: Sunday October 23, 2016

Are you ready for some water polo? We'll go to North Allegheny on October 23, 2016.

Our teams of middle school water polo players are getting ready for the first real games. We've called our team, "Pittsburgh Combined" in the past. In 2016-17 we've got players from Manchester Academic Charter School, where we play two days a week for boys and another two days a week for girls. Plus, we have been playing at Pittsburgh Obama, co-ed, on Mondays and Fridays; Arsenal, co-ed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our Saturday Swim School can help with water polo practices. Kids from The Pittsburgh Project can join in too. Plus, we've got our 2016 Summer Dreamers who had 27 days of water polo in July and August as well.

If you want your kid to attend, email to Mark@Rauterkus.com, or call, 412-298-3432.

We want to car-pool from Pittsburgh with departing times at noon and arrival to North Allegheny Senior High School, on Rt. 19, at 12:45 pm on October 23, 2016.

Hiring the new PPS Superintendent

Hi PPS Board Members.

I have been following this noise about the hiring of Dr. Anthony Hamlet as close as possible and have some suggestions. STICK TO YOUR prior DECISION.

Sure, a storm has come. Blame goes here and there in bits, but golly. Plug ahead.

I feel that saboteurs are trying to derail elected school boards and are trying to damage Pittsburgh Public Schools.

The board voted 9-0 to hire the guy. To change your views now would spoil the desire for others to seek the job. None would want to deal with the mess in this wake, plus deal with a fickle board, nor confront the wire-pulling and outside influence from beyond the school board.

IMHO, two of those claims are bogus fabrications. An open source approach of wikipedia on a definition of terms is desired and should not be original.

There should be some repercussions and remedies. I have made some solution suggestions. Follow my Facebook page and http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com.

Triple his probation period.

Seek a partial refund from the consultant.

Allow for a super MINORITY to terminate his contract within the probation period.

Work harder.

+ +

Final two points:

#1: I volunteer to stand with you or stand alone and talk to the media, the citizens. other politicians, union leaders or anyone else on this topic.

#2: Furthermore, Let's begin again with sports reform, something that did NOT resonate with Dr. Linda Lane, sadly. Teaching our kids how to play well with others isn't an expensive proposition, and it is a great investment if done well. I volunteer to help to re-think the issues with PPS. System-wide athletics, sports, after-school recreation, swimming, student leadership with jobs and after-school technology have pressing issues. The city can't wait to get started on the heavy lifting on those fronts.

Good luck.