Fwd: NISCA Announces the U.S. Para Swimming All America Program

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From: NISCA <secretary@niscaonline.org>

NISCA is proud to partner with U.S. Para Swimming to present NISCA/U.S. Para Swimming All America Awards. 

Announcing the NISCA U.S. Para Swimming All America awards program View this email in your browser NISCA is Proud to Announce the NISCA U.S. Para Swimming All America Program The NISCA U.S. Para Swimming All America Program is new for the 2019-2020 school year.  Similar to the NISCA Swimming All America program, the NISCA U.S. Para Swimming All America team will annually recognize the fastest high school Paralympic swimmers in the country.  Here is what you should know about this exciting new NISCA program: 1. Applications are for the NISCA U.S. Para Swimming All America award are free for NISCA coaches.  Each application will cost $30 for non-NISCA members.  Please renew your membership now, and encourage others to join to receive the benefits throughout the school year. 2. In order to be eligible for the NISCA U.S. Para Swimming All America team, athletes must be classified by U.S. Para Swimming, and a copy of the classification must be submitted with the application.  Paralympic swimming competition is open to athletes from all three impairment groups (visual, intellectual and physical).  A system of letters and numbers is used to distinguish the sport classes:  "S" is for freestyle, backstroke and butterfly; "SB" is for breaststroke; and "SM" is for individual medley. Swimmers with physical impairments compete in sport classes 1 - 10.  Swimmers with visual impairments compete in sport classes 11 -13.  Swimmers with activity limitations due to an intellectual impairment compete in S/SB/SM14.  To familiarize yourself with the classifications, please visit https://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/athlete-classifications/swimming/    3. After reviewing state meet results for states that currently include paralympic events, we have seen many "unclassified" athletes in those results.  Please work with any para athlete in your program to get their classification documented as soon as possible.  For further information on U.S. Paralympics national classification policies contact U.S. Paralympics at 719-866-2030  4. In order to be eligible for the NISCA U.S. Para Swimming All America team, the qualifying time must have been accomplished in an interscholastic competition.  This does not have to be a championship meet, but meet results from the interscholastic competition must be submitted to NISCA for verification of the performance.  THE TIME MUST HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED IN A HIGH SCHOOL MEET.  5. The time standards for each event are listed for both short course yards and meters.  There are different time standards based on a swimmer's classification for each event.   View the time standards here.  6 The application deadlines will be as follows (late fees will apply): Fall applications are due by December 31, 2019 Winter applications are due by March 31, 2020 Spring applications are due by June 15, 2020 - this is the absolute last day for submitting applications Certificates will be mailed to the athletes in July 2020. Please help spread the word about the NISCA U.S. Para Swimming All America program.  Share the time standards with high school and club coaches, as well as swimmers, so those swimmers who may be close to the standards can use these times as motivation for the upcoming season! Best wishes for fast swimming!  Eve Julian NISCA Secretary/Webmaster Facebook Twitter Website Email Copyright © 2019 NISCA, All rights reserved. You are a high school Swimming, Diving or Water Polo Coach Our mailing address is: NISCA 3286 Kentland Ct SE Wyoming, MI 49548

Fwd: Kick Off The New Swim Season With Some Great Open Water Racing @ Smith Mountain Lake, VA

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From: Int Swim Coaches Assoc <info@swimisca.org>
Date: Wed, Sep 4, 2019 at 11:31 AM
Subject: Kick Off The New Swim Season With Some Great Open Water Racing @ Smith Mountain Lake, VA

Registration Now Open For The 2019 ISCA East Coast Open Water Championship (September 22, 2019)

ISCA East Coast Open Water Championship SUNDAY, September 22, 2019 (Please note this is a single-day, multiple-event open water swim) LOCATION Mariners Landing @ Smith Mountain Lake 1245 Graves Harbor Trail Huddleston, VA 24104 "A Great Way To Kick Off Your Season!" Looking for an early-season racing opportunity? The ISCA East Coast Open Water Championship is a fantastic event to bring together new teammates and get some extra conditioning in at the start of the new season. This event also welcomes Masters swimmers and Triathletes! REGISTER NOW EVENT INFORMATION SHEET ACOMMODATIONS Lodging and accomodations available at Mariner's Landing Resort Hopitality starting Friday September 20th, for teams looking to organize retreats or get some early Open Water practice on Saturday before the race day! Call 540-297-4100 for details and mention the "ISCA Open Water Swim Event." COMPETITION AGENDA 9:00– 5K (Open to All Ages) 11:30 – 1/2-Mile (Open to 9 & Under Athletes Only) 12:00 - 1-Mile (Open to All Ages) AGE DIVISIONS 1/2 Mile: 9 & Under Only 1-Mile: 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50 & Over 5K: 12 & Under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50 & Over Questions? Please contact info@swimisca.org Please visit our Event Page for updates and information ‌

Int'l Swim Coaches Assoc | 2721 Brambleton Ave. SW, Roanoke, VA 24015

Social justice syncro

http://m.startribune.com/swimmers-synchronize-social-justice-with-sport/558855312/

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Mark Rauterkus       Mark@Rauterkus.com 

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

The Pittsburgh Project - swim coach and head lifeguard

Coach at The Ellis School for Swimming, T&F and Triathlon

Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team & Renegades (Masters) 

http://CLOH.org

412 298 3432 = cell

New NC School with a pool and rec center

Fun read. 

https://abc11.com/education/new-southeast-raleigh-elementary-designed-to-be-a-game-changer/5473310/

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Mark Rauterkus       Mark@Rauterkus.com 

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

The Pittsburgh Project - swim coach and head lifeguard

Coach at The Ellis School for Swimming, T&F and Triathlon

Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team & Renegades (Masters) 

http://CLOH.org

412 298 3432 = cell

18 books

Must read. 

https://www.dropshiplifestyle.com/best-marketing-books/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20190819-blog-post-best-books

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Ta.
 
 
Mark Rauterkus       Mark@Rauterkus.com 

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

The Pittsburgh Project - swim coach and head lifeguard

Coach at The Ellis School for Swimming, T&F and Triathlon

Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team & Renegades (Masters) 

http://CLOH.org

412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: Reminder: Still Accepting Applications for EPLC's 2019-20 Education Policy Fellowship Program!

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From: EPLC / Ron Cowell

EPLC's 2019-2020 PA Education Policy Fellowship Program   Applications are still available for the 2019-2020 Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP).  The Education Policy Fellowship Program is sponsored in Pennsylvania by The Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC).    With more than 575 graduates in its first twenty years, this Program is a premier professional development opportunity for educators, state and local policymakers, advocates, and community leaders.  State Board of Accountancy (SBA) credits are available to certified public accountants.   Past participants include state policymakers, district superintendents and principals, school business officers, school board members, education deans/chairs, statewide association leaders, parent leaders, education advocates, and other education and community leaders. Fellows are typically sponsored by their employer or another organization.   The Fellowship Program begins with a two-day retreat on September 19-20, 2019 and continues to graduation in June 2020.   Applications are being accepted now (PDF).    The application may be copied from the EPLC web site, but it must be submitted by mail or scanned and e-mailed, with the necessary signatures of applicant and sponsor.   If you would like to discuss any aspect of the Fellowship Program and its requirements, please contact EPLC Executive Director Ron Cowell at 412-298-4796 or cowell@eplc.org.

The Education Policy and Leadership Center, 800 N. 3rd St., Suite 505, Harrisburg, PA 17102 Forward email | Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by cowell@eplc.org in collaboration with

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Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: Neoliberalism and the Democratic Party

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From: John H

The first attachment is the best and simplest explanation of the operation and failures of neoliberalism I have yet encountered.  There are more detailed and deep dive explanations, but this one should make it clear to anyone just why neoliberalism is a destructive and devastating system everywhere it is applied.  The other two articles apply to the Democratic Party establishment – a thoroughly neoliberal establishment.

John 

Article 1

Article 2

Article 3

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Mark Rauterkus       Mark@Rauterkus.com 

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

The Pittsburgh Project - swim coach and head lifeguard

Coach at The Ellis School for Swimming, T&F and Triathlon

Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team & Renegades (Masters) 

http://CLOH.org

412 298 3432 = cell

Citiparks Swim Meet

A day at the pool -- three days ago. (copied from a FACEBOOK posting)

Story of a day at the pool. See below.

+ + + 

Maribeth Leeson is with Kristin Moon.

July 23 at 10:25 AM

My son drowned 3 days ago. His limp, gray, lifeless body was pulled from the pool and it was every mother's worst nightmare. He was dead. I heard screaming, and after a minute realized the screaming was coming from me. I watched in slow motion as people rushed to him, as he was laid on the concrete, as CPR was started.

A million thoughts were flying through my head as I stumbled around, not knowing what I was doing, screaming. I saw my dead baby on the ground. I thought about his twin brother and how could his life go on without his twin. I saw my 10-year-old son, hysterically sobbing, in his bright blue swim trunks, his beautiful tan skin glistening with pool water still. His life ruined because he just watched his brother die, drowned in the same pool where he was playing. I saw my sassy little 3-year-old daughter, in her pink unicorn and rainbow suit, just watching me, confused. And how was I going to tell my husband that I let our perfect 5-year-old son drown?? It was exactly like I've read other people say in emergency situations: I thought this must be a dream, one of those dreams that you wake up sweating from, short of breath, because it was so real. Wake up! Wake up! But no, I was already awake. Then the screaming was worse. This is happening. My funny, silly, sweet, handsome, artistic, thoughtful little blondie was dead.

I finally was able to force myself to stop screaming, I ran over to where CPR continued on my precious baby. I have no idea how long it was. 10 seconds? 3 minutes? I don't know. But I ran to him and watched and cried and talked to him as my friend tirelessly and relentlessly continued CPR. He looked awful and perfect still at the same time. I watched as water and vomit poured out of his mouth, eyes swollen and rubbery looking. Then a miracle happened! I don't remember what it was first, but he showed some sign of life because several people at the same time exclaimed "there he is!" and encouraged me to keep talking to him. My friend kept working, I kept talking. He started to try to open his eyes and another round of exclamation occured. My friend said she could feel a pulse, they decided to move him off the concrete to the pool house. A million thoughts continued racing through my mind. I was sure even if he was saved, it was too late. I was sure machines were going to be doing his living for him. I was sure it had taken too long.

Everything that happened next seemed like an eternity. The ambulance took forever to get there. They tried to get an IV on the scene but couldn't. The ride to the hospital was painfully long. But my baby started coming around! He jerked his arm back with the IV needle stick! He cried! He was coughing! Somehow, my baby was still with me!

We have now been in ICU at Peyton Manning for the last 3 days. He is sitting beside me in bed right now playing with a stuffed puppy a friend brought to him and watching Captain Underpants for the 70th time. He's off all oxygen. He will very likely come home with me today. Home with me 3 days after drowning, home to live happily with his family instead of us burying him today.

The reason I'm sharing? This happened in a pool full of people. A pool full of ADULTS. I've read so many stories about kids slipping away from their parents and getting into a pool, to be found drowned shortly later. I've never considered the possibility that my child could drown right in front of people who were watching him bob up and down from the bottom of the pool to just below the surface, but didn't think he was struggling because he looked like he was PLAYING. When I found him myself, 2 feet from adults who were in the pool, my first thought was that it wasn't him, that it was someone else's kid who was seeing how long they could hold their breath. I can 100% understand why the adults who were RIGHT THERE didn't recognize that he was drowning because when I saw him, I too thought he was just a kid who was playing. What tipped me off was the kid I saw was wearing a shirt: Adam had gotten in the pool in his shirt. He doesn't know how to hold his breath. GET HIM OUT!!!! THAT'S ADAM!!!!

This was 100% preventable. The fault was MINE. He's a big 5-year-old. He has a very needy twin who makes it easy for me to forget that Adam is still 5 too and has needs that other 5-year-olds need. He's not self-sufficient even though sometimes I feel like he is because he's so capable. I didn't tell him to get in the pool without his Puddle-jumper on, but I was aware that he had. I simply told him to stay in the shallow end while I got his sister's swimsuit on, then I would be over. I thought it was fine for 5 minutes, as he could touch just fine in the shallow end, he wasn't alone because there were multiple adults IN the pool, and I'd be right next to the pool getting her suit on. Wrong. I have never ever been so wrong. He remembers what happened. He said he slipped off the edge. Based on where he was in the shallow end, and where we found him, he means the ledge from the shallow to the deep end. He said he kept going to the bottom then to the top and tried to yell "Mommy!" It kills me to hear that. It kills me to know that his last thoughts were that mommy didn't come for him. But God decided to give me another chance to do better. He gave my baby back to me. Now he knows I DID come for him.

Who knows what we'll face from here? Physically, it is beyond comprehension that he is suffering no consequences. He is asking to go back to my friend's to swim and says "this time, I'll wait for Mommy" before getting in the pool. But he yells for me every single time I'm out of his sight. He clearly has some anxiety that he didn't have before. I pray that some counseling and lots of reassurance will fix that.

I'm sharing this because I want to prevent this from happening to anyone else. Before going to any pool, first make sure your kids know not to get in until the adult who is responsible for them is ready to watch them. That sounds like common sense, but I was thinking because so many adults were present, he was fine, but those adults didn't know his swimming ability so they didn't question when he was under water. Second, KNOW THE SIGNS OF STRUGGLE! Adam didn't look like he was struggling! He wasn't splashing, thrashing, or screaming. He was simply underwater and couldn't get his head above water. Third, know CPR. I do know CPR. Could I have performed it in that moment? I like to believe I could have if I hadn't seen someone else taking charge. I like to think if I had been alone, my survival skills would have kicked in. Luckily, I don't know, because my amazing friend was busy saving him, but I do know that if I didn't know CPR, my helping him if we'd been alone wouldn't have even been a possiblity.

I said I wasn't going to share what happened. I feel so responsible (I am responsible!) because I let him get in without any sort of safety device on, and he was in before I personally was ready to watch him. But I decided to share because I see parents at pools doing these same things every single day! And I'm sharing to hopefully spread drowning awareness.

I'm also sharing to thank my friend for saving him, to thank her over and over and over. I am eternally grateful to her and will never ever be able to repay her. Ironically, I was there for her as her nurse when her son took his first breath after he was born, and now she was here for me as my son took his first breath after he died.

Please take water safety seriously. I never thought this would be me. It was me, but thanks to God and my dear friend Kristin, my son is still safely here. Learn from my mistakes so it's not you.

Adam Jeffrey Leeson, born 3/15/14
Adam Jeffrey Leeson, saved 7/20/19

I have no pictures of what he looked like when he drowned. Unfortunately I only have the image forever tattooed on my brain. I've shared a few images of him in the hospital and the most important one, the one with his guardian angel, Kristin Moon.

Please please please share this. I'm a nervous wreck to share what happened, sick to my stomach to hit "share" actually. But I feel this happened to save others. In my heart of hearts, I know other parents need to read this.

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