Why Level 2?

As a college student, I have been through a lot of introductory classes that, well, felt like I was melting from all sides into a puddle of nothing. The constant repetition of vocabulary words that I never thought I would use again past the final, the endless classes with people that didn’t understand the vocabulary words rambling on, and the very patient teacher going over and over them again and again. Seems useless and it becomes frustrating to experience this and even more so to watch your children go through it during swim lessons

In Level 2, it can look like your kids are melting from all sides and turning into a puddle of nothing, but I guarantee you they are not. Learning how to swim is nothing but repetition of the same skills until they can recite them and do them without having to think about it. In level 2, three main skills are practiced and mastered to move up to level 3, back streamline, single switch, and triple switch. These three skills are difficult to master and take a lot of practice, repetition and time to do it properly. This is why it seems like your child is stuck doing the same things over and over, but much like the vocabulary, you can only really understand a new word after repeating it and using it over and over. The way lessons are structured, the end of one level is the start of the next level. When your child moves up from one level to another, they must be at the skill level that the instructor is expecting, otherwise they end up slowing the class down, which then effects the children already in that level. It is a domino effect and a disaster.

The people in charge of each level are Molly (level 1), Antonio (level 2), Kelli (level 3), and Ximena (Clinics) and myself, Frank (Senior Swim Instructor). Molly, Antonio, Kelli, and Ximena may not be at all sessions, but they are responsible for the quality of lessons in there respected areas, and I am making sure they are all quality lessons. If you have any questions about leveling up or what your child has to do to master a skill, do not hesitate to ask any of our staff.

Let’s have great semester!

Frank

Dear Parents and Learn to Swim Participants,

We are hopeful the pool will open as scheduled February 10, 2014. Weather and construction problems have played havoc with our schedule.  To be sure please call our hotline number before attending:  773-442-4124.  We will keep that line up to date with the latest information.
Thank you for your input into our program.

The following has been determined based on your feedback:  The Neptune, Learn to Swim Program will begin on February 10, 2014 ending the week of May 5, 2014, the last Saturday class will be May 10, 2014.There will be no classes February 12, 2014--Lincoln's Birthday, or during NEIU's Spring Break the week of March 17--22, 2014.  All other days classes will be held.  A printout of the dates will be at the Neptune Desk when you sign in.
PLEASE BE AWARE: if the University (NEIU) closes for any reason, there will be no learn to swim classes.  All buildings on campus are closed.

If you have further questions please email me.

Thank you for your patience,

Gail Ito, Aquatics Coordinator
Office of Campus Recreation
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 North St. Louis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625
Phone: (773) 442-4246

Hey guys!

The pool will be opening up Monday February 10th.
Neptune classes will be starting February 10th and end the week of May 12th!
Once again, we are sorry for the delay and inconveniences.
If you have any questions please contact Gail Ito at g-ito@neiu.edu.

But now we are on track and I hope to see everyone this week!

Keep warm,
Franks (SSI)

Hello all,

The pool will be closed until February 10th.  We apologize for the repeated delays, but the repairs are taking longer then expected simply because when one thing is fixed, something else needs to be repaired.  

With the delays we are running out of time to uphold our end of the deal to provide all 12 weeks of swim lessons prior to the semester ending.  Below is a link to a survey with three options of solving this problem.  Please take the time to look at the options and select the option you think will work best.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HCPLMHF

Once again I apologize for all this.  Trust me I want to be in the pool more then anyone.

Keep Smiling!


Frank (SSI)

Welcome to the new Neptune blog!  This site will be a new channel for communication between us and our students.  We will post the Neptune News as well as any other updates such as pool closures here.  We recommend that you check this blog before you head out for practice to get the latest news about the program!

We also have a new tab with all of our swim instructor’s names and photos, and a recap of our organizational structure.  This way you can recognize us and know who is teaching you and your children!

I strongly encourage you to give us feedback, both positive and negative about our program!  We can only grow and improve with your help!  Send your critique to either my or Gail Ito’s email, which is located on the ‘contact’ page.

Happy Swimming!

Frank

Senior Swim Instructor 

Welcome back to both returning and new families to the Fall 2013 semester of Neptune!  This news letter is to inform parents and guardians, about changes and important updates with the Neptune swim program here at NEIU.  My goal is for this to become an outlet for news about Neptune, and also help connect everyone, swim instructors and parents alike, to create a better and safer swim program.

We have already started making sure that Neptune is becoming a safer and effective swim program but increasing the ability of our swim instructors.  We are always striving to improve the Neptune Program by: insuring all instructors are certified lifeguards; increased training which includes in-services, constant supervision and evaluation resulting in consistent skill progression across instructors.  Since this change there has been an increase in students being moved up to the next level, as well as our instructors taking more responsibility and pride in their work.

Self improvement is crucial to provide a safe and effective swim lessons.  This semester, Neptune's goal is to increase every child's involvement throughout each lesson.  We will do this by decreasing time on the wall and increasing the amount of practice time.  This is done by shortening the distance the children have to swim per turn and increasing the amount of times they have to practice the certain skill.  This helps keep the children's attention as well as gives them a chance to practice and improve on a skill.  Instructors will also be giving more group activities between individual practice times.  An example of this would be the game “who can stay under the water the longest?” in which, while hanging on to the wall, children will try to stay under the water to beat their friends.  All of the games focus on different aspects of swimming skills they need to progress during swim lessons.

I would also like to highly encourage all adults (that means you) to take swimming lessons here as well!  Monday and Wednesday nights 7:15-8:00 pm!  We all believe everyone should learn how to swim!  Whether you are afraid of the water or a former Olympic champion, we will get you to swim!  Plus your kids will get a kick out of it.

Finally, I would like to say that this program is as much ours as it is yours, and improvement can only be made if we get feedback from you, our customers.  Neptune will become better through your critique and praise, so let me hear what you have to say!

Call or Email me if you have any questions.