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Fifth Grade Water Safety Program

Fifth Grade Water Safety Program Image

The fifth-grade water safety program aims to equip fifth graders with essential water safety skills, including basic swimming techniques, recognition of water hazards, how to safely assist someone in trouble in the water and the importance of supervision. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on practice, students learn vital life-saving skills that help prevent water-related accidents and promote a culture of safety.

The program was started by Hope Smith, a physical education teacher at Indian Head Elementary, in the late 1970s. Two Indian Head children had drown in nearby Mattawoman Creek, prompting Smith to start a water safety program with the help of water safety Instructors. The program started with the students at Indian Head Elementary School in 1981 and continues today. Currently all CCPS fifth-grade students can attend the field trip during the school year.

Interested in attending the trip with your child? Check with your child’s Physical Education Teacher to find out more details. We would love to see you on the trip!

This is not a program to teach students to swim.

For full enjoyment and benefit from the waters we are so fortunate to have surrounding Charles County, we strongly recommend that you contact Charles County Recreation & Parks or your local community pool and enroll your child in swimming lessons.

This program includes two phases of instruction. The in-school phase will consist of lecture sessions and take home activities under the direction of the Physical Education teacher.

Phase 1

  • Session 1: A film from the Red Cross on Water Safety (Longfellow’s Whale’s Tales).
  • Session 2: A discussion of the character of our water.
  • Session 3: A review of general safe conduct around water and how to survive the unexpected (classroom and take home activities).

Phase 2

The entire fifth grade will travel by school bus to North Point, St. Charles or Lackey High School for a full day of in-the-water activities.  These activities are under the direction of the Water Safety Instructor at the high school.

There is no cost for this program, but your child will need to have the following items :

  • Towel
  • Additional change of clothes (advanced and intermediate group only)
  • Large plastic bag (for wet items).
  • Swimsuit is preferred.
    • For boys, a clean pair of shorts will do.
    • For girls, a one-piece bathing suit or two-piece that covers stomach.
  • Boys and girls should wear suits under clothes on day of visit to pool. (Please remember to bring under-garments to wear back to school).