Good morning,

It was so great to see and meet all of our shark school students so far this week!  We tried to make sure to introduce ourselves and give little glimpses into what our goals were in the first lesson and what we hope to accomplish this week and in the weeks to come.  However, it is always a little chaotic on the first days, so I wanted to reach out and review those items and a few others in this message.  

Basically, the first lesson was just an introduction.  We were doing basic skills, in such a way that we could get a good feel for where each student was in terms of (1) water safety, (2) water comfortability and (3) swim readiness.  In our next lesson this week we will break into smaller groups of 3-4 students per instructor and run through some tasks.  We hope to further familiarize the students with the instructors and vice versa and begin formulating both small group and individual weekly goals.  Monday we will take time to review what each child has accomplished during this first week using a reward chart so you and your child can see what they have done and what they can work on.

I also just wanted to send out a few requests on pool deck 'etiquette' and some items to help ensure we follow gulf park rules, regulations and guidelines so we can continue to use and be welcomed by our facility.

1.  Parking - this one is a little tricky due to the GPS directions that can occur when trying to find Gulf Park for the first time.  However we need everyone to park in our lower/main lot - off of Pensacola Road.  The upper lot is for staff only and needs to remain clear so that emergency vehicles can access the pool deck if ever needed.  If you are coming to Gulf Park via Cedar Bluff - turn onto Gulf Park Drive (by Peace Lutheran Church, behind Cedar Bluff Elementary).  You will then take your first left onto Pensacola Road.  Our main parking lot is at the bottom of the hill before the col de sac - 528 Pensacola Rd.

2.  Pool Deck - Make sure to sign in at the picnic table under the pavilion when you arrive.  Please make sure to put down any umbrellas if you put them up while you are watching shark school.  Also make sure to pick up any water bottles, candy wrappers, etc.. before you leave and put chairs back where they originally were.  This will help our pool staff when they come in to open the pool.

3.  Pool rules - If you are a nonmember attending shark school, your child should only be in the pool during the lesson when instructed by the shark school staff.  Siblings, Family members and your shark school student should not be in the pool before or after the lesson, especially during hours when the pool is closed.  Only members can swim or be in the baby pool and only when the pool is open (11am-8pm).  We do have family memberships available to shark school families for an upgrade cost of $160 if you are interested.

Lastly thank you again for joining the Gulf Park Shark School and please let us know if you have any questions,

Jennifer Manrod

Gulf Park Blue Sharks