Invensys YMCA to Offer Free Swimming Lessons For First and Second Graders

First and second graders in Foxborough looking to learn how to swim will have a chance to jump into the YMCA pool next year, for free.

Starting in January, the Invensys YMCA will be offering the Splash Program, which will offer optional swim lessons to the first and second graders of the Foxborough Public Schools at no cost.

The program, which was announced at last week’s school committee meeting, was made possible through Greg Spier, a member of the Hockomock YMCA’s board of directors and a longtime donor to the YMCA.

Spier, whose last name is on both pools at the Foxboro YMCA was inspired by his parents’ childhoods where his mom learned to swim with the YMCA though a Rotary scholarship and his father was required to take lessons as a child in Holland.

“It’s come full circle and we’ve been working with the Y for about a year now to come up with a plan to see how we can do this and collaboration with the Foxborough school system to get them started,” Spier said. “We’re excited to start it though the schools because we feel that will have the largest impact at the largest level.”

According to Ed Hurley, downing is the second largest cause of death for children under 14, another reason that committee member Beverly Lord was excited about the free lessons.

“I am particularly sensitive to what you were saying about providing water safety. I grew up around water and that was the first thing that was taught and stressed. Just because a child knows how to swim does guarantee they will not drown,” Lord said.

The Y will proved the schools all the information for the schools to distribute and will handle the registration process.

The Igo School will be the first school to take the lessons this winter with the Taylor and Burrell schools to follow in the spring. By the time school ends in June, all first and second graders will have an opportunity to take the lessons.

Lessons will take place during the YMCA’s regular classes after school.