Centennial Education Foundation, Warminster Rotary Raise Funds for YMCA Swim Safety Program

Central Bucks Family YMCA and Centennial Education Foundation will partner to provide swim programs to families within the school district beginning March 20 at Log College Middle School. Swim programs have been offered at the school by the Y since 2014 but pools at Log College and Klinger Middle Schools were closed in September when heating equipment malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. New equipment is now in place.

To mark the re-opening of the pools and return of swim lessons, the organizations held a “Pennies for the Plunge" fundraising activity earlier this month. The school district encouraged students and staff to contribute spare change to collection bins during lunches with the promise that the principal at the school that raised the most money would have the distinction of pushing Dr. David E. Baugh, superintendent, into the pool at the polar plunge event. William Tennent High School raised the most money but regrettably Principal Best was unable to attend the event. Best gave the privilege to Ryan Mulford, assistant principal who pushed Dr. Baugh into the Log College pool on March 9. Centennial School District education association contributed over $900 through their fundraising efforts.

Klinger Middle School held their own fundraising raffle with a current middle schooler pushing Jim Ford, assistant principal, into the pool. Central Bucks Family YMCA President/CEO Zane Moore was pushed into the cold waters by Leo Quinn, former Warminster Township supervisor and current YMCA board member. Kevin Crail, the Y’s Senior Director of Community Advancement was pushed in by a member of the Warminster Rotary organization that contributed $2000.

Donations will benefit the Y's 2nd Grade Swim Initiative, which provides free swim safety testing to all 2nd graders in the district with subsequent free swim safety lessons to those who qualify. In 2016, the program benefited over 315 students in the Centennial School District. The Y and school district plan to repeat the program in 2017.

Beginning April 24, preschool and school-age progressive swim lessons for youth age 3 to 12 will commence. Adult swim classes, private swim lessons, open swim and lap swim will also be available. The Y recently opened their branch in Warminster at 624 York Road and the swim programs will provide an added benefit to member families who receive a discounted rate on programs and services. For information on YMCA youth and adult swim programs, visit the Y’s website at www.cbfymca.org for registration information or contact Ashley Coticchio at acotticchio@cbfymca.org. Financial assistance is available.

Photo captions:

Post plunge. Dr. David E. Baugh, superintendent of schools at Centennial School District, Jim Ford, assistant principal at Klinger Middle School, Kevin Crail, the Y’s Senior Director of Community Advancement, and Zane Moore, President/CEO of Central Bucks Family YMCA.

Warminster Rotary Club contributed $2000 to the 2nd Grade Initiative Program benefitting Centennial School District students.

Over $900 was raised by students and staff of Centennial School District in support of the 2nd Grade Swim Initiative program.

For a good cause. Dr. David E. Baugh, superintendent of schools at Centennial School District was pushed into the Log College Middle School Pool, suit and all, by Ryan Mulford, assistant principal at the high school.