1. Bout de Chou Parent’s Meeting

2. Vision Statement The Pointe-Claire Swim Club’s Bout de Chou program will be recognized as a fun competitive swimming program that encourages the swimmer’s love for swimming while improving their swimming techniques in a fun, competitive, and positive environment.

3. Mission Statement The Pointe-Claire Swim Club’s Bout de Chou program is designed to create respectable, well-rounded athletes, who understand and can perform the basic techniques of swimming. The Bout de Chou program will give our athletes the fundamental skills needed to succeed in the Age Group program, by providing them with the proper athletic abilities (coordination, agility, balance), a sense of team atmosphere, and the pride of walking on the pool deck wearing their Pointe-Claire Swim Club team apparel. By training and competing in a fun environment the Bout de Chou program will help each individual achieve his or her greatest potential.

4. Training Schedule Swimmers are expected to be on deck ready to swim and warming up at least 5 minutes before the start of each practice. The swimmers enjoy talking to each other and interacting with their coach before practice. After practice there will be a ~5 minute stretch on deck to work on their flexibility.

5. Training Equipment In everyone’s swim bag there must be: 2(+) pairs of goggles (already adjusted) 2(+) bathing caps A pair of fins A pull-buoy Water bottle A skipping/jump rope (optional) They should bring their bag on deck with them in case their goggles snap they can quickly change them. These items should be in their bag at every practice.

6. Dry Land Equipment Bathing suit on (if dry land is before swimming) T-shirt Shorts Clean indoor running shoes A skipping/jump rope (optional) Please tie up all long hair and remove any dangly jewelry. All dry land equipment that will be needed will be provided.

7. Swim Meet Equipment In everyone’s swim bag at a meet, there must be: 2(+) pairs of goggles (already adjusted) 1(+) white Pointe-Claire Swim Club bathing cap 1(+) extra cap A red Pointe-Claire Swim Club shirt Shorts Sweatpants & Sweatshirt A towel or two Healthy snack (avoid nut products due to allergies) Entertainment (for example: a book, crayons, string for bracelets, small toys. NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES!) Swimmers must be wearing their Pointe-Claire Swim Club team swim suits. We will also be encouraging swimmers to wear socks and clean running shoes on deck at competitions.

8. Bathroom Breaks Each swimmer should go to the bathroom before practice. Please show your swimmer where to find the bathrooms in case there is an emergency during practice. After dry land swimmers get ~5 minutes to use the facilities and head to the pool.

9. Tummy Aches and Head Aches If a swimmer cannot finish their practice because they are feeling ill they will have to sit out of practice or asked to go home and rest. If your swimmer is feeling ill before practice, we would rather have the swimmer stay home, rest up, and feel better before they get back in the water. Swimming while they are sick will only make matters worse.

10. Dry Land before Swimming Swimmers are expected to meet at the dry land location ~5- 10 minutes before it starts. Swimmers are expected to remain calm in the hallways and not enter the room until their coach arrives. Wear shorts, t-shirts, socks, running shoes, have their bathing suits on underneath and skipping ropes in their bag. Don’t forget their water bottle! Dry land will end ~5 minutes early so the swimmers have enough time to use the facilities before practice starts.

11. Dry Land after Swimming Swimmers will get out of the water ~5 minutes before dry land starts. They will have ~5 minutes to quickly get changed and meet at the dry land location. Wear shorts, t-shirts, socks, running shoes and skipping ropes in their bag. Don’t forget their water bottle! Swimmers are expected to remain calm in the hallways and not enter the room until their coach arrives.

12. Water bottles It is important for swimmers to be drinking water/healthy sports drinks during practices, in the pool and dry land. Please fill up the bottle before practice!

13. Attendance Please e-mail your swimmer’s coach if your swimmer will not be coming to practice. Whether it is a few days in advance, or even 15 minutes before practice. If your swimmer needs to leave early, please send your swimmer’s coach an e-mail so that they know in advance.

14. Injuries Although we do work on flexibility during practice, injuries do happen. Swimming is a sport that combines full-body strength, flexibility and endurance. During this age your swimmers are still growing and learning how to use and move their bodies. Sometimes they push themselves too far and hurt themselves. Whether it is an ankle sprain from running or any other injury it is important to treat it right away. If your swimmer gets hurt, you can contact PSCS’s physio Didié Hamel-Jolette (didie@highperformancesport.com).

15. When Playing Outside on Bikes, Skateboards, etc.

16. TOPS Distance FR and IM events. 7 year olds and under: 100 IM and 200 FR 8 year olds: 100 IM and 400 FR 9 year olds: 200 IM and 800 FR 10 year olds: 400IM and 1500 FR During regular swim team practices. We will need parent/family volunteers (11 years and older) to help time, record splits and count laps.

17. New Projects ClassDojo (www.classdojo.com)www.classdojo.com App or on the computer Teacher/Coach page Parent page Student/Swimmer page ClassDojo helps teachers: Instantly reinforce good behavior. Communicate with parents. Increase student engagement. Incident Reports

18. Class List

19. Positive Awards

20. Needs Work

21. Can See Swimmer’s Progress Reports

22. Gets Parents and Swimmers Involved

23. PCSC Handbook

24. During Practices Parents must remain behind the windows in the lobby. No parents on deck during practices, including the little hallway that is gated off. Hallway needs to be clear in case of emergencies. After practice parents can meet their swimmer near the gate in the shallow end of the 6-50 pool.

25. At Swim Meets PCSC swimmers remain on deck with coaches and team, in the designated team area. PCSC swimmers must ask their coach if they can use the washrooms. Swimmers expected to keep designated team area clean. Parents are not permitted to be with the team in this area and are not permitted on deck unless serving in an official capacity.

26. Athlete Code of Conduct All swimmers must adhere to the following: Commit fully to the program. Display a positive and supportive attitude. Display respect, sportsmanship and proper manners. Wear the red PCSC t-shirt, white PCSC bathing cap and PCSC bathing suit at all competitions. Respect public and private property. Behave appropriately at any team function (practices, competitions and social activities) No bullying.

27. Parent Code of Conduct Parents are vital to the development of young athletes. Whether sitting in the stands or helping out as a volunteer, parents must set a positive example. Parents and adults involved in youth sports should be models of good sportsmanship and lead by example on and off the “playing field”. Athletes Swim Coaches Coach Officials Officiate Parents Parent