Hi all,

Thank you to everyone that was able to make the parent meeting yesterday afternoon. For those that were not able to, here is a recap. Please strap in and do read it through as we covered A LOT of information - even info "Veteran Parents" would be very interested in:).

VOLUNTEERING:

It takes us all doing our share to make the team and Swim Meets function.  Each family will be responsible for a minimum of 40 volunteering points to remain in good standing with the team.  There will be plenty of opportunities this year to earn that minimum, but remember a family must meet the minimum points to stay on the team even if only attending the minimum requirement of 2 swim meets.  Job descriptions on all volunteering roles and associated points earned can be found here.

Sign ups for Volunteering will be opened on Saturday, April 21st at 2pm.  To ensure that everyone gets an opportunity to get their minimum 40 points we are asking families to sign up for NO MORE THAN 50 points during the first week.  Thereafter we will assess where we are in filling positions and families will be allowed to sign up for more – we really do appreciate the families that do more than the minimum!

When sign ups open, click here to be directed to the sign-up page.  If you sign up to volunteer at Champs, please make sure you have volunteered in that same role during a regular season meet.

On Sunday, April 22nd at 4pm, our Meet Director Kim Horek will be holding a meeting at the Circle C Community Center for Current Head Parents involved with running the meets. If you are interested in holding a head parent position in future seasons, feel free to join us at the meeting to learn more about these positions.

COMMUNICATION:

Please reference the website for information first and foremost. Facebook and Remind Text Alerts (text @seals2018 to 81010) are also great ways of getting information instantaneously…think early Saturday morning weather delays.  Please sign up for both as soon as possible. If you signed up for Remind in 2017 you will need to re-signup, as it’s a new roster. We also have a Facebook group for this season for photos only to share amongst the team (Circle C Seals Photos).  All information on communication can be found here.

CALENDAR UPDATES:

The team calendar is updated with all important dates for the upcoming season, including meet dates and locations. Please take note of all the upcoming dates.

PRACTICE GROUPS:

Following the first week of QuickStarts, the coaches will be forming practice groups. The groups will be based on age and ability. Your swimmer will be placed in the group that best suits them. You can expect an email with the group information no later than Wednesday, April 25^th.  The goal of the practice placement is to ensure that your swimmer is in the group that is most appropriate for his/her skill level and age group.

Write your child’s name on their back the first week of practice. This will help the coaches learn names.

Swimmers are required to attend at least ONE PRACTICE a week and TWO SWIM MEETS to stay part of the team.

“Swimmer of the Week” will be awarded weekly in each practice session. This will be given to the swimmer that shows sportsmanship, teamwork, improvement in the water and/or hard work!

POOL ENTRY, EQUIPMENT, & SAFETY:

Please enter for all Practices through the front office of the pool.Only coaches are allowed to enter through the side gate – please respect this guidance and DO NOT tailgate or ask others to open the side gate.

Orange Seal tags will be available at the front office to the swim center during QuickStarts and the first week of practice. This will allow your swimmer to enter through the front swim office without having to scan their pool card. Please attach this to your swimmer’s bag. Please only take 1 per swimmer.

Please send your swimmers to practice with fins, kickboard, goggles, swim cap (especially the girls) and a towel. It is important for you to LABEL EVERYTHING. Please no swim/sun shirts or board shorts (boys). These items interfere with the swimmer’s ability to move freely and properly in the water. Prepare for the cooler days when your swimmer exits the pool with a towel and warm clothes.

Coaches and swimmers will meet over on the picnic tables by the volleyball court everyday prior to getting in the water. Please have your swimmer wear flip-flops/shoes over to the tree and have them leave their equipment by the gate or on the deck.

If your child has any medical condition that should require the coaches to have prior knowledge, please email Coach Colleen directly so she can communicate this with the other coaches. Any necessary medical equipment (epi-pens, inhalers, etc.) should be sent to practice in your child's swim bag where it can be easily accessed.

Once your child is engaged in practice, please do not interfere with the coaches' ability to communicate with your kids. If there is anything you need to discuss with the coaches, you MUST do so outside of practice time.

All siblings that may be swimming in the open swim area must be within arms length of a caretaker, even if they can swim on their own - this is a rule of the pool/lifeguards.

SWIM MEET 101

A recap of the class outlining how Swim Meet run, what to bring, etc held yesterday after the Parent Meeting can be found here.

COACHES’ ‘ON-DECK’ FUND and COACH COLLEEN’S MEAL PLANNING

Look for an email this week from Jeff on how you can contribute to keeping our Coaches fueled for the season by funding a Cir C Café account for our coaches to use while ‘On Deck’ and also a sign up list for helping out Coach Colleen and family with a couple of meals delivered each week during the season as she is also ‘On Deck’ every afternoon/evening of the season.

CHAMPS DISCOUNTED HOTEL RATES

The Championship Meet (‘Champs’) is for everyone that wants to attend – all are encouraged.  This year we negotiated a discounted Seals Team rate of $130/night ($176 list price) for a double queen room at the Hyatt Place in College Station (1100 University Drive) for anyone interested.  Book by June 8^th – they will honor the rate until out of rooms.  Book by phone by calling (979) 846-9800 and use the Group Code G-CCSS or mention the Group name ‘Circle C Seals Swim Team Parents’ to book.  To book online use this link: http://collegestation.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html?corp_id=G-CCSS.

SPONSORSHIPS:

The Seals team is a non-profit organization.  We rely tremendously on Sponsors to help support covering team operation and expenses.We are blessed to have an awesome collection of sponsors this year.  Please do support them and tell them why you are there / they are appreciated:

Diamond Sponsor:  AdaptDev.  Platinum Sponsors:  Central Texas Orthodontics, Circle C Café and Catering, Orangetheory, and The Goddard School.  Gold Sponsors:  Austin Oaks and Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors.  Silver Sponsors:  Circle C Select Swim, Austin Mail Express, Austin Kids Teeth, Wellthy Soul.Bronze Sponsors:Backspin Texas Sports Bar and Grill, Barre3, Moreland Properties, Chipotle, Dance Xplosion, Kona Ice, KW Gutshall & Associates, Motion Stretch, Pedal Hard Training, Snapology Austin, and TCBY.

Thanks for reading the entire way!   We appreciate your time and as always, let us know if you have any questions!

Colleen and Jeff