Walnut Hills third-graders tell Waukee board swim lessons taught life-saving skills

A group of third-graders from Walnut Hills Elementary described a district swim program to the Waukee Community School District Board of Directors, saying the lessons taught water-safety skills and boosted students’ confidence.

Principal Doug Barry introduced five volunteers from the school and said 33 third-graders had volunteered to speak about the program. "We started this year at Walnut Hills," Barry said, noting many students in the school are new this year and that the swim sessions gave them a shared experience.

The students described class structure and what they learned. Blake Hall, a third-grader at Walnut Hills Elementary, said students “learned lots of things about swimming and swim skills at our level. An example would be how to tread water and to stay safe.” Another student, speaking on what changed for classmates, said the program allowed students who were previously scared of swimming to try it and improve: “It is a life skill that we all need…It was fun, and we all became better swimmers.”

Students also walked the board through a typical schedule they used for the lessons: depart Walnut Hills at 10:50 a.m.; arrive at the natatorium at 11:05 a.m.; begin class at 11:10 a.m.; end class at 11:45 a.m.; and return to school by about 12:10 p.m. One student said the program offered five days of 30–40 minute classes and included instruction, adult help when needed and guidance on what to practice.

Barry told the board that teachers reported the sessions were well organized and that staff appreciated the planning and adult supervision. Board members and Superintendent Dr. Buck encouraged fellow board members and community members to visit the program; Dr. Buck noted the district is using an available facility and said the lessons offered opportunities both for safety and, for some students, a pathway to joining swim teams.

Board members raised safety reminders for families about ice and outdoor water hazards after the students’ presentation; a pool director who spoke to board members earlier was quoted to students that “no ice is safe ice,” and the board asked administration to consider messaging to families about that risk.

The students’ presentation closed with the board thanking the group and inviting continued collaboration between schools and the district’s aquatics partners.