BPHS partners with Fulton County YMCA to add swim lessons to physical education curriculum

During the past school year, junior high students at Broadalbin-Perth were given the opportunity to take swim lessons at the Fulton County YMCA. From February to April, students were bused to the Y during their physical education classes, where they were able to take swim lessons in the pool.

The partnership began when Broadalbin-Perth athletic director Tucker Gifford reached out to the YMCA about a collaboration. The resulting partnership allowed students to take more than six weeks of swim lessons.

The unit focused on survival swim to start, teaching students to float and tread water. It also allowed some students to swim for the first time.

"Our initial goal was just getting kids comfortable in the water," junior high physical education teacher Allyson Chorba said. "Given our central location to the Great Sacandaga Lake, we thought it was important to prioritize students knowing this skill."

Water skills are important to students at BPHS as the district also has a partnership with the Sacandaga Bible Conference, which allows students to go canoeing and kayaking during PE classes.

Broadalbin-Perth provides towels and swimsuits to students who need them for the swim lessons. Students from BPHS life skills classes help wash and maintain these items.

B-P plans to continue these partnerships moving forward, continuing swim lessons for high school students during the 2024-25 school year.