State Tournament and End of Season Info

Yikes!  Can you believe how fast this season went?  Here are a few reminders:

State Tournament  - This Friday!  

1. Students are excused from school but you still need to call the office yourself and let them know.  
2. Swimmers need to be in line at the east entrance around 10:30ish.  Gates open at 11 am and it is a mad dash to get a seat.  
3. Bring food and water.  State is a long meet and there is a fair amount of sitting and waiting for your turn.  Swimmers are welcome to leave after their event.

All Monies are due!

1. If you haven't finished paying of the YMCA, you need to do so this week.

End of the season Parties

There will be 2 ceremonies this year.  One just for Vision and one for the whole CCU team.

1. CCU (Canyon County Unified) will be held at the YMCA in the kitchen on Wednesday, November 11th at 6pm.  Bring $5.00 to help with the pizza cost.
2. Our Vision Party will be held Thursday, November 12th at 6:00pm at the Smokey Mountain Pizza in Nampa by the Edwards Theater and Buffalo Wild Wings. Pizza and Drinks will be provided. This also where Letters and Pins will be awarded. 

Yes! There is swim practice and a swim meet over fall break.

Hello all!

Yes, there is practice every day at the usual time over fall break.  We have a meet on Saturday, October 17th at the Caldwell YMCA.  Please see Krista for warm up times.

On a side note, the next few weeks will be busy for me and I will be at practice/meets intermittently.  Teresa will take over my duties until I get back from Hawaii and the an out of town science conference.  Please take this time to be working your hardest.  We are approaching Districts and State very fast!  There are only 2 meets left to qualify!

For the week of September 28th - October 2nd

Hello Everyone!

The meet went really good. Many of you took time off your events. That is what we like to see. Zach Munds qualified for state in the 100 Free. Jaliee Tuft qualified in the 200 IM and 500 Free, WAY TO GO! Thank you to all the parents that helped us out during the meet and cleaning up. It is great to have support from our parents.

We have a swim meet on Friday October 2nd at the Caldwell YMCA. Swimmers need to be there at 4:45 pm and in the water at 5:00pm. We need all swimmers to help stay and clean up after this meet. The more that stay the faster we get it out of there.

At this meet we need the following positions filled by parents:

4- Officials( Want to make sure we have back ups in case of emergencies)( for parents that took the training)

1-Head Timer

6-Timers

1-Runner

2- Place Judges

1- Hospitality

1-Computer which will be done by Vivian Wright (thanks!)

1- Announcer

1- selling heat sheets

Please let me know as soon as possible if you can fill any of these positions. We can't have a meet if we don't get these filled.

We will be asking the swimmers what they want to swim on Monday at both practices. If your swimmer can't make it to practice please email me with what they want to swim.

Thank you

TEAM PHOTOS!!!

Our team photo will take place at Vision Charter on this Thursday, at 3:30 pm.  Please meet out in front of the High School with your sweatshirt on.  

For the week of September 21st - 26th

1. Please attend practice on Monday, September 21st so we can schedule your events for Saturday's meet. 
2. Saturday's meet will take place at our YMCA.  Stretches and "swim tats" take place at 4:40.  Warm ups at 5:00pm and the meet starts at 5:30pm
3. Team pictures (done by the talented Mrs. Baughn) will take place at school this week either Tuesday or Thursday at 3:30 at Vision Charter.  Please wear your new team sweatshirt.  Pictures will be available for purchase later in the season.

Another meet on Tuesday!

Hello all!  I realize these meets are back to back, but they are great practice!  I will see you all tomorrow evening at the Nampa Rec center around 5:15.  Warm Ups start at 5:30 and the meet should start at 6pm. 

Remember to eat well tomorrow and eat a healthy meal around 3:30pm.  After that, it should be water, bananas, nuts and power bars.   We are swimming all the same events as Saturday and I should have the men's sweatshirts by 4pm. 

Sleep well tonight!

First meet! Wahoo!!!

• We will be busting our buns this week at practice in preparation for our first meet.  
• Please make sure you have your 11 practices in before Friday afternoon.
•  Team sweatshirts should be in Friday and I will pick them up on our way to practice.
• The meet is Saturday, at the College of Idaho starting at 4:30 pm.

Things to remember for the meet:

1. Healthy carbo-load 2 days before.  
2. Get a good night's sleep Friday night
3. No soda a week before swim meets
4. Eat healthy the day of the meet . . .lean protein (eggs, nuts and chicken)
5. Bring refueling foods to the meet . . .power bars, bananas, nuts and water.  (Sport drinks have too much sugar so think more along the lines of coconut or aloe water and No citrus fruits!)
6. Warm Ups start at 4:30pm.  This means be on deck, stretched out, dressed out, ready to swim.
7. Meet starts at 5:00.
8. Watch the board and listen to the events announced.  You need to keep track of when you are swimming.
9. Always ask your time when you finish with a race.  Then report the time back to the coaches table.  
10. Cheer for your fellow swimmers.  
11. Always do your best.  Don't let one mistake ruin a whole meet.  Shake it off and re-focus.  

First meet/ suits/ sweatshirts/ pictures and more

Hello all!

Our first meet is quickly approaching!  I am very excited to see all your hard work come to fruition.  Here are a couple of reminders:

1. Team suits should be in no later than Thursday of this week.  It is sooooooo important you try on your suit Thursday.  If it doesn't fit, you need to have it back in my possession no later than Friday so I can re-order.  
2. You will get your team cap with your suit.
3. Sweatshirt orders went out on Friday.  I should have our team sweatshirt the Friday before our first meet.
4. Team pictures will be taken this year by our own talented Mrs. Baughn (Maddie's mom) and will be scheduled after team sweatshirts arrive.
5. First meet - Saturday, Sept 12th at the  College of Idaho. Warm ups - 4:30pm - Meet -5:30pm More meet information will go out next week. 

***Warm ups mean you must be at the pool, dressed out, stretched out, on deck, ready to go*****

On Team meeting Tuesday we will be discussion the importance of Nutrition.  All hand outs will be posted on the blog.  

Suits and Sweatshirts sizes needed by this Friday

Hello!

It is that time again to order our team gear.  Remember this is something I pay for out of my swim budget but I do need sizes.  Please click the following links to size your gear.  All gear is non-returnable so please take the time to figure out what you really need and either email me or talk to me at practice.

Swim Suits

Women's Sizing Chart                                  Men's Sizing Chart

Sweatshirts

Sweat Shirt Sizing

***There is only one chart.  Men's and Women's sweatshirts are different sizes this year so please size from the appropriate column****

If you know of anyone still interested in joining the swim team, we still have this week.  Please forward on the blog information.  

Thanks!

Kara

karaevans@visioncsd.org

208-477-7811

Swim Season official has begun!

Tonight, marked our first swim team practice.  We had a pretty good turn out but if you know someone who is interested in joining, there is still time.  I will take new recruits or returning swimmers up until the first week in September.

Here are a couple of reminders:
1.  There will be an Officials training session offered on:

Thursday, August 27.  

6:30-8:30PM 

at the Boise Library located on the corner of Cole and Ustick.   

Remember, Vision Charter must supply two officials for each meet our team swims in.  If we don't have Parent Officials, we can't compete.   Please email me if you can attend this meeting no later than August 20th.  

2.  I will be sending out a link for swim suit sizing next week.  Just as a reminder,  I buy the team suits but it is up to the parents and swimmers to tell me the right size.  Maddie, our returning team captain, picked out some really amazing team suits this year.  Click the links below to view.

                     Ladies Racing Suit                                                 Men's Racing Suit      

3.  I will also be sending out pictures of our possible team sweatshirt.  The team will vote on their choice and majority rules.  I am still looking for quotes printing the sweatshirts.  If you know someone who works in the business and is willing to help us out, please forward their info on.

4.  Our first swim meet is scheduled for Saturday, September 12th.  I don't have a time yet, but this meet should only last about 2 hours.  I look forward to seeing all our parents cheer our team on.   

As always . . .questions, comments etc ?  Please don't hesitate to call, email or drop by.  Coach Kara Evans

208-477-7811

karaevans@visioncsd.org

               

Quick Reminder

Hello all!

This is just a quick reminder to do the following:

1. Print all paperwork from the web.  Only Freshmen and Juniors need physicals.  Everyone else needs to fill out the Interim paperwork.
2. Get all your paperwork in to the YMCA front desk.  
3. Be sure to tell the Y you are with Vision Charter High School Swimming when making payment arrangements
4. See you suited up and on deck for our first practice Wednesday night!
5. Remember all this has to be done before you can set foot in the water.

Questions?

Please call or email 

Kara Evans

karaevans@visioncsd.org

208-477-7811

One more piece of paperwork . .. Don't forget swim team starts in 10 days!

Hello all!

For those of you who already filled out all your paperwork there is one more page I just added.  It is the Verification of School District and Residential Boundaries for Swimming Eligibility under the Swim Team paperwork tab.  I can sign for you on the "team representative" line.

More opportunities to earn money for swim team!

Mrs. O is offering more opportunities this next week to earn $8.00 an hour to be put towards swim team fees. 

Just be at the school Monday morning at 9am with your work clothes on. 

(Painting may be involved) 

 Make sure to sign in on the clipboard and list that you are with swim team.  

Parent Official Training Meeting Set

There will be an Officials training session offered on:

Thursday, August 27.  

6:30-8:30PM 

at the Boise Library located on the corner of Cole and Ustick.   

Remember, Vision Charter must supply two officials for each meet our team swims in.  If we don't have Parent Officials, we can't compete.   Please email me if you can attend this meeting no later than August 20th.  

Update on Swimming - Please change your calendars!

Any time between now and Tuesday, August 18th - Paperwork, Parent Volunteers and Payment Arrangements

Swimmers cannot swim until all the paperwork and payment arrangements are made.  All paperwork is on my blog on the right hand side of the screen.  If you don't have access to a printer, please stop by the High School office and ask for the swim team paperwork.  All paperwork must be filled out and either brought to the first practice or turned into the High School Office.  

Things to be aware of:

1.  The cost of swim team is a Y membership for 3 months and 150.00 for meet fees and pool usage.  (If you already have a Y membership, you only owe $150.00) Financial aid is also available.

2. There is a $50.00 deposit due on this day.

3.  Physicals are required for Freshmen and Juniors or anyone new to high school sports. 

     (Most Drs Offices run sports physicals for $20.00)

4.  Swim Team Parent Volunteers are needed.  We cannot host any meets with out officials.  Parents are strongly urged to attend the Officials Stroke and Turn Training.   The training will be the week of August 24th-28th.  I will post the specifics when they are firmed up.  Vision Charter will need 1-2 parents to become officials. 

First Swim Practice has been changed from Tuesday, August 18th to Wednesday, August 19th. Parent meeting to follow practice 

Meet on deck at the Caldwell YMCA in a practice suit with a swim cap, googles, towel and a bottle of water from 5:30pm-7pm.  There will be a quick parent meeting right after practice at 7pm.   We will move from the pool deck into on of the conference rooms around the corner.  This is a chance to meet the coaches, understand your and your swimmers responsibilities and  have all your questions answered.  :)

Team suits, caps, sweatshirts and Expectations

After the second week of practice, I order team sweatshirts and swim suits.  These items are free to those who make the commitment to be on the team for the season and represent Vision Charter.  Anyone not meeting team and school expectations will be asked to return their swim "swag".  To participate in any high school sport, students must maintain a "C" average in all classes.  Swimmers may also wear their team sweatshirt for free everyday as long as there is a dress code approved polo underneath it.  

Any questions or concerns?  Please contact me.

Coach Kara Evans

karaevans@visioncsd.org

208-477-7811

Getting Ready for the Swim Season!

Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 28th - Work Day, Money making opportunity

Mrs. O granted us an amazing opportunity.  Students willing to help move furniture in and out of the portables need to meet at the school at 8am until about noon.  Working students will make $8.00 an hour to be applied to their own swim team registration fees (which are $150.00)   Hope to see you there!

Monday, August 17th - Paperwork and Payment Arrangements

Swimmers cannot swim until all the paperwork and payment arrangements are made.  At the front desk of the Caldwell YMCA, ask for the Vision Charter Swim Team paperwork.  

Things to be aware of:

1.  The cost of swim team is a Y membership for 3 months and 150.00 for meet fees and pool usage.  (If you already have a Y membership, you only owe $150.00) Financial aid is also available.

2. There is a $50.00 deposit due on this day.  

3.  Physicals are required for Freshmen and Juniors or anyone new to high school sports. 

     (Most Drs Offices run sports physicals for $20.00)

Tuesday, August 18th, First Day of Practice!

Meet on deck at the Caldwell YMCA in a practice suit with a swim cap, googles, towel and a bottle of water from 6pm-7pm.

I am meeting with the YMCA tomorrow afternoon to get more info on the rest of the season.  I am looking forward to seeing you all soon.  If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call or email.  

Coach Kara Evans

karaevans@visioncsd.org

208-477-7811

Tuesday, May 12th - Swim Team Meeting Sign Ups

I know it is hard to think about next year when this one isn't even over yet, but it is time to start recruiting for High School Swim Team.  The swim season always starts before school does, so I have to recruit at the end of each year.  Listed below are some FAQs for first time swimmers.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me.

Vision Charter High School Swimming

2015-2016 Season

Head Coach Kara Evans karaevans@visioncsd.org

Assistant Coach Teresa Perkins teresaperkins@visioncsd.org

Please subscribe to www.vcsswimteam.blogspot.com for updates over the summer

                                                                 FAQs

                  How long does the season run?

The high school swim season starts mid-August and ends with the State Tournament the first week in November.

             What are the practice times/days?

Times this year are not set yet, but the last 3 seasons there were two options:  5:30 – 7:00 am or/and 5:30 – 7:00pm.  Practice is 5 days a week.  You must attend 85% of the practices in order to participate at a swim meet.  Always send the coach a text or email if you cannot attend practice, along with the reason. 

                 What are the costs?

a.       Things you need to buy:

1.       YMCA 3 month youth membership (this is based on income)

2.       Team membership $150.00 for the season

3.       Practice suits (can be purchased on-line at Swimoutlet.com for around $15.00 – 20.00)

4.      Good googles (cheap googles don’t last and leak – Swimoutlet.com and Big 5 sporting goods sell
       them for around $20.00)

5.      Practice Cap ( Swimoutlet.com, Big 5 and the Swim and Run Shop sell them for around $3-5.00)

b.      Things I purchase for you:

1.       Team Sweatshirt

2.      Team Racing Suit (cannot be worn at practice)

3.      Team Racing Cap (cannot be worn at practice)

Can I ride Bus #5 to the YMCA after school?

        Yes!  Most swimmers just take the bus to the Y after school.  There is time to do homework or dry land   training.  You have to go to the Caldwell YMCA and get the paperwork to ride the bus.  It is at the front desk. 

       Can I letter in swimming?

Yes! You must either meet the State Tournament qualifying times or go to State on a relay team.

     Can I use swim team as a PE credit?

Yes! You have to keep track of the hours you swim and the coach must sign off on your tracking log.

     Do I need to be an excellent swimmer to join swim team?

No, however, you do need to be able to swim 1 lap in the YMCA pool.  Swimmers are divided at practice according to ability.  I do suggest you join a summer swim team, take lessons and/or take the time to brush up on your strokes before swim season starts in mid-August.  We hit the ground running!

     Do I have to try out to be on the team?

No, everyone is accepted, however, faster swimmers get first pick of events and relays.