Q&A
Inquiry about the status of free swim lessons for 2nd graders
0:58:45
·
68 sec
Council Member Julie Menin inquires about the status of a previously passed bill requiring the Parks Department to provide free swim lessons to 2nd graders. Commissioner Sue Donoghue responds by explaining the Swim for Life program, its history, and recent performance.
- Swim for Life program has been running since 2005
- In FY 2024, the program trained 20,000 individuals to swim, including 6,629 second graders
- The program is a partnership with the Department of Education
Julie Menin
0:58:45
So last year, the city council passed my bill, which would, as you know, require the department to provide free swim lessons choose 2nd graders.
0:58:54
I was notified that the program was delayed as part of the peg earlier this year.
0:58:59
So what is the exact status of the program?
Sue Donoghue
0:59:02
Thank you, council member amendment for that question and for recognizing this the importance of our swim for life program.
0:59:10
Parks began swim for life in 2005.
0:59:13
It's a really important program for us that we've been conducting for many, many years.
0:59:18
It's a partnership with DOE.
0:59:20
In FY 24, we trained 20,000 to swim, 20,000 individuals to swim.
0:59:27
Our swim for life in 2024, we trained 6629 second graders were served through the swim for life program.
0:59:37
We look forward to continuing to be able to do that.
0:59:39
It's a strong partnership as I said with DOE, and we're we're working closely with DOE to be able to provide that access to schools and that training within schools for 2nd graders.
