Welcome Swimmers!
**Here is where I will write important announcements regarding practices, meets, schedule changes, etc. Both parents and swimmers are encouraged to sign up for these messages!
5/16 - So sorry this is late!! Those of you asking about a review schedule for the 7th grade Science Final Exam, please see my 7th grade Newsflash page for a detailed schedule. The reviews start tomorrow (Thurs. 5/17) and it's over the 4th Nine Weeks. Please let me know if you have questions, all are welcome!!
5/14: Thanks again to everyone for a wonderful season! I was truly touched at the card and gifts that I was presented with at the party. I'm forwarding a message sent from the FAST Board. The coaches had RAVE REVIEWS for those that came and subbed as Lane Assitants. They said to feel free to continue helping out, you're welcome to still come, and you will receive service hours for it as long as you sign-in in the binder on the bench near the bleachers. Thanks to all that volunteered!
End of Season Party!
Thursday 5/10 (tomorrow) at Chillin' Time from 8-9pm.
We'll hang out, celebrate our undefeated season and award medals and ribbons from the champ meet! See everyone there!
CHAMP MEET!
Yes, it's finally here! The final meet of the season ... no tears please, or I'll cry too. Swimmers will be dismissed from class at 3:30, since the meet is at the high school natatorium. We will be there early, as I have coach duties to attend to. All swimmers must immediately get dressed and be ready for a team meeting at the far end of the pool (the side we normally practice on, near the blocks). Our warmup time isn't until 4:40. Parents are expected to take their swimmers home ... the meet is at FHS, so no bus transportation. :)
Don't forget, wear your swim shirts tomorrow! Speaking of Swim Shirts: please check your swim gear, as one of our swimmers is still missing a tshirt. I news flashed this weeks ago, as it went missing after the last meet we had in Manvel. Please check to see if you have an extra tshirt! Thanks! It's been a great season, so let's finish it that way and really go all out! See you tomorrow, and Go Mustangs!
TEAM PARTY!!
The End of the Season Team Party will be held at Chillin' Time at Stephenson Park this year! Good times will be had by all as we rap up the swim season in style!
Date: Thursday May 10
Time: 8pm-9pm
Thanks so much to Dr. Stran for organizing the party this year! We appreciate all you've done for the team this year! :)
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Saturday Practice TOMORROW 5/5:
This will be shorter than normal, from 7am-8:30. Please make plans to have your ride there by 8:30. Thanks!
Also, don't forget that Monday practice (last practice of the season) will start later: 6:30-7:30, since the champ meet is the day after.
Volunteers Needed for FAST Practice tomorrow 5/3!!
FAST is in need of lane assistants for practice tomorrow from 5:15 to 6:30. This is when the younger age groups practice. Your responsibilities would be to get into the water with the kids, and as they swim past you, stop any that need stroke correction and help them improve! It helps if you work well with younger kids of course. :)
Please be there around 5:00 to sign in as a volunteer. The binder to sign in is located on the bench between the starting blocks and the bleachers. Signing in here helps them organize volunteer hours for NJHS, or other groups. You MUST sign in! Once signed in, check in with a coach and they'll tell you where you're needed. Thanks for any and all who can volunteer their time!! You guys are great!!
***Please read the following announcement regarding the Champ Meet:
Dear FJH Swim Families, FJH SWIM TEAM will be hosting the JR High Champs Meet on Tuesday, May 8th. In order for this meet to run smoothly and so we can continue hosting the Champs Meet, we need EVERYONE TO VOLUNTEER.
Please email Kathy Ratliff hkratliff@comcast.net to sign up for one or more volunteer slots listed below. Sign up is on a first come, first serve basis. A detailed signup sheet will be circulated prior to the meet.
TIMERS – (minimum 16)
SET UP – arrive couple hours prior to meet (exact time tbd by Coach Little); rearrange Pool as directed by Coach Little (minimum 3)
CLEAN-UP – stay after meet to tidy Natatorim; rearrange Pool as directed by Coach Little (min 3)
AWARDS/RIBBONS – apply stickers to appropriate ribbons as directed by Computer Operators (will not be handing out awards) (min 2)
RUNNERS – take/collect heat sheets to timers, run other errands for Computer Operators (need 1 more)
CROWD CONTROL – direct spectators to their areas; keep unnecessary foot traffic off the swim deck (min 1)
FLOATERS – may be assigned to help in any area and moved as needed throughout the meet
We will also need donations of food and water for the Hospitality Area. This area takes care of the Coaches and Officials running the meet. More detail will be sent soon regarding exact items needed.
Thanks,
Kathy Ratliff
hkratliff@comcast.net
832-428-7395
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4/18 - We have another missing swim shirt! It should say "Nagle" on the inside tag, but if anyone has an extra tshirt that they grabbed with their belongings at the previous meet (4/10), please let me know ASAP, as Thomas is missing his shirt :(
4/15 - I have received emails from the following swimmer's parents, confirming that they will be missing the last 3 events from the meet on Tuesday for NJHS induction. Please check the list to ensure that I've received proper confirmation of these plans. If you will be leaving early and are not on the list, please email me ASAP, as I'm doing meet entries right now and have to email them first thing tomorrow morning. Thanks!
Matthew Howard (Soccer tryouts)
Thomas Nagle
Jenna Chenette
Jillian Colquitt
Angela Goddard
Danielle Hernandez
Hannah Jacobson
Elizabeth Njaa
Sarah Njaa
Britany Ratliff
McKenna Stran
4/12 - Check website for updated practice schedule! Thanks! :)
4/9 - Swim Meet TOMORROW at Manvel High School! Don't forget to wear your team shirt tomorrow! You will be dismissed from class at 3:15, we need to be on the bus at 3:25. I may take a few team pictures before getting on the bus, so please please please be on time!
4/3 - Team Pictures will be taken first thing Thursday morning at practice. Please bring your team shirt for the picture. This will be as quick as possible.
Also, there were 6 team records broken at the meet tonight!! Great Job Team! We'll discuss any "coach notes" from the meet at practice. Please check the Swim Team page for the new records, and for the final meet scores.
*** Please check your swim bags. A swimmer's shirt was accidentally taken at the meet, so check your bag for doubles. It was a medium. If you find it, please bring it to me! Thanks :)
4/2 - Don't forget to wear your team shirt tomorrow! We need to leave by 3:20, so make sure you get out of class around 3:15. You are responsible for any work you miss in 8th period. I'll give you your events on the bus tomorrow. Heat and Lane assignments will be posted at the pool. If you have an alternate travel form turned into me, then you will be able to travel home with your parents. The meet tomorrow is at Alvin High School - parents, you're welcome to join us! You'll get a better idea of how quickly these meets run tomorrow. Please let me know if you will need to leave the 4/17 meet early for NJHS induction.
4/1 - Reminder: You MUST have an Alternate Travel Form (carbon-copy) filled out and filed with me to be able to take your child home from the meets. Please remember to email me if you are going to be taking your child home from this week's meet. Just because you have the form, doesn't mean that you always take your swimmer home each week. Also, I am aware that the NJHS induction ceremony is on the day of a meet (4/17). In the past, swimmers have attended, but not entered the last 2-3 events. This allowed them time to shower and change, and get back to school in time for the ceremony. Please tell me AHEAD OF TIME if you will be doing this, as my entries are due ahead of time. Thank you! :)
3/27 - There will be NO PRACTICE for the rest of the week. Although there are members of the team that aren't testing on Thursday, the bus carrying you here gets here too late, and you'd be rushing to your classrooms. The staff would like you here in enough time to get to these classes to limit chaos and late arrivals in the morning. On Saturday, I will be at State Science Fair, so I will not be able to coach practice. We will still have practice on Monday 4/2, so please be there on time. If you swim for a club team, PLEASE make sure you attend practices this week so that you're still getting in a workout. Those who do not swim club need to run and do dry land exercises 2-3 times this week. Good luck with testing, and see you on Monday morning!
3/19- Reminders for the meet tomorrow: Swimmers, we will have a discussion and reminders about the run of the meet (Mr. Rocky's discussion from practice) tomorrow on the bus. I will give you your relay assignments at that time, as well as the individuals that I want you to swim. Remember, you can swim more events (for this meet ONLY) than what I assign you.
The meet tomorrow will be longer than most, since all teams are present. I don't see it lasting past 7 at the latest. Our warmup time is 4:40, so Swimmers will need to be out of class at 3:20, and on the bus - ready to go - at 3:30. This is different than what we discussed at practice this morning. Swimmers are responsible for any information or lessons missed during 8th period, so please ask for all assignments before leaving.
T-shirts are not ready yet, and will be passed out at practice on Thursday. Tomorrow, since team shirts aren't available, where a Friendswood shirt, so that you're representing our school at the meet.
Remember to bring your suit, cap, goggles, towels, water, clothes to change into, and snacks if you need them. If you signed an alternate transportation form, then you will be able to take your child home from the meet. If not, they have to ride the bus home. Remember to email me if you intend on taking your child home (even if you signed the form). This just gives me a head count for the bus.
Again, the meet is at Manvel High School (all meet info is on the team page). There is not enough seating inside for swimmers and parents, so be prepared to come in and out of the pool area.
***I have 3 boys who haven't picked up their suits ... you need those, please come see me tomorrow morning ASAP!
If you have any further questions, please email me. See you all tomorrow!!
3/18 - Additional Reminder!! All swimmers are REQUIRED (by district policy) to ride back on the bus after the meet, UNLESS you have filled out an alternate transportation form. This must be filled out by Monday 3/19, as I have to have an administrator sign them before Tuesday. These can be received in the front office. I will make sure they get signed. I have 2-3 from swimmers already.
3/18 - Swimmers and Parents: Our first meet is this Tuesday 3/20 at Manvel High School. This meet is called the Splash Meet because all schools attend, and it is not scored. It's more or less a way for all swimmers and schools to get an idea on how meets will run. There is no limit to individual event entries for this meet, nor do I have to turn them in ahead of time. There will be a ready area (like summer league) and you have to report to the ready area one event prior to your own. They will simply put you in a heat, and you swim ... swim your hardest no matter what! This is our chance to make a statement! Don't hold back just because the meet isn't scored! This meet is longer, just due to no limit on events and all teams being present. I expect it will be over no later than 7:00pm. Parents, see team site for details on meet schedule. If you haven't sent me a size for your hoodie (swimmers only), please do so ASAP!
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3/9 - Parents and Swimmers: we have received VERY generous donations this year. One of the main donators is asking that part of the money be spent on hoodies for the kids (they will be able to keep them. these aren't "team" property). We will not be selling these to the adults, but just distributing them to the kids. Please email me with your swimmer's size for the sweatshirt before the end of the break, as the order needs to be placed quickly. I would suggest getting a size larger than your tshirt size since most people like an oversized sweatshirt. Thanks so much to our very generous donating companies and families this year!
3/2 - Correction to previous Newsflash ... Coach Marshall is getting sick, worse by the minute kind of thing. Saturday practice is canceled for this week. I apologize for the late notice, as I was trying to hold out and make it, but my immune system is yelling at me right now. Please notify people if you don't think they would get this message. Thanks and again, I apologize about the late notice. See you all Monday morning.
3/2 - Saturday
practice (tomorrow 3/3) is from 7-9am. We do running and dry land the
first 30 minutes so bring proper attire and running shoes. :)
2/27
- The FJH Champ Meet has been officially rescheduled to Tuesday May 8
at the FHS Natatorium. Please adjust your schedules to show that date
change. Thanks!
2/26 -
First practice Monday 2/27 at 6am!! Be there on time and ready to
go!!! When we walk in, you need to drop your stuff in the locker room
and get in the pool. We have to maximize the time we're given.
All
swimmers be ready to dress within 30 minutes or less after practice.
You've got to be quick in the locker room after practice.
2/22 - TEAM Meeting tonight at 6pm in the FJH Cafeteria. Please be here as quickly as possible, so we can get started with suits, shirts, and information. I don't want to keep you longer than necessary.
2/20 - See the FJH Team page on Mrs. Marshall's teacher web for the full team announcement and mandatory team meeting information.
Returning Swimmers: You are REQUIRED to help out at tryouts. You do not have to attend each day, but more than one would be helpful. Anywhere that I do NOT have swimmers, I will be asking for parent volunteers, so I'd like as many swimmers as possible (including the high schoolers who have offered to help).Sign up sheets are in my room #8233, so please come by and sign up for a day and time. You need to wear your suit, as I'll be asking you guys to help put in lane ropes (new kids may not know how and would take too long). Thanks!!