📋 Step 1: Our Class and Alert Channel
Child’s name and level
Day, time and pool location
School phone number
Where the school posts weather alerts (text, app, website, phone)
Does the school follow the local school district closure?
Latest time the school decides
📜 Step 2: Policy Questions to Ask
Who decides? The school, the district or the facility, and how are families told?
Lightning rules? What happens at outdoor pools or if a storm affects power?
School cancels? Do we get a make-up, credit or token, and for how long is it good?
We skip for safety? Does a class we miss on our own count for a make-up?
Late or partial closures? What if class is shortened or moved to another time?
🌨️ Step 3: Go or Stay-Home Check
Alert checked? Look at the school’s alert channel about 90 minutes before class.
Roads and walkways OK? Follow local officials’ travel guidance. If it looks unsafe, stay home.
Child well? A sick child stays home. Use the sick-day guide if unsure.
Time to spare? Leave extra minutes so no one hurries on wet or icy ground.
Told the school? Message early if we will miss class and ask about a make-up.
Safety comes first. No swim class is worth a risky drive or a slip in a parking lot. Skip it and book the make-up.
🚗 Step 4: Travel and Warmth Packing List
Hold hands Walk together in lots and on walkways, and have a plan for siblings.
Thin layers in the car seat No bulky coats under the harness. Place a blanket over the buckled straps.
Hooded towel or robe Ready for the walk from the pool to the car.
Dry warm clothes Layers, hat, warm socks and shoes.
Warm car and snack Warm the car first and follow the school’s snack rules.
Hair and ears dried Dry off well, including hair, before heading out when possible.
🔁 Step 5: Make-Up Tracker
Make-up deadline: write down how long credits last so they do not expire.
🏠 Step 6: Our Backup Plan
What we will do if class is canceled (bath play, bubbles, a swim book)
Who supervises water play
Who messages the school
Our rule for late closures
When we will check in with the instructor
Next weather check date
Children are never alone in or near water, including the bath. If a child is in trouble in the water, get help and call 911 or your local emergency number. Lessons do not make a child drown-proof, at any age.
