Portland Public Schools kids are set to make a splash in education, thanks to the 'Schools to Pools' program. Second graders from PPS are getting free swimming lessons courtesy of a new initiative that kicked off on January 30. To begin with, six schools are diving in with more than 300 students, but don't hold your breath—nearly 3,000 kids across the district are poised to get wet in the future.

In a statement that would be heartwarming if it wasn't for the administrative oversight, Commissioner Dan Ryan, who calls the shots at Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), gushed about the program. "This partnership will save lives," he said. "The Schools to Pools program is an exciting investment in Portland’s children, and in our city’s future," Portland Parks & Recreation announced.

Adena Long, Portland Parks & Recreation Director and the brain behind the initiative spearheaded a clone of this operation when she was swimming with the big fish at the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. With the backing of the 2020 Parks Local Option Levy, 'Schools to Pools' is more than just a catchy name—it's a lifeline to youngsters in P-town.

"Learning to swim is vital for young people, and we’re proud to make beginner lessons available through this innovative partnership," Director Long said, undoubtedly remembering the days when the pandemic tossed their plans like a beach ball at a pool party. "I’ve long had my eye on establishing this cooperative effort with PPS, and then the pandemic upended our plans – until now. I’m so pleased we’re able to move forward with Schools to Pools and these free swim lessons, made possible both by the Parks Levy, and the vision and energy of our Portland Public Schools leadership," she shared, caught in a wave of enthusiasm.

Portland Public Schools Senior Director of Athletics, Marshall Haskins, floated the idea that second grade is the right time for learning the freestyle and the frog kick. "Second grade is the perfect age. It is an ideal time for students to learn to swim, they are eager to learn and have few inhibitions related to water," Haskins said. The program aims to equip children with the buoyancy of a life skill—literally—the kind that can save lives.

Lack of a bathing suit won't keep any kid on dry land. PPS is throwing in transportation to the pools, while PP&R is on lifeguard and swim instructor duty, and is tossing in the pool space too. The program, which is an elective in schools that could work it out in their calendar, will see its winter session run through the chilly months from January 30 to March 19, with a spring session from April 2 to May 21. Despite offering the program to every school, some had to sidestep due to scheduling conflicts—proving it's not always easy to synchronize schedules, much less swimming.