Grading on a wave

It's a cool 70 degrees on this cloudy Monday morning at Central Municipal Pool. Weeks after most students packed away their swimsuits and other accessories of summer fun, fifth- and sixth-graders from Central Middle School skitter around the concrete edge of the pool, testing the water with their toes.

"It's a nice morning for swimming, huh?" asks Ann Cunningham, a Central Middle School physical education teacher.

This is Cunningham's second year to teach a section on swimming as part of her PE classes. It's a new experience for many of the 600-plus students at Central Middle School.

"We were really surprised by how many can't swim or handle themselves in the water," Cunningham said. "We still have a few kids who won't put their face in the water."

The swimming class started when the district reconfigured grades and fifth- and sixth-grade students were relocated to the former Central Junior High School.

"The gym there isn't air-conditioned, and it was a challenge to find something to do in mid-August," Cunningham said. "So this worked out really well."

Because students of all skill levels are together in one class, Cunningham said it's difficult to work on more than just basic drown-proofing techniques, such as treading water and back-floating.

On Monday, the start of the last week for the swimming classes, students also worked on the crawl and backstroke. Cunningham gives them free time at the end of class that allows strong swimmers to go to the deep end and use the diving boards and weaker swimmers to play basketball or other games in the shallow end of the pool.

Because of the cool temperature, most of the students stayed tucked beneath the water with only their heads sticking out.

"If you just jump right in, it's really not as bad," said 11-year-old Yale Gerber.

Classmate Kayla Glency disagreed. The 11-year-old blond wore a T-shirt over her swimsuit in an effort to stay warm, but it wasn't very effective.

"I feel like a popsicle when I get out of the water," Kayla said.

The thrill of swimming has somewhat dissolved for Kayla, who has a pool at home. For those who aren't used to spending time in the water, though, the class is their favorite. All students must participate as part of their grade.

Cunningham said the class does not replace swimming lessons that provide one-on-one attention, but it does help students become more comfortable in the water.

"I think they really love it. It's unusual to be able to come to the pool in the middle of your school day," Cunningham said.

And the students are getting some exercise.

"Swimming can take it out of you," Cunningham said. "We really think they're getting their daily workout."

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128