Hello Fins Families! 

First off, I hope all of you mamas had a wonderful Mother's Day and were spoiled the way you were meant to be spoiled! This is my first info email to kickoff our fantastic 2024 season. As you all know, my name is Coach Asheley Bell (I am fine with whatever the kids would like to call me- I usually go by Coach Asheley in the summer time)  and I am beyond excited to be back on the summer league pool deck coaching this summer. Quick little blurb about me: I have been a teacher in Forsyth County Schools for 20 years. I started at Sawnee Elementary , then was at West Forsyth teaching and coaching for seven years and I currently reside at Forsyth Central High School where I teach the Specialized Instruction classes (special education) and am the head coach of the Swim and Dive team and the Cross Country team. My two kiddos have been on the pool deck their entire lives so you will see them around - Emerson is 11 and Maddox is 6. They love being Fieldstone Fins! 

We are going to have such a FUN summer!

Okay, so let's touch base with what practices will look like as well as my expectations for swimmers and parents. These next two weeks will be a little chaotic for everyone because of the end of the year. I want you all to know that we completely understand if your attendance is limited due to many other commitments. I am a teacher as well and know what the end of the school year can bring for everyone!

To begin with, as we hope you have all seen, we have had to adjust our practice schedule to accommodate some things at the pool. We will follow the listed practice times below until we begin morning practices after Memorial Weekend. 

4:00-4:30pm - 6 and unders 

4:30-5:15pm - 7/8 

5:15- 6:00pm - 9/10 

6:00-6:45pm - 11 & Up 

When you arrive at the pool, we ask that your child already be in their swimsuit . I realize that for some that may be super difficult if you are coming directly from school (this will be my kids) but it's helpful for them to be ready to go once they hit the pool deck. What type of swimsuit? Well, competition suit is BEST (one piece, jammer, or brief) . I've been doing this a very long time and I know that can be difficult to bargain with some of the younger ones (especially our boys), however, for the most efficient technique work to take place, we need them in appropriate attire. Board shorts create quite a bit of drag and those who are new to the sport really do not need the extra drag. See if about that if you have any questions! Another clothing item that may come up is swim shirts. Depending on the weather, wearing a swim shirt may be the only way you get your child in the water. If that is the case for practice, try to have one as tight as possible in order for them to swim efficiently. 

Two other important pieces of equipment: SWIM CAP AND GOGGLES. Don't leave home without them! I know some of you are waiting on our team caps but I HIGHLY encourage you to make sure you have extras. They get lost, ripped, etc... all swimmers need a cap; this includes 6 and unders and most specifically, yes, the boys need caps on as well. Start by explaining to them that a swim cap is a part of their uniform and just like any other sport, we want to be in our correct uniform! Swimmers also need goggles. No bargaining there! All of the coaches are well versed in adjusting goggles and we are happy to assist the kids. This goes for putting on those pesky swim caps as well. Don't worry.. we got you! 

When you arrive to the pool feel free to seat yourself where you see fit on the deck. We will call for each age group as we get close to their start time. After the first day or two, my hope is to have lane assignments to assist with appropriate instruction based on needs. Here is what I REALLY need from you as parents..

If your child is apprehensive, please get my attention and allow me to work with them to get them in the pool. Once the coaching staff steps in, I need you to step back. I will call you over if there are any other concerns. We need each swimmer to take instruction from the coaching staff so I ask that you let us do our jobs during the time frame they are with us. This also means no sideline coaching. Parents are to stay in their seating areas and allow the coaching staff to instruct. More directly, do not walk up to the side of the pool and begin coaching your child in practice. If you have any concerns about something in practice, I have an open door policy. Please don't hesitate to talk to me. I just ask that you let the coaching staff do their jobs and enjoy the 45/60 minute practice time while your child is practicing. I personally know how hard that can be.. especially if you see your child not giving their best effort (seriously.. personal experience talking here). However, I promise.. we got this. :) 

Potty breaks - we ask that swimmers do not just disappear from the water. Please help us by telling your child that if they need to go to the bathroom, they need to ask/tell one of the coaches where they will be going. 

The weather this week is going to be questionable. Ugh!! We have had such beautiful weather lately and now this. Typical GA weather. My plan is notify you all as soon as possible about cancellations. If you do NOT hear from me or one of our board members, consider practice on. There may be times where one practice gets cancelled and another is able to swim...unfortunately that is something I cannot control. I will do my best to keep you all updated as soon as possible. Even if it's a little chilly... we are going to swim; fifteen minutes is better than zero! 

If I did not get a chance to meet you at the Meet and Greet, I hope you will come and introduce yourself to me this week so that I can put a face to a name. My goal is to have the kids' names memorized as soon as I can ! I have gotten pretty good at that over the years but taking a summer off of coaching may have me a little rusty. Fortunately continuously looking at rosters and kids in lanes will help with that! 

Last but not least... we are doing something new this season by recognizing Fins of the Week! We will be telling the groups about this and it is our hope that it encourages them to try their very best at practice and the meets. Swimmers of the week will not be just about who is the fastest... we will look at effort, growth, sportsmanship, and attitude! So excited to recognize our Fins this way! 

I know this was quite a bit in one email but I wanted to make sure we get off on a great foot on our first day. As you may know, summer swim is about organized chaos so please come to practice with the anticipation that pivoting may be on the agenda. 

Can't believe it's finally here... let's get to it! See you at the pool! 

Coach Asheley and all your other coaches