WHALE Tales Initiative

Beginning in the fall of 2024, the Houston County School District will provide water safety classes for all second graders.  The WHALE Tales program will take place at the Tommy Stalnaker Aquatic Center, an indoor swim facility with a competition pool and program pool.  Students will spend 7-10 consecutive school days at the center. Students will be transported to and from their school by bus and be accompanied by their teachers throughout the sessions. Classes will attend a two hour block from 9:00-11:00am or 11:00am-1:00pm.

Important Information for Parents:

  • Parents will be required to sign a permission form for the WHALE Tales program.  This permission form will be sent from teachers.
  • Schools will communicate directly with parents regarding scheduled sessions.  All elementary schools will be scheduled from September through May.
  • During your school's scheduled session, students should come to school in the morning in their bathing suits with clothing on top.
  • Students should bring a towel and a bag with a change of clothes. Please do not forget to pack underwear.
  • Goggles are only allowed for our students swimming in deep water.  For our inexperienced swimmers, it may cause a false since of safety and comfort with the water when learning to submerse.
  • Ear plugs and water shoes are optional.  Water shoes are only allowed walking around the facility and are not allowed to be worn in the pool.
  • No outside pool toys, life jackets, or inflatables are allowed to be brought inside the facility.
  • Since classes will take place indoors, sunscreen is not required.
  • All classes will be taught by Red Cross Water Safety Instructors and supervised by certified Red Cross Lifeguards.
  • Additional staff will be on duty to assist with locker room/restroom supervision.

Pool Time

On the first day of a school's session, each student will be evaluated to determine their swimming ability. Based on their evaluations, students will be grouped into three categories.  

  • Star Fish: This group is for beginners and non-swimmers.  These children will receive swimming lessons and, upon completion of the course, could float and swim.
  • Sea Turtles: This group is for children who can swim in shallow water.  They will receive fitness exercises and play games like in physical fitness class.  They will spend their 30-minute pool time on one end of a program pool with shallow water.  
  • Dolphins: This group is for children competent in deep water. They will receive fitness exercises and play games like in physical fitness class.  They will spend their 30-minute pool time in the competition pool with deep water.  

After evaluations on day one, students will wear colored arm bands to designate their group. Upon completion of pool time, they will be dismissed to the locker rooms/restrooms to change clothes. They will rejoin together as a class with their teacher. 

Classroom Time

All students will receive water safety instruction through the Red Cross WHALE Tales curriculum led by a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor.  The lessons include both instruction and videos.  Additionally, students will receive worksheets and coloring sheets to reinforce concepts.  The unit will cover nine lessons.

  • Lesson 1: Do Your Part, Be Water Smart
  • Lesson 2: Swim as a Pair with a Lifeguard There
  • Lesson 3: First Look Around: Is the Scene Safe and Sound?
  • Lesson 4: Don't Just Pack It, Wear Your Life Jacket
  • Lesson 5: Play It Smart at Your Home, Pool or Park
  • Lesson 6: Wave, River or Tide, Water Smarts Are Your Guide
  • Lesson 7: Think So You Don't Sink
  • Lesson 8: Reach or Throw, Don't Go
  • Lesson 9: Stay Calm, Think It Through and You Can Know What to Do

Picnic Time

Weather permitting, children will have snacks and drinks in the outdoor patio space adjacent to the facility. They will also play outdoor games facilitated by their teacher.  The picnic area serves as a holding area for a group while the two other groups participate in pool and classroom time. 

Questions

The week before your child's class session begins, the school will offer an Open House for all parents at the Aquatic Center.  Parents will have the opportunity to tour the facility, meet instructors, and ask questions.  Information about date and time for the Open House will be communicated from the school to all second grade parents.
Schools will often ask parents and organizations for donations of class snacks to serve during picnic time. If parents are required to provide a snack, the teacher/school will notify parents prior to their scheduled session.
Parents may choose to send a separate snack for their child.  Please communicate with your child's teacher regarding any allergy concerns.
The program will replace their Specials class, which includes PE. 
Please click here to view our flyer.  For swim safety, students can wear shirts in the water as long as they come to the waist and fit snug.  Long shirts below the waist, large shirts and dresses are not allowed as they can hinder swimming and be a safety concern for students.
Yes. They will have separate lesson times with certified instructors.
All classes are taught by certified Red Cross Water Safety Instructors (WSIs). Click here for more information on this certification process.
The state law requires one instructor per ten students and one lifeguard per 25 swimmers.  As a facility, we strive to keep less students/swimmers per group than the state requirements.  
Second grade was chosen based on what works best with our curriculum and testing requirements at the elementary level.  Second graders are also the most capable of primary ages to handle the learning environment at a pool and independent changing in locker rooms/restrooms.
To learn more about the center, visit www.hcbe.net/aquaticcenter.
Please contact your child's teacher directly with questions not covered on this page.

Return to Main Page