2015 Winter Session Issue

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Swimmers Guaranteed.

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Register Today!!

225 Skills. 21 Levels. Ages 6 mos.+

est. 1993

www.fossswimschool.com Š 2014 FOCUS Systems, LLC

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Foss Swim School

®

Swimming excellence since 1993...

Warm water!! - Our pools are 91º and used only to teach swimming lessons. In fact, the entire facility is there only to teach swimming lessons. Children are comfortable and able to focus on learning to swim. Other lessons are taught in pools that maintain a cooler temperature (between 82-86º) to facilitate lap swimming and aerobics classes or other childcare/child activities. No blue lipped shivering kids waiting for their turn here!

Quality Standards for Instructors - Our instructors receive over 108 hours of training within their first year of employment and are reviewed after every session they complete. They are all 18 or older and CPR certified. They are chosen on their willingness to “be there” for your child each week and their ability to communicate well with children. Any instructor who falls below a benchmark score within one session is either provided additional training or replaced.

214 Instructors scored 94% or higher based on parent evaluations. (Collected from the 2014 Summer Session) Teaching pools - Our full-length, warm-water pools are built with stairs for little swimmers, islands, benches and a maximum depth of 4 feet. Organized classes provide the correct space to maintain safety while challenging swimmers. Students learn in a focused, safe and consistent, child friendly aquatic environment. Locker rooms, decks and observation rooms are for families and it’s all about learning to swim.

Small class sizes - Our youngest beginning group swimmers enjoy a 3:1 ratio. All other classes are 4:1 with the exception of parent/child Backfloat Baby classes (5:1) and team-style classes (7:1 ratio). Private and semi-private lessons are also available if your child responds best to this teaching style.

LAUGH any way you want to!! - We think it’s healthy to laugh and learn everyday. We provide the energy, enthusiasm, stories, pictures, games, toys, songs, monsters, dolphins, magic carpets, cute little dancing fairy princess people, super heros and Luke Skywalker light saber action that kids respond to! Our ceiling has been “painted” every possible color by little hands learning the backstroke. So go ahead, be silly, laugh it up, and enjoy your child at their swim lessons... we do!

Swimmers Guaranteed.

®

We’re happy if you’re happy. If you are unsatisfied with your swim experience; your child’s lesson, your child’s instructor, your lesson time, a staff member, our facility... Just let us know. It’s OK. We get it! You may need an additional lesson, a private lesson, a new teacher, a louder teacher, a drill sergeant, a credit, a different day, maybe a new suit, maybe you just need to vent... Whatever it is, we’ll take care of it. Done. You get what you want, we get your child swimming.SM

© 2014 FOCUS Systems, LLC

Participation in formal swimming lessons was associated with an 88% reduction in the risk of drowning in 1 to 4-year-old children.

-National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Š 2014 FOCUS Systems, LLC

Perks! – We offer “Miss A. Class” vouchers for children to swim if they miss a class. Our Breakthrough skill clinics are FREE to anyone when you attend our Family Fun Swims. Try a non-competitive fun meet and test run all those new skills for $8.00! Watch for promotions each quarter. How about adding a second lesson for $8.00! Forgot goggles?

We have them for you! Forgot your towel? We’ve got you covered! Need to buy a new suit? We stock just the retail you need. These are just some of the things we offer when we’re not busy teaching the BEST swim lessons in town!

Reputation - The history behind the idea really begins in 1957. Jon Foss’ mom, then 17, took her nine year old brother to an area lake for an afternoon swim where he tragically drowned. With that memory, Jon’s mom made certain her four children became strong swimmers. The importance of swimming was ingrained in Jon’s life. He joined a Bloomington swim team at age 9 and continued competitive swimming through high school and at St. Olaf College as an All-American athlete.

Jon’s personal NCAA experience competing against many of the top national swimmers provided him with first-hand knowledge and examples of HOW successful swimmers swim. He started to note particular and specific techniques and made a conscious decision to create a system for teaching and training strokes that was UNLIKE anything being taught at the time. As Head Age Group Coach for Eden Prairie, MN Foxjets (1987-95) that knowledge led to seven overall State championships, nine national records, and 4th place out of 3,300 age group teams. Additionally, Jon successfully started another Minnesota based USA competitive swim team, Aquajets, which today trains numerous USA Junior level swimmers and National Record holders. That is the foundation for Foss Swim School’s technique based teaching method including our 225 specific technique skills.

Foss Swim School has proven success since 1993 with a method that is truly our own, unlike any other learn to swim program and executed better and more consistently than any other program following our lead. Our reputation for solid technique, well trained instructors, creative curriculum and delivering predictable quality serves 19,000 swimmers a week in MN and IL.

We teach 19,000 swimmers a week in MN and IL!!

Our Program Try it...

Since our program was written by our founder, Jon Foss, we’ve been executing, improving, and delivering our own best work for over 21 years. The hallmark of his vision was to create a method that was not only significantly different but better beyond any other learn to swim program. When something has your name on it a higher sense of purpose and quality attaches itself to the mission. A swim school isn’t just a business for Jon, it’s his life.

© 2014 FOCUS Systems, LLC

“Seemed to really enjoy teaching kids and keeping them excited to swim, also challenged kids with new material once they were ready.”

Sarah & Sean D., Middle 1 “She’s been wonderful at guaging the kids readiness and moving them forward comfortably but steadily.”

Leah L., Litte 1 “Ben thinks that Kevin is “hilarious” and he is super pumped to come every week total opposite of the last place we took lessons.”

Keerie L., Middle 1 “Each week she spoke to us after class about Spencers progress - even though it was the last class of the night - we really appreciated this. She was a great instructor and really helped our son. We had a great experience.”

Christine R., Middle 3 “Patrick has done a great job.

Sage has been frustrated a couple times & Patrick dealt really well with him. I am impressed with how well he handled it.”

Jonathan L., Middle 2

5 Benchmarks anchor our program.

Progressions - We use our own skill progressions for every age. We use muscle isolation, drills and developmental milestones to guide our instruction that are appropriate for your child’s age and maturity. We set the right requirements for every level and they become sequential building blocks and bridges to the next skill. There is a right and wrong way to teach any skill. Foss Swim School has isolated every skill and each teacher is reviewed every session on their ability to communicate each skill correctly.

Correct technique - Our program produces strong swimmers with correct technique. Learning to swim isn’t easy for a kid. Learning to swim improperly is VERY easy. We’ve seen many kids that can get from point A to B but they’ve wasted valuable energy and safety along the way. Our technique is grounded in the strongest core competitive strokes. Our goal is to have your child swimming a confident 300 yard freestyle to become a graduate of our program. Your child isn’t a strong swimmer until this goal has been achieved.

Safety - We do not believe it creates a safe environment, in a swimming pool, to pair children of all ages from toddlers to school age in the same class. If you are choosing to attend swim lessons based on the ability to put all your children in the same class, we are most likely not the right program for you. Age, maturity, physical strength, and skill are all important factors in creating a safe and successful class.

Equipment - We use some flotation equipment as methods to isolate and develop specific muscle groups and to refine motor skills. We don’t use them for our students to falsely rely on them to stay afloat. Our program incorporates drills using equipment in every lesson.

Swimming - We teach swimming. We do not teach treading water. Treading water is a very energy consuming act.

You trust us to teach your child how to swim a strong, confident, life saving 300 yard freestyle, not wrestle in the water and hope someone helps them. Your child will be much better off learning how to calmly and safely float on their back or better yet swim to safety.

A Commitment Make a commitment to safety...

There are so many things for our children to be involved in today. Swim lessons are not an option, they are a necessity. That’s why we do one thing extremely well for you. We teach children to swim better than any other program.

Our program provides the necessities every parent is looking for: safety, predictability, and consistent quality. Our program leads every child to the goal of a continuous 300 yard swim. If your child has reached this milestone, you, as a responsible parent have provided your child with a skill that lasts forever and may one day save their lives or the life of another.

© 2014 FOCUS Systems, LLC

“Excellent. Our kids feel at home here. Nothing could be more important.”

Christina O., Middle 2 “My kids are overall thrilled with their time at FOSS. They are learning a great deal and love the progress they have made.”

Balasubramanian K., Big 4 “Like her gentle easy style.

Seems to have a good handle on what kids are capable of and when to add more. Also Barbara is very sensitive to my child’s special needs.”

Camille M., Little 1 “Taylor is awesome - she connects so well w/ each student and tailors learning accordingly.”

Natalie S., Backfloat Baby® 2 “Jared is fantastic & has done wonders w/ Lucy - he keeps it fun, but doesn’t let her get lazy.

Also appreciated his progress comments to us after class.”

Brett L., Little 3 “Gives both very good constructive feedback and encouragement. Pushes Galeta at just the right level. Great feedback to parents as well.”

Patrick S., Big 3

Levels

225 Skills. 21 Levels!

One that’s just right!!

BACKFLOAT

BABY!!

6-36 Months

BBABY 1 (BB1) Max. Ratio 5:1 This is a pre-swimming class with a parent in the water. Games, songs and structured activities help children adjust to light submersion and supported back floats. Perfect for an apprehensive child.

BBABY 2 (BB2) Max. Ratio 5:1

This class is for children eager to participate with a

parent in the water. Games, songs and structured activities lead to 5 second submersion and back float with minimal assistance. Depth awareness is taught.

BBABY 3 (BB3) Max. Ratio 5:1

LITTLES!!

3-5 Years

®

MIDDLES!!

5-7 Years

LITTLE 1 (L1) Max. Ratio 3:1 This class is for inexperienced and/or cautious children. Children learn water adjustment skills, voluntary submersion of their face to their ears for 5 seconds, 6 times, independent movement with a noodle and face in water and back float with a noodle for 1 minute.

MIDDLE 1 (M1) Max. Ratio 3:1

LITTLE 2 (L2) Max. Ratio 4:1

MIDDLE 2 (M2) Max. Ratio 4:1 This class is for children who can move independently with their face in the water on a noodle and float on their back, 15 feet 6 times each. Children learn to swim on their stomach using flip breaths for 20 feet, 6 times and to swim on their back, 20 feet, 6 times, steady backstroke kick and underwater swimming.

For children who can move independently with their face in the water while on a noodle. Children learn to enter water, turn and swim back to wall with float and to back float with light touch 10 feet, 6 times; to flap their wings while on their back and to swim on their stomach, 10 feet, 6 times.

LITTLE 3 (L3) Max. Ratio 4:1

Children entering this class are beginner swimmers.

Children adjust to the water and learn to swim on stomach, tiger paddle with float and swim on their back while flapping their wings for each 15 feet, 6 times; to jump in and turn back to the wall and to flip from their front to their back.

This class is for children who can swim on their stomach with tiger paddle with face in and flap wings on back with light touch, each 10 feet, 6 times. Children learn to swim on their stomach with flip breaths, 15 feet, 6 times; back float while flapping their wings for 15 feet, 6 times; and independent back float for 1 minute.

MIDDLE 3 (M3) Max. Ratio 4:1 For children who can swim on their stomach and back for 20 feet, 6 times. Children learn to swim front crawl with stop/side breaths, 30 feet, 6 times; backstroke without flotation, 30 feet, 6 times and underwater swimming with breaststroke arms.

LITTLE 4 (L4) Max. Ratio 4:1

This class is for children who can swim front crawl with stop/side breaths, 30 feet, 6 times and backstroke without a float 30 feet, 6 times. Children learn to swim front crawl with timed breath, backstroke, breaststroke arms and breaststroke kick on back each 40 feet, 6 times; butterfly arm recovery with limited breathing, 40 feet, 2 times.

For children who can swim on stomach without floatation and flap wings on back for 15 feet, 6 times each. Children learn to swim on their stomach with 3 flip breaths, 20 feet, 6 times; to swim on their back with arms, 20 feet, 6 times, steady backstroke kick and underwater swimming.

For children skilled in underwater submersion and a supported backfloat. Parent in water. Games, songs and structured activities lead to back floating with light touch and back/front roll-over. Depth awareness is taught.

MIDDLE 4 (M4) Max. Ratio 4:1

MIDDLE 5 (M5) Max. Ratio 6:1 (Jr. Swim Team) For children who can swim freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke 40 feet, 6 times and butterfly, 40 feet, 2 times. This is a 45-minute non-competitive “team” style workout with an in-water instructor.

The class focuses on refining techniques and building strength. Children learn to swim front crawl and backstroke, 75 feet, 6 times, butterfly, 50 feet, 4 times and breaststroke kick with limited breathing, 40 feet, 6 times. A team suit is recommended.

BBABY 4 (BB4) Max. Ratio 3:1

Prerequisites: BBABY 3 and age of 34-36 months Parents will accompany swimmers for the first 4

weeks of the session only. During that time, parent/child interaction will decrease as teacher/child interaction increases. Children will learn to swim independently, 5 feet, face-in, independent back float, flip from front to back with assistance and to participate independently without a parent. **Non-disposable swim pants must be worn by all children 3 and under. Thank you!**

© 2014 FOCUS Systems, LLC

BIG 1 (B1) Max. Ratio 3:1 This class is for beginner swimmers. Children learn to swim front crawl with a flip breath and backstroke without flotation, 25 feet, 6 times; underwater swimming.

ADULT 1 (A1) (Conquer Fear) Max. Ratio 4:1 This is a class for beginner swimmers. Adults conquer their fear and learn quick submersions, independent movement with flotation, sculling and kicking while floating on their back.

BIG 2 (B2) Max. Ratio 4:1

ADULT 2 (A2) (Feels Like Flying) Max. Ratio 4:1 For adults who can submerse their face in the water, swim with flotation and float on their back. Adults learn to float to the surface after being submersed, backstroke and the beginning of freestyle.

7-13 Years

For children who can swim front crawl with a flip breath and backstroke without flotation, 25 feet, 6 times. Children learn to swim front crawl with rhythmic breathing and backstroke, 40 feet, 6 times, breaststroke arms with breath and vertical kicking.

BIG 3 (B3) Max. Ratio 4:1

This class is for children who can swim front crawl with rhythmic breathing and backstroke, 40 feet, 6 times, breaststroke arms and vertical kicking.

Children learn to swim freestyle and backstroke, 60 feet, 6 times, breaststroke kick on back, breaststroke arms with breathing, 40 feet, 6 times and butterfly arm recovery with limited breathing, 40 feet, 6 times.

BIG 4 (B4) (Jr. Swim Team) Max. Ratio 6:1 For children who can swim front crawl, and backstroke, 60 feet, 6 times, breaststroke, 40 feet, 6 time and butterfly 40 feet, 6 times. This is a 45-minute noncompetitive “team” style workout to refine techniques and build strength. Children learn to swim front crawl and backstroke, 75 feet, 6 times, breaststroke kick on stomach with breath, 40 feet, 6 times and butterfly arm recovery with limited breathing, 75 feet, 6 times. Includes flip-turns, swimming with a pace clock, an in-water instructor and age appropriate games. A team suit is recommended.

BIG 5 (B5) (Swim Team) Max. Ratio 7:1

For children who can swim front crawl and backstroke, 75 feet, 6 times, breaststroke kick on stomach with breath, 40 feet, 6 times and butterfly arm recovery with limited breathing, 75 feet, 6 times. This is a 60-minute noncompetitive “team” style workout for advanced students who want to increase endurance and polish technique. Children learn to swim freestyle for 10 minutes with flip turns, to swim sets with a pace clock, correct patterns of all strokes, along with performance of key skills, knowledge of interval training, sets, correct push offs and turns. A team suit is recommended.

PRE-COMPETITIVE &

13 and Up

ADULT 3 (A3) (Master Freestyle) Max. Ratio 4:1

For individuals who can swim entry-level freestyle and backstroke. Adults will learn to master freestyle.

The goal of this class is to swim 20 single lengths of freestyle.

BLAINE LOCATION ONLY Equipment Required. Inquire for more information.

DEVELOPMENTAL GROUP

Consists of levels; MIDDLE 7 (Ages 10 and under); BIG 6 (Ages 9-11); GIANT 1 (Ages 11-13+); TITAN 1 FASTjets introductory group. Swimmers in this level train and are working towards a greater knowledge of the 4 basic competitive strokes (FL, BA, BR, FR), and are developing a solid foundation for the program. Entries into this level are required to pass out of the Foss Swim School B5 program, or Level 6 of the American Red Cross Association. Swimmers age up to training groups, if an athlete achieves an “a qualifying time” in all 4 competitive strokes prior to aging up, then he/she will move to an appropriate Training Group.

TRAINING GROUP

Swimmers Guaranteed.® We’re happy when you’re happy. If you

are unsatisfied with your swim experience, your child’s lesson, your instructor, the time you didn’t get, the person who answered the phone didn’t help you, our facility, the dynamics of the students in your swimmer’s class… Just let us know.

Whatever it is, we’ll take care of it. Done. You get what you want, we get your child swimming.

© 2014 FOCUS Systems, LLC

Consists of levels; MIDDLE 8 (Ages 10 and under); BIG 7 (Ages 12 and up), GIANT 2 (Ages 14 and up), GIANT 3, TITAN 2, TITAN 3 Competitive, driven athletes in this age group train and are working towards refinement of all four strokes, applying speed and power to their strokes as well as learning more about the sport. Levels are designed for accomplished swimmers to Varsity High School and Post Grad levels. The goal in these levels is to achieve “State and National cuts” in their respective age group categories.

MASTERS (Ages 18+) Join us for fitness, stroke technique, triathlon training and masters meets. Contact us for current availability.

Click to schedule your FREE!! In-water Level Assessment today!!

ADULT!!

Unsure?

BIGS!!

Register Online!! www.fossswimschool.com/register 1 2 3 4 5

Choose your location Add each swimmer Select your class Add contact and payment information Review your registration request and submit!!

Once you have submitted your Registration Request online you should receive an email confirming the receipt of your Registration Request. Our office staff will review your request. If the class you requested is available, you will be enrolled and your payment will be processed. If the class you requested is full, our staff will contact you to discuss alternative options.

You can add a 1st choice and 2nd choice option for each swimmer during registration to help expedite this proceess. Availability of classes changes frequently due to registration activity levels. Please keep in mind that all Registration Requests are processed in the order they are received and in order of current, past, and new family status. Based on the volume of requests, email confirmations (or phone calls) confirming your enrollment in the class may take up to 3-4 weeks to receive. We process forms as quickly and with as much concern for each registration request as possible! If at any time you have questions or just want to check where the offices are in getting to your registration request please either call or email us.

Swimmers Guaranteed.ÂŽ

Š 2014 FOCUS Systems, LLC

Locations

ILLINOIS Foss Swim School – Highland Park 1927 Skokie Valley Rd. Highland Park, IL 60035 Phone: (847) 266-3677

Foss Swim School – Libertyville Red Top Plaza 1360 S. Milwaukee Ave. Libertyville, IL 60048 Phone: (847) 680-7946

Foss Swim School – Blaine 12440 Aberdeen St. NE Blaine, MN 55449 Phone: (763) 398-3399

Foss Swim School – Chanhassen 421 Lake Drive Chanhassen, MN 55317 Phone: (952) 906-5942 Foss

Foss Swim School – Maple Grove 9455 Garland Lane Maple Grove, MN 55311 Phone: (763) 416-8993

Swim School – Savage 8300 Egan Drive Savage, MN 55378 Office: (952) 215-3050

Foss Swim School – St. Louis Park Knollwood Mall 8332 Hwy. 7 St. Louis Park, MN 55426 Phone: (952) 935-8732

Foss Swim School – St. Paul 1166 University Ave. St. Paul, MN 55104 Phone: (651) 646-7946

Foss Swim School – Chicago (Lakeview) 3026 N. Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60657 Phone: (773) 248-3677 Foss Swim School – S. Barrington The Arboretum of S. Barrington 100 W. Higgins Road, Suite J-10 South Barrington, IL 60010

MINNESOTA

Foss Swim School – Woodbury 257 Rivertown Dr. Woodbury, MN 55125 Phone: (651) 233-5777

© 2014 FOCUS Systems, LLC

View available classes online...

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