Registration for the North Hills Community Swim Program will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the North Hills Junior High School large group instruction room. Registration will be conducted on a first come, first serve basis.
The North Hills School District offers a community swim program including swimming and diving lessons for children and adults, community open swims, aqua aerobics and lifeguarding classes.
Children’s lessons will be held on Saturdays beginning Feb. 16. Adult lessons are scheduled for Monday evenings beginning Feb. 11.
The North Hills School District community swim program follows the American Red Cross certification program and offers instruction for preschoolers through level VI. The cost is $50 for swimming and beginning diving lessons. Advanced diving is offered for $125.
Aqua aerobics will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:15 to 8 p.m. starting Feb. 12 and 14. Participants can choose between one class per week for $30 or two classes per week for $50.
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A prerequisite swim test will be held on Feb. 13 at 7:15 p.m. for the lifeguarding classes that will begin on Feb. 20.
Community open swims will be held through May 31 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $4 for students and $5 per adult.
Adult open swim will be held on Mondays, all ages open swim will be held on Wednesdays and family open swim will be held on Fridays. All open swims are canceled, if North Hills School District is closed.
All swim program activities will be held in the North Hills Senior High School pool. For more information, contact the Athletics and Activities Office at 412-318-1437 or email North Hills Community Swim Director Cathy Fodor at fodorc@nhsd.net.
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I spent many years in this program as a teacher and lifeguard, so it was VERY disheartening to have this experience. Most of the instructors were trying their hardest, although there were some that would rather sit on the bleachers and socialize or attend to their personal grooming habits, instead of focusing and watching the kids in the pool (still shocking to me considering Mr Ignatius would always stress when we were working NOT to take your eyes off of the kids or to ever sit down since parents are always watching). (Cont)
I had really been looking forward to my son's involvement with the North Hills Swim Program since I spent so many years in it......I was so very disappointed. I communicated my feelings to North Hills and they were forwarded to the Athletic Director Dan Cardone and the Director of the Swim Program Cathy Fodor. I never received any response back. To me, that indicates that North Hills doesn't really care about the quality of their swim program. I know many parents had the same feelings that I did and took their children to other swim programs (I understand Shaler has an excellent program). I guess that helped those other families that were wait listed and opened up new spots.
I am undecided if I will suffer through the horrible waiting game (registration) to sign her up again. I don't really want to, but since my daughter's summer daycare goes to the pool all summer I feel as if I must. :(
There are other options that you can look into. The Woodlands Foundation in Wexford offers swimming lessons. There is also the YMCA that offers several locations around the Pittsburgh area including the Baierl Family YMCA near the intersection of 79 ant 910. I know of several families that have left the NH program and have gone with these other options or enrolled their children in programs at other schools in our area. You can also find some private instructors with a simple google search. Good luck!
My instructor has sadly passed away, otherwise I'd recommend her to anyone looking for someone in the area. I feel large group instruction is best early on; go with a private instructor if you feel your child is avid enough. Definitely check the YMCA and see what other communities offer--I'm guessing Bellevue is open to non-residents. Hampton has a good program too but I'm not sure if you need to live there to participate.
Last spring I was shocked at the minimal amount of classes offered in the evening or on the weekend. I work 8/5 so that ruled out a lot of places.
I believe both places had evening classes as well as weekend classes. Hopefully you can find one that works!
Thanks for the suggestion on the Sewickley Y....may have to see when their classes are scheduled.
Unfortunately my sessions, like Darci's, were filled with long breaks for Easter followed by several closures due to glass and other incidents that closed the pool. I know this is not the norm. But with that being said, it was not a positive enough experience that I would leave work 2 hours early to go sit in line to get a time slot. My family will continue to support NH any way we can. We will just look elsewhere for swim lessons.