We’re beyond excited to be able to welcome back our teams, families, and, most importantly, our swimmers to our schools! As we begin to reopen, the safety and overall well–being of students, guests, and team members continues to be our number-one [KS1] priority.

While we have always taken great pride in the cleanliness and safety of our schools, every individually owned and operated school is working with their local health authorities and guidelines, per the CDC, on reopening plans to ensure the safest environment for students, families, and employees.

Our new protocol, which can be found in our Safer. Stronger. Together. ™ initiative, will ensure that all our locations continue to complete safety-focused, thoughtful, and informed reopenings across the country. While the protocol varies from school to school based on local state guidelines, we have made important adjustments to ensure the health and safety of our school environments. You can learn more about our Safer. Stronger. Together. ™ initiative here.

Some of the various updates found in the initiative include:

  • Health Assessments – Before entering, members will be asked to self-assess their health and the health of their children. If anyone is not feeling well, has a fever, shortness of breath, or any COVID-19 like symptoms, or has been directly exposed to COVID-19, they are to cancel their lesson and a makeup lesson will be credited to their account. Team members will also be evaluated with a health assessment upon arrival for each shift.
  • Protective Equipment – Face masks are strongly encouraged in all schools – for both members and team members – and will be required for entry where recommended by state and local health authorities.
  • Social Distancing – Members are being asked to maintain social distance from one another in the parent viewing area. Chairs in the viewing area will be set up to reflect state and local recommendations. Children will also be seated at a safe social distance from one another in the pool during lessons, where required. Instructors will also maintain social distance from children where applicable but will absolutely assist swimmers as needed to provide a safe swimming experience.
  • Increased Facility Cleaning and Sanitization Stations – There is increased attention to high traffic areas and commonly touched facility elements. Schools will also continue to provide antibacterial hand soaps and hand sanitizer, with increased availability in key areas of the facility.
  • Removal of Commonly Shared Amenities – Shared amenities such as books and toys, hairdryers, hair products, quarter candy, and in some cases, retail items, will be temporarily removed to help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. If members need something to purchase for lessons, the front desk will be able to assist.

Regarding our reopening, Goldfish Swim School CEO & Co-Founder, Chris McCuiston, shared, “The last few months have been a challenge, but together we stayed separate, we stayed strong, we stayed safe – and now it’s time to reunite and dive back in….our teams are making sure our reopening plans are all-encompassing, so that we can continue to educate and teach water safety. This year has been incredibly challenging for families, businesses and communities alike. And for a while, it seemed as though many aspects of life were on pause, but water safety is one thing that cannot wait – which is why we are grateful to have the opportunity to start safely reopening our schools.”

Unfortunately, drowning remains to be the number-one cause of unintentional, injury-related death among children ages 1-4, taking the lives of three children every day. This is the exact reason that, even during our closure, we are committed to making a positive difference to lower these staggering statistics. As many families continue to rely on unsupervised swimming options, such as beaches or lakes, and parents look to use home swimming pools while balancing working from home and other responsibilities, swim lessons and water safety are more important than ever.

As COVID-19 continues to evolve in this world of uncertainty, we are constantly monitoring new developments and will continue to reevaluate and take the proper steps to do the right thing and ensure the health and safety of anyone who enters any of our schools across the country.

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Other Goldfish Swim School News

  • Our CEO & co-founder, Chris McCuiston, was featured on Channel 4, teaming up with Aqua-Tots to help get Michigan swim schools open safely & soon
  • Jenny McCuiston, one of our co-founders, shared her Top 10 Water Safety Tips with Bump Club & Beyond, and also talked Water Safety on a FB Live segment with their CEO
  • dBusiness shared GSS’ Safer. Stronger. Together.™ reopening safety plans in their Detroit-Area COVID Reopening Roundup
  • Ambassador Ryan Murphy talked Olympic Postponement, handling pressure and Goldfish Partnership with Champion Mojo, which was also shared by Digital Journal
  • MSN resurfaced an article from last year that featured swim stroke best practices from the experts, with Jenny’s perspective on Freestyle & Breath Control
  • The National Drowning Prevention Alliance shared our at-home activities as part of their resources for water safety round-up