21. Hello TEST Families

I just received this flier for an Stroke and Turn officials Clinic on November 3^rd. I wanted to let everyone know in case some of you wanted to get a jump on next summer. Click here to see the complete details of the clinic.

I also wanted to let those of you who haven't heard yet that Becky and I will be back next summer as T.E.S.T coaches. Chris is waiting to hear about possible internships before he can commit to next summer. We are looking forward to another great season at the pool.

Pete

20. 2011 T.E.S.T records, CVSL & VSA Results

Click the item you wish to see.

1. CVSL Championship Meet Results 2011
2. VSA Championship Meet Results 2011

19. States

Click items in the list to see

1. States entries
2. Meet invite
3. Events list

If your swimmer is entered in the meet and you know your family will not be attending, please let us know before noon on Tuesday. 10 & Unders in the morning, 11 & Overs in the afternoon. 500 during Sat. Lunch, 200 during Sun. Lunch. Warmup times are listed below.

1. Saturday Morning, August 6 - 8:00 AM
2. Saturday Lunch, August 6 - 11:00 AM
3. Saturday, Afternoon, August 6 - 12:30 PM
4. Sunday Morning, August 7 - 8:00 AM
5. Sunday Lunch, August 7 - 11:00 AM
6. Sunday, Afternoon, August 7 - 12:30 PM

Work assignments and specific warmup times should be out on Wednesday. The VSA website (vtswim.org) will be updated as more information is available, and live results will be available at uvac-meets.org/2011/

The meet is at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center (UVAC), located at 100 Arboretum Lane in White River Junction, Vermont 05001. It's about an hour and a half drive. The meet invite has a list of hotels in the area. I've had nothing but good experiences at the Holiday Inn Express which is located just down the road. The pool has seating for spectators, and we will be setting up a team tent outside much like at Leagues.

Pete, Becky & Chris

18. 2011 League Information

Click

Pete, Becky & Chris

17. T.E.S.T 2011 (click the picture to see a larger version)

16. Team Picture

Wednesday morning we will be doing a team picture. The picture will be done between early and late practice at 8:00am. If you could have your swimmer show up for the late practice around 7:50 that would be very helpful. Please wear your team suit for practice so you can have it on for the picture. There are order forms for pictures posted on the bulletin board.

Pete

15. Ads for our program

No one has stepped up to be the ad coordinator (trying to procure ads) so I am requesting that each family try to procure one at least one ad for our program. Ask your employer. If you have a friend with a business please ask them. If you would like to put in a small good luck ad for your son or daughter, you may do that as well! Ads are needed by July 24th and can be emailed to this email address.

• Program size 8 1/2 x 11 black and white
  • Full page ad: 7 3/4" x 10 1/4"= $100
  • 1/2 page ad: 7 3/4" x 5 1/8" (horizontal format) = $50
  • 1/4 page ad: 3 3/4" x 5" (vertical format) = $25
  • 1/8 page ad: 3 3/4" x 2 3/8" (horizontal format) = $12.50

Checks can be made out to TEST and you can give them to me at the pool 6:45 - 8:15 or at the meets this week.

Thanks for your help!

Beth W.

14. Housekeeping

• Wow, we are almost there! Two meets this week against Knights and BTC and then its Leagues!!
• The T-shirts are in, so people who bring there money to practice will get their t-shirts. The shirts were $13 each.
• Also the order for the reversible pinneys will be taken down after practice tomorrow, so if your child would like one, have them sign up in the morning BEFORE practice. The cost for the pinneys is $23 dollars.
• If you have not paid for the distance meet, please get that money to us as soon as you can.
• Next Sunday the 24th will be the last Start Clinic. It will be an hour of starts, and an hour to an hour and a half of stroke and turn work. This will be an excellent opportunity to get last minute critique on strokes before leagues and states, so we highly recommend everyone sign up. The start clinic will be at St. Mikes again, from 8-10:30 AM. Cost is $10.
• League Championships (7/29 - 7/30) are fast approaching. If your swimmer will not be able to attend, you must let us know ASAP via the notebook or email. We have a limited number of spots in the meet, so it is critical that we know who will not be there. If you have already emailed or left a note in the book, you are all set.

Chris, Pete, Becky

13. Raffle Donations for Leagues (Fri, 29-Jul & Sat, 30-Jul)

Leagues are approaching fast and I am requesting donations. If there is anyone that would like to donate a raffle item we would really appreciate it. Please let me know in the next week about any available items.

Thank you for your help and supporting our swimmers.

Rachel B.

12. TEST Update

• Believe it or not, we only have three dual meets left. We are in St. Albans on Thursday 7/14. Per usual for away meets, your swimmer needs to arrive by 5:00. Click for directions to the pool.
• There is no practice (no mini TEST either) on Friday 7/15. After a late night, we thought it'd be best to let everyone sleep in.
• TEST t-shirts ($13) have been ordered and should arrive soon. TEST caps ($10) are available from the coaches at practices and meets.
• League Championships (7/29 - 7/30) are fast approaching. If your swimmer will not be able to attend, you must let us know ASAP via the notebook or email. We have a limited number of spots in the meet, so it is critical that we know who will not be there. If you have already emailed or left a note in the book, you are all set.
• That's it for now. Thanks for all your help thus far. We really appreciate it.

Chris, Pete, Becky

11. Food Committee and Shifts for Leagues (Fri, 29-Jul & Sat, 30-Jul)

We are gearing up to run the food tent at Leagues. It is a huge undertaking that begins on Friday night (29-Jul) and runs through breakfast, lunch, and the afternoon on Saturday (30-Jul). We have put together a committee to handle the big picture (drinks, supplies, condiments, pizzas, bagels, team food donations, grill food, goodies, staffing), but we will all need to chip in to make this a success. Fortunately, it’s a really fun assignment!

If you would like to help us by heading up one of the key areas of the food tent, please reply to this email. We will also be assigning work shifts to those who are not signed up to work in timing, parking, or one of the other areas. Please feel free to sign up in advance! We will put a sign-up sheet for shifts on the board at the pool next Monday. That way you can choose whether you wish to work during your swimmers’ sessions (morning or afternoon) or when they are not swimming. We are also looking for Grill Masters (a calling of its own!). Please let us know if you would like to manage the grill for a shift or two. I know we have some serious experts out there.

Finally, please be prepared to bring team donations to stock the food tent. We will be handing out recipes for two kinds of pasta salad and asking for cut-up fruit to make the fruit salad. Those signups will be on the board next week, too. This works very well as it allows us to have large quantities of the same types of salad so that we just keep replenishing throughout the day. It makes it easier on the cooks, too. Thank you for all of the support you give the team. Hosting Leagues is not only fun, it’s a huge opportunity to make some money to fund team improvements. So, let’s make this the best food tent ever!

Thanks – Please e-mail Deb A. at deb.alden@comcast.net with questions.

10. Snack Bar- Tuesday and Thurday BOTH HOME MEETS!

• Tuesday, July 5^th is our first official home meet and with that comes manning the snack bar. We need donations of food for the snack bar.
• Due to the holiday weekend (no time for sign up sheets) people should email Samantha A. what they are bringing.
• For Tuesday's meet:
  • Families with the last names A-L bring a main dish, appetizer or side dish
  • Families with the last names M-Z bring a dessert, snack or drinks
• For Thursday's meet, Samantha A. will put up sign up sheets on Wednesday morning.
• Thank you so much and please email Samantha A. with questions!

9. Pot Luck Dinner — Tuesday June 28^th

The team is planning a pot luck dinner at The red & black Meet next Tuesday June 28^th.

1. Families with the last names starting in A-K bring a dessert to share and families with last names starting with L-Z bring a side dish to share.
2. The team is providing hamburgers and hot dogs.
3. Please bring your own chairs and drinks.
4. Please e-mail Cristy Monty at dcmonty@comcast.net with how many in your family will be attending.

8. Dear Parents,

• There will be sign up sheets posted on the swim team board in the pool house lobby for you to sign up for jobs during meets. Please take a look and sign up for what you can.
• Also there is a Coaches Book in the pool house for you to leave messages for coaches. If your swimmer is going to be away and not attending a meet or practice the Coaches Book is a great place to communicate that to us.
• Please do not send our volunteer coordinator, Brenda Green e-mails about your swimmer not being able to attend meets or practices.

7. For Parents: 2011 Stroke and Turn Officials Clinic!

Click here to view information for a stroke and turn official certification clinic.  It take many officials to run a swim meet.  The more officials we have as a team the easier it is for us to run our meets.  I urge anyone who has the time or could make the time to attend this clinic.  There is no swimming experience necessary to become an official.  Thank you for considering this clinic.

6. Get your swimmers off to a great start!

The Start Clinic offered by Laura Matuzak at the Ross Sports Center at Saint Michael's College is a Go! We have three dates for the clinic: Sunday June 26^th, July 10^th, and July 24^th. The clinic will begin at 8:00AM and go until about 10:00AM.

This is a great opportunity for swimmers to improve start skills at a time that doesn't take away from morning training. Also, Laura is an amazing coach, one that Peter, Becky, and Chris all have a lot of respect for. T.E.S.T is grateful to her for offering her time and experience to help us be a better team. The cost of the clinic will be $10 a head per clinic.

There will be a sign up sheet in the pool house on the T.E.S.T board. Money can be given to Coach Becky.

 

5. Welcome to the Town of Essex Swim Team's 2011 season!

We hope you're as excited as we are. Here's what you need to know:

1. The first day of practice is Monday June 13^th. During the first week, practice is from 4:00 - 5:30PM for all ages. We understand that your family may have other commitments. Please do not worry if your swimmer cannot make it to practice during the first week.
2. We begin our regular practice schedule on Monday June 20^th. Please do your best to make sure your swimmer is on deck and ready to go when their practice starts
   1. 6:45 - 8:15AM ~ 13 and up
   2. 8:00 - 9:00AM ~ 12 and under
   3. 8:45 - 9:30AM ~ Mini TEST
3. Our first meet is at EDGE on Thursday June 23^rd
4. There is no official meet scheduled for Tuesday June 28^th, but we are holding the Red & Black (intrasquad) swim meet followed by a potluck dinner. More information to follow.
5. On Sunday June 26^th, Laura Matuszak of GMA is offering a starts clinic at the Saint Mike's pool.
6. Our team depends on many parent volunteers. Beth Warren (warrenfamily@comcast.net) has taken over as the new volunteer coordinator and will continue in 2012. Look for sign up sheets on the bulletin board at the pool starting on the first day of practice in 2012. All volunteer jobs should be filled before the first swim meet in 2012.
7. If you need to contact us for any reason, please do so via email (testcoaches2011@gmail.com) or using the communication notebook in the pool house. If you know your swimmer will be unable to attend a meet, please let us know ASAP.  This is especially important for Leagues and States. Click to see the 2011 meet schedule.
8. Finally, the staff at Sand Hill Pool deserve a big thank you for their hard work getting the pool ready for summer.

We are really looking forward to this season.

Pete Picard, Becky Anderson, Chris Bergeron

4. 2011 Swim Team Meeting!

A Swim Team meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Essex Middle School Cafeteria. Parents and swimmers will have the opportunity to meet the coaches. There will also be handouts provided about the upcoming season.

This season there is a new suit style. The suit style that the team previously used is no longer available. There will be a sizing kit at the meeting to try on suits and information about ordering the suits.

Beth Warren (warrenfamily@comcast.net) has taken over as the new volunteer coordinator and will continue in 2012. Look for sign up sheets on the bulletin board at the pool starting on the first day of practice in 2012. All volunteer jobs should be filled before the first swim meet in 2012.

For those of you who have NOT yet registered for the swim team for this season we are pushing back the late registration date until Friday, June 10^th. If you have not registered by that date there will be an additional $10.00 fee.

3. Swim Team coaches for the 2011 season!

Peter Picard is currently the Physical Education teacher at Essex Elementary School. He was a coach for the Winooski Swim Team from 2003-2006 where the team won a small team state championship. He grew up swimming for the Winooski Swim Team but swam for TEST in 1980.

Assistant Swim Coach Rebecca Anderson currently swims for George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. She has been a TEST participant for 10 summers as well as swimming year-round for Green Mountain Aquatics. Rebecca is also the assistant coach for the Mason Makos of Virginia, and is excited to finally take on a coaching role in her hometown of Essex.

Assistant Swim Coach Essex native Chris Bergeron has ten years of summer swimming experience, the last five with Town of Essex Swim Team. He has also swam for Vermont Area Swim Team and Aqua-X.

Coaches email address is: testcoaches2011@gmail.com

2. 2011 Swim suits are new!

Important! We have a new suit chosen for this year. It is critical that folks try on suits this year as this particular suit runs large. We will have a sizing kit available at the parent meeting for swimmers to come and try on. The date, time and location of the parent meeting is Tuesday, May 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Essex Middle School Cafeteria.

Rachel Byors, 802-878-9823 h, 802-370-1493 c, rberry117@yahoo.com is coordinating swim suit try on's and if people don't make the meeting they will need to coordinate a time with her on their own.

Click to see the suits, register with K&B Sportswear and purchase suits when you know the size. To avoid shipping charges, orders must be place by 5:00pm on June 18^th

1. 2011 Web Site!

Welcome T.E.S.T swimmers, families, friends, coaches, administrators to the 2011 T.E.S.T Web Site.

Background: When my daughter joined T.E.S.T in 2007, I was immediately befuddled by the many sources of information required to participate in this wonderful community. Since then I've volunteered my time to create and maintain this web site to manage and communicate information.

How it works: Coaches, volunteers and parents provide me with information and I post it at this web site. Yes it is that simple. Also, please read the disclaimer at the bottom of the page as I make no guarantees about the accuracy or timeliness of the information even though I make every effort to make this site successful. My email address (no phone calls please) is stevengrindle@msn.com

What's here? The navigation buttons on each page are supposed to be self-explanatory. This is the page (also the home page) where I list the latest news at the top. Clicking on the on navigation buttons at the top of the page takes you to a different web page at this site, and some of the pages (like ) have a secondary row of navigation buttons (like ) which will take you to other pages. Click to see the overall site map.

So far in 2011 The 2011 T.E.S.T web site looks nearly identical to last year's site. The web address for T.E.S.T 2011 (this year's home page) is: http://www.stevengrindle.com/test/

Because I have copied much of the information from last year and pasted it into this year's web site and will be updating everything as we go, use common sense when distinguishing between up-to-date and out-of-date information. Please email me with questions, revisions, corrections, inclusions and deletions.