Local kids learn swim safety at YMCA BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer WOODBRIDGE - Third-graders at Indiana Avenue School No. 18 and Menlo Park Terrace School No. 19 learned safety and swimming skills from the certified YMCA swimming instructors at the Woodbridge YMCA over the past eight weeks, completing the program this week. The students took part in the Woodbridge Kids Learn to Swim pilot program designed by Katie McAdoo, associate branch executive of the Woodbridge YMCA, and Kimberly Bartus, aquatic director. The Ashley Furniture Homestore, 501 Route 9 in Iselin, provided $2,500 to the YMCA to make the swim program possible. "When we were having our grand opening for our new Woodbridge location, we wanted to present a meaningful gift to the town of Woodbridge," said Will Schafer, owner and operator of the Ashley Furniture Homestore in the township. "Mayor John McCormac immediately thought of the YMCA swim program after hearing us say that we only want to do something that will benefit the community in a profound way." Schafer was joined by Valencia Herold, advertising manager for Ashley Furniture, William Lovett, CEO of the Edison, Metuchen, and Woodbridge YMCAs, Sherrill Rudy, Woodbridge branch executive, Jared Rumage, principal of School No. 18, and Elaine Sienkiewcz, supervisor of physical education, health, athletics, nursing services, 504 plan, and standardized testing for the Woodbridge Township schools, to present certificates to the third-graders who completed the swimming program on Nov. 14. "After learning the importance behind the program, we knew sponsorship would be the perfect gift for the town," said Schafer. The township school district provided busing to the YMCA for the students once a week for the eight-week session. The YMCA is a leader, both nationally and locally, in providing aquatic programs and teaching water safety. McAdoo designed the program as a positive response to alarming statistics regarding children drowning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second-leading cause of injury-related death among children under the age of 14. Also, for every child who drowns, six receive emergency department care for near-drowning or nonfatal submersion injuries. Gerald M. Dworkin stated in his "Drowning and Aquatic Injury Facts" article published by the National Safety Council in 2002, that children ages 5 to 14 account for 43.8 percent of all drownings. "Especially in an area such as Woodbridge, with frequent access to pools and beaches, children need to learn the skills and precautions to allow them to have fun, but stay safe in aquatic environments," said McAdoo. Third-grade students from Mawbey Street School No. 1 in Woodbridge and Oak Ridge Heights School No. 21 in Colonia will participate in the eight-week program next. "We hope to reach at least 240 thirdgrade students," said Nancy Drum, marketing and membership director at the Woodbridge YMCA. "The program will be assessed after the first year by a survey of parents, school staff and YMCA staff. If successful, the program will be spread to all the 16 township elementary schools." For more information on swimming lessons or other programs or membership at the Woodbridge YMCA, call (732) 596- 4170.