abstract
| - Going above and beyond happens with the Obama Swimmers. Sign of progress: For the past 4 years, our swimmers (Schenley then Obama) got to compete at the PIAA state championships. Both States and WPIALs, makes life-long memories and great educational experiences with a modest cost to PPS. In 2013, our boys relay teams just missed (by less than half a second) in making it to states in two events in relays that swam faster than any relays in PPS history. The motivation has been significant. Both the boys and girls were able to attend the 2013 WPIAL AA championships and perform beyond expectations. PPS pays for food and lodging for the coach and swimmers at States. I drove my own car the past few years and didn't seeking gas money nor mileage reimbursement. With the 2012-13 move of two swim teams (Obama and Allderdice) to the WPIAL, fewer PPS swimmers are going to attend state meets. This is an expected savings for PPS. Bigger savings reside in the fact that PPS / District 8 no longer has a championship meet with pool rental and officials' fees. Those ongoing costs are gone. In 2014, swimmers from Brashear, Carrick and CAPA (via WHS feeder pattern) will need to attend a different sectional meet, not the WPIAL meet at Pitt, nor the discontinued D8 meet. The travel for that meet, in State College, is an extra expense. Only 2 swimmers, one boy and one girl, are expected to attend in 2014. These position paper plans calling for coops means all the local kids that qualify go to the WPIAL meet.
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