Athlete of the Week

Congratulations to last week's Athlete of the Week, Fe Nunn!  Fe has come to both optional Saturday morning varsity-only practices and worked extremely hard.  There's nothing greater than watching an athlete take on additional challenges and push themselves beyond what is expected.  Way to go, Fe!  I am proud of you!

Succeed of Purpose,

Coach Vicki

A Peek at the Party

Hi Team,

I thought you might like to see a few pictures from last Sunday's team party. It was fun to have so many of the girls over to eat and craft and laugh together!

The girls did a great job bedazzling their water bottles.  There were a whole bunch of pretty water bottles on deck this week!

 Everybody had their own technique--some girls started gluing on gems right away.  Others spent a good, long time sorting colors and deciding on a pattern.

It was fun to get to just hang out together and chat.  I love being a swim coach, but most of the time the girls faces are in the water, so there's not a lot of time for talking.

In between bedazzling their water bottles, the girls also did a bit of tie-dying.  We went through 18 bottles of tie-dye that afternoon.  I can't wait to see how everyone's shirts turn out!

The girls also had fun jumping on the trampoline.  No matter who comes over, they always end up on the trampoline.  I love it!

I love team parties!

Coach Vicki

Volunteer Opportunity: Hot Chocolate Sales

Hi Team,

Here is the info about working the hot chocolate stand at a Kimberly football game:

Parents can sign up via link below.  It will ask for name. email, and phone.   When they fill in their name, after their last name list sport representing as part of last name.  Example:  Sue Schneider Girls Volleyball.  Make sure they also have phone listed so I can call just in case hot choc is cancelled due to warm weather.

 

There are 4 games to choose from.   Slots are first come first serve.   

 

We're using VolunteerSpot (the leading online signup and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming activity. 

Please sign up for Football Hot Chocolate Stand 2015!

Here's how it works in 3 easy steps: 
1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/PJDM2W 
2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on VolunteerSpot) 
3. Sign up! Choose your spots - VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy! 

Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone.

Athletes of the Week!

Hi Team,

On Friday I gave out the first Athletes of the Week awards to two freshman who really knocked it out of the park during time trials.  Congratulations, Lexee and Taylor, on a great week of swimming and competing!  Way to start out strong!

Succeed on Purpose!

Coach Vicki

A Couple of Practice Schedule Changes

Hi Team!

Here are the practice schedule changes that we talked about this morning.  I have corrected the calendars on the blog.

Monday, August 31st: 8-10, instead of 6-8 (enjoy sleeping in a bit!).
Thursday, September 3rd: no early morning varsity practice
Monday, September 7th: 5:30-7:00 pm.  

Thanks,

Coach Vicki

Car Wash Fun!

Hi Team!

Well, our first team car wash was a HUGE success, and it was a whole lot of fun!

I'd like to say a BIG thank you to Alyssa del Plaine who made the connections at Walgreens and set everything up.

The team made over $600!  We will split the money evenly between each of the girls who showed up to work today.

 That should bring down the cost of the team suit a bit.

Great job today, ladies!  You did an awesome job representing our program!

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the team today!

Coach Vicki

Parent Shirts!

Hi Swimmers and Families!

Here's a sneak peek at this year's parent shirts!  There is a polo shirt option with the tri-color logo embroidered on the chest and a dry fit option featuring a black and white version of the design that will be on our team t-shirt.  Both shirts say "Parent" on them. Prices are listed under each item. Please make checks out to Appleton West High School.  All orders and money are due on Monday, August 24.  The shirts should be ready before our first home meet against Appleton North on September 8th.

I'd like to say a big thank you to Shelly Welhouse for organizing this order! Shelly contacted me and volunteered to coordinate parent shirts and then just ran with it.  Thanks, Shelly!

Order forms will be available at Thursday morning's practice.

Team Car Wash

Hi Swimmers and Families,

This Saturday, August 22, is our big team car wash!  Every single dollar raised will go back to the girls who work to help defray the cost of their team suits and clothing. 

Here are the details:

Location:  Walgreens Parking Lot:  3330 Calumet Street, Appleton

Time:  10:30-2:30

We have asked the girls to sign up to work a 2-hour shift.  The girls are more than welcome to stay for the entire 4 hours, but they don't have to.  I will be there from 10:30-12:30, and Coach K will be there from 12:30-2:30.  These are peak sun hours, so please make sure you bring sunscreen and plenty of water.  The girls can wear a one-piece swimsuit and shorts.  They will most likely get wet.

We are in need of old towels that can be used on Saturday.  They can be stained or torn, as long as they are clean.  After the car wash, I'll gather the towels, wash them, and then store them for next year.  We are also looking for squeegees so we can do windows.  Please make sure you put your name on your squeegee and we will get it back to you.  

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Thank you for your help spreading the word!

Coach Vicki

Week One Highlights!

 (The winning scavenger hunt team:  Sarah, Holly, Mona, Anna, and Lexee!)

Hi AW-K Swimmers and Families,

I'm busy getting ready for this week's time trials, car wash, and team party, but before we move on to week #2, I thought you might want to see just a few pictures from some of the fun we had during week #1.

Last week ended with a very competitive (!!!) scavenger hunt put together by team captain, Alyssa del Plaine.  Alyssa did a great job coming up with a whole list of things each team had to find and take a picture of on or around the Appleton West grounds.  The winning team, pictured above, literally ran into the pool for the big finish.  If that was any indication of our team's competitive spirit, we are going to have a great season!  I pulled a picture from each team that posted on the Facebook page. As of Sunday night, only three teams had posted their pictures, so if you don't see your swimmer, they were probably on a team whose pictures are not yet posted.

We also spent a little bit of time last week learning our first cheer.  Alyssa and Halee decided to teach the slapping cheer first.  I love that cheer--it's super loud and full of team spirit.

Halee and her parents opened up their house for a super-fun "Christmas in July August" party on Thursday night (thank you so much!!).  I love that they put up a Christmas tree and everything!

 The team ate pizza and played games.  A good time was had by all.

Thank you, Susie, for sending me some pictures.  And last, but not least, Sarah hosted a late-night swim party on Saturday night which I heard was lots of fun!  Thank you, Sarah, for having the team over!

In between all the fun, we swam a big bunch of fast laps, learned some new kick and drill sets, and tried on clothing and team suits.  It was a fantastic first week!

I'm looking forward to week two with this amazing group of swimmers!

Coach Vicki

Clothing & Suit Orders

Hi Team,

All clothing and suit orders, (along with payment) are due tomorrow, Friday, September 14.  I've had a couple of orders & payments turned in already--thank you!  I've also had a few orders turned in that were incorrect, so I thought I'd break it down one more time.  (I am a parent of athletes--I know how crazy and confusing all of this can be).

Required:

Suit:  $44.80
Team T-shirt $12  (which will have a design screen printed on the front)
Total:  $56.80

Optional:

Jacket : which will have AW-K Swimming & Diving embroidered on the left chest (with or without name embroidered on the right chest for an additional $3)
Sweatpants: which will have the logo from the team t-shirt screen printed on the left leg (you get to choose whether or not you want elastic at the ankles)

The minimum each team member will spend is $56.80.  You can write one check to Appleton West High School to cover all of your expenses.

Please do not include the $44.80 you owe for the suit in the total you put down on sheet that goes to Sports Graphics.

Thanks a bunch!

Coach Vicki

The Big Parka Fundraiser!

Hi AW-K Swimmers and Families!

Last month I stood in front of the team at our first contact day and told the girls about my plans for re-branding the team.  It is my belief that it is time for us to compete as one.  I told the team about the new swim caps that featured both school's colors and the new suits that were neither school's colors. As one united team, I know we will be mighty.  Right from the start, the girls were incredibly receptive to the idea.  I told them about a long-term plan to replace the falling-apart parkas with new parkas featuring our united logo.  I told them that I couldn't wait until the day when our relays stood on the podium together looking united.   I knew that parkas ran about $100 a piece, so I told them that it might be a couple years before that was done.  The very next day, Jacquie Chippeaux emailed me and told me that her mom wanted to spearhead a fundraiser to replace the parkas.  (The very next day!). Needless-to-say, I was pretty excited.  I've met with Kathy twice since then, and the result is the packet Jacquie passed out today at practice.  Both Athletic Directors are in favor of our fundraiser, so all we have to do now is raise some money!  Here's the best part:  Kathy has secured a sponsor who will match up to $1,500 of the money raised.  It's only day one, and we are already on our way!

I am including a copy of the letter below if you need more copies.  I have also added the guidelines from the packet below the letter.  As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks, Kathy & Jacquie, for all you've already done to help us achieve our goal!

Coach Vicki

Guidelines for the 2015 Parka Fundraiser

Each packet contains:

·         5 Fundraiser letters

·         5 - 2015 Schedules

·         10 Envelopes

·         5 Address Labels

·         5 Stamps

Envelope to send request to a potential donor should include:

1.      Letter – filled out, maybe a personal note jotted on the front such as, Hey Grams, we could really use your support. Love you!

2.      2015 schedule

3.      Return envelope with Address Label attached (tri-folded to fit)

4.      Fill out the other envelope with the potential donors address and your return address

5.     Affix stamp and mail.

It helps to speak to people you will send it to ahead of time so they know it’s coming.  You can also follow up with a call a couple days later to see if they received it.  Personal touch always works best. J

If each athlete could raise between $50 and $100, we will have enough to cover the Dollar for Dollar Match of up to $1500.00 and maybe more! 

PLEASE try to send out as soon as possible.  The deadline says September 1^st but of course we will take donations after that date.  The deadline is to help get it in before we have to pay the invoice.

As the donor is not receiving anything in return, this should be a tax deductible donation.

HERE’S TO AN AWESOME SEASON!!  THANKS EVERYONE!!!!

Please return any unused materials.

Here We Go!

Hi AW-K Swimmers and Families,

Yahoo!  The first practice is in the books, and our season has officially begun!  Today was a day filled with a lot of talking and just a little bit of swimming.  We went through the team manual, previewed the team suit and clothing, talked about team bonding activities, and got to know each other a bit.  There was a whole bunch of paper, a bunch of cute locker decorations, a few streamers & balloons, and a "Very Vicki" slideshow.  After all the hoopla, we got in the water just long enough to warm up, do a short kick set, and then cool down.  

I thought it might be helpful to post a recap of how our clothing order is going to work.

First of all, I checked with Elsmore, and our suits really are $44.80! I am AMAZED! The suit and the team T-shirt are the only required clothing purchases.  The T-shirt is $12. So the total mandatory clothing total is $56.80.  

There are also a few optional team clothing choices available.  The sweatpants will have our logo screen printed on the left leg.  The warm-up jacket will have our logo and "Swimming & Diving" embroidered on the left chest.  If you want your name embroidered on the right chest, it is an additional $3.

Everyone should have brought home a clothing order form.  The team suit is not on that order form because it is coming from Elsmore. The team clothing is coming from Sports Graphics.  You can write one big check for your clothing and team suit, but do not include the $44.80 in your total on the sheet that goes to Sports Graphics.  

So, if you are just ordering a team T-shirt and the team suit, you would write a check out to Appleton West High School for $56.80.  On your order form, you would order the T-shirt and under total write $12.  

All money and order forms are due by Friday's practice on August 14th.  The suit order form is at the pool.  Once you try on the suits and know your size, just write the size down next to your name.

Goals sheets are also due on Friday, August 14th.  Please spend some time filling out those sheets. If you do not know your personal best times, do not worry, just fill out your sheet the best you can.

All practice and meet schedules that were passed out today are final and up-to-date.  Please note that the East Pentathlon date has changed from the schedule I passed out at Contact Days.  The calendars and meet schedule on the blog are current and up to date, as well. 

Tomorrow we start training like champions!

See you bright and early (6-8 am!),

Coach Vicki

Our Season Starts Tomorrow!!

(This is absolutely how excited I am about our season starting tomorrow!)

Hi AW-K Swimmers & Families!

Tomorrow is the big day!  I am so excited to get our season going!  Please plan on meeting at the pool at 8:00.  We will go over team rules and expectations and do a team builder or two.  Afterwards, we will get in and swim, so make sure you bring your suit, goggles, cap, and a water bottle.  Also, please make sure you eat something before practice.  

See you in the morning!

Coach Vicki

Team & Parent Potluck

Hi AW-K Swimmers and Families,

I just wanted to make sure you've all got our big Team & Parent Potluck marked on your calendars. I'm looking forward to introducing myself and the rest of the coaching staff and getting to meet all of the families who support our team.  We will share a fun meal, go over the practice and meet schedules, discuss a few expectations, and detail all the ways parents can be involved with the team this season. 

Here's everything you need to know:

Team Potluck

Linwood Park Pavilion -- 401 N. Douglas Street, Appleton 

Wednesday, August 26th

6-7:30 pm

The team will provide burgers and buns, condiments, and plastic ware.  

We'd like the girls/their families to bring the following 

(please bring enough to share with 8 people):

Seniors:  Desserts

Juniors: Fruit/Veggies/Salads

Sophomores: Beverages (No Soda)

Freshmen: Chips

Hope to see everyone there,

Coach Vicki

  

One More Week!

Our big adventure starts one week from today!

See you next Tuesday, the 11th, at 8 am!