We are steamrolling towards that first day of practice, and we still have much to do!  I have a few items that need your attention:

• Please register ASAP if you have not done so. We need to know how many swimmers we have to know how many coaches we need.. Also, only swimmers registered by 5/12 will be guaranteed to be in the first order for team t-shirts.  Those joining after will get their shirt a week or two later.
• If you have decided to participate in the Stroke Clinic, please register here on the website.  Breanna will still take walk-ins, but pre-registering will keep delays to a minimum on the 20th.  Payment will go to Breanna on the 20th. This is the first time we’ve had a separate, online registration for clinic, so please spread the word.
• We are still looking for a couple of volunteers for two very important season-long jobs.  Can you help? The Volunteer Coordinator(s) makes sure we have our volunteer spots filled for each meet, creates name tags and a sign-in sheet, and verifies that workers are actually present and filling those jobs.  Meghan has done a great job the past two years and is happy to help in transition to a new person.  Our fabulous meet director, Melissa Doerr, needs at least one person to be her Assistant Meet Director, preferably two.  The majority of the job is on home meet days, although Melissa does do prep work communicating with other teams and relaying info to our team. Taking one of these positions means you do not have to sign up for regular shifts at meets.  Reply to this email to learn more. 
• If you are interested and willing to become a certified official to fill meet jobs like stroke & turn judge and eventually ref and/or starter,  you will need to attend one of the clinics listed here on the GKAISA website.  We can always use more certified officials. Please consider!
• We have two more opportunities to get registration help, pay fees in person, and try on a team suit.  We will be at the pool again this Saturday, noon-2:00, and again at the end of the stroke clinic, Thursday, 5/23, 6:00-7:00.  Remember to order your suit through Elsmore Swim Shop.  We are also offering a hoodie, hat, and visor with the basic Piranha logo through the Elsmore portal.  For parents who would like to order this year's team t-shirt for themselves, we will be taking orders directly for those in a tee and tank version in the coming weeks.  
• Early dates - Go ahead and mark your calendar for Parents & Popsicles, our annual, mandatory parent meeting on Thursday, May 30, 5:30-6:30. We will begin with the basics everyone needs to know and conclude with a session for new families.  A make up will be held during morning practices on Monday, June 1 for those who have a conflict.  Please plan to attend one of these meetings. Also, the meet schedule is included on our website.  Just click the "Events" tab to see the calendar.

I can't wait to have our Piranhas in the water!  As always, we are happy to answer any questions at [email protected].  If you are on Facebook, follow our team page for news and updates.

Sincerely,

Ginny Herrick