Manta Rays Families,

What a fun and informative evening at Beefy's helping to kick off the 2016 Summer Swim season!  Thanks to all the families who were able to make it and donated receipts to the Manta Rays!  

We apologize that it was hard to hear.  We want to recap important information shared at the parent meeting for those unable to make it and for those that could not hear.

RECAP:

• Thank you to our swim team board for all the time they have spent preparing for another amazing season!
   
• Thank you to all those helping in our additional leadership positions which in turn help the swim team run smoothly
   
• Thank you to the Mountain Lodge HOA for allowing us use of the pool and facilities!
   
• Thank you to our 2016 Sponsors:
  • ​Platinum: Ken Henderson w/Mountain Lodge Realty & Life Storage 

  • Gold: Lisa Sinn with Keller Williams, SoBellas Home Services,Team Kennedy,Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. Pandora at The Shops at LaCantera

  • Silver: A Passport to Travel, Flamingo Rey’s

    **If you are interested in sponsoring the team, please let us know. ​

• Swim practice begins Monday May 2nd!  Parents, please look for the INFORMATION STATION at practices.  You will see a whiteboard with important notes and a box containing family folders!  The information flyer and volunteer reminder will be in the family folders by the end of the first week.  Please remember to regularly check your folder for ribbons or other important handouts.
   
• Swim caps -  the first swim cap is included for competitive swimmers (new this season)!  Caps will be handed out the first week of practice.
   
• T-shirts/Tanks/Yard Signs - you can still order these spirit items during the first week of practice -- see the INFORMATION STATION
   
• Please be good pool patrons.  We work hard to keep in good standing with our HOA and appreciate the use of the pool and patio.  Let's work as a team to clean up after ourselves and put furniture back.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this!
   
• POOL & BABY POOL Reminder:
  • Kids should not be in the pool unless it is their designated practice time.  
  • Coach Claudia asks that siblings do not play on the steps or outside the lanes during team practice time.  
  • We ask that kids 5 and older do not hang out in the baby pool during practices (**especially if younger ones are in the baby pool).
     
• NOT ATTENDING A MEET - Please let Coach Claudia know by May 5th if your swimmer(s) are not attending one of the 5 meets by signing the "Missing a Meet" sheets found at the information station during practice.
   
• What to expect the first weeks of practice: With our unpredictable weather, if the water is too cold (around 72/73 degrees or below) swimmers may be participating in dryland part or all of the practice the first week or two.  Please have swimmers bring tennis shoes and a towel in addition to their swim gear.  Dryland may consist of sit ups, push ups, jogging on the road near pool, various conditioning exercises around the pool deck, etc.
   
• Cancelation of practice due to bad weather:  Coach Claudia and Kelly/Mandy will make a decision if practice needs to be canceled due to bad weather.  We will notify the team at least 1 hour before the first group is scheduled to start if we are canceling practice.  Notification will go out by email and will be posted on the Manta Rays website & Facebook page​
   
• D&J Sports  is coming out Monday 9th from 4 – 7 pm to sell team suits (same design as last year)
   
• T-shirts, bags, yard signs– will be distributed on May 24th at the Team picture/Frozen Treat social/parent meeting
   
• Practice groups - Coach Claudia will send a list of practice groups the day before/morning of the first day of practice -- please check your email.  Groups are determined based on age and ability.  As she gets to know your swimmer(s) and their abilities, swimmers may be switched to a different group.
   
• PHOTOS: We do enjoy capturing team memories throughout the year.  We have an informal policy where we DO post photos on our website and facebook.  IF YOU DO NOT WANT your child photographed or photos posted, please contact Kelly - [email protected] and include a photo of the child so she can know who your swimmer is.  If at anytime, you want a picture of your child removed from the website, please email Kelly at [email protected].  If you take photos you think are fabulous and want to share, we ask that you don't randomly post, please email Kelly and she will share with our shutterbugs for posting on our website.
   
• Payments: Due on Monday May 2nd or Tuesday May 3rd - see Alana, Kelly or Mandy at practice.

 

NEW ITEMS:

Sign up for text messages on REMIND:  We are going to use REMIND this season to send text messages for reminders and last minute notifications.  Please sign up.  

To receive messages via text, text @mantarays to 81010. You can optout of messages at anytime by replying, 'unsubscribe @mantarays'.

Trouble using 81010? Try texting @mantarays to (830) 433-8986 instead.

 

The WEBSITE, FACEBOOK & EMAIL will be our team's main way of communication!  

http://mountainlodgemantarays.swim-team.us/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mountain-Lodge-Manta-Rays-Swim-Team/101098056711

 

If you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact Kelly, Mandy or Coach Claudia (outside of practice times).   If you haven't done so already, like and follow our team on Facebook! 

GO MANTA RAYS!

Kelly Hunt and Mandy Howland
Team Manager and Assistant Manager