For over 50 years, SUNY Brockport has provided local school districts with an enriching Swim N’Gym program to help elementary-aged special education students improve their motor skills and swimming ability.
Swim N’Gym was created by the college’s Adaptive Physical Education Program, one of the most prestigious offered in the country. The program serves two purposes: providing the college’s PE students invaluable experience working with the special needs population as well as offering specialized physical education opportunities to children in the community. SUNY Brockport Phys Ed students help lead the Swim N’Gym program during their junior year, and area school districts can sign up to have their students participate.
Amaury Samalot-Rivera, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor with an area of concentration in Adaptive Physical Education. He came to SUNY Brockport in 2013 and has been working with the Swim N’Gym program for the past seven years. According to Dr. Samalot-Rivera, PE students coach in the Swim N’Gym program as part of their Intro to Adaptive PE class. This program benefits college students by providing opportunities to work with children with disabilities and special needs in a Phys Ed context. “It is a good opportunity for them to identify if they would like to work with this population in their career,” said Dr. Samalot-Rivera. The college has 60 PE students per semester participating in this program, and, on average, 10 to 12 will go on to specialize in the Adaptive Phys Ed field. “This provides firsthand experience putting theory into practice,” he said.
The Swim N’Gym program is offered on Friday mornings in the spring and fall, with each semester being six to eight weeks long. Participating school districts provide their students with transportation to SUNY Brockport. The college provides the venue, the coaches, the equipment, and the specialized program. The teachers stay while their students are engaged in the Swim N’Gym program but are hands-off.
Lauren Kessler is the Special Education Lead Teacher at Spencerport Central School District. She has been bringing her special needs students aged five to 11 to this program for 10 years. The students are often on the autism spectrum or have social/emotional disabilities. “The students really enjoy it. They constantly ask if it is Friday yet for Swim N’Gym,” Kessler chuckled.
For the swimming portion of the program, the children utilize the college’s main pool. Aquatic floaties and suitable equipment are provided for all abilities and levels. Pool skill assessments are done, and the coaches help the students throughout the semester as they work to improve their swimming abilities. They also play pool games such as ball retrieving and sharks and minnows. Kessler especially appreciates the swimming program. “This could help save their life,” she said.
During the gym component of the program, the children use three of the gyms at the college to work on fitness and motor skills. There is also a quiet gym for children with sensory input issues. There is special equipment for sensory students and adaptive equipment to help all children be successful in the environment. The gym component of the program begins with the Phys Ed students evaluating the children for various elements such as running, endurance, flexibility, and hand-eye coordination. The coach then collaborates with the student to work on improving their skills. Fun and engaging stations such as soccer, baseball, cornhole, scooters, and more help keep the children motivated. “The coaches are very encouraging,” said Lauren.
The semester ends with an extra special day of fun. In the fall, there is a Halloween event with a child-friendly haunted house. The spring semester ends with ice skating. “All 19 of my students go, and they all love it!” exclaimed Lauren.
“The Swim N’Gym program is mutually beneficial to both our Phys Ed students as well as the community,” said Dr. Samalot-Rivera. “We have been doing this for many years and hope to continue for many more. It is a wonderful experience for everyone involved, and I am happy to be part of the program.”
Families in western Monroe County who want more information on the Swim N’Gym program should contact their local school district. For more information on the SUNY Brockport Adaptive PE Program, visit https://www.brockport.edu/academics/kinesiology/adapted-physical-education/physical-education-track-masters/.
Photos by Karen Fien
