Swampscott High hopes program sets sail

SWAMPSCOTT – The Big Blue Sailing Program is getting ready to launch.At the School Committee meeting Thursday evening Recreation Director Danielle Strauss explained an ad hoc committee comprised of the Recreation Department, students, the schools and Friends of Swampscott Sailing have been working to pull together a high school sailing program.”We’ve been researching this since last spring,” she said. “Approximately 20 kids have expressed interest in the program.Strauss and School Athletic Director Frank Kowalski said the program would not cost the district or town any money.Strauss pointed out the boats that would used belong to the Swampscott Sailing Program and were donated by the Friends of Swampscott Sailing, which she described as a booster club for sailing. She said the Friends of Swampscott Sailing have offered to help pay for the cost of a coach if necessary and to help maintain the boats.Strauss said the schools hope to launch the program this spring as an extra curricular club. She said the possibility exists to practice with Marblehead, which has its own sailing program, and she has touched based with Nahant regarding the possibility of using some of their sailing program boats if needed.She said practice would be in Swampscott Harbor near the Fish House and a safety boat would be in the water when students are practicing. She said the club would adhere to Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association safety standards and guidelines.Strauss said if the Big Blue Sailing Program is successful as a club there is the possibility it could become a sport next year.Strauss and Kowalski asked the School Committee to endorse the project but it was reluctant to do so because this is the first time the issue has been brought before them.Superintendent Matthew Malone pointed out the Big Blue Sailing Program could proceed as a club without a vote of the School Committee but he said it would be a nice gesture for the School Committee to make.The School Committee is scheduled to take action on the issue at a future meeting.In other business, the School Committee heard an hour presentation from teachers, principals and a consultant on the importance of literacy in kindergarten through grade 12. The presentation included information of brain research as it relates to reading and best practices.