Reading, writing, and arithmetic are considered the important academic building blocks in one’s formative years. Swimming lessons are not essential – at least not in most schools. They should be.

Ryker Gardner (left), 8, waits as Haylee Turner, 7, jumps in near swim instructor Alexis Fraundorfer during "Learn to Swim" lessons at Prospect Pool on Wednesday morning. Mirror photo by Linden ...

A group of 5- and 6-year-olds used all their strength and skills to splash their beloved swim instructor, Cheryl Waites, as she laughed and teased the kids to splash harder. Waites was one of the ...

The new Thomas Jefferson High School pool likely will open to the community for swim lessons and family fun nights in the next few months. Brian McClain, a longtime TJ teacher working as the pool ...

QUINCY – Getting ready to dunk into the pool for a lesson at the Quincy YMCA, Ruari Gorham of Quincy’s Merrymount neighborhood said he was destined to become a great swimmer someday. Sitting with his ...