Southdowns Pre-K Concludes Water Safety Program

Southdowns School in Baton Rouge has successfully implemented a free swim lesson program for preschoolers, primarily catering to children with disabilities. Over the course of 10 weeks, students learned essential water safety skills, with participation from 120 of the school's 161 students. This initiative is part of a broader effort to combat the disproportionately high drowning rates among minority and disabled children, as noted by the CDC. As drowning remains the second-leading cause of death for children aged 5 to 14, programs like these are crucial for promoting safety. In addition to Southdowns, free swim lessons are being offered at YMCA locations in Simi Valley and Westlake Village, emphasizing the importance of teaching basic water skills to children. The combined efforts aim to increase accessibility and confidence in swimming among underrepresented groups.