A-CLASS of Lake County Florida, Inc., and Lake County Safe Climate Coalition, Inc., are working together to address drowning & near drowning injury in the adolesent population. Under-aged drinking has been reported as a leading factor in some instances. The two organizations met with high school students from Tavares High School to conduct a group forum discussion for input that will lead to peer to peer safety messages.

During last weeks City Council meeting, a Proclaimation was adopted making May 2006 drowning prevention month. A-CLASS of Lake County Forida, Inc. expresses deep appreciation for the leadership support of efforts to reduce the rate of drowning death and near-drowning injury in Lake County

Thursday, April 27th at 7pm, during the regular city commissioners meeting a proclaimation was adopted making May 2006 drowning prevention month as was done at the county level. Catherine Thomas introduced ideas for events using existing dates & resouces to promote drowning prevention awareness and education. A-CLASS of Lake County Forida, Inc. expresses deep appreciation for the leadership support of efforts to reduce the rate of drowning death and near-drowning injury in Lake County

Parents Water Safety Pledge At one of the schools we taught water safety at, a fourth grader was making a water watcher tag for their parent and offered some changes to the pledge. It used to say: Water Watcher Pledge While on duty, I will dedicate my eyes, ears, mind and total focus to the water. I will not let activities or people distract me. Should I get weary, I will turn my duty over to another adult water watcher. To this I pledge. Now modified to say: Child & Water Safety Pledge I love my children as all parents do, so while I am on duty, I will dedicate my eyes, ears, mind and total focus to the children in and near the water. I will not let activities or people distract me. Should I get weary, I will turn my duty over to another adult qualified to be a child/water watcher, that I trust will do the same. To this I pledge. I thought the modification was very appropriate

During the first quarter of the year Leesburg Center for the Arts and A-CLASS of Lake County Florida, Inc., developed a unique partnership to teach both Art and Water Safety to over 600 Lake County Elementary Students attending "Achievement Through the Arts" or ATA as it is commonly refered to. Using Water Safety as the theme, students engaged in a poster contest, theatrical demonstrations and music. The students learned both Water Safety from the Red Cross "Whale Tales" Program and three artforms. A challenge to the students to write a water safety essay resulted in 7 winners, who recieved free passes to the Art Zone at the Leesburg Center for the Arts.