Schools should tweak swim test

Re Parents seek answers after son drowns on school trip, July 8 I was particularly disheartened by the tragedy of Jeremiah Perry, who lost his life while on an outdoor education course in Algonquin Park. As a secondary school teacher, I can fully appreciate the potential learning of such a program. As a former lifeguard and swimming instructor, I was concerned that the school test for swimming competency (as earlier published in the Star) was to be able to swim 50 metres and tread water for one minute. Why is the school board not using guidelines established by the Canadian Red Cross Society as the minimum requirement? The Red Cross Swim programs teaches swimmers how to stay safe in, on and around the water, how to minimize their risk of injury and safely enjoy aquatic activities. Why not make the minimum requirement for an outdoor-ed program Swim Kids 8 or even 10? Mary Templin, Newmarket