Beginning this fall semester, the Archdiocese Department of Catholic Schools is implementing water safety training programs at 10 archdiocesan schools through a partnership with Colin’s Hope, Hope for the Future, and the Miss Tristan Foundation. The initiative will continue through the school year.
Drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages five and under, and a primary cause of death in children ages one to 14, according to organizational materials. For this reason, Hope for the Future and the Department of Catholic Schools are working to provide practical lessons and training to prevent this tragedy from occurring.
Four-year-old students will receive on-land informational water safety classes and lessons in the pool, such as practicing the use of life jackets, teaching children to stay away from drains, and learning to swim.
The Miss Tristan Foundation was created after the accidental drowning death of Tristan Byrd, to educate the public on the importance of water safety and make everyone aware that drowning is preventable.
“The Miss Tristan Foundation believes that all childhood drownings are preventable,” said Joe Byrd, Jr., father of Tristan Byrd, and founder of the Miss Tristan Foundation. “Miss Tristan is working with our friends at Colin’s Hope and the Archdiocese of San Antonio to bring water safety training to PreK-4 children attending Catholic schools in the San Antonio area.”
The following Archdiocese of San Antonio Catholic schools will offer water safety training: Holy Spirit, Holy Name, Little Flower, Rolling Hills, St. James the Apostle, St. John Berchmans, St. John Bosco, St. Leo the Great, St. Paul and St. Thomas More.
About Hope for the Future
Hope for the Future’s primary mission is to assist families in obtaining the academic and spiritual benefits of a Catholic school education through need-based tuition assistance at one of the 39 Schools in the Archdiocese of San Antonio and the outlying communities. Hope for the Future also works to obtain grants and funding for curriculum and improvements at the schools.
About Miss Tristan Foundation
Miss Tristan Foundation was formed to insure that Tristan would live on through their drowning prevention efforts. They are dedicated to raising water safety awareness through education of children and adults in and around spas, pools, and open bodies of water. Drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for children under age five and a leading cause of death for ages one to 14. Drowning is Preventable.
About Colin’s Hope
Colin’s Hope creates and supports programs that aid in preventing children from drowning. Despite numerous sources for water safety, the number of children who drown per year is staggering. Their mission of saving children from drowning is being achieved through increased water safety awareness and improved standards throughout the community. To learn more, visit ColinsHope.org.