A Free Swim Program Provides Monte Vista Elementary Students With a Critical Skill

Bill Metz Elementary is one of only two schools in the San Luis Valley that will offer a swimming program in the 2023–24 school year. Unfortunately, many Monte Vista elementary school students and their families face financial hardships and cannot afford to attend the swimming program. To address this challenge last year, the school offered vouchers to the students who could not pay the fees for the program, but many students did not want to reveal their financial circumstances and so did not take advantage of the program. This year, a local teacher reached out to LOR with a different solution: Simply make the swim program free to all participants. LOR’s funding will support more than 270 students participation in the program, ensuring any child who wants to learn to swim safely, can.