Brooklyn students are diving into new opportunities. Meyer Levin School for the Performing Arts, along with partner schools CAAS High School and Brooklyn South High School, rolled out free swimming lessons on Feb. 5, giving scholars from predominantly Black and brown communities access to school-day swim education through a partnership with Swim for Life.
Lessons are held every Thursday and Friday morning at the Swim for Life facility, providing consistent, structured time for students to develop a skill that can be both recreational and lifesaving.
Learning to swim goes far beyond fun in the water. According to the American Red Cross, drowning is the second leading cause of injury death among children ages 5 to 14. For many urban families, access to swimming education has historically been limited, creating gaps in both safety and opportunity. The Meyer Levin initiative seeks to address that gap head-on, equipping students with a skill that could prevent tragedies while also building confidence, discipline and resilience.
The program grew out of Meyer Levin Principal Jamie Hendrickson’s personal journey. At 43, she decided to face her own fear of water by enrolling in swim lessons herself. That experience illuminated the challenges many urban residents face in accessing swimming education and inspired a vision for early, equitable swim instruction for Brooklyn youth.
“Growing up in Brooklyn, I recognized that many urban residents, myself included, had little access to swimming education,” said Hendrickson. “Learning to swim as an adult revealed how empowering and life-changing it can be. Leadership involves setting an example, not just talking the talk. This experience made me realize our students need access to swimming lessons much earlier. Our partnership with Swim for Life enables us to break a generational cycle, build confidence and equip our students with a crucial skill that is both liberating and lifesaving.”
Hendrickson saw the potential to not only teach students to swim but also to instill a sense of empowerment and possibility, creating a pathway from learning to swim to enjoying the water and even exploring future careers in aquatics.
Hendrickson brought together community stakeholders and school leaders to realize this vision. CAAS Principal Sanatha Alexis involved high school scholars and used the school’s pool for lessons. At Richard Green Elementary School, Principal Dr. Linton Atkinson included his students, while school psychologist Ms. Giuliana Pellegrini connected them with NYC Parks Deputy Erin Vega to secure memberships and training. Taeneka Sands of My Own Lane Aquatics partnered with schools to train staff, elevating the program to a professional aquatics academy.
“Today, East Flatbush scholars aren't just learning to swim; they are preparing to lead, protect, and service their own communities,” said Hendrickson.
