STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW
Amazing Qualified Instructors!
We feel very fortunate to have such a high quality staff. A number of our staff have been working at Zodiac for a long time and/or were students in our program. Extensive in-house training, supervision and evaluation have paid dividends... we are thrilled with the overall terrific feedback about our instructors!
Amazing Locations.Toronto French School (TFS) and Havergal
Having both our terrific Havergal and TFS locations as program venues provides Zodiac families with terrific choice, availability and convenience!
Elevators
Parking... Toronto French School: Free parking at TFS is located in the back, north parking lot behind 318 Lawrence Ave. E. adjacent to Bayview Ave. Havergal College: Parking is available in Havergal's Junior School parking lot. This lot is located off of Rosewell Ave. which is one street east of Avenue Rd., south of Lawrence. Please refer to our web site (www.zodiacswim.on.ca) for more details pertaining to parking, entrance into the building and directions to the pool.
Swimmers with Special Needs/Medical Issues
Zodiac is committed to safety and skill development. It is Zodiac's goal to work together with parents to determine the best fit (level, student/teacher ratio, instructor personality) for their child. There are many successful classes that have included swimmers with special needs and/or medical concerns.We recommend that you call the Zodiac office and discuss your child's needs on a preliminary level to assess whether Zodiac can provide the right fit. Moving forward with registration would require an additional Special Needs/Medical Form to be filled out prior to the first class. This confidential information will assist us in ensuring we best meet your child's needs. It is Zodiac's policy that a parent/knowledgeable caregiver remain at the facility, within calling distance throughout the child's entire lesson and that any medication (epipen, inhaler, etc) be easily accessible. Zodiac reserves the right to suggest a class change (eg. student/teacher ratio) if the safety or the progress of a swimmer with special/medical needs and/or of his/her classmates become an concern.
Students from Same Family Can Swim at Same Time!
Recognizing the busy and hectic lives and conflicting time commitments that families have today, Zodiac tries its best to alleviate family scheduling difficulties! If you sign up sufficiently in advance, we will try to arrange for siblings from the same family to swim in their own level and age-appropriate classes (i.e. different teachers) at the same time (assuming levels are offered at the same time).
Swim Kids 6: 30 or 60 Minute Option for Kids 7 and Under
As the age range for Zodiac swimmers participating in the Red Cross Swim Kids 6 program is expanding, Zodiac is happy to offer some varying program options. Commencing in Fall 2008, parents may register their Swim Kids 6 student(s) who are 7 years of age or younger for either a 30 MINUTE OR 60 MINUTE class.
Will My Kid Get the Badge?
We know that some students measure their swimming success only by completion of levels/badges. We need your help to make the students understand that a successful session at Zodiac is not measured only by earning a badge.We are constantly evaluating a student's progress and are happy when a student improves, regardless of whether a badge is achieved. Effective and regular communication with parents and students by instructors means that no one should be surprised by the contents when receiving a "report package" (certificate, progress card, badge (if applicable), etc.) at the last class.
Mandatory Bathing Caps
Bathing caps are mandatory at both Zodiac locations, Toronto French School and Havergal College. This policy requires bathing caps be worn by all Zodiac students (males and females, long or short hair). Bathing caps are also mandatory during any recreational swim held at TFS. Students and parents enrolled in the Zodiac Tots program do not have to wear a bathing cap, although all long hair should be tied back. All of our students are used to wearing bathing caps and it has become a very natural part of the Zodiac swim experience.We thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation. Bathing caps will be available for purchase at the pool facility throughout each session at a cost of $8.00.
Lice - The No Nit Policy
In keeping with Zodiac's central goal of ensuring as safe and healthy a swim environment as possible, Zodiac follows the "No Nit Policy", which involves a child not attending or being re-admitted to the swim school until all head lice, lice eggs (nits) and egg cases have been removed. Upon notifying Zodiac that your child has lice or should we detect that your child has lice, we will ask that you keep your child home and start treatment immediately. We will send home a note to all families notifying them that a swimmer has been identified with lice. Swimmers will be re-admitted to the swim school only when the swimmer has been cleared by a note from the family physician or "lice expert" that he/she is "free from lice or nits."
"Smile". Taking Pictures
Taking pictures and/or videotaping is only allowed after getting permission from the Zodiac pool supervisor. You must ensure that taking pictures/ videotaping does not interfere with staff, parents and/or swimmers. To ensure the privacy and safety of swimmers, cameras and video cameras are not allowed in the changerooms.
Cell Phones
To ensure the safety and comfort level of staff, parents and swimmers, no cell phones are allowed on the pool deck, in the viewing gallery or in the changerooms.
Privacy Policy
Zodiac's commitment to protect the privacy and confidentiality of our clients and staff is set in detail in the privacy policy section. We encourage you to review such policy.
Lost or Stolen Articles...
While the pools at TFS and Havergal are carefully supervised, our change rooms are not. Please do not bring valuables to your class or program as Zodiac assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen articles. Some of the change rooms have lockers available and you are welcome to bring a lock. If you are in a Parent & Tot or adult class, please feel free to bring your purse, wallet, keys, etc. on to the deck; we, however, cannot assume responsibility for supervision of these personal items. Please note that all unclaimed Lost & Found items at the end of each month will be donated to a local charity. All Lost & Found can be claimed at the Zodiac pool office during regularly scheduled Zodiac pool hours.
Fire Alarm Procedures
We would like to take this opportunity to remind our client's that in the event the fire alarm is sounded (regardless of whether you witness someone pulling a false alarm or not) everyone must immediately exit the facility. All of the swimmers and spectators will be given solar blankets and emergency footwear and will exit out through the emergency exit doors on the pool deck. They will be escorted over to an indoor location (296 Junior School gymnasium). Clients who are in the change rooms or in the hallway area may accompany the Zodiac staff over to the Junior School gym or should safely vacate the facility through the rear doors (by the vending machine) near the playing field and continue down to the parking lot. Should your child be responsible for pulling a false alarm, be aware you will be responsible for paying any fee associated with fire personnel and trucks attending the site.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Refunds/Credits...
Zodiac recognizes that plans can change and that a participant may need to withdraw from a Zodiac swim program. In Zodiac's swim programs, either a monetary refund (if written notice of withdrawal is received before the date of the third lesson of the session in question) or a credit (if written notice of withdrawal is received at any time during the session in question) will be available. The refund or credit, as applicable, will be equal to the paid registration fee, less a pro-rated portion of the fees for lessons taken, used or elapsed prior to receipt of written notice of withdrawal and a per student per course administration fee. The per student per course administration fee is $25.00 if the written cancellation occurs more that 2 weeks prior to the start date and $40.00 if the written cancellation occurs less than 2 weeks before the start date and/or during the course of the session.
You Want to... Change???
While our goal is always to accommodate our clients, permanent changes to your regularly scheduled class time because of scheduling or other conflicts involve a lot of work on our part, as well as leaving a previously filed spot unfilled. While we will try our best to accommodate the change by written request, there is a $15.00 "change fee" per student per change if the request is received more than 2 weeks before the start date, which increases to $25.00 per student per change if the written request is received less than 2 weeks prior to the start date or during the session.
Program Cancellation...
If an insufficient number of students have registered for a particular program, such program(s) may be cancelled. Zodiac tries at all times to reasonably balance providing you with sufficient notice of cancellation with not cancelling a potentially viable program prematurely. If a program has to be cancelled and no convenient alternative can be arranged with you, any payment already made will, of course, be refunded in full. Program cancellation may take place up to one day prior to the start date of the program.
What if I miss a lesson?
NO MAKE-UP LESSON OR OTHER FINANCIAL CREDIT/REFUND WILL BE AVAILABLE in connection with a missed lesson (other than, of course, if cancellation of the lesson is initiated by Zodiac, eg. pool fouling).
Do I have to register for the whole year?
No; however our registration opens in June for the entire school year and we cannot guarantee a space will be available for you if you wait too long. After your initial registration form has been submitted, you can sign up at any time for subsequent sessions by emailing a request to info@zodiacswim.on.ca. We do not send out reminders of the upcoming sessions so it is wise to register early. DON'T GET CAUGHT WITHOUT A SPOT!
Can children over the age of 4 be in a 2:1 ratio class?
We can accommodate placing your child aged 4 or over into a 2:1 ratio class under the following circumstances: we have a class open at an agreeable time slot, you coordinate a second child working at the same level to be placed into the class, and you pay the appropriate 2:1 ratio fee.
Private Lessons...
While Zodiac's semi-private classes are extremely effective, private lessons (1:1 student:teacher ratio) are scheduled when pool space and a suitable instructor is available. The fee for a 30 minute private lesson is $72.00.
Can I request an instructor?
Of course! At the time of registration you are welcome to indicate a preferred instructor; however we can not guarantee that the instructor will be available for your class. When we are unable to provide you with your request, we will make every effort to select an instructor who is similar in personality and style to your selection.
Will I have the same instructor all year?
This is not something that we can guarantee as our staff are committed to us on a session by session basis to allow for changes in their own schedules. A request can always be made and, where possible, we will place the staff accordingly.