THE MARSIAN MONTHLY
March 2019
Upcoming Events:
- April 13th -- MARS Intra-Squad Meet
- April 27th - April 28th -- FAST BB/B/C Meet
- April 27th - 28th -- RICE Open Water Senior Trip
- May 17th - 19th -- MARS Open LC Invitational
- May 31st - June 2nd -- MAC BB and Up Meet
- June 13th - 16th -- 11th Annual Bill Nixon Memorial Pro-AM
Mid-Cities Arlington Swimming
Email: officemanager@marswim.org
Website: marswim.org
Phone: 817-271-1537
Facebook: facebook.com/Mid-CitiesArlingtonSwimming
Parents Corner:
Friendly Reminder:
When temps drop - please remember to have your swimmer(s) always fully clothed when walking into practice. As well as, change out of suit and into warm/dry clothes before leaving practice!
Bill Nixon Pro-Am Banner
How can I get a MARS Super or Elite Parent T-shirt?
When you accumulate over 100 service hours - Elite Parent
Which one are YOU?!
Coaches Corner:
March 2019
Greetings from the pool deck,
Spring seemed to come by for a few days a week or so ago, but winter is back again, fighting hard to hold on a little longer. Didn’t Punxsutawney Phil tell us winter was ending? Should we even believe a rodent?
Our championship meets are in full swing. We had great results at the 14&Under Champs in Rockwall (that somehow included 15&O too), with several of our kids getting second swims in finals. The BB & Under meet at Mansfield was really great too. I can’t remember seeing too many swims that weren’t best times. Great job MARSians! We also have swimmers at the last two championship meets of the season, Sectionals in College Station, and TAGS in The Woodlands. Good luck!!
It’s time to reflect on this past season and to do a little introspection for both swimmers and coaches alike. The things we did great and the things we can improve upon need to be examined. Coaches will be discussing this with their swimmers when we return from spring break.
Speaking of spring break…. Our MARSian spring break begins on Monday, March 11th for two weeks. We will return to our normal schedule on Monday, March 25th. This is the time to relax, refresh, recharge, and spend time with family and friends.
The purple practice caps have been distributed at all pools. If your child hasn’t received one, please let your coach know. Some of the purple caps have faded. The cap manufacturer has given us some replacements. If you need one, ask your coach.
Our next team events are the Water Safety Day at UTA on April 13th, and an Open Long Course Meet at UTA on May 17-19. Our annual Make-a-Splash Day in June 22nd this year. Look for more information on these events on our website soon. Mark your calendars!! By the way, over the break, we will be finalizing the upgrade of our team website. I hope you like the refreshed look of the site when we make it live.
I’m very excited to announce a new partnership with the Viridian Development in Arlington. We have some exciting things planned with this wonderful planned community. We’ll be offering residents swim lessons for children and adults, and a summer swim league team. Stay tuned for more information.
With spring break upon us, it’s time to begin thinking about our summer programs. Once school lets out, we’ll begin our summer schedule with morning practices for our AG2 and above swimmers at either UTA or the WAC in Lewisville. Our summer camps for high school swimmers will start at UTA, GCISD and TCC, as well as our expended lesson programs.
Have a great spring break. See you all on the pool deck soon!
Coach Brian
Ask MARSian Parent
Q: How many service hours will we need for 2019?
A: We will each need 18 service hours for families in Bronze and above for 2019. Please keep in mind this is per calendar year.
Q: What is OnDeck Parent application and why do I need it?
A: OnDeck Parent is an IPhone or Android application which allows you as a swim parent to manage your MAR's account and follow your swimmer's accomplishments. See these web sites for more information about the application and download instructions. iPhone or Android
Once you download and install the application on your device you can login by filling in the following entries:
Username - Is your email address that you used to login to the MAR's (TeamUnify) web site.
Password - Is your password used to login to the MAR's (TeamUnify) web site.
Team alias - ntsmars
Q: I just swam my first swim meet, where are results displayed?
A: You can get event/meet results from the following locations:
- Usually the event results are displayed on some wall at the natatorium. (not always)
- Events will be posted within the 10 days after the meet has completed at this web site: http://www.ntswim.org Events-->Meet Results
- Most swim meets utilize "Meet Mobile". This is a fee based smart phone application which allows the user to see live results of the swim meet and other cool options.
Q: How can I see how many service hours I owe?
A: Login to the Mars Team Web Site.
Select My Account on the right.
Select $My Invoice/Payments.
Select the Service Hours tab.
If your number shows a positive value, then that is what you owe.
Q: Why do we have to volunteer at our meets?
A: In order for us to host a successful and safe meet, we need our MARSian families to be part of every meet we host. We all lead very busy lives. However, I can promise you that your swimmer will feel even more supported seeing you as a timer, head timer, meet runner and/or working concessions or hospitality room. Everyone is good at something which means everyone has something to offer. Please be on the lookout for upcoming dates for training classes for each of our volunteer positions. ***Each person will receive volunteer points for attending a training class. ***Please Note: You will receive the points once you put that training into action at our hosted meets. In addition to the points you will receive for your volunteer work at the meet.We will send out the next training class date soon.
Q: Do the service hours start over in January?
A: Yes, service hours are per calendar year (January 1st through December 31st).
Q: What is OnDeck Parent application and why do I need it?
A: OnDeck Parent is an IPhone or Android application which allows you as a swim parent to manage your MAR's account and follow your swimmer's accomplishments. See these web sites for more information about the application and download instructions. iPhone or Android
Once you download and install the application on your device you can login by filling in the following entries:
Username - Is your email address that you used to login to the MAR's (TeamUnify) web site.
Password - Is your password used to login to the MAR's (TeamUnify) web site.
Team alias - ntsmars
Q: How do I set up the SMS messaging?
A: How to set up and receive SMS from your coach's about pool updates or quick important info.
1- log-in to your account
2- Click on My Account then under the drop down click on My account again
3- Add up to two SMS number and the Carrier and click save
4- Then go to click on Not Verified and you will receive a code via text message that then you type in and hit verify.
5- Set to start getting text from the team when a pool is closed or we need to get you fast information.
Do you have a question for the MARSian parent? Email at askmarsparent@gmail.com
Celebrating March Birthdays
Eunice Tjio, Chloe Ochieng, Isabella Hu, Sarah Drori, Sriyam Joshi, Annabelle Sherrill, Aneesh Mazumder, Joseph Jewell, Marin Kirby, Cade Land, Shaan Lalani, Caleb Moran, Dawn Richerson, Sierge Gay, Liam Powell, Josephine Bunkley, Gregory Brown, Isabelle Rios, Mitchell Mead, Ryan Bradburry, Bennet Camp, Megan Cashatt, Eric Onyango, Ophelia Shultz, Falin Fogle, Anja Dangelmaier, Aarav Pawar, Zoe Fowler, Landon Becker, Ian Voland